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with God; and when I was now laying out | the last of the money I said in my thoughts, Lord, look upon ny necessity." Then, going out of my chamber in order to repair to the college, where I was to attend my public lecture, I unexpectedly found a student in my house, that waited for my coming out, and presented me the sum of seventy crowns, that was sent by some friends, to support the necessity of the hospital, from a place above two hundred English miles distant.

Now this, though it would hardly hold out half a week, by reason of the great expenses I was then obliged to defray, yet the Lord soon after sent us in a fresh supply, and within the space of a few weeks, carried me so through these trials, that neither the frame of my mind was discomposed within, nor our want discovered by any token with-out, which was a great blessing, as the least show of distrust of God casts a reflection on his honour, and stumbles the weak in faith.

VII. Soon after this, there was want again in every corner. The steward brought his book, and desired me to defray the weekly charges. My recourse was to God through faith. The expenses were necessary, and I saw not the least provision, nor any way to procure it. This inade me resolve to retire into my closet, and to beg the Lord's assistance in so pressing a necessity; but I designed first to finish the task I then was about, being employed in dictating something.

"This to the poor is freely sent, For health which God to me has left.' It came into my hands in a time of trial, and when I was in great want of money

IX. About Michaelmas, 1699, I was in great want again. In a very fair and pleasant day. I took a walk, and viewing the most glorious and magnificent fabric of the heavens, I found myself remarkably strengthened in faith; which, indeed, I do not ascribe to any disposition of my own, but entirely attribute it to the gracious operations of the Spirit of God on my soul. Hereupon were suggested to my mind these and the like thoughts: "How excelleut a thing it is for any one, being deprived of all outward helps, and having nothing to depend on, but having the knowledge of the living God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and putting his trust in Him, to rest satisfied in the extremity of poverty !"

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Now, though I well knew that the very same day I wanted money, yet I found my self not cast down; and just as I came home the steward came for money to pay the work men (it being Saturday), employed in the building of the hospital; and accordingly, address ing himself to me, he said, "Is there any money brought in ?" To which I answered, No; but I believe in God.". Scarce was the word out of my mouth, when I was told a student desired to speak with me, who then brought thirty crowns from a person whose name he would not discover. So I went Having done this, and preparing now for back into the room, and asked the other how prayer, I received a letter from a merchant, much he wanted at present ? lie said, intimating that he was ordered to pay a thou-Thirty crowns.' I replied, Here they sand crowns to me for the relief of the hospi- are; but do you want any more?" No," tal. This put me in miad of that saying of says he. This confirmed us both in our rethe prophet, "It shall come to pass, that be- liance upon the Lord, because we plainly fore they call I will answer; and whiles they discerned the wonderful hand of God, who are yet speaking I will hear" (Isa. lxv. 24). in that very moment that we were in necesNevertheless, I entered into my closet, but sity, did supply us, and even with the very instead of begging and praying as I had de- sum we then wanted. The exact sum showed signed, I praised and extolled the name of the narrow inspection of God; and none being the Lord; and hope that others, who perhaps sent over, left room for faith to work. may come to read this, will do the like with me. And thus the providence of God would actually teach me not to put too great a confidence in a visible stock, or present support of men.

VIII. In the year 1699, March 21st, I received a letter by the post, wherein were inclosed four ducats*, with this inscription:

Two hundred and sixty-eight pounds, fifteen shillings.

X. Not long after, we were likewise reduced to great straits; when it happened that four hundred crowns were sent me by the post, accompanied with a letter from a well-meaning student, intimating that this sum had been delivered to him to relieve our hospital. I cannot express how effectual this was to renew my dependence upon the Lord; and how visibly it convinced ine that the hour of! trial is only appointed by the Lord for the strengthening of our faith. The Lord gra.. oiously remember this benefactor!

Nor all can bear tribulations alike some are better able to bear a blow of the devil; as we three-Melancthon, Calvin, and myself.-LUTHER.

PAUL saith that if they hold the foun dation, CHRIST, though they build upon Him straw and stubble, yet they shall

be saved.-BRADFORD.

THE CHANGED CROSS.

And so, whate'er His love sees good to send, I'll trust, it's best-because He knows the end.

FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGH IS, SAITH THE LORD.”—ISA. LV. 8.

FOR I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I THINK TOWARDS YOU, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU AN EXPECTED END."-JER. XXIX. 11.

And when that happy time shall come of endless peace and rest,
We shall look back upon our path and say—It was the best.

"LET ISRAEL HOPE IN THE LORD."
PSAL. CXXX. 7.

THERE is every encouragement held
forth in the word of Jehovah's grace for
all, cach, and every poor sensible sinner,
taught by God the Spirit, to know their
real state and condition as fallen crea-
tures, let their cases and circumstances
be what they may; for infinitely more
mighty is our Christ to save, and meri-
toriously efficacious His blood to cleanse;
all-sufficient his consummately perfect
righteousness to justify; and gloriously
free His boundlessly ever-flowing sove-
reign, rich, and matchless grace to pardon,
than siu to condemn, bring in guilty, or
to render polluted. Let Israel then hope

in the Lord.

Let us first notice, the people characterized, Isracl, and secondly, assign a few reasons why such should hope in the Lord, however desperate their cases, manifold their transgressions, or numerous their sins.

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These then are the persons spoken to in the above Scripture to hope in the Lord, some of whom are at times dis posed to say through weakness and infir mities, of which they are the subjects, "My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord, and my hope hath he removed like a tree; yet, notwithstanding, they, poor things, can and do say, Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, I have hoped in thy Word: sink in their minds and feelings as low as they may, yet it is written, "For to him that is joined to all the living, there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion;" and again, "Yet there is hope in Israel concerning this thing;" and as the soul gains strength it says, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? hope thou in God for I shall yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance and my God.. O, the Hope of Israel and Saviour thereof in the time of trouble: so the poor hath hope and iniquity (unbelief) stoppeth her mouth" and the blessed Comforter saith, "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."

By Israel spiritually is meant the quickened elect of God, a chosen generation, "a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people," who have peculiar views, peculiar feelings, not common to others, of whom it is said, "Lo! the people shall dwell alonc, and shall not be reckoned among the nations; and dwell Let Israel (then) hope in the Lord alone they have, must, and shall dwell for He is in one mind; He changeth not, in the everlasting affections of God the He resteth in his (not your) love; He Father, in the betrothing, redeeming mer keepeth covenant for ever, and will be ey of God the Son, and in the regene-ever mindful thereof; besides, Ile hath rating, renewing love and grace of God chosen thee, and will not cast thee away, the Holy Ghost, alone in the covenant, and saith, "Fear not, for thou shalt not alone in the atonement, alone in the be ashamed, neither be thou confounded, grace that is in Christ, and alone in the for thou shalt not be put to shame, for pardoning mercy of a Triune God, and thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, alone in the infinite affections of his gra- and shalt not remember the reproach of cious heart for evermore-these then are thy widowhood any more. For thy Ma the true Israel of God, and heirs accord-ker is thy Husband," &c., Grace-relationing to the promise; for he is not a Jew ship is indissoluble, covenant-union can(or Israelite) who is one outwardly, but not be affected; besides, He knew wo who is one inwardly, in the Spirit, and should deal very treacherously, and was not in the letter, whose praise is not of called "a transgressor from the womb," man, but of God. And so all of such and made provision accordingly, and deshall be saved, as it is written, "There clares, "For my praise will I refrain for shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and thee that I cut thee not off, for my own. shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob;" sake, even for mine own sake, will I do and all such Jacobs from ungodliness, so it." Do what? why carry my royal that all that see them shall acknowledge and most gracious purpose into effect; them that they are the seed which the why save thee in myself with an everLord hath blessed, and of whom their lasting salvation; why call thee by grace Lord thus graciously speaks; "O Israel, and make thee willing in the day of my thou shalt never be forgotten of me, the power; convince thee of sin, righteousrighteous shall be in everlasting remem-ness, and of judgment; slay the enmity brauce, the Lord knoweth them that are of thy heart, and prostrate thee at my footstool with a cry, "God, be merciful

His."

and as dear Gadsby used to sing:-
Therefore let Israel hope in the Lord,

Till God can change his mind,
And swear he has no choice;
The soul that in the Lord believes,
Shall in the Lord rejoice.

Nor sin, nor death, nor hell,
Can make him hate his choice;
The cause of love is in himself,
And in him we'll rejoice.

to me a sinner;" and all hopes of being another; but hath said it and must do saved by creature-doings I will take it; hath spoken (in the councils of eteraway to make room for the good hope nity) and must bring it to pass; hath through grace; and what more? why, "I sworn and will perform it, and is a God will blot out as a thick cloud thy trans- that cannot lie. "For ever, O Lord, thy gressions, and as a cloud thy sins, for I Word is settled in heaven.” have redeemed thee, and I will cleanse them from all their iniquities whereby they have sinned against me, and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me; and it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise, and an honour before all the nations of the earth." What wondrous grace is this! who can fathom its dimensions, or its unknown limits prove?" verily, none, neither men or angels on earth or in heaven. Then I dare not further trespass upon your "let Israel hope in the Lord, for he par- columns, nor longer detain the godly doncth the transgressions of the remnant reader; yet these glorious realities, and of his heritage; He retaineth not His an- incontestible truths in the hands of the ger for ever, because He delighteth in Almighty Comforter, abundantly cheer mercy." The interest Jehovah hath in his and refresh Zion's travellers in their path people can never be broken in upon, nor in the wilderness: indeed, they are their interest in him be impaired or streams from the river of God, which cease it is ever the same on both sides. is full of water; and as the Lord the Beloved in the Lord, who is there among Spirit in the above portion exhorts the the called in Christ Jesus, let their back children to hope in the Lord, so may He slidings be what they may, and be increased continue (and bless his name, He will) to in guilt and enormity ever so deeply, enable the true Israel to hold fast the but that these fore-cited Scriptures, confidence of their rejoicing, firm unto brought home to their minds by the the end, so as not, upon any occasion, be Spirit of the living God, but must moved away from the hope of the Gospel, continue to hope still in God, who de- "Which hope we have as an anchor of the clares that he will not only pardon, soul, both sure and steadfast, and which but will abundantly pardon? and "The entereth into that within the vail, whi blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth ther Jesus the Forerunner is for us enus from all sin;" and this fountain was tered, having obtained eternal redemp opened to the house of our antitypical tion." "Now, the God of hope fill you David, the Church of God, for no other with all joy and peace in believing, that use than the removal of sin and unclean-ye may abound in hope by the power of ness, consistent with the claims of insult- the Holy Ghost:" so prayed Paul, and ed Justice: so loved Christ His Church so prays a poor worm for all that love as to give Himself for it, that He might our Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth, sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to Himself a glorious Church." And seeing this concerns Him more than us, for He has a character to support, and must maintain it, nor suffer His faithfulness to fail, nor alter the Word gone out of His lips, nor give His glory to

Amen.

Let us with the immortal Toplady sing,

Blest is the man, O God,
Whose hopes are fix'd on thee,
Who wait for thy salvation Lord,
Shall thy salvation see.

FACTS AND FICTION.

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

W. BIDDER.

HISTORY is a record of facts-romances | words "Founded on fact;" or, in plain and novels are works of fiction. But English, truth and lying interinixed. there is an intermediate class of wri- Some one or more facts may be used as tings, bearing on their title-pages the a basis or foundation upon which to

build imaginary scenes, incidents, conversations, &c., the whole forming the one, two, or three volumes for the gratification of a depraved public taste, which, in spite of their being founded on fact," are nevertheless nothing more or less than novels, or romances.

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are by nature "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. ii. 1); "that every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart is only evil continually" (Gen. vi. 5); and that "they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge," (Jer. iv. 22). The reason of such an unscriptural So it is also with many sermons. “fiction” is, that we are generally more True preaching is the plain and simple ready to rob God of His sovereignty in declaration of matters of fact: "It is the work of grace, than we are to dewritten," being the burden of the mes-grade man into "a mere machine!" (see sage. False preaching puts aside the Rom. ix. 21.) Again, the command of Bible altogether, or uses it as a book our risen Lord to His disciples was, that must bend to the judgment of hu-"Preach the Gospel to every creature; man reason like any other. But a third he that believeth and is baptized shall and intermediate class of preachers ex-be saved.". Upon this "fact" the ists, whose sermons may well be des-fiction" is built, that all men may be cribed as 66 founded on fact." lieve if they like, as otherwise it would be mockery to declare such a message. But such an inference is a "fiction,' being opposed to the "fact" that salvation is "not of works" (Eph. ii. 9), which a self-made faith would be: that faith is "the gift of God" (Eph. ii. S, Phil, i. 29); a thing wrought in us "according to the working of His mighty power," (Eph. i. 19).

Now I do not imagine that any one can think that preaching is to be a mere stringing together of texts, however carefully culled; but there must be a grouping and an explaining of them. This, however, should be done with judgment and sobriety, lest by giving the rein to an exuberant fancy, it run away with us, and we be led to make assertions, or to use expressions that And the command to repent (Acts are contrary to the written Word of God. xvii. 30)—and indeed most of God's comOur preaching must be a record of facts; mandments meet with a like treatment; that is, we are to declare what God hath for men think it folly for God to give a said what He hath done-what He command which cannot be obeyed. But is doing and what He will do-as made they forget the total depravity of man known to us in the sacred Scriptures; through the fall, whereby man's very will and we ought carefully to abstain from became corrupt; and they also forget a any statement that cannot be proved by" fact," which opposes the fiction," some clear passage from the Word of that, with regard to all God's commandTruth. As the creditable historian con-ments," the law is spiritual, but we are nects his facts, not by the introduction carnal, sold under sin" (Rom. vii. 14); of fiction, but by such inferences and re- and while carnal or unregenerate, utterly marks as he thinks the narrative war- unable to obey a spiritual law. rants or demands, so should we deal with the Scriptural facts which we bring forward in our sermons.

دو

But I said men fancy they can obey most of God's commandments. There is, however, one which I generally find stops them, viz., "make you a new heart" (Ezek. xviii. 31). This they usually acknowledge to be impossible; and yet until they have that heart they will never do or think anything that is good; for from the old or natural heart nothing can come but evil" (Mark vii. 21, 22).

But too often we find ministers drawing unscriptural inferences from the facts of the Bible, so that their sermons are really works of fiction "founded on facts." Thus, when talking of future judgment, they will declare that "the dead, small and great, shall stand before God," and be judged every man acIt is a "fact" that all men are under cording to their works (Rev. xx. 12, law to God, either written in the book, 13). Now these are "facts," but upon or on the conscience; but it is "fiction" them "fictions" are continually built. to say that we have power naturally to Constantly do men declare that, since obey that law; for the " 'fact is that such is the case, therefore we must have when it is truly listened to, and we see a power to do good or evil, as otherwise it to be exceeding broad, taking account such a judgment would be unjust, since" of the thoughts and intents of the there could have been no freedom of heart," we then become shut up to Christ, choice. Such an inference, however, is as lost sinners needing a mighty Saa "fiction," though built upon a fact; viour.

because God plainly declares that mea It is a fact that the Gospel is to be