-seen

the subject under four particulars :--first, the distinguished people spoken of, their origin and descent as a distinct people, in the eternal counsel, sovereign choice, and covenant love of the triune Jehovah : they were chosen in Christ as their covenant head-s complete in Christ before all timevirtually and indissolubly one with Christ from everlasting given to Christ as their security, and accepted in Christ as the Beloved, antecedent to their creation and fall in Adam. This is aptly illustrated from scripture characters; and many of the peculiarities of this distinguished family are ably described, and from which the reader may ascertain his claim to be numbered with this peculiar people.

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The second branch of the subject describes "their register:" they are said to be written in the book, registered in the book of covenant decrees, entitled, Rev. i. 27, " the Lamb's book of life." He then shews how the ple of God are pourtrayed throughout the sacred volume, as a regenerated, praying, circumspect people; many of whom are favored with the full assurance of faith, and after which all are aspiring, the high road to which is through the valley of humiliation.

The third head describes the ordeal through which this distinguished people have to pass; their trials in family experience and outward persecution: under the first of which, the experience of the child of God in his first convic tions, and his after warfare with sin, Satan, and the world, are faithfully depictured; and under the second, open persecution, Mr. Irons fearlessly states his views as to the last persecution through which the church of God has yet to pass. And in reviewing the political changes, which of late years have favoured the papal cause-the compromising spirit of nominal protestants-the widening spread of armninianism—the strides of infidelity, and the apathy of real christians, the preacher, with a warmth and zeal which the subject demands, glances at

some of those features of perfidy, treachery, and blood, which have ever been characteristics of the papacy, that "abomination of desolation" which exalteth itself against God.

"What is the present state of Protestantism? O! I sigh at the very enquiry. If I look at it in the National hierarchy of England, I see it "a house divided against itself;" three distinct parties are found within its pale; one party is already become popish, and openly advocates the old carnal heresy of baptismal regeneration, and couples it with the blasphemous pretensions to priestly absolution. These have only to acknowledge the authority of the Roman Pontiff, to complete their apostacy! Another party, half evangelical, have set up the Popish idol of free-will, on the dark mountain of universal redemption, in the desert of carnal reason, like Nebuchadnezzar's image in the plain of Dura, expecting all men to worship it, Dan. iii. Î; and a third party, a despised few, against whom the door to preferment is shut, are "valiant for the truth upon the earth;" and yet, strange to tell, these children all claim one mother, and each thinks himself most like his parent! Will not the enemy take advantage of this? Methinks I see him grin with pleasure, in the anticipation of bringing to desolation the "kingdom which is thus divided against itself," Matt. xii. 25.

"Universal redemption-baptismal regeneration apostolic successionand priestly absolution, are four main pillars of Popery; and all these are now publicly advocated under the name of Protestantism. Is it not then too true, that there is not so much difference between them as there once was? But let it be remembered, that all the concession is on the side of nominal Protestants, and that Popery still maintains its obstinate adherence to all its obnoxious and soul-destroying doctrines; and it is to be feared, that the progressive defection of modern professors, will soon glide them down

into the lap of the mother of harlots; or to change the figure, confederate them with the conspiracy of Rome, to slay the witnesses of God.

"If I turn to the body of Protestant Dissenters, I see no brighter shades in this gloomy picture, unless the unholy alliance of Arians, Socinians, Deists, and Evangelicals, can cheer a christian mind! The man who fears God shrinks back with horror, when he sees professing christians absorbed in political intrigue -associated with jesuits and infidels in public clamour, and quitting the sanctity of the church of God, for the company of profane rivals in worldly ambition. And what will a true christian say, if he sees a professor of divinity wearing D.D. attached to his name, occupying hustings with the picture of a mermaid over his head, advocating the cause of infidelity? O the dismal catalogue of crimes perpetrated under the disguise of christianity, is appalling to every christian mind. I sicken as I touch upon these things, and hasten away from them with disgust."

This acceptable discourse concludes with noticing" the promised deliverance." This distinguished people shall be kept from apostacy-from the intrigues of nominal christians—from condemnation and wrath ;-and lastly, their deliverance shall be triumphant and eternal. And we would add one consoling thought more, that this last persecution will be short, for it is recorded by John, Rev. xviii. 7., “She saith in her heart, I sit as a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow; therefore shall her plagues come in one day: death, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.'

It appears that Mr. Irons had been accustomed to preach an annual sermon on popery every 5th of November, which happens to be his own birth-day; but this he discontinued when the popish ascendancy bill passed but this year he has resumed

Bigotry is stamped upon the forefront of this little tract. If the author had said, that the liturgy and articles of the Church of England were generally in accordance with the gospel of Christ, and that very many of the members of Christ were members of this Church, we should not have found fault with him; but no truly enlightened member of the Church of England, will agree with the startling assertion in his titlepage, neither is it in accordance even with the nineteenth article of that same Church, which says, "The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered, &c." Will he venture to say, there can be no congregation of faithful men, but

beneath the roof of Episcopacy? Such defenders of the Church of England, go the way only to increase the numbers of Dissenters; for a child of God, when enlightened only so much as to see men as trees walking, cannot fail in the glass of scripture to discern the falseness and worldliness of such assertions.

The Extent of the Claims of the Law of Moses Developed, and further unravelled. By W. Cooke, 12mo. pp. 12. London, Palmer and Son.

This tract is an appendix to a work under a similar title, published about two years since, in the form of a conversation between a Minister of the Church of England and a Jew. The author endeavours to establish the position, that the law of Moses never had any authority over the Gentile church, who are under the law to Christ; and have to regard the whole Jewish ceremony as typical only, the shadow of which the gospel is the substance. The tract shews the author to be experimentally and intimately acquainted with his subject; and without giving our assent to so unlimited a statement, we feel no hesitation in recommending it to the perusal of our readers, as well worthy their devout attention,

Contemplation; or a Christian's Wanderings. By William Vivian, 8vo. pp. 164. London, Simpkin and Co. The author of this poem is chiefly known by his tracts on Church government, entitled, "the Cake of Barley Bread." This volume consists of six cantos, written in the Spenserian stanza; it is a diffuse production, developing the changing feelings of a contemplative mind, in different parts of the world, and the various circumstances of life: the language is in parts very lofty and poetical, but there is a deficiency of that imagery which absorbs, and an entire absence of that simplicity, which, to a rightly cultivated

many

-seen,

The arc of mercy bends its placid green. Oh highest, mightiest, most beneficent! Th' Eternal God Himself has stept between Man and his fate, and to his rescue bent, Takes on Himself his load of guilt and punishment.

Such is redemption's all-stupendous plan, Held up to wide creation's wondering gaze. God's work alone, the vile material-man! From highest glory's concentrated blaze, The Word, the Son, hath stooped below, to raise

A straying creature, from a planet rolled In guilt and darkness. God Himself displays

In Persons, which Design, Perform, Uphold,

In this great work where all His wondrous

love is told.

he wore,

He rises from despair to wonder and adore. Pastoral Hints, No. 12. By Charles Bruke, 12mo. pp. 16. Brighton, Baldey.

One volume of these interesting tracts is now completed by this number; which is entitled, the Sabbath ; or, the Nation's Rest and the Christian's Delight: it is an animated appeal on the present desecration of the Lord's day, and is very suitable for distribution.

On the 31st January, 1838, will be published a new

edition of the Rev. Samuel Eyles Pierce's valuable little work on Death and Dying: it will be in Temo.

price One Shilling aud Sixpence, cloth.

ΤΟ THE SPIRITUAL MAGAZINE ZION'S CASKET.

Go forward, little bark, upon

The world's tempestuous sea,

"The cause of God and truth" be still The polar star to thee;

Though many vessels near thee glide

With gaudier sails than thine,

AND

Thou needst not fear, compare with them,
While gilt with beams divine.

Still let the Saviour's cross be rais'd
Upon thy mast-head high;
That there the soul by law condemn'd
May turn his wand'ring eve;
"Twill cheer the wretch that's blasted by
The fell destroyer's breath,
And gladden the disconsolate

Who seek for "life through death."
Proclaim the riches of His grace,
Whose love can know no end,
The refuge of the comfortless,
The lost one's only friend;
Proclaim his boundless praise abroad,
O'er city, and o'er sea;

And bid the sinner's only boast
Be "Him who died for me."

The glory of the Highest One,
The wonders of his love,
The gospel of his kingdom, pure
As sent from realms above;
Be still the subject of thy page,
The object of thy line,

Then, little one, thou needst not fear,
His blessing will be thine.

Christ is our Advocate above,
Our elder Brother, full of love;
Our Captain, all our foes to quell,
Our great Deliverer from hell.
The End of all we have in view,
A Friend unchangeable and true;
To realms of heav'nly bliss our Guide,
The Husband of the church his bride.
The self-existent, great “ I Am,”
Jesus, the all-atoning Lamb;
Keeper of Israel night and day,
Leader and Light through all our way.
Our Master whom we love to serve,
His Name our warmest thanks deserve;
That name's like Ointment poured forth,
None can describe our Prince's worth.
Quickener of souls, O reign within,
Be our Refiner from all sin;

LINES ON THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR

1837.

ANOTHER year is nearly gone;
Am I prepared to die,

And stand before the sacred throne
Of Majesty on high?

I thank him for his mercies past,
They're neither few nor small;
At his dear feet my soul I cast,
As in his arms I fall.

Forgive, dear Lord, my num'rous sins,
Through Jesus' dying love;
And fit me for the realms of bliss,
In glorious worlds above.

And if the new earthirty-eight,
Thy dust should live to see,
May he on his Redeemer wait,
And thy salvation see.

George Payton's pleasant voice is gone,
To praise before yon azure throne;
The tongue that here of Jesus told,
Strikes up afresh to harps of gold.

The man not lifted up with pride,
Is welcom'd there as Jesus' bride;
With holy Abram casts his crown,
And nought but Jesus' love will own.
Faithful to truth he stood his ground,
And to his latest breath was found
To praise the Lord for love reveal'd,

And blood with which his heart was seal'd.

When he declared his Master's name,
The frozen heart was set on flame;
And to the soul defil'd with sin,
The word was made to wash it clean,

He did not fear the proud man's frown,
Like one of old he'd not stoop down:
Not like the bastards of our day,
Who for the gold and silver pray.

LINES,

Addressed to Two Young Christian Friends, on their becoming Subscribers to the Spiritual Magazine and Zion's Casket.

DEAR Christian friends, you have exprest
A wish to make this book your guest;
And with the opening year,

To read the truths contain'd therein,
Oh let that pleasing task begin
With secret fervent prayer.

And may the Lord, who only can
Unfold his word to sinful man,

Cause you to understand
His secret truth, and make it plain,
That you may never read in vain,

Thus prays your humble friend.
May Zion's Casket fill'd with store,
Not only reach your humble door,
But be a welcome guest;
And may it never thence depart,
'Till all its treasures on your heart
Be felt, and owned, and blest.
And may the Treasury with it joined,
Supply rich food to feed the mind
Of all the royal seed;
May gospel truths, (abundant now)
By union more abundant flow,

And blessed be indeed.

May every saint this wish express,
That God the Lord may own and bless
His daughters and his sons;
And make this book where'er it go,
His wisdom, power, and goodness show
To all his chosen ones.

And may Jehovah still display
His sovereign love from day to day,
To all his church abroad:

Let wandering sheep who long have stray'd
Be sought, brought back, and sweetly stayed,
On Christ their only Lord.

And while each name recorded stands
In his dear side, his heart, his hands,
He cannot them forget:

His oath, his covenant, and his blood,
Stands firm as doth the throne of God,
And ne'er was forfeit yet.
Sweet Spirit, on its pages beam,
Let Jesus' love be all its theme,

And thou shalt have the praise:
Thy all-constraining influence shed
On those who write, and those who read,
Through all their future days.

Let every saint Christ's name adore,
And spread his truth from shore to shore,
While mortal life is given;

Then bring them all to reign above,
Through sov'reign everlasting love,
To sing thy praise in heaven.
Swaffham,

J. F. C.