immortal interests of

my

fellow- able and suffering will be beyond creatures ; working while it is

my reach. called to-day; striving to bring 4. I ought to use every talent sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ, for the glory of God and the kingfor my

brief candle is soon to go dom of Christ; working the works out ; and there can be no conver- of him that sent me while it is day, sion of sinners in another world. because the night cometh in which

3. I ought to be unceasingly no man can work. active in every work of benevo- “ Whatsoever thy hand findeth lence, making as many happy as I to do, do it with thy might; for can; relieving the miserable, and there is no work, nor device, nor doing good to all within my reach: knowledge, nor wisdom in the for this light is soon to be put out ; grave, whither thou goest." - Eccl. and in the other world the miser- ix. 10.

ON COMMUNION AMONG CHURCHMEN AND

DISSENTERS.

was

SOMÉ remarks in your Magazine More, the latter of whom of December last on · Ancient and called to account for so doing by Modern Nonconformity,' induces some of her friends not quite so me to reply, not for the sake of liberal in sentiment as herself. A controversy, but to rectify a mis- strict communion among the Disconception. After some remarks senters is confined now happily to on Howe's opinion of occasional a small number of the baptist deconformity, and stating that there nomination. is no barrier to Dissenters com- Perhaps your correspondent will muning with Churchmen at the think me needlessly intrusive to table of the Lord, your Corres- correct such a mistake; but knowpondent adds : • Whether they ing, as I do, that much of the bad would permit any one to be a par- feeling existing at the present time taker with them until, in com- between Churchmen and Dissenpliance with their custom, he had ter arises out of their having but a gone through a preliminary form, partial knowledge of each other, and submitted to an examination for the sake of charity I have and sentence not required in Scrip- deemed it prudent to reply. There ture is for them to determine. We is one remark of his, in which I suppose the decision would be in cordially agree, that occurs at the the negative. If your Corres- close of the article. • The fact pondent will make a point of that so much discrepancy of seninquiry, he will find that it is a timent exists among good men, general practice among Dissenters, who acknowledge the same scripfor the minister previous to sitting tures for their rule, ought to humdown to the sacrament, to invite ble us under a conviction of the all serious persons (who may be weakness of human reason, and strangers to them) of different deno- make us very tender and charitable minations to join with them in that towards those who differ from us.' ordinance. That

of the As a partaker (I hope) of divine brightest ornaments of the church grace in common I trust with himhave availed themselves of this self, I would subscribe myself invitation is a fact known to many;

His friend and brother, and I need scarcely mention the

though a names of Wilberforce and Mrs. H. CONGREGATIONAL DissENTER.

some

USE OF THE HEADINGS OF THE ENGLISH BIBLE.

men.

SIR– There is an extensive repo- 14. By sin the creature is subsitory of Scriptural interpretation ject to corruption. possessed by our church, but not 15. The unquietness of wicked sufficiently appreciated. I mean the contents prefixed by our trans- 17. The unmerciful dealing of lators to the several chapters of men with the afflicted, may astothe English Bible. Taken apart, nish, but not discourage the righthey form a doctrinal and practical teous. His (Job's) hope is not in summary

of the views entertained life, but in death. by those divines, and thus afford 21. Sometimes the wicked do s an additional means for ascertain- prosper, as (that) they despise ing the real opinions of the foun- God.—The judgmentof the wicked ders of our church. Their value is is in another world. established by the circumstance, 22. Man's goodness profiteth that it is on their account, in a not God. great measure, that the Socinians 23. Job longeth to appear before object to our translation.

God, in contidence in his mercy. The following selection from the God, who is invisible, observeth contents of the Book of Job will

our ways.—God's decree is immuserve to illustrate what has been table. said, and perhaps may have the 25. Man cannot be justified effect of drawing attention to that before God. solid • Body of Divinity,' which 27. The hypocrite is without the headings of the chapters con- hope. - The blessings which the tain.

wicked have are turned into curses.

28. There is a knowledge of J. T. M. natural things, but wisdom is an

excellent gift of God. Chap. 1. Understanding (i. e. 32. Wisdom cometh not from knowing) the loss of his goods and age. children, in his mourning he bless- 33. Elihu excuseth God from eth God.

giving man an account of his ways, 4. Eliphaz teacheth God's judg- by his greatness.—God calleth ments to be not for the righteous, man to repentance by visions, by but for the wicked.

afflictions, and by his ministry. 5. The harm of inconsideration. 34. God omnipotent cannot be -The end of the wicked is misery. unjust. -God is to be regarded in afflic- 35. Comparison is not to be tion:- The happy end of God's made with God, because good or correction.

evil cannot extend unto him. 9. Job, acknowledging God's Many cry in their afflictions, justice, sheweth there is no con- are not heard for want of faith. tending with him.- Man's inno- 36. Job's sins hinder God's cency is not to be condemned by blessings. afflictions.

38. God by his mighty works 11. God's wisdom is unsearch- convinceth Job of ignorance and able. — The assured blessing of imbecility. repentance.

Yours,

but

Review of Books.

SERMONS preached in St. James's Church, Hull. By the Rev. WILLIAM

KNIGHT, M. A. Minister of that Church. 8vo. Pp. xvi. and 436. Seeley,

1837. SERMONS, Doctrinal and Practical. By the Rev. ROBERT WOOD KYLE,

B.A. Trinity College, Dublin. 8vo. Pp. xxviii. and 440. Houlston, 1837. SERMONS, Doctrinal and Practical. By the Rev. J.E. RIDDLE, M. A. of

St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford. 8vo. Pp. viii. and 342. Hatchards, 1838.

UNQUESTIONABLY a very consi- His present publication consists of derable improvement has of late twenty-five discourses delivered in a years taken place in the general newly erected church in the suburbs strain of pulpit instruction, and a of Hull, and dedicated to the convastly increasing demand for the gregation who there worship togepublication of sermons. This is in- ther. The Fourth Sermon, intitled deed attended with some incon- the Holy Spirit an internal Intervenience to us who are often com- cessor, may perhaps afford a suitable pelled to pass over with very brief specimen of the Author's general notice, instructive and interesting style. The text is Rom. viii. 26, volumes, on which we should 27. “ Likewise also the Spirit gladly enlarge ; but it is impossi- helpeth our infirmities,” &c. ble not to rejoice that in such nu- This text, Mr. K. observes, merous cases, sound and scriptural speaksinstruction is from time to time

1. OF CERTAIN INFIRMITIES INCIDENT imparted and favourably received TO CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS. by the hearers, as to encourage the

These infirmities are immediately con

nected with the exercise of spiritual preacher to hope that what has been welcomed from the pulpit

prayer; and they are Ignorance as to

matter, and Inefficiency as to manner. will not be neglected when issuing First, Ignorance as to matter. from the press.

know not what we should pray for as we The volumes now before us differ ought.” I have heard this passage ad

duced as an argument against forms of in various respects from each other.

prayer. The apostle says, “ We know Their style, their mode of arrange- not what we should pray for,” whereas, ment, and their applications of says the objector, to us of the Church of Scripture evince independence and

England, 'You do know what to pray for,

for your prayers are made ready to your originality; but the views they

hands.' We may well wonder that any communicate are essentially the

sensible reasoner should risk the credit There is more of sober ar- either of his own judgment, or of the cause gument in Mr. Knight, and more of

which he advocates, by adducing such an lively originality in Mr. Kyle,

argument as this, for such a purpose.

There are many things which it is acwhile Mr. Riddle may perhaps ex- knowledged on all hands that Christians cel in continued application; but know they may pray for; things which each of them are workmen who the inspired writers tell them to pray for, need not to be ashamed, and who

and which every believer coming to the in their several spheres give promise ought to pray for. Then why not embody

same.

IN

IN PRAYER.

* The " The

do so.

to be important. But, truly, brethren, it The author then proceeds to is a narrow prejudice which denies that notice, in the second placethe spirit of prayer can be effectually thrown into its forms.

THE ASSISTANCE WHICH BELIEVERS I conceive the apostle to be here allud

ARE PRIVILEGED TO RECEIVE FROM THE ing to particular seasons in the history of

HOLY SPIRIT, CONNEXION WITH the soul's private experience; and, I

THEIR INFIRMITIES think, the subsequent clause of the verse

Spirit helpeth our infirmities." justifies this view. It refers to the want

Spirit maketh intercession for us." Obof liberty in prayer; a circumstance serve here, the Spirit is not said to superwhich marks the occasional rather than

sede our infirmities, but only to help the habitual aspect of the renewed mind.

them, and his help comes in the form of That there are times when believers are

intercession. We must be careful to define so beset with temptations, so powerfully

and to keep up the important distinction and so painfully pressed down under a

which there is between the intercession sense of their wants, or so greatly harass

of Christ and that of the Holy Spirit. ed by the internal conflict, as not to know

Christ intercedes for his church exter. what they most need, is a fact which can

nally; the Holy Spirit intercedes for her not be controverted : perhaps every child

members internally. Christ's intercesof God knows something, at one period

sion is carried on in the heavenly courts; or another, of this experience. At such

the Holy Spirit's is exercised in the earthtimes the mind labours to ascertain the

ly temple. The former goes immediately precise character and extent of its wants,

to the throne ; the latter passes intermebut seems to be destitute of the power to

diately through the soul's experience. A Its language is, 'I would pray,

believer left to himself, under the infirmibut truly I am so ignorant of my spiritual

ties to which the text alludes, would state, that I am unable to judge what are

make nothing at all out in prayer; but the blessings, most suited to me. I am

the Spirit, coming in to his help, gives conscious that my necessities are very

efficacy to the breathings of devotion, and many; a sense of my spiritual poverty

clothes the sighings of the contrite heart greatly oppresses me; and yet there is so

with a power which bears them upwards. much darkness resting upon my mind

His visitations, at these times, are of a that I feel as if I were disabled from mak

very peculiar nature, and are, as it aping out a case to lay before God; and

pears to me, associated with some of the hence, if I attempt to pray, I should, per

deepest intricacies in the dispensations of haps, only put myself in a situation of

Almighty grace. It might be supposed those supplicants unto whom it is said,

that if this Sovereign and Divine Agent “Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask

saw fit to interpose his help at all, he amiss." ;

would impart it so fully that all the infirBut again—The infirmities of which the

mities of the Christian supplicant would, apostle makes mention, include Inefficien

at once, be removed, and his prayers becy as to the manner of prayer. “We

come the copious and delighted effusion know not what we should pray for as we

of gospel liberty. Whereas this is not the ought.” The soul's groanings indicate

case-"the Spirit maketh intercession infirmity. Were there no infirmity there

for us, with groanings which cannot be would be no groaning; all would then be

uttered." The infirmity remains, and is liberty and satisfaction. He who knows

sanctified by the influence which reaches not what to ask for as he ought, is res.

it. The groanings are not hushed, but trained in expressing himself; he utters

they are made a vehicle into which the incoherent petitions, and repeats the same

Comforter throws his interceding voice in thoughts and words over and over ; he

its passage to the skies. pauses, and then, perhaps, he says what Mr. K. then closes with some is irrelevant, or inappropriate, and then

words of improvement and applicahe pauses again. The consciousness of

tionsuch prayer, both during the time it is going on, and in the after review of it, First. THE BLESSED CONSEQUENCES OF has a tendency to mortify and deject the HAVING THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HOLY mind; and yet in how many instances of SPIRIT AS INTERNAL INTERCESSOR. this nature is prayer the uplifted hand The Spirit's pleading, although it be emwhich knocks at the gate of heaven, and bodied in unutterable groanings, cannot which moves the Father of mercies to hear fail to draw down upon the humble and and to bless. He who inhabiteth eter- contrite soul the blessings of covenanted nity hath not said, “To this man will I grace. The Holy Spirit, the Son, and the look, even to him who worships me with Father are the contracting parties in the enlarged and varied thoughts, with lofty, scheme of human redemption; and each and flowing, and well-arranged language;' party must needs take cognizance of every but " With him will I dwell that is poor branch of the work appropriated by the and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth other parties. Hence, when the Spirit at my word."

AN

You say,

intercedes, the Father must of necessity long and respectable list of subaccept his intercession. The unity of scribers clearly evinces the high design which runs through the dispensa

estimation in which his pulpit tion of mercy prohibits the possibility of a failure in this point, as much as it does

labours are esteemed. His talents in the point of Christ's atonement. He are evidently considerable, his maketh intercession for the saints accord. imagination lively and vigorous, ing to the will of God.” Here, however,

his style ardent and at times someit must be remembered that blessings imparted are not always blessing appre

what overwhelming, yet his conhended. The showers of heaven are not clusions are not perhaps always the less fertilizing, because they fall at entirely satisfactory. Thus for midnight ; neither are the communica

instance in perusing his Third Sertions of grace the less real or the less bene

mon on the Cities of Refuge, we ficial in their results, because they reach the soul during seasons of spiritual gloom.

were struck with the

following The believer máy groan in prayer, and passage. his groaning may pierce the skies, and And herein, my brethren, we see what bring down upon him a rich visitation of

is our character in the eyes of God. We mercy-and still he may continue to

stand before Him, every one, from the groan. The visitation itself may be un.

least to the greatest, defiled with the perceived by him, while it is working its taint of blood. " What !' some may perblessed effects in the hidden recesses of a

haps may be ready to say, 'the taint of disconsolate heart. In God's time, how- blool! No! we deny it. You may acever, its results will be made manifest.

cuse us of many other sins ;-we may First, in the way of caution, I would

have many other things to answer for ;say, Beware of judging of the excellency but in this we are assuredly guiltless. or of the efficacy of prayer by the medium Would that in all things we were as inno. through which it passes.

cent as in this : then might we fearlessly • What a beautiful prayer such an one encounter death, and have boldness in the offered up. I am not over fond of the day of judgment.' expression—but letting that pass, and Thus is man ever ready to judge by outadmitting it to have been so, do you re- ward appearance ; thus ever ready to look member, on these occasions, in what the away from the real nature of his offence essence of prayer consists ? Oh! it is the against God. But think again, my dear spirit that prompts, not the language that fellow-sinners, and judge ye whether we embodies, to which the Holy One gives have not all of us need to cry, ' Deliver heed. The true beauty of prayer, whether us from blood-guiltiness, O God. There as to import or expression, is simplicity. is not one amongst us who is not ready to

Secondly, The passage furnishes some tax the Jews with murder, with the salutary hints, and some important foulest murder, in slaying the Lord Jesus; inferences, as to the variations which

and, in so doing, we accuse them justly : characterize Christian experience. The but His blood is not on them alone, nor holiest and the happiest of men, the most are they the only criminals answerable for vigilant, prayerful, consistent, spiritually- that monstrous crime. It is true that minded believers are subject to occasional they were the immediate actors in that interruptions of their internal peace, and deed of horror: but countless is the num. to the operation of painful doubts and ber of those whose instruments, and helpmisgiving fears : not that these are ac. ers, and partners they were. For He had tually experienced in every individual never descended to earth, --had never exinstance; but the Lord's people are always posed Himself to persecution,—had never liable, in the all-wise discipline of grace, bowed His head in death, but that sin was to be thus visited by their heavenly in the world ; and whilst the wicked hands Father. The clearest stream may be which crucified and slew Him were the muddled by an incidental disturbance, and immediate performers of that atrocious the brightest sky may be overshadowed wickedness, it was sin,-it was the sin of by a passing cloud.

the world, --it was our sin-that slew Lastly. The text gives great encou- Him. Yes, my dear brethren, our sin; ragement to those Christians, whatever and tremendous as this makes our guilt to may be their standing in the church of the appear, it is in this that our only hope can regenerate, or whatever may be te pecu- be found ; for if you could shew me one Jiar cast or character of their experience, individual whose sins did not press upon who want language in which to embody the Saviour in Gethsemane and on Cal. their feelings at the throne of the heavenly vary,-if you could shew me one transgrace.

gression which had not its share in shed

ding His precious blood, you would shew Mr. Kyle's Sermons are pub

me a sin without forgiveness, and a sinner lished by subscription, and the without hope ; and though eighteen hun