wounded Israelites, when they were at the very point of death, to perform some arduous feats in order to procure their restoration to health; or rather, like telling the dead to raise themselves in order to their enjoyment of life. But the erection of the brazen serpent, that the dying might look unto it and live, is a lively emblem of that salvation which is offered to the world through faith in a crucified Redeemer; and the more pungent the grief which any feel on account of their guilt and helplessness, the richer is the consolation which will flow into their souls, the very instant they believe the glad tidings of the gospel.

4. How far it is from being a licentious doctrine. There is no end to the calumnies raised against this doctrine, and against all who maintain it. The preachers of it, even those who are most sober, and most guarded, and most practical, are always represented as saying, that, if only men will believe, they may live as they please. But there is nothing more contrary to truth than such a representation as We always affirm, that though works are excluded from the office of justifying the soul, they are indispensably necessary to prove the sincerity of our faith; and that the faith which is not productive of good works, is no better than the faith of devils. And then, as to the actual effects which are produced by this doctrine, look back to our Re

this.

formers; look back to St. Paul, the great champion of this doctrine; look back to David, and to Abraham, and to all the saints recorded in the eleventh chapter to the Hebrews; or, if you wish for living examples, look to thousauds who maintain and glory in this blessed doctrine. We will appeal to matter of fact. Who are the persons that in every place are spoken of as precise, and righteous overmuch, and as making the way to heaven so strait that nobody can walk in it?

Are not these the very persons, even these, who maintain salvation by faith alone? That there are some who do not adorn this doctrine, is true enough: and so there were in the apostolic age. But do we not hear our tes timony against them, as well as against the self-righteous contemners of the gospel, yea, with far greater severity than against any other class of sinners whatever? Be it remembered, then, that the gospel is "a doctrine according to godliness;" and that "the grace of God which bringeth salvation teaches us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world." And we now declare before all, that they who profess the gospel in words. and deny it in their works, will have a less tolerable portion in the day of judgment than Tyre and Sidon, or even Sodom and Gomorrah.

his gifts to me was a pocket Bible, which was given as a token of his regard, accompanied with a request that I would use it in my visitation. As he placed it in my hand, he lifted his eyes to heaven, and prayed that many souls might be led to Christ by the instructions drawn therefrom. His love to the means of grace was remarkable; and as often as possible he would drag his diseased body to the meetings and to the house of God. The last time he went it was too much for his feeble frame, and he was obliged to be brought home. This was about four years ago. But often after did he express a wish that he could join in the praises of God with the great congregation, and, to use his own words, hear a sermon once more. His sincerity also showed itself in the desire he felt for the salvation of others. His children lay near his heart, and he has often wept while speaking of their indifference. No person came into his room without receiving a warning or an exhortation from him. I often took my brother missionaries to see him, particularly the new candidates. It delighted him to see those who were to proclaim the Saviour's love to perishing sinners. On leaving he would bid them God-speed, accompanied by some suitable text of Scripture. His love to the sacred volume formed another interesting feature in his character. The Bible lay always upon his pillow, and nothing delighted him more than to converse with his Visitor an hour, asking questions on practical and experimental religion. He had generally a string

of texts to ask questions on. He gradually lost the use of one finger after another, till he was obliged at last to turn over the leaves of the Bible with his tongue, as the joint of every finger had become contracted, and drawn together, as was also the joint of one hand. But in no respect, perhaps, did the reality of his religion show itself more than in his remarkable patience under the most acute suffering. I remember once going into his room when he had an attack of the disease, and it was so severe that he could not move hand or foot, and the perspiration streamed down his face from pain. I began sympathising with him; he looked at me with a smile, and said, "Do you know what I was thinking of when you entered the room? I was thinking with the Psalmist David, My cup runneth over with blessings.' Many who came to see him made remarks about the painfulness of his affliction, but he invariably said, "It has been a great blessing to me." Once he said to me,

What a mercy

God sent affliction to me, as it was through that, I was led to think about my poor soul." During the period of eleven years in which my visits were weekly, and I must, therefore, have paid him upwards of five hundred visits,-I never heard him murmur or complain. Nothing caused him more grief in the latter part of his affliction than the fear he should be impatient. One day his wife came and found him weeping; she asked what was the matter. He said, "I am afraid lest in the moments of extreme suffering I

should give way and complain." At this time it should be stated he had not been out of bed for more than twelve months, every limb had become contracted, so that to move him was almost like breaking his body on the wheel. At the same time he had several large wounds through which often passed hard substances like soda, which cut its way through the flesh. While this process was going on the agony was indescribable. During this time he could only lie on one side, and the usual effects followed; his joints protruded through the skin, and plasters had to be applied, so that he had this to endure in addition to his disease. But he never once murmured, or charged God foolishly, and amid all was happy and cheerful, for he enjoyed much of the presence of God. His experience was quite above the common order. With him I enjoyed some of the happiest moments of my life, and have sometimes almost wished to change places with him, if by so doing I might enjoy what he possessed. In the beginning of this year it was quite visible that he could not much longer support his accumulated sufferings; he spoke of his death with great composure; but feared to express a desire to depart lest it should indicate impatience. Visiting him on the 22nd of January I found him remarkably happy. He said, "I thought I was going last night, but am now, I find, to stay a little longer." Some remarks were made on the fear of death, and he quoted John v. 24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word and believeth

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on Him that sent me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." That," he said, "is the foundation of my confidence." The succeeding month made a great difference in him. On calling February 7, I find, by my journal, he was very weak and scarcely able to converse. A matter which he seemed much concerned about, led me to quote the text, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee," &c. He said, "I have been thinking about that text lately, and cannot quite understand it." This led me to show him that suffering did not affect our spiritual state in the sight of God, though it might disturb the mind, and read as an illustration, 2 Cor. iv. 8, and following verses, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed," &c., and endeavoured to fix on his mind the great design of afflictive dispensations,-namely, that the life of Christ might be manifest in the life of believers in the midst of an ungodly world. He seemed much comforted and encouraged by the remarks. My next visit was on the 14th. I found him still weaker, and in great suffering, but very happy in his mind. It was evident he was ripening fast for glory. He informed me that a few nights previously he had such a manifestation of the love of God to his soul that he could scarcely tell whether he was in the body or out of the body, and it made him long to be with Christ. The visit on this occasion was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. These three visits