see the truth of our text, "It is nothing for the Lord to help by many, or with them that have no power ?" Surely, we have had no more to do in our conversion and salvation, than with the formation of the heavens and the earth— the whole being effected by God's unaided power; and yet how perfectly and gloriously has he accomplished our salvation for us, and his work of new creation within us. God the Father, in his everlasting love and covenant, laid help upon, and gave us grace in Christ Jesus, in whom he chose, blest, and predestinated all his people to grace and glory. God the Son, according to his covenant engagements, in the fulness of time was manifest in the flesh, that, by his obedience to the law, he might help us from its curse; by his atonement, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession, he might help us from all the evils of the fall to all the blessings of eternal life. And, when we were wholly without help, in our sin, and dead to God, then, in the freeness and all-sufficiency of grace, God the Holy Ghost helped us to spiritual life. He terminated the reign of sin, and commenced the reign of grace, by his own creating power and indwelling presence; and, in a word, he has helped us to all that is experimentally known of a tender conscience-a broken heart-the fear of God-a spirit of prayer-living faith-good hope-love-joy-peace jealousy for God's honour-a dread of deceiving, or of being deceived. He helps us by sustaining grace in our daily warfare, and to a spiritual taste and discernment in all things connected with God's glory, and the soul's personal salvation. O blessed help! And, in addition, how large a volume might be written upon the personal, domestic, and providential helps which we have received from the Lord, even when there has been no door opened—no friend to minister to our necessities-no apparent way of escape; and yet how fully have we proved, "that it is nothing with thee, O Lord, to help,” &c. O for help to trust, triumph, and praise thee more and more! This leads us to notice

IV. His Confidence.

Help us, O Lord our God: for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee." Blessed knowledge and appropriation.

1st. Observe, all his trust and expectation were in God. "O God!" Here was no refuge of lies, or mere arm of flesh; but God, the God of promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God in covenant; the God of salvation; and the God that had many times given victory to his people, and who alone could give it again; God, who is our refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble. And happy are they who can say in faith, "This God is our God, for ever and ever."

2nd. Observe he said, our God; this was faith's appropriation. Not an unknown God, or the God of others only; but our God, relatively by the witness of the spirit of adoption-our God, immutably in his own love and unalterable purposes-our God, evidentially by his presence, indwelling Spirit, and the reign of his all-abounding grace-our God sovereignly, who hath formed his people for himself, separated them from all people upon the earth, and distinguished them as a peculiar people, in whom he will be glorified, and whose chief peculiarity lies in their union, relationship, appointment, and title to the kingdom of heaven; and being led by the Holy Spirit to worship God in his Trinity of Persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who are distinctly revealed by their names, relations, and acts for the Church, by the revelation of the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures, and in our own hearts. This blessed, incomprehensible, and Triune God is manifestly our God, by communicating life, light, and love, from himself, and by drawing us in the exercise of faith, prayer, praise, and adoration to him, and to receive of his

fulness grace for grace.

So he becomes increasingly known, endeared, and

magnified as our own God, for ever and ever.

"I fall beneath his footstool now,

And worship him alone:

Before no other God I bow,

But the great THREE IN ONE."

3rd. Observe, he said " Help us, O Lord." This was expressive of their weakness; but O what an occasion it gave of showing forth the omnipotence of God, employed in protecting, fighting for his people, and utterly defeating their numerous and powerful foes; and thus our weakness is overruled by the Lord, who sanctifies all our manifold afflictions, and thereby furnishes us with fresh matter for prayer, which brings down renewed tokens of present help, and this leads us back to God again in songs of praise. Therefore, happy indeed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help.

4th. Observe, he said, "We rest on thee." Not in the least upon themselves, but wholly upon thee, thy promises, thy truth, thy faithfulness, thy unchanging love, and thy all-sufficiency. Sure rest, indeed! The solid rock and refuge of unnumbered millions. It mattered not how few and weak they were, or how many and powerful the opposing host; oh, no! Asa, and those with him, were resting upon the Lord; say, my heart, Is this thy rest? How long hast thou been resting here? Did ever this rest fail thee during all thy past years of sore conflict? O, it is blessed to retrace our steps; to go back to the first work-conviction, sorrow, and season of soul distress; and also to review all the way of the Lord's leadings in providence and grace. And this is the conclusion" it is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed," but, "having obtained help of him, we continue to this day," witnessing to his honour, that not one thing hath failed of all that he has promised."

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5th. Observe, he said, "In thy name we go against this multitude." Mark that! In thy name-thy authority-thy honour-thy majesty, we take thy name for our shield, buckler, sword, high tower, and whole armour, to fit us for the fight. This was putting on the great Jehovah by faith, and making use of his attributes, his wisdom, unwearied arm, and unconquerable might. By this great act of faith, Asa, and those with him, were manifestly under the shadow of the Almighty; the glory of his name was at stake, and the victory was insured to them before the battle commenced, by the name in which it was to be fought. O, then, beware of engaging with your enemies in any other name. The name of the Lord is a strong tower," and they that "know his name will put their trust in him."

6th. Observe, he said, "Let not man prevail against thee." Mark! It is, against thee. This is the position of Satan, and all under his influence travaileth with iniquity, hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood; and in the armour of unrighteousness they are fighting against God. But Asa cried to the Lord, putting himself and his army under Divine command; and then, with the Lord for their captain, and encompassed with Deity, he stood as behind an impregnable fort-in the stronghold of Omnipotence. Sustained by everlasting arms, and overshadowed with the heavenly Majesty of God— the God of Israel, he said, "Let not man prevail against thee.' Oh, nonone ever did, or ever shall prevail against the Lord. Fight on then, O believer the issue is not doubtful; for, "if God be for us, who can be against us ? God must be conquered before one of his children can be lost; the battle is the Lord's. Jesus fought, and returned from the conflict mighty to save; and all who rely alone upon him shall finally prevail, and shout victory at last.

O yes

"We shall be conquerors all e'er long,

And more than conquerors too."

In conclusion-1st. Observe in the commencement of this subject, Asa called upon the Lord. This was an evidence of spiritual life in him, and a sense of need, which no unregenerate person can feel, being dead in trespasses and in sins-in enmity, rebellion, and rejection of God and his government; and whatever morality, forms of prayers, acts of natural religion, or even a profession of the most pure Gospel doctrines, unless there is spiritual life in the soul, and real humbling of heart, and contrition for sin before God, living and dying in that state, you will be found fighting against him, and be cast out in the armour of unrighteousness.

2nd. This subject shows us that God's people have, in all ages of the world, had many enemies to contend with.

3rd. Here is a bright example of faith. Asa cried unto the Lord his God, who heard and delivered him; and his ears are open to the most feeble, broken cry of any poor soul, who, from a sense of need, is helped to pour out their hearts and desires to him.

4th. God is immutably the same; and it is nothing with him to help, &c. Finally, the Lord gave the victory to his people over the Ethiopians, whose great host was destroyed, in answer to prayer; and, as the glory of this victory was the Lord's, while his people shared in the pleasure and spoils, so shall all the saints, who "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities, and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places," finally triumph over their secret and open enemies. And the glory, the whole glory is thine, O Lord God of Israel and in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

CORRESPONDENCE.

DEAR SIRS,

To the Editors of the Gospel Magazine.

A feeble member of the Lord's scattered flock desires to offer a word of congratulation on your having resumed the original title of the GOSPEL MAGAZINE, and coming forward as the editors without the yoke of bondage. May both editors and writers have a single eye to the Lord Jesus, and do all to the glory of God. May each be led to advocate the truth as it is in Jesus, by power from on high, for the edification of the CHURCH of CHRIST-the Lord's redeemed ones, scattered among all people, to whom the riches of his grace has been made known. May the GOSPEL MAGAZINE continue-under your superindence-an exclusive publication for the supporters of truth, and for those who want support by the way-for it will never become a universal one, while a free-grace salvation, through the alone merits of Jesus Christ and his finished work, are unreservedly brought forth in its pages. If, dear Sirs, you are, in truth from principle, on the Lord's side, HE will support you. It is an awful and a trying time for the children of God. There is a great knowledge of the truth-a great dereliction from the

truth-and a great profession of outward religion. Some holding the truth in ungodliness, because it has never reached the heart; some denying the truth, yet living a life of apparent holiness and sanctity. Oh, may the new editors of the GOSPEL MAGAZINE (edited for forty-four years by WALTER Row, in faithfulness and truth) be ever careful to show the practical results, flowing from a true and living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, revealed by the sovereign power of the Holy Ghost to the hearts of them that believe-originating in the love of God the Father, to the glory of the eternal Three in One!

Should you, dear Sirs, be the means of recalling those of the spiritual writers who had been compelled to leave, or were not admitted to its pages, let us hope you will not regret your work and labour of love; and while you are bearing the cross in faith and simplicity-we, by looking off from the creature to the rock of ages, may cease to regret "the one" who is wanting, whose mortal part was this day twelvemonths consigned to its parent dust, there to await the glorious resurrection of the just.

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If you think these remarks worthy a place, I shall feel gratified; and you will admit the annexed few words to my brethren, you will greatly oblige one who heartily wishes you prosperity in the name of the

Lord.

July 20, 1840.

To the Supporters of the old GOSPEL MAGAZINE, "who worship God in spirit and in truth.” —John iv. 21, 24.

BRETHREN BELOVED,

This day is the first anniversary of our late beloved editor's release from this world of sin, and entrance into his heavenly kingdom; having fought the good fight, and kept the faith to the last. I would bid your thoughts rest for a moment on this highly-esteemed veteran of the Cross, and then reflect on the glorious Gospel of his blessed Master, (whom he served for such a long period), and ask yourselves if the truths he so unflinchingly advocated-unshackled by party, unprejudiced, and free from bigotry-are dear to your hearts, and valuable above price; then surely you will rejoice with the writer, should it be indeed a truth that a successor of our venerated WALTER Row has indeed come forward, alike unshackled and unprejudiced; who will extend the hand, and welcome to the heart, and admit on the pages of the GOSPEL MAGAZINE all who love the Lord and his truth.

If the editor of the old GOSPEL MAGAZINE be indeed faithful to his trust, and supports the truth, strive, I beseech you, to support him. Pray for him, and bid him God speed.

Yours, in Christian bonds,

A MEMBER OF THE INVISIBLE CHURCH.

July 13, 1840.

DEAR SIRS,

To the Editors of the Gospel Magazine.

I have for some time been desirous of taking in the GOSPEL MAGAZINE, but the price at which it was published prevented my doing so.

I happened to be at a bookseller's shop, during the past week, where I saw one of your show cards, by which I perceived the price was reduced to sixpence. I ordered the Number for this month. In the commencement of the first piece, it is said, "A curious motto, &c., for the second Number of a work." Will you be kind enough to inform me if the Magazine for the present month is the second Number of a New Series, as I am anxious to get them from the commencement.

I feel constrained to inform you that my soul was somewhat edified and comforted by the reading of the piece alluded to. My heart felt knit to you whilst perusing it; but the devil tells me that it is nothing more than intellectual enjoyment. I generally find something within that gives credit to his suggestions. I am very fearful of self-deception. I was blessed with gracious parents, who loved the truth as it is in Jesus; from them I received early impressions, which never left me. I grew by degrees into a natural empty system of religion, and vainly imagined that my old nature was growing more holy, and strove hard to recommend myself to the favour of God. After a while I discovered that I could not perform the task I had imposed upon myself; I believed election to be a truth, and the devil harassed me respecting it; he told me that I could live as I list, if elected-I need not fear; but I could never act according to his advice in this respect. I was at last led to feel my utter helplessness, the hardness of my heart, and the stubbornness of my will; and that if loved, it was of the free unmerited grace of God: and I believed that I was among the Lord's chosen. I made a public profession of his name-"Now," the devil said, "you have eat and drank your own condemnation; you will surely bring a disgrace upon the cause."

Dear Sirs, I fear it is the case with me as with many, in the present day; that my religion is nothing more than a phantom floating in the brain; and that my love to the truth is from having read sound authors, and from conversation with the Lord's people. I have known some who have contended for the grand discriminating truths of the Gospel (which I love to hear preached, but am now situated where they are despised), yet they have at last proved not to be experimentally acquainted with them. I am just as liable to be deceived as others. I find nothing but blasphemous thoughts within. Accursed pride seems to be at the bottom of all my actions; at another time I feel an inward joy and peace, but fear it is nothing more than fleshly. I dread the thought of passing from time into eternity without a saving knowledge of Christ; and fear

The Number for July, to which our correspondent refers, is the seventh of a New Series; but only the second under the auspices of the present conductors.-ED.