THE GOSPEL MAGAZINE; AND Protestant Beacon. "COMFORT YE, COMFORT YE, MY PEOPLE, SAITH YOUR GOD." "ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE." JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO-DAY, AND FOR EVER. WHOM TO VOL IV. NEW SERIES. BIBI LONDON: W. H. COLLINGRIDGE, 117 To 119, ALDERSGATE STREET, E.C. 1860. PREFACE. TO OUR READERS. BRETHREN, beloved of and in the Lord, the date having reminded us that a few thoughts by way of Preface again are called for, the idea immediately occurred to us, how many whom, during the last twenty years and upwards, we have thus addressed, are now beyond all human teaching, exhortation, and fellowship. And if so-if no longer present with us-where are they? Blessed be God, we are in no doubt nor uncertainty as to where every departed believing reader is. It was their mercy, whilst pilgrims and strangers passing through this vale of tears, as we now are, to know and rejoice in "a covenant ordered in all things and sure." That covenant embraced two worlds-the world that now is, and that which is to come. In reference to the present world, that covenant comprehended every minute detail of what they met with in their passage across the stage of Time. In not the veriest circumstance, however seemingly trivial in itself, was there an oversight or omission in the provisions of that covenant. All and everything was taken into account, and was eternally pre-arranged for, in regard to all that appertained unto them as to mind, body, or estate. There was not so much as the semblance of a flaw in the covenant. It was a covenant worthy of a God. Moreover, in their walk through the wilderness of this world, each glimpse at and renewed discovery of this covenant, as from time to time they were indulged with it, only served to call forth their admiration, to lead to an adoring acknowledgment of the Three-One Covenanters, and to their final, full, hearty, and unqualified declaration, "He hath done all things well." The completeness of the arrangement, and the strict fulfilment to the very letter of every clause in the covenant, was such as to excite their astonishment and admiration. Diversified as was their lot in the Time-state, each occupied his exact position, and took up his proper quarters in the wilderness march. Whether encamped at midnight upon the wide-spread plain, or marching at mid-day through the thick sands of the burning desert, or fighting the Amaleks that came out against them,-each and all occupied the precise position and played the part eternally, and wisely, and lovingly decreed and provided for in the covenant. Of every spiritual Israelite it might be said, with as much truth and propriety, as of every literal Israelite,— "He led their feet far wandering round, 'Twas the right road to Canaan's ground." |