is, if a person say that he has faith, and make a profession of faith, and is no more a godly man in life and conduct, showing no godly effects or 'fruits unto holiness' (Rom. vi, 22), or scriptural' obedience to the truth (Rom. i, 5), than an openly avowed worldly man, who makes no such profession of the faith, such a profession of faith is but a dead profession, having nothing of the saving life and power of true and vital godliness about it, and goes no further, and is of no more benefit to the soul, than the belief of devils, which makes them tremble, but never humble, nor obedient,' (chap. xi, 19;) while Christ is the author of eternal salvation,' only to those who through grace evidentially and finally obey him.' (Heb. v, 9.)

And the solemn truth of the apostle's saying, 'that faith without works is dead,' seems to have been shortly after the writing of this epistle, terribly exemplified in many of them to whom the apostle wrote, by their entire apostacy from the truth, and becoming avowed enemies. For the apostle James is reckoned to have written about the year sixty, and whatever might be the effect of his epistle on some of the rebuked, others, instead of improving by this epistle, went on worse and worse, till many of them proved indeed that their faith, or profession of faith, was but dead, and not alive in God, nor standing in the power of God, for that they apostatized altogether, gave up their profession of the truth and faith of Christ, and became enemies in worst forms, as apostates have frequently done. So that in the Epistle to the Hebrews, as those of the twelve tribes were called, which is reckoned to have been written about the year sixty-four, just four years after James, those apostatizing characters are evidently spoken of as 'drawing back to perdition,' (Heb. ix. 39,)

and as 'nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned,' (Heb. vi, 8;) and indeed it was to encourage the truly humble and believing Hebrews against the discouraging example of such apostates, that the epistle_to the Hebrews was written. The apostle Peter, who is reckoned to have written his second epistle about the year sixty-six, just six years after James; and he therein also writes of those same apostate characters, as following their pernicious errors,' (chap. ii, 2 ;) 'as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed,' (ver. 12;) 'having eyes full of adultery,' (ver. 14;) these are wells without water,' (ver. 17;) 'the latter end is worse with them than the beginning,' (ver. 20,) for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,' (ver. 21;) but it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire,' (ver. 22.) What an awful picture of such as once professed the faith, and were once addressed as brethren beloved in the Lord! apostle Jude is reckoned to have written about the year sixty-six, the same as Peter, and six years after James, and he also speaks of those same apostates, and that with a 'Woe!" (ver. 11, 12, 13;) but considered that there were some who had been unwarily beguiled and drawn aside from the truth through their own weakness, and the overpowering cunning craftiness of others, and that on some of these, compassion should be shewn, and others of them to have due means used to reclaim them, as he says, 'Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire!' (ver. 22, 23.) John the apostle is reckoned to have written his first epistle about the year ninety, just thirty years after James; and he also speaks of those apostates, saying, 'they went

The

Saviour's mediatorship, is the law of faith. The promises take all truth in their train and spirit for the use of faith; and the Holy Spirit puts the beauty of grace upon, and the power of grace into the promises, and in such vital forms of appeal faith is persuaded, and so faith persuads the soul to godly fear, hope, reverence, submission, patient waiting, self-denying, and suffering for Christ, truth, and good conscience sake, as the matter may be in the conduct of the good hand of the Lord in his providential dispensations, as is beautifully shown in the collection of testimonies set down in Heb. xi. Faith is an active principle, but works not for merit, but by love, and in the patience of hope; and what it apprehends of God, it brings over the whole soul persuasively, and purifies the heart from all false trusts and false comforts too. And while the great atoning sacrifice of Christ is the standard that the Holy Spirit lifteth up to faith against the enemy when he cometh in like a flood, (Isa. lix, 19,) so faith lifts up to the soul the precious blood of Christ in holy, humble defiance, and overcomes the world. (1 John v, 4; Rev. xii, 11.)

Faith is precious-1st. As it is obtained through the righteousness of God only, and not by human works. 2nd. As Christ is the author, object, and finisher of it. 3rd. As it is God's own sheep-mark, set upon his chosen only, The faith of God's elect.' 4th. As it is spiritually to the soul in regard to all the truth,

grace, and salvation matters of God, what the ears, the eyes, the feet and the hands are to the body in the things of nature. 5th. As it is as certain a proof that the soul is alive by grace for a happy eternity, as that the eyes seeing, the ears hearing, and the hands and feet moving, are certainties in nature that the body is alive. 6th. As by it only the Christian can rightly do any one thing in godliness; as 'Without faith it is impossible to please God.' 7th. As it never fails; 'I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.' 8th. As it stands in the power of God;' as its trials are for honour, praise, and glory; as its end is the salvation of the soul,' and as of wants, fears, dangers, or foes, it shall overcome them all at the last.

Where faith really is, corresponding fruits in godly life, conduct, and conversation, are to be expected. Where faith is professed, the fruits of godliness are to be looked for on that profession. And where faith is professed, and the life of the professor is not in accordance, the matter and style of the epistle of James is then applicable, and to be used for trial in hope of improvement; as in the end, every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, will be finally hewn down, and cast into the fire.' (Matt. iii, 10.) If these remarks should afford no help to 'A Young Reader' as to how to understand the two first chapters of the epistle of James, they will serve to show in what little light I myself understand the whole epistle.

JOHN, of Marylebone.

beautiful days ever had in September, went to Southwick to the funeral of Mr. W. Eacott, the only minister of that village. He, like the great God our

Saviour, was a baptist. Seventy-four years he had been an inhabitant of this globe. In his youth, very wild; in his early manhood, a horse-soldier, disgracefully depraved, he felt it a precious reflection in after days, that He who said 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,' was divinely loving, and invincibly saving. In the very midst of a full swing of sinning, according to the desires of his carnal mind, he felt it to be such a hell on earth that he blindly resolved to cut short his existence here for that below, and with his own wretched hand. Oh! what must it be to be given over to the full enmity of fallen nature, with devils in the blackness of despair, when the depraved soul, confined as it is by the organs of the body in this state, find it so unspeakably beyond bearing? But Eacott was designed to be a vessel of honor in the Lord's house below, so he was kept from his purpose, and was born again. By conviction of sin he was stopt in his dread career, and long trembled before an angry God. This lion became as a lamb, and he who before had been the leader of soldiers into all the evil such people are often guilty of, was now seen sitting at the elbow of a young damsel learning his letters, that he may read the Word of God for himself. To his regret his fair instructress became married, and he lost her valuable help, but it was a delight to him when he found by labor of spelling, he could make out by himself the first chapter of the Gospel by John. Having himself, with no further education, learnt to read, write, with a little arithmetic, he earnestly pressed it on all who were enlightened by grace, of whatever age, who could not read the Word, to set about it at once, to learn and possess such a privilege.

His changed conduct caused him great ridicule while a soldier, and he was weak enough to be much troubled about it; but the regiment being disbanded, he returned to Trowbridge. Here he attended the honored ministry of one who soon after was released from labor. Here he grew in grace, and in the knowledge of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and, professing his faith after the apostolic plan, he joined the church of Christ, and walked in and out with them with great profit of soul. When, after a few years his honored pastor died, and his successor dealt in more general things, he grieved

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in soul on that account, and was obliged to withdraw with about forty others. These afterward built Zion chapel, and when settled, our departed friend was chosen to serve the church in the office of deacon, which he did usefully in its spirituals and temporals.

Having gifts, he accompanied a brother some fourteen miles off to preach. Being a good horseman, and a little elated on his returning, he out-rode his more timid brother; but as it is not always that the race is to the swift, it turned out so in this case, for presently, as the slower traveller lifted up his eyes, he saw his fast companion, by a stumble of his nag, going over his head sprawling into the mud. Besides spoiling his parsonic attire, he was taught a lesson not unuseful to him afterwards. He became a good minister of Jesus Christ, and after useful services elsewhere, he was finally settled over the important church in this village. His wife was a little noted for her discernment of character, and shrewed blunt expressions of her discoveries. He highly prized her in life, and during a long and distressing illness of many months, he watched her with all tenderness night and day. Besides beneficially laboring in the pulpit, he shone out of it as a visitor, a work which some of us do so little, which many do so injuriously. His visiting increased his people's regard for him, and no doubt aided his usefulness. At the day of his departure, very many felt they had lost a friend they esteemed; and at this funeral, it appeared as though the whole village was moved, and had come out to their last expression of respect to this honoured village pastor. As the different persons passed onward to the pretty residence that yet sheltered the corpse-his own freehold-they heard from one and another of the neighbours sayings such as-Aye, they be goan to Maaster Eacott's berren! dear man, he be goan zafe.' That he be, I'ze zure,' another would answer, and add, And nobody will zay nothen agen he; that's zarten. He wur a good man; letz goa and zee 'un too.'

·

When the hour had come to carry out the body, a large number of people had assembled, and it was a solemn sight to see the procession, headed by the three ministers who took parts in the services, with gentlemen and tradesmen preceding

the corpse; the pall borne by the deacons, and relatives and numerous friends following, all slowly moving towards their excellent chapel, standing so prominently before us. So they reached the tomb.

And while you may view the multitude going into the chapel, I will relate to you an incident our departed friend related to me. As the church did not give him a large salary, a gentleman, who highly esteemed him, recommended him a few years since as a proper person to receive benefit from a fund, which certain high, bounceable gentlemen, of certain low notes, receive in this part of the country. Arrived at the treasurer's of this fund, he was accosted with- Well, Eacott, Mr. has spoken to me of you; other good men have annual helps, and here's one for you;' and as he spoke, threw seven sovereigns on the table before him. Our departed brother had his mouth open to thank him with all his heart; for, though he was not so needy, yet he was pleased with the help; but he was stopped with a but. But, Mr. E.' said the treasurer, altering his previous familiar style to one of great gravity; 'I hear you are very high in doctrine.'

E. replied: Well, sir, I don't know that I am higher in doctrine, or lower in practice, than Scripture warrants.'

Treasurer. I don't want any controversy, but do you hold with eternal justification ?'

E.—'Well, sir, I must candidly tell you, looking at it as an imminent act of the eternal love of God, with the great and renowned Dr. Gill, “I do believe it."' T-I cannot think how any good man can be so misled, when we are told, it is both by faith and works that we are justified.'

E.Aye, sir, 'tis by faith I am justified in my conscience before God; and it is works which that living faith produces which justifies me before my fellows, while I am justified by God through what Jesus has done for me, and eternally through my union to Jesus.'

T.I shall be happy for you to take these sovereigns, but you must give up these high doctrines, if you do.'

E. Take them, or not take them, sir, I cannot profess to give up what I see clearly to be the glorious truth of God.'

T-Now, see, Eacott, give up your high notions and take these,' pointing to

his gold, or hold them, and lose these. Decide, which you will do?'

E.I never did sell my conscience, sir, and I trust I never shall; so I bid you a good morning.' With this, he left the house; and though he had gone, I think, seventeen miles, he felt thankful, that in this matter of seven pounds a year, he had had no temptation to sell the truth.

Perhaps this don should have had a little closer address, and it might have done him good; but he never offered the money aftewards, though it would fill with disgust perhaps, my friends, if I were to lay before them some purposes to which this fund is applied. But our friend abode faithful-peace to his memory! He never wanted. His funeral attendants, and the number of affected spectators said, 'Amidst all his imperfections, the village pastor was an honest, affectionate, useful man.' As many as filled the chapel having entered it, all clad in mourning, the pulpit clothed in the sombre garment of black cloth, some present weeping, all seeming to feel a bereavement, our good brother, the minister of Hilperton Baptist Church, ascended the pulpit, gave out the hymn, read the 1 Cor. xv, and presented an impressive, suitable prayer. After him, the pastor of Bradford Baptist Church delivered an address, which, though it took him nearly an hour, was heard, as expressed by many, to the end with great attention and interest. I will forward the substance of it to you for the next number. After this address, the body was interred, and the people dispersed until the evening, when the minister of Bethel Chapel, Trowbridge, was to preach the funeral sermon, which I understood he did. *

Now reader, our late friend has gone home. His last illness was short, but blessed, as appears from the address; he was taken home under blessed circumstances. That you and I may be so dismissed our toil, imperfections, and anxieties, is the earnest desire of yours, in all love,

A SHEPHERD ON THE
PLAINS.

The Tent, near to Dothan.

* My friend has since published his sermon Village Pastor. on the occasion, with a brief memoir of the It may be had of the publisher of this Magazine.