THE Spiritual Magazine; OR, SAINTS' TREASURY. There are Three that bear record in heaven; the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST; and these Three are One." 1 John v. 7. "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."-Jude 3. MARCH, 1837. PRECIOUS PROMISES, OR CHOICE SAYINGS OF I FEEL induced to resume this subject from a firm persuasion there is no exhausting its store; indeed, the more the Holy Ghost unfolds to our view the precious promises of the everlasting gospel, which are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus, the more we want or desire to know of its astonishing mysteries; we can enter into the feelings of the apostle, when he expressed himself to the purport of the following lines. We only know in part, And that is very small, Great God, with all our heart, Upon thy name we call ; Expand our thoughts, and let us gaze Upon the wonders of thy grace. If we refer to the stores that Joseph reserved for his brethren, and the surrounding nations, we find they were exceeding great, for it was without number; but after the lapse of seven years they failed, but not so with the riches Jehovah has in reserve for the people of his choice. This blessed truth delighted the heart of the apostle John, which induced him fearlessly to testify, "that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we (said he) beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth; and of his fulness have we (that is, the called family of heaven) received grace for grace." The choice sayings of Joseph to his brethren, was a decisive evidence of the union or oneness that subsisted between them and him, and proved that VOL. XIII. No. 159.] I he had a peculiar regard for them above all men besides; and thus it is with our spiritual Joseph, his expressions relative to his watchful care over his elect, under all their diversified afflictions, proved the same. His language to them is thus My life I lay down for ny sheep, And night and day I will them keep. Joseph was indeed an illustrious character; his magnificent splendour, annexed to the honours conferred upon him by Pharaoh, and all his house, filled his brethren with astonishment, when he made himself known to them. "Cause every man (said he) to go out from me, and there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brethren, Gen. xlv. 1.; and thus it is with the Lord's redeemed, when Jesus makes himself known to them. Before him they astonished stand, The contrast between Joseph and his brethren relative to earthly riches was exceedingly great, but they were one in heart; and thus it is with Christ and his brethren, they are extremely poor, and his riches knows of no decay, as it is written, "O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out," Romans xi. 33. The Holy Ghost declares that he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Heb. ii. 11. And O! sweet thought, His riches on them doth bestow, Although 'tis sin has sunk them low. The Holy Ghost has been pleased, that the very exact number of Joseph's kindred that came to him into Egypt for food, should be cited down; and Jesus said, "all that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." And again, "Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me;" that is, whosoever hath heard from the Spirit's teaching what the Father is in the perfections of his justice, that he is a just God and requires a perfect satisfaction for the injury they have done to his holy law; the sinner thus taught feels, like Joseph's brethren, that the famine is spread, and look which way they will, such see and feel nothing but darkness and barrenness, I mean within. But Oh! it is a joyful sound, In Jesus there are riches found. Joseph's brethren frankly confessed their sin before him, but his choice sayings to them was the means of reviving their drooping spirits. "God (said he) sent me before you, to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance;" and the dear Redeemer said unto his spiritual brethren," that he came to seek and save that which was lost." Lo! I come, our Jesus said, Father to do thy will; Thy law by me shall be obey'd, I will the whole fulfil. They soon rehearsed the joyful news, the glad tidings in the ears of their family, that their brother Joseph was yet alive, and that he was immensely rich. This news made Jacob almost faint, He could not it believe; But when he saw the waggons sent, They further declared, that he was governor over all the land of Egypt. Thus it is with the disciples of Jesus, when the Spirit witnesses to their hearts that they have an interest in a precious Christ, they gladly rehearse the same amongst their spiritual brethren; and tell them, that they have found "him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write," John i. 45; and that he is Lord over all worlds, and that there is no inferiority between him and the eternal Father and the Holy Ghost; and that he has, by the blood of his cross, conquered hell, and satisfied all the claims of infinite justice; for all the objects of his peculiar favour. With him they've had an interview, They testify also that he is a compassionate friend and brother, that his heart is so tender towards all his family, that Though much despis'd, or mean or poor, Under the blessed agency of the good Spirit of God, they extol h very high; they delight to peruse the map of divine truth, namely, the Bible; there they read of his faithfulness to his brethren under all the vicissitudes that befel them whilst here below; they read also, that his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, Dan. vii. 14; and that he shall reign over his own house for evermore, Luke i. 33; and that he gave strong drink unto them that are ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts, Prov. xxxi. 6; and that he clothes the naked, Luke 15. 12; and that he hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree; he hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away, Luke i. 52, 53. They further declare, that though they are in an enemy's country, where they are often exposed to difficulties, he their best friend has promised To defend them by his power, And keep them in each trying hour. His vigilant eye is always upon them: he well understands their His name is precious, and his voice is sweet, Great Wakering, Essex. A SUBSCRIBER. ON THE SOVEREIGNTY OF JEHOVAH. "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no God beside me; I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal; neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand."-Deut. xxxii. 39. 66 THIS admirable passage of scripture will be found more or less in the experience of God's dear children to the end of time; and I have no doubt more manifest, if in former years they have been nursed on the knee of an Arminian preacher. I desire to write from experience; and if worthy of insertion, it may meet the case of some one like myself. The mercy of God has been great to his people in every age of time, such we read in this chapter, “ He is the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are judgment; a God of truth without iniquity, just and right is he." These characteristics of Jehovah, with the unchangeableness of himself, is amongst the encouragements held out to the often weary heavenborn soul, heavy or laden as he may be. Thus Moses goes on to say, "their spot is not the spot of his children." Is not this to be lamented over among the professors of this time-serving age? Yes; and men in public offices, such as get in pulpits, and so And where generally have such men sprung from? Why, academies and colleges, and such like places. I know this will not suit the mind of the high-towering man of either cast; but, says my God," It is to this man I will look, that is of a humble and contrite spirit, and that trembles at my word." And whatever Timothy, or any other man may have to say, or censure the man that opposes such institutions, as I have said, I write from experience. I could give a train of such characters, if required, that would lead the child of God to say, "My soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor be not thou on. united; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall." And, as I read, "the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein." The child of God will not ask, what man, or what wall? The reader will do well to read the chapter, and there he will find what God's portion is, and where that portion was found, and the great favour shewn to his people. The 13th verse reads, "He made him," shewing what a stubborn creature man is; how untoward, how fallen! yes, and even when regenerated, has to cry from bitterness of soul," When I would do good evil is present." How fallen!" O wretched man," was the cry of the old times, and it is equally the same now; for there is no difference in the experience of God's people, for they are a poor and afflicted people. But so plain it is, they shall be a willing people in the day of God's power; yes, God will make them, or they never would, nor never could; not you may be saved if you like, or if you will, and so on, as is so frequently rung into the ears of people congregated together; but we read the word of God different, "He maketh them to ride on the high places," and makes them to know he loved them, because he would love them; which makes them to say, "We love him, because he first loved us;" yes, in the day of his power makes them willing subjects. No buying here; no money, no price, nor no merit; all free, without money, and without price; free favour, sovereign power; as one says, he pardons like a God.' But I think I hear the tried christian say, with myself, O that I could more enjoy these precious things! Well, we read, "The vision is yet for an appointed time; though it tarry, may we be enabled to wait for it, because it will surely come!" "The word shall not return unto God void." "Lord, increase our faith," and enable us, as it were, to ride upon high places, knowing that the just shall live by faith. May it be our happiness to say with one of old, "The life that I now live is by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." But we are still in the valley of vision, burdened and perplexed, cannot see many times that God is he, and there is no one else. We appear to have gods many and lords many; the world seems to take all our attention, I say our, as I presume God's children generally are clothed with the same web. What shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? When at times, the dear Lord, by the still small voice of his powerful Spirit, says, "For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your heavenly Father knoweth you have need of these things; but rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." Then comes the "fear nots," which is calculated to give comfort. When the Lord sends home some precious promise, then there is much comfort, then we seem as if we rode in high places, and think the warfare is accomplished. It is then we feel that she hath received at the Lord's hand double |