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The vessels were chiefly Brazilian, and the remainder Spanish and Dutch. We are sorry to observe an intimation that the British government are about to abandon their establishments on Cape Coast, as such an abandonment will throw open a wide field, which is now closed against the detestable traffick in slaves-It is said that in Egypt the cotton crop of the present year has almost entirely failed. The Pasha appears, as yet, to be faithful to the cause of the Grand Senior; but his defection is looked for, if war should ensue between the Turks and the powers allied for the pa cification of Greece. It has been notified to him that the reinforcement sent by him against the Greeks, could not be permitted to pass into that country-It appears that the Algerines have determined to capture all vessels under the flags of Prussia and the Hanseatick towns.

AMERICA.

BRAZIL AND BUENOS AYRES.-Notwithstanding the rejection by the Republick of Buenos Ayres of the treaty of peace lately negotiated, it appears that at the date of the last advices, the war was likely to be speedily terminated. It is stated that the emperor of Brazil had consented to declare the Banda Oriental independent, and that a treaty, embracing an article to this effect, was likely soon to be ratified by both the belligerents. The last accounts say that the whole sea coast of Brazil is lined with Buenos Ayrean privateers, that their captures are surprisingly numerous, and their booty immense. One privateer had taken sixteen prizes, and had on board 200,000 milreas in specie. The new congress of Buenos Ayres was convened in the latter part of June, and warmly approved the rejection of the treaty negotiated by Garcia. On the 7th of July, a new president, Dr. Vicente Lopez, was inaugu rated. He is said to be a distinguished scholar. He at first refused the Presidency, but eventually consented to accept it. Hopes are entertained that this choice will have a good effect in healing the animosities which exist among the several states which compose the confederation denominated, "The United Provinces of South America," or the Argentine Republick.

COLOMBIA.-Information that may be relied on is at length received of the arrival of the Liberator Bolivar at Bogota, on the 10th of September, of his reception there, of the speech he delivered at the opening of the general congress, and some of the incipient proceedings of that body. The character of the Liberator, although assailed by a party, does not appear to have suffered in the opinion of his countrymen in general, nor his influence to be greatly diminished-it still seems to be dominant, and he has pledged himself to maintain the existing constitution, with only such sound reforms or amendments as shall be sanctioned by a General Convention, to be called for the purpose. The dissentions which have arisen in this extensive republick, will not easily be quieted; but we think the prospect brightens of returning order and pros perity. The speech of Bolivar, in reply to the address of the Vice President of the Congress, concludes with the following strong expression-"In spite of the dismember. ment with which the Republick has been threatened, in spite of the almost anarchical condition of the South of Colombia, I hope and even promise the Congress to deliver over into the hands of the Grand Convention, the Republick of Colombia, Free and United."-The Grand Convention is to meet on the 12th of February next.

GUATEMALA.—The last accounts from this republick, represent civil discord and civil war as yet prevalent, and not likely soon to be terminated.

MEXICO.-It appears that the unfavourable impressions prevalent in this republick in regard to our country, of which we have heretofore taken notice, have been in a considerable degree removed. They appear to have been made, and for a while cherished, by those who wished to secure a monopoly of commercial advantages to Britain; but the unfounded jealousies and prejudices which existed are vanishing under the influence of truth and time.-We perceive by an article in one of the latest papers from Britain, that Mexico has not been able to pay the interest on her loan in London. The financial concerns of all the new American republicks are in a bad state. But this is not wonderful-it would be wonderful if it were otherwise. A few years since the United States had a heavy debt and little credit. Now we are probably the richest state in the world-if our debt, our expenses, our credit, and our resources, be viewed in the aggregate. We hope that a few years may place our sister republicks in a similar situation.

UNITED STATES.-The happiness of our own country leaves us little to wish for, except that we had more gratitude to God, and less disposition to cherish party violence and slander, in reference to the next presidential election.

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

DECEMBER, 1827.

Religious Communications.

LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATE

CHISM OF THE WESTMINSTER AS-
SEMBLY OF DIVINES-ADDRESSED

TO YOUTH.

LECTURE XXXII.

My young friends,-You have heard an explanation of the great and interesting doctrines of justification, adoption and sanctification. In the answer of the Catechism that follows, the effects of these graces on the practical Christian, are thus traced out-" The benefits which, in this life, do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end." Here are five benefits, springing from the sources specified. A whole lecture might be spent on each, but we must endeavour to bring the whole within the limits of the one on which we have entered.

"Assurance of God's love," is the first benefit which the answer states, as flowing, in this life, from justification, adoption and sanctification. By assurance of God's love here, we are to understand an undoubting persuasion in the minds of believers, grounded on evidence furnished by God, that they are the objects of his special love. That many of the scripture saints did VOL. V.-Ch. Adv.

attain to this assurance, we have unequivocal evidence. Holy Job speaks on this subject without doubt-"I know that my Redeemer liveth"-Asaph in like manner"God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever."-The Apostle Paul to the like effect-"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand-I know in whom I have believed," &c. And that this attainment was not peculiar to inspired men, but ought to be humbly desired and sought after by Christians in general, we learn from its being spoken of in scripture as something to which all believers may aspire; although it is not represented that all actually acquire it, or that our salvation depends on its acquisition. Yet it certainly is represented as an object which all should aim at, which it is possible to obtain, and which some do in fact obtain. The Apostle Paul, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, calls it once, "the full assurance of hope;" and in another instance, "the full assurance of faith;" and in both cases he recommends it, as an attainment for which all believers should earnestly strive. The Apostle John wrote his first epistle, as he says towards the close, with a leading view to enable Christians to learn the certainty of their state-"These things

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Peace of conscience flowing from justification, is experienced when on the conscience, being sprinkled 13; with the blood of Christ, is set free humble from all fear of the deserved wrath e conde- of God; and what a precious beneod, 2 Sam. fit this is, can be fully known only ardent de- to those who have felt the fear, and onformity to known this blessed peace as sucull enjoyment ceeding to it. Again-Peace of John, iii. 2, 3. conscience flows from adoption, e difference be- when we have soul quiet and comssurance of God's posure, in the firm faith that God and presumptuous is our friend and Father in Christ Jesus. Once more-Peace of conscience accompanies sanctification, when the blessed Spirit shines on the soul of the saint, warming it to the love of holiness, and assisting and comforting it in the performance of duty.

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have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life." And he also says" He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in himself." The Apostle Peter expressly enjoins-"Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure."

In addition to this scripture testimony, consider, also, the nature of the subject. The point directly in view is, that the assurance we speak of flows from justification, adoption, and sanctification. Now, suppose a person to have satisfactory evidence that he is justified before God through the imputation of the Saviour's righteousness; that he is adopted into the family of God; and that he is sanctified by the Holy Spirit,-suppose he has satisfactory evidence of all this, and assurance of the love of God will necessarily flow from it, or be its certain consequence. The fact is, that assurance always is, and must be, derived from this source. It is, moreover, proportioned to the clearness of the evidence we have, that we are in a justified, adopted, and sanctified state. If that evidence is full and complete, assurance of God's love will be fall and complete likewise -If that evidence be dubious, we shall also be dubious whether we are the objects of God's love. For although it may not be proper, strictly speaking, to say that there are degrees of assurance, yet, in regard to the subject before us, it is not only true, but of much importance to be remembered, that the hope of a Christian that he is in favour with God, may exist in a great variety of degrees-from those first dawnings which only save from despair, to that prevailing hope of salvation, which is the general attainment and consolation of Christians; and so on to that full assurance of hope, of which the apostle speaks, and which the answer be

fore us contemplates-It is, I repeat, of importance to know and remember, that this blessed hope may exist in a great variety of degrees, of which the highest only is assurance. It is also to be noted, that the same Christians may have different degrees of hope at different times, and that assurance itself may be repeatedly lost and regained.

There are two ways in which we may have such clear evidence of our justification, adoption, and sanctification, that the assurance of God's love may flow from it. The first arises from the influences of Divine grace, immediately and powerfully communicated to the soul. The believer then, so sweetly, and unreservedly, and sensibly, commits his soul to Christ, that he cannot doubt that he does it: the Spirit of adoption breathes on his soul, and he cries, "Abba Father" the Spirit of sanctification raises in him the abhorrence of all sin, and an ardent hungering and thirsting after perfect holiness

From all this the assurance of God's love necessarily and immediately flows-or rather it often accompanies, and is to be considered as itself a gift of the holy and blessed Spirit.

The second way in which the assurance of God's love may be obtained is, by a careful, close, persevering, and prayerful examination of our religious exercises-our state of heart and life; and by comparing the whole with what the word of God lays down as marks and evidence of a gracious state; and thus, by the aids of the blessed Spirit, forming a sound and satisfactory conclusion, that we are truly in the love and favour of God. The former of these has sometimes been called the sensible assurance of God's love; the latter the assurance of faith. We may lawfully pray with submission, for either; or for both. But it is the latter, or the assurance of faith, which we are

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