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Christ's vineyard. The Lord never sends labourers into his vineyard at their own expense; he appoints their sphere of labour-provides them with materials-and gives them strength for the work: nor do they work at any uncertainty, for he himself hath said, my word shall not return unto me void." The plants of righteousness are all of his right hand planting, that he may be glorified-the seed is precious, incorruptible seed, which he gives his labourers to sow-and all the strength requisite for plowing, digging, and pruning, he condescends to impart to all the labourers whom he sends into his vineyard: but where we see nothing doing,-no sinners broken-hearted-no believers feeding- no offence given to the world-no provocation given to satan-no glory brought to Christ; we may fairly conclude there the labourers have become loiterers; or rather, that loiterers have crept in where labourers should be em ployed.

"But to change the metaphor. In a building there are many labourers employed: some to dig-some to carry away rubbish-some to gather materials-and some must fitly frame them together; but none of them are considered responsible for the plan or the completion of the building: that rests with the architect, who, while employing many labourers in different parts of the work, sees the end from the beginning. The plan is entirely his own, and so is the efficiency of the whole work.

"Blessed be his holy name! he has arranged and settled all that pertains to his building, his church, from all eternity, nor can one part fail of being accomplished. The hands of our Zerubbabel have laid the foundation, and his hands shall finish it; and when he brings forth the top stone, it shall be with shoutings, "Grace, grace unto it."

Again, labourers ars called to exercise exertion, to use diligence, and endure fatigue. It is not by the gentle touch of the lady's finger that stones are hewn out of the quarry, but by the exertions of the labourernor is it by gentle persuasion and polite eloquence that sinners are converted to God. 66 "My speech and my preaching," says the apostle, was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." To me it is quite disgusting to hear the word of God preached in a cold, tame, lifeless manner, as if it were an old stale uninteresting story, so as neither to frighten the devil, nor honour Christ. "Is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord, and like as a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" then to supply a fire with fuel, and to use a hammer so as to break a rocky heart, will call forth exertion and if at times we are supposed to deal rather roughly with our hearers, and smite their consciences with this mighty hammer, let them not be surprised; but let them recollect we are labourers, and cannot trifle with their souls. "The very work in which God's ministers are engaged is calculated to call forth exertion. Oh! who can proclaim the eternal love of God to his church without emotion! who can speak of the groans-the sweatthe blood-the death of Jesus, without having all the energy of body and mind called forth? or who can describe that invincible grace of the Holy Ghost by which sinners are subdued, transformed and saved, without a holy ardour? Often have I seen and heard the dear man of God who is now gone to glory, proclaiming these blessed truths in the hearing of multitudes, with holy fervour, which evinced that he was in earnest he laboured in his Master's employ, and his Master blessed his labour, and has now called him to give him his hire."

On the second head-the call to the labourers, Mr. I is peculiarly forcible and interesting; but it would not be commendable in us to extract too many of the excellencies of a discourse, which consists of

no more than thirty-two pages. We give the following fine apostrophe:

"Call the labourers ! No matter whether it be at the early age of the immortal Toplady, (who I believe, was only thirty-eight years of age when called away) or, of the never-to-be-forgotten Gunn, of forty-five; or of the venerable Williams, who was seventy-one; sure I am, that they cannot be detained on earth one moment longer when God calls" Call them!" says God the Father, "for I have fulfilled all the purposes of my love in them, and have done by them all I had ordained for them on earth""Call them!" says God the Son," for where I am there shall also my servant be"-" Call them!" says God the Spirit, "for I have put my seal to their work, and completed what I began."

There is one point advanced, page 29, on which much difference of opinion exists; but as it appears to be intimately connected with the church-order of Grove Chapel we abstain from mentioning it. It is well known that our publication is open to all who hold the " one faith," and have learned to live godly in Christ Jesus, therefore we meddle not with the endless varieties introduced into the management of church fellowship.

A hymn composed for the occasion is attached to this excellent Sermon.

Select Sermons, published by the Gospel Tract Society, in Svo. Palmer.

The Committee of the Gospel Tract Society have commenced their long-promised series of Sermons; and truly we have cause to congratulate the admirers of the eminent divines, (now receiving their reward,) whose labours are now made attainable by the poor of the Lord's family. When we say that the course is commenced with the productions of a Toplady and a Charnock, it were vain in us to attempt adding that which would prove a recommendation of them. For the information of those for whom they are expressly published, and others who may be disposed to distribute them gratuitously, we need only remark, that the two invaluable sermons by the former divine, "Jesus seen of Angels," are complete in the first and second numbers, at twopence each; and that "a discourse of the removal of the Gospel," by the latter, consisting of twenty-four pages, is published at threepence.

Common Scenes Improved: by James Smith, Ilford. Wightman and Cramp.

We regret that this useful and very interesting little book has not come before us until now; but, if a hasty recommendation tend to further the sale of this, the third edition, we shall be thankful for the apparent neglect. It consists of very many excellent observations on the every-day occurrences in the life of the believing father of a beloved family; and is indeed an improvement of " Common Scenes." It is adapted for much usefulness, particularly among our young friends.

POETRY.

ON THE STATE OF THE CHURCH.

HAIL! Sov'reign love, that has for fallen man,
In scripture drawn salvation's wondrous plan :
And sweetest proofs, in the believer's view,
Arise to prove the book of God is true.
But oh! what joy the ransom'd sinner feels,
When to his heart the Spirit truth reveals;
He's then secur' dagainst delusions, and
Can firm amidst surrounding errors stand;
Both testaments by faith's clear eye can see,
In the one doctrine of free grace agree.
And by him, in the gospel light is seen,
What jewish laws and ceremonies mean;
He sees fulfill'd what ancient prophets spoke,
That not a promise God hath made is broke;
That costly offerings, sacrificial blood,
All pointed to the spotless Lamb of God;
That patriarchs, prophets, and the great high priest,
Were only types of our all-glorious Christ;
Rulers, whose praise the holy bible sings,
Were but faint emblems of the King of kings.
The temple's service, with its splendour bright,
But shadowed forth the gospel's glorious light:
Yea, every institution seem'd to say,---
"Look forward for the promis'd gospel day
"When sov'reigu love more glory will display.
That day, believers, now is come, and we
See what our fathers sought, but did not see.
No victims, bleeding offerings,-they've ceas'd;
Christ is our altar, sacrifice, and priest:

In him we see all jewish types fulfill'd,

And by his precious blood, Jehovah's cov'nant seal'd. Through ev'ry age man's darkness we may trace, And mark the influence of enlight'ning grace.

In darkest times believers saw the light;

In gospel days, some dwell in shades of night,
With mind as dark as if that sun ne'er shone-

All gospel truth they utterly disown:
And hence, oh! solemn truth, we daily see
Fulfill'd the awful gospel prophecy.

Each child of light must now with grief behold,
What the apostles of our Lord foretold,
That errors shall in latter days abound;
And men so wrapt in heresies be found,
So bold in blasphemy, with christian name,
As Christ the Lord of glory to defame.
We see the sceptic's prejudice confirm'd,
By those whoni folly has believers term'd;

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The errors that amongst professors rise
Still strengthen deists in their damning lies!
They can but think the gospel idle tales,
In viewing the discrepance that prevails,
Between the proud, the boasted sons of light,
While each affirms that his own dogma's right.
In all his honours Jesus is reviled,

His truth denied, beclouded, and defiled,
To tear each plume from his immortal brow,
The utmost force of hell seems striving now;
As if his open foes were found too weak,
Deluded friends unite in the attack;
With mind distorted from the truth they tell,
The church she's equal to Immanuel !
And can the bold blasphemer e'er proclaim,
An error more degrading to that name?
Or suited more to cherish human pride,
Or the bright glories of our Lord to hide?
If to Immanuel man be equal made,
The Saviour's glories dwindle into shade:
That man by grace must surely be unawed,
Who thus infringes on the rights of God;
Who dares to say the adopted child's the same,
With the great first born Son in honours or in name.
But the God-man shall wear his glories all,
And all his creatures low before him fall;
His ransom'd, prostrate, shall for ever own,
Themselves dependent, HE the Lord alone.

Ye favour'd few of Adam's fallen race,
Belov'd, redeem'd, renew'd by sov'reign grace,
Hold fast the truth, and keep this still in view--
Abounding errors prove the gospel true.
May God the Spirit, by his sacred word,
Increase your knowledge of your glorious Lord :
With all your wants, to his rich fulness fly;
In all your weakness, on his strength rely;

His power shall keep, his truth shall guide your way,
Through clouds and darkness to eternal day.

For as the strong built vessel safely rides,
Midst driving tempests and the rolling tides,
Nor fears the danger, steady course doth keep,
While crazy barks are founder'd in the deep,
Enters her haven and exulting finds,
Freedom from billows, rocks, and driving winds;
So mercy's vessel o'er times boist❜rous sea,
With Christ her pilot, is froin dangers free.
From him she finds a timely, sure relief,
In storms of error and in floods of grief;
In him who guides the tempest she's secure,
And shall the perils of her way endure:
While those who error's baleful potion drink,
Are left in floods of dark despair to sink,
She makes her port in safety, and is blest
With sweet enjoyment of eternal rest.
Ramsgate.

E. G.

THE

Spiritual Magazine ;

OR,

SAINTS

TREASURY.

"There are Three that bear record in heaven; the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST: and these Three are One."

"Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Dear Sir,

SEPTEMBER, 1826.

(To the Editor of the Spiritual Magazine.)

John v. 7.
Jude 37.

I Apprehend you will not refuse insertion in your "Treasury," (unless its length be an objection) the enclosed valuable production of one of the Lord's faithful servants. It is a treasure I prize very highly on account of the spiritual profit derived from its frequent perusal; and I cannot doubt that the honour is with you of being the means of more widely circulating it, and, consequently, conveying it to many to whom the Lord the Spirit will render it profitable. Your's for the truth's sake,

Surrey, Jan. 1826.

ONESIMUS.

THE DIVINE ARTIST, JESUS THE SON OF MARY.

BY THE LATE REV. ABRAHAM CROLE.

"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?" Mark vi. 3.

I can easily perceive it is no uncommon thing, in the dispensations of the only wise God, to keep those persons long hidden under the veil of obscurity, whom he intends shall make the most illustrious appearances on earth: and that those whom infinite wisdom hath appointed for the emancipation or redemption of others, as a preparatory to that, shall themselves experience the hardships of bondage, toil, and labour; so that like the rising sun they may the more visibly shed their light upon, and sensibly communicate their usefulness to a benighted world. Thus Moses must be hidden three months by his mother, before he is adoptively manifested the son of Pharaoh's daughter; and ere he could be commissioned as an instrumental VOL. III.-No. 29. 0

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