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composed state on Thursday, still looking unto Jesus, and waiting for him. Her eye brightened, and her countenance shone, when conversing on heavenly glory and the destruction of death by the All-conquering Jesus.

On Friday evening, I read to her Dr. Hawker's Morning Portion on Jer. xxxiii. 16. And this is the name whereby he shall be called, THELORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. The blessed truths therein declared very much interested her, and called forth admiration, gratitude, and love. Being asked if she still felt herself a sinner, she replied, 'Oh, yes; and I am astonished at God's mercies to me, I am so unworthy of them! My heart is ready to burst with gratitude.'

During Friday night, she was very ill and in much pain, and supposed her departure to be at hand. I found her much altered on Saturday morning; but still looking unto Jesus. Her powers were failing, but faith was in exercise. In the course of conversation, she said,

I have committed my children to God; he can take better care of them than I can. What would the mere garb of religion do for me now? I was often afraid that my religion was hypocrisy-If it had been so, where should I be now? I cannot continue long. At evening, she appeared very weak indeed, and observed, 'I have need of patience. God has given it to me hitherto; and if he lays more on me, I know he will enable me to bear it.' Alluding to her perspiration, I said, 'Jesus sweat great drops of blood for you.' To which she replied, 'I have thought of that when I have felt it roll off me in large drops.' Having read the fifty third chapter of Isaiah, I remarked to her, 'Jesus is able to feel for you: he has passed through death, not on a bed of down, but on the cross.'-She told me, 'I hope to spend to-morrow in heaven, and keep God's sabbath above.

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On Monday morning, the cough was truly distressing: so much so, that it was impossible to converse with her, without putting her to great pain: for, the cough came on not only when she attempted to speak; but also when any thing was mentioned which excited her mind, as was usually the case when any spiritual remark was made. said to her, Still looking unto Jesus?' She replied in a whisper, Yes, sir, I cannot but hope it will not be long now.' Something was given to relieve the cough: which had, by God's blessing, the desired effect. She fell into a sleep. In the evening, I found her much more easy; she was very weak, and the pulse had become much fainter. I charged her not to speak, on account of her weakness, and for fear of causing the return of the cough. She replied, O, that I could speak! to tell of God's mercy and love. I am lost, when I think of his great goodness and mercy. Behold! what manner of love!' Having repeated several texts of scripture, each of which brought a smile of holy joy on her countenance, I said, 'Shall I offer a short prayer?'

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If you please, sir.' But I am afraid it will be too much for you; are you sure it will not hurt you ?'

Oh, yes, quite. Besides, I feel the need of prayer.' Having commended her to God, I left, not expecting to see her any more in the flesh. As I walked home, surely thought I, this is triumph over death. What a mercy, that God has given, in this village, such a

certain proof of the reality of religion!

Dec. 25. She was not so much exhausted this morning, when I called as I was going to church; but hoping soon to depart, I told her where I was going, and said,

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You can join us in spirit,' She replied, I hope to be able to do that.'-I called again in the evening, and found her suffering from extreme weakness. She expressed some very strong desires to be gone. When I gently checked her, she said with much feeling, O, I should not say so: God's time is the best. I have need of Jesu's blood as much now as ever. Poor Priscilla's last word was Mercy!' then she clapped her hands and died.' I kneeled down and prayed God speedily to take her to himself; and in the mean time, to give her patience to bear all that he might see fit to lay upon her.

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continued in much the same state; weak, but still waiting for God. At one time, she said to me, I cannot exercise faith so strongly; but still I enjoy peace.'

On Monday, she observed, I may live some days, or a fortnight longer but God will support and strengthen me.'

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Jan. 1. I found her more comfortable. She said, I wish I could speak to-day.' But the attempt to speak, only in whisper, brought on the cough. Her mind was sweetly looking unto him who is the only tried stone, I asked her if I should pray. Yes, sir, if you please. Pray for faith and patience a little longer. I find I am still in the flesh, and that I need both patience and faith.'

On Wednesday evening and on Thursday morning, she was still in peace. The effect of the opiate was felt by her in producing great drowsiness. 'I have been neither asleep nor awake,' she told me: but I wish to be sometimes awake that I may be able to think.'

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Dec. 26. She told me that her mind was kept in perfect peace, stayed upon God. In the evening, she said, Mr. M. tells me, I may continue some days longer, and that it is probable I may depart suddenly. If so, I shall be free from all that hard struggle which many of God's people through.' I inquired into the state of her mind, the ground of her hope, and her prospects; and and found that Jesus alone was the rock of her salvation. She told me she had just been repeating little in God to-day. To-morrow

this verse,

Nothing in my hand I bring,

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Simply to thy cross I cling: Naked, come to thee for dress, Helpless, look to thee for grace : Foul, I to thy fountain fly, Wash me, Saviour, or I die. She assured me that she had given up her father, her husband, and her children to God, who had promised to take care of them.

On some following days she

* A young Christian friend, whom Mrs. H. had taken to her father's house, and kindly nursed, some years ago.

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Jan. 3. I found her peaceful; willing to wait his time who had supported her, and who hath promised strength equal to the day. She said, I am going to have the account of Christian's passage through the river read to me this evening. I want to hear it again.’ Jan. 5. She said to me, I have been enabled, I trust, to rejoice a

you are to be engaged again. I hope to keep a sabbath too.'

Jan. 7. I asked her what she supposed would be the first thing she should do on entering the presence of his glory. She replied, 'I of the Lamb, and cast my crown think I shall go up to the throne before his feet, and acknowledge him to be the cause of all my happiness.'

Jan. 10. She complained of evil thoughts arising in the mind, and said, I have much need of prayer. What a mercy, that the

blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. I have seen an end to all perfection."

Jan. 14. She was rather better; and being asked if she had a desire to get well, she replied, No. I have a desire to depart: but I wish to have no will of my own.'

Jan. 16. I found her very comfortable and wakeful, She said to me, I have felt much pain to-day; but I was enabled cheerfully to bear it, knowing who it was that sent it to me.'

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Jan. 17. She was very much oppressed with weakness, and said, I feel that the time is drawing nigh. I feel more than ever the need of -’ Here she attempted to make me understand her. I observed she had great difficulty in endeavouring to utter her sentiments. At length, she asked me if I understood what she meant. told her that I did; and said, ' You wish to say that you have more need of faith, of casting yourself wholly on Christ, of praying and patience.' 'Yes Sir, that is what I mean. I can think what I intend, to say, but cannot always say what I think.'

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Jan. 19. She observed, 6 I was in much pain this morning, but was enabled to know by experience what those lines mean

'I can do all things, or can bear All suff'rings if my Lord be there; Sweet pleasures mingle with the pains, While his left hand my head sustains.' I viewed my pains as sent by God, and then I could bear them.'

Jan. 21. I found her just reviving from a state of very great weakness and general convulsive action. Her soul was in peace. I observed to her, Be good and do good,' will not do for you now. She smiled, and replied, that will not do now.'

Oh no,

Jan. 22. I asked her what were her views of sin. She said, 'I feel it to be exceeding sinful, exceeding sinful, committed against a just, and holy, and merciful God.'

MAY 1831.

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Jan. 28. She observed, I have sometimes thought, if all should not be right: if Satan should have deceived me. But then I have recollected,' But Satan cannot love.' I love. Therefore, I trust, he hath not deceived me. Death is called a dark valley; but if God be my guide, he will lead me right. Do speak a word of comfort to my poor husband. I fear lest he should be overwhelmed with sorrow.'

Jan. 31. In the evening I found her somewhat revived, and roused from that state of weakness in which she had been most of the day. She observed to me, 'What a mercy, to be kept from murmuring at the will of God, and from complaining and blaspheming, as some have done.'

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Feb. 4. I was sent for, and immediately went to her house. I found the last enemy in the room, coiled around the whole frame. But she was, by faith, bruising his head as he was bruising her heel, more than a conqueror through him that loved her. I sat down by the side of her bed, and taking hold of her hand, said, 'Where is the foundation of your hope now?' Smiling, she replied, 'Where it has been a long time.' I asked her, Have you any wish to change it?' She said, None at all." Is Christ precious?' 'Yes. Jesus Christ the same yesterday the same yesterday Finding that she could not repeat the whole of the text, I said, and to-day, and for ever. That's it,' she replied.- I WISH I COULD PRAISE HIM.' About one o'clock the happy spirit fled to the realms of eternal day, and doubtless found her utmost desires satisfied, in falling down before the throne of God and the Lamb, and in joining the chorus of angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven," in sounding the praises of the "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth."

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-W. A. H.

REVIEW OF BOOKS.

The History of the Church of Christ; in continuation of the Work of the Rev. Joseph Milner, M. A. and the very Rev. Isaac Milner, D.D. F. R. S. By John Scott, M.A. Vicar of North Ferriby, and Minister of St. Mary's, Hull. Vol. III. 8vo. Pp. xx. and 618. Seeleys. 1831.

THE portion of Ecclesiastical History contained in the present volume has been hitherto comparatively little known in this country. Our attention has been repeatedly called to the German Reformers, but their Swiss Brethren have been only occasionally referred to, except in some few instances where they have been made the objects of undeserved censure and reproach. The perusal however of this as well as Mr. Scott's former volumes will show that though the Swiss Reformers occupied a narrower field, and a less prominent station, they were still men of a devout and noble spirit; and evinced the same zeal, constancy, holy boldness, and enlarged charity, which distinguished their German Brethren. meet not indeed with such striking events as those which distinguish the life of Luther, the burning of Papal Bulls and Decretals, the heroic visit to the Diet of Worms, &c. yet in the absence of such surprising incidents, and in the comparatively uninteresting course of ordinary detail, the attentive reader will here meet with abundant treasures of instruction, especially adapted to his own case, and the circumstances of modern times.

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It has been said that history is philosophy, teaching by examples; and this is especially the case with ecclesiastical history. Such men as Luther, and Melancthon, and Zwingle, and Ecolampadius, and Calvin, are striking examples of the ower and efficacy of divine grace;

and however widely their outward circumstances differ from those of ministers amongst ourselves, there are yet points of resemblance; there are events continually occurring in our own churches which require with very trifling variation, the application of the same principles and the adoption of similar practices, which prevailed in Germany and Switzerland THREE HUNDRED YEARS ago.

In fact, there is not only a communion of saints, in that all believers approach unto God in the same way, and have a correspondence in knowledge, feeling, experience, affection, and conduct; but there is also a surprising resemblance in the snares, temptations, and spiritual dangers to which believers in every age are exposed. Heresies and vain fancies, which at first astonish by their novelty, are usually found to be the mere revification of departed figments, and the new and strange doctrines of modern days, have in numerous cases been long since answered and refuted by the words of truth and soberness, adopted by ancient reformers. In no way can the young minister or private Christian be more effectually guarded against false philosophy and vain deceit, than by first keeping close to the oracles of God, and then by diligently perusing such volumes as that before us.

It were easy to illustrate these positions by inserting numerous extracts. The following anecdote of a Madame Glaudine, who lived at Geneva, in 1532, requires only a change of name and date, to adapt itself to numerous instances recorded in the reports and periodical publications of our Hibernian and other Societies, for the last twenty years.

One instance of remarkable conversion, by the joint means of the preaching of Froment and the reading of the scriptures, is recorded. The priests

had spread among the ignorant and superstitious people the idea that the teachers of the new doctrines were no other than magicians, who had hosts of evil spirits at their command to accomplish their purposes. This notion had taken full possession of the mind, among others, of a Genevese lady of the name of Glaudine; so that, regarding Froment as an arch-sorcerer, she resisted all the solicitations of those who would have had her go to hear him. Atlength however she suffered her curiosity and the solicitations of her friends to overcome her fears, and she resolved for once to visit his preaching-roomusing the precaution to fortify herself by every preservative against enchantment, such as the Agnus Dei, relics, crossings, and the like. Thus protected she entered the room, and placing herself in front of the preacher, repeatedly traced upon her person the sign of the cross, and ardently commended herself to God and to the care of the saints. On listening to Froment, her first feeling was that of surprise at hearing nothing which savoured of incantation. By the time his discourse was ended, her courage was so much increased that she ventured to speak to him, and to ask if he was satisfied of the truth of what he had delivered? He replied that he was ready to maintain it. She asked, Could he prove it from the gospel? On his answering in the affirmative, she further inquired, with respect to the mass, Was it not founded in scripture? He assured her that neither the name nor the thing was to be found in the New Testament. She inquired, Was that book from which he had taken his text the New Testament? and, being told that it was, she begged that he would permit her to read it. The loan of the book being granted, she shut herself up in her chamber, and, scarcely allowing herself time to take refreshment, did nothing for some days but read the sacred volume. The more she read, the more were her admiration and the ardour of her soul excited. She wept abundantly: she prayed: she discovered her

errors, and renounced her superstitions. At the end of three days she sent for Froment to her house; she conferred with him; and, after having again heard him preach, she avowed her reception of the evangelical doctrine, blessing God most earnestly for having thus enlightened her with the knowledge of his truth. Nor was this all: she gained over her

husband, who had been no less bigoted than herself, and others of her relations; and abounded in all the offices of Christian charity and kindness to those who suffered for their religion's sake.-Pp.

270-272.

Not only however does ecclesiastical history afford numerous anecdotes to which the counterpart may be found in modern times, but it meets, by anticipation as it were, various questions, by which the minds of many are disquieted and distracted. Much, for instance, has been said on the proper subjects of baptism; on baptismal regeneration, sponsors, &c. The following extracts are full of instructions on these various topics.

Baptism, (says Zwingle in a letter dated December 9, 1529,) introduces only into the external and visible church; and the faith requisite for admission to it in infants is the faith of the church; in adults a confession of the Christian religion, and a professed desire to be admitted to its benefits. This (he says) was evidently all that the apostles required, and to require more is to intrude into God's office of searching the heart; and in that case we must ever be uncertain whether we are rightly admitting a candidate to baptism, or not.Throughout the scriptures, he observes, innumerable more persons have been received into the visible church (as by circumcision,) through their parents' faith than through their own. On the nature of the faith required he refers to Augustine's Epistle to Boniface; on some other points to his own "Elenchus:" observing, however, that he had made use of certain expressions, after the example of the apostles and ancient fathers, the sense of which was different from what it might at first appear to be.-P. 141.

"I would not deny (says Ecolampadius) that the water of baptism is a regenerating water, for (through it) he becomes the child of the church, who was before not acknowledged by the church." And again: "A peaceably disposed person, who apprehends the nature (rationem) of sacraments, easily understands how a child is received to the grace of God by baptism.....By this symbol the persons present are taught that the child belongs to God's grace," to "the church" which enjoys his grace and favour, as contra-distinguished to

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