And further, to display these seducers, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; [i. e. doth not keep a course in sin, howsoever he fall by infirmity ;] for his seed [i. e. God's word cast into the heart by the operation of the Spirit, making a man spring into a new creature,] remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

C. Briefly, to come to the point, how may it be known, who is God's child, and who is to be reputed the child of the devil?

J. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God: neither (to give you a plain example) he that loveth not his brother.

For, this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one (Satan,) and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

C. Yet if we love those which be our brethren after the flesh never so much, they cease not to hate and persecute us.

J. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. C. If not to love, be a note of the child of the devil, what is the note of God's child?

J. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren, [i. e. such as be christians because they are christians.] As on the contrary, He that loveth not his brother abideth in death: (is under the state of damnation.)

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. C. You have showed us fully that love is a work of

adoption now show us how we may know whether we love the brethren or not.

J. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought (carried with the like affection of love) to lay down our lives for the brethren.

C. Many in speech do pretend love, but we find not this willing affection and readiness to show love.

J.

Whosoever hath this world's good, (wherewith this life is sustained,) and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

C. What other note is there of true love?

J. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth, (sincerely.)

1. For hereby we know that we are of the truth, (sound professors of the Gospel of Christ,) 2. and shall assure our hearts before him, (in regard of any accusation that our conscience shall lay unto us before God's judgment seat.)

For if our heart condemn us, (an evil conscience accuse us,) God is greater than our heart, [i. e. in judging of us,] and knoweth all things.

C. How may we know that our consciences will not condemn us?

J. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God, [i. e. to come unto him by prayer.]

C. What other fruit is there of true love?

J. Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

C. What are these commandments?

J. This then is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Have they which keep these commandments their prayers granted? Prove this.

J. [Yes,] For he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.

C. How may we know that God dwelleth in us, and we in him?

J. Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by that spirit [of sanctification, whereby we are renewed,] which he hath given us.

(To be continued.)

"WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING,"

Prov. iv, 7.

Dear Friend,-In answer to your's of last week, it may be observed, a soul being often in trouble, must needs know something of deliverances; and a man of understanding observes them, and bursts forth with the sweet Psalmist, "Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Ps. cvii, 8. But, a man void of understanding, observes them not on this wise, for he seldom experiences the true value of liberty or peace, till he is again plunged over head and heels, and struggling for a fresh discovery of the helping hand. Had he wisdom, and would observe these things, even he should understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. But, "Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness;" Is. xxvi, 10, for, "Wisdom is too high for a fool;" Prov. xxiv, 7, “He hateth instruction," Ps. 1, 19, and "rejoiceth in his own

folly;" Prov. xv, 21, therefore, "Shame shall be his promotion," iii, 35, and "his prosperity shall destroy him," i, 32, for, "he shall die for the want of wisdom." X, 21.

Not so with "the wise in heart, they will receive commandments," Prov. x, 8, and "lay up knowledge ;" x, 14, for, "Whoso loveth instruction, loveth knowledge,” xii, 1, consequently, he knoweth that to be "beaten with the rod will deliver his soul from hell," xxiii, 14, because thereby he getteth wiser and wiser, as it is written, "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." ix, 9. And therefore, "Happy is the man that [thus] findeth wisdom, and the man that [thus] getteth understanding," iii, 1, for, "he shall inherit glory." iii, 35.

Was there but time sufficient to come to particulars here, many close questions might be put. As it is, the above remarks must be left to our individual meditation; let each of us compare ourselves with the two characters; we must be either the one or the other, either loving instruction from a feeling sense of our need of it, or hating it with an idea, that we are wise enough of ourselves. But, "WHOSO IS WISE, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." Psalm cvii, 43.

From Your's in sincere affection,
FEEBLE VOICE.

Kent, 1847.

EXTRACT.

Doubtings are your sins: but they are also the drugs and ingredients which Christ, the good Physician, makes use of for the curing of your pride.—Rutherfoord.

THE

SPIRITUAL WRESTLER,

OR,

ZION'S CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS.

"Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you." ISAIAH Xxxv, 3, 4.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." MATTHEW v,

No. 4.

APRIL, 1847.

THE WRESTLER.

4.

One Penny.

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." GENESIS XXXii, 24.

(Continued from page 28.)

And though no account is given of Jacob from the time. of his becoming heir to his father's blessing, to the time when he was about to receive it, who can tell what might have been his exercises during the meanwhile? He knew by birth, he was not the first-born, and therefore, could not on that wise, be the right and lawful heir. He was not sure that the transaction between himself and brother would lead to the possession of the thing he desired. He could not see, (though ever so clear in his own sight,) that his father would suffer a thing thus between themselves to be lawful. Nay, while he saw his brother the very darling of his father, O the obstacle of ever himself receiving the father's gift! "What, because you gave your brother a mess of pottage, have his blessing! No, my son, these trifles have no consideration with me in the least degree whatever."