MY DEAR EDITOR,-Having lately manner, Did you feel the check-rein ?" had an illustration given me bearing These words fell upon the ears as though upon the subject," Is it from the Lord?" the Lord Himself had spoken, not only and seeing it again brought forward in in answer to the subject in question, but this month's Magazine, in a very sweet also, how it may be known in future manner, by J. K., I venture to send you what came from Him and what from the following; and may I add, that I do Satan. hope the interesting and important Now, as there was no suppression question may be answered by the readers of anger on either side regarding the of your Magazine, when the Lord gives subject mentioned, it is not likely that them facts to state, rather than for them the Lord would send such a text at to give their opinions without facts, such a time; therefore, as J. K. which is so likely to lead to nothing more than useless controversy.

come

writes, very truly (and the same thing struck me exactly when the subject was first brought before the readers of the Magazine), that we can only know by the effects, from whence passages of Scripture that are laid upon the mind. And I would add one word, which is, let us not be striving ourselves either to interpret Scripture coming in this way, or, indeed, even to think over it, because what is from the Lord must be borne in mind, and produce the exact effect He would have.

One day a quarrel arose between two friends, and they both separated in A few days after one of them anger. said to a friend, that immediately after the quarrel these words came, "When the enemy cometh in like a flood, then the Spirit of the Lord will lift up His standard against him." The friend inwardly pondered over what had been said, and thought, Surely here is one answer for the Gospel Magazine respecting the subject of "Is it from the Our Lord's temptations by the devil Lord ?" For if this verse does not come is a large field for contemplation, refrom the enemy to impart false comfort specting how, when, and where Satan and security, I am very much mistaken. quoted Scripture; and perhaps some of However, the mind was fully made up the brethren may have it given them to as to its first supposition in a very remark-write on this subject. Will they forgive able manner; for on the Sunday after, the minister made use of this very text, to show the practicality of the Word, without, of course, any reference to what had passed, for he knew it not; and in quoting this text, When the enemy cometh in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up His standard against him," he said, in his quaint, quick

me for saying, I hope none of them will
TRY to do so, for then it will be dry and
unedifying; but if the Lord pours the
matter into them, may they pour it out
for the pages of the Gospel Magazine.
I remain, my dear Editor,
Yours in Christian bonds,
M. L. M.

COMMENDATION WITH APPROBATION.

"His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."-Song v. 16.

In this part of the sublime book, anciently entitled the "Ballot of Ballots," or, "A mystical song of the spiritual and godly love between Christ the Spouse, and the Church, or congregation, His spouse," the said spouse, the bride, comes before us in her commendation of her Beloved, in replying to the inquiry of the daughters of Jerusalem, "What is thy Beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? What is thy Beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us ?" Although still suffering from the state of drowsiness which had come over her, and caused the object of her affections to withdraw her awakened heart, was susceptible of all her loveliness and grace, so that she gave a full description of Him in ten particulars, wherein from the most descriptive and beautiful of nature's gems, she sets Him forth as the one chosen out from the people, the fairest of the children of men, blending with the high and interesting commendation her own right interest and approbation of Him, "My Beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand." The reading of our Bible, if possible, is more expressive, "As for my love, He is white and red coloured, a goodly person amongst ten thousand."

We presume not to follow her as she proceeds in her description of Him; but pause over her conclusion in the words at the head of our paper, now given in the old reading, "The words of His mouth are sweet; yea, He is altogether lovely; such one is my love. O ye daughters of Jerusalem, such one is my love."

The commendation is twofold, and must be considered as referring to the "words of His mouth," and the loveliness of His person, which being fully known and realized in the heart of the believer, gives full scope to the exercise of faith in ratifying the union between them, and the approbation of all He has as belonging to His Church, "This is my Beloved, and this is my friend.”

In the Church's commendation of her glorious Lord we must keep in view the covenant relationship in which He stands towards her as her Head and Husband, set up from everlasting in the council of the Holy Three, to be Jehovah's salvation unto the end of the world— Him in whom the whole election of grace had a being and a well-being, ere the mighty deeps of hell's destructive power of sin had involved her in the Adam-fall transgression of a time-state; a fall which gave a momentary triumph to the powers of darkness, but which was used as a channel for the flowings of the riches of that grace "wherein the whole Persons of the Godhead hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence," expressive in their own language, "I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him." "I have made a covenant with my chosen; I have sworn unto David my servant." "Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David." Thus the establishment of Jehovah's faithfulness is in the heavens, or, from everlasting; and the settlement of His word for ever. Truly then is it called everlasting, unchangeable, and admits of no possibility of change in its nature or design; for He who said, "Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will," hath also given Him for a covenant to the people, as a leader, witness, and commander unto them.

Nor must we overlook, in our observation upon the commendation here given, that it is in unison with all the purposes of Jehovah, concerning the Lord Jesus, whose glory is great in His (that is, Jehovah's) salvation; for it is utterly impossible that a work like unto this could be out of Himself, while to the praise of the glory of that grace sinners should be predestinated to be partakers thereof. The Magna Charter, or, Bill of Rights, pertaining to the Church of Christ, runs in these words, "Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation," wrought out in the

fulness of time, but written, planned, and stipulated for in "the council of peace before all worlds.

From all that has gone before in this unrivalled Song we are satisfied the Church, collectively or individually considered, had been led into an experimental knowledge and enjoyment of who and what her Beloved was to her, and was no stranger to either union or communion with Him; from the first emotion of her heart, "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth," or, as the old reading, "O that He would kiss me with the kisses of His mouth" (Song i. 2), and which divine desires and longings are carried on throughout the whole Song; and is as readily responded unto by the Beloved Himself, as said, she well knew the stipulation of His engagements with His Father was to " open His mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such appointed to destruction" (Prov. xxxi. 8); and while the curse causeless could not come, yet the striking of hands for a stranger would ensure a wound; so "He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse unto him" (Prov. xxvii. 14); of whom can this be said, or in whom fulfilled, but in Him, who having received the gift from His Father, the law of truth was in His mouth, and iniquity was not found in His lips (Mal. ii. 6); yet was He made "sin and a curse;' ;" thus redeeming us from the curse of the law, "being made a curse for us;" for it written, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."

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called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Tim. i. 9, 10); who, on the behalf of His Church, must fulfil the whole conditions of that covenant, according to those settlements of that "counsel of peace" (Zech. vi. 13), which gave all the properties of an everlasting covenant unto it, and constituted Him "The Lamb of the Father's appointment, who in the end of the world should appear to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb. ix. 26). Nor can we do better, in all we may say upon the sweetness of His mouth, than to keep in view the everlasting connexion between Christ the spouse and His bride the Church, a union prior unto, and irrespective of, all and everything of her creature life and fall in Adam. As the modern Eve became the social companion of Adam the earthly one before the fall, and did not lose her relationship through that fall, so the bride, the Lamb's wife, was by the Lord's own act betrothed unto Him for ever. And the marriage contract runs in these words," Yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord" (Hosea ii. 19, 20).

We are restricted from saying more than a mere reference to that glorious testimony of the Holy Spirit, the glori"His mouth is most sweet," by which fier of the Lord Jesus, by the prophet we are to understand "the words of His when stating the conference of Jehovah mouth." "For the Lord giveth wis-upon the scheme of redemption, "Also dom; out of His mouth cometh know- I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ledge and understanding. He layeth Whom shall I send, and who will go for up sound wisdom for the righteous' us ?" The old Bible reads, "Who will (Prov. ii. 6, 7), which, in the first view, be our messenger?" (Isa. vi. 8), which may be considered as referring to the met a ready reply from Him who was part sustained by the Lord Jesus in the declared to be the "servant upon whom everlasting covenant entered into by the the Lord leaned; the elect in whom the "Three in One" before all worlds, soul was pacified" (Isa. xlii. 1). Old which being ordered in all things and reading, in further confirmation of the sure, form the basis of that " Hope of ancient "sweetness of His mouth," or, eternal life which God, that cannot lie, the words of grace that flowed out in promised before the world began" (Tit. His everlastingly going forth as Jehoi. 2). Again, upon this also rest the vah's anointed One for salvation. Hear whole of our salvation, from sin, death, His own words, "Then said I, Lo, I and hell, "Who hath saved us, and come in the volume of the book it is

you also are apprehended of Christ Jesus, altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, that in the experimental enjoyment of and this is my friend, O ye daughters of your heart in giving a reason of the hope Jerusalem." that is in you, ye might testify to all "His mouthis most sweet; yea, He is the

London.

A STRIPLING.

APPOINTMENT OF OUR FRIEND AND BROTHER, THE REV. W. LINCOLN, TO BERESFORD CHAPEL, WALWORTH

Ir gives us sincere pleasure to inform | We deeply deplore it. At the same our readers, that one of our old corres- time, we trust and believe that there will pondents (a personal friend and brother be so many lovers of truth found round in Christ), the Rev. W. LINCOLN, is just and about Camberwell and Walworth, appointed to Beresford Chapel, Wal- who will so rally round the standard set worth (adjacent to Camberwell Gate). up in Beresford Chapel, as shall speedily The hand of the Lord has been inost release our friend from any undue marked in this appointment; and, anxiety upon the grounds we have though our brother has taken heavy mentioned. His going there is (we are pecuniary responsibilities upon himself, thoroughly persuaded) of God; and He we doubt not for one moment that the will pay all charges, and meet all deLord will stand by him, to strengthen mands, for he serves a good Master. and deliver him. We know that a great blessing rested upon his ministrations in St. John's Chapel, London Road; and we doubt not that the same unction and power will rest upon the word at Beresford Chapel.

Since the cost of the lease, the current expenses of conducting Divine worship, and the minister's income, will depend entirely upon pew-rents, we trust that many of our readers living in the locality of Beresford Chapel will not only be induced to attend it, but likewise to take sittings there. The apostle was commissioned by God to say, that the Lord had ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel; and it is a shame that so many who have the means lack the heart to support God's ministers.

We know an instance at the present time, where a dear man of God has been completely crushed and disabled very much, if not principally, by pecuniary responsibility in connection with an Episcopal Chapel in London, the lease of which he purchased. He is now, through failing health, altogether laid aside.

At the close of the letter in which our brother LINCOLN apprizes us of his appointment, he says:- "Some of these days I may be spared to tell you of the providences to which I have alluded, and I do think the Lord is with me. He has in His mercy wonderfully provided us both, I think, with the places that seem well suited to us. And may we never preach without the Holy Ghost being sent down from heaven. Yea, may we ourselves be like Him of old, of whom it is written by the Lord, 'He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. And much people was added to the Lord. May grace, mercy, and peace, be with you. May you have showers of blessings, according as you expect. Then when our work is ended, may we hear the Master say, in His love and mercy, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant, come up higher, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.'

Once more we say, may every covenant-blessing rest upon our brother and his labours in Beresford Chapel, Walworth.

THE CHURCH'S REST.-The church | buoy her up amidst all her troubles, and has nothing to rest upon but her union bring her to eternal joy and happiness. to the Lord; and that is sufficient to -T. Reed.