The Sun.
London, England, 1841-06-15 00:00:00

t•
t,'4llkS-Tisif"% LONDON, TUESDAY, JU

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT,
AND THE SPIRIT AGAINT THE FLESH.-GAL.
v. 17.

By H. E. HEAD, A.M., Rector of Feniton.
This conflict is not experienced by unregenerate men. It
is not the working or counterworking of feelings merely natu-
ral. It is not produced by one corrupt
.propensity warring
t against another. Pharoab, for example, wished to lord it over
Israel ; but feared lest Egypt should be destroyed. Balaam
wished for the rewards of divination ; but feared the loss of
, character as a seer of the visions of the Almighty. Ungodly
men in all ages wish to give the rein to lawless passion; but
fear some temporal calamity. All these cases are quite dis-
tinct from the conflict between the flesh and THE SPIRIT.
I. By whom is this conflict experienced? By the children
of promise, Ro. ix. 8, the heirs of salvation, Heb. i. 14, the
seed of God, Hos. i. 4, whose names are written in the book
of life, who are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the
world, Eph. i. 4, by the children of God, in short, whose pe-
culiar distinction it is that the Spirit in due time enters their
hearts, Gal. iv. 6, in order to contend against the flesh, and to
save them, 1 John iv. 4, from perishing in its corruption.
This affords an answer to the question—
11. Who are the contending parties in this conflict ? The
flesh and THE SPIRIT. The flesh is the entire nature with its
affections, as well as its lusts, which we derive from Adam, and
which we bring with us into the world. Its thoughts are only
evil continually, Gen. vi. 5. It brings forth evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, an evil eye, blasphemy,
pride, foolishness, Matt. xv.l9. Though it may some times wear
a plausible or pleasing aspect—in reality, it is the enemy of
God, and cannot please God, Ro. viii. 8. Therefore the thir-
teenth article testifies of all works done previously to regene-
ration, that they are not pleasing to God, that they are not
performed en the principle of evangelical obedience, and that
they partake of the nature of sin. Therefore our Lord declares
that those who continue unregenerate shall be at length stripped
of their apparent goodness, and that that which they seem to
have shall be taken from them, Matt. xiii. 12.
The other contending part is " THE SPIRIT," that is, the
divine nature, 2 Peter i. 4, the second Adam, the eternal God
from heaven, 1 Cor. xv. 47, to whom the regenerate soul is
united as one Spirit, 1 Cor. vi. 17, " very and eternal God."
Article 5. The term " the Spirit" in such passages, does not
indicate anything inherent in the natural man—nor, on the
other hand, does it indicate the Third Person in the Deity,
to the exclusion of the other two ; but rather Deity in gene-
ral, as contradisting,uished from " the flesh." The divine
union of the regenerate soul with God is expressed variously.
For example—" If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus
from the dead dwell in you, he, &cc., Ro. viii. 11 • Christ
liveth in me, Gal. ii. 20; know ye not that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you ? 1 Cor. vi. 19.
The peculiar operation of the Pa RACLETE is not the point un-
der consideration at present. Suffice it to remember that the
Triune God is signified by " the Spirit," the combatant who
was against the flesh, John iii. 6, iv. 24.
111. Who is the victor in this conflict ? This question surely
is quite unnecessary. For if the eternal God be one of the
contending parties, who or what can possibly prevail against
HI31?

0 then, if that be the case, the heirs of salvation may fall
asleep ! They may do next to nothing, or nothing, or worse
than nothing ! They are sure to be saved, let them do what
they will !"
To this very shallow but not very new method, Ro. iii. 8,
of raising objections to truth—the answer is clear and obvious.
God will not suffer the heirs of salvation to fall asleep. Or
if they do, he will take care to awaken them.
Sampson, if he had been left to himself, would have been
a perfect slave to Satan. But the Spirit of the Lord, in spite
of his corrupt nature, ever and anon came mightily upon him,
so that the enemies of holiness quaked for fear. The great
Elijah would have despaired. Had he been left to himself he
never would have arisen from that juniper tree. But the
Angel of the Lord came to the desponding Prophet, and con-
strained him by a touch to walk forty days and forty nights
without food or rest. The prophet Isaiah was for cutting
short the theme of inspiration with a " Woe is me, for I am
undone !" But the grand perspective of eternity was spread
before his passive sight ; and he became a pen in the hand of
the Almighty. 'I he prophet Daniel was stretched on his bed,
and there no doubt he would have fallen asleep. But he was
constrained to behold the mystical beast—and to write what he
had beheld with feelings of the deepest awe.
The hand of the Lord is not shortened : nor do his children
need' that helping hand now less than formerly. So that
when they would give way to the carnal nature which works
within them, the Spirit of the Lord comes mightily upon them,
and in despite of sin, sloth, sorrow, and despondence, stirs
them up to enterprize, and self denial—or sets before them pro-
phetic visions, causing their minds to understand, and their
hearts to delight in the things which the prophets have spoken
John xvi. 13. In this sense we may understand St. Paul's
words—lf the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead
dwell in you he shall also Sssicken your mortal bodies,
&c. Ro. viii. 11, so as to constrain you to render your mem-
bers instruments of righteousness unto God. Ro. vi. If we
content ourselves with anything short of this doctrine of the
divine Saviour's quickening and preventing power, expressly,
effectually, and perpetually exerted for our benefit—we throw
ourselves back upon our miserable works, into a worse position
than that of Adam before his fall—we make the word of God of
none effect, and grace is no more grace, Ro. xi. 6. Fln short—
if it be objected to the security and perseverance of the saints
that " the flesh lusteth against the Spirit"—be it also remem-
bered (and blessed be God for the expression—for it contains
the energy of the Gospel !) that " THE SPIRIT CONTENDS
AGAINST THE FLESH." Hence they are already said to be
more than conquerors, Ro. vii. 25 ; viii. 37 ; 1 John v. 5.
Conquerors they are, and conquerors they always shall be—
unless Aou can prove man to be a more powerful combatant
than God. 1 Cor. xv. 57 ; 1 John iv. 4.
IV. This conflict (beir g the certain effect and token of
eternal life and salvation in those who experience it)—to what
is it to be attributed—on what foundation does it rest? It is
to be attributed to the eternal election of the Father. Gal.
iv. 6, and it is founded on the atonement of the bleed of Christ
—a doctrine which shall be considered in the next tract.
•V. The effect produced by this conflict in the children of
God, is—" bitterness and sweetness." Rev. x. 10. The
" bitterness" arises from an experimental acquaintance with
original and actual sin. Ezek. xxxvi. 31—the " sweetness"
from an adequate estimate of the length, breadth, depth, and
height of the love of the Saviour, Eph. iii. 18, which causes
them to sing-0 how sweet are thy words unto my throat !
Pa. cxix.
VI. The prize of this conflict is. that when Christ shall ap-
pear, the Sons of God shall be like him. 1 John iii. 2. The
greatest of them can hardly have more than this, and the lease
shall certainly not have less.

- ---- •
TRADE IN DUNDEE.—We have again to re-
cord a very dull state of things here—the transactions in
linens, flax, and yar:s, being extremely limited. Let-
ters from St. Petersburgh to the 25th ultimo, N.S. say,
At this moment there is nothing doing—the Cuyers
seem to be deferring their operations until the:fresh flax
arrives, and they see how the braak will go : it is not
supposed the price for the nine heads, braak 1841, will
open under Ro. 95."—which, at the exchange of 381 d.,
will cost about 321. per ton. f. o. b. At Riga flax was
quiet, and it is still the general opinion prices are to be
down after the first ships are gone ; those vessels which
have gone out on chance find no charterers. Consider-
able disappointment is expressed at the non-arrival of
the Britannia steamer, from New York and Halifax,
now a week overdue. It is understood she has on board
many of the spring sales and remittances. Serious fears
are entertained for her safety ; and there is now almost
no hope of hearing of the President.—Fife Herald.

THE WEATHER, CROPS, FRUIT, &C.—Up
to this time the month of June has hardly been so propi-
tious as May was. The weather has been very cold, and
on Friday we had something like a storm. Altogether,
however, the weather is good, the only complaint being
drought, and this will certainly be hurtful to the grass
crop if we do not get rain immediately. The ground,
however, has been put in admirable condition for receiv-
ing the turnip seed, and the cold has seemingly not pre-
vented fruit from advancing with great rapidity. So far
back as Saturday last, we were favoured at this office with
a beautiful and delicious bunch of fully ripe Mayduke
cherries. These were grown on a wall tree in the garden
of Mr. John Duff, at Kinninmont. No more than the
ordinary care was taken of them, and they were quite
exposed. On Monday, we had a similar present from Mr.
Dingwall, saddler here. All this shows the great mildness
of the season.—Fife Herald.
UNFAIR COMPETITION.—Human labour has
not a fair chance. The iron machine has its food—coal
and water—produced on the spot, untaxed as cheap as
nature can give it. The flesh and blood machine has to
be supported by food 40 per cent. higher in price than
nature gives it. No wonder that machinery should sup-
plant hand labour, and that the poor hand loom weaver
should be competing at such terrible odds.—Alarm.
The Tories have taken a mortgage of eight
hundred millions on the national estate—have applied it
to themselves ; and now they blame the Whigs for fail-
ing to meet the whole interest of " the Debt." They
blame their opponents for not paying debts which they
did not incur. However a country may be blinded for
a moment by the specious display of liberality, and scat-
tering of plundered wealth. on the part of the Tories,
there would soon be a reaction when in office, and the
dupe of to-day would become to-morrow's enraged anta-
gonist. They were fairly driven from office in 1830—
from no other cause than national dislike of the party.
The same is to be said of 1835—and the same would
happen, if required, in 1842. Never will the Tories be-
come a popular party In England ! They understand
werenflp necessities
sen
s'
c' s
first
t. r
soi
of t s
Briberystrong
indriven
this, and seek a foundation in the " Conservative princi-
tlieesiiisel.ro,
ugh abuses and aristocratical in-
fluence. withne
office,
ffi
them,
00 a
fe
popular
a era ph on
aagv stnaugti
oebnd to
e.
gu their They
het
to
amend and reform : they were driven a second time un-
der large promises of " doing good '." and, promise what
they may, they will be driven a third time, if they again
take place.--Durhatn Chronicle,

Rectory, Feniton, June 11, 1841.
SIR-I have seen in the newspapers a long account of
the Bishop of Chester's Charge to his Clergy. I beg leave
to observe, in the first place, that the Gospel which is
there preached is " no Gospel at all,"* (to borrow his
Lordship's phrase ;) and in the second place, that his
Lordship would be a much more faithful Minister if he
were as zealous for reforming as he seems to be for
extending the Church.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
H. E. HEAD.
* " By one way alone (his Lordship is reported to have
said) can man propitiate the Son, and that is by believing on
him His faith in this atonement which leads to his
acceptance," &c., &c.
With all due respect to the Bishop of Chester—man cannot
" propitiate the Son," either by " believing on him," or by
anything else. The doctrine of Scripture, and of the Thirty-
nine Articles, (which the Bishop of Chaster does not seem to
understand any more than the rest of his Right Reverend Bre-
thren,) is, that the Divine Saviour saves and regenerates the
children of promise of his own free grace ; and that " believing "
is the effect (and not the cause) of this salvation. What his
Lordship preaches, if one may judge from this " Charge" is,
a more plausible kind of Puseyism, or Popery. The errors in
the Confirmation Service, which are countenanced in this
Charge, may seem light in the eyes of their Lordships the
Bishops ; but they are far from being light in the eyes of
him who warns us not to " teach things which we ought not
for filthy lucre's sake." I am far from imputing what are
usually called sordid motives to the Bishop of Chester. I
only assert that principles entirely subversive of the Gospel,
and contrary to it, are to be found, as well, in his Lord-
ship's Charge, as in the Confirmation Service which he up-
holds. The Puseyites speak of " reserve," in preaching the
doctrine of the Atonement. The truth is,—they do not under-
stand it. And this remark equally applies to the Bishop of
Chester—if the report of his Lordship's Charge (which occu-
pies three columns of the Record newspaper) be correct.
H. E. HEAD.

ELECTION MOVEMENTS.
FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
GLOUCESTER, MONDAY EVENING.—A requisition, nume-
rously and respectably signed, was last week presented to
H. H. Carter, Esq., Mayor, requesting him to convene a
meeting of the inhabitants, to express their opinion on the pro-
posed repeal of the Corn-laws, and to forward the return of
two Corn-law repeaters for this city at the ensuing election.
In pursuance of which a meeting was appointed for one o'clock
this day, to be holden in the Tolsey. The Mayor was called
to the chair, and shortly after the commencement of the pro-
ceedings the room was so densely crowded that an adjourn-
ment took place to the Shire Hall, which was immediately
filled. The greatest unanimity prevailed, excellent speeches
made, and resolutions condemnatory of the infamous Corn-laws
unanimously carried. J. Phillpots, Esq., M. P. for the city,
was present, and delivered an effective address in favour of
total repeal. He is safe, and there is every prospect of the re-
turn of Captain Berkeley as his colleague.

THE ELECTIONS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

- -
SlR,—Allow me to direct your attention to Brighton. A
general election will soon take place, and it is well known how
matters stand there—that the Liberal party, united, is strong
enough to carry triumphantly two Members ; but a fatal di-
vision in their ranks gave the Tories a chance of which they
eagerly availed themselves, and the consequence is that Liberal
Brighton is neutralised, the votes of their excellent Member
Captain Pechell are nullified by the counter Notes of Sir A.
Dalrymple. Well, is that division healed or not? If not, in
the coming struggle we shall see repeated the unaccountable
scene, I do not wish to use strong language, of Liberals voting
for their bitterest enemies, the Chartists supporting the man
who, on Mr. Duncombe's motion for the release of political of-
fenders, kept out of the way, who had not the manliness to
record his vote against him, but whose character is well enough
shown by abstaining from voting. He owes his seat to the
Chartists—his vote would have turned the scale, his seat yet
depends on the support of the Chartists, he has thrown them
overboard at a meat important moment. Will they again com-
mit such a political suicide as would be involved in the act of
supporting him ?—Your's, &c. A LIBERAL.