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mities of his people, and forbears to resent their coldness, or to turn them away for their faithlessness. Unchanging constancy, infinite, unalterable love fill his heart towards them, and go forth in perpetual renewals and revivings of their languid affections towards Him. What human-nature forbearance of a fond husband towards his wife, can give even an adequate shadow of the forbearance of the Bridegroom to his church; for where in nature, forbearance ceases, and the faithless wife can no longer be borne

with, grace shines forth in the contrast, and He forbears to cast her off, but allures her back to his love.

Precious Lord, fill my heart with love and gratitude, for all Thou art to me, and all Thou hast done for me, and cause me to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Thee, my Lord and Saviour. To Thee, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, the Triune-Covenant God of Israel, be honour and glory both now and ever. Amen. T. W.

THE HONOUR OF BELONGING TO CHRIST.

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those to whom he saith, "ye believe not
(or have no faith at all) because ye are
not of my sheep, as I said unto you"
John x. 26; for however little our faith,
so long as it is of the genuine kind, it is
one of the spiritual blessings deposited
in Christ for his own before the world
began, Eph. i. 3, 4; and it is an heavenly
coin (given to us by God alone, Eph. ii.
8), which bears the inscription of Jesus,
and by it we can gain admission into the
celestial city of glory everlasting; there-
fore do not despise, "little faith," though
small as a grain of mustard seed, Matt.
xvii. 20, but always remember that "lit-
tle faith" is one of Christ's "little ones,"
Zech. xiii. 7, Matt. xviii. 6, 10, 14,
and belongs to the little flock (Luke xii.
32) of the great Shepherd, (Heb. xiii.
20); is loved by a great love (Eph. ii.
4); redeemed by a great Saviour (Isa.
xix. 20; has given to him great and
precious promises (2 Pet. i. 4); and
shall in a little time (Heb. x. 37) be
brought safe out of great tribula-
tion (Rev. vii. 14), to the possession of
great glory (Psal. cxxxviii. 5; 2 Cor. iv.
17), in the great house (John xiv. 2),
not made with hands (2 Cor. v.
1); but
by the great God (Tit. ii. 15), prepared
for a great multitude (Rev. vii. 9), even
for all who belong to Jesus (Matt. xxv,
34). Let us then enquire,

Ye belong to Christ."-Mark ix. 41. THE present age is noted for its great number of sects, parties, societies, clubs, institutions &c., of various kinds; and very few persons, comparatively speaking can be found who do not belong to some one or other of the same: hence how often do we hear the question asked, what Church or chapel do you attend? What club, secret order, or funeral institution? or what society are you a member of? But how seldom do we hear the question asked, do you belong to Christ? are you a member of his Church? or a scholar in his school? It matters not by what name we are called, nor what place we attend, nor to what family, however rich, noble, or titled, we belong, nor of what church or chapel we are members, if we do not belong to Christ. Better to belong to Christ, and not to any church or chapel, than to be a member of a church or chapel, and not belong to for if we belong not to Christ on earth, we shall never reign with Christ in heaven! Hence the beggar in rags who belongs to Christ is much more highly honoured and his situation much more enviable, than the richest man in the universe who does not belong to Christ; for one grain of true and genuine faith in Christ is of greater value than all the gold mines in the world, yea it is a superlative diamond of infinite value, for he who possesses it belongs to Christ, and is an heir of heaven, Rom. viii. 17, Gal. iii. 29; whilst all who die destitute It is conferred upon each and every of it, must die in their sins, and where saint," for this honour have all the saints" Christ is they never can come, John viii. (Psal. cxlix. 9), in every age and in 21, 24. Therefore thou to whom Christ every country, and upon none else will says by the sweet whispers of his Spirit it ever be conferred (Rom. xi. 7), therewithin thee, "O ye of little faith," "fore it is a matter of the highest imporMatt. vi. 30, are infinitely better than tance for us to know personally-whether

Christ;

1. Upon whom this honour of belonging to Christ is conferred.

prepared for all who belong to Christ
(Matt. xxv. 34), when time with us is
no more, for, as the immortal Toplady
has said.

More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in Heaven.
But, secondly, let us enquire by whom,

1. That they belong to Christ because they were chosen by God in Christ (Eph. i. 4), to be saved by Christ, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanetification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thess. ii. 13).

or no we are saints. Now none are born saints, neither can any make themselves saints, therefore those who are saints are only those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints (1 Cor. i. 2), by the Spirit of Christ dwelling and abiding in them; hence it is the office and work of the Spirit to quick-when, and how, this honour of belonging en, regenerate, sanctify, and preserve all to Christ was conferred; this honour was who are not appointed to wrath, but to conferred by God in eternity upon all obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus the election of grace, for they only hath Christ (1 Thess. v. 9); for saith the God loved with an everlasting love, and Apostle to the Corinthians, "But ye with loving-kindness will he draw them are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye (Jerem. xxxi. 3), by his Spirit and grace are justified, in the name of the Lord to love, fear, and serve him alone, hence Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1" we love him, because he first loved us Cor. vi. 11); and to the Romans he (1 John iv. 19). But here I would rewrites equally as plain; "If any man mark, have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his " (Rom. viii. 9), that is he does not belong to Christ; he is not one of his family, not one of his sheep, not one of his beloved ones, not one of his seed, not one of the purchase of his blood, and not one who shall die in him, and be for ever with him. In fine, all who love Christ, and live and believe in him, and have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts belong to Christ (Gal. v. 14), for Christ to such only is precious (1 Pet. ii. 7); yea the chiefest among ten thousand and altogether lovely (Cant. v. 10-16; the love of God being shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to them (Rom. v. 5), and they are followers of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved them, and given himself for them, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour (Eph. v. 12). Let us then individually and seriously ask ourselves, are we in the possession of the Spirit of Christ? is the grace of God planted in our hearts? are we passed from death unto life? are we made new creatures in Christ Jesus, and have old things passed away and all things become new? Are we of the true circumcision who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh? Do we, like the publican, see and feel our own vileness, wretchedness, misery, and helplessness: and have we been led and enabled to trust wholly and solely in the merits of Christ, and to live, walk, and triumph alone in Jesus? If so, we are saints and belong to Christ; we are his property, his jewels, his redeemed ones, his crown and rejoicing, and so sure as Christ our Forerunner (Heb. vi. 20) hath for us entered into heaven, we shall take possession of those eternal mansions of bliss

2. They belong to Christ because they were given by God to Christ, to be his portion and his inheritance for ever; hence saith Christ to the Father "thine they were and thou gavest them me;" and "all mine are thine, and thine are mine," and again "thou hast given (Christ) power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to us many as thou hast given him," therefore it was that he prayed for them, and not for the world (John xvii. 2, 6, 9, 10, 24). Well might the Psalmist say, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance" (Psal. xxxiii. 12).

3. They belong to Christ because they were ever united to Christ, and shall be for ever one with Christ-this is plain from the language of Christ, "I am the vine, ye are the branches," (John xv. .5), for as the poet saith,

The vine and branches are but one
In God the Father's sight;
He views his children in his Son,
With infinite delight.

be

one,

And again, Christ saith, "and the glory which thou (the Father) gavest me I have given them, that they may even as we are one; I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me (John xvii. 22, 16). Equally plain on this subject of union does the apostle write, "Now ye are the

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body of Christ and members in particu- | willing to look to and believe in Christ (1 Cor. xii. 27); lar ye are all one in the day of Christ's power, Psal cx. 3. in Christ Jesus" (Gal. iii. 28); "the Hence the promise of Christ is, "All that Church is his body, the fulness of him the Father giveth me, shall come to me, that filleth all in all (Eph. i. 22, 23); and him that cometh to me, I will in no we are members of his body, of his wise cast out' John. vi. 37. Blessed flesh, and of his bones" (Eph. v. 30); promise made by a blessed Jesus to all well might the poet say, his blessed children, who were blessed in him before time, blessed by him in time, and shall be blessed with him through all eternity; "for when Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory," Coloss. iii. 4.

This union is so firm and strong,
That sin nor all our foes,
Can ever pluck us off so long,
As Jesus doth oppose.

4. They belong to Christ because they are the purchase of his blood; hence the commission to the ministers of Christ is

"feed the church of God which he hath
purchased with his own blood" (Acts
xx. 28); they are therefore not their own,
but they are bought with a price (1 Cor.
vi. 19, 20), even the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot (1 Pet. i. 19).

Great was the price to justice due,
When Jesus would redeem his bride,
Nothing but precious blood would do,
And that must flow from his own side.

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And this was the fountain that was to be opened for sin and uncleanness predicted by the prophet (Zech. xiii. 1); for saith Paul, we have redemption through Christ's blood, the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. i. 7); and saith John, "the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John i 7); hence the song of the redeemed will be, "thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev. v. 9).

And,

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hath engaged to bring each and all of 7. They belong to Christ, because Christ them to reign with him in glory everlasting. whom thou hast given me, be with me Father, I will that they also where I am, that they may behold glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." John xvii. 24. Therefore it is that the saints of the Most High, or those who belong to Christ, shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom, for ever, and for ever. Daniel vii. 18. And how can it be otherwise, since Christ said, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand," John x. 28; and saith Paul, speaking of the resurrection of the Saints, that " that are Christ's shall rise in the likeness of Christ at his coming, and shall be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall they be for ever with the Lord," 1 Cor. xv. 23, 1 Thess. iv. 17, Phillip. iii. 21.

they

Thirdly, we will briefly notice the blessedness of those who belong to Jesus, And,

5. They belong to Christ because he hath ransomed them from the enemy, who took them prisoners when Adam fell: hence it is said "he gave his life a ransom for all" (1 Tim. ii. 6); that is not for all the world, but for all the 1. They were loved and blessed by God, many who belong to him (Matt. xx. 28), in his Trinity of Persons, from everlastor all who are his children, and "foras-ing. The Father loved, and blessed much as his children are partakers of them, and therefore chose, justified, sancflesh and blood, Christ also himself took tified, preserved, yea blessed them with part of the same; that through death he all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, bemight destroy him that had the power of fore the world began. Eph. i. 3, 4, 1 death, that is, the devil: and deliver them Cor. i. 2, 1 Pet. i. 2, Jude i. Rom. viii. who through fear of death were all their 33, &c. life-time subject to bondage" (Heb. ii. 14, 15); and all this he did to fulfil his Covenant engagements and promise, I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: 0 death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes" (Ĥos. xiii. 14).

6. They belong to Christ visibly, and manifestively so, when they are made

The Son loved and blessed them, and therefore engaged in the counsels of eternity, to be their Surety, Saviour, Redeemer, and Advocate; Rom. viii. 23, and 1 Pet. i. 19, 20, Matt. i. 21, 1 Tim. i. 15, &c. The Spirit loved and blessed them, before all worlds, and therefore agreed to quicken, regenerate, comfort, teach, lead, and guide them all safe through the wilderness, into the kingdom of inexpressible and inconceiv

able glory prepared for them, John xiv. 16, 17, 26, and xv. 26, and xvi. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. &c.

2. They are loved by God, in and through time, and shall be to all eternity, John xiii. 1. Hence it matters not of what family we belong, nor in what age or clime we are born, live, or die, if we belong to Christ, we are the object of God's unchangeable love, and who shall separate us from his love? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, saith the Apostle, none of these things shall, for "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord," Rom. viii. 35, to the end.

All who belong to Christ are washed in the blood of Christ, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, rejoice in the name of Christ, taught by the Spirit of Christ, live and feed on Christ, enjoy communion with God through Christ, delight in the ways of Christ, glory in the work of Christ, admire the person, offices, and characters of Christ, zealous in the cause of Christ, and love his house, his word, his worship, his service, and each other, and "the eternal God is their refuge, and underneath are his everlasting arms,' Deut. xxxiii. 27. May we not then truly say, "Happy are all

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| those who belong to Jesus, who are like you, oh people saved by the Lord, who is the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency! and your enemies shall be found liars unto you, and you shall tread upon their high places, Deut. xxxiii. 29. In fine, all who belong to Jesus, are well provided for, in and through time and to all eternity. Philip. iv. 19, Rev. vii. 15, 16, 17, and they are each and all kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, 1 Pet. i. 5. God is their sun and shield, he will give unto them grace, and crown that grace with glory everlasting, Psal. lxxxiv. 11. Therefore be not cast down, but lift up your head with joy, for your redemption draweth nigh, Luke xxi. 28. Never mind the many trials, troubles, afflictions, and persecutions, which you are sure to have to endure, 2 Tim. iii. 12, if your life is prolonged, for "as your day is, so shall your strength be," Deut. xxxiii. 25, and out of them all, the Lord will most certainly deliver you at death, when you will for ever be freed from all that may now annoy, teaze, vex, perplex, and trouble you, 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. Therefore I cannot better conclude, than in the language of the apostle "Therefore let no one glory in men. For all things are your's; whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are your's, And ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's," 1 Cor. iii. 21, 22, 23.

Hull.

A QUEEN.

NUMERIST.

"And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions."1 Kings x. 1.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,-Have you ever at- I ploys, in order to lead poor sin-burdened tentively read that most interesting and sinners to hear of Jesus! Oh! what a attractive part of God's word in which the portrait of the queen of Sheba is delineated? and has it not often struck you, that her meeting with king Solomon presents us with a vivid representation of what takes place when the soul that has heard of Jesus, the true Solomon, the Prince of Peace, is brought into his presence, and her communings with him commence ?

How did she hear" of the fame of Solomon ?" I do not know; but surely God's wisdom is wonderfully revealed in the numberless methods which He em

proclamation of God's wisdom and power will that be, when those who have been led to seek the heavenly Solomon, shall recount to each other, in a world of eternal bliss, how and where they found their Jesus. What is the history of the natural life compared to that of the spi ritual? Of how little account will it be esteemed, where our cradle stood in this world, when the blood-bought, Spiritbaptized family, in the world to come, relate to each other, where the Omnipotent Spirit of the Lord caused the first pulsations of the new life to be felt, and

where the spot was situated, to which | shall be recited in heaven's high courts, they can look back as to their real native by souls who, triumphing in endless place and say, “There I was born, there glory, as the crowned conquerors of a I began to live!" perished world, shall unbosom to each other the sweet experience they have had of the Lord's grace in causing theni to hear of the fame of Jesus.

ish

Dear souls, have you ever sat down among a knot of saved sinners, holding sweet and sanctified communion with each other, while telling what the Lord has done for their souls, and ever and anon repeating the commencement of that strange history, which none can know, but those who have been made partakers of Jesu's grace and Spirit? Have you ever attended such "a Church-meeting,' and enjoyed such " ministry ?" Then you have had a foretaste of heavenly joys, and soon you shall know all the secrets of the Lord's whole family.

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Of how very little importance is it, my fellow redeemed ones, where and what we are at present. Some of you, perhaps, far from your earthly native country, think of scenes of childhood, of friends ever dear, though no longer near; others muse on prospects blighted, hopes disappointed; and some again, weary of the rude storms of life, are well nigh losing all courage. But let me admonyou to lift up yourself in the strength of the Lord, and to behold of how little import all these transitory events, all these passing trials, all these fleeting tribulations are to those who having heard of the fame of Jesus, have come to Him, and can rejoice, notwithstanding all these things, in Him as the Hope of Glory. Come ye, to whom the Lord has given Yes, all that now sickens and de-" the pen of a ready writer," and who presses your heart, will soon for ever be have been brought to hear of the fame forgotten; but sure I am that it will be of the heavenly Solomon, forget your a glorious chapter in the celestial history trials and your cares, by looking at the of God's people which shall include all bright prospect before you, and let the the events, the guidings, and the lead-readers of the GOSPEL MAGAZINE be ings which caused them to hear of the fame of their heavenly Solomon, with whom they will then be for ever, and for

ever.

Ah, it will be a wondrous mixture of joy, of admiration, and of adoration, which will fill the hearts of the auditors, when the act of our God and Saviour

A PLEA FOR THE

made acquainted with the history_of your proper, your second birth. Let others, still without, thereby learn to come to Jesus; Let His fame be published abroad, and His praises be shown forth, because He has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

To be continued.

BONMAHON SCHOOLS.

"CAST thy bread upon the waters;" sow the | Fear not, though rank and noxious weeds may good seed far and wide,

And watch not thou despondingly the fast receding tide;

choke the sterile ground,

And not one bud of faith or love in all the field be found;

The springing of the tender blade thine eyes The Gospel in its purity, was never sent in vain, Nor empty shall the word of God return to Him again.

may never see,

But still, though thou behold it not, a harvest there shall be.

"Cast thy bread upon the waters;" thou shalt not sow in vain,

Thy God in his appointed time will bring the golden grain;

Although the seed thou scatterest be watered with thy tears,

It shall yield sweet songs of thankfulness in many future years.

See how the patient husbandman that tills the stubborn soil,

Will wait and watch through dreary months the produce of his toil;

Through chilling blasts, and wintry storms, he toils unceasingly :

Shall they who sow the Gospel seed, less courage have than he?

Nor while thou carest for the soul, forget the body's need,

But follow in the steps of Him who did the hungry feed;

If this world's wealth be given thee, hoard not the golden store,

But scattter with a liberal hand its blessings to the poor.

O help them for that Saviour's sake, who left His glorious throne,

To make the riches of His grace to needy sinners known;

For will He in His gracious love the smallest mite contemn,

If given with a willing heart, and trusting faith in Him.

E. J.

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