speakable condition is that! may any worldly thing stop us from the desire thereof? Since we seek the kingdom of God, why do we not apprehend it, being so near offered unto us?

Let us approach near unto God, and God will draw near unto us. God draw us after him, that we may all run after the savour of his sweet ointments. Christ anoint us, that we may be supplied in these evil days to run lightly unto the glory of the Lord. Shame, imprisonment, loss of goods, and shedding of our blood, be the just price which we must willingly bestow for the same. Wherefore (dearly beloved in the Lord) let not the great charges keep you back from buying this glory: for the reward is ten thousand fold greater than the price.

That you have married a wife, whom God bless, I cannot excuse you from this part, but you must bring your wife for a usury to the Lord, whose pleasure is in godly yoke-fellows. I wish you to be as I am, except these horrible bonds, (but yet most comfortable to the Lord,) assuring you that we are made worthy through Christ of the kingdom for the which we suffer. Praised be the Lord for the affliction which we suffer, and he give us strength to continue to the end!

Commend me to Master Heath, and tell him that I would wish him with me, to prove how apt he is to carry the cross of Christ. I pray for his continuance in Christ, as for my own. Commend me to his wife, and to Mrs. Hall, certifying them that I am brought to the gates of hell, that I might never enter into the same, but be raised up from hell to heaven, through the word that sanctifieth us. Commend me

to Master Elsing and his wife and thank them that they remembered to provide me some ease in prison; and tell them, that though my Lord's coal-house be but very black, yet it is more to be desired of the faithful than the Queen's palace. God make her a joyful mother, and preserve them both to the comfort of God's people. Thus for this time farewell, dear Written in post haste because of strait

brother. keeping.

This day I look to be called before the commissioners again. Pray, dear brother, for the spirit of wisdom to remain with me. Commend me to your

wife, and I thank you both for your tokens. Your token I have sent to your wife; and my token unto you is my faithful heart with this letter. Commend me to all my friends, and tell them I thank God I am cheerful in Christ, wishing them to fear God more than man, and to learn to despise earnestly the vanities of this world, desiring you all to pray for me, that I may end my journey with fidelity. Amen. JOHN PHILPOT.

ST. PAUL SUPPOSED TO HAVE VISITED BRITAIN.

In the execution of that high commission, to "Go out into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," which had been confided to him by his divine Master, in answer to his prayer, when smitten to the earth," Lord what wilt thou have me to do?"

in the many journeyings by land and by water which he undertook that he might "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Chirst," it is by many supposed, and not indeed without considerable probability, that St. Paul visited this country, and kindled here that glorious flame of divine truth which gradually turned our heathen forefathers "from darkness unto light." It is not indeed positively ascertained that this great Apostle was the first who preached the gospel of the grace of God in England, though from many circumstances it seems very probable; but it is certain that it began to be preached here, and that a Christian Church was established here at a very early period.

And blessed indeed was that day for our country which brought the gospel to our shores, for we hesi tate not to believe, indeed we are assured, that it is to the influence of Christianity we are to ascribe all our national greatness. A little more than eighteen hundred years ago, this land was among the dark places of the earth, and our forefathers were given up to the most cruel superstitions and abominable idolatries ; but we now justly rank ourselves among the first of the nations; and what has made us so to differ from our former selves, and from many other countries and kingdoms which we have so completely outstripped in national excellence, but the influence of Christianity, and the effect it has had in producing that superior kind of civilization we enjoy ?

There is not an individual, whether man, woman, or child, that dwells within the sea-girt shores of Great Britain, who is not in a temporal point of view benefitted by the Religion of Jesus. So true it is, in

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the most extended sense, that "Godliness is profitable unto all things." However, let us bear this in mind, that while in a temporal point of view, all without exception, from the Queen on her throne to the humble"hewers of wood and drawers of water," are exceedingly benefitted by the blessings which the gospel has scattered and is scattering among us; none are or can be savingly benefitted by it but those whose hearts are under its transforming influence, and who by the fact of their having become " creatures in Christ Jesus," give evidence that it is to them "the power of God unto salvation." O let us mark this truth, and take heed and beware that "the light does not shine in darkness and the darkness comprehend it not." Pray then that this fountain of all goodness, righteousness, and truth, which has made your land fruitful with so many blessings, which no country has or could have ever enjoyed without the gospel, may spring up in your own heart, and enrich your character with those graces which can alone meeten you for dwelling in that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; and ever remember, that religion to be personally beneficial must be a personal thing. "He that eateth me, even he shall live by me," John vi. 57.

A. T.

Thy lusts may be as great rebels against God though they lie lurking in the secret trenches of thy' heart, and dare not for fear or shame to appear in the open field of thy life.-Swinnock.

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SHORT SERMON.

THE mere fact recorded in the thirty first verse did not prove them to be disciples of Christ in the full meaning of the word. It was true that the words which Christ had spoken convinced them that he was sent from God. It was true, as recorded in other places, that many who saw his miracles believed that he was the Prophet that should come into the world; but whilst true faith in Christ cannot be without such a conviction in the mind as this, yet this alone (though it pass with many) will no more evidence us to be Christ's disciples than will the similar faith of devils who believe the same things.

Let us enquire then, First, What is meant by being Christ's disciples indeed? We read of some before, of whom it is said, upon hearing some truths