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hands in his blood. And for but of adoption; crying abba, Christ's zeal, for his Father's father. The happiness attainable honor, and the mighty works under it, approaches near to that which he wrought in his Father's of the heavenly world; so near name, did not his brethren of the does its land border, as it were, human race, his kinsmen accord-upon it, that believers in the ing to the flesh, hate and revile present state, are said to be him, mock and persecute him," come to mount Sion, to the even to the death of the cross?

city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the innumerable company of angels, to the spirits of the just made perfect," &c. Yet it is not less true, that the greater part of

The apostle, Heb. xii. 24, contrasts the blood of Christ with the blood of Abel to display its meritorious virtue and excellent effects. Ye are come to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh bet-professing Christians live as tho' ter things than the blood of A-they stood upon no such ground, bel. Abel's blood declared his and possessed no such opportu murder and cried for vengeance nities. We possess an Old Testo be executed on guilty Cain; tament spirit amidst New Testa but the blood of Jesus, while it ment advantages. A promise is speaks him crucified and slain by left us of entering into rest; but wicked hands, proclaims divine we seem at least, to come short displeasure appeased, justice pa- of it. How is this? Is it not owing, cified, vengeance suspended, God in a great degree, to the neglect propitious, pardon for the guilty, of the gospel? Having assented peace to the conscience, hope to to a system of doctrines, we fanthe desponding, and eternal life cy we know almost the whole to penitent transgressors. that is to be known upon this subject, and have nothing more to do, but to hold them fast against the errors of the times, and take heed that we do not dishonor them by an inconsistency of conduct. Hence, what is called Religious Conversation, seldom turns upon the gospel, unless any part of it be called in question; but either upon our own want of spirituality, or the pleasures that we have formerly experienced; or, perhaps, upon the talents of this or that popular preacher.

From the London Evangelical

Magazine.

Evangelical truth the grand object

of angelical research.

A meditation on 1 Peter i. 12. "Which things the angels desire to look

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into."

T is a truth, allowed by all Christians, that the dispensation under which we live, affords When a company of Chrisus far greater advantages for tians meet together, and feel a spirituality and heavenly enjoy-wish for improving conversation, ment, than any other which pre-let one of them take a Bible and ceded it. To us, life and immortality are brought to light. The spirit that properly belongs to it, is not a spirit of bondage,

read; and, as he reads, let him frequently pause, and let any one that can, make a remark, or ask a serious question, so as, upon

Thus Mary stooped and looked

the whole, to promote the understanding of what is read.-into the sepulchre, in hope of discovering her Lord; and thus believers are described as looking into the perfect law of liberty, or the gospel of Christ.

This would draw off the attention from less profitable things; and the blessing of the Lord attending it, would, ere we are aware, produce those holy pleasures which, while pouring over our own barrenness, we shall sigh after in vain.

Informer ages, the angels employed their capacious powers on other themes. At first, the display of the divine perfections in creation, furnished them with matter for praise and gladness.

Tocomfort the primitive Christians, who, as well as we, were "in heaviness through mani-" The morning-stars sang tofold temptations," Peter took no gether, and the sons of God other course than to declare un- shouted for joy." Afterwards, to them the glorious truths of the providence of God, in the the gospel, and the vast advan- government of the world, entages which they had over all larged their mental boundary. others of former ages, in pos-"One cried to another, saying, sessing the knowledge of them. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Three things in particular he Hosts: the whole earth is full of holds up to their consideration : his glory!" But since the com1. That the prophets were to ing of the Son of God in our naus ministering servants: "Not ture, and the laying down of his unto themselves, but to us did life, they appear to have been so they minister things which are engaged on this subject, as to be now reported." They sowed, comparatively indifferent to evethat we might reap.-2. That ry other. In other works of the things which they foretold, God, they had seen sometimes and which we possess, were the one perfection glorified, and objects of their most intense re-sometimes another; but here all search Of which salvation, unite their beams, and form one the prophets have enquired and general blaze. These are the searched diligently; searching things, therefore, which now what, and what manner of time" they desire to look into." the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, did signify, when it testified before-hand of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."-3. That such is the excellence and glory of the gospel, as not only to be the study of prophets, but of angels: "Which things the angels desire to look into."

It is generally supposed, I believe, that the phrase look into, alludes to the cherubims which were placed bending over the Mercy-seat, and looking as it were, with intenseness at it.

The powers of angels are far superior to those of men. Their means of instruction also, and long experience of divine things, must render them far more capable of understanding the gospel than we. Yet, with all their advantages and discoveries, such is the fulness of the subject, that they are at an infinite distance from comprehending it: all that is said of them is, that they “desire to look into it."

Angels were doubtless acquainted with the general design of salvation, from its first discove

cry to man; but the particular | who created all things by Jesus way in which it should be ac- Christ, to the intent, that now complished, appears to have unto the principalities and powbeen, in a great measure, hidden ers it might be known by the from them. It was a way so church; that is, by the redempmuch above what any creature tion of the church, the manifold would have expected, that tho' wisdom of God." When the there were hints of it under the event transpired, therefore, it was Old Testament, and some very like a flood of light bursting forth plain intimations, yet it was far upon them. The resurrection of from being clearly comprehend- Christ filled all heaven with transed. The prophets, as we have port. Hence, perhaps, we may seen, did not fully understand account for the question of the their own prophecies; but dili- angel to Mary, "Woman, why gently searched into the mean-weepest thou?" g. d." Did you ing of them :-neither did the but know all, you would not apostles, with all their advan-weep? It is not yours to weep 'tages prior to the event :-nei- now, but your adversaries!" ther did evil angels, with all their The cross of Christ, instead of subtilty; for if Satan had known issuing in disgrace, is followed that, from the death of Christ, with glory. His friends learned his cause would receive so dead- to glory in it; yea, and to glory ly a wound, it is scarcely con- in nothing else: and well they ceivable that he would have stir-might. It was glorious to see red up Judas and the Jewish ru- the powers of darkness stripped lers to accomplish it. He ap-naked, as it were, to their shame; pears to have entertained a kind-to sce Satan foiled by the woof forlorn hope, that by getting man's seed, and his schemes exhim put to death in the most ig-posed to the derision of the uninominious form, and by the on-verse ;-to see him taken in his ly religious nation upon earth, own net, and falling into the pit he should be able to stamp ever- that himself had digged. It was lasting infamy upon his name, glorious to contemplate the nuand that all after-generations merous and important bearings would be ashamed to own him. of this one great event! By this The disappointment and unex- the divine displeasure against sin pected shock that he and his ad- is manifested in stronger lanherents met with on this occa-guage than if the world had sion, seems plainly intimated by been made a sacrifice by this. our Saviour's having spoiled a way is opened for the consist principalities and powers, and ent exercise of mercy to the made a shew of them openly, chief of sinners by a believtriumphing over them on his ing view of this, peace arises in cross" and though the holy the mind, and, at the same time, angels might be supposed to un-purity in the heart for this derstand much more than fallen he is crowned with glory and ones, yet were they not equal honor in the heavens, principal to this subject till events madeities and powers being made it manifest. Hence it is said, subject to him. This is the on"from the beginning of the ly hope of a lost world, the onworld, to have been hid in God, ly medium of acceptance with

God, and the only admissible plea in our approaches before him. This it is that will put every

Conversion of David.

The following is a fact. AVID and Samuel were

grace in exercise in this world, Dearly connected in life, and

and impart all the happiness in that to come, of which created minds are susceptible.

were both of them men of more than ordinary talents and erudiThese are a few of the bear- tion. Samuel was professedly a ings of the doctrine of the cross. humble believer in the doctrines Is it any wonder that angels of the cross, and to an eye of should desire to look into it? charity, claimed, not without reaRather, is it not matter of won-son, the character of a Christian; der and shame that we who are but David, though in the prime more immediately interested in of life, was already a comfirmed it than they, should be so far be- Infidel. As they were frequenthind? How is it that we should ly in each other's company, and be the last to bring back the as their turn of thinking was far King, who are his bone and his from disposing them to spend flesh? Our Redeemer took not their time in conversing on ordiupon him the nature of angels;nary or trivial matters, it not unyet they love him, and the gos- frequently happened, that the pel of salvation by him; and truth of divine revelation be wherefore? They love God, and came a subject of feeling and therefore rejoice in every thing animated debate. In these disthat glorifies him in the highest:putations Samuel ever appeared -they love men, and therefore to reason with a coolness, fairrejoice in that which brings ness and candor, which eminentpcace on earth, and good-will to ly graced his Christian profesthem they rejoice in every sion; while David, on the con instance of the prosperity of trary aimed at nothing more, Christ's kingdom, and in being than to entangle his adversary themselves made subject to him. by the sophistry of his arguHad we but their love with our ments, or to irritate his mild interest, we should not only em-temper by the peculiarly unfair ulate, but exceed their highest and obstinate manner, in which praise. While they, in innumerable myriads, were saying, with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing," we should not only say, "Amen," but add, “Thou art worthy; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation !”

GAIUS.

he maintained his positions.This latter object was in his view a favorite point; and he left no method untried, which he could possibly devise, that appeared calculated to irritate; thinking that if he could once provoke the Christian, and throw him into a passion, he should have attained a splendid victory. However unreasonable or wicked this desire might be, yet he, whose way is covered with clouds and darkness, was pleased to order events in such a way as to gratify it completely. Dis

puting one evening on the favor-this! Does it dispose those who

ite subject, and in the usual way, possess it, thus to come voluntahe had the satisfaction of accom- rily and humble themselves unplishing his object. Provoked asked at the feet of those whom by the unfairness, unreasonable- they have offended!-Certainly ness and obstinacy of his adver- there is something in religionsary, the imperfect Christian something totally different from could bear no longer, but giving any feeling that ever entered into a loose to his passions, he spoke my heart." Such were the reunadvisedly with his lips, and inflections of the Infidel. Nor could a manner by no means calculat- he erase from his mind the imed to do honor to the meek spir- pressions which this scene had it of Christianity. David tri-made, till he himself became umphed, as though he had now hopefully possessed of the same attained something, that would meek and humble disposition. forever silence the champion of divine revelation; while Samuel, ashamed of himself, retired to confess his fault and to mourn in private before his God.

In view of this incident let professing Christians be exhorted to maintain the peculiarities of their Christian character. In no respect perhaps are Christians Early next morning David more different from the generwas surprised by the appearance ality of mankind, apparently, than of Samuel, who lived at a con- in being disposed to take their siderable distance, and who, with- proper places in view of their out waiting to be asked the oc- faults. The natural pride of the casion of this unseasonable vis- human heart forbids mankind to it, accosted him in language to confess, that they have done the following purport: "I have wrong, even when they are concome, dear brother, to confess to scious that they are guilty; and you my fault, and to ask your demands of this kind are often forgiveness. In the heat of our resented with peculiar spirit. conversation last evening I was The language of most hearts by thrown off my guard, my pas-nature is like this: "If I have sions were excited, and I spake done wrong, I will never confess in a manner altogether unbecom-it." While therefore the proing the profession, which I have fessed follower of our divine made. I have done wrong, I Redeemer comes forward unaskhave injured the cause of Christ, ed to confess his faults, and volI have treated you in a manner untarily takes his place in the which I cannot justify; I am sor- dust before men as an offender, he ry for my offence, and hope that gives the most striking evidence you will forgive me." Nothing possible, that the power of divine could have been more astonish-grace has infused into his heart ing to David than this. He a disposition, to which the world could not possibly avoid ruminat-in general are total strangers. ing much on the humble appear- And who can say what conseance and language of the profes-quences may follow from such sed believer. "Is this the Chris- an exhibition! tian!" exclaimed be to himself. "Does Christianity iose into the heart such a disposition as

The above relation furnishes us with a beautiful, and perhaps just illustration of Solomon's

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