PREFACE. In finishing the first Volume of our little Work, we feel we cannot, as Editors, do less than (with honesty of heart before God, and uprightness to our Readers,) state our primitive motives of publishing, especially as objections have been made unto us respecting the same, from the consideration that there were already in the world a sufficient number of books; in fact, that there were too many. We therefore state then, as our simple argument, that through various exercises concerning the Church of Christ, a desire was kindled (whether by the flesh, or by the Spirit, is not yet manifest to us,) that something might be addressed to them, if it were the Will of God, so that, by his blessing, they might be encouraged in the things they pass through that make to their everlasting welfare. Then it was thought also, that the carrying of this thing into execution, would, by the favour of God, (without a desire to make a Trade of the Gospel,) be some little benefit to the Printer as a temporal blessing. It was considered likewise that the world was already swarming with multitudes of books, and so, no room for more; but, when it was so plain, that like many of the Professing Ministers of Christ, the chief part of them were more calculated to lead the poor simple souls of Christ astray than otherwise, there appeared the greater need of plain and genuine truth to counteract such forgeries; and, we were confident at the same time, that if our impressions were of God, he had power to cause our feeble labours to do his pleasure in the hearts of whomsoever he would, regardless of any of his other instruments. And from these things we were led to wrestle with him to know his Will therein. Many, many were the petitions that we might not proceed without his warrant; and, though no satisfactory answer could be obtained, yet, a secret hope was felt that we were justifiable to proceed, and that he would be with us to bless us and our labours; and with iv exercises, for and against it, we have now completed the A. H. 84; Bunyan, 96; Clericus Secundicerious, 12; E. E. 9; Eds. 120, 132; Feeble Voice, 36; G. M. 80; Gaifer, 140; Huntington, 48; Joel, 57; J. M. 104; J. W. 42, 72; M. W. Perkins, 12; 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, 4. No. 1. JANUARY, 1847. One Penny. THE WRESTLER. "And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." GENESIS XXXii, 24. THIS being a portion so well suited to the present time, as it respects the title of this little Work, but more especially, because of the travail of soul concerning the Work being sent forth to the light at all, it is desired, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to enter a little into the particulars of it. It is evident, by the Word of Truth, that the word "Jacob" signifies "Wrestler," and that in a spiritual meaning, as may be seen from the portion quoted above, and those immediately following in the same chapter, for while pouring forth his soul for succour and help in his trouble, (the which may be seen was not a little one to his flesh, if you consider minutely the preceding part of the chapter,) being alone, and the darkness of the night surrounding him, there wrestled a man with him, who, when he saw he was prevailed against, touched him on the hollow of the thigh, which touch maimed him, and greatly tended to hinder his wrestling, nevertheless, the passage infers, that though he became crippled in his principal strength, he still held on by his hands, for the man who wrestled with him, said, "Let me go for the day breaketh." But he answered "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." "And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And he blessed him there." So in the 1st verse of the 43rd chapter of the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord says to this Jacob's seed, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." Which is as much as to say, "Fear not Wrestler, it is the light and power of my spirit that has caused thee to implore my aid to deliver thee from thy troubles: Fear not: it is I; I have done as thou requirest; thou art mine." And which again is no more than saying, "I have given thee to wrestle, and have called thee by that name; thou art mine." Many other passages will bear a similar signification; but, as it is not expedient at this time to dwell upon them, it becomes a matter of sober reflection to know who these characters are, and how we may know them to be those whom God thus speaks to; yea, it must be considered the most important part of this subject, because thereby we measure ourselves, and in holy fear, do hope to find things within us answering to those things, which, by the anointing of the Spirit, we do perceive mysteriously hidden in the whole of Jacob's outward travail, who is none less than the type of all his seed-the spiritual children of the Kingdom, and the anti-type of their great Deliverer. Read carefully and soberly the 10th to the |