growth of the distemper; and in love we are separated from our idols. Disappointments meet us at every turn when we expected we should be particularly favoured with helps and advantages for godly living, we behold ourselves left destitute; so that we have no more a place of refuge upon earth, no more a dear counsellor or friend, who is as our own soul. By this means we are compelled, as Noah's dove was, by the wide watery waste, which did not afford a single resting-place, to fly to the ark, and to take shelter there. Our gracious Father, with a loving jealousy over us, thus secures our whole love to himself, and appears altogether glorious in our eyes; as the fountain of living waters, when the cisterns are broken, which we were hewing out for ourselves.

Secondly-It pleases God to afflict very heavily those who are his dear children by faith in Christ, that they may more value the choice they have made. When they see the most innocent, nay, the most laudable satisfactions they could possibly propose to themselves from any creature-comfort, all shivered in pieces, as it were, in a moment; and water of gall spring up from that very person or thing from which they promised themselves abundance of joy; in such a situation, how infinitely desirable a connexion with Jehovab, never to have an end—an union with him, which is as far above all the changes of this mortal life, as heaven is higher than the earth! This must be apprehended as the chief of all blessings-a portion of itself sufficient. Then the souls of the faithful are taught experimentally to say"Vanity of vanities! all is vanity," but Christ and his love! "Lord, to whom shall we go?" from

M

whence expect refreshment and consolation, but from Thyself alone! "All my fresh springs shall be in Thee!"

Thirdly-The dear children of God are afflicted in the most sensible part, in answer to their prayers. As our Redeemer said to Zebedee's children, "Ye know not what ye ask! Are ye able to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" So may it be said of all believers. They all pray that they may be delivered from every accursed thing, and be formed and fashioned according to the will of God in all things. This prayer they put up in the integrity of their souls. It is accepted of God, and he answers it. He brings them into various troubles, that these may work in them patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. He thwarts their own will, where it most vehemently sought to be gratified; and so at length moulds them into that self-denying spirit, which is the proper state of a sinner before a God who is infinitely wise and holy.

Fourthly.-The dear children of God are afflicted in the most sensible manner, that they may know more deeply the evil of sin. Of this evil we have, generally, but very slight conceptions. But when we feel the chastening and correction; knowing, at the same time, it is not the stroke of an enemy, nor the wound of a cruel one, but the very medicine to heal our disease; then we are led to confess, sin must be exceeding sinful, since God never willingly grieves nor afflicts the children of men; since he rebukes for sin, and scourges us for our offences; that, being chastened of the Lord, we may not be condemned with the world; that we may go on our way weeping for a season, and in heaviness, if need be, in order

that we may return again with joy, and bring our sheaves with us.

Lastly. All the dear children of God are, at some time or other, grievously afflicted, that they may be conformed to the image of their Saviour. How sorely afflicted, and distressed inwardly, was your dear Brother, before he entered into glory! And there is not a scripture saint mentioned, but drank in some degree of the cup which Jesus drank of, and was baptized with his baptism of sufferings: so that, were any of the faithful to want chastening, it would be almost sufficient to bring their title to Christ in question. The God of all grace help my dear friend to ponder these things in her heart, and make them of force, to support her mind from utterly fainting! Be of good cheer: for though afflicted and distressed, remember, your warfare is accomplished, your iniquity is pardoned; you have received double for all your sins-in the abundance of the gift of grace, and of justification unto eternal life, by being brought into the bonds of the everlasting covenant.

My dear wife remembers you in your affliction, as do I myself, daily, before the throne of grace. From your sincere friend and pastor in Christ, H. VENN.

(From his Life, p. 94.)

ON SOUND DOCTRINE.

'Do you like Mr. unsound in his views.'

? he is considered very

'We have long been in the habit of attending Mr.'s ministry; but, by the bye, I heard the other day, that he had written a work on Faith, which is not considered sound.'

My fair reader, the above sentences formed part of a drawing-room conversation in town; and should you feel a wish to hear who the divine was who thus confidently gave his opinion on soundness of doctrine, you may, perhaps, be surprised (if you live in the country) to learn, that the speaker was a lady, just emancipated from her teens, not very talented, not particularly spiritual, living in the bosom of a worldly family, and therefore seldom in the habit of conversing with experienced Christians, and residing, when at home, in a parish in which the sound of Gospel Truth is not heard, and therefore not blest with those advantages which many of her age possess. Such was the speaker. But, perhaps, you may feel more surprised (always supposing you an unsophisticated country lady) at the characters spoken of. They were two ministers of Christ, who had long been in the practice of dispensing the word of life; who had borne the burden and heat of the day, and who, through evil report and good report, had followed the footsteps of their Lord.

One was confessedly the most successful preacher in London, who weekly addressed crowded congregations of the great and good, and pressed them into his Master's fold by vivid representations of the tender compassion of their Redeemer. The other was a more stern declaimer against the vices of the day; a bold and earnest preacher of the necessity of evidencing faith by works, and of coming out from the ungodly world.

I was a silent auditor of the speeches which thus affixed the stigma of unsoundness upon the doctrines of both. The first question excited my indignation. -And who made thee a judge? rose to my lips. It was succeeded by a feeling of regret and fear lest we should have touched upon those times spoken of by the prophet, when the babe should speak proudly against the ancient. But upon further consideration of the subject, I was led rather to an emotion of pity towards the speaker, and to a meditation upon the causes which had produced such results as I had experienced. They appeared to me to be many, but I shall only here advert to two or three of the most prominent amongst them, together with some hints for moderating their injurious effects.

The great facility of communication with the capital, enjoyed by the present generation, has, unquestionably, a tendency to produce much of the evil to which I have alluded. No sooner have the snows of winter melted away, and the fields and shrubberies begun to assume their vernal mantle of green, than every village and hamlet sends up its deputies to the metropolis. The nobleman's elegant equipage is seen driving towards town, the note of