"That henceforth we should not serve sin." "For he that is dead is freed from sin;" freed from sin by the death of Christ; since he died unto sin once, we are also dead to sin, having died with him. We are dead with him, as it follows, "Now, if we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him." Since all the elect died with him, they must of necessity live with him, knowing that their great High Priest, who was made after the power of an endless life, being raised from the dead, dieth no more. "I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore." "For, in that he died, he died unto sin once." Once done, for ever done. "But in that he liveth, he liveth unto God." So we, "The life that we live is by the faith of the Son of God." "Likewise reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Then sin hath no more dominion over us, and our life is in him. Mark the union that is kept up. In the preceding verses, baptism is spoken of in the most lively figures, and does not certainly mean water baptism, as some represent it, but faith's apprehension of Christ in his baptismal sufferings. We are partakers of his suffer ings, and we indeed largely partake, since it was for us he suffered. We also were baptized into his death; we were in it; he died for us. Oh! how full the expression, “buried with him;" with him while in his baptismal sufferings, for his people were never separated from him. By this baptism into death, (the death of the Lord Jesus Christ,) we die with him! so that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we also should walk in newness MR. W. JAMES, Late of Hartley Row. of life; shewing thereby that we have risen with him, and that since our old man was crucified with him, we no longer live unto ourselves, but unto God. We can only have fellowship with Christ's sufferings as these things are entered into and received by faith. In Philippians iii. 10, 13, we find these scriptures, which may be coupled with those in Rom. vi. :~" That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." First, "That I may know Christ" more perfectly, have a more intimate acquaintance with him, feel the power of his resurrection in my soul; that, being quickened from dead works, I may rise above, and keep under the lusts of the flesh. Secondly, "That I may have fellowship with his sufferings;" have communion with, an entering into, and a partaking of their blessedness; realize my interest in them, see how I was one with him when he suffered, that he bore them in my room and stead, that they were put to my account, and considered the same as if I had suffered them, and that I am joint with him. Thus I have fellowship with his sufferings, realizing myself included in them. Thirdly, Being made conformable unto his death," like unto his death; dying unto sin as he died for it. "If, by any means, I might attain” (arrive) to that glory while here for which I am apprehended of God, and desire to lay hold of, and taste of the powers of the world to come. The apostle knew that he was not perfect, nor had already attained; but he was pressing forward, and blessing God for the light already received. Let us follow his example. (To be continued.) 66 Obituaries. (Continued from page 51.) After the resignation of our brother's pastorate, he still continued to reside at Hartley Row, anxious to see what the Lord would do concerning him. He had several invitations to preach at other places, some of which he accepted; but nothing appeared perma nent. He could hear no voice say, "this is the spot in my vineyard where you are to work for a season;" and no effectual door being opened to him, he became much depressed in mind. He observed to a friend about this time, "I had hoped to have finished my course at Hartley Row, and to have had a lasting resting place there," referring to the grave yard belonging to the chapel; "but now I see I must leave it." But still he lingered, for he loved the spot and the people, whom he found he must leave behind. He came up to London, to consult the writer of these lines as to his position. "Brother C.," said he, "I feel in the midst of impenetrable darkness, as it regards providential things. I know not which way to take. I think the Lord has done with me as a minister, and I must do something to support myself and wife. I think of going into some way of business. What would you advise?" The writer confesses that he never felt more distressed at a brother's situation, or perplexed to know how to advise; the idea of a minister, after years of service, to be forced into secular employment, seemed distressing in the highest degree, all he could offer was, "Wait-God will appear;" and so he did, as the sequel proved. He had marked out the way, though we could not read it. "With feeble light and half obscure, Poor mortals they arrangements view, Forgetting that the least is sure, And the mysterious just and true." The state of our brother's mind at this time will be best seen by presenting our readers with a few extracts from his letters. In a letter to his wife a few months before his death, he writes: "Dear E,-I am quite as well as úsual. Bless the Lord for his mercies to me and you, for they are truly great and constant, as the day and hour, The Lord be with you still in all good things. You may safely trust his wisdom to manage all for the best for you, and for me too; and you may safely trust his goodness too, to provide what we shall need. And surely we have strong reasons to trust and praise the Lord, because of what he hath done for us in past days. "Our God saith he will work in his means and instruments he will accom. plish all his own pleasure, and supply all his people's needs. We must look for nothing but misery in ourselves, and in all other fallen creatures; if we expect any permanent good here we shall not find it; for all creature and creature things are but one general wreck, the substance of this fallen world is little else than a heap of ruins. "But when we look at Jesus, we see in him all love-all life-all goodness all solid and lasting comfort. help us, dear wife, to be looking to him until we arrive in safety where he now reigns in glory, Accept my best desires for your present and spiritual peace, through the pardoning blood of the cross, "Your's, &c., In another he says, God "W. JAMES." "Dear E.,-I write to you again, to tell you, it is, through mercy, well with me; the tender mercies of the Lord are great toward us, for our rebellious hearts are often rising against his sovereign will. O what a sink of evil is every heart in every bosom ; but God's forgiving love is wonderful, and we hope for the day when we shall be freed from all sin and sorrow for ever. "Nothing seems to open for me here at present, but surely the Lord will deliver us, and lead us by the right way, so when he hath tried us, we shall come forth as gold; the night will pass away, and the morning of the day of gladness and joy will arise. I sometimes feel the hope that after awhile we shall live and spend out some of our best and most pleasant days. Who can tell but the good hand of our covenant God may grant us this favour. If not, I trust we shall be led to say, all our trials and chastenings were just and right. And then, after all, there is victory over all our sins and sorrows, and heavenly glory at the end of our trying path. In the meanwhile the promise is, "My grace is sufficient for thee. The Lord be with thee." Your's, &c., W. JAMES." To a brother in the ministry he writes about the same time :— "Dear Brother George, "I am indebted to you an epistle, own way and time, and by his own and I desire to owe you and your's nothing save love in the Spirit, and that you know is an heavenly debt which we both owe, first to our everloving Lord, and in him to each other and all his household; and to feel, confess, and exemplify this divine affection is the richest and sweetest ingredient of true spiritual experience, and shews the fairest likeness of true saintship; such love I take to be the solid basis of all our acquaintance and fellowship in the gospel of peace from the first day of our meeting until now. But we hope by and by to drop the things of the flesh, and meet and commune on holy ground; and what that rare union and communion will be, "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive." I am still at sea, and the winds are contrary; but there is a shore as well as good anchorage, whilst we are tossed upon the face of the deep the Lord may be near, when the night is most dark, and the storm most threatening, and the seamen most alarmed. This was the case, you know, with Paul the captive; and he who ruled the raging of the seas then, is the very God of the seas and the dry land now, the same God of Israel, and to Israel for ever. This is the chief prop of good hope in most imminent dangers and dreary deserts, a solid ground of confidence that can never fail. Things wear a gloomy aspect indeed: spiritual things are ebbing, the springs are low; what will be the end God knoweth; ruin seems to threaten, but our Lord is on his throne, and is Israel's "all in all still; still this is a wonderful help to a trembling faith. Brother Gooding is here. I hope he will do at Hartley Row. Bless the fellow! love him; he is one of the right sort; but I fear he is a little too fast. The Lord be with thee and all thine. "Your's, &c. "W. JAMES." Thus while our brother was tossed on the stormy sea of doubt and vicissitude, he felt an holy confidence in the God of Israel. He indeed did not know which way to take, but God did; for he went before him, although he gave him no intimation of what that course should be, his doubt and perplexity increased down to the end of his earthly career. And although we have no death bed scene to picture to our readers, we can see the state of his mind by the following quotations from two letters, written but a few days before his sudden decease; they are addressed to two dear young friends, whom he tenderly loved : "Dear M. and W., "I had written before this, but a somewhat perplexed heartlessness, with other hinderances, seemed to be in the way. But heartfelt intentions, though long silent and suppressed, are far better than a mass of heartless flattery; because the principal is good and remains, where the practice may be often cramped. When our own burdens press rather weighty, we can hardly find shoulder or time to aid our best neighbours or companions, even where sympathy and every awakened affection demand it. I remember the case of Paul's journey to Rome, that when the sea was most tempestuous, dangers and death most near, the night the most dark, and the ship's crew most alarmed, salvation was then very nigh; for when the sweet light of the morn ing arose, they saw they were nearly on the land. Such divine arrangements have frequently been illustrious in the trying affairs of human life to many of the chosen family of God, -and why not to us! Well, spiritual desire must apply for help, and patience must wait the time appointed, and the answer promised. However, I find it hard work at times to be still under all circumstances; 1 am much too prone to be looking out first, rather than looking up. My knowledge, will and creed stand pretty well on the ground of God's fixed intentions; but my affections too much resemble the shifting weather-cock, seldom at the true point -"God-ward," Christ-ward and heaven-ward; a fluctuating state of soul, touching eternal things, seems to drain almost dry the brooks of our present spiritual comforts. But the sun-flower will open and flourish again, when that all cheering luminary shines upon the dull and drooping plant; so the undiminishable fountain will in due time yield to heaven-born desire, a satisfying and delicious supply. "But we can only talk of his goodness, our God can only give, and work it both in us and for us; it is very elear we need it. May a spiritual | had come to Hartley Row, and his sense of such need be granted, that we ministry was blessed, and our brother may aspire to the chief good of all, found he must leave. 'the salvation of our God.' "Remember me with the great High Priest when you are favoured to commune with him; but only ask or entreat wisdom-dictate nothing-leave all in his powerful hands. On the 29th of November, he had "To love spiritually the Saviour's been employed in disposing and packglorious name, is simply to understanding of his goods, with a view of coming love in the saving office and redeeming to London. In the midst of his employ he work of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is abruptly said to his wife,-"My dear, the whole name of the Lord; and to I cannot even now see our way clear to love the wonderful name of the Lord London." His wife expostulated with is to run into it, as into a strong tower him, reminding him the house was let, and be safe, though much endangered and the goods packed,—and where else by the way, and often faint, fearful and were they to go! But his impressions miserable. were right, he was not bound to the metropolis of England, but to the metropolis of heaven. For in the evening of the same day he had occasion to go into the garden; he had not been there but a few moments, when some friend wanted him; his wife opened the door and called him, she was answered by a deep stifled groan-"it was his last." He had fallen down in the path-way, A few days before his death, our and his spirit had fled to God, and all brother had occasion to go to London his anxious cares for the future swalon business for a friend; on this occa-lowed up in the permanent bliss of sion he wrote him a letter, (most pro- heaven. bably the last he ever wrote in this world,) which was cheerfully occupied about business; but he subjoined a sort of postscript, which at once shews his feelings and sentiments; he had evidently done with the things of sense and time. "May grace enable us in all things. "Your's, dear M. and W., "Dear Brother, "W. JAMES." "One gentle sigh each fetter breaks, We scarce can say, 'they're gone," Before the willing spirit takes Her mansion near the throne." Thus our brother's career was ended, and instead of toiling any longer in the vineyard of time, he was at once called to the paradise of eternity, to feast for ever off the tree of life, and to slake his "Trade appears very bad in Lon-anxious thirst at the river of the water don * * * "How uncertain is our mortal life; how cumbered we are with its concerns; how trifling are its pleasures and best profits, compared to the anxiety, travails of mind and labour of body we are compelled to endure. Surely, my brother, one grain of real religion is of more worth to us than a thousand worlds. We may say, yea, we must say, "Earth is a tiresome place indeed;" but Christ now, and heaven in the end, is the sweet earnest and endless fulness of an infinitely delightful rest. May that free grace be ours, with all the dear family of God for With kind regards to brother ever. Gooding, "Your's, &c., After our brother's return to Hartley Row, his concern and anxiety for the future continued, Brother Gooding of clear, unsullied bliss. character. We should be very sorry to William James was not a perfect commit ourselves by setting him forth as such. But he was a warm lover of the truth of God, and an unflinching advocate of the sentiments set forth and maintained in the pages of this stant in his friendships, and generous Magazine. He was sincere and conto a fault. But he is gone, and while there are many living who can testify to the integrity of his character, he has got beyond the malice of those who would blast it. No longer will he agonize beneath the biting venom of slander, and in vain shall the finger of scorn be pointed at him. MR. JOHN SAUNDERS, Baptist Minister, Hadleigh Heath. The value of a true man of God is constituted by the constancy in which he walks blamelessly out the precepts, commands, and ordinances of the Most High God. Such was John Saunders for a long, unusually long series of years, during which he was enabled, by grace, to sing of the goodness and mercy of a sovereign and ever-mindful God. Convinced at an early age of the knowledge of the truth, of the awful results of sin, and his unprepared state if called to the bar of God, under a heavy affliction, during which he formed the resolution (if spared to recover) of immediately endeavouring to procure a religion by works. For this purpose he attended church regularly, said its prayers earnestly, and believed its doctrines fully; yet his soul still remained in bondage. After being permitted to be in this dearth of soul for some little while, the Lord mercifully delivered him. After all his endeavourings he could say, "There's not a blot will stir a jot For all that I could do; The Lord mercifully led him to hear that excellent man of God, the late Mr. Trivet, of Langham, in Essex, by whom he was favoured to be baptized, at the early age of eighteen. Here he enjoy ed a freedom of soul which was a happy contrast to his former miserable state. In those days of Christianity meetings were held at which each member belonging to this little church of God was expected in his turn to give his thoughts upon a passage of scripture; at length it came to friend Saunders's turn; with fear and trembling he arose, gave his honest thoughts, then sat down. A good old man of God, long since numbered with the righteous dead, arose and gave his thoughts, which entirely contradicted what our departed friend had just delivered; this made friend Saunders with much more carefulness deliver his thoughts for the future. With gratefulness did he remember this kindness of the good old man, till he bid an everlasting adieu to fluctuating time and scenes. Zion, that our friend, (now no more in "Cheer'd by an earnest so divine" God He continued, though stones, missiles, A little church being formed, they Having brought up a large family in the fear of the Lord, at the advanced age of eighty years he retired from business, and removed from the village of Langham to close by Hadleigh Heath. Up to this time he ministered It was however soon discovered by in holy things unto this poor people When this took many worshippers at this little hill of free of expence. |