“Again he limiteth a certain day, saying, Today, if ye will hear his voice.”—Hebrews 4:7 No marvel, that among other devices of Satan to distress sinners, and cause them to despair of God’s mercies in Christ Jesus, he urges this also: ‘Your day of grace is past, the time of your visitation is ended.’ Hence many poor souls have been driven to their wits end. And have not some preachers been so too, who have increased such persons fears by speaking in a most unscriptural manner on this point? Such are the effects of human systems, and free-will notions, with their offers of Christ, and their proffers of grace. I heard one declare, ‘This is the last offer; if it is not now accepted, eternal…

This honoured name was, perhaps, better known to the past generation than the present, though many still know the value of the "Pilgrim's Progress" with Mason's notes; and though from Hawker and Philpot we have their daily portions and readings, they have not entirely superseded "Mason's Spiritual Treasury." Many fathers and mothers in Israel abide by these daily readings, and find them a source of spiritual blessing and strength; and it were well if our younger friends had a hunger for such solid and substantial realities. But we live in sad times. Our author was a proof of what may be accomplished by a private Christian, engaged in business, yet finding time to write many useful and spiritual works, which still live after the lapse…

William Mason, Esquire, Of Bermondsey, Late Justice Of The Peace For The County Of Surry. The subject of this memoir was born at Rotherhithe, in the county of Surry, in the year 1719. His father was by trade a clockmaker. He gave his son a decent education at a grammar-school, where he learnt the rudiments of the Latin language; and, possessing a mind naturally inquisitive, devoted many hours of his younger years to reading. At a proper age he was bound an apprentice to his father; who having no idea beyond the acquisition of present good, took no pains to train him up in the way he should go, or to impress his mind with the truths of revelation.