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Church, Our Lord Jesus Christ, gives as many ministers to any one assembly as he will; (i. e. where christians meet in faith, and in subjection to the mind of the Lord.) Clergymen, in the ordinary acceptation of the term, have no SCRIPTURAL existence. We believe that whenever a few believers meet in the name of the Lord Jesus, though none among them may have special gifts for ministry, yet there will be an angel, in the sense in which each of the Seven Churches of Asia had one.

What we have to suggest is, that the angel of a church is the SPIRITUALITY of that church. The Lord holds that (mysteriously) in his right hand. He is not said to hold seven men in his hand-nor is it the seven spirits. In the address to Sardis, He presents himself as "He that hath the seven spirits of God, AND the seven stars." Completely distinct, though beautifully brought together.

Are not the stars frequently used to typify heavenly things, and does not our blessed Lord hold in his hand ALL THAT IS HEAVENLY in his churches? Do not we find these thoughts furthered by the repeated words of each of the seven epistles? "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches!" Wherever there is a heavenly minded christian, all the Lord's words are for him or her, though such an one may not enjoy any recognised ministry from men.

Again, we find that the addresses are sent to the Angels of the churches, as to those CAPABLE OF RECEIVING THEM. But there is no word of instruction to any one as to reading or expounding them to the assemblies. It is not a question of man-ministry (precious as that is, in its place,) but it is what the SPIRIT says direct to the churches. None but those who are spiritual, i.e. heavenly, can hear. Of course any may hear THE WORDS, but only those who are walking in communion with the Head, can receive or understand His remonstrances, reproofs, approvals, and rewards. So he always concludes with "He that hath an ear, let him HEAR." It may be the least gifted in the assembly, but if one has a heart for

It may be asked, "Why then should not the word be angels (plural) of each church, seeing there may be many spiritually-minded christians in any one place?" This difficulty is easily answered. Our Lord ever presents to us the thought of perfect unity. Those who are heavenly-minded are (to the extent of their spirituality,) of one mind. All the members being united by One Spirit, those who are led of the Spirit are in unison of mind, as well as in union. They have "the mind of Christ." Therefore, it is one spirituality, one angel.

We do not offer, however, the foregoing dogmatically. We pray, rather, that our thoughts may lead some, who are desirous of knowing the mind of the Lord, to search for themselves into this revealed truth, under the Holy Spirit's guidance. It is a "mystery," very wonderful, far above the range of the carnal mind.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

H. L. H.-We were much struck with your plan for disseminating our little paper, and on reading your letter had the thought of printing it here, in order that, if your plan commended itself to others, some might be led to adopt it. But on prayerful consideration, we fear our motive might be so generally misunderstood, that we are compelled to refrain, remembering that we are to avoid even the appearance of evil. May we commend to your notice our new widely used to effect the object you have in view, in common with "Precious Truth Tracts and Leaflets"? We trust these may be ourselves. Accept our Christian sympathy and thanks.

W. G., HEREFORD.-We take the liberty of printing an extract from your letter, containing, as it does, strong testimony to fact, that the Word of God is "sharper than any two-edged sword, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."—“I am sorry to say that the reason I have not increased the sale of your little work is that some subscribers have fallen off, and I have been obliged to get others to fill their places. I am afraid (perhaps I should say glad) that those which have discontinued to take your paper have found the truth too powerful and too full of light, which they were afraid to admit into dark consciences; but, thanks be the Lord, he must have glory out of all things. I have not the slightest doubt but that your paper has awakened the sleepers to sense of their own deadness, and I hope will result in their gaining from the Word itself. The Lord's blessing is on those who strive more light, if not from the little paper called "Precious Truth, lawfully [that is, in accordance with God's word]."

Letters for the Editor to be addressed to 335, Strand, W.C. THE Advertiser is acquainted with a Christian man, age 48, wh

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Now consider the style of the Lord's messages. He says, "I know thy works," &c. Whose works? Those of a minister? Nay. All the details taken up by the Master show that it is the entire Church whose actions He is reviewing. And then the exhortations always turn off to individuals-"To him Nos. 1 to 5 Single leaf, 38 per 1,000. Half-size, 1s. per that overcometh," &c. In short, ministry is not contemplated at all, save the ministry of the Spirit. He gives the written words to all the churches. But the question is, Who can receive them spiritually? Who The answer can enter into the mind of the Lord? is evident-he or they who are spiritual, heavenly, angelic.

One thought more. We think it will be found that wherever, in "the word," christian ministry is spoken of, gift, or conferred authority, is alluded to in connection therewith. In our Lord's addresses to the Seven Churches (emphatically, to the angels thereof,) there is no question of gift, but of faithfulness.

APTISM, its PLACE and MEANING, considered in the light

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PRECIOUS TRUTH.

WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE?''-(Rom. iv. 3.)

Job Caudwell, 335, Strand, London, W.C.]

No. 15.]

TO A TRUE-HEARTED CHRISTIAN.

JUNE 1, 1866.

BELOVED: "The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth."

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suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.", (Acts ix. 3.)

Jesus was that shining light whose brightness was "above the brightness of the sun."

Beloved,-"The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth." We who believe ought therefore to be no longer in darkness

"For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, HATH shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. iv. 6.)

But we must remember, dear brother, dear sister, ours is a derived light. Jesus Christ is our light; we are reflectors of Him. Is it so with us practically, daily, constantly? He has said to us

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your* good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven'

I closed my last letter in this journal with the earnest desire that you would ponder these few words. They are pregnant with meaning. Until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ there was spiritual darkness on every hand. It is true that God in ages past spake at sundry times and in divers manners to the Fathers by the prophets (Heb. i. 1,) thus giving new spiritual light, according to the needs of his people. He is "the Father of lights (James i. 17). All that could instruct the soul of man in truth, or heavenly light, came from him. He was pleased to reveal it from time to time in earthern vessels. But after many of these had been used, deep By what good works can we glorify God our spiritual darkness still characterised mankind. So Father? The answer is very simple; -just such when, in the fulness of time, God sent his only-be- good works as Jesus himself did. We must imitate gotten Son, Jesus Christ, the true Light, it was proved Him. In vain do Christians invent good works that men "loved darkness rather than light.' His (so-called). The life of Christ on earth is the test of own chosen people deliberately preferred Barabbas everything. Let me learn whether He acted thus to Jesus; unbelief blinded them, so that they could or thus, and that decides at once whether I should do not see light in the Son of God. "The light shineth it or not. Christians, like other men, are prone to in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not." imitate one another; but that will not do. We must While our Lord was carrying on his personal min- copy Jesus. God has ordained good works that we istry on earth, (in wondrous patience, meekness, and should walk in them, and He sent his beloved Son to love,)darkness prevailed. The people did not comprehend work his works, and thus put his divine stamp upon him. No, not even his chosen apostles. "Are ye them. We get perfect light on this, as on all other also yet without understanding," (Matt. xv. 16) were subjects, in the face of Jesus Christ. He is our the words of the Master even to them. Indeed, it is Great Exemplar. This is not mere theory, but pracwonderful to notice in the evangelist's narratives of tical truth. By faith I see Jesus feeding the hungry, our Saviour's walk on earth that the darkness of visiting the sick, and preaching the gospel to the men's souls deepened as he drew near to the cross: till poor. I see Him doing these things Himself; and I' at length his disciples forsook him and fled." Then accept the inevitable sequence that, as a disciple of the malice of our fallen race was suffered to have its that gracious Master, I must do such things myself. full course-" and there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour." (Matt. xxviii. 45.)

Such was the condition of the world when Jesus hung on the cross. Men had involved themselves in the darkness of rebellion and death, and now they were about to consign him, who came from God to enlighten them, to the dark, and silent tomb! But when man had steeped himself in this "horror of great darkness," a crisis had been reached in which God could alone display himself as the mighty deliverer.

"He brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep." (Heb. xiii. 20.)

"He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father."

Henceforth, the Light was to shine in His fulness and brightness. Thus

"As Saul [Paul] journeyed, he came near Damascus, and

Moreover I not only seek to do the right things, but, because the darkness is past and the true light now shineth, I see how to do them in the right way. When Jesus went about doing good, He was wont to say to those He relieved, "See thou tell no man." Alas! for the many professors of the name of Christ, who themselves proclaim their works, and say practi cally, "See thou tell ALL men."

I have need to ponder this, and think often of my Saviour's words,

"When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand douth; that thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thes openly."

How infinitely better this than the praise of men. But we cannot have both. Of those who crave after applause down here, the Lord has said

"Verily, they have their reward!"

It is not in human nature to forego present honour for future glory. Bt power will be given to us who believe, it we ask grace of God, and earnestly study to be conformed to the mind of Christ Jesus, as revealed in the Scriptures. What we want is Humility, Obedience, and Love.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Beloved,-If you wish to please God, you must let this mind which was in his beloved Son be also in you. It will mortify the flesh, but cause you to rejoice in spirit. It will separate you from evil, and make you to be "a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master's use, prepared unto every good work."

May the words of Jesus sink deeply into our souls, and abide in us; may we also by faith abide in Him; and may He dwell in our hearts by faith. Oh, let us earnestly watch, that we hold fast these provisions of grace; so shall we bear much fruit, according to the word of the Lord.

Yours ever in true Christian love,

THE EDITOR.

NATIONAL FASTING AND HUMILIATION: Can there be such a thing during this Dispensation?

The Scriptures clearly teach that there can be no action, of a spiritual nature, by nations, as nations, in these days. The Word of God recognises three divisions of mankind at present in the world-viz. the Jew, the Gentile, and the Church of God. There is now no preferential nation, although the Jews remain a distinct people. England never had such a preference, nor any nation but that of the Jews; and the Jew is at present set aside dispensationally; he has no country, no temple, wherein alone he could sacrifice and worship in the highest sense, as it was prophesied respecting them.

"For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod and teraphim.” (Hos.iii.4.)

We get a vivid impression of the disruption of the Jew from his proper national standing, when we remember that every male of age ought to appear thrice every year before the Lord, in the place where the I ord had chosen to place his name Thus the Jews, as a nation, are shut out from all spiritual action. Broken off, for the present, faith in their rejected Messiah can alone bring them individually into acceptance with God; but when they admit that Jesus is the Christ they cease to be Jews.

The Gentile nations, as such, never were admitted on to any ground of approach to God, in fasting, prayer, worship, or sacrifice. Before the Gentiles formerly could have any spiritual status, they had

individually to be circumcised and go upon Jewish ground. It is true, there is the remarkable case of Nineveh placed before us in the Bible. That is, indeed, an instance of general action on the part of a large city of the Gentiles, in which fasting, humiliation, and prayer were effectual to the suspension of the threatened doom. But in this case, there was no putting forth of any claim, because there was no covenant. It was a simple casting of themselves upon the mercy of God-a peradventure of despair.

"Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger that we perish not?"

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They had, as they confessed, no ground to expect the mercy they received; nevertheless, it was their only hope, and it pleased God to withdraw his Does the English Nation, in times of peril or of pain, humble itself in any such spirit, and ordain fasting and prayer with similar expectations? In view of the real humiliation of Nineveh, the so-called national humiliations and fastings and prayers of modern times, like so much else, are mere shams. In the first place, in the instance cited there

was FAITH

"So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even unto the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything: let them not feed nor drink water: but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one of them from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell it God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish (Jonah iii.)

not ?"

But if any Gentile nation were willing so to cast itself on the undeserved mercy of God, admitting it had no claims or grounds on which to expect the same, there would be still less reason for hope than in the case of Nineveh. For now the word of Jesus Christ, Son of God, has gone forth :No man cometh unto the Father but by Me!" And this coming by Jesus is not mere coming with his people, repeating written prayers after a priest, but a heart-faith in Him personally.

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"Without faith it is impossible to please Him."

"With the HEART man believeth."

But if every individual in a nation had faith, the whole would cease to be of the World, or Gentiles, and would become of the third division recog. nised in Scripture-the Church of God. Thus, we see that the phrase "Christian nation," in such common use, is a contradiction of terms. All this dreadful confusion has come in through Christians sinfully wooing the World for what it can give. Oh, what a mournful failure! And look at the degrading bondage it has led to In times of calamity, instead of the World cowering before the power of God, in conscious helplessness, and, perchance, turning to the only Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, what do we see? We see many who profess and call themselves Christians kneeling at the command of a Worldly

Government, taking at the hands of that Worldly Government a form of prayer, and repeating it at its command! Degradation most deep!

In view of the wrath of God which is coming upon the children of disobedience, as shadowed fort in the Revelation, the present calamities endured by the World are trifles. For the unconverted, of high or low estate-whether in attendance at places called chapels and churches or not, -to think they can, by some modification of self-indulgence, and saying Amen to certain prayers, please God, and remove his hand fr m pressing on the nation, is not less monstrous than it would be to proclaim a general rejoicing that the great judgments are not yet poured out, notwithstanding the Lord's plain declaration that they soon will be!

That individual Christians may fast privately, for spiritual reasons, we learn from the practice of the early disciples of Christ. The Apostle Paul said"I keep my body under." To allow anything more than this, is to incur the danger of putting works before faith.

THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST.

with Aaron; but the covenant also is far better. For whereas the old covenant brought in a continual reminder of sin, and only made manifest the failures both of the priests and the people-the new covenant, of which Jesus is the mediator, has made an end of sin, and has established the subjects of that covenant before God for ever in sanctification.

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: and they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness; and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Heb. viii. 10—12.)

This promise to earthly Israel, which will be fulfilled in Millennial days, is true of the heavenly people (christians) now. Our Lord has not only saved us from death, and given us life, but he has put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Nor does the blessed work end here:-He has brought us into the presence of God our Father as perfect

ones.

All this is most fully brought out in Heb. ix. and

(An answer to the enquiry of a correspondent, as to how it X., especially in the latter chapter. In due time Jesus affects us now.") had said, in act as well as in word

Allusions to the office of Intercessor, which the Lord Jesus Christ has undertaken for his people, are very rare in the Scriptures. Intercession brings in the thought of distance. But the believer's true place is that of nearness to God. It is in the epistle to the Hebrews that the Holy Spirit, by the Apostle Paul, after reviewing the object of the Levitical priesthood, and declaring the priesthood of Christ to be infinitely higher, and in every respect more perfect,

assures us that

"He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come

unto God by Him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Heb. vii. 25.)

Whenever there is a felt need of the intercession of our Great High Priest, true Christians may well be re-assured by the recollection that "He ever liveth to make intercession for them."

It is unspeakably blessed to be of the heavenly people whose Head is the possessor of an unfailing priesthood; one who maintains them and their cause before God perfectly. Who is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by him. Who can tell the joy of knowing that we have one in the presence of God, who is our Saviour, Friend, and Great High Priest. But then we ought to remember that the intercession of Christ for his disciples (all who believe in him) has been made, and is already completely accepted. He has prayed the Father for us; see John xvii. Therefore it is that we are carried forward by the Holy Ghost from Heb. vii. to consider in the following chapter the more excellent ministry of our Lord.

"But now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by bow much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Heb. viii. 6)

That is to say,-not only is the priesthood higher, and infinitely more perfect than that which began

"Lo, I come, to do thy will, O God. * By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once.' (x. 9, 10.)

After this we are shown the inherent weakness of

the Levitical priests and their sacrifices, and then, in contrast. it is said

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever [never to be repeated], sat down on the right hand of God." (x. 12.)

The

Behold, then, this perfect consummation! eternal sacrifice, (i. e. of eternal duration as to its efficacy) completed; Intercession fully accepted; Mediation effectual and established; and the Great High Priest seated on the throne of God!

But this is not all

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"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies [i. e. by the word of God.] washed with pure water" (x. 19-22.)

This is our condition and calling, as "accepted in the Beloved," though yet waiting as strangers and pilgrims on earth.

While living in this range of God's revealed word and the Lord would have us to abide in it-our affections are drawn out towards God ::-"We love It is fellowship him because he first loved us." with the Father and the Son." For such as continue

in practical conformity to the will of God, the period of Intercession has passed; we are, by faith, in the Father's house. We may, alas! practically fall from this some never attain to it then it is precious to know of Christ's unfailing Intercession.

"How can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man and then he will spoil his house."

(This was virtually re-accomplished, in a still more glorious sense, by our Lord's death and resurrection, though Satan's reign is yet permitted, but soon actually to come to an end.)

'My little children. these things [the things of 1 John i. and following chapters] write I unto you, that ye sin not, [as children of God we ought to hate and avoid sin]; and if any [christian] man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: "Holy One of God," had feared being "tormented &c. (1 John ii. 1, 2.)

Like Barabbas, Satan knew his sentence, and from the fact of the presence in the world of the before the time"-just as Barabbas was fearing a Thus it appears to us, that Intercession or Advo- violent and premature end of his bad career. Nevercacy, as presented to Christians in Scripture, is ever theless, Satan, doubtless had hopes of a reprieve-a in connection with practical failure in walk, and further prolongation of power-a temporary deliveconsequent distance from God (i. e. as to conscious-rance from fear. This could only come to pass, howness.) All believers have had need of Christ's in ever, by a deliberate preference by the Jews of him tercession, and may have again. But it is far better and of his rule to that of their rightful King. To to know our Great High Priest as the one who this point his energies and subtleties were consemaintains us in nearness to God, than as having to quently directed. Deep, though short-lived, was intercede for us when aught of sin is resting upon his triumph, therefore, when they cried out the conscience, which, while it endures, practically keeps the child at a distance from the Father.

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes [in times past] were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ." (Eph. ii. 13.)

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Eph. v. I, 2.)

BARABBAS, AND SIMON THE CYRENIAN.

These two characters are apparently introduced very incidentally into the sacred narrative of the Trial and Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Barabbas and Simon are not by any means voluntary actors, but are brought in per force, without any reference to their own wills, and take no part essentially necessary to the development of the chief issue. Nevertheless, they doubtless fill important parts in the solemn scene, and what those parts were the Holy Spirit will teach the humble, patient, trustful reader of the Word.

We see BARABBAS-a murderer and a robber, and one who had stirred up sedition-bound and powerless, fearing the worst, yet not beyond hope of reprieve. Now, how truly was all this the case with SATAN at that moment! a robber, a murderer, one that "perverted the people," and that from the beginning. Not alone was Barabbas in his sedition; neither was Satan without comp ers. Again, when Satan went to our Lord in the wilderness, hoping to worst the glorious "last ADAM," he found himself paralyzed and powerless in his presence. For the first time, Heaven and Hell saw a perfect MAN, completely proof against all the subtleties of Satan. Indeed, in some sense, the Lord "bound" him, too; and the proof was, the liberation after he came forth from the wilderness of those who had been bound by Satan, that is, the delivering of those who were possessed of devils. This appears in Mark i and Matt. xii

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"Not this man, but Barabbas!?!

Had the contrary been the case if, when the Messiah came unto his own, his own had received Him, there could have been no reprieve for Satan, no preferential liberation of Barabbas; for Christ must have reigned in righteousness, monarch of the earth; He could not have divided the kingdom with Satan. Then would have taken place that which will happen when the Lord takes to Himself his great power, and reigns King of the Jews-sinners will be cut off and Satan will be bound and in prison; and will there remain all the period of the millennial reign of Christ on earth. (Rev. xx.)

Simon means

Turn we to SIMON, the Cyrenian, whom we are convinced prefigures believers in general, as to their original condition in the world, and their course and character as new creatures in Christ. he "that hears or obeys;" now of believers it is true that faith has come "by hearing," and they have "yielded the obedience of faith." As having a Jewish name but of Gentile residence, he is a fit representative of believers, both from among those who "were nigh" and those "who were afar off." We shall see he is always introduced outside the Holy City and the land to which pertained the promises, showing the distinctness of our calling from that of earthly Israel, and he settles down (Acts xi. and xiii.) still further away from the land of his birth, the sin-cursed land of Ham, in which region Cyrene was. It is so with the believer; while he is not "under the law" nor on Jewish ground, as regards earthly promises and blessings, he is still further off from his original condition, as born in sin, having been "translated from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God's dear Son," and that people for whom his King and God cherishes such purposes of grace must be nearer and dearer to him than his father's housethe world-just as Antioch. Simon's residence as a Christian, was much nearer Judea than Cyrene, the place of his birth.

Not individually, but as one of the race, Simon the Cyrenian was implicated in the rejection and eruci

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