but in the midst of victory, hurried into the very grave they had dug for others;* and here we see "the pestilence walking in darkness, and the sickness that destroyeth in the noon day," commencing the work of death. But shall we therefore say that the Judge of all the earth doeth not right? Shall we not. acknowledge, that although clouds and darkness are round about Him, righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne? Shall we not, rather, in all this, perceive that He has especial regard to the welfare and benefit of His church and people? Truly we must, for in these destructions we shall behold the destruction of the enemies of the saints, because they are God's enemies. We shall see the nominal and only professing Christian separated from the real and possessing Christian. And, lastly, an opportunity is afforded to the elect to make it clear to themselves, and to an astonished world, whose they Indeed this season of are, and whom they serve. affliction appears to be particularly called for, by the rents and divisions among the body of Christ, by the heresies and lying wonders wherewith she is assailed. Now, then, let all, in whom are any of the good ways of God remaining, stir themselves up, and rally round the standard of the Cross. Let the lukewarm and careless become zealous and well affected; let backsliders return; and, lastly, (with open arms) let us search after, and receive into the bosom of the Church the stray sheep yet scattered upon the dark mountains, that if many of the faithful servants of Christ be called to their eternal rest, fresh forces may be collected to fight the future battles of the Lord.

* Witness the awful scenes just taken place at Bristol.

Though the New Year reminds us of a changing world, the counsels and purposes of God remain unchangeably fixed.-The end for which our Blessed Lord and Saviour died, was "that he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad." The end for which he is exalted is, "that at the name of Jesus every knee skall bow," in heaven, earth, and hell; "and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Neither of these ends do we yet see fully answered. But shall we therefore, with the scoffers, say, "Where is the promise of his coming?" No, beloved! we are persuaded, though Heaven and earth pass away, yet shall not God's word pass away. Moreover, it must be clear to those who read their bibles, and are observers of events, that the Church of Christ (for the most part) has hitherto been, and now is, a despised, suffering, and persecuted Church; but the promise is, she shall one day be glorious, and the little one become a thousand. The conclusion we would draw from this is, that the Church has brighter and better days in prospect; and that, far from desponding, she should even now lift up her head and rejoice, for her redemption draweth nigh. And are not the counsels and purposes of God for your present prosperity and eternal security unalterably fixed? Is it not said, "Nothing shall harm us if we be followers of that which is good?" that "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose?" For your spiritual prosperity, and security, remember that God gives you in covenant preserving grace; "I will write my laws in their hearts, and

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they shall not depart from me." For your comfort in the prospect of death, know that "Christ is the resurrection and, the life-be that believeth on Him, though he were dead, yet shall he live-and whosoever liveth and believeth in Him shall never die." What, then, does time roll swiftly on? Are you making rapid advances to the grave? Is the destroying angel declaring the kingdom of heaven to be nigh unto you? Now it is you should rejoice, for your prospects brighten. Now are you one year nearer the mark of the prize of your high calling. Death, in your death, will only commit an act of suicide on himself; you will be ushered into the paradise of God. Let those fear to die, who have never been born of God, for they have all to lose. But, surely, yon who have been made partakers of Christ-born of the Spirit— and freed from the second 'death, can have no just reason for fear. Your portion, your inheritance, is secure; it is placed beyond the ravages of time. You are an immortal, and God declares you shall flourish in eternity. May your prayer then be, my beloved, in every trouble felt or feared," Remember, O Lord, the word upon which thou hast caused thy servant to hope." And your practice, to have " your loins girded about, and your lights barning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, you may open to Him immediately." WATCH-WELL.

THE LAST MISTAKE;

Or, how one may Die in Peace, and Wake in Hell.

DYING Brother or Sister, thou art on the brink of the grave! Oh, remember, that, "when once in Eternity, there's no correcting mistakes." If thou shouldest be going out of this world under a mistake as to thy true state in the sight of God-multitudes are oh read this before it be too late and God make it a means of setting thee right before thou art wrong for ever!

What die in peace, and wake in Hell! Is not peace the gift of God, the legacy of Jesus? Yes, but the Devil has his counterfeit ; there is a crying of Peace, Peace"-the voice of unfaithful ministers, or deceiving hearts-where there is no peace. There is, be sure, under the delusion of that enemy, who is not always "a roaring lion," but often as an "angel of light," a dreaming of heaven, and a reality of hell. Then, tell me, why art thou in peace? Why look forward to death with no dismay? Why hope that thy death will be deliverance from a world of pain?· How is it you feel none of its sting? doubts nor fears disturb your calm?

Why do no Have you no

answer? no reason, but that you feel it is so? Then tremble at such a peace as this. Or do you think that your sins are little, and God is merciful? One sin ruined a world. God knows no mercy till his justice is first satisfied. Do you say that Christ has died. He has died (blessed be God), but not to save every man, but him only that believeth. Are you a sinner dying, and know not what sin is? may be at peace, but it is the peace of ignorance--a peace by which the Devil delights to hush thee--and

Then, truly, you

which he would not have disturbed for all the world. God make this a disturbing message to thy soul, whoever thou art, that art in this case. Know, then that there can be no true peace till the sight of sin has brought thee to Christ; "Being justified by faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Has sin never lain as a burden on thy soul? Have you never felt its sting? and because you have never felt it, therefore doubt its venom, its power to destroy? Oh! believe me, there's the depth of all thy disease, that thou art leprous all over, and knowest it not! Hast thou never doubted of thy state? then, surely, thou hast never believed, and "He that believeth not shall be damned."

He'

I once was called to visit a man in this state. was ill of a flattering, but fatal disease. On my first visit I found him in a state of perfect peace. He thought it probable that he should die, but he said he had often been brought to death's door, but had always been comfortable, and felt no alarm whatever. A fair opportunity for some friend, with that ignorance or false kindness so common in such cases, to have congratulated him on such a state; or some false Prophet to have re-echoed "peace, peace," and left him in self delusion to perish with a lie in his right hand. But a gracious God had ordered the matter otherwise in regard to this (at present) selfdeceived soul. I spoke of the false peace as well as a sound peace, and endeavoured, as God enabled me, to search into the cause of his peace in the prospect of Eternity. There was no difficulty here; that awfully common refuge of lies 'I'm no worse than my neighbours; no man can speak harm of my character,'