and rule from the Messiah, were more zealous enemies of Christ then the Heathens were? And that the carnal members of the church are oft the greatest persecutors of the spiritual members? "As then he that was born after the flesh, did persecute him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now." It is your taking the ordinary case of the godly for a strange thing, that makes you so disturbed and passionate when you suffer. Remember, therefore, that the great motive that causeth the devil to persecute you is not to hurt your bodies, but to tempt your souls to impatience and sin: and if it may be said of you, as of Job, "In all this Job sinned not," you have got the victory, and are "more than conquerers. See, therefore, that ye "resist not evil." Imitate your Lord, "who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered he threatened not, but committed all to him that judgeth righteously; leaving us an example that we should follow his steps.' An angry zeal against those who cross and hurt us is so easily kindled and so hardly suppressed, that it appeareth there is more in it of corrupted nature than of God. We are very ready to think that we may "call for fire from heaven" upon the enemies of the Gospel: but (when you thus think) "you know not what manner of spirit you are of." Christ saith unto you, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you: that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." You find no such prohibition against patient suffering of wrong from any. Take heed of giving way to secret wishes of hurt to your adversaries, or to reproachful words against them. Take heed of hurting yourselves by passion or sin, because others hurt you by slanders or persecutions. Keep you in the way of your duty, and leave your names and lives to God. Be careful to preserve your innocency, and in your patience possess your souls, and God will keep you from any hurt from enemies, but what he will cause to work for your good. Read Psal. 37. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring LOOK FOR PERSECUTION. NOTHING is more familiar with wicked men, than to slander and reproach the holy ways and servants of the Lord. No wisdom, no measure of holiness or righteousness, will exempt the godly from their malice; otherwise, Christ himself at least would have been exempted, if not his Apostles and other Saints, whom they have slandered and put to death. Christ hath foretold us what to expect from them. John xv. 18, 21. "If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you; the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my sayings, they will keep your's also." The truth is, wicked men are the seed and children of the devil, and have his image, and obey him, and think, and speak, and do as he would have them; and the godly are the seed and members of Christ, and bear his image, and obey him and do you think that the devil and his children will speak well of the ways. or followers of Christ? I must confess, till I had found the truth of it by experience, I was not sensible how impudent in belying, and cruel in abusing the servants of Christ, his worldly, malicious enemies are. I had read oft, how early an enmity was put between the woman's and the serpent's seed ;-I had read and wondered, that the first man that was born into the world did murder his brother for worshiping God more acceptably than himself; "because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." 1 John iii. 12. I had read the inference verse 13, "Marvel not my brethren, if the world hate you;" but yet did not so fully understand, that wicked men and devils are so very like, and so near of kin, till the words of Christ, John viii. 44, expounded by visible demonstrations, had taught it me. Indeed, the Apostle saith, 1st John iii. 12, that Cain was of that wicked one, that is, the devil: but Christ saith more plainly, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do; he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him when he speaketh of a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar and the father of it." Here note, that cruel lying and murdering are the principal actions of a devil; and that as the father of these, he is the father of the wicked, who are most notoriously addicted to these two courses against the most innocent servants of the Lamb. How just is it, that they dwell together hereafter, that are here so like in disposition and action: even as the righteous shall dwell with Christ, who love his image, and imitate his holy, suffering life. I conclude, then, that if thou wilt never turn to God and a holy life, till wicked men give over bely ing and reproaching thee, thou mayst as well say, that thou wilt never be reconciled to God till the devil be first reconciled to him; and never love Christ, till the devil love him or bid thee love him; or never be a saint, till the devil bid thee, or will give thee leave; and that thou wilt not be saved, till the devil be willing that thou be saved.-Baxter's Christian Directory. VARIETIES. A TRAVELLING MINISTER. A minister travelling in a stage coach, had the mortification of being shut up for the night with a naval officer who was much addicted to swearing. At length the conversation turned on the topic of the day, the Boulogne flotilla ; when the officer observed, "If one of our ships with several gentlemen, came near them. As the former, who was at that time a justice of the peace, was swearing in a very profane manner, Mr B. thus addressed him :-"Sir, you are a justice of the peace, and a gentleman of family and fortune, therefore your example to all should become the state in which kind Providence has placed you." He answered, “Sir, I will not come and swear in your church." This was spoken with great bitterness. Mr. B. then left him, but the fishermen afterwards said that the gentleman was very angry, and declared if the minister had not gone away he would have thrashed him. But his future con duct towards Mr B. became the gentleman; for, some time afterwards, Mr. B. having some business to transact with the justice, the latter at first sight thanked him for his reproof, but added, that he should not have given it in so public a manner. Mr. B. replied, "Sir, my reason for doing so was, because the fishermen who were present are my parishioners; and as swearing is a prevailing vice with them, I am frequently under the necessity of reproving them. Therefore, sir, reflect but a moment, and you will see the propriety of what I did, and of the public manner in which I did it. Would not the fishermen have said, that the minister could reprove THEM, but that he was afraid to reprimand the justice, had they not witnessed the contrary?" The gentleman was well pleased with Mr. B.'s remarks, and ever after he treated him with the greatest kindness and respect. RELIGION, SIXTEEN HUNDRED YEARS AGO. "I COULD wish you would follow our example, who by the persuasions of the Logos have revolted from these spiritual wickednesses, and come that we are too prone to esteem men according to their outward appearance, and I know that this is an evil. Appearances and circumstances are nothing with God, and they ought to be nothing with us: the mind and character are every thing. We ought to esteem every one according to his moral, religious worth. REVIEW, &c. The Law and Obligation of Believers respecting Marriage. A Sermon, by Ralph Waller, over to the obedience of the only unbegotten God, through his Son Jesus Christ. We who heretofore gave ourselves a loose to women, now strictly contain ourselves within the bounds of chastity; we who devoted ourselves to magic arts, now consecrate ourselves entirely to the good unbegotten God; we who loved nothing like our possessions, now produce all we How little is said by ministers and have in common, and spread our others, whose duty it is to instruct whole stock before our indigent and counsel mankind, in the way of brethren; we who were pointed with advice and caution respecting marmutual hatred and destruction, and riage. And yet marriage is a matter would not so much as warm ourselves in which nearly every person is at the same fire with those of a differ- directly interested; it is a step in ent tribe, upon the account of taking which, greater consideration different institutions, now since the is required, because of the lasting coming of Christ cohabit and diet and important consequences which together, and pray for our enemies; follow, than need be exercised on aland all our returns for evil are but most any other subject. Marriage, inthe gentlest persuasives to convert deed, in a sense, is either the making those who unjustly hate us; that by or the undoing of those who become living up to the same virtuous pre-, united in its bonds. And yet, we cepts of Christ, they might be filled say, how little notice is taken of it by with the same comfortable hopes of Christian teachers; so that persons obtaining the like happiness with are, in a great measure, left to form ourselves, from that God who is the their notions at random as to what is Lord of all things."-Justin Mar- proper or otherwise, without being tyr. assisted, as they should be, in a concern which affects their welfare in time and in eternity. In the ancient Jewish church, and in the Primitive christian church, the duties connected with marriage, were carefully inculcated; but, more recently, the subject has been neglected, to the great detriment of religion, and the disadvantage of individuals. The young are permitted to be governed by momentary impulses of passion, or of interest, and indeed of any other motive which may operate upon them. ANSWER TO A HINT. DEAR FRIEND,— In the Evangelical Reformer there is something like this,-a nice young man as one could wish to see. It is a thing that keeps us from the blessedness of the spirit, is this way of outward observation. Let the readers of thy writings be drawn into the way to have the Father's comforting favour through this life of troubles, by mortifying themselves to the carnal nature. Farewell, GREY HAIRS. Ans. I do not know what part of the Evangelical Reformer it is that my friend refers to, and I do not recollect the passage from which he quotes, but I rather think that the phrase a nice young man' has reference to the young man's mind and character, and not to the form and complexion of his body. I know We are happy, therefore, whenever we find this subject, of universal concernment as it is, taken up by ministers of the Gospel, and we trust it will not in future be so much lost sight of, as it has been in times past. The happiness of individuals, of families, as well as the credit and prosperity of the church of Christ, are intimately connected therewith; it is impossible, therefore, to exercise too great caution, or to be too frequent and earnest in inculcating what ought to be observed with regard to marriage. Mr. Waller's sermon contains many judicious thoughts, together with salutary advice on the subject, under the following general heads, which are again subdivided, so as to include all the particulars necessary to illustrate his views as to the duty of christians in relation to mar riage-1. What is the law of God on this subject? 2. What are the reasons of the law? 3. What are the causes which lead to the breaking of this law? 4. What are the excuses for breaking this law? 5. Cases of difficulty respecting the law. 6. The evil effects resulting from a violation of this law. 7. Improper marriages where this law is not violated. We can cordially recommend this discourse, as manifesting an excellent spirit, and as well calculated to impart a useful lesson on a most import subject. INTELLIGENCE. VERY encouraging circumstances are transpiring in almost every direction. We have, already, very cheering indications as to the results to be anticipated from the progress of Evangelical Reform. One of the most prominent of these is, a deep and increasing solicitude, among our friends, for the conversion of sinners. This is becoming evident, both in their common conversation, and in the tenour of their devotional exercises. And, it is also to be seen in the increasing amount of their benevolent labours. Many of them seem to be determined in very deed, to live for God. And with an increasing desire for the salvation of souls, and an increasing labour to secure this; we also perceive a strong and stedfast expectation of success. Nor does this expectation appear to us to be unfounded; the ex pressions of it among our friends, seem generally to be accompanied with pleasing testimonies that the expected prosperity of the work of God is already begun at home. And, indeed, it is manifest, that the "living water" is already springing up more abundantly and constantly in very many hearts. And as for party spirit, if this should continue to decrease among our friends as it appears to be decreasing now, we shall, ere long, cease to hear its discordant, peace-destroying voice. Accessions from the world are almost daily augmenting the numbers of several churches. In some cases these accessions are taking place noiselessly and gradually, but still they are satisfactory and likely to be permanent. But in other instances we have been privileged to witness what must be regarded as drops which precede a heavier shower. After seasons of deep and solemn feeling, on some occasions, the presence of the "Master of Assemblies,' in several congregations, has been so remarkably experienced, that tears and sighs of penitence have prevailed, and a goodly number have gone home to their houses justified, and praising God. These things encourage us, and we are increasingly persuaded, that in proportion to the spread of Evangelical Reform,—in exact proportion as men give all they are and have to God, will the influence and power of Christianity be felt by the unconverted portion of mankind. Let us go on, and we shall see greater things than these, And if we do this, and continue walking in the fear of God, by doing all his will, we shall not then have to spend our time in attempting to bring about revivals, but a permanent progression both as to piety and numbers shall be secured. And until this be the case with the Church of Christ generally, the world cannot be saved. NEWCASTLE: PRINTED BY J. BLACKWELL AND CO. THE CHRISTIAN INVESTIGATOR, AND EVANGELICAL REFORMER ; For the Promotion of sound Religious Knowledge, and the Inculcation of Temperance and Peace, and of the whole Religion of Christ. No. 9. NOVEMBER 13, 1841. SPIRITUALITY OF MIND. (Continued from page 209.) WE shall now proceed to mention a few considerations which should operate as incentives to the cultivation of an exalted spirituality of mind. We are aware that without the influences of God's holy spirit, no motives that can be adduced by mortals, are sufficient to produce those affections and dispositions in which true spirituality consists. But the holy spirit works by means, and truth is the great instrument which he employs. While, therefore, we depend entirely on the agency of the spirit for the success of our efforts, it is ours to present the truth to the minds of men, hoping that he will make that truth effectual to their conversion or edification. The first consideration that we would urge on the attention of our readers is this:-That the spirituality of mind which has been described, is the highest object of our existence. When we attentively consider the subject, it is impossible for us to entertain the idea for a moment, that human nature was intended for no higher object than the attainment of earthly good. To suppose that the soul of man was designed for nothing but the pursuit and acquisition of sensual pleasure, or any other form of earthly good, is to do violence to every righteous, pure, and noble principle. The soul, with its capacities for R VOL. 1. unceasing progress in knowledge and in virtue, its feeling of deep dissatisfaction with almost every thing past or present, and its restless aspirings after a higher and purer state of existence! The soul, with its infant powers, but just beginning to unfold themselves, and yet in their first developments affording the promise and the pledge of better and of greater things! This soul, designed only to live on earth, and to content itself with this world's vain delights! No, No, it cannot be! It would be supposing such a want of wisdom in the Creator to endow us with such vast capacities, and leave us destitute of objects on which they might be put forth orsuch a want of goodness, to tantalize his creatures by awakening desires that never could be satisfied, that it shocks every upright, generous sensibility to entertain the thought for a moment. The soul must have a richer portion than earth can furnish; it must have more varied exercises, nobler pursuits, more elevated pleasures, than any that belong exclusively to time. An immortal mind was never fitted to find satisfaction in wealth, or rank, or fame, or the gratification of mere animal appetites. It is in the acquisition of knowledge, but especially the knowledge of spiritual truths,-in the conquest of evil propensities, and the subjugation of evil habits,-in the cultivation of pious and benevolent sympathies and affections,-in the formation of exalted plans of useful |