as a mean to give me fome hope. I muft mention, in the first place, Boiton's view of the covenant of grace, in which he fays, "Though men fhould have all the fins of reprobation that can be thought of, while out of hell, neither Satan nor themselves know, but their names may be the first written in the Lamb's book of life and it is a device of Satan to keep men back from Chrift, to perfuade them that they have committed the unpardonable fin." A fermon of Mr. Ralph Erikine's from thefe words, "I am pacified towards thee for all that thou haft done, faith the Lord God," was very helpful in carrying me forward. A book entitled "Some remarkable paffages in the life of a private Gentleman," was alfo ufeful; the diftrefs of mind he suffered was fimilar to my own, and he being at last taken from the fearful pit, and from the miry clay, gave me fome hope that the time would come, when I fhould be perfuaded and enabled to embrace Jefus Chrift as he is offered in the gospel. I was likewife much comforted in reading Mr. Gilpin's treatife on Satan's temptations, efpecially refpecting felf-murder; I faw that what had befallen me was not fo ftrange as I at first imagined, for I thought that all who were tempted as I was, were left to commit the horrid deed. By this time, I think, I was in a great measure dead to the law; I had feen its fpirituality, and was made to give fome credit to that text, "by grace ye are faved," and began to attend the ufe of means, in a more compofed way, with a little more fortitude, and with lefs horror of confcience. But it was my daily concern to think that I was ftill in uncertainty, about what was of the greatest importance; and I continued thus till August 1792, when old things paffed away, and all things became new. But before I come directly to that period, it may not be improper to mention the many falfe means I tried to bring my foul to reft. When I began to learn from the law that I had been a law-breaker, I faw that for peace's fake, I fhould be obliged to give up fome fins, and try another way of living. I found the fcripture faid, "Let the wicked forfake his way, and the unrighteous man his "thoughts, and let him turn unto the Lord, and he will have "mercy upon him." I thought to find reft here, for I was not then convinced that I was without ftrength. But bleffed be his name he did not leave me to reft here!--I tried to reft on reading, on hearing, and on prayer, and thought if I prayed more, and better, I might have fome truft in it. Sometimes I thought I would lay afide all concern about ferious things, and take my pleafure in this world.-On the other other hand, to quiet my mind; I thought if I was elected I fhould be faved; if I was not elected, all my trouble would be loft; for I had not yet found Wifdom's ways pleafantnefs, nor her paths peace. Many were the filly fhifts and schemes I tried to bring my mind to reft, but I have reason to be thankful, I was made to fee a deficiency in them all. Indeed, I tried to reft on every piece of floating wreck; and when they all went from under me, I hovered about the glorious ark, and would have refted on the outfide of it, had not the Lord in fovereign mercy, ftretched forth his arm of power and pulled me in. I think, the first time the Lord's fupper was difpenfed at Airdrie, after I came to the place, was in Auguft 1792. I converfed with Rev. Mr., and informed him of my difficulty. I was more than ordinarily concerned about my falvation, ftill hoping the time would come when I fhould be enabled to lay hold on Chrift. Mr. en couraged me to come forward and partake of the fupper, for it was not a bad fign that I had fome fears about my worthiness, and I probably might get fome deliverance; which happily proved as he said. "Sweet was the hour I freedom felt "To fee his fmiling face, and melt I can remember, that Mr.. was making full and free offers of Chrift, and falvation through him, to the chief of finners, and I was perfuaded and enabled to embrace him. Mine eyes were then opened to fee that it was a fighteous thing with God to juftify finners through Chrift, even me. I think the gates and doors of my heart were lifted up, and the King of glory came in. My mind was enlightened in a manner that furprised me. I faw the covenant of grace well ordered in all things, and fure. And, as I was fo fet on by the law before, I now thought more of the law magnifier and fulfiller, than of all things. Mine eyes were opened to fee Chrift every way fuitable, both in his perfon and offices. He whom I had long refifted, now gave me a heart to love him. I now understood that juftification was an act of free and fovereign grace, and that I was perfectly juft in the eye of justice, thro' the righteoufnefs of Chrift imputed unto me. I fometimes thought I could with death to come and put an end to fin, for I found there were still fome remains of the old companion within; VOL. VI. H though though indeed, at that time, I did not think that the remains of corruption in me were fo ftrong, as I have often fince found them to be. I remember, I then pitied those who had never heard of a Saviour, and often wished that I was among them that I might try to perfuade them, that Chrift is the way, the truth, and the life. I faw myself fafe, and wished that others knew the worth of him who had done fo great things for me. At that time, I had the Spirit witnefling with my fpirit, that I was a fon of God. I thought, that it was hardly poffible I could doubt of it again; that my mountain ftood strong, and I fhould never be moved; but I have been convinced fince, that I was mistaken when I thought fo. I remember, when I was rejoicing in the freedom of my juftification through Chrift, that I had a vifit from my old mafter Satan, who fuggefted to me, that there was no great neceffity for those who had believed in God, to be careful to maintain good works. But the temptation might be from within; I am not fo ready as I have been, to lay all the evil I find working within me to the devil's charge. Thus I have told you as near as I can remember, how I hope I was brought from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Since that time I have had, and ftill have, many changes as to my fenfible experience; but I think I can fay, I am ftill well pleafed with the way of falvation through Chrift, and can think of no other doctrine. I do not think I was ever left to fuppofe there was any deficiency in Chrift, fince through fovereign grace, I was made to fee he was precious. But I have had many doubts and fears that I was not built. on that foundation which God has laid in Zion; and fometimes am ready to think, that all I have experienced has been delufion. There is a dreadful body of fin and death in me, and I fometimes think I cannot be a temple of the Holy Ghoft, I am fo polluted and defiled. I find myself very ungrateful, ftupid, and carelefs, and do not call to mind his power and mercy, nor remember the day when he delivered me out of the hands of mine enemies. My unbelieving heart makes me more like David, when he faid, "one day I fhall fall by the hand of Saul," than when he faid, "He that delivered me out of the mouth of the "lion, and out of the paw of the bear, will alfo deliver me out of the hand of the uncircumcifed Philiftine." I find I cannot do the things that I would, and that there a law in my members warring against the law of my mind; but I blefs his holy name, that his gifts and callings. are without repentance, and whom he loves, he loves unto the end. I find the greateft peace of mind, when I am led to confider the fulnefs that is in Chrift. We certainly mistake very far, if we truft to grace received; we can only be ftrong in the grace that is in Chrift. I not only find myself weak and worthlefs, and that it was nothing but fovereign grace and mercy that took me from the fearful pit, and from the miry clay; but alfo, that it is not in me to direct mine own fteps. Thus I have given you a confufed account of my various thoughts of religion; I fhould have been happy to have done it more diftinctly: I am not fatisfied that I cannot fay more to the praife of fovereign unmerited grace and mercy, that has been fhewn to me the chief of finners; and that glorious Saviour, (oh! I never can exalt his name as I ought,) who "thought on me in my low eftate, for his mercy endureth for ever." I am, dear Sir, yours, &c. EUTYCHUS. EJACULATORY PRAYER RECOMMENDED. BY Y ejaculatory prayer is meant the fudden afcent of ardent defires, directed to the throne of grace, as arrows from a bow to their intended mark +. The general prefcription of "praying with all prayer," doubtlefs includes this fpecies; and its fingular utility highly recommends it to the perfevering practice of every real chriftian. This is a manner of praying which neither interrupts, nor is interrupted by, fecular employments. Amidst the most turbulent folicitudes of life, momentary intervals occur in which the ardent defires may be thot to their proper object; and "happy is the man who hath his quiver full of them." Lets oppofition, I believe, is ordinarily made by the enemy of all good, to ejaculatory, than to regular fet prayer, whether folitary or special. In the former, his malignant intentions feem happily defeated by surprise, whereas in the latter, as if he knew when the chriftian moft ftatedly approached his God, he makes his fierceft onfets for prevention, both of performance and fuccefs. Of the fpecies of prayer rccommended, beautiful examples for our imitation are exhi † Hence the term from ejaculo to fhoot. bited in the practice of Mofes, Exod. xiv. 15.-Jacob, Gen. xliii. 14.-David, 2 Sam. xv. 31.-and Nehemiah ch. ii. 4. Imitate then, O Chriftian! thefe honourable patterns. Let the tender and inceffant regards of a God of love to the voice of your fupplications, excite frequent afpirations of fervent defires. On thefe wings, haften your cfcape from the windy ftorm and tempeft. The door of divine mercy is ever open, and your all-prevailing Advocate fecures welcome accefs to a throne of grace. Believing prayer is true hearts-cafe; a divine alleviation of trouble. By frequent, though fhort addreffes to your God, fpiritual affections will be maintained, and fitnefs promoted for the more folemn fervices of divine worthip. The more heavenly you are in earthly things, the lefs earthly you will be in heavenly ones. Reflect feriously on God's univerfal providence as extending to the minuteft events which concern you, as an incentive thus to acknowledge him in all your ways. Repel the fiery darts of Satan with the darts of petitionary defires to God, and he who at David's prayer defeated the counsel of Ahitophel, though an oracle of policy, can, and will, as eafily and certainly baffle and confound every infernal device against you. Every occurrence, mercy, affliction, and purfuit, adminifter occafion for frequent prayer and praife. In this divine exercise, may every real chriftian piously abound, and his life and converfation prove the happy confequences! T. B. ON SUNDAY SCHOOLS. [CONTINUED FROM OUR LAST.] Place of Meeting. Tpied for this purpofe. HE private houfes of the teachers are frequently occufor this purpose. Others hire large rooms. More, probably, affemble in the veftry, or fome other building contiguous to the place of worship. It is hard to fay which of these methods is beft. Time and experience muft determine. If, however, the different claffes meet in private houses, it feems almoft neceffary that they should fing, pray, and be exhorted collectively. Teachers. The choice of teachers is a matter of the greatest confequence and of the greateft difficulty. In very numerous inftances, we are happy to fay, that fuitable and respectable young |