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himself; he is checked in the madness of heaping up wrath against the day of wrath, and frequently made the means of prospering the handywork of God's servants, and so of promoting God's glory. Who is it that says to the tyrant "thus far shalt thou go and

no further," but he who restrains the remainder of wrath; and maketh the wrath of man to praise him. The life of St. Paul shews in a most striking manner, the power of divine permission and divine restraint.

M. A.

ON SEARCHING OUT SIN.
EXTRACTED FROM OWEN* AND BAXTER.†

SEEING, in the course of our be-
lieving and obedience, that which
is chiefly incumbent on us, for our
coming up to establishment and
consolation, is spiritual diligence
in the removal of the hindrances
thereof: let the soul that would
attain thereunto, make thorough
work in the search of sin, even to
the sins of youth, that all scores
on that account may clearly be
wiped out. If there be much rub-
bish left in the foundation of the
building, no wonder if it always
shake and totter. Men's leaving
any sin unsearched to the bottom,
will poison all their consolation.
David knew this, when, in dealing
with God in his distresses, he
prays that he would not remember
the sins and transgressions of his
youth. (Psalm xxv. 7.) Youth is
oftentimes a time of great vanity
and unmindfulness of God; many
stains and spots are therein usually
brought upon the consciences of
men: childhood and youth are
vanity. (Eccl. xi. 10.) Not be-
cause they soon pass away, but
because they are usually spent in
vanity so the following advice,
to remember God in those days,
doth manifest. (Eccl. xii, 1.) The
way of many, is to wear such
things out of mind, and not to walk
in a sense of their folly and mad-
ness, never to make a thorough
work with God about them. I

*Exposition of Psalm 130. Directions for Weak Christians.

speak of the saints themselves; for with others that live under the means of grace, whom God intends to make useful and industrious in their generation, this is the usual course; by convictions, restraining grace, afflictions, love of employment, and repute, God gives them another heart than they had for a season; another heart, but not a new heart. Hence another course of life, another profession, other actions than formerly, do flow: with this change they do content themselves; they look on what is past, perhaps with delight, or as things fit enough for those days, but not for those they have attained to. Here they rest, and therefore never come to rest.

But I speak of the saints themselves, who make not such thorough, full, close work in this kind, as they ought. An after-reckoning may come in on this hand to their own disturbance, and an unconquerable hindrance of their peace and settlement be brought in, on this account. So was it with Job (chap. xiii. 26.) "He maketh me to possess the iniquities of my youth." God filled his heart, his thoughts, his mind, with -these sins; made them abide with him, so that he possessed them; they were always present with him; he made the sins of his youth the sufferings of his age. And it is a sad thing, as one speaks, when young sins and old bones meet together;

as Zophar, "his bones are full of
the sin of his youth." (Job xx. 11.)
The joyous frame of some men's
youth makes way for sad work in
their age. Take heed, young
ones, you are doing that which
will abide with you to age, if not
to eternity. This possession of
the sins of youth, Job calls the
writing of bitter things against
him; as indeed it is impossible but
that sin should be bitter one time
or other. God calls it "a root
that beareth gall and wormwood."
(Deut. xxix. 18.) "A root of bit-provoking to him. As,
terness, springing up unto defile-
ment." (Heb. xii. 15.) This, then,
is to be searched out to the bot-
tom. Israel will not have success
nor peace
while there is an Achan
in the camp; neither success in
temptation, nor consolation in be-
lieving, is to be expected whilst
any Achan, any sin unreckoned
for, lies in the conscience. Now,
for them who would seriously
accomplish a diligent search in
this matter, which is of such im-
portance to them, let them take
these two directions.

giveness; rather let them admire
the riches of patience, grace, and
forbearance, that they are not cast
utterly out of all hopes of a reco-
very. This will speed an end to
their trouble, according to the
direction given.

Second-Let them cast the course of their times under such heads and seasons as may give them the more clear and distinct view and apprehension of the passages in them, between God and their souls, which may have been

First-Let them go over the consideration of those sins, and others of the like nature, which may be reduced to the same general heads with them which we laid down before, as the sins which generally cast men into depths and entanglements. And if they find they have contracted the guilt of any of them, let them not think it strange that they are yet bewildered in their condition, and do come short of a refreshing sense of peace with God, or an interest in for

*

* These, as enumerated in a previous chapter, are gross sins that rise up in opposition to the light both of grace and of nature, and besides, 1. Forgetting of God's love and kindness. 2. Froward

ness under afflictions. 3. Breaking off from under strong convictions. 4. Forgetfulness of special love. 5. Great opportunities for service neglected, and great gifts not improved. 6. Sins after especial warning. 7. Sins that bring scandal. -They are repeated, with some little variation, toward the end of this chapter.

For the state of their inward man let them consider,

(1.) The unregenerate part of their lives, that which was confessedly so, before they had any real work of God upon their hearts, and therein inquire after two things-1. If there were then any great and signal eruptions of sin against God ; for of such God requires that a deep sense be kept on our souls all our days. How often do we find Paul calling over the sins of his life and ways, before his conversion. "I was (saith he) injurious, and a blasphemer." Such reflections ought persons to have, on any great provoking occasions of sin, that may keep them humble, and necessitate them constantly to look for a fresh sense of pardon, through the blood of Christ. If such sins be neglected, and not considered according to their importance, they will weaken the soul in its comfort, whilst it lives in this world. 2. If there were any signal intimations made of the good will and love of God to the soul, while it broke off from the thorough power of its corruption and temptation, they require a due humbling consideration all our days.

(2.) In that part of our lives, which, upon the call of God, we have given up to him. There are two sorts of sins that do effectually impeach our future peace and comfort, which ought therefore to be

frequently reviewed, and issued in the blood of Christ. 1. Such as, by reason of any aggravating circumstances, have been accompanied with some especial unkindness towards God. Such are sins after warnings, communications of a sense of love, after particular engagements against them, relapses, omissions of great opportunities and advantages for the furtherance of the glory of God in the world. These kinds of sins have much unkindness attending them, and will be searched out, if we cover them. 2. Sins attended with scandal toward fewer, or more, or any one single person who is or may be concerned in us. The aggravations of these kinds of sins are commonly known.

The various outward states and conditions which we have passed through, as of prosperity and affliction, should in like manner fall under this search and cousideration. It is but seldom that we fill up our duty, or answer the mind of God in any dispensation of providence; and if our neglect herein be not managed aright, they will undoubtedly hinder and interrupt our peace.

Baxter in connexion with this subject, observes—

If you fall into any sin, rise speedily by a thorough repentance; and take heed both of delay, and of palliation.

Take heed of trusting to a general repentance, or a converted state, instead of a particular repentance and conversion from every sin, especially if in any respect you have sinned presumptuously. For it is not a true general repentance which reacheth not to every known particular. If temptations have cast you down, take heed of lying there, but presently get up again what the apostle saith of wrath, the same I say of other falls, "Let not the sun go down upon them," but go out with Peter

and weep with him, if you have sinned with him. If your bones be out of joint, or broken, get them set presently, before they settle in their dislocation; and let the cure be thorough, and spare not for a little pain at first. Let as open confession as the case requireth, and as full restitution, signify the sincerity of your repentance; for a gentle handling of yourselves may undo you, and palliation is the hypocrite's cure. 0 take heed, lest you presume to sleep one night in your unrepented sin, and take heed lest delay encourage the tempter to offer you the bait again, and to say, why not once more? Why may you not be as well pardoned for twice as for once; and for thrice as for twice? &c. It is dangerous playing or sleeping at the brink of hell. Away from the temptation and occasion of your sin; stand not disputing, but resolve and be gone; and "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you." Stick not, man, at the shame, or loss, or suffering, which confession, restitution, or reformation, may bring; but remember that you can never escape damnation at too dear a rate. This is Christ's meaning, when he speaketh of "cutting off a right hand, or plucking out a right eye," if it offend, that is, ensnare and tempt you unto sin. Not that you should do so indeed, for you have an easier way to avoid the sin; but that, this is for the lesser of the two evils, to lose a band or eye, than to lose the soul, and therefore to be chosen if there were no other remedy. If the thief had no other way to forbear stealing, than to cut off his band; or the fornicator his lust, than to put out his eyes, it were a cheap remedy. A cheap and easy superficial repentance may skin over the sore, and deceive a hypocrite; but he that would be sure of pardon, and free from sin, must go to the bottom. J. M.

Review of Books.

THE SINGING MASTER. Taylor and Walton. 1838.
1. FIRST LESSONS in Singing and the Notations of Music.
2. RUDIMENTS of the Science of Harmony.

3. The FIRST CLASS Tune Book.

4. The SECOND CLASS Tune Book.

5. The HYMN Tune Book.

TUNES FOR COUNTRY CHURCHES, more especially adapted to the selection of Psalms and Hymns compiled by the Rev. Thomas Webster, B.D. together with some approved Chants and Hints on Chanting. Pp. xiv. and 104. L. and G. Seeley. 1838.

HINTS ON CONGREGATIONAL CHANTING. 18mo. Seeleys. THE CHURCH CHOIR; a Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, arranged in Three Parts, for voices or instruments, with a fourth volume of the full harmony for the Organ or Piano Forte. By the Rev. WILLIAM CECIL. Vol. I. TREBLE. J. Nisbet.

WE have seldom met with a list of publications we can with so much pleasure recommend to the attention of the public, as those which stand at the head of this article. The individual compilers seem to be fully aware of the real wants of the community, and to have done their utmost to meet those wants. They have directed their efforts to the diffusion of vocal instruction throughout the land; to the best means of training the children of our Infant and Sunday Schools to the most noble occupation of raising their feeble notes to Him who, out of the weakness of infancy can perfect strength; to help our village congregations to sing with the spirit and the understanding, to the praise and glory of our God; and thus to enable the church militant in some measure to emulate the blessed employments of the church triumphant-the holy, happy, company, who rest not day nor night from crying, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain."

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There is hardly any subject which is more frequently a source of anxiety to the clergyman who is about to take possession of a living, than how he shall procure, or if

there be any, how he shall amend and regulate the singing in his church. And it is much to be regretted that some knowledge of music-of plain psalm-singing, is not considered an essential in the education of our clergy, since we are fully persuaded that nothing would more effectually improve the singing in our country churches, than such a disposition on the part of the clergyman, as shall fully impress and convince the occupants of the singing gallery, that their new clergyman knows as much (and perhaps more) about music as themselves; and that while he is prepared to conciliate and to concede much to the popular tastewhile he is ready to adopt those tunes which are generally known and used, and takes great interest in their employments, he is fully resolved that the whole of the service of the sanctuary shall be religiously and devoutly conducted.

But it may be asked, what is the clergyman to do, should he fail to conciliate the singers. Let him be, and shew that he is, independent of them; let him take pains with his Sunday-school; where there are materials enough for forming a choir, and out of

them he will do well to mark carefully the best voices, and by bestowing rather more pains on these, they will soon be competent to lead the rest, and the inferior and less accurate voices will not disturb the general harmony. But let none be discouraged. Among those who sang hosannas, there might be many false notes, many inaccurate and uncouth voices; yet our Saviour loved to hear them sing; he declared, if they held their peace the very stones would immediately cry out. Let us then be very careful how we silence any who would join in the act of praise from the mistaken idea that they would interrupt others. "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord, for his name only is excellent, his glory above heaven and earth." Let the voices of our infants, be trained and exercised from infancy let them be encouraged and not thwarted, and then we shall not have so many in all stations in society, excusing their neglect of this duty, by the vain plea that they have neither ear nor voice, and would only distract and impede those who are more accomplished than themselves.

The task of exercising the infant voice is now indeed rendered comparatively easy and delightful, with the valuable assistance of such publications as the Singing Master.'

No. I. contains first lessons in singing, notation in music, and some vocal exercises arranged in two parts.

No. II. treats of Thorough Bass. No. III. and IV. a Selection of simple and pleasing airs, arranged with suitable words for children of all ages.

No. V. is designed for the use of Day and Sunday Schools, and contains seventy popular hymn tunes. Though in the main wellarranged, we cannot but think it will be found necessary to transfer many of the hymn tunes into a lower key. The most common de

fects of the singing, where the choir is composed of children, is the shrill sharp straining of the voices to an unnatural pitch, as though it were a contest of physical strength; and the best way of obviating this evil, is to be careful that the tune be rather low than high.

The 'Tunes for Country Churches' are adapted to the selection of Psalms and Hymns, compiled by the Rev. T. Webster, which has had a most extensive circulation; the variety of measures which it contains, seemed to require a series of tunes. In connexion with this object, the attempt has been made to comprise in small compass the most popular Psalm and Hymn Tunes which have been introduced into congregations of the Established Church. These are pleasing, steady, and quite sufficiently varied for general edification. There are also twelve chants, which are all of them of such first-rate merit, as to make us regret that the compiler did not add to their number. But what renders this collection peculiarly valuable to the clergyman or teacher of singing, is that it contains some simple, clear, and concise hints on chanting. We are sorry we cannot extract this useful portion of the work, but since it is published in the tract form, Price 3d. under the title of Hints on Congregational Chanting, containing the Gloria Patri, Venite, Te Deum, Benedictus, Jubilate, Magnificat, Cantate Domino, Nunc Dimittis, Deus Misereatur, as examples, we feel that we need do no more than recommend it for general distribution, and will conclude our notice by the following extract, which is so much in the spirit of the foregoing remarks.

It is most desirable that the children of Infant and Sunday Schools should be accustomed to chant from an early age; and it is found by experience, that they may be very easily instructed, and will soon delight in the service. Where the children can read, the following examples may be put into their hands, or the words

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