It is equally certain, that times of deliverance are in the hand of our great Deliverer. Deliverance may be delayed for a season; believers may be in great straits, as in Israel's case at the Red Sea ; every prospeet of deliverance may appear to be cut off, and they be ready to despair of ever having assistance; and when driven to the last extremity, Jehovah will appear, and deliverance shall be wrought; for the promise says, that "he will deliver thee in six troubles, and in the seventh there shall no evil touch thee," Job v. 19.; and so you shall find, that

"The mount of danger is the place,

Where you shall see surprising grace."

Remember, dear reader, that while deliverance is delayed, there is work for faith, prayer, hope, patience, and resignation to the will of God, until he comes to magnify his grace in affording deliverance.

If all our times are in the hand of God, that is, under his sovereign controul, and gracious direction, then times of sorrow and of joy are included among the rest. He weighs our sorrows, and measures out our pains; mingles as many drops of sacred joy with the cup of sorrow as he knows are really good for his children. So that whether he sends joy or sorrow it is all for the best, and,

"All shall work, and last, and end,

As shall please our heav'nly Friend."

Again, times of want are under sovereign management. The Lord's children are found among the poor of this world, whose circumstances are sometimes exceedingly limited. Well, brethren, you and I want but little, and that little not long; and he who hath said, "thy bread shall be given, and thy water shall be sure," has pledged his word to supply all our wants according to the riches of his glory by Christ Jesus. See Isa. xxxiii. 16. with Phil. iv. 19.

Times of war, and times of peace, are in the hand of the great Captain of our salvation. Does he suffer nature to rebel? Is there a daily warfare and rebellion between its hostile powers and those of grace and dost thou groan beneath the struggle? Remember, thy Father's name is Jehovah Shallum, and he will send peace. Cheer up, christian brother, his is the power to save, and thine the everlasting victory.

Finally, our times to die is also with our ever-living God. Till this time comes, though never so afflicted, we cannot die; but when it is come, disease will baffle the power of medicine, and confound the skill of the wisest physician, and we must die. Oh that it may be to live for ever in the super-celestial Canaan, and sing to the praise of infinitely rich, soul-supporting, sin-subduing, Satan-confounding, soul-reviving, God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, and allconquering grace. Amen and amen. So prays, your affectionate

brother in Zion's crowned Lord,

Wortwell, Nov. 10, 1835.

A COUNTRY MINISTER.

REVIEW.

Traces of Divine Sovereignty; or, the Freeness and Unchangeable Nature of God's Saving Grace, manifested in the Experience of the Author. Part II. By Robert Creasy, 8vo. pp. 108. Sleaford, J. Creasy. London, E. Palmer.

THE believer in Jesus will often find much encouragement in looking back, and retracing all the way in which the Lord has led him; not only the preserving care of his covenant God, while in a state of nature's darkness, but also the many instructive lessons which he has been blessed with, since brought to a saving knowledge of his interest in Christ, and of all those rich blessings which are treasured up for him in that covenant, which is ordered in all things and sure; but still, if grace is in exercise, he will be earnestly longing after every-day renewals of grace, more enlarged views of that salvation of which he is a happy partaker, and a closer walking with God, that he may indeed grow in grace; and in his walk and conversation in the world, in the family, and in the church, shew forth the praises of that God, who hath called him out of darkness into his marvellous light, not because of any good in him, but of his own rich, free, and sovereign grace.

The work before us is written in the form of a diary, and contains the spiritual exercises of the author, when favoured with the sensible presence of his divine Master, and also those trying seasons when under a clouded sky, and tempted by the world, the flesh, and the devil; and shews that at those times, when the manifestative sense of the Lord's presence is withheld, it is to shew us our own weakness, and cause us to cleave closer to him who is mighty to save. tried christian will, doubtless, find much in this work to meet his case; and should the blessed Spirit seal instruction in the perusal, will derive much encouragement. We hope it may be rendered extensively useful.

The

The Martyr of Verulam, and other Poems. By Thomas Ragg. Second Edition, 12mo. pp. 96. London, Longman and Co. This is a very interesting work, illustrating in a beautiful style the history of the English proto-martyr, Alban, and reflects much credit on its author, both as a poet and a christian; and will be read with considerable pleasure as a serious narrative, written in a most pathetic style, pre-eminently displaying the free grace of God in man's salvation.

The other poems in the volume are short, but possess equal poetic beauty. We would urge our friends to purchase this work, it will

both instruct and amuse. We have selected one short poem on the righteousness of faith, as a specimen.

"Shall I, who boast Christ's hallow'd name,

And look to him for life and bliss,

Attempt to hide fall'n nature's shame,

In any other robe than his ?

Shall I another offering bear

Before my God? Or in my own
Scant fig-leaf righteousness appear,
In presence of the Holy One?

No! Let the moon repudiate

The sun's light first, and shine with beams
Unborrowed; let the plant elate,

The warming and the moistening streams

To heaven restore, and still be ripe

With verdure, and with sweetness fraught;
And nature give essential life,

To God who called her out of nought.

With Christ my hope, and Christ my song,
His merits made by faith my own,

I dare stand forth amidst the throng,
That circle his effulgent throne;
And counting all my gain but loss
For him, in borrowed beams I shine;
Mine the dear product of his cross,

The righteousness of Jesus' mine."

Zion's Pilgrim: to which is now added, Zion's Pilgrim past Seventy, written a short time before his death. By Robert Hawker, D. D. late Vicar of Charles, Plymouth, 18mo. pp. 296. London, E. Palmer and Son.

The high popularity of Dr. Hawker's Zion's Pilgrim is so well known, and so fully appreciated, that any observations of ours would be superfluous. The present edition of this estimable work is, we perceive, by the title-page, the thirteenth; and if a smaller size, and peculiar neatness in execution, form an additional recommendation, we should say the present volume is more attractive than any of the preceding editions. We hail its appearance at this season of the year particularly, as it is so admirably calculated for Christmas presents.

The Snares of the Devil; wherein is briefly shown the Entrance of Satan at the Organs of Sense, and taking up his Abode in the Passions of the Human Mind. By William Garrard. 12mo. pp. 48. London, E. Palmer.

This is a well-written work on the subject. The author has described, in a striking manner the many snares and temptations to which the child of God is exposed in his journeyings through this wilderness, and given some scriptural and experimental instruction while so exercised. We do most fully recommend this work to our readers, satisfied that they will derive much instruction therefrom,

and be led to watch against all the snares which the arch enemy of souls may employ to entrap them.

To the worthy author we would suggest the propriety of guarding against a lightness of style, when treating upon serious subjects: it may please some, who rather seek for amusement than edification; but is certainly quite contrary to the example of Christ, and often weakens the conviction that arises from previous arguments.

We have given an extract from Mr. G.'s remarks on pride, that our readers may judge for themselves.

"Pride is the first sin that was born, and the last that dies: yea, it will never die. Some are proud of their riches, gay clothing, and beauty; others of their ancestors' honours and power; others of their piety, humility, and religion; where no one knows where it is to be found. Pride is the image of Satan, as true humility (which is a grace of the Spirit) is the image of God. Satan is now as proud as when cast out of heaven, for he calls this world his own, and does lie: he thinks himself unjustly cast out of heaven, and that he has a right to the imperial seats now; he thirsts for honour, and for angels, men, and the Son of God to worship him. So, when the devil came to Jesus, he says, "if thou be the Son of God?" But you are not-what you ! what you! the Son of God! If you be, give us a convincing proof of it? Come, cause these stones to be made into bread! You, what you! you cannot do it any more than I can. "Jesus said, it is written man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." No! no! Satan. I do not want any bread here, my Father's work and his promises are my bread, "I have bread to eat that ye know not of." Well, but if you be God, shew me some Godlike exploits; come, I will set you on a pinnacle, and if you be the Son of God cast thyself down; it is written, the angels shall take care of you, and the stones shall not hurt you. "Jesus said unto him, it is written again, thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God." Now the devil comes to his point and last push, that is, to make himself God. Now let me see, said he, every one loves honour, praise, and glory, as I do; "so the devil takes him to an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and said unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me!" The old fellow tried hard to ensnare the dear Redeemer, you see, in this snare, but all in vain. I doubt not, if it had been you or me we should have been taken.

"Now mark, Jesus shews his divine power and authority. Then said Jesus unto him, "get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Now the devil flees, (any thing for him but divine worship). No! thought he, I will never worship you. Jesus hits him home, and brought to remembrance his first rebellion, his own sin in heaven, when he refused to worship God's eternal Son, and was cast out for it. This was a heavy blow on the old enemy's head before the final bruising, for he never could bear worshipping God! No, he desires to be worshipped himself, so he slunk away, and left him, and "angels ministered unto him."

"But after this, Jesus pursues the old serpent to his haunts and dens; for the old fellow runs to the synagogue to a poor demoniac man, not to worship, but to hinder, confuse, and prevent the worship of God, as in the days of Job, and as he ofttimes does now. But Jesus pursues him so close, till the old serpent screams out, saying, "Let us alone, what have we to do with thee, (ahi but Jesus had something to do with him) thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? Art thou come unjustly to torment' us before our time? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." Here the old devil is made to confess him to be the Son of God. "I know thee who thou art?" Thou art Christ; I should have worshipped thee in heaven;

I saw thee there.' But Jesus would have none of his cant; he knew it was forced confession. Jesus rebuked him, suffered not the devil to speak, saying, "Hold thy peace, and come out of him." So he takes the old serpent by the tail, pulling him out of his hold, making sport with him, before he bruises his head. But oh! how he struggles, foams, and hisses, when forced out of his den by the Son of God."

The Precious Jewels of the Church, rescued from the Hands of Spoilers. By Charles Drawbridge. Parts II and III. 12mo. pp. 12. Wellingborough, Darby. London, E. Palmer.

The present tracts form Numbers 5 and 6 of a series written by Mr. Drawbridge, the previous numbers of which have been noticed by us; the present are equally adapted for usefulness; and we hope such of our friends as purchase tracts for gratuitous distribution, will include these, as they are well adapted to expose and confute the false glosses which men who are enemies to the sovereignty of Jehovah, as displayed in a free grace salvation, are endeavouring to inculcate from various parts of scripture, and which passages Mr. D. has rescued from their deceptive grasp. We shall present our readers with his remarks on Matt. xxv. 14. " For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods."

"Christ here represents himself as a traveller; his own servants are his ministers, who profess to serve him. What he gives to his servants of his goods, they are to occupy until he cometh. I believe the glorious second coming of Christ will be remarkable for a knowledge of the usefulness of every minister of the gospel, in his labours, writings, &c., and that not until the resurrection of the just will Christ reckon with them, The writings of Owen, Goodwin, Charnock, Toplady, Witsius, Gill, Hawker, and others, will be producing interest to thousands yet unborn; and the reckoning will not take place until the money put to the exchangers has produced the end designed. Moreover, the ruling over many things cannot obtain fully until these talents and their produce are called in. "And unto one he gave five talents." Knowledge, experience, watchfulness, an open door in Providence, the word of truth, are five precious talents, which it becometh every minister of the gospel to put out to the exchangers; and when thus used, they will produce five more; for others will be made wise, see themselves as God's elect, watch unto prayer, view the hand of God in providence, and will receive and live upon the word of truth. "To another two;" every private believer is a servant of Christ, and such possess the two talents; knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and a sweet experience of its power upon their souls. With these they trade, and speak often one to another; and a book of remembrance is kept for them that fear the Lord, and think of his name. "And to another, one; according to his several ability." This man personifies those men-made preachers, who, with the one talent of natural attainments, go forth to cry down election and reprobation, who depict the doctrines of grace as awful doctrines, tending to licentiousness; and nick-name God's sent servants as Antinomians. All duty-faith men are set forth by this man; they charge the people of God with being slothful, and God with being austere and unreasonable; they wrap their talent of natural attainments in the napkin of ignorance, and bury it in the most earthly, sensual, and devilish views of true religion that can possibly be broached. Their end is destruction, their God is their belly, their glory is in their shame, and they mind earthly things. 'Baxter's Saint's Everlasting Rest,' Alleine's Alarm,' 'The Whole Duty of Man,' and Fuller's Gospel worthy of all Acceptation,' are specimens of burying the talent in the earth."