alluded to what he had taught on this subject, it might at least have been expected that he would have set his last seal to it, had he possessed the confidence that his doctrine would stand the test. Instead of this, we have a significant “but," wherein much is implied which is not expressed; and the whole sentence evidently discovers a secret suspicion, if not a persuasion, that what he had written against the abuse of sovereign grace, had a tendency to subvert sovereign grace itself; yet through the tender compassion of God, he is made freely to confess, that sovereign mercy, and sovereign mercy alone, in all its bearings, is the only hope for his guilty and polluted soul.

How painful soever it may be, in some respects, to contrast the dying experience of Mr. Fuller with that of the precious sons of Zion already referred to, the painfulness is swallowed up in the delightful consideration, that the most subtle opponent of sovereign grace that ever appeared in our denomination, was himself a monument of that very grace which his writings had a tendency to destroy. There is abundant reason to hope, that he who once laboured to prove that guilt is untransferable, is now singing a different song, "unto him that loved us, AND WASHED US FROM OUR SINS in his own blood." We have reason to indulge the pleasurable reflection, that he who formerly denied the vicarious nature of the death of Christ, who taught that Jesus died indefinitely, is now joining with the innumerable multitude bought with blood, to celebrate particular redemption before the throne, and to sing with one accord to the exalted Lamb, "Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, OUT OF every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

And now, my dear sir, adieu! May sovereign mercy be your support in life, and your consolation in death. Glad shall I be to hear of your becoming a more decided preacher of it, and of that glorious righteousness which is revealed in the gospel. But, if you should be thus honoured, rest assured that you will not escape persecution. Opposition to the truth is now become too common, not only in the world, but amongst professors, to allow you to escape. But the faith of that glorious righteousness will make you strong in weakness, joyful in tribulation, and triumphant in the awful moment of death. If, in your last conflict with the king of terrors, it should please the Holy Ghost to irradiate your soul with the glory of that righteousness, you will meet the monster with a smile, and triumphantly exclaim, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

I now remain, dear sir,

Yours, most sincerely,

Liverpool, Aug. 31, 1831,

WM. RUSHTON, JUN.

EXPLANATION OF FRONTISPIECE.

By the HAND, in this plate, is represented the eternal purposes, sovereign grace, and almighty power of God, exemplified in the salvation of sinners. Chron. 29-12, 66 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all." Isaiah 41-10, "Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." John 10, and 28, 29, 30, "And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.”

The Chain, upheld by the hand, is called the Believer's Golden Chain-the Chain of Salvation; and is composed of twelve Links, this being a figurative number often used in the word of God; as, the twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles; and that great City, the Holy Jerusalem, is described with twelve foundations, twelve gates, twelve angels, &c.

First Link. This represents the EVERLASTING LOVE of God, and is revealed in the following portions of his word: Jeremiah 31-3, "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Psalm 103-17, "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children," John 17-23, 24, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." Second Link. ELECTING LOVE. In consequence of the everlasting love of God, poor sinners are drawn, chosen, or elected from the apostate human family, agreeably to these passages of Scripture: 1 Peter, 1-2, "Elect, according

to the foreknowledge of God the Father," &c. 2 Thes. 2 -13, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath, from the beginning, chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." John 15-16, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit," &c.

Third Link. PREDESTINATING LOVE. These having been loved and elected, are predestinated to the adoption of sons. This is supported by Ephes. 1-5, 11, "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, to himself," &c. Rom. 8-29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate, &c. Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things, after the counsel of his own will," &c.

Fourth Link. PARTICULAR REDEMPTION. Those who are thus loved, elected, and predestinated, are the only subjects of particular redemption; which appears evident by reading Isaiah 43—1, "O Israel, fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine." I Cor. 12-27, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." Isaiah 44-22, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins; return unto me, I have redeemed thee." Psalm. 31-5, "Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." Rev. 14-3, And no man could learn that song, but the hundred and forty-four thousand which were redeemed from the earth."

Fifth Link. EFFECTUAL CALLING. All who are thus loved, elected, predestinated, and made the subjects of particular redemption, are effectually called, or regenerated, and brought from nature's darkness into God's marvellous light, and rely for salvation on the precious blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, agreeably to the following scripture declarations: Rom. 8-28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called, according to his purpose." 2 Tim. 1-9, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began." 1 Thes. 2-13, "The word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

Sixth Link. REVEALED PARDON. Represents, that all who are thus loved, with an everlasting love, elected, and predestinated by God the Father, are subjects of the particular redemption of God the Son; that they are effectually called by God, the Holy Ghost, and are made the recipients

of revealed pardon. This is supported by divine writ, as follows: Isaiah 40-2, "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned." Jer. 50-20, "In those days, and at that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none, and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found; for I will pardon them whom I reserve." Micah. 7-18, "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again; he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

Seventh Link. JUSTIFYING GRACE. It is equally true, that any, who are the subjects of this everlasting love, election, predestination, redemption, effectual calling, and revealed pardon, are also partakers of the justifying righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom they are complete; which is shewn by the following quotations from the word of God: Rom. 3--24, 28, "Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Therefore, we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Rom. 5-9, "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Rom. 4-25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Gal. 3-16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53—11, "By his knowledge, shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." Thus believers are justified before God, by faith in the Lord Jesus, yet with James 2-20, 26, we can say, "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith, without works, is dead? for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Eighth Link. SPECIAL PROMISES. The subjects of God's eternal, electing, predestinating, redeeming love, are regenerated, pardoned, and justified, supported and comforted by the special promises of God, part of which are as follows: 2 Peter 1-4, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." Jer. 32-38, 39, "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God." Isaiah 54-10, 17, For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed;