BEING A LITERAL AND SPIRITUAL PARAPHRASE On the Twelfth Chapter of Ecclesiastes . In a Series of Letters. By J. CHURCH, V. D. M. “Rejoice, O young Man, in thy Youth.”— Solomon . “The prudent Man foreseeth the Evil, and hideth himself.” “—and add to your Faith Virtue.”— Peter . LONDON: PRINTED BY R. THOMAS, RED LION STREET, BOROUGH....

CHRISTIAN READER , I need make no apology far publishing the following Letters , as the Subject was first delivered in several Discourses , and is now by the particular desire of many friends , published to the Church in the form of familiar Letters—appearing in the homely dress of plain speech , they will , doubtless , meet the censure of the carnal critic , but my mind is fully made up on that point—that which is highly esteemed amongst such men , is abominable in the sight of God . Being favo

TO AMICUS. Lambeth , 1814. DEAR FRIEND , Having waded through many deep waters of late, and, I hope, learned many interesting lessons in the School of the Cross, I cannot forbear dropping you a few thoughts on the great things of God.  It is my mercy and yours, that our salvation is the joint work of the adorable Trinity in Unity, originating in eternal love, planned in infinite wisdom, and executed by almighty power.  This salvation I have been led to prise, of late, more than ever I did; and t

TO AMICUS. Lambeth , 1814. BELOVED FRIEND , Amidst a vast multitude of thoughts which occurred to my mind this morning, one more than all the rest, seemed longest to abide, namely, that as the Lord’s people are called Servants as well as Sons, it appears to me that the services of none are accepted of God, but only the services of those who are Sons by adoption and graces and by the testimony of the Holy Spirit in the heart.  Such Sons are also called his Servants, who shall serve him: they were

TO AMICUS. DEAR FRIEND , GRACE and peace be with you.  I thought it needful to drop you another Letter on a subject of infinite importance to you, to myself and to the whole church of God.  The Saviour, in a conversation with a learned and polite Doctor of Divinity, positively declared the necessity of another, a New, a second Birth .  Blessed be God, the salvation of the children of God is completed without this, but we must be born again to know this salvation is ours; and to pretend to lay cl

TO AMICUS. DEAR FRIEND , I HAVE been a little concerned of late about the term Prophet .  You guess what is the cause: many eminent professors, who are better acquainted with the News-paper than the Bible, have been lately venting out a good deal of spite against the memory of a late Minister, in consequence of what they call his ambitious and strongly-conceited Epitaph —“A Prophet hath been among them.”  Quite forgetting that all real, faithful ministers, are entitled to the same name.  The pas

TO THEOPHILUS. DEAR FRIEND , I well remember some conversation which we once had upon the subject of the creation, and feeling my mind particularly imprest with that subject, I venture only to drop a word or two upon it, ’tis a mercy to be satisfied with what God has said; but some are daringly presumptuous, so that they can treat both the Deity and his revelation with contempt.  I am glad you are delivered from that snare.  The Mosaic account of the Creation has always been supposed to be too w

TO THEOPHILUS. DEAR BROTHER , I OWE you a long epistle, for the many kind letters I have received from you.  This acknowledgment of my debt is a part of payment.  Being a little confined through indisposition of body, I thought I would pen a few thoughts to my dear friend, trusting they will be acceptable at this time. I am more than ever delighted with the pleasing theme the Gospel exhibits of our most adorable Lord, of whom it is written, that in all our afflictions he was afflicted ; that he

TO MRS. D—. Peckham , July 11, 1814. MY DEAR FRIEND . MAY the Father of Mercies and God of all consolation be with you, as your all in all, the foundation of your soul, the shield of your faith, the helmet of your hope, the length of your days, the joy of your mind, the strength of your heart, and your portion for ever. I think, a few months ago you requested, and I promised you, a few remarks on the 12th of Ecclesiastes.  Having repeated it in the Pulpit in a Sermon, I will how endeavour to giv

TO MRS. D—. Peckham , July 21, 1814. MY DEAR FRIEND , What an unspeakable blessing it is for you, that the Holy Ghost has enabled you to rejoice in hope of eternal glory, and put that expression in your mouth, as well as the hope and confidence in your heart, I know that if this earthly house of my tabernacle were dissolved , I have a building above , an house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens —this is in your hope, and a God of truth has declared your expectation shall not be cut off

TO MRS. D—. Peckham , August 4, 1814. MY DEAR FRIEND , GRACE and peace be yours.  I am come to visit you once more with pen and ink, though I am not able to come in person to see you.  This is a means of conversation the Almighty has afforded us, nor can we be too thankful for it, as we may write to each other on those momentous subjects which concern our never dying souls; nor can the pen be better employed than in stirring up each other’s mind, by way of remembrance.  Time with us both is shor

TO MRS. D—. Peckham , August 30, 1814. MY DEAR FRIEND , I once more resume my pen to give you a few more thoughts on the 12th of Ecclesiastes, but lament the limits, of a Letter, or even a Sermon would be too short to do justice to that subject.  The Wise Man has in the verses we have already considered, described age to us, in the influence it has upon all the functions and faculties of a man; and shews how they are all weakened in his declining state.  He now proceeds to notice one sad effect

TO MRS. D—. Peckham , September 30, 1814. my dear friend in Christ Jesus . I have been just reflecting a little on that glorious Title and Office of our most blessed Lord, a Surety : the longer I live the more I feel the need of him as such; the bondage, sin, and misery I am daily and hourly experiencing, except a few sweet seasons of liberty in prayer, preaching, writing, and conversing about the precious things of God.  It is well he became one with us, in the eye of the law, that he kindly un