tions which befel us in the world, were highly necessary for preparing us for the everlasting kingdom.

9. That whatever affliction takes from us, or whatever bitter draught it puts into our hand, still there is enough in God to make up the loss of the one, and overcome the bitterness of the other.

10. That it is better to get afflictions with a blessing, than mercies with a curse; as Israel had their flesh in the wilderness with a vengeance, and their request granted, but leanness sent into their soul.

11. That it is not safe to contend with God, nor quarrel with the divine conduct, which cannot err.

12. That submission and resignation in all things, and at all times, to the divine disposal, is our indispensible duty.

13. That God, out of what at present seems the greatest evil, can bring the greatest good, and often turns our sorrow into singing.

14. That besides the good which accrues to us here from afflictions, they work for us, by the divine blessing,a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, being convinced they are passing, but at the things which are not seen, being confident they are permanent and

eternal.

MEDITATION CII.

SAINTS HAVE NO CAUSE TO COMPLAIN.

Dec. 24, 1760.

"THOU art ever with me, and all that I have is thine," is a privilege which may compose the believer's breast in the most gloomy days, and amidst the

most distressing vicissitudes of lot; for in this promise, which is sweeter than honcy, and the honey-comb, the ear of faith may hear God speaking thus, " Believer, canst thou for shame look sad, or grudge the temporal happiness of any, who hast the treasures of eternity reserved for thee! Neither should it vex thee too much, that thy situation is not such as thou wouldst in a transient world, seeing thou art ever to be with me, where all my perfections shine, and all my glory beams forth." O how happy, then, are the saints of God, who may put on a cheerful countenance even in the general conflagration; and if so, how much more under a few disappointments which are sent for wise ends, and redound to their spiritual good in the issue. Invested with this celestial charter, well may we smile, though all nature frown, and triumph, though an angry world rage. By this we dwell in the sunbeam, and walk in endless light; nor necd be greatly troubled at the loss of all things. But what do I say ? For how can the heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, loose any thing at all? The thief only removes his stolen goods from one place to another; how, then, can he that fills heaven and earth be stolen? Ah! cruel unbelief only attempts the horrid sacrilege to steal Christ from the heart, but such a promise as this bids defiance to the monster; and while we expect its full accomplishment (nor let the time seem long) the day dawns, which ends the dark night of our sinning and suffering, and translates us to the realms of bliss, where-but eternity only can declare what it is to be with him, whose presence makes a heaven, and whose love is better than life; and what it is to enjoy all the fulness of the Godhead, as far as glorified creatures can. •

MEDITATION CIII.

APPROACHING FRUITION.

Hamoaze, Dec. 28, 1760.

STILL, my soul, in spite of all thy fears, remember that the day-spring of eternity knows its place, and will appear at the appointed time. Sin's gloomy night is far spent, and the morning drawing near, when all the thick shades will dissolve in endless light. A few revolutions will bring the longed-for day, when he shall appear without sin unto salvation. A general shout shall welcome his second coming, and united hallelujah's attend the triumphant Judge (when sin and sinners are no more) to the highest heaven, where the bliss of saints and angels is complete, without the least shadow of change. O how sweet the warblings of celestial song, how fair the beauties of eternal noon, and how divine the glories of the throne!

What must the promised land be in the eternal possession, when the account of the two faithful spies, faith and hope, backed by the divine record, is so ravishing! Creation can scarcely furnish fine enough materials for comparison, much less for our bliss itself. There gold is but the dust of our feet, pearls the gates of our city, and gems the foundations of our walls. The sun is an extinguished taper in the diviner blaze of glory. The stream and tree of life, at which we feed, continue us immortal. But all this is only the index of our happiness,for God reveals himself to every glorified saint in ways not known before, and then what transport fills the soul, what floods of pleasure rise, and deluge every power of mine! O how shall Illie dissolved in ecstacy through love's eternal day!

But this abundance of joy shall not have the effect it has on earthen vessels here, to crack and crush them, but shall strengthen all my inward man, that I may praise like angels,and love like seraphim. What raptures shall arise from that intimate communion my soul shall then enjoy with God, though now my words cannot express it, and my thoughts cannot conceive of it! Then there shall not be the least remains of sin in my soul, not a wandering thought, which now at my best times troubles me, nor a frown in the countenance of God, and therefore no more grief or sorrow. Then I shall fear him out of the purest love, serve him, and not be afraid; approach and come close to his throne, and yet not be accused of presumption. I shall see him, and not die, and enjoy the nearest and sweetest fellowship with him for ever, without being in danger of a wound from spiritual pride. Then will God in very deed dwell with men, and in men ; and then, O how full shall my soul be of God, and how satisfied with the society of the heavenly inhabitants! God stamped on every soul, dwelling in every breast, possessing every thought, the subject of every song, and the object of all our love, renders the whole celestial multitude happy, extremely and eternally happy!

MEDITATION CIV

INFINITE AND ETERNAL PROPERTIES OF THE BLISS

ABOVE.

Jan. 4, 1761.

HAD I but one moment's glance of the glorious, though created sun, which, while I began to gaze, were -concealed, never to be seen again, such a view would

only kindle an anxious curiosity, but not satisfy one longing desire; even so, a passing glimpse of the celestial glory would only set on edge, but never satisfy the holy appetite of the heaven-born soul. There is an immortality in my soul, and there is an eternity in my portion. Vast are the demands of the renewed mind, such as the whole creation cannot satisfy ; but in God's sacred super-abundance, in his infinite fulness, there is enough and to spare. What divine harmony in all respects takes place above! God, the enjoyment of whom is paradise and bliss, is infinite, and every faculty of the soul is capacitated, in the highest degree, to enjoy much of God; and our divine communion and fellowship also is eternal. What keeps the worldling in perpetual anguish, but because his portion here is neither complete nor permanent? Yea, what would the bliss above be,if either infinity or eternity could be separated from it? for what would avail the possession of crowns and kingdoms, nay, of more substantial bliss, if but for a moment? and what would perpetuity itself profit, if spent but in gazing on a glow-worm, or enjoying a circumscribed good? Well, but it is otherwise here; for when wafted to the higher house, to the heaven of heavens, I shall find myself in the midst of ineffable glories, and plunged among infinite beatitudes, and all the unbounded emanations of a Deity, whose every perfection may through endless ages employ the whole multitude of glorified admirers. But while his eternal excellencies possess my ravished powers, and all his goodness passes before me, how would my finite mind be pained that I can comprehend so little of this almighty all, if not comforted on the other hand with this, that I shall go on, and grow in knowing God through eternity! O eternity, eternity! how much shall my soul know of God before ten thou