a Brother is given us in the Holy | faith in Jesus Christ. It is in virtue of Scriptures than that of Joseph. No- union to Jesus as our Brother, that his thing can be more affecting than the God and Father as Mediator, became life of the Son of Jacob- and the more our Father also. So Jesus has conwe examine it under the light and descended to take our nature into union teaching of the Spirit, the more we are with his divine nature, and raised us delighted with its typical beauty and by making us partakers of his Spirit. importance. Joseph was greatly be- How rich! How safe! How blessed! loved of his Father, but he was cruelly And how honourable are all those treated by his brethren. His dreams whom he owns as his brethren. As a relative to his future exaltations and Brother he has taken a deep and greatness increased their enmity to untiring interest in their welfare; and him. See the trials he endured, the he has made arrangements to raise changing and the conflicting scenes them from sin, poverty, and misery, to through which he passed. Notwith-holiness, to durable riches, and to standing these painful circumstances, the Lord was on his side, the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper in his hand, and such was the compassion of his heart when raised to the greatness to which he was destined, that he delivered his brethren from death, supplied their wants, raised them to honour and wealth, and forgave all the ill treatment he had received from them. But you will observe they did not go to Joseph till they were driven by absolute necessity, and directed to him by the providence of God. But our business here is not to expatiate upon points that are evidently typical in the career of Joseph, but to speak of Him who is emphatically a revealer of secrets, an interpreter of dreams, and a preserver of suitable provision for bis brethren. How amazing the love of Jesus in that he should condescend to become our Brother. Jesus declared in terms the most plain and unmistakable, "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." The noble minded and highly-favoured Paul, makes this astonishing declaration, "He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, the children being partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same." Now as Jesus To every distressed, seeking, perishverily took not on him the nature ofing sinner, the Father saith, go unto angels, but the seed of Abraham, in Jesus, and what he saith to you, do. order to be in the likeness of men, so The provision Jesus hath made and we must be made partakers of the laid up for all his brethren, is inexdivine nature-in a word, be regene- haustible. O for grace to praise him rated by the Holy Spirit, must receive with joyful lips-to praise him in time the spirit of adoption, we have then and to praise for evermore. Many right or "power to become the Sons of there doubtless are, whose minds are God," John i. 12. We are then dark, and harassed, whose circumexperimentally children of God by stances are distressing--whose lot it is everlasting happiness. His countenance wears no frowning aspects; his heart knows no want of affection and sympathy; he never passes his brethren by because they are poor; "He is a Brother born for adversity." He is like Joseph, he knew his brethren, but they knew him not. And though he may at times seem to treat his brethren roughly, yet he is full of love and tenderness to them. He gives his brethren provision for the way, but the fulness is in reserve till they arrive at home. Jesus, the affectionate Brother, is gone to heaven, there to appear in the presence of God for all his relations-before he ascended he said unto them, "I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God." Jesus is not ashamed to own his brethren before the world-before his Father and his holy angels. He will not be ashamed of them when the assembled myriads of beings shall stand before his great white throne. He will then say, “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from before the foundation of the world." Holy Spirit, increase our love to and our confidence in Jesus; help us to walk in his ways with delight to receive out of his eternal fulness with thankful hearts: help us to be ever seeking the bread of everlasting life from his hand. to do business in deep waters- who Now dearest Lord, to praise thy name, Here in thy love we will rejoice, To whom, dear Jesus, O to whom Our next extract is the short passage with which the book concludes. CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL. "How true it is that Christ is all and in all. Meditate upon the covenant of grace of life-and of peace; a covenant never to be broken-an everlasting agreement. And you cannot, (if taught by the Holy Spirit,) fail in discovering Christ to be its all and in all. Gaze upon the startling wonders and amazing glory of creation, and in this you see the power and life of Christ. Every blade of grass wet with the dew of heaven proclaim him: every shining star is but the sparkling of Messiah's glory, "For all things were created by him, and without him nothing was created." He is all, in the types and shadows of the old dispensation, their glory, their meaning, and their sub- Here Lydia and Philip; or, the Visit to Kiffenford. A narrative for the times; founded on facts: wherein are set forth the true church, its profession and fellowship. BY WILLIAM HAWKINS. London: Houlston and Stoneman. A work intended to teach, in a pleasing narrative style, the folly and vanity of forms and ceremonies, when substituted for vital and experimental godliness. The preface of the author sets forth his design very accurately. He says: "The Author presents this little work as a book for all interested in the truth, especially Particular Baptists; suitable as a present in our families, and as a reward for our schools. As for its narrative form, he has taken, at a humble distance, the example of him who spake as never man spake, and^ whose instructions were frequently in this form. Some beautiful specimens of this we have in Matt. xiii., Luke x., xv., xviii., and in numerous other instances. Also, this form of writing has been used to impress nearly every error, The chapter we now append will give a fair idea of the general quality of the work. THE MARRIAGE; OR HOW DOMESTIC HAPPINESS IS ENJOYED. "Marriage is honourable, in all," Great God of order, truth, and grace, Since the following pages were | bath schools, and christian congregawritten, the author's eye has rested on tions and families. In the first parts the testimony of a clergyman of the of the volume, the sentiments put into Established Sect, respecting those the lips of the children are a little too enemies of the Church who are exposed mature and full grown; but as the and repudiated in these chapters. He narrative runs on, the sympathies of says, 'In this conflict, the true church the reader are aroused and arrested; and servants of the Lord, have Infi- and the whole chain of incidents ends delity and Popery as their bitter, un- in a gratifying manner, almost "too relenting adversaries, together with good to be true," or quite like the many auxiliaries from all classes of truth, perhaps. But still, allowing formalists and worldly men. But some license for the sake of the style POPERY, that enemy of all righteous- adopted by the author, the narrative is ness, that ever persecuting child of the well conceived, and the arguments indevil, takes the lead. By Popery I tended to be presented and enmean, not only as it exists at Rome forced, are judiciously and pertinently and elsewhere, under its own name and conveyed. form, but Popery as it has been revived at Oxford, and which is now passing through the kingdom under the name of Puseyism. And I also mean those ultra high church principles and doctrines held by many of the national clergy, who will not acknowledge themselves to be of Popish principles, though they cherish most of the feelings and doctrines of the Oxford school. These are the three armies of aliens that threaten to corrupt the whole world. These are the men, and theirs are the measures, which I would point out as the enemies of our God and his Christas enemies to the truth as it is in Jesus-as those who ever have hated that liberty wherewith the Lord Jesus makes his people free. These three columns of the alien army are somewhat different from each other, but the difference is more in their growth and maturity, than in their nature. Hyperchurch principles, carried out, will soon lead into the ranks of Puseyism; and Puseyism, in its onward march, soon reaches the goal of Popery, as it is at Rome. And as they are essentially the same in principle and spirit, so are they in their practice of opposition to the simple and graciously free salvation of the gospel of Christ Jesus, and to all who preach it.' This is pretty well for a Clergyman, and its truth is exemplified in this narrative, which is now presented at the throne of grace, and thence to the service of the true church." The story told in the book before us is one which will, we doubt not, prove very attractive; and, we trust, eminently useful to many of our children and youths, connnected with Sab Shine with thy sweet, approving smile, "After what has been related of You have blessed word of God,-the restraint and the favour which subdues their iniquity,-the longsuffering which bears with them from day to day, the loving-kindness and faithfulness which lifts in which these buildings once proudly stood. Then, as with a spear in their souls, they would recur to the abode of the deluded Jezebel; and onward to the infatuated blindness in which sc many ministers of the Establishment were following after the beast. "So are joys mixed with pain to the wise." my consent to accompany him, if you have considered duly what lies before you, if the young man has your mind, to form that union which he has not kept secret it is his desire to form. There are two things which I am conup their oft downcast mind. vinced our sex do not properly set "How true it is," they would say before themselves, before they assent after such visits," how true is it that to those who seek them. One is, that godliness with contentment is great in becoming a wife, we place ourselves gain!' A godliness such as this, raises in subjection to the man we accept, by the heart to its treasure in heaven. the command of God, whether he be ye rich worldlings, here are durable wise or foolish, religious or profane. riches and righteousness, unsearchable The other is, that, from the day of riches. Here are also the true nobility, marriage, it is our bounder duty to do -the sons and daughters of the Lord the utmost in our power to promote the Almighty; poor in this world truly, happiness of the person we have but rich in faith and heirs of the become united to for life." With kingdom." At other times they were many other words did this wise mother to be seen walking and talking about address her daughter; and the daugh- the Popish remains, in the valley near ter, thinking she could be happy with the town, thankfully adoring that one so excellent, looked forward with heavenly providence which has desome little perturbation for the ap-livered us from the miseries of the days pointed hour. At that hour he came, as you may be sure he would, and a most pleasant walk they had. From that time he was a frequent visitor. Some people, who professed to be judges in these affairs, said they were well formed for each other. Joseph being a favorite with Mrs. G. she looked forward with pleasure to their union. On the other hand, the letters from Jezebel made it but too certain she would be lost to them. "Were it not for my poor deceived girl," Mrs. G. would say, "my happiness would be as perfect as earth could prove to one whose home is above. Her death, bodily, would have been a painful stroke for me, but the loss of her poor deluded soul for ever, is more than I can sometimes bear up under." One of the pleasures of Hagar's courtship was, their familiar calls on the weavers and other members of their church. These they had reason to prize, valuing, as they did, the conversation of spiritual minds, In these they saw what the grace of God does under severe labour and privations, and under the infirmities of age, sickness, and poverty. How by these, God is praised for his special goodness, when what is by most called necessaries are cut off; and how men and women, despised by man, pointed out the grace that cheers amid their fears,-the love which draws them to the throne of grace, the Spirit divine which brings to their profitable remembrance the At length arrangements were completed, and the day arrived when these young persons were to be united in the conjugal bonds of matrimony. The nuptial ceremony was solemnized by their own pastor in their own chapel. At the appointed time many friends were there. First they sung an appropriate hymn, then Eph. v. 22 to the end, was read, and prayer was presented. Then was repeated the words required by the law; and it was an interesting moment when the bridegroom, in a manly tone and manner, and as though he was proud of the occasion, said after his parent and pastor," I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment, why I, Joseph Truman, may not be joined in matrimony to Hagar Goodenough." The bride in a nice manner made the same declaration as far as applicable to herself. Joseph then took the right hand of his bride in his, and repeated after his father the second and last portion of the words legally required, with apparent high satisfaction. Hagar then was directed to take her bridegroom's right hand, (and as she before had his heart, it was cordially yielded her ;) and holding it, pressed upon them important exhorta in her right hand, with admirable self-tions, he concluded his pastor-parental possession she repeated the second address thus,-" Let me just add, my portion too, saying," I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, Hagar Goodenough, do take thee, Joseph Truman, to be my lawful wedded husband." The ring being then placed on the bride's finger, they held each other's right hands, and repeated both together after the minister, "Let this ring be the token and remembrance of the solemn engagements into which WE have now entered, to live together in the bands of marriage, as is enjoined on those who fear God, till it shall please God to separate us by death," The minister then pronounced them husband and wife, and joining their right hands in his, said, with great emotion, "Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." Now, all being seated before him, the pastor, as his custom is, offered some brief remarks on the portion of scripture before read. In doing so, amongst other things, he said 66 dear children, that to promote lasting, true, and endearing domestic happiness, is not the effort of great talents, but the exercise of mutual forbearance and forgiveness; in fact, while the wife sees that she reverences her husband, her husband sees that he gives honour to the wife as the weaker vessel." Then he, with all his heart, implored the blessing of God upon the newlymarried pair, and this concluded the nuptial ceremony. The registering, and so forth, was attended to in the vestry. And not few or light, were the expressed wishes of the friends for their long and happy union. And we have reason to believe it is so. After a little while they had the further pleasure of knowing that Mrs. G. felt quite at home under their roof; but very early after this a letter from Jezebel brought the intelligence that on a set day she would take the veil, and that she had assigned her property to the Church, meaning thereby the community of the Papists." She also treated at large, on her honour in being married to the Lord Jesus, as was the privilege of nuns, so that henceforth she should live as the spouse of Christ. So deluded was this poor young person; for it is known the life in a convent is one of debasement, deception, superstition, and cruelty.* At the very best it is a state of seclusion from the dearest ties and spheres of usefulness, to a life of senseless services and duties,-the inventions of men, offensive to God, and injurious to all. My only and dear son, having this day entered on a new sphere, it be comes you to be guided in it by the word of the Lord At all times it must be your lamp. The Lord requires of you the most perfect love to your wife. Even as Christ's to his church. Love, as to your own body, to your own self. Remember it is God that commands this, not your father merely, not your wife only. And of you, my beloved daughter," said he, "the Lord requires submission to your husband. This submission is to be in all things, and that not because man wishes it, or because expediency dictates it, but because the Lord enjoins it. And this is to be done, not only to husbands, but supremely to the Lord himself. The divine words are, you will remember,-" Wives, submit your selves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord; for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. So let the wives be subject to their own husbands in every thing." O is not this a precious type of the grace-union of Christ and his church. Inseparable, founded on And yet this revolting system is the husband's love and choice, enjoyed and the friend of freedom! Execrable wickedlauded as the guardian of religious truth, in mutual love and communion, and ness. And can mankind believe the daring manifested in a united observance of lie? This said one who had been in them, Covenant bands." And having im- in his work--"Life in a convent." On the day which was to seal, as supposed, the doom of Jezebel, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Truman invited their father and mother, with sister Rachel, and Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, with *"The monastic system has given birth to as much real wretchedness, as much secret guilt, as spiritual, aye, and actual substantial produced. The chains with which it binds wickedness, as the scenes of public life ever its votaries are galling. The yoke it lays on their shoulders is grievous to be borne, and presses them to the earth. But it is not the body alone that it prostrates; the mind it also crushes. |