May we not from this concurrent testimony conclude that she was interested in the love of God from all eternity; one of those Jehovah the Father gave as a bride and portion to his beloved Son, brought to him in raiment of needle work? Here we see distinguishing favour. Why are so many passed by in this city? the wise, the nobility, yea, the sovereign, all are doomed to die; only the woman and her family are appointed to be saved alive. The feet of the spies are to be directed to this woman's house; and not to enter the house of any other person. She alone is to have the distinguishing red cord-the preserving scarlet line given her; but no other in the city to be thus favoured. She is to be temporally and eternally saved, while the rest are left and lost.

May we not here admire the freeness as well as sovereignty displayed in marking down this woman a monument of mercy! Nothing can be found in her past life to recommend her. She was a sinner by original and actual transgression, but found grace in the sight of God. She honoured the Lord by believing in him; entertained his servants; gave credit to their word; punctually obeyed what they commanded; was married to Salmon the father of Boaz; became allied to our Lord after the flesh-see Matt. i. 5. A gentile sinner marries a prince in Israel, and becomes a great grandmother to that mighty monarch, David, who is a blessed type of Christ, and the church's nursing father; all to shew that God has an elect people among the gentile sinners of mankind.

Her name signifies proud; but the Lord humbled her. Her faith and works are noticed by the apostles, but not the four falsehoods she told to the king's messengers, which she might not then think to be sinful; though no doubt she saw it afterwards, and repented of it; for we are not to do evil that good may come. But as one expresses it, “God will lay his holy hand over all the scars and sins of his children." And it is proclaimed in the everlasting gospel, for the comfort of all sin-burdened souls, “that the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cleanseth from all sin." And surely this heartwarming doctrine is here set forth.

Secondly. In this scarlet line, or red cord, let us look at its colour. Solomon informs us in his catechism, that his mother learnt him, that all her household are clothed with scarlet, or double garments. Prov. xxxi. 21. I will not presume to say what is the exact mind of God the Holy Ghost in this sweet text, but this we may safely say, that the church of God are described as having washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb; as having the double garment—the garment of inherent sanctification, or the work of saving grace wrought within by the blessed Spirit; and the garment of the perfect obedience of Jesus, which is the righteousness of the saints, and justifies them from all things.

This bloody colour cord strikingly sets forth the atoning, redeeming, peace-making, preserving, covering, reconciling, cleansing, and attracting blood of Jesus. It may also remind the church of the

persecutions, temptations, sufferings, and seas of sorrow she may have to pass through in her way to heaven. A true christian can hardly read about this cord, but he is reminded of his security, and how he is bound to God in union, and drawn to him with cords of love. And, as the rams' skins were dyed red, the outward covering of the tabernacle to preserve the costly furniture of it, and part of the priest's garments, with the veil, were to be of fine twined linen; but the colour was to be purple and scarlet, to set forth the kingly and priestly office of Jesus, and to shew that without shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin; nor redemption from the curse; no salvation, nor access to God but by blood.

Thirdly. The act of this woman clearly proved that she bound or fastened this line securely. She did not hang it in the window as an unimportant matter, careless of what became of this distinguishing cord. It was a thing of great value in her view; the preservation and life of herself and family depended upon it. Had this true token been lost, or changed, or altered, she and her house would have been all destroyed in the general destruction. It was a sign of security and encouragement, and calculated to excite her gratitude to God, whenever she looked at this mark of heaven's favour. She might have said, why should I be thus mercifully dealt with? God has indeed magnified his mercy in saving my life, and promised by his servants that I shall not be destroyed, and has given me this red cord as an evidence of his faithfulness. I am the worst sinner in the city. Who has ran such a round of sin as me? My house is the most immoral, and noted for infamy; and yet the feet of the Lord's messengers have turned in here to confer on me this peculiar favour. No doubt her heart was often melted when she looked at the line, and contemplated her future safety, as well as present preservation.

"By faith, Rahab, the harlot, perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies in peace." This choice cord was bound by faith; she was fully satisfied it would secure her, when the spies and the armies of Israel, returned to execute the vengeance of God upon the city: which will lead us to speak

Fourthly, of the identity. It was the scarlet line; the very same, and no other; but the one that she let the spies down with. Joshua ii. 18. Had this identical line been lost, or another substituted in its stead, the consequences would have been dreadful. And so it will be with all who place any thing in the room of Christ. Many there are who substitute their sincere obedience, for the perfect, sinless, and holy obedience of Jehovah's darling Son. And a vast multitude make a covering of their prayers, tears, vows, and good deeds instead of Christ, who is the only covert from the strong wind and tempest. Isa. xxxii. 2. Many, very many there are, who profess they can make their peace with God; some by an observance of ordinances, and others by changing the cut and colour of their clothes. There is a curse pronounced upon those who remove the ancient landmarks; and holy Paul says, "let that man be accursed

VOL. V.-No. 55.

who preaches another gospel." And sure we are that all who set up another rest, another way, another peace, and another righteousness, or reconciliation, are setting up antichrist, deceiving souls, and robbing God of his glory. And, no doubt, such a course adds fuel to the fire of hell with many, when they think how their time has been misspent in undermining God's only way of salvation from whence is enjoyed pardon, peace, and life everlasting, through the life, atoning blood, and justifying righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We will, lastly, just glance at its situation. It was at the window, a place of conspicuousness; designed to catch the eye of the spies, as soon as they entered the street. She was not ashamed of this mark, whatever banter or ridicule it might expose her to. The situation of her house was singular, it was on the town wall; and we read that when the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he fixed the bounds of the people. Deut. xxxii. 8. This woman was to occupy this house upon the wall, so convenient for concealing and conveying away these spies. We little think what we are sent into certain situations for ; but he who appoints the abode of his people, and orders all their footsteps, worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. He sees the end as well as the beginning of all circumstances, and will explain hereafter why we have lived in this house, why we have met with so many trials, why our covenant God has so often hid his face from us, and why so very few are bound up in the bundle of life. Only one family in this city are saved; "And all that were in the city, both men and women, young and old, were utterly destroyed with the edge of the sword, but Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household." Joshua vi. 21.

she was

Paul only mentions Rahab as a believer; ad James says justified by works; not that she was justified before God in any other way than in and by the royal righteousness of Jesus. The apostle means she manifested her faith by her works, as all genuine christians do. May writer and reader obtain like precious faith, be preserved in the Redeemer in that awful and general destruction that will come upon all flesh and the whole glory shall be given to the Father, Son, and Spirit; the one living and true God, for ever and ever. Amen. JAMES.

Hampstead.

:

FRAGMENT.

THE violent assaults and powerful temptations of the prince of darkness, may distress and sorely harrass the children of God; but the effects of his infernal malice will alight upon his own head; and he will be compelled to endure eternal disappointment and vexation, at beholding the glories of the Redeemer enhanced by his hellish machinations.

ORIGINAL ESSAYS.

XLII.

ON THE FELLOWSHIP OF SAINTS.

THERE never was a period in the history of the church, when errors and heresies more awfully abounded. Every class of professing christians are, in a greater or less degree, affected by their contaminating influence. Their rise and progress are mainly ascribable to the zeal of false brethren, who, having crept into the church unawares, "to spy out their liberty," and to sow dissentions among the family, have availed themselves of the advantages of their stations for that purpose, and have succeeded in disseminating the seeds of unsound, anti-scriptural, and pernicious doctrine, through the channel of the most artful intrigue, to a fearful extent. And, in proportion to the boasted march of human intellect in the world, has been the substitution of enticing words of man's wisdom in the palaces of Zion; which have proved highly inimical to her vital interests, and derogatory to the honours of the cross.

If the declaration of the apostle was true in his day, that, " even now are there many antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time; they went out from us, but they were not of us," &c. 1 John ii. 18, 19. with how much greater force will it apply in the present day of great declension from the truth, and fellowship with Jesus; it being much more evident from experience, that "the love of many waxeth cold ;" and that but here and there a spark of primitive zeal for truth is emitted from its dying embers.

Surely it is high time for the watchmen in Zion to sound an alarm in the camps of Israel. The fellowship of saints, once expressed in all the vivacity of influential power, has now ceased its wonted exercise. The world has joined affinity with the professed daughter of Zion; and the incongruous fellowship has drawn a sable veil of darkness over her; counteracted her peace and happiness; and begotten an apathy of feeling for the falling interest of truth, which lamentably indicates her sickliness of state.

It is, however, an inestimable blessing, that amidst a calamity so greatly to be deplored, God has engaged to take care of his chosen ones; and to preserve the purity of his sacred word from the threatening wreck of utter annihilation. Yet, let it be remembered, that he has established in Zion a furnace, and will assuredly visit the departure of his saints from the good old paths, with the rod of covenant love, to effect a separation from the tares which so closely entwine around them.

In the days of their unregeneracy they held fellowship with the unfruitful works of unrighteousness, in its very essence; and were

strongly leagued with satan, and the corruptions of their natures, "loving darkness rather than light:" but now, being evidentially children of the light by effectual vocation, they are called to renounce their evil ways, and to stand aloof from every opposing obstacle to truth.

The christian descends too low if he associates unnecessarily with the carnal professor, or with the proud pharisee, whose tattered garments bespeak his poverty and shame. Besides, these cannot talk the language of Canaan. It should never be forgotten by the saints that they are highly exalted in privilege and honour-that they are descended from the King of kings, citizens of a heavenly city, made righteous by divine imputation, and subjectively meet for his society. Astonished at the vast contrast of character, we exclaim in the fervour of holy writ," what fellowship hath their righteousness with the ungodly mammon of this world! what communion hath light with darkness! and what concordance has Christ with Belial !"

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It was an axiom of truth our blessed Redeemer once uttered in the days of his incarnation, which will ever serve as a standard to try the spirits." It is, " "by their fruits ye shall know them." Hence the decision will be effected, or ought to be effected, before we admit them to the benefits of intimacy and friendship. The contrary course is "casting pearls before swine;" who cannot appreciate their value, but will "turn again and rend you."

The principles of light and darkness cannot by possibility amalga❤ mate. Darkness may eclipse the light, and the rays of light in turn may chase away the clouds which intercepted them; but there cannot be an unison of operation at the same period; nor can there be a harmony of action and interest in spiritual pursuits existing between the real friends and enemies of the cross.

The visible church on earth, in the eventful periods of papal darkness, shone with a lustre pre-eminently resplendant in the cloudy night of cruel persecution. In that season of distress the little band of the Redeemer, reduced in numbers by the departure of his votaries from the faith, mustered up all their force, and besieged the throne of mercy. Thus they repelled force by the invincible power of grace, and by the artillery of heaven defeated the malice of the aliens. Led onward by the Spirit to the conflict, floods of sorrow could not abate their love to Jesus; nor could all the flames of persecution extinguish their flaming zeal; but, on the contrary, it grew with their oppressions.

It were a blessing divinely to be coveted, that the intimate fellowship and affection which existed in these benighted ages were as conspicuously evidenced in the present; but alas, “how has the fine gold become dim." The stilness with which the shadows of superstition are approaching lull the church into carnal security and repose. The offence of the cross has now nearly ceased. The almost universal philanthropic spirit of the day, has discovered a mode of reconciling differences; of mixing light with darkness; so