in that city, that did then let fall some erroneous propositions of Popish doctrine, was thereat greatly offended, and presently went to the preacher, exhorting him to abandon his error; the preacher seemed to take it well, and pretended to be desirous of some further discourse with him, and so they parted. Grynæus going to his lodging, reports the passages of the late conference to those that sat at table with him, amongst whom Melancthon was one; he was called out of the room to speak with a stranger newly come into the house, and going forth he finds a grave old man of a goodly countenance, seemly and richly attired, who, in a friendly and grave manner tells him that within one hour there would come to their inn certain officers to apprehend Grynæus, and to carry him to prison, willing him to charge Grynæus with all possible speed to fly, and requiring Melancthon to see that this advantage was not neglected. Instantly Melancthon returned to the company, related the words of this strange monitor, and hasted Grynæus away, who had no sooner taken boat but he was eagerly sought for at his said lodging. No doubt this was an angel which God had sent to deliver this goodly minister from persecution.

Another worthy minister who was sought after by his persecutors, crept into a dark hole in the house, to hide himself, and as soon as he was got in, a spider drew a web over the mouth of the hole. When the searchers came, one of them would have looked in there for the man, where, indeed he was, but the other observing that there was a spider's web over the hole, concluded he could not be there, and therefore they ceased their search. What an artifice of the good man's angel-guardian was this to preserve him? Though persecutors are crafty and cruel, yet our keepers are more cunning than they, and can out-wit them.

Mr. Hawks being burnt to death, was desired by his friends to give them (if he could) some sign, by lifting up his hand, if he found his pains such as were tolerable, and might be borne with patience, and he did so; when his speech was gone, his

body burning, and he thought to be dead, he lifted up his hands over his head, all on fire, and clapt them thrice together, which caused a great shout amongst his friends.

Mr. James Bingham, when the flames had half consumed him, cried out in the fire: "O ye papists! ye look for miracles; here now ye may see a miracle; for in this fire I feel no more pain than if I were on a bed of roses!" If angels could keep Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace without any hurt, why might they not keep this holy martyr in the flames without pain, though he died in them? He is a very uncharitable wretch that will not believe he found as he spake. "Tis, I confess, a wonderful instance, that 'tis usual for God to indulge his martyrs more than ordinary support in fiery trials."

Mr. Holland, the day before his death, on a sudden, while one was reading, said, "O stay your reading. What brightness is this I see? It is my Savior's shine. Now farewell world, welcome Heaven. The day-star from on high has visited my heart." And then turning to the minister who preached his funeral sermon, he said, "I desire you speak this for me, that God deals familiarly with man; I feel his mercy, I see his majesty, whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell, God he knoweth; but I see things that are unutterable."

Many have told the very day and hour of their departure; and, says Bishop Hall, these revelations and ecstacies whence are they? If a man without all observation of physical criticism, shall receive, and give intelligence many days before, what day and hour shall be his last, what cause can we attribute this to but our attending angels? And when joy arises not to such an overflowing height, yet does it frequently begin our heaven on earth, and the fears of death are fully vanquished, and the good man can see it, and feel it coming without any regret.

Angels are with the saints in the very minute of dying, taking away the terribleness of it. There is an aversion in nature to death; but, says Mr. Ambrose, the body's passage

through the grave, though it be dark and dismal, yet it is safe and secure. The grave is but a sleeping-place (they shall rest in their beds), and their soul's angels guard safe to heaven, and thus minister to the saints in death.

"Oh would God, ye saw what I see (said Mrs. Stubbs, on her death bed). Behold, I see infinite millions of angels stand about me, with fiery chariots to defend me, these are appointed of God to carry my soul unto the kingdom of heaven.”

Immediately after the separation of the soul from the body, the angels receive it, and carry it to heaven. They are a convoy for the departing souls of the godly, to bring them to their felicity, though how they do it we cannot understand. They keep them company at least, and they are a guard to them as they pass through the Devil's territories; for the Devil is called the Prince of the power of the air. He, with all his hellish crew, are the inhabitants of that region, and souls in their journey to heaven must pass through the air, and the angels wait upon them as a convoy.

The Devil drags the souls of wicked men to hell, when they die; and angels conduct the souls of good men to heaven. Such honor have all the saints. The poorest and meanest of them will be thus royally attended. Lazarus was a beggar, and he went in state to heaven.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.-Plate 1.-The guardian angel, attracted by the simplicity and innocency of childhood, presses his charge close to his side, with his arm around her neck; whilst the child, with a natural and confiding fondness, leans against him. With a dignified and benignant countenance, the angel extends his arm in the attitude of protection, as if warding off approaching danger. Plate 2.-Represents the angelic hosts celebrating the completion of the finished work of creation,-“ When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"-Job xxxviii. 7. Plate 3.-Rep

66

resents the final employment of angels in this world, on the arrival of the resurrection morn and the judgment day. Christ on the throne of his glory," attended by holy angels. On one side is the recording angel, opening the book of life, in which are enrolled the names of the "heirs of salvation." In the space between the judgment seat, and those arising out of their graves, the archangel is sounding the trumpet which summons the assembling universe,

MORAL AND CONCLUSION.

Verbum Domini manet in eternum.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.—2 Tim. iii. 16.

UPON the opening of our divine and delightful subject, we intimated the intention of furnishing a synopsis of some of the confirmatory proofs, and illustrative facts demonstrative and recommendatory of the authenticity, antiquity, literature and inspiration of the Scriptures, to be received as the unimpeachable standard of faith and practice, requiring the entire dissociation of all negative assertions and mental reserves or suppositions, originating either in the unhallowed pride of the human intellect or the Pharaohlike reluctance of the heart to yield an implicit obedience or acquiescent submission to the authority and precepts, the truths and doctrines contained in Holy Writ.*

* The mass of evidence in favor of the divine inspiration of the Bible is