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THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MAGAZINE.

the Lord's garner; a garden sown with no seed but that of the great Husbandman's sowing; a fabric reared on the chief corner-stone, and framed by the hand of that truth which is the divine philosophy, the heavenly code of grace and love; yea, the philosophy and the code, by which alone man can have peace in this life with his God, his neighbour, and himself; and, when he shall enter upon his rest, shall find himself reconciled and justified, and eternally at peace with his offended Maker, through the faith of Jesus Christ. O, it is that most comfortable and blessed doctrine of justification by the faith of his righteousness which so pre-eminently distinguishes the standards of our beloved church, and more particularly her glorious liturgy. She never bids us ask, but believing," in faith, on the power, the might, the merits, of his righteousness: she never offers up a petition but in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, the "righteous." She knows but of one Mediator and one Oblation once offered: but she raises herself up as an antagonist, too-the antagonist of all self-righteousness, the antagonist of that pride by which sin came into the world, and still convulses and lays it waste. She knows, and teaches, that by works her children cannot be made just; because she has been divinely taught that, as every good work cometh of God, the doer only giveth back that which he has received; because she knows that no human work in our fallen estate can be pure and holy enough to be acceptable in the sight of One who is all purity and holiness; nay, that, if ever so pure and holy, it is but a debt owing to the law of obedience, under which every soul was born into the world.

Throughout her standards she proclaims that there is no salvation but by the faith of Jesus Christ, and of him crucified; and, therefore, she lifts up no cry to the throne of grace, but in the name, in the faith, and through the righteousness of him who ever liveth to make intercession for the faithful. But she teaches, also, that without works faith is dead; that we cannot love God and disobey him; that our faith is a barren fig-tree, if its blossoming burst not into fruit.

Her flock is the flock of the good Shepherd; of him who “giveth bis lite for the sheep. By her he speaks; and her sons and her daughters are taught to hear and know his voice, and follow

him.

And mark how she bids us follow him; not only as a sacrifice for sin, but as an ensample of godly life; not only as the recipients of the one inestimable benefit, bat as his true disciples, endeavouring daily ourselves to follow in the steps of his most holy life. And this, not in our own strength, the rock against which every fleshly endeavour must be wrecked, but in the strength of the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Truly it is a blessed pre-eminence, of our most scriptural church, and apostolical because scriptural, that her standards are no sealed book; that they speak not in an unknown tongue; that they do not set forth a gospel which is not the gospel; that they are not a gilded and illuminated shrine, full of rottenness within, men's inventions and cunningly devised fables, disgorging its mysteries at set times and seasons: our

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church does not so confound truth with error, that the loveliness of the one cannot be discerned through the darkness engendered in the other. No; she cometh to the true Light; and in that light she hath shined until the remotest and darkest places of the earth have been irradiated with its glory: she would have her children to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, in sincerity, and in truth: her doctrine, her devotions, and all her exercises, are adapted for the closet as well as the sanctuary: they are streams of that fountain of which he that drinks shall never thrist: their prayers are such that he that runs may read the saint and the sinner may there open out for his soul's edification a staff to the feeble, a pillow to the afflicted, a healing medicine for the sick, milk to the babe in Christ, and strength to the aged, ere his hope is crowned with assurance.

In the law and the prophets we have the foundation; and in the gospel, we behold it crowned with the superstructure of faith and grace. On both has the institutions of our dear church been raised. She has not despised ceremonies, for they are recognized and essential helps to public devotion; but she rests not salvation upon them. Ecclesiastical rites have the divine sanction: they were prescribed to the chosen people, who are yet abiding without a sacrifice, but shall one day dwell in the land which was given to their fathers. In that day they shall "beautify the place of the Lord's sanctuary; and he will render the place of his feet glorious." And ecclesiastical rites, such as our church prescribes, have the prescription of the apostolical ages for their warrant. But we must beware how we use them they are a "golden path to walk in, not a silver crutch to lean on:" they are not "grounds of acceptance;" "for, if our holiest services be not sprinkled with Christ's blood, they are no better than shining

sins."

No; our church is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She does not convert it into a letter which killeth; but she strives that her institutions may become unto us a spirit which giveth life. The book of life is indeed the treasury of her riches; her rule and standard in principle and practice; the bread with which she they gather under her roof. In her public minisnurtures her sons and her daughters whenever

trations she gradually leads us through the whole history of redeeming love, from man's creation

by the Father until his new creation in the Son. She leads us by no ways of her own invention; but says, "Behold, and see! are not my ways as God's ways? Is not my faith the faith once delivered to the saints? Does she not rule, that holy scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; that whatsoever is not found therein, or may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of the faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation"?

Yes; it is the blessed pre-eminence of our venerable and venerated church that, when she returned to her first love, a love that dates from the days, not of St. Augustine or Gregory, but from the mission of the first apostle to the Gentiles, she cast off the mark of the beast, and,

• Bishop Burgess.

praised be the God of our salvation, clothed "boasts himself in the multitude of his riches" (P■. herself in the garment of the Lamb!

Poetry.

H. S.

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I spent my days as carelessly and idly as before. Too little have I read thy word, too seldom bent the knee

In humble adoration for the gifts bestowed by thee: Yet have I mark'd thy tender hand directing all my way,

passing day:

And scattering blessings on my path, through every Though sometimes "clouds and darkness" come, and doubts and fears annoy,

The sunshine of thy presence, Lord, gilds many an hour with joy ;

But now again"in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me,"

To wean my heart from earthly things, and fix it all on thee;

To gather in each wandering thought, my bosom cleanse from sin;

That, through the cares and toils of earth, I might have peace within.

O that these warnings, often sent, may not be sent in vain !

Nor may the lessons they impart be quickly lost again;

But may I fix my thoughts on God, my Father, Guide, and Friend,

And pray that he may lead me still, and guard me to the end;

That, after all my sufferings here, I may be counted

meet

An everlasting crown to wear, and sing at Jesus' feet; That all whom I have loved on earth may meet together there,

To praise thy name in strains divine, and robes of glory wear.

There sickness shall no more oppress, there grief no more annoy,

But all be purity and love and never-ending joy.

Miscellaneous.

M. M.

THE RICH MAN*.-My reproof is levelled against that arrogant man whose eyes have been blinded by the god of this world, which chains him to the very earth, whose heart swells with pride at his wealth (Jer. ix. 23, 24; Eccles. ii. 22; James v. 1-3), and may be denominated an ant of the ant-hill of the earth, and who impiously proclaims it "the one thing needful," or, in the language of inspiration,

* From Reflections on Tyre, by Dr. Rae Wilson, in "Travels through the Holy Land." Longman and Co., London.

66

xlix. 6, lii. 7), heaping up silver as the dust, gold as the mire of the street, and saying: "I have made gold my hope; and thou art my confidence" (Job xxxi. 24); in short, who is never satisfied with the insatiable love of aggrandizement, which absorbs the whole powers of his mind and soul, forgetting that the application of talents committed to his trust will be weighed in heaven, and that neither of his idols will be able to deliver him in the day of wrath (Zeph. i. 18; Ezek. vii. 19; Prov. xi. 4, xxiii. 4). This leads to a remark, namely, how often is misery discovered in the midst of abundance, while real happiness can only be found in a humble state of life! considerations that call on me solemnly to exhort such persons to reflect on the mournful scene of deso – lation of Tyre, where opulence was compared to the very mire of her streets (Zech. ix. 3), and they will find how awfully and to the very letter the righteous vengeance of God has been fulfilled. Here will be seen the utter vanity of riches in place of true wisdom, and the folly of those unbounded stratagems exercised to pile up wealth; for in the words of an Arabic writer, "the life of a man whose heart is centred in worldly wealth is that of an idiot; nay, the fool's is better." The wrecks of such a city, where pride had budded," also hold out a most impressive lesson that a day must arrive, when, however unbounded in point of extent worldly honours and wealth may have been, all recollection of these will be blotted out; and those great cities also, in which the proud man now fares sumptuously, will be level with the dust, so that neither himself nor his treasures shall be recognized by future ages. In short, man in his highest honours, nay, wallowing in wealth, can only be viewed as dust and vanity (James iv. 14; 1 Tim. 6, 7; Luke xii. 20-34). Such is that person who took not God for his strength, but "gloried" in the multitude of his riches (Jer. ix. 23). Woe unto you, rich! On the whole, nothing can be more calculated to loosen the heart of a reflecting man from the perishing enjoyments of this life, to guard against its pleasures and allurements, support him under affliction in his pilgrimage, and afford strong consolation at the dying hour, than the reflection of of that fulness of heavenly joy which is at God's right those glories of the new Jerusalem, and a conviction hand. With such an example before us, may it be our prayer to study to go through things temporal, having the steady eye to those which are eternal, be entirely directed by the holy Spirit of God, not placing our affections on things which perish with the using, and which never can satisfy an immortal soul (Mark x. 23), or those gilded glories and temptations of a present life, but press towards the prize of our high and heavenly calling, having affections directed to those true riches which moth and rust cannot corrupt, and the enjoyment of a never-ending bliss through the powerful mediation and intercession of our Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. "He then that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

London: Published for the Proprietors, by EDWARDS and HUGHES, 12, Ave-Maria Lane, St. Paul's; and to be procured, by order, of all Booksellers in Town and Country.

PRINTED BY JOSEPH ROGERSON, 24, NORFOLK-street, strand, London.

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(The Dandelion.)

YOUNG.

THE dandelion, with its varieties, as well as
many of our native flowering plants, belong to

VOL. XXV.

the order composita, or compounded flowers, amongst which are to be found some of the most splendid objects in nature. The composite are for the most part herbaceous plants, many of them annual; and very few, in proportion to the whole order, attain a shrubby character.

There is much significance, we may allow, in the appearance of this plant: the flowers are large, and the feathery globe of the seed-down is a curious and beautiful object. The leaves of the dandelion are long and pointed; and the teeth, curved back upon their margin, have given rise to

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praised be the God of our salvation, clothed "boasts himself in the multitude of his riches" (Ps. herself in the garment of the Lamb!

Poetry.

H. S.

MEDITATION IN THE HOUR OF SICKNESS.

(For the Church of England Magazine).

WHEN, in thy mercy, gracious God, thou hast afflicted

me,

I did resolve, if life were spared, to give more time to thee;

xlix. 6, lii. 7), heaping up silver as the dust, gold as the mire of the street, and saying: "I have made gold my hope; and thou art my confidence" (Job xxxi. 24); in short, who is never satisfied with the insatiable love of aggrandizement, which absorbs the whole powers of his mind and soul, forgetting that the application of talents committed to his trust will be weighed in heaven, and that neither of his idols will be able to deliver him in the day of wrath (Zeph. i. 18; Ezek. vii. 19; Prov. xi. 4, xxiii. 4). This leads to a remark, namely, how often is misery discovered in the midst of abundance, while real happiness can only be found in a humble state of life! considerations that call on me solemnly to exhort

But, when affliction passed away, and health returned such persons to reflect on the mournful scene of deso

once more,

I spent my days as carelessly and idly as before. Too little have I read thy word, too seldom bent the knee

In humble adoration for the gifts bestowed by thee: Yet have I mark'd thy tender hand directing all my

way,

And scattering blessings on my path, through every passing day: Though sometimes "clouds and darkness" come, and doubts and fears annoy,

The sunshine of thy presence, Lord, gilds many an hour with joy; But now again"in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me,"

To wean my heart from earthly things, and fix it all on thee;

To gather in each wandering thought, my bosom cleanse from sin;

That, through the cares and toils of earth, I might have peace within.

O that these warnings, often sent, may not be sent in vain !

Nor may the lessons they impart be quickly lost again;

But may I fix my thoughts on God, my Father, Guide, and Friend,

And pray that he may lead me still, and guard me to the end;

That, after all my sufferings here, I may be counted

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THE RICH MAN*.-My reproof is levelled against that arrogant man whose eyes have been blinded by the god of this world, which chains him to the very earth, whose heart swells with pride at his wealth (Jer. ix. 23, 24; Eccles. ii. 22; James v. 1-3), and may be denominated an ant of the ant-hill of the earth, and who impiously proclaims it "the one thing needful," or, in the language of inspiration,

* From Reflections on Tyre, by Dr. Rae Wilson, in "Travels through the Holy Land." Longman and Co., London.

lation of Tyre, where opulence was compared to the very mire of her streets (Zech. ix. 3), and they will find how awfully and to the very letter the righteous vengeance of God has been fulfilled. Here will be seen the utter vanity of riches in place of true wisexercised to pile up wealth; for in the words of an dom, and the folly of those unbounded stratagems Arabic writer, "the life of a man whose heart is centred in worldly wealth is that of an idiot; nay, the fool's is better." The wrecks of such a city, where "pride had budded," also hold out a most impressive lesson that a day must arrive, when, however unbounded in point of extent worldly honours and wealth may have been, all recollection of these will be blotted out; and those great cities also, in which the proud man now fares sumptuously, will be level with the dust, so that neither himself nor his treasures shall be recognized by future ages. In short, man in his highest honours, nay, wallowing in wealth, can only be viewed as dust and vanity (James iv. 14; 1 Tim. 6, 7; Luke xii. 20-34). Such is that person who took not God for his strength, but "gloried" in the multitude of his riches (Jer. ix. 23). Woe unto you, rich! On the whole, nothing can be more calculated to loosen the heart of a reflecting man from the perishing enjoyments of this life, to guard against its pleasures and allurements, support him under affliction in his pilgrimage, and afford strong consolation at the dying hour, than the reflection of those glories of the new Jerusalem, and a conviction of that fulness of heavenly joy which is at God's right hand. With such an example before us, may it be our prayer to study to go through things temporal, having the steady eye to those which are eternal, be entirely directed by the holy Spirit of God, not placing our affections on things which perish with the using, and which never can satisfy an immortal soul (Mark x. 23), or those gilded glories and temptations of a present life, but press towards the prize of our high and heavenly calling, having affections directed to those true riches which moth and rust cannot corrupt, and the enjoyment of a never-ending bliss through the powerful mediation and intercession of then that hath ears to hear, let him hear." our Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ.

"He

London: Published for the Proprietors, by EDWARDS and HUGHES, 12, Ave-Maria Lane, St. Paul's; and to be procured, by order, of all Booksellers in Town and Country.

PRINTED BY JOSEPH ROGERSON, 24, NORFOLK-street, strand, London.

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FLOWERS, &c.

No. XXIII.

THE DANDELION.

"Read nature:

Nature is Christian, preaches to mankind,
And bids dead matter aid us in our creed."

(The Dandelion.)

YOUNG.

THE dandelion, with its varieties, as well as many of our native flowering plants, belong to

VOL. XXV.

the order composita, or compounded flowers, amongst which are to be found some of the most splendid objects in nature. The composite are for the most part herbaceous plants, many of them annual; and very few, in proportion to the whole order, attain a shrubby character.

There is much significance, we may allow, in the appearance of this plant: the flowers are large, and the feathery globe of the seed-down is a curious and beautiful object. The leaves of the dandelion are long and pointed; and the teeth, curved back upon their margin, have given rise to

D

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