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MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) i 4.5 1^ IZ! 2.8 M 3.6 4.0 12.5 2.0 1.8 ^ dggy gP IfVMGE Inc 1653 East Main Street Rochester, New York 14609 USA (716) 462 -0300 -Phone (716) 288 -5989 -Fax ''SSC* \j?M % ".M H In -'Jfjp^"' FRIENDLY VISIT TO THft HOUSE OF MOURNING. IX THE ©AY OF ADVERSITY COiJSlDE'lt. £ccL vU. 14. Many ai-c the fayings of the wife. In ancient ami m modern books enrolled 'Extolling Patience - ■ - * But to th* affliaed in his pangs their found Little prevujU ; or rather Teems a tune Harih. and of difibnant mood from his complaint, UnleU he feel within Some fource of confolation fr«m above • Secret refrennoga that repair his tlrengtJu And fainting fpirits uphold, f iT T9 WT^ 1 ii rr JJ J< U N S J^ Ju ^ • 'kinrcD B2' Abraham J^Auvgtjr^ . i8oi» V . J^« i^y- \ ♦ * "^ T-'b ^.'V^ # HS* *• ■amei^m^,. FRIENDLY VISIT, &?^. »;®:< ■M-^' Y. ^ OURprefentaffliffion, mydear friend, demands fonnrething more th%fk the ufual forms of condolence. Sorrow^ which like yours, cannot be prevcnted^^ may yet be alleviated 'and improveC This is my defign in addreffing you, atidt if I feem to intrude upon your retire*- menf, let hiy motive be my apology* Having felt how much better it isto go^ to the houfe of mourning than to the ^ houfe of feafting ; * having received my beft lefTons, companions, and even eom^ ^lorts, in it ; I would adminifteriram^ my little ftock of expcriente : 'And wW^^^^^ I thus endeavour to affi^jgnar meditai ^lons, Ihall rejoice if IliSPfe^ntrifekte, ^Qugh but a raite,;tp. y^MdE)iybit; ^ **'^ • Eccl. vik 1^ w i 4 ] Were I, indeed, acquainted u-UU ,i peculiar circumflances of vour r ? ftould, employ particnhr /^ "' ^ «n'y a general aim . which is o. ?he heart, at a fa^rable i^l '''"""' f'» grand concernT^'^o ,1":?;' "'"^ J-T-prpflion when fof ened^ anH ! f '""* «n V direftion , u "»''"« an heav- / uirection when moved J ft ..„ 'f^e wife be found. £ v^u'r /'" "^ peculiar advantage fem'i' ""^^'^ ^^"^ jea^^lirh^,°"'^«rftoftbereob. jecis , with him we fe dom form w clofe acquaintance till we mea L i^ trouble. He commands fiance '„'" pat He may be heard • and JLn ' ^terven^ng bjeas. .hat S;' r^^^^^ Bccl. VJJ. 'y »'■**• '.r ^ with tlic ur Jo/s, X onfidera- can have acquaint ^^t, with a /erious an heav^ Let us, :cther in heart of experi- ere alfo onrem,. itimate- ed wiih ?fe ofa- ni any him i|> now, move& Jy be R ap* [ 5 ] ^ refunied what he lent ; whofe will is the iaw of his creatures ; and whoexpref[lv; V.^r T'^V.' ?'^ ^'" ^^^^ Prefentaffliaion, We fhould ferioufly confider, that all allowed repugnance to the determina- tions of his government fhowever made Known to usj is fin ; and that every wifh to alter the appointments of his wifdom IS tolly : we know not what we ^fk. When God difcovers himfclf in any inatter thofe who know him, will keep iilencc before him.* Shall he that con, tendeth with the Almighty inftrud him ? How just was the reply ;' < Behold lam ^ile I what JJiall J anjwer thee 2: / 7^^// ^ay my hand upon my mouth.' f |, This filent fubmiffion umier trying ^iiipenfatio>)s, is varioufly e- mplified as well as inculcated in the Icriptures. An awful inftance of fin dnd forrow oc^ curs m the family of,Aaros : hisfons dif, regarded a divineappointmen-t.and there went out fire from the Lord, and de. VOurdd them . hut A ot-r>,, K-iJ u: 'CdLC, Hib V. ^c- t Job xl. ii. 4. I Lr V. X. 2^ FJi,inrirniIarcircumftances,filcncedfi;« Iicart with this fingle but lufficient con. fideration, "7^ is M(? Za7-i/'* David, un^ der a llrokc which he declares confum- <^d him, obferves, «^ /^^.s dumb, I open^ cd not my mouth hecauje THOUdidJl itrf And job, M^ien flript of every comforL bieiicd the name of Him who rook a- ^^y, as well as gave.J Whatever be the nature of your calamity, may it be attended with fuch an humble and child^ Jike /pirit as thcfe poflcfled ! :_ But the Sovereign Difpofer is alfo t\\t Compassionate P^ather. Among other inftanccs of his tendernefs', you may have obferved the peculiar Supports he affords under peculiar trials. Let us mark, and acknowledge, the hand, which mingles mercy with judg^ iTient, and allevation with diftrefs. Th^ parents Ihave juft mentioned loft their children under circumftances far more diflreffing than yours:— The dcfire of your eyes (if not the idol of your l^j^rt) was. np^K-kKko «l«*^vA ^ /I - \ " -s J— siics^yo, aiiiiuic c& iiriingcr i) you * I Sam. iii. x8. f Psa. xxxix. 9. t Job, i. 21.V Ilcnccd hi« cient con* David,un- s coiifum- ibt I op en- y comfort, ■) took a- itever be may it be md child^ er is alfo A T H E R. ndernefs, peculiar iar trials. Jge, the h judg^ ds. The oft t-Iieir Far more Jcfire of ir>fart} •} y^M ob, i. 2L*, C 7 ] flrove hard to detain it, but He, wha took the young children into his arms and blelFcd them, took yours; and, tak- ing it, Teemed to fay. What I do thou knoweft not now, but thou fhalt knovvr hereafter;*— patiently fuff'er this little one to come unto me, for of fuch is my kingdomt compofed : — ^^erily I fav nn- to you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father.'^ ** If I take away your child, 1 take it to myfelf — Is not this infinitely beyond any thing you could do for it ? Could you iay to it, if it had Jived, ' Thou fhalt •^ujccp no more, — the days of thy mournin(r ere ended ?'\\ Could' you fhew it any thing in this world likc'the glory of God, and of the Lamb ?$ Could you raife it to any honour here like receiving a crown of life ?"f The voice of a Father of mercies and' a God of all comfort** fpeaks as diftinfti 3y in the death as in the birth of an in- • ToHn - / ■ t Matt, xviii. lo. 4, TVTaff- "i^. § kcv • KXU. 2 3- flj III sa. XXX. 19, ames 1. 12* #* 2 Gor. i^ i f . / ^ ' ^ ^e"nZT 'r^ """^r weeping ; Ra4et. comtortcd, bemnf^ tU^ Thusfaith*theLo? Kef rain thy voice Lord Z " ^^f .;? ^^^'^^ ^«i Mth tJu oftjT''^7^''* It n not the -will littlZ T'fy ^'"'"- '^'^t one of tkejc Is It a pious Friend that has juft yield- ed up his brearV. ? TU^ r ■'• /"='"- to far c-r r ^^f^'^"^^ Voice feems fmm h- ^""^ f'"'"" '^""' or rather turn ^ni ell I taken Jrom the evil to covie ;- ■"^^l^ entered into peace.'l larypa,ent or the faithful partner de- en cles which they blelfed. We are /o funned by the fudden blow or occu! fha? w' I "^' '^*"^^^"S circumftances. that we (carcely can hear God (kyin^. |er. XV. I 7. t Matt. XV iii. 14« X Isa. Ivii. i2» ; Raithti, ufed to be vere not. 1 thy mice rom iem'Sy faith tlic me agm% t the will ? of thefe ift yield- cc feems her turn ^t.—HQ :om'e j — exemp- ner de- zes the i are io r occu- lances, fort€th J Ivii, i2» C 9 ] f(?w :* I, your Father, am yet alive ; I ,'avc you your departed friend ; I fent ^yery benefit which was conveyed thro* iiim ; truft meforbleffingsyet in ftore; truft me with him, and with yourfelves.* Whatever notions one who lives with- )ut God in the world may form of dying, ^e ffiouJd learn from his word to re-* jard it merely as a tranflatidn,— a c.angc itt* which nothing \^ loft which is really •^aluable. As furely as we believe that [efus die"e. however, of falling into their u!, cu mvat|i„ who limited the Holy Oneof Ifrael f Cre P here is a charge cmiiinuallv brought one thonJfT^^'"" '"^"' ^^""^ ^" ^'^^' trouble, the tever h^ h J?''"'^^ ^""^ ^^^ Refource are equally. leaJe hfm rF'S''"^"- '^^^""S^ affliction cometh hat aSlri ^""''^ ^^ ^^^^ ciult,||.-~yet none laiUi, \s tLr.rF^''^' "' '^^ "^§^^-^ Endeavour then, repeatedlf " ^^^'"^"'^"^^' ^^ recollect an ai.l-suf- ce thatthr^^^^^^^ Friend— a very prelent at it is awf.J/^^'''* '" trouble. He at leall rnav add 1 — that wT^> ^^ ^""^^ '" ^^^ P'^^'^S^ J"^^ alluded nd that to! ^ ' ^ '^iH repre health unto thee, and I vcomconi'^'^^j^''^^ ^^^^ ""f ^h'^ounds, Jmth the XhorL* Cannot the voice which rebuk- xteiM c r^ ^ tempeituous fca calm our troubled InS^wi^P'^^'^ ^' ^^^ h^"^ ihortened at.alL III- - ' i» Job X Psu. Ixxvi XVI; 2, 4, t Jer. x-^lx. 12, f 11. 41. 11 Job V. 6. ^Job xxxt. IQ ■jj* [ « 2 Job's more than the beginning ?* u ; ■ not the I ord that n-alTah p^or a„d iTiakeih rich ; that faringeth low and lift 1 e h t,p Pt Many, whofe heart, have beer defolate l,ke yours, while they have looked around, have at length lookel UJ.WAKB unto Him and'bela lighS ed.+ A fingle promile has aflbrded them not only rel.ef. but Itrong conlb ' . Let us therefore, my dear friend, turni ag«intoth.sftrongh«ldasprifo„ersof hope : even to-day can He render dou!' ble to us (I Let us look to Abraham's OoD, and his encouragement is ours - Fear not, —I am God Alm,,rhM~a d 1 am all-fufficient in all c"alT/: Lt enough ; and able to do exceeding abm. l^f'^bove all that yo^. ajk cr thinkAi have taken away thy Gourd, but doft •I'ouwell to be angry ?-have I left nothing for thankfulnefs P-thi, world however cannot be your hone, ior i^ Objettsyour covfolation : they are all tiu may io m Met tl S( youi \y rci or < ever dy U the d thee i ed in dejin fures |re ii but i abun Jol) xl ". 12. fiSa % %«ii *1'sa. '**»«»w« ining P* i3 i ^ poor, an^ low and lifui ts have beer • ^hey hav "gth looked eea lighten as afford rong confo friend, turn :>rironers ofl ender dou^ Abraham's It is ours ; lies : I am 'thtnLt 1 \ butdoft we I Jeft this world uc all t(u% 3. xxxivi J. ^pll. til, 20* Ipobr for the foul of man. Look unto Me and be faved :* — Acquaint thyjelf with Me and be at peace :f—Follozu Me and you JJiall not walk in darknefs, but have the light of li/e."^ However dark and diftreHing the prelbnt ftate of things may appear, commit thy father lefs children to my care^ I willprefervs them alive ; and -let the widows trujl in m^.'|j Still the beloved objetl is gone^ and your heart follows it. You can fcarce- ly receive counfel from infinite Wildom, or comfort from Omnipotence. To every frefh encouragement you are rea- dy to reply, * Wilt thou Jhew wonders to the dead ?—fJiall the dead arife and prketife thee f^-piaW thy loving kindnefs be dechr-- ed in the grave ? or thy faithjulnefs in deJiruBim ?'^ His Word repeatedly aQ fures you they fliall ; and that all that are in the graves fhall hear his voice -f but it informs you alfo, that He can da abundantly more for the living than - B ♦tsa. y\\\ 22. f Job xxii. 21. J John viii. 12. Iljer xlin. 11. §Psa, lxxxviil.id,ii. ^ John V.2S. or re- C H } Vive heir fanning Tpirits :--h caches you that He can fanaify the feparatio"" — tl,=,r He can give a divine life to the though dead in trefpafTes and hi I'vivor, ns * ai l.r«H i^ tU * Isa. Ivi. 5. TT Jii., «ia TT VIS aci l.iJl«« ;: '^X' 1 ■■'■ t.< ..^ t Hab. iii. f7,'/ijj-- II JofI ii, IS C t6 J foolifh Virgin, to beware of flumberinir fince the bridegroom is at hand and that remain, « J. ^., ^/y, ^^^^J . J fuck an. hour as ye tUnk not, the Son Si Man Cometh.'* Some indeed, like the' fons of Lot, defperately fcom the ad- n^onition, and treat it as the fear of do- in doubt faying one to another. ' r/-^/ neaneih thts i' and others moc>^.g rep^ Thefe men are full of new zvzne. { 'buI Truth ],ke a rock furioufly affaulted but unfhaken. remains to fcorn iS fGorners: and, while the witnelfes con- tinue to bear a faithful and confiftent tcftimony. God. fooner^^r later^ap^a;, oll'tT^V' '^-'- -tegrit; .TZ own word Entering a carelefs family he fmuesthefirftborn; and, asoneS i^f ..fleepej : arije from the dead, and Chrtftfhall give thee light :\\ ^ And IS It not, my affliaed friend, aa. infin; will ( will I mini] tionc minif fufFer bring to th( to his ant t] impre / giv Tnake \ quefti the ea remai fcienc coven before ^^, a% cujlorm \jhall h. Thif •J flumberi'ng. hand : and cry to thofe idy, for in the Son 6f\ I like the 'n the ad- rear of do, ■ A6ls, are ^U^^ What ^Mg reply^ ■e.'X But aHauIted, /corn its tiY^s con- confident appears yand his U family^ 5 on^ that ^ake^ thou iend, aa,, " 14. [ *7 } infinite mercy, if by anv means, God wi enter with fuch a light.— that he will roule fuch a fleeper?— th;u. bv hiV mimfter Death, he will arreft the atten- tion of hmi who has (lighted every other minifter ? What patience ! what long luftenng ! to take fuch an one a part ; bnnghim from noife and occupation inl to the (ecret and filent chamber ; fpeak to his heart ; and feal the moft import- ant truths on it, by the molt affeding impreffions ! Is it not faying, « How/lmfl J- give thee up, Ephraim ? how fiiall I make thee as Admah ?'* Certain it is. that queftions. which before only reached the ear, often now, like barbed arrows remain fixed in the confcience con- Icience, no longer {tided or amufed, dif- covers the Con TENDER, and. trembling before htm. cries, ' Thou hafl chalhfed me and! was chaftifed as a bullock mac cujiemed to the yoke : turn thou me and I U^ r »8 3 ftould it be realized in yours, as it ba, inft." '." .-'f "' y^.""^ P-"*^''^"' Vifitor ; if eabutr r"^''^''■'■^'■^^'«^^"y"''- Jett but God, you are brought humblv to h,s feet with patient fubnTiflionrfc i ' lution. and firm reliance : if, inaword IS a fo broken.— your foul efcaped as a andr.? °^/'^ S^'^re oP- the fowler,* reafbn wi,r^ '\"''P'"T^ k.st; wh;t redion will you have to fay, , Those we call „r,^td„d are a chosen band tTtV '"' "f '^''"inff^ infinite. ^.r death,.:;;' t ^rh'^ndi!:^, '''" ^^^-^ •• But death at hand (as anold writer expreffes it) fhould be death i„ vS^ and lead us to confider next ' Our prospects from thishoufc of Sorrow as the inhabitants of a pre! ent and future world. Many fupLfc i' !L^- ''^^ -"'-plat e'the'Jre- -... uuiiu uy crowding the Hbufe 0f .**Psa. cxxiv. 7. " ' L plate brea inotl pleal the^ ni ng and ilren is the canm Veril is ak( that then Fe low a exhib cefixo ing t T9, as it ba Vifitor ; ifj > every ob, 'M humblyj iflion, fcri- liolv re/b- ma word, ichantment caped as a e fowler,* = ST ; what band. irt bets bled A c severe : )ld writer I in viewi bishoufc >f a pre- ' fuppofe the pre- Mirth ^ their whole deportment, how^ ever fhews that it makes them much, too giddy for ferious obfervation : hav~ mg eyes they fee not.t Look at the deceafed, and contem. p.ate prelent things. His days an hand- breath ; — his beauty confumed like the rnoth.fretten garment :...his cares and pleafurcs adream ;-..his attainments as tlie grafs, which flourifhetb in the mor^ ning, and in the. evening is cut down and withered ;™his years a tale ;.-.his, Itrength, labour and forrow,. So foon n the whole cut ofF and fled, that we cannot help repeating with the Pfalmift Venly—every man— at his beft eflate— * isakogether: VAMir.Y,t— or a vapour that appeareth for a little while, and then vaniflieth away.jj- Few, perhaps, refleS; when thev fol- low a friend to his grave, that life'itfeir exhibits httle more than a funeral pro^ ceffion, were friend follows friend, weep- inff to-dav anH wi^rkf An,« *^ li-?-iiJc Eccl. jf Psa. "»n. 4. XX XIX. and xc t Ma ik viii, ig. J amrs iv. 14. 11 I C 80 ] •t»'irU' There i,"'"'^' ^"' ''^''"'^ * very rel'S;/; ^r£;f f/'-^^ Jnconflb e diftrcT";? ^ ^^''^^•' tintrirH «, , .'^'"'^'^'S therefore, mav tes of' u,^ rs eag ^Je things hear the > though unewith our heart and be fini ;*— to know, at lleaft in this our day of vifitation, iat things which belong to our peace ;t and aJfo what tbofe things are which hide, txiem from our eves. It is at fuch (eafons as thefe that ive more clenrly detea the lies of life. It i% in the Houfe of Mourning that, what tile icnpture calls, lying vanities, lie pe- culiarly naked and expofed. Let us here examine what folatejy dazzled us. >Vhat now IS the purple and fine linenj that caught our eye ? What is it to fare iumptuoufly only for a day ? Who is he tiiat cries, ' Soul, thou kajl much goods laid lip for many years, take thy eafe, eat, drink and be merry ^^\\ I truil you now' teel the deep mifery and. utter ruin of that dying creature, who, can fay no- thing better to his foul than this. ^Ou t *n iea' r-ly help crying out, < What f6t- iMhnefs, what madnefs this, in a moment ^o interefting as life f-^ with a profpeft fp awful as Eternity r ^-^ - t Luke * t3 iV« 4. XIX. r. W Luicc 42. t Iittkc xvi. i^s •^ 3i»U 19. -^m^ p 1 eyes, Itup.fy h,s confcience. and carr .S^.^,^P\^k.ng ouder." and ftrivin with the heart of man :— crvine alh basate!yiny,„,,,„re..!,r.7.^^^^^^^^^ and ' ft" ""' ^ra'' '^^-^ '^ '' " P°"-^^d^ to ftfke ":? '' '*"':."=''*^^ '«"• ^"'l tr into fi I root, deeper and deeper S 1 ""'y ^^^'^ '" ^^--'h. ve would lam draw our whole life, ftrength and^ "ounft,ne„t, fr„m it. And £ 2 cve"!'^tr?K'^?'^^^^'-f'^''"'-^5l every tree that beareth not good fruit be hewn down and caft i„to^ the fire"! "g, as h ^t is polluted, :empting t ^ you -with C 23 ] ^ery reverf( foil, and tryl md deeper , M'c would! ength, andj d here w .t but witf 500 d fruit, > the fire,2 ern merdyj nercy that! ^att. iii, joJ» Joh ears me up by th^ roots ?_that cuts the ibres of iweeteft union ?-does it prune .^»ay the ftneft branches? nip the love- ieft buds? and cover the earth with ? Tl -J"' verily.-fince the ver' ife of the whole often depends upon the ■emoval of a part, mercy will wound to a n '"^S-^'n'^ '"^ ^''^ "^<= ^''1 ftrip «fFits* >oft flouri filing fuckers : the great Hul- andman will not fail to adopt the (harp- ft means for the improvement of hi. hoicelt plants : for every branch that eareth fruit he purgeth it, that it ma- ring forth more fruit.* Though the' -ord caufe grief, yet it is in compaffion. nd according to the multitude of his iiercies, for he doth not afflia willing' y. nor grieve the children of men f l)ut foon or late inltruas all his childrei, • 'o lay. 'Ikno-w, Lord, that thy mdr- nmts are right and that thoumfoith/U . I'fs haft ajflined me.'l -^ Let not, therefore, the change of the ;t ch antr i^'ii uueci us 11 XV. 2. es, m order to prefent the only t La ni. lii. -12, tPsa. cxi: 75' C 24 3 unchangeable one. By thus rending the veils which men try to throw over a dv ing ftate. and difcovcring tekel* writien on every creatute. the moli carelefs are often fo roufed, that thev Ueem to awake and recover themfelves'- they appear, for a time at Jeaft, to be ' come wife to underftand thefe things" and ferioufiy to confider their latter end.t May this fklutary impreffion however, my dear friend, never be worn from your mind, but lead you habituallv to look from this fading, to that abiding. profpea which is to be found only ,„ the Eternal World.— and on which'ir may be necetfary here to drop a reflec, tion or two. ■ I think you muft often have remark- ed that the urgency and buftle of prefent things, not only raife a cloud of duit before our future profpeas. but early beget a falfe principle that the prefent Ide IS the only one. You mu ft al fo havel obferved that ten thoufand falie maxim..: I Which daily fjy through the world, take ' any < lenti ant : can b fuadt make interc Life. Do fiblyj does 1 futhd ized count] J rending the A^over a dy-^ g TEKEL* '> the tnoft '• that they themfelves: eaft, to be- hefe things, their latter impreflion, ''er be worn t habitually Ivdi abidin'f oiAy in the 'U which it >pa reflec-P e remark-. ofprefent id of dutt but early he prclent t alio have e maxims :>r\d, take C 25 J flieir rife from this prime filf^l,^^^ kbcng the whole, is cornparatnclyno- hing a itage, a porch, a dream, awea- ry day's journey. What is this drop J^ which God exhibits the wonders of his providence and grace ; or as a fta.e on vhich we are to a6l our parts wuhou any opportunity of repetition ; the pre ant but iurcly no greater impolition i \ "V"''' f'e isat home; Jr to make him forget and drown his eternal ^n^reft in ,uch a vifion of the nSK r)o you not my Dear Friend, fen- fibly perceive this? While you Jih^re Sl 1 "'^''' '^'' "■>'' an heavenly country,* as to admire him whn.i^.Jl^ Heb, xl.i6. V t I ■^C 26 J only a tent here * hiif o«4r m , for a ci.y that h'a.lf f ^^^^.^^Y 'ookcd you not ready to take hold 0?!!^^,;^ Seeing this, you only fee tnifhc «. exhibited in the /cripture, 1'" ''?.*^^'" f'ncip,e,i„a„,hor:'hro'r^^^^^^ for he alone can enable ufto.^l ^" own diftoveries • anH L "'^ '"^ he, when he r^m;.v ^^ gracious is J wucii ne removes anv oKipA , u- . ""ght prevent our thus' JeeZ Iw U' h'^ k.ngdom. and his righteCffn^r? ' vlio/e removal may nrovr»? •. °'' of our reeking , hem ?'"^'°^*^^fi'^» J.. J'lft before the flooH tt,-. 'doubtlefs, among their ne'n f ' ''"■^' admired projectors but ^ ''"°^"'^ fo have been^ bui o^e .r'^t'^r^P'^'"^ a-ongthem:onevd,ofawtdrcr1o"n*' '■egardcd his pro/peds Am! K V "^^ warned of God nF ^^"; '''^' ''«'«^' "' "O" Of things not (i.^., yet. moved with fear ., "\'*^^" as cu wun Jeai, prepared an Ark • lie ). VI ^ . TT , . * *^ J. yu n A T-T-.'. 11 Joii V 'i-Jt.-u. ;i:], jQ, a vj, 45- § Gc viii. 2:;, toil a m; worl of. I abid how( of til ture Ark dyirij the a fuch rious the tt ture i €tk nc as we /or ei fliutn I will mi (it lor it; whole tn 1 nrrc * Heb. II Acts ft^y looked '«ns?t Are 'f' the (kin ill go with '^od is with ruths ever I'lcl living ofGod^fj o u/e his ;racious is c61 which ^ Him /elf; ^nefs ? or occafion re were, renown,^ ' appears "'ife man ^<^^riouf]y ic> being ^een as an Ark '• viii. 23. r 27 ] to the favmg of his houfe.* Now fuch a man ,s the Chr.ilian. He feels the world paffing away, with the lulls there- w I '.' r ^ '''^' ^"^'f^ 'he will of God ab.dethforeyer.t 'Ifeel/fayshe/that however finely they dref. the pageant of this world, xtpajfcth by :X to a crea- A I "^^ S^''"'8> haftenfng. fuch an Ark IS worth more than ten thoufand dying worlds. Let the gay laugh ; leC the defpifers wonder and penjh % with fuch prolpea. before me. I LA^ fe. nous. He that cannot lie has revealed the terror, as well as the glories of a fu. ture ftate : he fpeaks of a rvorm that di. etii not and a, fire that is not qumchedA as well as oi afdnefs of joy andpleafurl for evermore A I ,„ult^not, I dare not. ihut my eyes againft thefe awful realities. 1 will not (acnficemy foul to ajeft, nor nils the ingle opportunity afforded me. lor us falvation. He that calls for my whole heart is worthy of it : while thcJ Heb, XI. 11 A cts xui. 41, iiavc hitherto eagrofied it, 17. I I Cor. fii. 31, ix. 44. ^ Psa.xvi. ir. 11 n, § Mark m^^-ii^ f r 28 J though they cannot fathfr j fi^^ ,. I ''^^ng-sbutlof^thnlT j^' ^ count a.ll\ God has prov'ide i ?o ^pedf^f ''r ''^'''^ , Such a man. . dej' te f ST""' in a ftate like thCt „ 'ej^''"i^ ^nually reminded 'of hirowt ZtS: -Even the wife Virain a i P^^"f ^P'^s. fe Bridegroom':' "hS'^Bu'r^' IS often made in the fam v i, r ^ f^ ^hich will at n dniX ^* ^'t''" '*''' ^•orld • one 1,1.; .k^ awaken the Pharaoh ?or ht firft^'" '^^ ''«'^''- of Jatdy heard?; you "''"'■" ^°'-'^^'f« -hile it roufestlJreperfifK^' "''''' ^ith tears and his heart whh J ' ^^'"^ en produce, fuch view of r^;"^^ > f " Prefent, and of the ere^nal^":^' "^ ''^^ other monuors would hlv^'.^mnf'.'" vain. ^^ attempted m (JLuice infti venl rifin dcrn nioii vey fhad( and ( rupti way ; and c not IT vens. famih forts livina a to an and t( of th heave not b v/hich expe£1 XV. 1^. t John VI. 37. jPhil.iii.S. *jP^eJ J find theyi ^^ orife and^ ^iour, who ^ that come. J count all\ G£, which gfinners/ Chriftian, >iit a man, o be con- '^ineiplcs, 's though But a cry 'iTore that ken the houfe of r that fo y> which his eyes »gs ; ofu > of the -> as all opted in C 29 ] Here then, my affliaed, but, I hope, inltruaed. friend, let us ftudy the hea^ venly icience of gaining by loffes. and nhng by depreffions. Leaving the v/iU dcrnefs, like Mofes, let us afcend the mount of fcriptural difcovery, and fur^ vey a profpeQ of which hi& was but a fliadow. Let us look from viciffitude and dcfolation to what alone is incor- ruptible, undefiled,.and fadeth not a^ way;* and, in the houfe of affliftion and death, let us contemplate a houfe not made with hands eternal in the hea- vens.t flow rcfrefhing to look from a family bereft of its companions and com- forts to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerufalem ; to an innumerable company of angeb • and to the general affembly and church of the firft-Lorn which are written in heaven .'X— the only, family which can- not be divided ;— the only friendfliip which fhali not difappoint our warmed expe6lation. • ■ • H '"•^•9-| * iP,t. C 2 1- t s Car tKc b. XU. 3^2, 2 J, C 30 .1 Glorious as this profpefl i^ /"n. j . you are ready .0 repiyf r/^, P/'-^'^P' ■'P.m. .,c- fo broken, „, hSt™^' and weepZ £ I can? Zf ^^''^""^ is before^ nTe' or rccol iJ A '{ *''="'' ^'^^' Tf n. • "'^> or rccolleft what I rear) If fenous refleaion compofes me for ,' few moments, I /boH rdir,rl ^ r * to lofe fight oFeve^r upio';?' ?^ ^"J Severely feel what yo7w con.l"^ the prefent life, bu I vSv heT'"^ of tl.c future like a tarlil . ^ '" • -ho iook,„g thro.g^;,^;'|3t:T/Te -ais'r;7fl^^'^'"^-'-''^-- rhere is, however thir att leaft between your ca^, 5''"'"'^" ^^ ted to vour n g^ft Of God, whichis eternal eceffi fv, as the Jefi inor ficie O hath beaf iurn on tl zsfz to h faith 0/ th fake M the ^ his b retur para( as an book €hpfe hoiife Jaco] penec of Co iife through I •R,,„ Js, fperhaps ■ l^^ave been it very in^ as been io ive Joe king ond it. My ^o wound- h watchinj^ ' read what iat I read. s me for a and k^m ^ i/jdeed ^ncerning ^e gtories creature, te of the ^h butin- erepce at e plenty are real- ever re- beftow- V, as the through C 3i ] Jefus Chrift.* In order to view this more diftinaiy, let us confidcr the ful. ficiency of Our provisions— For wifdom hath built her houfe, fhe hath killed her beafts, fhe hath mingled her wine, and furnilhed her table. She alfo crieth up- on the higheft places of the city, ' IVhofo IS Jiviple, let him turn in hither;* and to him that wanteth underftanding fhe faith, 'Comey eat of my breads and drink of the wine which J have mingled ;* for'^ fake the foolifi and live:\ Man, indeed, is daily reminded by the ihorns at his feet, by the fweat of his brow, and by the dull: to which he is returning, that bis paradife is loll :+ but paradiie regained is confidered r^^hqr as an idea ; a fubjed for poetry. That book, however, which I hope you have chpfen as your befl companiorv in the houfe of mourning, like the vifion of Jacob, not only fliews the he^ens o- pened» but dilcovers n ararionc mA^riiiir^-* or communication and intercourfe, as it •Hoiii.vi. 23. fProv.b:. 1^6. jGen.iii. 18, 19. " as God's orrlinanc'V .J "''^ °^ P' a r.i„,e ; and cr^r Wctr: ' '^'^'^ ^^ed ; may climb bv t frol ° ■?'"'" heaven, t ^ ""'^ '^^''th lo "otonlyas I nr' "'^."""^ before God urncr, vc, and Id not Lord .•■St ' C 33 ] ood up in the fynagogue to read, he Kekacd this paHage, and, having read It, he clofed the book with fa)iiig. ' Tkts \day 2i thn fcripture fuljilkd "in your W'» ' I am. as if he had faid, this ci'-iiverer and defire of nations ;t the saiire yeftcrday. to-day, and forever :+ b^<;redare they that mourn; for tiiey Ihall be comforted :J~blefled are ye that hunger now ; for ye fhall be filled : — b dfed are ye that weep now ; for ve fcaillaugh.'K I fcarcely need obferve that, in an addrefs like this, (a bow drawn at a venture) formal ftatements of the dif- ferent topics would be improper; and therefore. I fhall not attempt to def- cnbe, in their order, the various pro- vihons comprehended in that fchcme ot redemption, ufually termed the gof- pel. It may be neceffary, however, to remark, that the whole is a propofai to the broken heart, anfwering alj its ob- ' ^ «"^v-;.iiig ail ita vvajHS : auu Luke IV. 21 § Matt, t Ha 0-. V. 4. ii. 7- t Hcb. xiii 8, jjLuiievi.au I ii I f 34 ] tlutrucbapropofalwillbecor.N.ii v^u only in proportion a? ^k; j/- /uion prevaiis ^"^ ^'^P^^ of man. jf withoi.f fh ^ 4 '^* '^''"'■'J 'here can be no re " m^ f'"S «f ^'ood earneft to obtain tn"' '"'• ^'^o is' i' "-ugh on" h"e";c:u SI" ''^ '"' ''owever the preaching fL- ""^"^^ ^"^,1 be ef(een.ed 7oo|.^^1 '^'^ crorsftall iiificent fe.ft ,..u:_u P?':*^'^ofa.naff^ — "^'j wiiicii a ki~ iiefler] he hil ige ?* Let [never lioned, Ithat on "withou things J flueijce provide for tl;e this is ointmer Heb • IX. 22, ing made for 1 '_! V/^\« ir t I Cor. i. 1 8. J Gal. M, VI. 14. ut, -ordially re. i th's di7po knows how 5tor a fure ^" ; fo it i^i «nc whichl calculated! lortify thej the wantSjj J of blood, Ci vvho is ce to find ree: and, crofsfhall >ng tliem not only magnify / /kould r 35 ] I'c marriage of hi. fon ; but w],cn all I'-ngs were ready, and ii.vi.a.ions re- )eaadly fent. he points out the ruin of he ^vorld in ns indifpofition to accept >>s gracious propofa). Thcv made lipht ff'er.n.l.'^"" ''''^."■^^y-^-' However ■ ttcrtnt their purfuiis. they all agreed ^o rejea ti,c mvuation; ihev blgan mhoneconfenttomakeexcuie: fon.e rged realoris. and fome abufed the heS?' 5"'^'-'^''^ 'hi. more than I e h^flory ot human nature in every ge Let us, however, my dear frienc? never forget that the ga'te lately m" oned t though Ilrait, is open -an J >^'thout. Chrift has declared that a!i ngsai-e ready, may his graciotts in' providenr f "'^'"-''"S '^'^ ^'""'^ling . ',;'"• <-crtain I am that, whenever ".>'^ >» HUained, his name ;il be L (linn's oFl '' "*" iic»uic; win hf-i fa l:: ::: ";-:M--«i ror.h ..-it w/n rve ade for '"'^v-iii even to .1. vi. 14. Matt. xiLii. I (5, ODioictc poetry IP; 'A-e I Cant. «li c 36 J i;. ..s a robe,_,f any naked be ; J . any chance to lnu,ger_he is breid • . any be a bor.d„,ar,Xl,e is fe ' ^t any be but weak,_hiw uron.-'is he • Jo dead men 1 fe he is • t,. ■ f .' To blind ,„e„ si oht . „;j'!!;:^" •"^" ""'fh ) A pL asu,e without o;.' a (,l''l "■•l^ ^^■=''"' ' >'* '•^^'*^"re Without sti-ilHi To prepare the heart for the receo fionofthis treallire a. ^ r % ,P- I'e . pleafed to ufc'a^^, tet f ^^^ f^' "g or your /oul's health. I lole L ouJgc- hope, for affliaior, is a feed ^"le ; and let me freely n.quire f„ce Drnvfr f"".' "'^^"^'ion. do not the prov.hons of the golpel appear new fuf l^c.en.. & exaaiy fuited toTour eafe'^ i o you not mark that Gold w'hich the tlS cannot fteal ? that foundation ^hic Ino gdcanfhakeP.hatlifeover^hih M Z "° '?7"" • '"'^ "'«' peace vvluch the world can neither give nor take away ? nr)p<;n,^,.i,„ i- .8"";.""'^ ""y . ■L'oesnotthereliaion of I v. *us, li.atis fo forgotten and degraded among men, ftand forward now as the a high what h and Ik CREAl who, t cour ii 'iife anc cepts c endure JnaKe r * 4*--' ad ; s he ! len health ; eciy Avealth ; ithout stealth. the recep-. d of order,! of means ; w t mploy-., I love to is a feed ii»"e, fince 'as /J3oken c had jie- o not the new, fuf> cafe? Do the thief which no ^^er which lat peace give nor 3n of Iw_ — I «j— itigra'ded V as the . C 37 ] one thing needful ? Does not Lis friend- ft.p appear now to be that better Dart whKh ftall not be taken away * ^a ,d that God often makes his truth appear- lurown out to the ni u r-» r» r» /> A f J , ^. . ^ . ^ . » •<_ ^iKe neccfidry, mav fil CUIitCilt us, ence The did 'lU not .UiVc 1) XIX. ates of Zk NO, 42, C 38 3 who commands us to look with mdif ference on external things, may difpofe us to conceal our forrow. but cajnot affuage u. Rtral alleviation of the lofs of friends and rational tranquility in the profpea of our Own diflblmion. can be received only from the promifes of Hun in whole hands are life and death and from the affurances of another and better (tate. in which all tears will be foul fliall be hlled with joy. Phylolb- phy may infu/e stubbornzss. but re ligion only can givePAxiKucE."* 'In health and eafe, ingenious fpecu lations may amufc and faeisfy us- },,,, 7 thmk you now fu-el with me. that when He takes away the defire of our eves ^mh a flroke.t our forrows are ,00 deep to be alleviated by the „,et^ ort tor or philofopher ; we even turn in tl'lgult from hiin who would thus tridp ^.th our cafe , we need a Aipport thl '^"■■'^ ""f^ot afford. • I faint/ cJ,^ wounded fr^^.\ , . f __ *. ^[^)i>a A wdfii cijj aimighiy •^ h rndif- ( difpofe ^ capnot the lofs iiluy in \on^ can nifes of d death. Her and will be hylofo- but re-. ••r» ; but 1 t when r eyes re too ^ ora^ am in trifle It the fays a '^\9X\{ a y 6. [ 39 3 arm to lean on now ; yea, a very ten- der and compaffionate one too ; — one like that of the Son of Man. I need a merciful and faithful High Prieft, •who, having been tempted, knows how to fuccour the tempted ;* — that Man of Sorrows, that Brother born for ad^ verfity» who, being acquainted with grief, can enter in ray cafe, and com- mune with me in all the peculiarities of ray diftrels. I now need one, who can quiet me on his own breaft, and fpeak to me with his own voice. Weep not, the child is not dead but fleepeth.t Weep not, thou affliaed, toffed with tempeft, — when thou paffeft through the waters I will be with thee.;J; It is true this is the land of death, but I am the refurreftion and the life ;!(—this is in- deed, a dry and thirfty land where no water is jj but I will lead you ta foun- tains of living waters: I will wipe a- way all tears from your eyes.'f • Heb. ii. 17, 18. f*Luk« viii. 51. I Isa. xliii. 2. jj John xi. 25. §,Psa. Ixiii. t U Rev VU. I You C 40 J are O that I ki ready, perhaps, to fay rather a cafe ofc i^' K'" ^'"^ ""^ privilege of rl "^^'^ '^""^ ^^e high ^-„d. etc a : at^^h/r V'Tk"'' Though i fee 1 "^ °^ prayer."* to vcnture?lSiS""'' ' i'"^™'"'^ tranforeffion • ^^ "'^'^ ';«"»"ds me of •-her? but t^ G^d^ '''""^^'^ ^J' «^"y 4^e readily acknowJedcrp tKnf ^ - — — • * S J! Lady Russel's Le tters. f Roni. ^iiciflDie V»i before v;ith fi orign( by the ritual i concli mouth world view liis o\ Imite I poftac; 7?isrci/i and up kh\ ai may ac in the! to con learn t his rigi own, t than oi But ■ ■ A: to fay, gHt find with me the high fuch a f living eav'enly le) but er : — bofom ! • my ' faith mfy in )tions, a fu« er."* pofals imble me of Jvery nong ; re- alfb f- C 41 3 before a Judge who charges even angels witn folly. However pride may bouft or Ignorance prefume. he who meafures by the ftandard of a law which is fo fpi- ritua as to regard a corrupt dehre, will conclude with the apoftle, that every mouth inutt be flopped, and all the vorld become guilty before God.* A viev/ of the divine chttraQer, and of lis own, led not only a publican to Imite upon his breaft. as the feat of a- poltacy and polution, and cry, ' God be msrci/ul to me afinmr.i but fo perfefl and upright a man as Job to abhor him- le.i. and'repent in duft and afhes :+ I may add that, as we become proficients in their fchool, we fhall be more ready to confefs than to complain ;— we fhall earn to juflify God in any inftance of his rigiueous difpleaCure ; and humbly own, that he has laid upon us far lels than our iniquities deferve.H But while the Chriflian, as a penitent, D 2 U ob. xi;i. c! 11 i-^ e xviM. 13. sil. qiii, 10. I looks upon him whom he has picrj:ed| and mourns,, as a believer, he looks at iiim who was wounded for tranfgreff- ion and hopes. He f^nds h as defoc- rate to doubt the re medy, as to de the diforder. Having formerly rufhed headlong with the prefumptuous, he now fears perifliing with the fearful and unbelieving.* Ke fees an atonement of Ood . own providing ; he pleads upon God s own authority the merit of that blood which cleanfeth from all fin -t and by thus receiving the record whic'h God gives o; his Son, he fets his Ical to U that God IS true. -^ Is this, my dear friend, inanydcc^ree your cafe ?-Fearful. wandering, and wounded as your heart is. does u yet difcover a refting place .^-Inltead' of ^ifhing ,0 evade the charge of <■ mani- lold fins and wickednefs committed by thought, wprd and deed againft the Di'- vme Majelty ; is the remembrance of thetn grievous, and the burden of them 1 \ . j-JU you iiiicereiy deiire * Hev.xxi. 8. t I John i, 7. X.]ohn%hii to be ter in dren ion ai Beho away him ( our, 1 of fir and t( the h be nia you f] erty . you f] yoor ; provii refpor once £ religic it, tha precer beft a of Gc ? pierced le looks an fg re ff- s defpe- to deny ' ruflied ous, he rfiil and ^ment of ds upon of that 1 fin;t I which s feal to degree )g> and 5 it vet ead of mani- ted by he riU nee of f them deiire I 43 ] to be freed from this burden, and toen- terinto the glorious liberty of the chil- dren of God ?-that heavenly commun- ion and reft which has been mentioned ? Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the fin of the worlu !*— Behold him exalted to be a Prince and a Savi- our to give repentance and forgivenefs of lins !t— Come to him as a finner, and touch, with humble confidence, but the hem of his garment, and you Ihall be made whole ;t— Wait upon him, and you ihall obtain both ftrength and lib- erty . for if the Son make you free you fhall be free indeed \\ Refpeainor' your fenfe of weakneCs, let me add that provifion made for fallen nature, cor- relponding to its various wants, is at onceacharaaerandan evidence of our religion. It is a glorious peculiarity of It, that us promifes correfpond with its precepts.. To ufe the language which belt conveys m meaning. The kingdom or God is not in wnor. r>ni„ k.,» ,rr„ y^^mo' t AC\5 V. 31, If' John viii. 36. I Matt. ix. 21. * ftmH blind ''^" ^"' 'glutens th( ki_ I _'^^^u^, ana to conhrm fK.. f..^ biek nees.t The linclerlbnding is fent to b onfirm the fee- Spirit of wifdomand of ^'''>^'l It n^jght, ofarac that h IS peculiar to e al. and of o a Sp iuppl iric ica- our Teache the inh.r', :.„ "J"'"-*"'^^ Pro'pect of entance, then fords f[ rcD'Tth gcther with thcfe, af- gf^J to ri/e and purf iurn to the fhirfv (; Tu ^ "'^"^ ^^• 7eL-i«l r "^^^^y-^^-^th chapter of F and P^y provided f... ^added, ray you lot hy hi •up at w >erfea mi 'd when h 'd while h >ufly acco "ns the 'iigthcn he fce- om and . Spiric ^plica, eacher ^U his >ect oF thro' e, af- Je if. 3FE. i an?- hat it uired d. ipta^ effi-. I P'-ayed earnefUy for ,i .r deceafed • l ,ho.L^";. '''^ ^^^'^ of the %f of a recovery T, 'T ^ ^^^ makesrnefearthaf rr '"e event that 1 U^ ' ■' ^as not hparrJ „ J Se?v:;!"°^---'eft;^r::^^^^^^^^^ \Petuionmay be o' A '". ^'"^^ "^«' ,C.d not our Lor !> decte T^ ^l^''^' her heard him alway' f" l*^^' '"^ Fa- told that when in ,hJS ^'^^ ^e not K had offered uonr.'^' ^^ '''^ fl<^A Kyingand tear, L^ '^,^':-'' ^"J^ "rong JO fave him from dea^ *!"" '^«' '* ^^if k'hathefbaredPt\':!^^^«^-Ho ' P"y you how he was hearW '^?"'^'^" ^ -•ot by having the c„n S ^ ^^"^inly erfeft „„« r^^^-,. (, "^'""-e. however ■^ when he prave^ ; 2 ««ngaGGept- --"6**ui(nlcinff it,n.i, "'^"^^ John j^,r_ XI, 42. t Heb, very dregs iigU. 7.-. To come C 46 2 own \I felt |rcliev{ [the bii The kucntl fther al ceTvinT/T T'" '"^'='-ing, but bV rej-'''«=>' ^^ ad 5 :r ''"°" """ ho'nourable'anc^; -.r P which fat onlvf- y' '^^' graccf "' ^ through h 3 S. h^P"*"" ^^ believeJ^^ <^»"i ' virtue LntoJh'ri * ^"'^ " healinJ^''^"' t reJi-v^T- *°"/'='"<-^'J at my refufing th'^'Y conCi na confiT '* h"""^ little fuffero/di4'^^wn condi.F [?='' f"'" ''im, and the dcfirr- r i j Ifcvere triaP^ "^'"cr draught '^'"^' ^^^7 .ot by be-l^;- aliay. /"i.s'h ^^nld :;;;',^"'^ .^'- 'ut by re-i'^'^y ^^k. or better thi.n^ V '" ' f'"S^ irablear^J ^"- P«itions in kind Tr in iS^^'^ at gracj,-^"' ^'"'e we think onlv Z ^"''^"^{'■ belteveJ^- ^""f"l^^ "''r profit iV^^.;:'; ^^'^' ■ refignaf - -erlft^ng iT'l^ .--^f'-s .uch rcJ^^hen ho fendr,.ot th^ ve 1 thi"""°''* ipatienef '^. ^' hears us bv ic'cTwZrc.T^^''^ when J^^'c can aft orthink.* ^^ ''"■"^^" ncdicinJ ^^ a"}', therefore, aI{llFif-c] u. l- D rae tJP'-^'y ■' not onlv in the pubii; ,\ ''. *""' 3fe wh}"-- '" tl^c retired clo/et hn f "f >'• ,w„: Jconfidcr that there f a new J'f- '""^ rer dicf '^^^^^'^ei s human nature frr^rr. Id. thaj f'^^-"^ of retirement or ffi^n to , T"^ t way/"- •'"'-AT • where he fJZ. P^f ^«- I.ffi;iS00d„e,s,efp;;^3„7 tHcb. ::. 2 c. friend of fh^ ^^^^trcs to the common Pouring i„': hTs'h^r'"'^ ^^''y '^'i^"- honour hi,, chaSr 7^1 "'"™>"d, '"? "f "ur infirmities bT,r„- ^^''- P-ne,Uempredltkcarweare ver'"-t" ^'ut/iii. Jet IK ,K. I '"^*^' y^' with- "ay (obtain mcTcv -.nH fi f' ^' ^"^ '■^^'Pinurneof ,,?edt^^"^g"ce to endeavor 'at''''r"*' '"^'^ ""l^ you ? particularly, %,-','- f^f' .=^' '^.s time ;-" ^"PplicatL^;i:'„^,,l^;-,., He when, * '^ ''I i s vv u n vo J 1 < / r ' "/ " ". ' " ' ' " '* •• ^^ ^^ - ^oa; to how mi ^^ give him /** The torn obi but feri a cafe Aim m or (lores, which ii that whi ery way each in'i after all brought I Gofpel a foul, the heart. Howev thc/e trut tion when * Luki *i>k»v - ' Oar '> in dc- out the ch frail iaden. com-. imand, his af-^ prieft 'n all with- bold, t we :e to ou ? ap. for inie and loni ea- r 49 ] ^ozv to give good gi/is unto your children The religion of education and cf torn obtains, more or leC. every where but fenous. vital, fpiritual reLTon i a cafe of neceflity with us al? w fummon our force.! «,« .• ■ ^"^ ftores w^ fL T ' "^ ranlack our itores, we fpend our rnonev for th-.» tt! '.'• n ''•'■^^^' ^"^ °"r labour for that which fatisfieth not ,t we look ., ery way, and call to eCcry ,h?n ' 'm each m return loudly replic. 'n^,\ -. --•: Well, indeedrlill it be "i after all our fruitless effb n IJ'. ' brou.t to feel that the prS„:ofth: Go pel are the only bread for a hun^rv loul.^ the only balm for a wounled However foreign, my dear tr\. a thcfe truths were from your ro r ' t on when wp fiWl <:.? i ^ co-ifidera- vvijcn we ftrll lat down tn.r^.K,.- :c, P ' " 'to'--"-', ir £ Luke XI. »3' I Job xxviii. ,4, t Isa. Iv C 50 ] it Ihall pleafe Him, who commanded tli£ light to Ihine out of darknefs,* to fhine into your heart, and effeaually difcover the exceeding riches of his gracein thefe provifions ; then, though you Sweeping over your lofs, we are aflured from unqueftionable authority^ that angels are rejoicing fort your un- Ipeakable gain. We are certain alfo, that not only every real friend will cry, ./ This day is falvation come to the houfeX where we lately wept ;' but that drying your tears, you, yourfelfwill be com- pelled to exprefs your grateful kr)^t of the correftion you now deplore, and fing, with a companion and fellow-pro- iicient in the fchool of affliaion,|| Father, I blefs thy gentle hand ; How kind was thy cbaflifing rod Thatforc'dmy confcience to a (land. And brought my wandering foul to God! Foolifh and vain, Iwentaftray Ere I had felt thv frnn ra^^c T r»rr? . ■>. I left my guide,— I loft my way ; / 2 Co r. iv. 6. t Luke xv. lo.* % Luke xix. 9. II l*sa. cxix. 67 — 7i« nanded sfs,* to ^dually of his though we are ihoritVi ur un- n alfoj ill crv» houfel drying : cora- mfe of *e, and w-pro- :and, oGodI C 5» 3 But now I love and keep thy word. And here, fuffer me to drop a word or two refpefting thefe Our companions in the hoi'fe of mourning. Society is peculiarly plcafant whei^ we are benighted on a journey : and efpecially that of k citi- zen of the place to which we are going. It is encouraging to travel with thofe, who are convinced, that if they are chaftened of the Lord, it is, that they Ihould not be condemned with the world.* Blefled are the poor in fpirit f for theirs is the kingdom of heaven :t and here they are educating for it. Here they fit at the foot of the crofs, and re- ceive leffons of faith and patience, of humility and temperance. Blefled alfo are the pure in heart ; ft)r they here fee God j+ who never fo un- veils himfelf as in feafons of diftrefs. In fight of his charafter and word, they bow before his providence, yea iruft him in the ftroke ; for hope is made 4: r^ ^irtlrfTh l'\.<:&^«Lj| ♦ I, Cor, xi. 33. f Ma;t. y, 3. % tfet. v. 2, e XIX. 9. C 52 ] Here the fpiritual bu«>andman is taught to go forth weeping, and bearing the precious feed of faith and love, penifence and prayer J affured that he ftall come a§am with joy. bringing his fteaves with him.* Here alfo the heavenly tchoiar acquires the tongue of the learn- ed, that he fliould know how to fpeak a word in, feafon to him that is weary.t And here the true foldicr of Tefus Chrift IS found fighting the good fight of faith, .and laying hold of eternal life+ in the very valley and Ihadow of death. He IS here mttruded to caft down imagin- ationsj thofe reafonings which pecu- liarly infeft and darken the houfe of niourning ; and taking the fhield of MHh. and the fword of the fpirit • he wrefiles not only with fl eft and blood, but with principalities and powers •{— a mighty though (ecret conflia which t»od fliall one day declare to the world -, and which, when explained^ will leave m * Psa. cxxvi. 6. f Isa. I. a. t i T\ II 2 Cor. X. 5. §. Eph. vi."ia— 16, ly. - VI »4. IS* is taught iri ng the )enitcnce lall come J fheaves beavcnly ^e learn- > fpeak a weary, t js Chrift of faith, I in the h. He imagin- 1 pecu- oufe of lield of rit ; he blood, which world 5 1 leave r I. Vt » *. • » '•5 5 J. — - i, 17. C 53 1 its mofl celebrated heroes filerrt in dark- nefs.* * Go thy -may forth by the footjiepi of the flocki'i for in this houle they all have left the prints of their feet. Here flood Jacob weeping over his belbved Rachel ;+ and here Aaron cjeplored his fonts, fl Here we trace the fteps of Da- vid going up to his chamber and crying with a loud voice, * Would God I had died for thee^ A if a lorn, my [on ! my fon !§ and thofe of Ezekiel,' who, for- bidden to cry, lilently refigned the de- lire of his eyts tc he ftroke.^ But e- numeration is Vci.a ; hither came all the fons of God, the only begotten not ex- cepted, for Jesus himfelf flood and wept at the grave of a friend.** With fuch company, is it not far better to go to the houfe of mourning than to the houfe of fcafting ?tt — I knew one of thefe, a man who had feea £ 2 * 1 Sam. ii. O. 4. Pant. J. 9. t Ct^n ww. -JO- II Lev. X. 3. § 2 Sam, xviii. 33. •lE2ck.xxiv.16. *»Johnxi. 35. ffEccl.vii. 2. r 54 J affliaion by a rod* like yours —a man vho walked and wept in^olUude.ru wKh no expeQation of being over heard. There is fomething ffcredl' gnefa„dweca„„otliftento?t.effufio;; '"deed, ,s here required, but. if afford- ed, it may procure you atleaft; a com ' Set thee up way marks :t I defire here to fet them up, and to re- cord the levere(i of my%ifi,ations i„ the houfe of my pilgrimage. Lord pre- pare me for the next!' ^ ^ ' I perceive I cofild not have proper- ly fympath, fed with a friend in a fimilar cafe before this ftroke. I could not have underftoodit.' ' I have, at times, fo felt the import- ance of eternal things, that I thought the lofsof any prelent comfort would be tol- erable .--but I had no idea how much H. pend< of M * I^am. iii, i. t Jer. xxxi. 21. — a man ide, but 5 over- icred in 'ffufions andour, afford- a Com- vale of I* * * * * * to rc- ons in 'd pre- roper- imiiar d not iporu htthe e tol- I. C 55 ] pended on being ready, when the Son ot Man eame in fuch a providence.' ; I feel I now ftand in the right po. htion to fee the world and the word •— they both appear under afpeas entirely new. ^ ' Whf X find my joys « packt^d up 6nd gone;- my heart flain j the de- iight of my eyes taken away ;— when I recollea who is gone before her, who Js following, and what remains for the world to offer ; my heart cries, / loathe th 1 would not live alway ;'* * I thank God that I am alfo to go/ ' I perceive I did not know liow much my life was bound up in the life of a creature : when (be went, notbinir feemed left : one is not ; and the reft leem a few thm and fcattered remains ' 'And yet how much better for mv iamb to be fuddenly houfed, to flip unl ■=^xpededly into the fold to ^hich I was onduaing her, than remafn expofed ^[^' -^—perhaps become a vidim ?* 'I cried, « O Lord, fpare my child!' * Job. vii. i6. ---he did-~but not as I ._„„, , latched It from danger, and took ui-; own home.* meant ; he it ta I have often prayed, ' Lord, foften ny heart ! humble my pride ! defrroy -/levity!' I knew enough of his way I ) fear rhe means; and he has in inerl / towards nie. regarded my foul more t^an my feebngs.* . ' I prayed earneftly for her life : dui t/ compelled me to fay, < Thy will be done, —but I meant nothing.' *Omy God, howlonghait thou come iceking fruit on this tree^ !* how much hai thou done to done to ciiltivate it ?-^ ihall u ilili remain fruitlcfs ? foall it be cut down after all ?' _ ' My paffions forged ifnpreffions that. iae would live ; but I now plainly per- ceive I am called to regard God arid iiotimprelFjons.' 'I have been long like one in a fe- ver attended at times, with a ftrong de- ••-i^rj ; I begged hard that I might not Luk( Ik** vn! *• XI bebl, Iced n [threat joys ! * I ready, « « « my ho approc der hi.< fad^ex • W pation ment's ftill j'- thefe ig en the end of It ij lone, t [Father, hole c [fteps, tl ?* If -C** . t^. Jant ; he took it ta rd, foften ! deftroy f his way 5 in iner- foul more life : du- ly will be lou come 3w much /ate it ? — ball it be ions that, inly per- Giod and : in a fe- rong de- light not C 57 J ' be bled, but he meant a cure, and pier- ced my heart/ ' O how flender, how brittle the thread on which hang all my earthlv joys !* • I wifli ever to be aiking,' * Atn I ready, fhould he fend again and take * or * * * or mvfelf?'— Setting my houfe in order* wiliTiot make death approach fooner ; but, that ii will ren- der his coming much eafier, i reel by iad experience.' • When I pafs by the Maze, of diffi- pation and intemperance. I feel a mo- ment's relief I fay to my heart, * Be u / • ~^^ ^^""^ ^^^ ^^ "^' ^^^^^ ^^ fellow thcieignes/atui : how much better is c- ven the grave for my T ^, than the ^end of the/e things ?'f ' It is vain forme to wifb, as I have ^one, to leave the world and go to mv (Father, that I might enquire into the Nhoie of the cafe ;— the reafons, the ^eps, the ifTue, &c. In a fliort time ^ Ifa. xxxviii. I. t Rom. vi. 2^ i.a.i^lMit. I* I ftall.— but h. 58 ] %s enough now. have ears to hear God'and FaTh" t^ 'nVt' ^ "^^ ^^ '^ «-ed thi.s droV o" eS;''*' '/" '^' ^' horn a fpring which ft.if-- ^"™H ^-^ 'ife --part of Ivfe f '" /""!;'''" + '^^ «« thee, htiv\«h?/ ^^'^''^y g«"t'e n, li tins humble atteinnt .« .•* * P^'a' youraffliaion has bl^ll a .""P^-o^if the conciuding hiu"i";e1-pJa' -" ^ '^-^ An?o:e^f7he^S^^''--.«an4^^^^^^^^^ ties of the ttate is as ll ^""''P^' ^4^" on ^as charged uponC tLt";h"- i W''^ urned not to him thaT fmo e thl^^ '"i" '^' ^ -"gi^^ the Lordt in the^^ dS l' nT^*^'* ' t"e contrary, the rlp-,r "'^^\*- Onfcne. wfc Job had of a divTneTand^Pi;''''^"4pP«i"t< '^ons. is asi„ftruaTveasl"h;i\?'' afflicLrermi, ^ . "^^^^*»spatiencei.a4rewub ^sa. xxxvi. g. X T„ :.. I lead of i ih now, if I „ ^ . C 59 ] fountain off he Au L T "" """f '^'''^'^ ^l^t ready gonfhe It ':• ^^Z" ""^ue regard ,o ncipal duXart on LI '"^ condufted every • r- ?>T°''^ '--^ed t;. tritcr ^"" r.K /°T"^' ^^'o Jiad Jived hi, A,rt '^'"^'''"S rehenfio4ppointed) time Z: *^ ' <^'' ^- ^'^ bis afBic-feerermined ^l f '"^' *"" %s al- ienee u±, wKee ho"at:: "^ '''^ '"ontl s i:_ L V^^.-. ^"OU hail aDnmnf/%rJ i.:._ ad of ftx.ng our attention .rponnie;". •'°^'•^'• tJob:.xiv.,,6. [ 6o 2 and creatures, of which we tn^ r |;ylmleJetus\urntoHimwSowi°T by thefe inftrumen.s, and S.^e]v!ff A^^' h.s own determiivtions b^S r.? from man, for wherein is he ?1' k^^''^ counted of-* r er n^/Vi ° '"^ ac- 'he Creator; nor pre^nrthf '"" '^'''^ the fatal fcr^en oFThf utT TuT"" «:very occurrence, mark tir/re^t r . f " of whom, and through wh^m T^^' Ihom are all things ^XoZ^T'^ '^ the very hairs of our head Z ''t^ out whom even a fmrr/ V m "^ ^"h- the ground.^ ^'"""^ ^^"^^ "^t to . '^Vhile others, therefore are w, ^ ^ng without an objed and h •■: without a comforter vea .1 ''"^'^ their worftenemyfoVeS let ufeni '" vour to fay with Peter ' Lord 1'^' J "-c ^o,|j piit to THEE ?' f'nnfi^^ "• 52. f H II M om, '» vi. 68. x«. 36. t Matt. § John V. 6 X. 29 >3< the ther oft arei ed fc fhill you are g given your j we ar when provid \n to ^t adiT each hi k/i^ chaj \thou an oiifly pi Hffion i '\;' ■■ * T3l.li ... - "i«. iil If Psa. ciii know fove- ho wrought ely effeaed ^m. Ceafe ' to be ac- -ature hide 'gs remain e; but in eat Caufe, n, and to ^iiTibereth and with- iis not to wander^ bereaved going to IS endea^ ^0 whom -onfider pofing a confci- '§ May that of 5c. 29, 30. ^"C apoftle's «* rr K tf^en. though* reemLi[ ''?>' .^'^^"^ ;"* of this grief } i cT^'J: ^^^»owcd up ^refourL in i ante^r,l^ "^^^' fi-S Once nif»r/-/ar? « • ^v ^ ^"3t which y-u /hall ^^be eliiei'' '^' T'""'^ ' ^"^ fregohe before yonrn 7' '"''"'y '■'^^' Stven me ever unto dead ^ ^''^" '''^ knows our frame Tn.l ^ ''■^^'"' ^^ho ^^e are but duftfallol''"""""''^" "'« 'providence, can,, u 'to h °"^"' ^ h,. "s to weep with them fh,V ''" charges each hand. < ,if, 'I''' ^'/. danger on ou/Jy profefs chriftianm; ''*^ '""'- '}♦ P«^ ... '• t jon.i,. 7^ p >• ffHeb. Kti. L 62 y ' to our Lord's will, but) that we havc fpeaal refources in our affh^iion ; Tvl cral of which have bee ed : that among is a pe paffeth all under/tand n a cs, there er of hea s and mind^i* th 9 ^ -^m W -^ * ready nam- our privilege from God which ^g, to keep our rough life and in lor not forrowing as others who have have a poft of honour to maintain : an high calling^ to demon/Irate and com jnend : we ftall (like the pilot ,n I Itorm) be brought to our principles and as forrowfui yet always rejoicL.!] /hould prove that we have theJnotn^" On the contrary, there is fuch a thing as nurfing and cherifting our gnel : emploj-ing a " bufy meddling memory to mufter up paft endearments '• and perfunate a va(t variety of tender and heart-rending circuraaances. There IS a tearing open the wound afrefh by t Tlies. iv. M. H' JI 2 Cor. vi. 19. floo] theh to m upon He i comf a wid "».vhen paffio time, I which fand tl iaying as del pro/pe fenfe < things Jn deat him, w and CO the kir Chrift,+ darker Luke Vi f we have ion; fev. -ady nam- ' priviieg- 3cJ which ^ecp our Jife and y reafons ho have chriftians 'tain : an nd COO)- iiot in a incipjes ; joicing,^ not now fuch a ng our leddling ments," tender There refh by C 71 ] > flooping to the fenfes, and ipeakin^ to he heart of man :- ever faying. c?J^^^ to rny crofs, take my yok'e. td £ upon my arm, and ye fhall find reft^ He fought the houfe of mourninTr:. P^^on on her/::d'7^^^^^^^^^ ^Weep not - May he meet you at th,^ laying be brought to pafs, ' Death h fen/r r / °^'^'''"'' companions, and £ttSr* pod .^ith us and alT \h\ r J^^ ^^''ds which revived [him, who ftyles himfelf your br^^^^^^^^^ and companion ,n tribulation, and fn the kingdom and patience ^f Jefi" \^\^^l,l remain to :heer a folitude '3- uarker AT r^^fl^iLl«^ iL. Lufec y wictn nis. I' ear 1 v^'- 13. t I Cor, XV. 54- X R ev. 1. * not C 72 ] am i^e firft and the lafl ^E ALSO READV."t Ynnr T /• gone your following is certain • \. niay be fudden ; it ,„a^ be TJn k„ ftould ittake place ihis^niX^^^^^ fiV fition to pafs From tho ^- confbience ^ith T^^J^ ■^Varned von anH ^f •• y;pur confcience with the trut have been confiaering ! "^ * -''"• '■• '7.-13. t M.'t. ,xiv. • T ijcii 44« a ^ lew and be^ % Amen : ^ death.'-^ 'Vent io^ •ge, "be inend h 'tain : it ^t. But and find ^ttef for Aibter- Scarcely formal, left to lipidity) ul tran- I to the ^vithout I ; un~ I.' And d you, ffeaed hs we . 4^. ■^5 a-t^- r #• 5^. •^'■' "# i^^' JA,