"I'll love my Lord, and trust his word, Though he think fit to frown; And bless the hand that held the sword, in the scriptures, and “by love | whatever were his trials, or howserve one another," Gal. v. 13. ever he might need a friend, he Remembering that the contrary could have no help from man. conduct is under the influence of For, as there was none for him in satan, and feeding the strength of his wife, his bosom companion, sin in the heart; "and sin, when it was in vain to look to any it is finished, bringeth forth creature. This was, indeed, indeath," James i. 15. | structive caution, and most poigPainful experience proves that nantly presented. As such he such a spirit, as in the case of viewed it, and on the painful Job's wife, is too often, turbu. occasion manifested devout rever. lently at work in the christian ence and said, "What! shall we church. Some word is spoken receive good at the hand of God, which gives offence, though unin- |and shall we not receive evil," tentionally. Some measure is verse 10. proposed, to which sotne object ; or some misconception is imbibed. And in such cases, instead of brethren being courteous as the Which cut my comforts down." apostle enjoins, 1 Peter iii. 8, it Here is a demonstration of the frequently happens that ill feeling is gendered and provoking lan-all-sufficiency of sovereign grace, guage used, Then the seeds of and the full exemplification of discord are sown, and the "root experimental religion, abiding the And this was what of bitterness spring up," Heb. xii. 15. The mind of the minister or the Lord designed to shew in the others is deeply wounded and a case of Job, by all that he endured; breach made in the church ! however trying, or however mys. This is obeying "the motions of terious, or whether from the spirit sin," and furthering the devices of his wife, or satan, or otherwise. of satan," Rom. vii. 5, 2 Cor. ii 11. And that for the comfort of And although Paul and others afflicted and tempted souls, to the have known and felt much of such end of time, and to the confusion cases in the church, and "out of of the father of lies, James v. 11. much affliction and anguish of O, ye doubting souls, ye, who heart, with many tears, have distrust the Lord, and hearken wrote on the subject, yet none | too much to satan's distressing can tell the extent of the evil, suggestions; here see and adore James iii. 13 to 16, 2 Cor. ii. 3, 4. the grace and faithfulness of your Finally, we said that this case covenant God. Job, with all his supplied instructive caution, trials, was graciously sustained, both to Job and others; and our while satan, his accuser, was foiled concluding remarks are intended and proved a liar. to promote the reception of this. sustained Job, has said for your Job had passed through great comfort, "my grace is sufficient and complicated trials, but more for thee," 2 Cor. xii. 9. awaited him. How were they to be endured? Not by the help of friends. He was here taught that 66 severest test. And he who Households, heads and mem bers of families, may from this case receive instructive caution. "Whene'er the angry passions rise, And tempt our thoughts or tongues to sirife; To Jesus let us lift our eyes, Bright pattern of the christian life." Every christian, and especially a christian woman, must needs be pained at the spirit of Job's wife; and hence, learn the necessity of watchfulness and self-control. Never add to your trials by using rash and cutting words. Rather tion, requiring your consideration, study, and affectionately meet, it should, on every occasion, be each other's cases. And if adver-adjusted with all prayer and sity overtake any relative, do not brotherly love," Eph. vi. 18; imitate Job's wife, but sympathize Heb. xiii. 1. But never apwith them, "considering thyself proached 66 66 with Nor, "anger and lest thou also be tempted," Gal. clamour," Eph. iv. 31. vi. 1. Adore, and trust "the decided, under any circumstances, hand of God," as Job did; and through strife, or vain-glory," never think the worse of religion Phil. ii, 3. In all you do, sufor your sufferings or poverty, premely regard the honour and because it is written, "Godliness the approbation of your adorable is profitable unto all things, Lord; and as you are privileged having promise of the life that to be identified with his cause, now is, and of that which is to shudder at the thought of exposing come," 1 Tim. iv. 8. it to derision and waste. May we, on all occasions, take the advice of an experienced brother, and as we read his statement, remember it is the counsel and command of God the Holy Ghost,: "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour," 1 Peter v. 8. 66 Brethren in church fellow ship, may well regard this case as yielding instructive caution. You may have much to try you, though not in the same way as Job; yet you need line upon line," to guide you in your several and varying positions. Here is a special line, as though all written in capitals, for your caution and instruction. Sin, and sinful pro- Christian pastors are some. pensities, lodge in every heart, as times singularly and distressingly in the heart of Job's wife; and placed, as was Job, and as were its out-break is the bane of any others, "made a spectacle unto christian church, and tends to its the world, and to angels, and to " displantation, Gal. v. 15. Satan men," I Cor. iv. 9. At a time now, as in the time of Job, is when they most need the discreet "going to and fro in the earth," advice and friendly co-operation Job i. 7, seeking a-favourable of members, those in whom, as opportunity to rouse indwelling Job in his wife, they confided, and sin into action, and set on fire, from whom they most naturally. the tongue, and the whole course expect aid and comfort, too fre. of nature," James iii. 6. And quently prove, by their rash ex... thereby to cause "envying, and pressions and untoward carriage, strife, and divisions among" the as "a brier, and sharper than a saints, and bring reproach on the. a thorn-hedge," Micah vii. 4. cause of Christ, 1 Cor. iii. 3. Words are used, like "drawn "feared God and eschewed evil," Job i. 8. And so it is recorded of him, "in all this did not Job sin with his lips." Here, then, is instructive caution for wounded and suffering pastors, and likewise swords," Psalm lv. 21, to wound the feelings and stab the character. Such was the spirit of Job's wife; yet he did not have recourse to retaliation, nor abandon the cause of God. In his reply, he exemplified, "another spirit," Num. for "your brother and comxiv. 24, and while he used expos-panion in tribulation. tulation with her, he exercised self-command, and proved that he My Dear Sir, Hull. Correspondence. EBED. the amplitudes of saving mercy, and, as a lovely consequence, practically to crown A LETTER TO MR. DOWLING. Glemsford, April, 1848. shine as one of God's peculiar lights, "to the praise and glory of his grace." And what shall we now say ? O what shall we now render to the Lord, who heard, and has answered our prayer for our dear friend? Honours crown our God; this is our hallelujah, still our sister Blessings Twitchet; this is our aspiration. In the lively exercise of both these would we live under the blessed operation of the Eternal Spirit. And while we send songs and prayers to the divine Sovereign in the name of Jesus for her, we all unite to send our christian love to her, accompanied with a sincere desire that she will remember us whenever she has free access unto the God-man. Yours came to hand a very short time since. I am greatly your debtor for a favour so unexpected, so welcome and so refreshing. It was indeed "Good news from a far country;" and was accompanied in the reading with the select and blessing influence of the divine Comforter. It also came to hand very opportunely. Well timed in this respect it was truly, by him who has lovingly promised to be gloriously exact in giving seasonable refreshment to his sighing sojourners, and often weary pilgrims. "Much cast down by reason of the way," my enthroned, Lord, who was perfectly acquainted with my necessities, directed some little "good cheer to be sent me in a letter from Van Dieman's Land, containing a favourable report of our friend and sister in Christ, Susan Twitchet. It gives us at Glemsford, my dear sir, much joy to learn that our esteemed friend has been favoured in that far off land to manifest her heavenly birth by shining in the beauties of God's wonderful salvation. Many prayers were sent up to heaven's gracious throne on her behalf ere she left England, that she might have a safe and prosperous voyage to Van Dieman's Land, there to be blessed with Often may our Covenant God give us in spirit to meet at the mercy-seat, mutually realizing the blood-treasure of redeeming sweetness, till we shall finally meet in the blissful home of Christ's glorified presence, then and there, in music heavenly and harmonious, for ever sing his praises. Amen. I desire moreover, my dear sir, to rejoice that the illustrious Head of Zion has blessed your labours in Van Dieman's Land. Gratifying indeed is the information that you have there "baptized ONE HUNDRED" in the name of the Three One Majesty; also 33 have "seen Two chapels built;" moreover witnessed "the gathering together of two congregations into the mysteriously undulate till it shall be solemnities of divine worship." heard by one of his heralds in Van Dieman's Land, and by an invisible emphatic energy somewhat strengthen his heart in the Lord. May it be so, and the gracious Lord shall have all the praise. Before I conclude, I will just say, that my inward convictions are in solemn harmony with your observation, "That there is nothing worth living for below, but to know more of the glorious Jesus, and increasingly to magnify his name." To this I sincerely subscribe; and would intreat an interest in your breathings at a Father's throne, that I may shelter under mercy's wings, sing in the Redeemer's wounds, lodge in the sweetness of divine goodness, shine in the image of him who bought me, glorify him below, having a bright prospect of living with him for ever above. Amen. These things surely call upon the friends of beloved Zion to wave 46 a heave offering" of thanksgiving. Go on, my dear sir, in preaching free grace wonders, streaming from the Father's rich love, abounding through 1mmanuel's atoning blood, and triumphing by the Spirit's marvellous influence. You have had the felt presence of your wonderful Jesus in his service, which is delightful. You have seen evidence of his approbation attending your "casting the net into the sea," so that you have not sailed all night and caught nothing." This is very encouraging. You have moreover his gracious and faithful promise that he will be with you always to keep you as a saint, and bless you as a minister. This is truly animating. Go on, then, my dear sir, go on, and the Lord be with you indeed, and make his precious word, through you, by powerful application, life, light, deliverance, freedom, purity and bless-mend you, in the name of him who is edness in the experience of many glorified. ransomed offenders. Richest blessings attend you and all your's henceforth, and for evermore. To divine parental care I would com I am, my dear sir, Your's sincerely, ROBERT BARNES. REMARKS ON THE FIRST It however occurs to me that the younger is writing to the elder; pray, therefore, my dear sir, excuse whatever may, in the preceding sentences, seem to wear an inflated aspect. I designed no such a thing-the spirit of sympathy influenced me to write freely. Occasioned by a piece on the same psalm It may seem as if my pen has run on in a penny periodical for March, 1848. in forgetfulness of being addressing Messrs. Editors, a servant of Christ who is in his 67th year. But why should I apologize ? I will hope that you are as humble as you are old; therefore conclude that apology for christian freedom is, any further, altogether unnecessary. Moreover, it may be that heaven's loving counsel run for a word from the feebler should be the means of some little encouragement to the stronger-the truth it may be hoped some one that GO ON uttered in England by one will be profited in reading it, but when of the unworthiest of God's mes- we write error it is possible some may sengers, is destined to vibrate, and be so displeased as to oppose it. I know not the writer of the piece referred to, and if I did I have no personal unkindness to him whatever; it is not with persons but with principles I have now to do; nor is it with private opinions, but with printed and public ones I wish a little to deal : public property of this kind may be When we write used in a public way. The above writer thinks the first | 2 Peter i. 4, in whose hearts he is part of this psalm belongs only to formed the hope of glory, in whose Christ, and would give us to under- likeness they live, and after his divine stand it is true of none else; that example they do and should delight to Christ is the only blessed man, the meditate in the law he loved; from only one that delights and meditates in him is their fruit found, and like Joseph the law of the Lord day and night, the and Gaius he makes them prosper, and only one that brings forth fruit and so they are sometimes, notwithstanding prospers, the only righteous man; all their troubles, abundantly blessed, (page 50) and so I suppose all those | as declared in the psalm before us. that the scriptures call the just, the So far from Jesus being the only saints, the pure in heart, the meek, blessed one, he himself declares, “Blessed the merciful, the lovers of the law, the are they that hear the word of God blessed and prosperous, the fruitful in and keep it," Luke xi. 28. See also righteousness, &c. cannot be, accord - | how many blessings he has pronounced ing to this writer, such good characters; on his people as described in the these "amiable and virtuous" cha- beatitudes, Matt. v. 2, 10, inclusive. racters he seems to class among the self-styled perfectionists, pharisees, &c. (page 52.) He exalts Christ, it is true, (and none can exalt Christ too much in a right way,) but he seems to me to do it so as to make no one the better for him, so as to set at nought the work of the Spirit, so as to supersede sound experience, so as to dispense with real| sanctity in the heart and life of the believer, so as to set aside personal religion; as if no christian could be really blessed, and holy, and obedient to the divine law, because these things may be so far from himself. This seems to be an evangelical way of getting rid of the law of God, and relieving us from all obligation to serve it, and depriving us of the image of TO Christ, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost. But it is the liberty that the flesh loves, and agrees with the faith of graceless professors, and at the same time is contrary to that Christ such writers would be thought to honour. I freely confess I have not so learned Christ. I have long thought the first psalm a beautiful description of the godly man, and if understood of Christ it is true in the highest sense of him, and in a lower sense of all true believers in him; who are made partakers of his holiness, possessors of his divine nature, It is true our obedience on earth is THOS. ROW, A Labourer. THE EDITORS OF THE GOSPEL HERALD. Remarks on the Article entitled “The As I believe that the spread of sound scriptural truth is the principal object contemplated in the circulation of your useful periodical, I take the liberty of directing your attention to some passages in the article on the |