I y. ^ i \ 1 1 un t^ . Zz \ ir* " & -\ i i Mi W )i cq ec , />T ti-' ^ ?^, ^.OF-CAIIFC SSfe *} pn ftv- v OA! |v 8 an.}'i N!VER% o^ fk )| s l o I I S a |o w-J ' <ftl30NV$C -- fi s? =? ,5 ^ fo i I IX < i ^H)NIVB!%. \\E-UNIVER% 5 1 THE WORKS O F The late Reverend JAMES HER V-E-Y, A. M. Redlor of Wefton-Faveil, in Northamptonfhire. IN SIX VOLUMES. VOLUME I. CONTAINING, t| s i , MEDITATIONS among the T o M B s ; REFLECTIONS on a FLOWE R-GARD EN ; A DESCANT upon CREATION; : ie CONTEMPLATIONS on the NIGHT; CONT EMPLATIONS on the STARRY HEAVENS ; and A WlNT ER-PlECE. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, A particular ACCOUNT of Hie LIF E, CHA- RACTER, and W R i T i N G s of the AUTHOR. ] / will meditate of all thy works, and talk of thy doings. * !"/* 1 t J S rial. Ixxvu. 12. EDINBURGH: Printed for JAMES ROCH, the Publifher, and fold by him, at his Shop Luckenbooths, and by the principal Bookfellers in Great Britain. * ' M'DCC^LXXIX ^r^TvirfTV**^ *v* ADVERTISEMENT. AS the writings of the great and good Mr HER- v E Y have been held in the greateft efteem by. all the friends of real Chriflianity ; and the demand for them, even in detached pieces, has been very confiderable 5 the prefent editor was advifed to col- left them into fix volumes, and give an elegant and accurate edition of the whole. And he flatters him- felf, that this impreffion, in regard to the fize and elegance of the types, the quality of the paper, andf the manner of execution, will be found far fuperior to that of any of the different pieces hitherto publim- ed, either in London, Scotland, or Ireland. The MEDITATIONS, and THE RON and As PA- SI o, are printed from copies that received the au- thor's laft corrections and improvements, a little be- jfbre his happy death. Thefe corrections and improve- ments are lb very confiderable and important, that if any reader will be at the pains to compare this e- dition of thefe pieces with any copies printed in Lon- don, previous to the year 1760, he will find not only many fentences added, but vaft improvements, both in diction and fentirnent, made in the Meditations ; and in Thervn andAfpafio^ not only very cbnfiderabie amend- ments made, but in many places whole pages added, both if) the text and notes. So that the prefent edi- tion will be found greatly preferable, in all refpecls, to any that hath hitherto appeared. A r Ths iv ADVERTISEMENT. The p':her pieces are printed from the beft London editions ; Mr Hervey's recommendatory prefaces to ieveral other works are now collected ; ieveral of his religious letters do now appear; and the whole are arranged conformably to their dates, as far as could be done. The Index is copious and entirely new. To the whole is prefixed a particular account of the life, characler, and writings of the author j chief- ly taken from the account of his life prefixed to the two volumes of his letters publilhed in 1760. Several other anecdotes concerning him, will be given in the preface to his letters in this edition. Upon the whole, as the editor has fpared no pains or expence for giving a beautiful and correct edition of the works of the truly evangelical and pious Mr HE RVEY, he cannot but think his labours will meet with the public approbation, as he is duly fenfible of the encouragement already given him. J. Roc 1779- 55* HlJ T. H TENTS. The LIFE of the AUTHOR. HIS birth and parentage, xv. Educated at Nqrthampton- fchool, ib. Entered of Lincoln-college, Oxford, ib. Succefs of his fludies there, xvi. Learns the Hebrew, ib. Though he mewed a ferious turn early, yet he was a ftran- ger to the doctrines of grace, till his prejudices were removed by Jenks's treatife on fubmiflidn to the righteoufnefs of God, xvii. Enters into holy orders, refufes to hold his exhibition, and becomes curate to his father, ib. Becomes curate at Dum- mer, and lives fome time with Mr Orchard, ib. Stands god- father to Mr Orchard's eldeft fon, xviii. Undertakes the cu- racy of Biddeford, ib. Difmifled againft the will of his parifhi- oners, ib. Plans his Meditations in Cornwal, ib. Becomes curate again to his father, ib. Publifhes the firft volume of his Meditations, ib. Publi flies the fecond, xix. Sent off to London, and dangeroufly ill there, ib. Returns to Wefton- Favell, where he refides till his death, ib. Takes his degree of Matter of arts at Cambridge, ib. Reluctantly accepts the two livings of Wefton-Favell and Collingtree, xx. Publiihes feve- ral pieces, xx. xxi. Recommends Marfhall on fancYificarion, xx jj. His Theron and Afpafio attacked by feveral wrirers, ib. Writes a defence of it, ib. Publifhes three faft-fermons, and recommends Jenks's Meditations, xxiii. His labours in the miniftry, ib. The feverity of his lad illneis, ib. His affec- ting fpeeches on his death-bed, xxiv. His fpeech and exbor* ration to Dr StonhouCe, xxv. His exemplary patience, xxvii. _ His fevere conflict, ib. His laft pathetic fpeeches,xxviii.xxix. His death and burial, xxix. His heavenly life and triumph- ant death, xxx. His character as a miniOer, ib. Hismethod of preaching, xxxi. Affects plainnefs in bis public difcourfes, ib. His method of catechiiing,xxxii. Hisfatnily devotion, xxxiii. Explains the fcripture daily in his family, ib. Is a member of an aflembly for Chriftian improvement, ib. His uncommon and extraordinary charities, xxxiii. xxxiv. Devotes the pro- fits of his works to charitable ufes, xxxv. Frugal in perfon- al expences, ib. A remarkable indance of his de{ire to do good, xxxvi. The happy effects of his attachment to the declrines of free grace, ib. Too negligent of his drefs, xxxvii. In learning inferior to few, ib. His humility, ib Writes raany religious letters, xxxvii* xxxviii. His reply to an <vi THE C O N T E N T S an abufive letter, xxxviii. xxxix. The doctrines he preached^ xxxix. xl. His character in the Nbrtharapton Mercury, xli. Mr Dodds's eulogium on him, ib. Elegy on him, by a young apprentice, xlii. Verfes to Mr Hervey on his Meditations, xliii. MEDITATIONS among the TOMBS.' OCcafionofthe meditations, 65. Solitary walk in a church,' 66. Handfome altar-piece; gratitude celebrated, 66, 67. ibo/omow's temple ; his noble fentiments at the dedication : the pafiage illuftrated, 67, 68. The Holy Ghoft dwelling in our hearts; a rich privilege ; an obligation to holinefs, 69, 70. The floor covered with funeral inscriptions, 71. Wif- dom of meditating on our latter end, ib. Promifcuous lodg- ment, and amicable agreement of corpfes, fuggeft humility, and concord, 72. Monument of an infant; its fortunate cir- cunidances ; fuperior felicity of furvivors, 74. Monument of a youth ; grief of the parents ; mitigated or aggravated by the profpect of the invifible (late; exhortation to educate children religioufly, 75, 76. Monument of a young man, cut off in his prime ; how unexpected and afflictive the Itroke; the frailty of all fubl unary happinefs, 78. Reflection on the thr.ee pre- ceding exits ; the uncertainty of life; call to be always ready, 80, 81. This farther urged from the inftance of a per fon kil- led by a misfortune ; nothing cafunl, but all ordered by provi- dence, 82. Cafe of a lady, who died in childbed; her charac- ter : with regard to earthly things, we know not what is really defirable or truly good: remarks on Mrs STONHOUSE'S mo- nument, in the great church at North avtiptott, 85. A religious father taken from his young family ; his behaviour on a dying bed ; their fupport in a fatherlefs ftate, 90. Monument of a middle-aged perfon ; immerfed in bufmefs; difappointment of his fchemes : his dying acknowledgments ; the folly of world- ly-mindednefs ; very bitternefs in the end, 95. The graves of the aged; the difficulties and hazard of a late repentance ; youth intreated to enter upon a courfe of holinefs without de- lay, 97. The fmgular wifdom and felicity of the righteous; the reft of their bodies; the calmnefs of their departure; the fafety of their dilembodied fouls ; their delightful fituatiori tiU the THE CONTENTS. vil the judgment-day, 100. Monument of a warrior, flain in. battle; refleftions on the death of CHRIST, that it was vo- luntary, forefeen, undergone for enemies ; was moft tortur- ous, lingering, and ignominious, 105. The meannefs of be- ing obliged to a monument for perpetuating our names : au- thor's wilh for himfelf ; true method of eternizing our cha- racters, 92. The vault ; its awful afpect; grandeur in abafe- inent ; the vanity of pleafures, honours, and riches, no. The clock ftrikes ; a warning to redeem the time, 114. The wonderful change which takes place in the tomb, dif- played in feveral particulars, 'ib. Soliloquy of a lover; ad- monition to the ladies; true beauty of the fair fex, 116. Sin the caufe of our dhTolution, 1 18. Subjecl of mortality brought home to our own cafe ; incitement to improve life ; this the bed embalming, 119. View of our Saviour's fepulchre; his lying in the grave has foftened it for his people; faith in his dying love difarms death, 121. The refurreclicn of the righteous ; their meeting the Judge; their acceptance at the great tribunal, 124. Sicknefs, fin, and death, deftroyed ; blifs or mifery unchangeable; obfervation on eternity, 125 The wicked ; the anguifh of their lait ficknefs. No hope but from the religion they defpifed ; that very precarious ; the horror of their diflblution ; this the beginning of forrows ; their treatment in the invHible world ; referved to the judg- ment of the great day, 128. They rife, tho' reluctant ; are diftra&ed with terror; covered with contempt; condemned to endlefs wo, 131. To be inftrurnental in faving our fel- low-creatures from this mifery, the trueft exercife of bene- volence, 133. A reflection on the vaft importance of thefe truths ; a perfuafive to ad under the believing confideration of them ; enforced by the inexpre(fible necefllty of preparing for them, ib. The whole clofes with a view of the prefenc fecurity, and future glory, of the righteous, 135. REF LECTIONS on a FLOWER- GARDEN. WAlk in the garden ; fummer-morning ; a foaring lark ; invitation to early rifing, 140. Vaftnefs of the Jieavens, greater extent of divine mercy, 141 The fun; its fifing glories ; emblem of C R i s T, in. its enlightening, fructifying, Tiii THE CONTENTS. fructifying, chearing, and extenfive influences, 143. Dews; their tranfient brightnefs ; their refrefhing nature; their im- menfe number : difficult pafTage in the Pfalms cleared up, t^8. The various, but harmonious procedure of providence and grace, 153. View of the country, and its principal produc- tions; particularly of an orchard, and kitchen-garden; chief- ly characterized as ufeful, 154. CHRIST made and recovered, upholds and actuates all; addrefs to mankind on this occalion, 161. Obfervations contracted to the garden; fields of litera- ture left for the (hidy of the Bible, 165. Fragrance of flowers ; its fugitive nature, another motive to Ihake off (loth; the de- lightful fenfation it creates, faint reprefentation of CHRIST'S facrifice; all our performances polluted, this the caule of our acceptance, 166. Colours of flower.s, how perfect in every kind; with what Ikill difpofed ; finenefs of the flowery texture : inducement to trult in providence, 169. The folly of pride in, drefs; oi.r true ornaments difplayed, 171. Flowers naturally infpire delight ; what pleafure mull arife from the beatific vi- (ion, 173. Solomon pictures out the blefled JESUS by themoft <lelicate flowers; beauties in the creature lead us to the Creator, 175. Diver (ity of flowers, in their airs, habits, attitudes, and lineaments; wifdom of the almighty Maker: the per lection and fimplicity of his operations, 176 Difference between in- dividuals of the fame fpecies ; emblem of the fmaller differences among Proteflants, 180. Regular fucceflion of flowers ; iome of the choiceft fets described ; pleafmg effects produced by this ceconoivsy ; a benevolent providence apparent in conducting it, 101. This beautiful difpofuion, and all that is admirable in the creation, referred to CHRIST as the author; to confider the things that are made, in this view, has excellent influence on our faith and love, 185. The ftruclure of flowers fo correct, could not be altered, but to their prejudice ; the time of iheir appearing, chofen with the niceft precaution : thefe circum- fiances, a (Iriking argument for refignjition to the difpofals ci heaven, 189. Quotations from Caiimir and Juvenal tranfla- ted, 190, 192, A favourite tenet of Mr Pope's rightly dated, 192. The brute-creatures unaffected with flowers: their fine qualities peculiarly intended to delight mankind : all things eondituted with a particular regard ta our advantage; this an endearing obligation to gratitude ; but a more engaging mo- tive, is the gift of an immortal foul, 192. Remark on the notion of a great poet, 196. The cultivated garden, an i- jaage of a well-nurtured mind; addrefs to perfons concerned in the THE CONTENTS. ix the education of youth, 200. Flowers in the bud, figura- tive of a niggard; flowers in full expanfion, exprellive of a benevolent difpolition, 203 Sun-flower; its remarkable at- tachment to the fun; fuch ihould be our adherence to the fca- viour, 204. Paffion- flower ; its cefcription ; with a religious improvement, 206. Sen (hive plant; ihrinksfrom every touch: fuch fhould be our felicitous care to avoid fin, 210. The de- licacy of flowers, and coarfcnefs of their roots; the ennobl'mp; change of our bodies at the refurrection ; this ihoukl reconcile us to the thoughts ofdiiTolution, 212. -Pafiage fromT/xiGcritus;. the perfections of flower.; foon decay ; the charms of coiuplco tion fcarce more lading, 214 Initances of tranfuory conti- nuance in the noblett flowers; the honours of the future Itate unfading, 216. All the delights of the flowery feafon pafs a- wayj the celeftial entertainments know no end, 217. i\ot flowers only, but ihe mod durable things in nature, are Be- riming; their felicity ftable, who have GOD for their portion, 2.18. Retreat into an arbour ; practice of St singujiine, pat- tern for our imitation, 220. Coolnefs of this fnauy fituation; the infufferable heat, that rages abroad ; our fafety in ail the dangers of life, and amidll the terrors of eternal judgment, if iheltered by the Redeemer's protection, and intereded in his merits, ib. The bees; their ing. nuity ; their induftry ; fet an example fortheauthor, 222. Adittantprofpeclof the whole t'cene, with its various decorations, reminds the beholder of heaven ; its glories not to be deicribed, but moll paOionately xlelired, 223. A DESCANT upon CREATION. DESIGN of the whole, 230. Angels, 231 The vifible heavens, ib. S ; ars, 232.. Comets, 233. Planets, ib. bun, 234 Moon, ib. Tiiunders, 235 Lightnings, ib. Clouds, wintry and vernal, 237,-^ Rainbow, 239. Storms and tempers, ib. PefHlenc.e, 240. Heat and cold, ib. Ocean, 2.41. Mountains, woods, and (hrubs, 242. Vine and fruit- trees, ib. Meadows and fields, 243. Mines and jewels, ib. Fountains and rivers, 244. Birds, ib. Bees, 245. Silk- v/orm, 246. Catrle, and creatures in every element, 248. General chorus of praife, 249. CON- . I. N?. i. B THE CONTENTS. CONTEMPLATIONS on the NIGHT. Delightful evening-walk; the unmoleded enjoyment ot ^^ fuch pleafures, owing to our late victory over the rebels, ^07, &c. to 270. The fetting fun, ^70 Twilight; its ufe- fulnefs ; ferious confideration, 272. The dewy coolnefs; its beneficial influence on nature ; returns of folitude equally ufe- ful to man, 273. Angels our fpectators; GOD ever prefent; comfortable improvement of this truth, 275. The day ended; the fwiftnefs, the fhortnefs of time; the work to be done while it lafts: to fquander it away, the moft dedructive extravagance, 278. The profound iilence, 282. Univerfal ceflation of bu- linefs, 284 The variations of nature, pleafmg and advanta- geous, 286 Darknefs ; the obliging manner of its taking place; wild beads of the defart, and favages in human fhape, make ufe of this opportunity, 288. -Darknefs renders the lead fpark vifible; yet fteals from our fight all the lovely dif- tinclions of things, 291, Sleep; its chearing nature; the gift of heaven ; fine preparatives for its approach; the kindnefs of providence in guarding our (lumbers, 293. Dreams ; their unaccountable oddnefs ; many people's waking thoughts no lefs chimerical, 297. A very fingular, and very happy cir- cumdauce, attending deep and dreams, 299. Ghods ; our unreasonable timoroufnefs on this occafion; the true object of fear; the reality and defign of apparitions, deducted from a paffage in Job, 301. The owl; its gloomy difpolition; unho- ly perfons incapable of relifhing the delights of heaven, 306. Owl fcreaming, luppofed to be a token of death; the many real prefaces of this great change; due preparation pointed out, and prefled, 107. The nightingale; her charming long; entertains the lovers of retirement; how to have a iweeter melody in our own breads, 310. The very different circum- itances of mankind, particularly of the gay, and the afflicted ; addrefs to the devotees of mirth and feniuality, 311. The glow-worm, and ignis fatuus; the pleafures of the world, and powers of unenlightened reafon, 314. A comet ; imagined to be the forerunner of judgments; licentioulnefs abounding in a nation, a much more formidable omen; the didemper a- mongthecatde,3i6. Northern lights; the panic they occafion 5 the general conflagration, 319. The moon riling; brightens as fhe advances; luch fhouid be our moral conduct, 321. Moon opens a majedic fcene; how worthy our admiration, 322. Moon, a mod fervicenble appendage to our ^lobe, 324. Moon THE CONTENTS. xi Moon fhines with derivative light ; ChrifHans receive their all from their Saviour, 325. Moon always varying; the things of this world liable to perpetual vicillitudes ; our own righte- oufnefs unequal and imperfect, our Redeemer's complete, and always the fame 326. Moon under an eclipfe; gazed at by multitudes; the faults of eminent perfons feldom efcape ob- fervation, 33 r. Moon reflected by the ocean ; the virtues of perfons in diftinguimed (Nations, influential on others, 332 Moon actuates the fea ; the everlafting joys of heaven attract and refine the affections, 333. Prayer, a reafonable fervice ; praife, a delightful duty; with devout recollections proper for the night, 334. CONTEMPLATIONS on the STARRY HEAVENS. WAlk on the fummit of a hill. The advancing night with- draws the rural profpect; opens the beauties of the iky, 341 Fragrance of the blooming beans, 342. The heavens, a noble field for the difplay of the divine perfections, 343. Folly of judicial aftrology ; right ufe of contemplating the ftars, 344. A (ketch of the rnoll remarkable dilcoveries of our modern aftronomy, 345 Religion, and necefTary bufi- nefs ; religion, and innocent pleafure; as con{Htenr, as the annual and diurnal motions of the earth, 347. The fun, its enormous fize, 348. Stars, the centres of lyftems ; their in- conceivable diftance, 349. Other Ikies furnimed with other flars, 350. The greatnefs of the Creator, 351. The prece- dingoblervations inculcate humility, 352. Shew the littlenefs of terreftrial things, ibid. The ftupendous condefcenfion of GOD, in his gracious regards to the children of men, 354. The prodigious heinoufnefs of human guilt, 356. Therich- nefs of CHRIST's atonement, and its complete fufficiency for the moft deplorable cafes of fin and mifery, 359. The power of GOD manifefted in the (tarry heavens ; this the Chriftian's confhnt fafeguard, and fure refource, 362 The miferable condition of the ungodly, who have Omnipotence for their enemy, 366 The unwearied patience of this al- mighty Being, 367. The wifdom of GOD, difplayed in the ikies ; fubmiflion to his difpenfations, even when they feem moft frowning and feverej all fpringfrom love, and will ter- JB 2 minate kii THE CONTENTS. min ate" in good, 368. The goodnefs of GOD, diffufed" through the va(t fyitem of created things ; but far more illu- frricutiy exemplified in the work of redemption; the former view gives a mod amiable, the latter a perfectly-raviihing, idea of t-he divine beneficence, 373. The purity of GOD, faint- ly represented by the unipotttd firmament : the defilement of iinftil man : the immaculate excellence of his Surety, 379 The unmeafurable dimenfions of the fky ; the greater extent cf the divine bounty ami mercy : the latt of thefe fubjects, be- ing fo peculiarly comfortable to (inners, confidered fomewhat copioufiy, 353. What fultams the arch ot heaven, and fup- porf the giooes it contains; the fame inviilble hand upholds the Chriftian in his eourfe, 390. The faithfulhefs of GOD pourtrayed, in the (lability of the heavenly bodies and perpe- tuity of their motions ; the unreafbnablenefs of our unbelief; motives to an allured faith, 394. Various attributes of the divine natare appear, with a glimmering light, in the celeOial luminaries; all fhine forth, with thefullelt iultre, in CHRIST JESUS, 396.- The dignity of prayer, and happinefs of ha- ving GOD for our portion, 401. The horrible ingratitude, and destructive perverfencfs, of living without GOD in the world, 404. All the rolling worlds on high, punctually obe- dient to their Maker's orders ; are a pattern, in this reipect, and provocative to the rational creation, 416. The gradual appearance of liars ; and progreliive ftate of a trueconveriion, 410- The multitude of ftars ; efpecially in the galaxy ; the more attentively furveyed, t he greater number difcovered; this applied to the unfear enable treafures ofwifdom inthefcriptures, of merit in CHRIS T, of blifs in heaven, 411. The celeftial bodies difpofed in fuch a manner, as to be delightful and fer- viceable to man ; adorn his abode, and meafuie his time ; a filent admonition this, to improve the talent, 414. Bright- Kefs of the (tars ; encouragement to fidelity in the ministerial office, 416. Polar (tar; its invariable fituation ; guide to the ancient manners; fuel) the word of GOD to our fouls; perfua- five to follow its unerring dictates, 417 Variety'in the magr nitude, and fpl ndor of theibrs; different degrees in the world of glory; yet all the blelfcd completely happy, 418. Projec- tion and attraction, the grand principles that actuate the plane- tary fyftem ; faith and love bear much the fame proportion, ia the oeconomy of Chriitianity, 42.. The admirable effects, and exteniive influences, of attraction ; thd agency of the GHOST on the human mind, 422. Vail grada- tion THE CONTENTS. xiii tion in the fcale of beings ; all are objefts of the divine care, and full of the divine prefence, 425. The furpafling worth of an immortal foul ; a folicitudefor its final welfare urged, 430. An unthinking view of the ikies is affecting; much more 2 rational and devout one, 432. The fcantinefs of our know- ledge, with regard to the eeieftial bodies ; after all our fearcb, they are objecls of admiration, rather ihan of fcience ; exhor- tation to fuch purfuits, as are of eafy attainment, and will be of everlatiing advantage, 433. Short recapitulation of the whole j and an hymn of praife, fuited to the occalion, 435. N. B. It may feem unaccountable to an unlearned reader^ that a/tronomersjkouldfpeak fuch amazing things ; andfpeak them with fuch an air o/afTurance ; concerning the di/tances and magnitudes, the motions and relations, of the heavenly bodies. 1 'would dejire fuch a perfon to conjider the cafe of ECLIPSES^ and with what exattnefs they are calculated, Th y are not only foretold, but the very injiant of their beginning is determined. The precife time of their continuance is afflgned ; aligned, al- moft to the nicety of a moment ; and what isjiill mort furprijing^ for thefpace of hundreds cr thoufands of years to come. At this is a matter of faff, abfjlutely indifputable ; it is alfo a very obvious, yet foi'id demonftration, that the principles of fcience, on which thoff calculations proceed, Are not mere conjecture, orpre~ carious fuppojition; but have a real, a cer&in foundation, in the nature and conjlitution of things. A WINTER-PIECE. INtroduclion, 439. Shortnefs of the winter's day, 440. In- ceflant rain, producing a flood, 441. Tempeft; its effedis, at land, by fea, 443, Pitchy darknefs; riding in it, 445. Thick rime, 449. Keen frofl, and ferenity of weather, 456. Severe cold, and piercing winds, 452. Deepfaow,454. General thaw, 456. Ever-greens, ib. Storm of hail, 453. Rainbow, 459, An imitation of Mr Hervcy's meditations, 460. THE OF THE REVEREND JAMES HERVEY, A. M, A Regard to eminent writings, which difplay genius, learning, orthodoxy, and piety, naturally excites a delire to be acquainted with the writer ; and this defire is the ftronger, when thefe writings are not only truly excel- lent in themfelves, but are univerfally admired, eagerly read by good people of all denominations, and calculated to promote the beft interefts of mankind. Hence one is fond to know the author in private life, how he fpent his time, how he futbined his character as a public teacher of religion, what influence the doctrines of grace, which he fo warmly inculcated on others, had on his own heart and converfation; and, finally, how he clofed the laft fcene. Abundant fatisfaclion, as to all thofe particulars, will be obtained from the following account. Mr JAMES HERVEY was born on Friday the 26th of February 1713-14, at Hardingftone, a country-village, one mile from Northampton ; his father being then minifter of the parilh of Collingtree, within two miles of Harding- ftone. His firfl inftruclion was from his mother, who taught him his letters, and to read. Under her tuition he conti- nued till he was feven years of age ; when he was fent, as a day-fcholar, to the free graramar-fchool at Northampton, of which the Rev. Mr Clarke, Vicar of St Sepulchre's, in the faid town, was at that time matter. At this fchool he remained till he was feventeen years 9ld, and learned the Latin and Greek languages j in which bis xvi The LIFE of the his genius and memory would have enabled him to hav made a much earlier progrefs, if k had not been prevented by his fchoolmafter, who would not differ him, or any other of his fcholars, to learn fader than his own fon. Whilft Mr Hervey was at fchool, though he fhewed a re- markable dexterity at all the innocent games uiual among children ; yet he had a perfect indifference for the acquifi- tions he made by his fkill in thefe games, which he praftifed crjiy for exercife and amufeaient. In the year 1731, at the age of feventeen, he wasfent by his father to the univerfity of Oxford, and entered of Lin- coln college there, under the tuition of the Rev. Mr Hut- cliins, now Doctor, and Rector of that college. He refided in the univerfity feven years, and took the degree of Ba- chelor of Arts. The firft two or three years were fpent by him with fo^e degree of indolence, or rather lefs appli- cation to his fludies than he afterwards ufed. But in 1733, about his nineteenth year, becoming acquainted with fome perfons, who began to diftinguifh themfelves by their feri- ous impreffions of religion, and their zeal for th,e promo- tion of it^ he was engaged, by their influence, in a ftrider attachment both to piety and learning. He made hirufeif mafter of Dr James KeilTs Anatomy, Dr Derham's Phyti- co-theology and Aftro-tbeology, the Speflaclc de la Nature [[Nature difplayed,]] as translated by Mr Humphreys; which laft work he read with a peculiar fatisfaftion. Nor was he lefs delighted by the Ejfay on Pope's Odyffty, written by the Rev. Mr Spence, now Prebendary of Durham ; to which elegant and judicious difcourfe Mr Hervey often ac- knowledged that he owed more of his improvement in ftyle and compofnion, than to any other which he had ever read. In 1734, at the perfuafion of a much-valued friend, he began to learn the Hebrew language without any teacher, by the Wefturinfter grammar itfelf; but foon found that 'grammar too ooncife and difficult'for the inftruction of. a learner ; and therefore then defpaired of ever attaining a competent knowledge in the Hebrew, though he afterwards raade bimfelf fo thorough a mafter of that facred language. Rev. Mr JAMES HERVEY. xvii It appears from his letters to his fifter in 1733 and 1734, that though he then fhewed a pious and ferious turn ; yet thefe letters either fpeak a language different from free grace, for which we find he was afterwards fo powerful an advo- cate, or at lead they treat very confufedly of it. The truth is, he was then a ftranger to, and had ftrong pro.pofleflions againit the doctrine of juitification by faith in imputed righ- teoufnefs. And he acknowledges, In a note on his Defcant upon Creation, that Mr Jenks's excellent treatife, entitled, Submijfion to the righteoufnefs of God, was the inltrument of removing his prejudices, and reducing him to a better judgment*. He entered into holy orders, as foon as his age, and the canons of the church, would allow. And tho* the precife time of his taking orders cannot be afcertained, yet it ap- pears to have been in the end of 1736 or beginning of 1737 ; at leaft, it appears from one of his letters, that he had a curacy in the beginning of the latter year. Whilfthe was at Oxford, he had a fmall exhibition of about 20 1. a-year ; and when he was ordained, his father prefied him very much to take fome curacy, in or near Oxford, and to hold his exhi- bition : but this he would by no means comply with, think- ing it an injuttice to detain it, after he was in orders, from another perfon, who might more want the benefit of that provifion. On his leaving Oxford in 1736, he went to his father, and became his curate. He afterwards went to London ; and, after flaying fome time there, became cu- rate at Dummer. Here he continued about twelve months j and, upon his leaving that curacy, in the year 1738, he was invited and went to Stoke-Abbey, in Devonfliire, the feat of his worthy friend, the late Paul Orchard, Efq; Here he lived upwards of two years, in great efteem and friendfhip with that worthy gentleman, who valued him very * This excellent treatife, entitled, Submifjlon to the right souf- nefs of God ; or, The necejflty of tr lifting to a better righttotifnefs than our own, with Mr Hervey's recommendation prefixed, may be bad of the publifhers of this work, at the fuiall price of 8d. VOL. I. N I.. xviii The LIFE of the very much for his piety. A remarkable proof of the great regard he had for him on that account, he Jhewed on the following occafion: When his eldeft fon, the prefent Paul Orchard, Efq; to whom the iecond volume of his Medita- tions is dedicated, was to be baptized, he infifted that Mr Hervey fliould be one of his godfathers, that he might have an eye to his Chriftian education ; and this he did in prefe- rence to many gentlemen of large eftates in that neighbour- hood, who would have thought themfelves honoured to have flood fponfors for Mr Orchard's fon. In the year 1740, he undertook the curacy of Biddeford, fourteen miles from Stoke-Abbey, where he lived greatly beloved by his people. His congregation was large, tho* his ftipend was fmall : his friends, therefore, made a col- lecYion yearly for him, which raifed his income to 60 1. per annum, fo highly did they efteem him. At Biddeford he was curate, about two years and a half, and remained fo until there was a new re&or of that church, who difmifTed Mr Hervey from his curacy, againfl-the united requefts of his parifhioners, who offered to maintain him at their own ex- pence. During the time that Mr Hervey lived in the weft, viz. from 1738, till the latter end of 1743, his family heard very little of him, by reafon of the great diflance he was from them ; tho' he laboured diligently in the fervice of his Matter. Here it was that he planned his Meditations, and probably wrote fomc part of them. He fays in his firft volume of Meditations, that it was on a ride to Kilkhamp- ton, in Cornwall, that he went into the church, where he lays the fcene of his Meditations among the tom(>s. In Auguft 1743, or thereabouts, he returned from Bid- deford to Weftdn-Favel, leaving behind him many difconfo- late friends, and officiated as curate to his father. Here he paid the greateft attention to his duty, and faithfully preach- ed the gofpel of Chrift. The firft of his writings which raifed the attention of the public, was his Meditations among the tombs, Kefleftions on a flower-garden, and a Defcant on creation, publifhed in Febru- ary 1745-6. Of this kind of writing we had before an exam- ple Rev. Mr J A M E s H E R v E Y. xix pie from no lefs a man than the great philofopher Mr Boyle % in his Occafional reflections on feveralfubjeffs, wit- ten in his younger years. Mr Hervey's performance was fo well received by the public, that it has already pafled thro' about twenty editions in London, beiides many furreptitious ones in Scotland and Ireland. A fecond volume, containing Contemplations on the night and Jlarry heavens, and, A "winter-piece, was pu- bli/hed in December 1747 -f. In June 1750, his health being much impaired by his great attention to duty, and his family and friends judging that the change of air might be of benefit to him, they formed a defign, which they executed, of conveying him to London, under a pretence of his riding a few miles in a friend's pofl- chaife, who was going thither, and of which he pleafantly complains in a letter, dated June 28. 1750, to a friend up- on his arrival there. He ftaid in London until April or May 1752, during which time he was vifited with a fevere ficknefs, which had well nigh put a period to his painful life. But he recovered; and, upon his father's death in 1752, he returned to Wefton, where he conftantly refided till his death. Mr Hervey took his degree of Matter of Arts, at Cam- bridge, * See Boyle's Life, by the late Dr Birch. j- There are few books in the Engliih language, which in fo fliort a time have ever pa/fed thro* fuch numerous and very large editions, as Mr Hervey's Meditations ; which not only pleaie, but improve us ; arid were written with a view of familiarizing to our minds thofe fublime objcfts, which will be the STUDT and DELIGHT of a glorious ETERNITY. How many have they tranfportingly entertained in their retirements and lonely walks, and how often elevated them to thofe lofty heights, from whence they could look down on all things below (the delights of good mens friendfhip excepted) with an eafy indifference! A ftraio. of the moft ferious piety and ardent devotion runs thro' them, and they tend to inculcate fome of the moft diftinguifliing doc- trines of the gofpel, fuch as the neceffity of regeneration, the utter impotency of fallen man to help himfelf, the efficacy of the grace of God for that purpofe, and the juitificauou of a guilty fmner through faith in the blood of Chrift, C 2 xx ' The L I F E of the bridge, in 1752, when he entered at Clare-hall; and as he was of fufficient fhnding at Oxford, he (laid only the few' days required by the Statutes to perform the univerfity- cxercife. . It may be thought Orange, that he who had refufed to hold his exhibition at Oxford, along with a curacy, mould, upon his father's death, accept of the two livings of Wei- ton-Favell and Collingtree, and hold them during his life. It was very far from being his choice, and it was what he had for a long time refufed to do. He was determined a- gainft being a pluralitt; and notwithftanding his father kept him at Oxford, with a defign, that he fliould take his degree jf Mafter of Arts, and conftantly urged him to do it ; yet he could not be perfuaded to yield to fuch a requeft, tho* he was of a fufficient ftanding to have taken the fame, look- ing upon that ftep as a qualification intended for his future holding both his father's livings. When his father died, he remained determined to have Wefton-Favell only; and this he frequently declared to his family afld friends, and refuf- ed to accept of Collingtree, or to qualify himfelf for the fame; infomuch that it was in danger of lapling to the Bi- ihop. But at length, thro* the earnest and conftant intrea- ties of his family, and of his friends, who, unknown to him, had fent to, and procured from Oxford, the neceflary cer- tificates of his being a Bachelor of Arts, in order to his ta- Jcing his Mailer's degree at Cambridge, he was, after much importunity, prevailed on to comply with their requefts, hoping that he might be thereby enabled to do fo much the more good. And when he waited upon Dr Thomas, the then Bilhop of Peterborough, for inftitution to Collingtree, which was near fix months after he had been indutled into Wefton, he faid to him, " I fuppofe your Lordfhip will be v furprifed to fee James liervey come to defire your Lord- 44 (hip ;.o permit him to be a pluralift; but I affureyou, I da ' " it to fatisfy the repeated felicitations of my mother and ** my filter, and not to pleafe myfelf." In November 1752, he publiihed his Remarks on Lord .Bolingbroke's-Iettcrs on the ftudy and ufs cf htftvry, fo far #s they relate to the kijtory of the Old lejlamsnt^ and efpe- dally Rev. Mr JAMES HERVEY. xxi dally to the cafe of Noah ^ denouncing a curfe upon Canaan: In a letter to a lady of quality *. The year following, having been called upon to preach, on the loth of May, the fermon at the visitation of the Rev Dr John Browne, Archdeacon of Northampton, at All-Saints church in that town ; he permitted it, the fame year, for the benefit of a poor difea fed child, to be printed, under the title of The crofs of Chrijl the Christian's glory. He had preached before this another lermon at the fame church, which he had been foliated to print ; but could not then be prevailed upon to do it : but fince his death it has been publilhed under the title of The ministry of reconcilia- tion, &c. -j- The fame year he wrote a recommendatory preface to Burnham's Pious Memorials ; or, The po-wcr of religion on themindinjicknefs, and at death ; exemplified by the ex- perience of many eminent perfons at thofe important feafons. His Theron and dfpa/io, publifhed in January 1755, in three volumes Oftavo, met with the fame approbaricn irom the public as his Meditations ', and the demand for this work like- wife was very uncommon ; it having palFed through three editions in one year :. In * The Rev. Mr Peter Whalley, Vicar of St Sepulchre's, in Northampton, has pubiilhed, by way of fupplement to this piece of Mr Hervey's, a vindication of the evidences and authenticity of the gofpel from the obj.;clions of the late Lord Bolingbroke. j- A defence of this fermon from the groundlefs objections railed againft it by fome inconfiderate readers, will be lound a- mong Mr Hervey's trafts in this edicion. 'j; This is the moft valuable book, written in any language, on that grand and diftinguifhing dodtrine of Chriltianity, the juliification of a (inner before God by the righteoufnefs of Ghrift imputed to him ; which fpreads itfelf through the whole fyftem of divinity ; and which Luther jultly calls articulus ftantis vel cadentis ecdefix. In Mr Hervey's own words, " the beauty and ' excellency of the fcriptures t the ruin and depravity of human ' nature, its happy recovery, founded on the atonemznt, and effected by the Spirit of Chrift, are fome of the chief points ' vindicated, illuftrated, and applied in this work, But the grand article, that which makes the principal figure, is the ' IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS of our divine Lord ; from whence " arifes our juftificatioa bsibre God, and our title to every hea- venly xxii The L I F E of the In 1756, Mr Hervey being informed of the defign of re- printing The gofpel-myftfry of fanftification, by the Rev. Mr Walter Marfhall, and of prefixing to it, by way of re- commendation, what he had {aid in its favour in Theron and Afpafio, he wrote a letter, dated Nov. 5. 1756, to his bookfeller, giving his confent, and enlarging on that re- commendation. This he did the more readily, as Mr Mar- fhall's book might (for fo he has declared) be looked upon as no improper fupplement to the dialogues and letters con- tained in Theron and Aipafio. His Theron and Afpalio was attacked by feveral writers, particularly by Mr Robert Sandeman, a congregational preacher at Edinburgh, in a book, entitled, Letters on The- ron and Afpafio ; wherein the doctrine of the gofpel, under the title of the popular doctrine, is moft abominably mifre- prefented, and its tendency afperfed The Arminians too objected to that work ; and Mr John Wefley in particular wrote againft it. Mr Cudworth wrote a defence of The- ron and Afpafio ; and Mr David Wilfon, minifter of the Scots congregation in Bow-lane, London, publifhed a book, entitled, Palxmon's creed reviewed, &c. in which he vin- dicates Mr Hervey's doctrine, and expofes that of Mr San- deman. Mr Hervey's own defence of Theron and Afpafio againft the objections of Mr John Wefley, was tranfcribed fair for the prefs from his fhort-hand copy, within a few pages j and would have been publifhed in a volume of the fame lize with Theron and Afpalio, had he lived a few weeks longer. The manufcript was left in the pofleifion of his brother Mr Wil- liam Hervey, wine-merchant in Miles's-lane, London; who publifhed it in 1766, for the reafons given by him in a pre- face prefixed to it *. In " vcnly bleflmg :. An article, which, though eminent for its " importance, feems to be little underftood, and lefs regarded; ' if not much roiftaken, and almoft forgotten." * This treatife contains the beft, the moft evangelical, and the moft elaborate account of that righteoufnefs, which is im- puted Rev. Mr JAMES HERVEY. xxiii In Auguft 1757, Mr Hervey obliged the public with three fermons preached by him on the late public faft-days. To which, in the third edition, in 1759, were added his vifita- tion-fermon preached in 1753; his poflhumous fermon on the mintttry of reconciliation; and his confiderations on the prevailing cuftom of vifiting on Sundays. In a pofterior edition of thefe were given his Remarks on Lord Boling- broke's letters, and a treatife on the religious education of daughters *. In the fame year likewife, he published a new edition of his favourite author, Mr Jenks's Meditations, in two vo- lumes Oclavo ; to which he wrote a very ftrong recommen- datory preface, fhewing the ufe of thofe medications, and the reafon for fuch republication -j-. He intended to have wrote a treatife on gofpel-holinefs, as a fupplement to Theron and Afpafio: and actually wrote a very excellent and judicious plan of it, which he commu- nicated in letters to fome of his correfpondents ; but he did not live to finifh it, to the very great lofs of the public, His labours, both in his miniflerial office, and in his flu- dy, were purfued by him as long as poflible, under the dif- ad vantage of a very weak confn'tution of body; which, to gether with the feverity of his laft illnefs, he fupported not only with incredible patience, but without a fingle ex- preflion of peeviflmefs. That illnefs had long been coming on him; but greatly increafed in the beginning of October puted to a firmer for his juftification ; and will bt read with the higheft delight, by every one that adores the Son of God as the Lord our righteoufneff. * Thefe fermons ard trafts are fo valuable and excellent, that every one who reads them, will lament that he did not en- rich the library of Chriftianity with more of thofe precious treafures ; which (hew the accomplifhed gentleman, the learn-i ed fcholar, the orthodox divine, the pious Chriftian, the cham- pion for the diftinguifhing doctrines of Chriftianity, and the foe to felf-dependence, and every fpecies of vice and infidelity. f This preface, with that to Burnham's pious memorials, his letter to the -publifher of Ma-lhall on fanftificatioD, one to the publi(her of Mr Traill's works, &c. &c. are annexed to hi* trails in this edition. xxiv The LIFE of the 1758, and grew very formidable in the December follow^ ing. For on Sabbath the gd of that month, in the even- ing, after prayer in his family, he feemed to be arrefted by the melTenger of death ; fo that the united afliftance of his fifter and fervant, with difficulty, enabled him to get up ftairs into his room, from whence he never came down. His illnefs gaining ground every day, he foon became ien- fible that his end was approaching. He had frequent and violent returns of the -cramp, which gave him moft acute pain. He had likewife a hectic cough, which afflicted him fo grievoufly in the night, that he could feldom lye in bed till four in the morning * ; and was often obliged to rife at two, efpecially as opium (how much foever guarded by o- ther medicines) would not agree with him. On the i5th of that month, he complained of a pain in his fide; for which, at his own defire, he was blooded, tho' his phyfi- cian Dr Stonhoufe, in whom he placed the greated confi- dence, had objected to it, apprehending him too weak to bear any evacuation of that kind. When the furgeon came, he could fcarcely perceive any pulfation, and therefore took away no more than four ounces of blood ; intimating to bis relations and friends, that the cafe was defperate, and that he had blooded him very unwillingly, and merely to fatisfy Mr Hervey's defire, who had fome hope that the pain might pofiibly be relieved by it. His curate, the Rev. Mr Abraham Maddock, being much with him in the after- noon of that day, Mr Hervey-fpoke to him in flrong and pathetic terms of his afTurance of faith, and of the great love of God in Chrift. k ' O !" faid he, " what has Chrift, " how much has Chrift done for me ; and how little have I u done for fo loving a Saviour ! If I preached even once a- 4< week, it was at lad a burden to me. I have not viiited '* the people of my parilh, as 1 ought to have done ; and thus ** have preached, as it were, from houfe to houfe. I have " not taken every opportunity of fpeaking for Chrift." Thefe expreffions being accompanied with tears, which * When Mr Hervey was In tolerable health, he rarely lay in bed after fix, even in the winter; and rofe Qill earlier in the fummer. Rev. Mr JAMES HERVEY. xxv were too vifible not to be obferved; and left his tears fhould be mifinterpreted, as they had been converting about his expected end, and of his aflurance of happinefs, he pro- ceeded thus : u Do not think, that I am afraid to die. I u aflure you I am not. I know what my Saviour hath done *' for me, and I want to be gone. But I wonder and la- " ment to think of the love of Chrift in doing fo much for " me; and how little 1 have done for him.'* And in ano- ther converfation, difcourfmg, likewife of his approaching diflblution, which he did with the utmoft calrnnefs and fe- renity ; and of the little which we know of God's word ; he (aid, " How many precious texts are there, big with the '* moft rich truths of Chrift, which we cannot comprehend, ** which we know nothing of; and of thofe we do know, ** how few do we remember ? Bonus textuarius eft bonus ** theologus. " A good textuary is a good divine ;" and ** that is the armour ; the word of God is the fword. Thofe " texts are the weapons, which I muft ufe, when that fub- " tile fpirit, that arch-adverfary of mankind, comes to " tempt and fift me in my laft conflict. Surely I had need " be well provided with thefe weapons ; I had need have ** my quiver full of them, to anfwer Satan with texts ouc " of the word of God, when he aflaults me. Thus did " Chrift when he was tempted in the wildernefs." On the I9th the pains of his body abated, and he grew drowfy and lethargic ; but in the night following his im- mediate death was apprehended. The next day, the 2Oth, he was vifited by Dr Stonhoufe, who declared, that, in his opinion, Mr Hervey could not live above three or four days ; and happening to fpeak of the many confolations through Chrift, which a good man en- joys in the profpect of death, and difcourfmg on the emp- tinefs of worldly honour to an immortal, and on the un- profitablenefs of riches to the irreligious; Mr Hervey re- plied, True, Doctor, true ; the only valuable treafures " are in heaven. What would it avail me now to be Arch- *' bifhop of Canterbury ? Difeafe would mew no refpect to VOL. I. N 9 i. D my xxvi The LIFE of the " my mitre. That prelate * is not only very great, but, u I am told, he has religion really at heart. Yet it is god- " linefs, and not grandeur, that will avail him hereafter. u The gofpel is offered to me a poor country parfon, the 44 fame as to his'Grace. Chrift makes no difference between *' us. Oh ! why then do minifters thus neglect the charge " of fo kind a Saviour; fawn upon the great, and hunt " after worldly preferments with fo much eagernefs, to * 4 t~e difgrace of our order? Thefe, thefe are the things, " Doctor, and not our poverty, or obfcurity, which ren- *' der the clergy fo juftly contemptible to the worldlings. " No wonder the fcrvice of our church, grieved I am- to " fay it, is become fuch a formal lifelefs thing, fince it is, " alas ! too generally executed by perfons dead to godli- " nefs in ail their converfation ; whofe indifference to reli- 4< gion, and worldly-minded behaviour, proclaim the little * 4 regard they pay to the doctrines of the Lord, who bought " them." When the Doctor was going away, Mr Hervey, with great tendernefs, obferved to him, that as not long ago he had a dangerous fall fropi his horfe, by which he was much bruifed ; and as he had been lately ill, and then looked very pale, he hoped he would think on thefe narrow efcapes, fo often fatal to others, as a kind of warning from God to him, and remember them as fuch ; adding, ** How careful * 4 ought we to be to improve thofe years which remain, at " a time of life, when but few can remain for u&-j- ?" The day before his death, Mr Hervey went a few fteps acrofs his room ; but immediately finding his ftrength fail- ing him, he funk rather than fell down; his fall being bro- ken by his fitter, who, obferving his weaknefs, ran and caught him; but he fainted away, and was in all appear- ance dead, it being a confiderable time before any pulfe could be perceived. When he came to himfelf, his brother Mr * The late Dr Thomas Seeker, who died Aug. 3. 1768. f Dr Stonhoufs and Mr Hervey being then between forty and fifty years o'd. The Dotfor lately entered into holy orders in the church of England, and has got a good living in the country. Mr JAM ES HERVEY xxvii Mr William Hervey, who was come from London to vifit him, faid, u We were afraid you was gone." He anfwer- ed, " I wifh I had." And well he might wifh fo, for his ftrength was quite exhaufted, his body extremely emaciated, and his bones fo fore, that he could not bear any one to touch him, when it was neceflary to move him about. Yet, under all this calamity, he was ever praifing God for his mercies -f, and for enduing him with patience:}:. On the 25th (Chrifhnas-day,) on which he died, Mr Mad- dock paying him his morning-vifit, Mr Hervey lifted up his head, and opened his eyes, as he fat in his eafy chair, (for he could not lye in bed,) to fee who it was, and faid, "Sir, I cannot talk with you." He complained much all this day of a' great inward conflict which he had, laying his hand up- on his breaft, and laying, << O ] you know not how great " a conflict I have." During this time, he almoft conftant- ly lifted up his eyes towards heaven, with his hands clafped together in a praying form, and faid, two or three times, **. When this great conflict is over, then-" but faid no more; though it was underflood he meajnt that then he fliould go to reft." Dr Stonhoufe came to him about three hours before he expired. Mr Hervey urged ftrongly and affectionately to the Doctor the importance and care of his everlafHng con- cerns, as here is no abiding place ; and intreated him not to be overcharged with the cares of this life *, but to at- tend, amidlt the multiplicity of his bufmefs, to the " one " thing needful || :" Which f He never received a bit of lemon to moiften his mouth, without thanking God for his bounty and goodnefs, in creating fo many helps and refrelhments to a fick and decaying body \ A few years ago Mr Hervey had a terrible fcvtr at his bro- ther William's houftf, in which he had feveral blifters. On this occafion Mr William Hervey wrote as follows to one of his in- timate friends : " My brother is indeed an example of patience. ' He has not fpoke (during the whole oi* his fevere illnefs) " one fingle word of peeviihnefs. I am perfuaded he prays for < you, and remembers you now he lyes fick upon his bed. I '* hope this will find you and yours well, walking in the fear < of the Lord, and the comforts of his Holy Spirit." * See Luke xxi, 34. || Luk? x. 43. 1)2 xxviii The L I F E of the Which done, the poorcft can no wants endure, And -which not done, the richeft mufl be poor $. POPE. The Doctor feeing the great difficulty and pain with which he fpoke, (for he was almott fuffocated with phlegm and frequent vomitings,) and finding, by his pulfe, that the pangs of death were then coming on, defired that he would fpare himfelf " No," faid he, " Doctor, no ; you tell *' me I have but a few moments to live. O! lejt me fpend 44 them in adoring our great Redeemer." He then repeat- ed the 26th verfe of Pfal. Ixxiii. 7/&o' my flejh and my heart fail me, yet G*d is the ftrength of my heart, and my por- tion for ever ; and he expatiated in a moft (triking manner on thefe words of Paul, i Cor. iii. 22, 23. All things* are yours ; life and death ; for ye are Chrift's . 4t Here/' fays he, " is the treafure of a Chrifuan. Death is reckoned *' among this inventory ; and a noble treafure it is. How " unthankful am I for death, as it is the paflage through * which 1 pafs to the Lord and Giver of eternal life ; and " as it frees me from all this mifery you now fee me en- 44 dure, and which I am willing to endure, as long as God 44 thinks fit ; for I know, he will by and by, in his own 44 good time, difmifs me from the body. Thefe light afflic- 44 tions are but for a moment, and then comes an eternal 44 weight of glory. O! welcome, welcome death! 44 Thou may 'i\ well be reckoned among the treafures of the 44 Chrifiian. To live is Chrift, but to die is gain." After which, as the Doctor was taking his final leave of him, Mr Hervey exprefied great gratitude for his viiits, tho' it had been long out of the power of medicines to cure him. He then paufed a little, and with great ferenity and fweetnefs in his countenance, though the pangs of death were upon him, being raifed s. little in his chair, repeated thofe words, Lord, J Mr Hervey ufed frequently to repeat thefe lines with fuch an emphalis, and fignifteant look, as conveyed their important meaning in a manner not eafily to be forgot. This pafTjge is illuftrated in a very inftruftive manner by Dr Doddridge, in his Fa?fiily-expo/itor t and contains the fub- fiance of what Mr Hervey faid, and to which he referred. Rev. Mr JAMES HERVY. xxix JLord, now lettefl thott thy fcrvant depart in peace, accord- ing to thy moft holy and comfortable -word, for mine <yes have feen thy precious falvation. " Here, Dodor h my * 4 cordial ! What are all the cord'als given to (upport the " dying, in comparifon of that which arifes from the pro- *' mifes of falvation by Chrift ? This, this fupports me." About three o'clock he faid, u The great confiiil is over. '** Now all is done." After which he fcarce fyi ke any other words intelligibly, except now and then p recious falvation. During the laft hour he faid nothing, but leaned his head againft the fide of an eafy chair, and without a iigh, groan, ftruggle, or the lead emotion in the world, he ihut his eyes, and died, between four and five in the afternoon, on Chrift- mas-day 1758, in the forty-fifth year of his age. God grant, that we may all live the life and die the death of the righteous ; and that our lad end may be like his. When his body was conveyed to church, it was covered, by his exprefs defire, with the poor's pall, and he was bu- ried under the middle of the communion-table in the chan- cel of Wefton-Favell church, on Friday Dec. 28. in the prefence of a numerous congregation, full of regret for the lofs of fo excellent a pador. His funeral was indeed a moft awful and very aftecling fight. Mr Maddock his curate, who buried him, was himfelf in tears. Some were wring- ing their hands, others fobbing, many were (ilently weep- ing, but all were inwardly and fincerely grieved, as their looks fufficiently teftified ; and his attendants then bore a vilible witnefs, that he had not been altogether unfervice- able in his generation. The poor thankfully acknowledg- ed it ; and, as they looked into his grave, feemed to fay within themfelves, " There lyes the man whofe unwearied 14 kindnefs was the conftant relief of my various diflrefTes ; u who tenderly vifited my languiihing bed, and readily fup- *' plied my indigent circumftances." Others, once igno- rant and ungodly, looked at his grave, and feemed by their expreflTive iighs to fay, " Here are the laft remains of that 41 fincere friend who watched for my foul. 1 tremble to _" think into what irretrieveable ruin I might quickly have * been xxx The LIFE of the " been plunged, had not his faithful admonitions and re- ' peated exhortations arrefted me in the wild career. I was " then unacquainted with the gofpel of peace; but now en- " lightened by his inftrudions, I fee the all-fufficiency of ** my Saviour. His difcourfes are (till warm on my heart, *' and I trufl will be more and more operative on my life *." It may truly be faid of Mr Hervey, that few lives have e- ver been more heavenly, and few deaths more triumphant. He died in the Lord, and is now at reft; where even the wicked ceafe from troubling. His name is recorded in the annals of e ernity ; and the honours conferred on him by Chriit, will for ever continue blooming and incorrupti- ble in the world of glory. His character, borh in his public and private capacity, was of the moil exemplary kind. As a minider, he performed all the duties of that office with the greatelt ftridlnefs. In the pulpit he wasearneft and fervent, and fhewed that he felt the efficacy of what he preached. Nor did he think it fufficient to preach on the Lord's day only, but fet up a weekly lecture every Wed- nefday evening -j-, at Wefton-Favell church, which was very well attended. His zeal for the performance of his duty, was however, for fome time before he died, much in- terrupted by the ill (tate of his health, which would not permit him perfonally to take due care even of the parifli of Wefton, where he refided. A circumftarice that gave him inexpreilible concern. The laft two or three years of his life he could icarce do any thing more than preach once on the Lord's day, when people from many miles around flocked to hear him. His Wednefday evening le&ure at feven he difcontinued for the lad year. He had not been able for fome time to preach at Collingtree :, or to vifit his '* See Meditations among the tombs. f This le&ure was held during the winter half-year at feven, ss it did not then interfere with the work of the labouring peo- ple ; and he illuminated the church out of his own pocket, not chufing to put the parifh to any additional expence. J Wefton-Favell, and Collingtree, the two family-livings, are within five meafured miles of each other ; which Mr Hervey and his curate ufed to attend alternately, till his ill health confined him entirely to Welton-Favsll. Rev. Mr JAMES H E R v E Y. xxxi his parishioners at their own houfes, as his cuftom had been: but he encouraged them to come to him, and to converfe freely on the fubjech relating to their eternal intereds ; and on fuch occafions he would fpeak with a force and proprie- ty peculiar to himfelf. He would frequently lament his in- ability to ferve his people, comparing himfelf to a bleeding difabled foldier, and only not flain. He always preached without notes, except on fome very particular occafions; but his method was judicious, clear, and not encumbered with too many fubdivifions. His weak- nefs rendering him for feveral months before his death in- capable of fpeaking to his congregation as ufual, he fhorten- ed hisdifcourfes, and took a mo(t ufeful method of inculcat- ing his inflruclions; for after he had expounded his text, and divided his fennon into two heads,) rarely into more, and never exceeding three,) he would fpeak briefly, and at the conclufion of each head enforce what he had faid, by a per- tinent text of fcripture, defiring his congregation (which (was generally very numerous) to turn to their Bibles, and double down that text. " Now," added he, " my dear * 4 brethren, if you forget my fermon, you cannot forget *' God's word in this text, unlefs you wilfully throw your " Bibles afide. Shew thefe to your children, or the abfent " part of your family, when you return home." Then he gave a ftriking exhortation, and at the end of it another text for them to double down ; fo that they had always three texts ; in order to their finding of which, he paufed in the pulpit two or three minutes. This method was at- tended with another good eftecl : it obliged the generality of his hearers to bring their Bibles along with them ; for thofe who were without a Bible loll the benefit of the texts, and were unemployed, while the majority who had one were bufy in looking for the paiTages referred to in his fermon. He endeavoured as much as poflible to divert himfelf in, his public difcourfes of his ufual elegancy of ftyle, and to a- dapt his language to the lowert capacity. Tn this he follow- ed the example of Luther, who in his Table-talk fays, " If xtxii The LIFE of the ** in my preaching I were to pay a regard to Philip Me- ** lanchthon and other learned divines, then I mould do ' little good. I preach in the plaineft manner to the illite- rate, and that gives content to all. Hebrew, Greek, and 44 Latin, I Ipare till we learned ones come together." Mr Hervey thought perfpicuous language and evangelical doc- trine of much more importance to his pariihioners, than elaborate or ornamented difcourfes ; though few men li- ving, perhaps, were more capable of fatisfying a polite or learned audience. His method of catechifing children in church, and of fpeak- ing to them in private, was very engaging and ufeful. He would put little queftions to them, after they had repeated the words of the catechifm ; as for inftance, " Well, my " little maid, let me hear if you understand what you faid. 44 If you do underfland the meaning of thefe words, you " will then be able to anfvver the queftions I fiiall put to you *. He would at thefe times afk not only fuch queftions as were fuitable to the words of the catechifm, but alfo fuch as would ftrike at the capital vices of his pariihioners, yet without giving perfonal offence -j-. He * See fome farther account of his manner of catechifing, in one of his letters. f Some of his parifliioners having lain in bed on a Sunday morning longer than he approved, and others having been bufy in foddering their cattle when he was coming to church, and feveral having frequented the alehoufe, he thus catechifed one of the children before the congregation : Repeat me the fourth commandment N 7 ow, little man, do you underftand the meaning; of this commandment ? Yes, Sir. Then, if you do, you will be able to anfwer me thefe quef- tions. Do thofe keep holy the Sabbath-day, who lye in bed till eight or nine o'clock in the morning, inftead of rifing to fay .their prayers and read the Bible ? No, Sir. Do thofe keep the Sabbath who fodder their cattle, when other people are go- ing to church ? No, Sir. Does God Almighty blefs fuch people as go to alchoufes, and don't mind the indrudions of their mi- nifter ? No, Sir. Don't thofe who love God read their Bible to their families, particularly on Sunday evenings, and have prayers every morning and night in their houfes ? Yes, Sir. A great variety of fuch pertinent and familiar queftions he would fre- Rev. Mr JAMES H E R v E Y. xxxiil He did not forget that he was a minifter in his houfe; for 1 lie worfhipped God with his family twice a-day. tie fupped at eight every night, and at nine he expounded a text of fcripture for about a quarter of an hour$ and feldorn long- er, except vvheti fome friend was prtlent, to whom he thought his difcourfe might be nfeful, or when particularly requeued to enlarge. After this he concluded with prayer* He breakfafledat nine, and about eight he called his farm* ly together, and required each of his fervants to repeat by heart the text which he had explained the preceding even- ing, and then he would recapitulate his expo fit ion ; by which method, both his text and commentary were imprinted on their memories. After this he had prayers. In the afternoon, when he was called down to tea, he n fed to bring his Hebrew Bible or Greek Teftament with him, and would fpeak (as he was ever ftudious how he might promote the glory of God, and improve time) either upon one or more verfes, as occafion offered^ in the moftinftruc- tive and entertaining manner imaginable. And in the fum- ier-feafon he would now and then drink tea, when his health would permit him, with fome of his mod ferious pa- riflrioners; and then five or iix of the neighbours were -in- vited, and Mr Hervey's converfation was remarkably af- fecting, as he had a happy talent at fpirirualizing aimolt e-* very incident, and was naturally of a moll obliging and chearful difpofition. He was a member of an afiembly formed for Chriftian improvement, which was eftabliihed in his neighbourhood on the 7th of July 1747, and conftantly attended it fo loisg as he was able to ride to the place of meeting. A lliort ac- count of the rules of this affembly is given at the end of his tracts, together with two prayers compofed by him for the ufe of the members thereof. In the exercife of his charity, Mr Hervey chofeto clothe the poor rather than to give them money ; and he would gee frequently aP^ in the tr>oft engaging manner, on every part of the catechifm, as he thought mod conducive to the improve- ment and reformation of his parilh. Voi.I. Ni. E xxxiv The LIFE of the get fome judicious perfon to buy linen, coarfe cloth, (lock- ings, fhoes, &c. for them at the beft hand ; alledging that the poor could not purchafe on fuch good terms what they wanted at the little (hops, and with fmall fums of money. " I am" faid he, " God's fteward for the poor, and I mutt " hufband the little pittance I have to be(tow upon them, " and make it go as far as pofiible." But when money would be really ferviceable to a family, as 'to a prudent houfekeeper, diitrefled by iicknefs or misfortunes, he would give five or more guineas at a time ; taking care that it fhould not be known whence the money came. Pope's com- pliment to Mr Allen of Bath, might be juftly applied to him, who would Do gsod by ftealth) and blujh to find It fame. He was particularly defirous of getting the advice of a phyfician (or at lean; of fome judicious apothecary) for the fick poor ; and was ever ready to procure them the very beft medicines. A molt beneficial fort of charity to man- kind ; and in which it were to be wilhed he had many imi- tators. He would frequently petition fuch phyficians of his acquaintance in different parts of the kingdom, as he apprehended thus charitably dilpofed, to give their advice occafionally, when they rode thro' a town, to fuch poor creatures as the clergyman of the place, or fome fubitaritial inhabitant, fliould recommend as real obje&s of companion. Mr Hervey would then with great pleafure, and with as much gratitude to the phylician, as if done to himfelf, defray the expence of what medicines were wanted. He greatly difapproved of the clergy's attempting to give me- dicines to their parifhioners ; as he judicioufly inferred, that it was impoffible for them to do it with the requifite judg- ment. " Let my brethren," he would fay, " give them " wine, bread, or beer, and get good fpoon-meats made for " them; but medicines are of too important a nature to be "given indifcriminately." He obferved, that by his own intth.'d the lick poor had the very bed medicines, as the phyllciaa favv them himfelf, and bought them very cheap, becaule Rev. Mr JAMES HERVEY. xxxv fceeaufe the apothecary, knowing they were for charitable ufes, charged the phyiician no more for them than prime coft *, with fome little allowance merely for his trouble in compounding them ; and as the phyfician knew what dif- afes were curable, there was no wafte of medicines in fruitlefs attempts to cure cafes, which, tho' actually incura- ble, perfons of lefs judgment could not pronounce to be fo. He gave away a great number of good books, with fuita- ble inductions for their ufe ; and efpecially Bibles. In the blank leaf he frequently wrote fomething capable of making an impreflion, or elle (tuck in a printed paper relating to the promifes of God, in and thro' Jefus Chrift, or to crea- tion, prefervation, and redemption -f. All the future profits of his works he has left to fome of the charitable ufes above-fpecified, except his Meditations ; the copy of which he had. fold, after it had pafled through feveral editions ; which iale of the copy, and the profits of the former impreflions, amounted to about 700 1. all of which he gave away in charity. He faid, that it was de- voted to God, and that he would on no account apply it to worldly ufes; that he wrote not for profit or fame, but to ferve the caufe of God ; and as Providence had blefled his attempt, he thought himfelf bound to relieve the dirtrefles of his fellow-creatures with it. In any expences relating to himfelf, he was extremely frugal, that he might be liberal to others ; and it was al- ways his defire to die juft even with the world. " I will be my own executor," laid he. And as he died on Chrift- mas-day, his fund expired almoft with his life. What little remained, he defired might be given in warm cloa thing to the poor in that fevere feafon. To thefe inftances of his charity, we may properly add an incident, which, how trifling foever in itfelf, yet affords a very ftrong proof, not only of the benevolence of his heart, E 2 but * Whenever he folicited the afllftance of apothecaries on thefe charitable occafions, he defired the favour of them to relinquifli their ufual profits ; promifing, on that condition, to repay what they might be out of pocket. f See a copy of this printed paper among his tracts* xxxvi The LITE of the but of his regard to pra&ical religion, and to the doing of every good work within his power. A day or two before his death, when he was reduced to fuch extreme weaknefs as to be unable to read, and could with difficulty fpeak, a little account being fettled with him by a friend, on the balance of which he received i8s. look- ing on the money with great indiifcrence, he exprefled himfelf to this efFcft: ," I would gladly difpofe of this fmall " fum, in fuch manner as may do the molt good. It is the <* only ad which I now am, and probably the lafl that I fLall " be, able to perform. Give yourfelf the trouble of look- 44 ing amonglt thefe books, and you will find Mr Richards's " pamphlet* : at the latter end of which are, I remember, " fome hints concerning the means of promoting religion 44 in ourfelves or others, which (even with Ibme additions 44 and improvements, which you might eafily make) will <c not fill more than a meet of paper -f , and, if (tuck up or 44 framed, might be particularly ufeful in that form 44 Let then fuch a number of them be printed and given a- *' way, as this money will admit of." His orders were properly executed; and the evidences of fuch an angelic temper were equally matter of edification and comfort to his friend, as this charitable legacy, if we may fo call it, will be to all who receive and rightly life it. This incident affords a ftriking evidence of the happy fruits and effects of his favourite doctrine and firong ex-> preflions of the all-fufficient righteoufnefs of Chritt as the fole requifite to justification before God, and acceptance with him, and (hews that indeed his faith wrought by love. No man had ever a greater difregard for money ; which he efteemed unworthy of his notice on any other account, than as it furnifhed him with the means of doing good. Surely * * This pamphlet (wrote by the Rev. Mr Richards of Nor- thampton, and formerly of Trinity College, Oxford) is entit- led, Hints for religious convsrfation, with 'the afflifted in viind t bcdy, and eftatc^ and with fucb otbtrs as jland ia seed of f pi ritual aftijiance, efpecially at the times when thef^ars confined byjicknefs. f The Hintsy &c. which were printed in the (ingle fheet of pap;r, are fubjoined to Mr Hervey's tracts in. this edition,. Rev. Mr JAMES H R v E Y. xxxvii Surely we may here borrow the fent'unent and exprefllon of the celebrated Mr Pope, and juftly conclude, that He felt his ruling paj/ion Jl rong in death* Mr Hervey was indeed too negligent of his drefs, which, tho' it could not in the lead leflen the refpecl paid to him in his own parifb, and neighbourhood, where he was fo well known, yet he would unqueliionably have avoided it, if he had lived in a more public fcene, where the decency and propriety of appearance are of much greater import- ance. In learning he was inferior to few. Greek was almoft as familiar to him as his native language. He was a great mafter of the daffies ; and in the younger part of his life had written fome copies of verfes, which fhewed no con- temptible genius for poetry. He had a critical knowledge of the Hebrew tongue, and delighted in it. With refpecl: to his private capacity, he was never known to be in a paflion. He lived as in heaven. No worldly concerns (though he fometimes met with very trying ones) ever affe&ed him. His humility rendered him invulnerable. When he wasmifreprefemed and calumniated, he would fay, u Our enemies are fometimes our belt friends, and " tell us truths ; and then we mould amend our faults, u and be thankful for fuch information : and if what * 4 they fay be not true, and only fpoke thro' malice, then " fuch perfons are to be confidered as clifeafed in their minds, *' and that he would pray for them. They are to be piti- ' ed," fays he," and I might be as juftly angry with a man, * who is diieafed in his body." All this he fpoke with humility, ferioufnefs, and fweet- nefs; for it was the language of his heart, and not of af- feftation. In his ordinary transactions with others, he was ever cheerful, punctual, juft, and candid to perfons of every denomination. He frequently wrote religious letters to bis acquaintance according to their different circumttances, in the moft ami- able and convincing manner ; and he feemed to make it al- moft xxxviii The LIFE of the moft an invariable rule, not to write a letter on any occa- fion, without at lead one pious fentence in it * ; and that not introduced in a forced and aukward manner, but inter- woven fo as to appear naturally to arife from the fubjeft. Of this kind fome fpecimens may be feen in the note at the bottom of the page -j*. Not withftanding Mr Hervey lived a very holy and exem- plary life, preaching Jefus Chrift and him Crucified, and in- culcating the practice of real religion and holinefs in heart and life, yet his enemies (for, ftrange as it is, even Mr Hervey himfelf, the moft inoffenfive of men, had enemies) have not fcrupled to aflert, that " his tenets were diflio- " nourable to God, fubverfive of all gofpel-holinefs, de- " (trucYive even of common morality, and very injurious '*to fociety itfelf, by making men melancholy, and regard- " lefs * Nulla dies fine lixea, Nitlla cpifiola Jtne Ckriflo> were Mr Herve- '* maxims. f Thefe fpecimens are taken from hafty meflage-cards, or biiieis, to fome of his intimate friends. *' When 1 fee my dear friend, we will talk about the contents * of his laft. My money is Chrift's, and I only defire chat he '* will give me benevolence to difpofe of it willingly ; difcre- " tion to beftow it prudently. I hope you have quite recover- ed, and adapted the Pfalmift's refolution, Pfal. cxvi. 8, 9. '* What do you think is the meaning of that remarkable expret ' fion, / will walk before the Lord ? In another billet to a perfon about retiring from bufinefs he writes, " Thanks for your Wiijius de xconomia fasderum. The time, I hope, is coming, when you will have leifure to read, a ' heart to relilh, and a tongue to difplay fuch precious doc- trines." In another he writes, ' Let us all remember, my dear friend, that time is upon '* the wing ; eternity is at our door ; therefore what we do " for our Uleffed Matter, we muft do quickly." Mr Hervey's letters were collected, and publifhed, in two volumes oftavo, in 1760. A full and particular account of them is given in the preface prefixed to them in this edition. They exhibit, in their purport, compofition, and tendency, a ftriking and amiable pifture of the ingenuity, learning, can- dour, and piety of the excellent author. Rev. Mr JAMES HERVEY. xxxix lefs of bufmefs." Thefe were the very words of an aba- live and anoymous letter fent to him by the poft; on which, that meek and mofl excellent man obferved to an intimate friend, with all his ufual mildnefs, " Indeed this gentleman 44 may be faid, I think, to write at random. Surely he has *' never read my works. If I knew whereto direct to him, " I mould delire him to turn to what I have advanced " in the ninth paragraph of my Contemplations on the /tarry " heavens *, and fuch a reply, I would hope, might convince u him of his miftake." Some of Mr Hervey's friends thought he carried the Cai- viniftical tenets fo far, that confequences difadvantageous to religion might be deduced from them, and which he him- felf, * Some, I believe, are apt to imagine, that they muft re- nounce fociety, if they devote themfelves to Chrift ; and aban- don all the fatisfaclion of this world, if they once become zea- lous candidates for the felicity of another. But this is a very mi [taken notion, or elfe a very injurious reprefentacion of the dotfrine, which is according to gndlinefs. It was never intend- ed to drive men into defarts, but to lead them through the peaceful and pleafant paths of wifdom, into the blefsful regi- ons of life eternal. It was never intended to ftrike off the wheels of buftnefs, or cut in fuuder the fmews of induftry ; but rather to make men induftrious from a principle of con/ciencf, not frota the inftigations of avarice ; that they may promote their im- mortal happinefs, even while they provide for their temporal maintenance. It has no defign to extirpate our paflions, but only to reftrain their irregularities ; neither would it damp the delights of fenfe, but prevent them from evaporating into va- nity, and fubfiding into gall. A perfon may be chearful a- mongft his friends, yet joyful in God. He may tafte the fweets of his earthly elbte, and at the fame time cherifh his hopes of a nobler inheritance in heaven. The trader may profccute the demands of commerce, with- out neglecling to negociate the affairs of his falvation : The warrior may wear his fword ; may draw, in a juft caufe, that murderous weapon ; and yet be a good foldier of Jefus Chrift, and obtain the crown thac fadeth not away. The parent may lay up a competent portion for his children, and not forfeit his title to the treafures either of grace or glory. So far is Chrifr tianity from obltrutfing any valuable intereiis, or with-holding any real pleafure, that it evidently advances the one, and im- proves the other. xl The L I F E of the felf, inftead of aflenting to them, would have Hartlcd a? and reje&ed with abhorrence. The fact is, the doctrine he delivered in his writings, is purely fcriptural, and agree- able to that contained in ail the confellions of the reform* ed churches ; and is fo far from having a tendency to weak- en the obligations to purity and holinefs of life, that it promotes them in the moft effectual manner, and has the moll happy influence on morality. When peribns of judg- ment have pointed out to him fome expreffions that were liable to be mifunder flood in that refpecl, he always dii- avowed any fuch meaning ; and affirmed, that the fault was not in the evangelical doctrines fo much infifted on by him, but in the mifapprehenfion, ignorance, or inattention of thofe who abufed them to licentioufnefs. He would then add, he was ready to alter or retraft any fentiment or expreflion which he apprehended to be truly objectionable; but that to make'things equally clear to every one's appreheniion, or to have the fame effect upon every one's mind, was an im- practicable attempt ; that he profefTed himfelf a Calvinitt, and that confequently the Arminians would not relifh fome things he advanced, tho' what he wrote was exadly con- formable to the church-articles, which areCalviniftical; yet he hoped they would not reject the whole, becaufe they could not in every point concur with him ; and that his writings in general might be ufeful, how much foever fome of his particular (tho' truly fcriptural) opinions might be doubted or cenfured. And on this head let us hear Mr Hervey hirnfelf. He, in a letter written by him a very lit- tle before his happy death, thus exprefles himfelf: " Do " they who deny faith, and extol their good works, diftin- " guifh themfelves by the practice of them? I will be bold " to fay, that, on an impartial examination, the majority " will be found on the fide of thofe who embrace the doc- ' trine of the imputation of Chrift's righteoufnefs, and " who expect falvation by him alone." Of the compliments publicly paid to his piety and genius, it will be fufficient to infert a paragraph from the North- ampton Mercury, which may be feen at the bottom of next page, Rev. Air J A M E s H E R v E Y. xil page *; and the following eulogium extracted from the Rev. Mr Dodd's poem on the Epiphany: - .. .. '. Thau HERVEY, too, JVhofe page and foul alike br:athe humblcft loi'S Toothy ador'd Redeemer ; ihou haft Jhewn That piety and poli/h'd elegance May well together fiat : and while remains Or piety, or elegance, thy works. Like genuine gold, the touchftone -will abide, And grateful to thy countrymen remain .' Oh ! may 1 to my lowly /trains derive Some merit from the friendf!np of thy name Strains, whofe exalted fubj eft fills my heart So conjfant iijith delight ; and from thy tongue IN CONVERSE pours fuch /tr earns of eloquence. That the wrapt hearer wonders at his fears Of death ere while, and glowing with the love Of JESU, caught from thee, longs to behold His Saviour in the clouds: for who can Jl and Amidft the fweetnefs of Arabian groves, And not bear thence fome fragrance ? Valu 1 d friend, Proceed: and (thy loo feeble Jlrength renewed) May * On Chriftmas day, in the afternoon, died, in the 45th year of his age, the Rev. Mr James Hervey, Re&or of Wefton- Favell, near Northampton, and the anchor of the Meditations on the tombs, flower-garden, &c He was one of the moft emi- nent inftances of the power of Chriftianity upon the human mind. In his minifterial province he was pious, fervent, and indefatigable. In his ordinary connexions with the communi- ty, he was ever chearful, confcientioufly pundlual in all his deal- ings, and amiably candid to perfons of every denomination. To his charities he fet no bounds, fcarcely leaving himfelf the mere requifites of his ftation. Unde- the fevereft trials of in- firmity for feveral years, he difplayed the higheft example of fortitude, ferenity, patience, and an entire refignation to the divine will His writings moft abundantly evidence his learn- ing and ingenuity But, reader, it is not the acquifitions of his underftanding, but the improvements of his heart, and his confidence in the great Redeemer, which will now avail thi* moft excellent man. VOL, I, N i. F xlii The LIFE, &c. May to hoar age thy journey be prolonged, Andjirew'd each ft ep with blcjfings to mankind ! We fiiall clqfe this account of Mr Hervey's life, with the- following elegy en him * : URANIA /peak ! in penjive numbers tell HOTJ) Zi 0^1 trembled when great HE R v F Y fell ! When fair d his ftrength, and 'when his pulfe beat low, jTell how Jhe mourn' d to fee th* impending blow ,' thou, to -whom all fucred themes belong. Pour forth the fweetly-mclancholy fcng ! 44 Alas I grim death hath Jhot the fatal dart, 44 Which long fe cm? d pointed at his languid heart, 44 Th* infatiate tyrant, crown 9 d with funeral gloom % 44 In triumph drags ijirn to the hollow tomb ; * 4 - Who nowfo well can paint the blooming flow' r, " Or preach from Sepulchres at midnight hour ? } *' Who nowfo well the Jlarry heavens fc.an, ** And read the lefturcs Nature meant for man ? ** No more his voice a carelefs world can move, ** Or tell the wonders of redeeming love ; " A'o more fcall thoufands round his pulpit throng^ 44 To hear the heavenly precepts of his tongue: 44 For lo ! above this grofs impurer air, 44 R.eleas y d from ev'ry pain, and every care, 44 He J "oars ah ft (angelic hofts his guide) 44 On wings new plum'd, which ne*er before he try*d. * With * The reader mr.y be affured, that thefe verfes were wrote by ?ivery ferious and well-difpofed young man, apprentice to ajer- fey comber, in the town of Northampton, in a low ftation of life, and of no liberal education ; whnfe mind, by Mr James .Hervey's preaching and writings, had been very early impref- fed with the facred ardor of piety and poetry. The original top 1 is now in the hands of the Rev. Mr Richard Onely, of Clipfton, A. M. ipafter of the free fchool there, to whom it \vas lardy tranfmitted by a friend of the lad's, for his infpec- tion and correflion ; the alterations he has made are not many; sjnd, upon th,e whole, it may be confidered as a kind of Chrifti- an apoiheofis ; or, at leaft, a neat elegiac garland, not altogether y of being hung over tlj,^t great and good man's tomb.; VERSES to Mr HERVEY. xliii . < With rapid fpccd his golden pinions rife * 4 Thro' ftarry plains^ andfkim //;' empyrean fkies. u And now where ffarkting portals wide difplay 44 The blifsful regions of eternal day ; " His Lord receives him 'midft celeflial choirs, *' Who crown his head, andftrike their golden, lyres *' Thro 1 heaven's glad courts the greeting anthems rol/ 9 " And joys new blooming fc aft his ravijh'd foul ; " Joys -which to tell all eloquence is faint , ** And which the loftieft mufe can never faint.' 9 VERSES to Mr HERVEY, ON HIS MEDITATIONS, IN thefe lov'd fcenes, what rapt'rous graces fhine, Live in each leaf, and breathe in every line 1 What facred beauties beam throughout the whole, To charm the fenfe, and (teal upon the foul I In claflic elegance, and thoughts his own, We fee our faults, as in a mirror, fliown : Each truth in glaring characters exprelt, All own the twin-refemblance in their bread: His eafy periods, and perfuafive page, At once amend, and entertain the age : Nature's wide fields all open to his viev/, He charms the mind with fomething ever new : On fancy's pinions, his advent'rous foul Wantons unbounded, and pervades the whole; From death's dark caverns in the earth below, To fpheres, where planets rol), or comets glow. F 2 See xlvi VERSES to Mr HERVEY, Hence may propitious melancholy flow, And fafety find me in the vaults of wo. While ev'ry virtue forms thy mental feaft, I glow with fair fmcerity ac leaft: I feel (thy face unknown) thy heart refin'd, And tafte, with bliis, the beauties of thy mind ; Collecting clearly, through thy lacred plan, What reverence of GOD ! what love to man ! O ! when at laft our deathlefs forms fiiall rife, And flow'rs and ftars defilt to moralize ; Shall then my foul, by thine inform'd, furvey, And bear the fplendors of eflemial day ? But while my thoughts indulge the glorious fcope, (My utmoft worth beneath my humbled hope,) Confcience, or fome exhorting angel, cries, 44 No lazy wimes reach above the Ikies. 44 Would you indeed the perfect fcenes furvey, 41 And mare the triumphs of unbounded day ; 44 His love-diffufive life with ardor live; 44 And die like this divine contemplative.'* London , July 9. 1748. By a PHYSICIAN. TO form the tafte, and raife the nobler part, To mend the morals, and to warm the heart ; To trace the genial fource, we nature call, And prove the GOD of nature friend of all ; HERVEY for this his mental landfcape drew, And fketch'd rhe whole creation out to view. Th' enamell'd bloom, and variegated flow'r, Whofe crimfon changes with the changing hour ; The humble mrub, whofe fragrance fcents the morn, v With buds difclofing to the early dawn ; The oaks that grace Britannia's mountains fide, And fpicy Lebanon 's fuperior pride ; * All * The cedar. on his M E D I T A T I O N S. xlvii AHloudly SOV'RETGN EXCELLENCE proclaim, And animated worlds confefs the fame. The azure fields that form th' extended iky, The planetary globes that roll on high, And folar orbs, of prouded blaze, combine, To aft fubfervient to the great defign. Men, angels, feraphs, join the gen'ral voice : And in the Lord of nature ALL rejoice. His, the grey Winter's venerable guife, Its fhrouded glories, and indruclive ikies J ; His, the fnow's plumes, that brood the ilck'ning blade 5 His, the bright pendant, that impearls the glade; The waving foreft, or the wbifp'ring brake, The furging billow, or the fleeping lake. The SAME, who pours the beauties of the fpring, Or mounts the whirlwind's defolating wing. The SAME, who fmiles in nature's peaceful form, Frowns in the temped, and directs the ftorm. 'Tis thine, bright teacher, to improve the age ; 3 Tis thine, whofe life's a comment on thy page, Thy happy page ; whofe periods fweetly flow, Whofe figures charm us, and whofe colours glow j Where artlef* piety pervades the whole, Refines the genius, and exalts the foul. For let the witling argue all he can, It is religion flill that makes the man. ? Tis this, my friend, that (freaks our morning bright ; *Tis this that gilds the horrors of our night. When wealth forfakes us, and when friends are few ; When friends are faithlefs, or when foes purfue ; Tis this that wards the blow, or ftills the fmart ; Difarms affiiftion, or repels its dart; Within the bread bids pureft rapture rife ; Bids fmiling confcience fpread her cloudlefs ikies. When the dorm thickens, and the thunder roils, When the earth trembles to th' affrighted poles ; The $ Refen-ing to the Winter-pis^. xlviii VERSES to Mr HERVEY, The virtuous mind, nor doubts nor fears aflail ; For ftonns are zephyrs, or a gentler gale. And when difeafe obftrufts the lab'ring breath, When the heart fickens, and each pulfe is death ; E'en then religion (hall fuftain the juft, Grace their laft moments, nor defert their duft. -1748. AS fome new ftar attracts th' admiring fight, His fplendors pouring thro' the fields of light, Whole nights, delighted with th' unufual rays, On the fair heav'nly vifitant we gaze : So thy fam'd volumes fweet furprife impart ; Mark'd by all eyes, and felt in ev'ry heart. Nature, inform'd by thee, new paths has trod, And rifes, here, a preacher for her GOD ; By fancy's aids, myfterious heights fhe tries, And lures us, by our fenfes, to the ikies. To deck thy fly le collected graces throng, Bold as the pencil's tints, yet foft zsfong. In theme*, how rich thy vein ! how pure thy choice ! Tranfcripts of truths, own'd clear from fcripture's voice: Thy judgment thefe, and piety atteft, Tranfcripts read only fairer in thy breath There, what thy works would (hew, we bed may fee, And all they teach in doctrine, lives in thee. Oh ! might they live! Our pray'rs their ftrife engage ; But thy fiVd languors yield us fad prefage. In vain fkill'd med'cine tries her healing art : Difeafe, long foe, entrenches at thy heart. Yet on new labours fhll thy mind is prone, For a world's good too thoughtlefs of thy own. Active, like day's kind orb, life's courfe you run, Its fphere flill glorious, tho' zfettingfun. Redemption opes thee wide her healing plan, Health's only balm, her fov'reign'ft gifc to man. Themes on his MEDITATIONS. xlir Themes fweet like thefe thy ardors, frefh, excite : Warm at the foul, they nerve thy hand to write j Make thy try'd virtues in their charms appear, Patience, rais'd hope, firm faith, and love fincere j Like a big conftellation, bright they glow, And beam out lovelier by thy night of wo. Known were thy merits to the Public long, Ere own'd thus feebly in my humble long* Damp'd are my fires ; my heart dark cares deprefs j A heart, too feeling from its own diftrefs. Proud on thy friend/hip, yet to build my fame, I gain'd my page * a fanftion from thy name. Weak thefe returns (by gratitude tho j led) Where mine (hall in thy fav'rite leaves be read. Yet o'er" my confcious meannefs hope prevails; Love gives me merit, where my genius fails. OH its ftrong bafe my fmall defer t I raife, Averfe to flatt'ry, as unlkill'd to praife. Mile-End Green y MOSES BROWNE* Fcb.3.$. 1749. W Hence flow thefe folemnfounds ? this raptur'd ftrain ? Cherubic notes my wond'ring ear detain ! Yet 'tis a mortal's voice: 'tis HERVEY lings: Sublime he foars on Contemplation's wings : In ev'ry period breathes ecdatic thought. HERVEY, 'twas heav'n thy facred leiTons taught. Celeftial vifions blefs thy ftudious hours, Thy lonely walks, and thy fequefter'd bow'rs. What fav'ring pow'r, difpenfing fecret aids, Thy cavera'd cell, thy curtain'd couch, pervades ? Still hov'ring near, obfervant of thy themes, In whifpers prompts thee, or infpires thy dreams ? JESUS ! effulgence of paternal light ! Ineffably divine ! fupremely bright ! Whofe SUNDAY-THOUGHTS* Voi.. I, N? i. G 1 VERSES to Mr HERVEY, Whofe energy according worlds atteft, Kindled thefe ardors in thy glowing breaft. We catch thy flame, as we thy page perufe; And faith in ev'ry object JESUS views. We in the bloomy breathing garden trace Somewhat like emanations of his grace: Yet muft all fweetnefs and all beauty yield, Idumc's grove, and Sharon's flow'ry field, Compar'd with JESUS : meanly, meanly fhows The brighteft lily, faint the lovelieft rofe. Divine inftruclor ! lead thro' midnight-glooms, To moralizing ftars, and preaching tombs : Thro' the {till void a Saviour's voice (hall break ^ A ray from JACOB'S ftar the darknefs flreak: To him the faireft fcenes their luftre owe ; His cov'nant brightens the celeftial bow j His vaft benevolence profufely fpreads The yellow harvefts, and the verdant meads* Thy pupil, HERVEY, a Redeemer finds In boundlefs oceans, and in viewlefs winds : He reins at will the furious blafts, and guides The rending tempers, and the roaring tides. O give, my foul, thy welfare to his truft : Who rais'd the world, can raife thy fleeping duft I He will, he will, when nature's courfe is run, 'Midft falling ftars, and an extinguifh'd fun ; He will with myriads of his faints appear. O may 1 join them, tho' the meaneft there ! Tho' nearer to the throne my HERVEY fings ; Tho' I at humbler diftance ftrike the firings; Yet both mail mingle in the fame employ, Both drink the fulnefs of eternal joy. Clcrkenwdl Green, JOHN DUICK. Feb. 24. I74S- Hat numbers of our race furvey The monarch of the golden day, Night's w on his M E D I T AT I O N S. Night's ample canopy unfurl'd, In gloomy grandeur round the world, The earth in fpring's embroid'ry dreft, And ocean's ever-working bread ! And ftill no grateful honours rife To him who fpread the fpacious fides, Who hung this air-fufpended ball, And lives, and reigns, and mines, in all J To chace our fenfual fogs away, ,And bright to pour th* eternal ray Of Deity infcrib'd around Wide nature to her utmoft bound, Is HERVEY'S talk ; and well his /kill Celeftial can the talk fulfill : Afcending from thefe fcenes below, Ardent the Maker's praife to (how, His facred contemplations foar, And teach our wonder to adore. Now he furveys the realms beneath, The realms of horror, and of death ; Now entertains his vernal hours In flow'ry walks, and blooming bow'rs ; Now hails the black-brow'd night, that brings ./Ethereal dews upon her wings ; Now marks the planets, as they roll On burning axles round the pole : While tombs, and/*Wr.f, zn&foadcs,. andyfofj Unveil their facred characters OfjufHce, wifdom, pow'r, and love; And lift the foul to realms above, Where dwells the GOD, in glory crown'd, Who fends his boundlefs influence round. So Jacoby in his blifsful dreams, Arrayed in heav'n's refulgent beams, Saw from the ground a fcale arife, Whofe fummit mingled with the fides ; Angels were pleas'd to pafs the road, The flage to earth, and path to GOD. lii VERSES to Mr HERVEY, Hervey^ proceed : for nature yields Frefh treafure in her ample fields ; And in feraphic ecftafy Still bear us to the throne on high. Ocean's wild wonders next explore, His changing fcenes, and fecret ftore ; Or let dire Earthquake claim thy toil, Earthquake, that makes a guilty ifle. So, if fmall things may fhadow forth, Dear man, thy labours, and thy worth, The bee upon the flow'ry lawn Imbibes the lucid drops of dawn, Works them in his my Serious mould, And turns the common dew to gold. London, THOMAS GIBBONS. May 26, 1750. . DElightful author ! whom the faints infpire ! And whifp'ring angels with their ardors fire ! From youth like mine, wilt thou accept of praife ? Or fmile with candor on a ftrippling's lays ? My little laurel (but a (hoot at moft) Has hardly more than one fmall wreath to boaft. Such as it is (ah ! might it worthier be !) Its fcanty foliage all is due to Thee. Oh ! if, amongft the honours of thy brow, This (lender circlet may but humbly grow: If its faint verdure haply may find place A foil to others tho* its own difgrace; Accept it, Hervey, from a heart fincere ; And, for the giver's fake, the tribute wear. Thy foul-improving works perus'd, what tongue Can hold from praife, or check th* applaufive fong ? Put, ah ! from whence mail gratitude obtain } Language that may its glowing zeal explain ? iiow to fuch wondrous worth adapt a drain ? J> Defcrib'd on his MEDITATIONS.. liii Defcrib'd by thee, cold fepulchres can charm ; Storms calm the foul ; and freezing winter warm. Clear'd from her gloomy {hades, we view pale night Surrounded with a blaze of mental light, Lo ! where (he comes ! all filent ! penfive ! flow ! On her dark robe unnumber'd meteors glow ! High on her head a ftarry crown Che wears ! Bright in her hand the lamp of Reafon bears ! Smiling, behold ! flie points the foul to heav'n, And bids the weeping (inner be forgiv'n ! But when thy fancy fhifts this folemn fcene, And ruddy morning gilds the chearful green ; With fudden joy we view the profpecl cha^g'd, And bluming fweets in beauteous order rang'd. We fee the violets ; fmell the dewy rofe, Ad each perfume that from the woodbine flows: A boundlefs perfpeclive there greets our eyes ; Rich vales defcend, and verdant mountains rife. The (hepherds cottages, and rural folds : All, that thy art defcribes, the eye beholds. Amazing limner ! whence this matchlefs pow'r? Thy work's a garden ! ev'ry word a flow'r ! Thy lovely tints almoft the bloom excel), And none but nature's felf can paint fo well ! Hail, holy man ! henceforth thy work (hall ftand (Like fome fair column by a matter-hand, Which, whilft it props, adorns the towYmg pile) At once to grace, and elevate our Ijle. Though (im pie, lofty; though majeftic, plain; Whofe bold deiign the rules of art reftrain. In which the niceft eye fees nothing wrong; Though polifh'd, juft ; and elegant, though firong. 'June 24, 1750. ST GEORGE MOLES-WORTH. I N Pleafure's lap the mufes long have lain, And hung, attentive, on her Syren {train : Still llv -VERSES to Mr HERVEY, Still toils the bard beneath fome weak defign, And puny thought but halts along the line : Or tuneful nothings, dealing on the mind, Melt into air, nor leave a trace behind. While to thy rapt'rous profe, we feel, belong The ftrength of wifdom, and the voice of fong : This lifts the torch of facred truth on high, And points the captives to their native Iky. How falfe the joys, which earth or fenfe infpires, That clog the foul, and damp her purer fires ! Troths, which thy foleran fcenes, ray friend, declare, Whofe glowing colours paint us as we are. Yet not morofely flern, nor idly gay, Dull melancholy reigns, or trifles fway : 111 wou'd the drains of levity befit, And fallen gloom but fadden all thy wit : Truth, judgment, fenfe, imagination, join 5 And ev'ry mufe, and every grace, is thine. Religion prompting the true end of man, Confpinng genius executes the plan ^ Strong to convince, and elegant to charm, Plaintive to melt, or palTionate to warm. Rais'd by degrees, we elevate our aim, And grow immortal as we catch thy flame ; True piety informs our languid hearts, And all the vitious, and the vain departs. So, wfcen foul-fpreading fogs creep flowly on, Blot the fair morn, and hide the golden fun ; Ardent he pours the boundlefs blaze of day, Rides through the fky, and fhines the mid away. O, had it been th' Almighty's gracious will, That I had fliar'd a portion" of thy fkill : Had this poor bread receiv'd the heav'nly beam, Which fpreads its ludre thro* thy various theme ; That fpeaks deep lefTofts from the filent tomb. And crowns thy garden with frefh-fpringing bloom ; Or, piercing thro' creation's ample whole, Now fooths the night, or gilds \h,zftarry pole ; Or on his MEDITATIONS. Or marks how Winter calls her howling train, Her fnows and dorms, that defolate the plain ; With thee the Mufe fhall trace the pleafing road, That leads from nature up to nature's GOD j Humble to learn, and, as fhe knows the more, Glad to obey, and happy to adore. Northampton, PETER. W A 1. 1. z Aug. 25. 1750, OntheRev, Mr JAMES HERVEYV PtOure, by the Rev. Mr JOHN NIXON, A. M. Rcftor of Cold High- am, in Northamptonflrire. WILLIAMS ! 'tis yours to bid the canvas wear, By art illufive, Hervfy's form and air. Oh ! with like happy labour could I trace Each virtue, each exalted Chriftian grace, liach heav'nly gift, with which his foul was bleft, And fix the bright aflemblage in roy bread : Then how tranfcendent far wou'd be my plan, You point his mimic SHADE : I'd live the MAN. MEDI- MEDITATIONS AMONG T H E TOMBS Every Stone that iue look upon in this Kepojitory of p aft Ages^ is both an Entertainment, and a Monitor. Plain-Dealer, VOL. I. N 42. .<.<<.<..<<.<<.<<<<<<*>->>>>.> VOL. I. N? i. li T O Mifs MADAM, npHESE Reflections, the ONE on the deepefl, JL the OTHER on \hzgayefl fcenes of nature, when they proceeded privately from the pen> were addrefled to a lady of the mod valuable endowments : who crowned all her other en- dearing qualities, by a fervent love of CHRIST, and an exemplary conformity to his divine pat- tern. She, alas 1 lives no longer on earth ; un- lefs it be in the honours of a diftinguifhed cha- racter, and in the bleeding remembrance of her acquaintance. IT is impoflible, Madam, to wifh you a richer blefling, or a more fubftantial happinefs, than that the fame fpirit of unfeigned faith ^ the fame courfe of undenled religion^ which have enabled H 2 her Ix DEDICATION. her to triumph over death, may both animate and adorn your life. And you will permit me to declare, that my chief inducement in requeft- ing your acceptance of the following Medita- tions, now they make a public appearance from the /r/?/}, is, that they are defigned to cultivate the fame facred princifle, and to promote the fame excellent practice. LONG, Madam, may you bloom in all the vi- vacity and amiablenefs of youth, like the charm- ing fubjec"l of one of thefe contemplations. But at the fame time remember, that, with regard to fuch inferior accomplimments, you muft one day fad:^ (may it prove fome very remote period !) like the mournful objects of the other. This coniideration will prompt you to go on as you have begun, in adding the meeknefs of ivifdom, and all the beauties of holinefs, to the graces of an engaging perfon, and the refinements of a po- lite education. AND might O ! might the enfuing hints furnifli you with the lead afliftance, in profecu- ting fo defirable an end : might they contribute, in any degree, to eftablifh your faith, or elevate your devotion ; they would, then, adininifler to the author fuch a fatisfaction, as applaufe can- not give, nor cenfure take away : A fatisfaction, which I mould be able to enjoy, even in thofe awful DEDICATION. ki awful moments, when all that captivates the eye is finking in darknefs, and every glory of this lower world difappearing for ever. TH E s E wifhes, Madam, as they are a mod a- greeable employ of my thoughts, fo they come attended with this additional circumftance of pleafure, that they are alfo the fincereft expre- fion of that very great efteem, with which I am, MADAM, Tour mojl obedient^ Mo/l humble feru ant ^ Wefton-Favell, near Northampton, May 20. 1746. JAMES HERVEY. ADVERTISEMENT T O T H E THIRD EDITION. J MUST intreat the pur chafers of the former edi- tions ', to excufe the freedom I have taken, in ma- king federal confiderable additions to this. // has been done at the perfuafion of fome judicious friend s^ who apprehended the piece might be more ufeful y and lefs unworthy of the public patronage, if it touched upon fame very interefiingfubjecls, hitherto omitted. As I had no views, but to render the per- formance more pleqfing and ferviceable ; no reader , / hope, 'will be offended at my practice, or complain of it as injurious. Newerthelefs, as I 'would 'wil- lingly avoid 'whatever might feem to ft and in need of an APOLOGY, I defire leave to declare. That no future enlargements, or alterations , Jhall be fuf- fered to depretiate r what <t *with the deepeft grati- tude for their pafl encouragement, I now commit to the candour of the public. P R E- PREFACE. of thefe occajional meditations begs leave to remind my readers of J heir latter end ; and would invite them tofet, not their houfes only, but, which is inexprej/ibly more needful, their fouls, in order : that they may be able, thro 9 all the inter- mediate Jlages, to look forward upon their approach- ing exit, without any anxious apprehenfions ; and, when the great change commences, may bid adieu to terrejlrial things, with all the calmnefs of a chearful rejignation, with all the comforts of a well-gr ounded faith. The other attempts to Jketch out fome little tra- ces of the all-fufficiency of our Redeemer, for the grand and gracious purpofes ofeverlaftingfalvation ; that afenfe of his unutterable dignity, arid infinite "perfections, may incite us to regard him withjenti- ments of the mojl profound veneration ; to long for an ajjured intereji in his merits, with all the ar- dency of defire ; . and to trujl in his powerful medi- ation, with an affiance not to be fhaken by any temptations, not to befhared 'with any performances of our own. I fatter myfelf, that the thoughts conceived among the tombs, may be welcome to the ferious and hu- mane mind : Becaufe, as there are few who have not configned the remains of fome dear rela- tions, Ixiv PREFACE. tions, or honoured friends, to thofe filent repofito- tories ; fo there are none but muft be'fenftble, that this is the houfe appointed for all living; and that they themfelves are ffjortly to remove info the fame folemn man/tons And r who would not turn afide for a while, from the mo ft favourite amufements, to view the place 'where his once loved companions lie ? Who 1.1 ould not fometimes furvey thofe apart- ments, where he himfelf is to take up an abode, till time Jh all be no more ? As to the other little ej/ay, may I not humbly pre- fume, that the very fubjeci itfelf will recommend the remarks ? For 'who is not delighted with the prof- feel of the blooming creation, and even charmed with the delicate attractions of flowers ? Who does not covet to affcmble them in the garden, or wear them in a nofegay ? Since this is a pajjionfo univerfal, 'who 'would not be willing to render it productive of the fublimeft improvement ! This piece of holy frugality / have ventured tofuggeft, and endeavoured to exemplify, in the fecond letter ; that, while the hand is cropping the tranfient beau- ties of ajlo*wer, the attentive mind may be enrich- ing itfelf with folid and lafting good. And I can- not but entertain fome pleaftng hopes, that the niceft tqfte may receive and relifh religious impreflions, when they are conveyed by fuch lovely monitors ; when the injlruflive leffons are found, not on the leaves of fome formidable folio, but Jl and legible on thefne farcenet of a narcifTus ; when they favour not of the lamp and reclufe, but come breathing from the fragrant bofom of jonquil. M E- MEDITATIONS AMONG THE TOM In a L T f E R to a LADY; ^s:.>*^*2*<>*2><*2*<>*;>+;>*^ M A D A M, TRAVELLING lately into Cornwall, I happened to alight at a confiderable village in that coun- ty ; where finding myielf under an unexpected necef- fity of flaying a little, I took a walk to the church *. The doors, like the heaven to which they lead, were wide open, and readily admitted an unworthy flran- ger. Pleafed with the opportunity, I refolved to fpend a few minutes under the facred roof. * I had named, in foirie former editions, a particular church, viz. Ki L K H A M PTON ; where fevcral of the monuments, defcribed in the following pages, really exHt But as I thought it convenient to mention foine cafes here, which are not, ac- cording to the bert of my remembrance, referred to in any in- .fcriptions there ; I have now omitted the name; that imagi- nation might operate more freely, and the improvement of the reader be confulted, without any thing that Ihould look like a variation from truth and facl. VOL. I. N i, I 66. MEDITATIONS IN a fituation fo retired and awful, I could not avoid falling into a train of Meditations, Jerious and mourn- fully pleafing which, I truft, Were in ibme degree profitable to me, while they poflfefTed and warmed my thoughts ; and if they may admin ifter any fatisfa&ion to you, Madam, now they are recollected, and com- mitted to writing, I (hall receive a frefh pleafure from them . IT was an ancient pile ; reared by hands, that, ages ago, were mouldered into duft. Situate in the cen- tre of a large burial-ground; remote from all the noife and hurry of tumultuous life. The body fpacious ; the ftruciure lofty; the whole magnificently plain. A row of regular pillars extended themfelves through the midft ; fupporting the roof with fimplicity, and with dignity. The light, that pafTed thro' the win- dows, feemed to fhed a kind of luminous obfcurity ; which gave every object a grave and venerable air. The deepy?/<f7zr<f, added to the gloomy afpect, and both heightened by the lonelinefs of the place, greatly in- creafed the folernnity of the fcene. A fort of religious dread ftole infenlibly on my mind, while I advanced, all penfive and thoughtful, along the inmoft ifle ; fuch a dread, as hufhed every ruder paffion, and diilipated all the gay images of an alluring world. HAVING adored that eternal Majefty, who, far from being confined to temples made with hands, has hea- ven forhisthrone, and theearth for his footftool, Itook particular notice of a handfome altar-piece; prefented, as I was afterwards informed, by the mafter-builders of Stoiu * ; out of gratitude, I prefume, to that gracious GOD, * The name of a grand feat, belonging to the late Earl of Bath ; remarkable formerly for its excellent workmanfhip, and elegant furniture; once the principal refort of the quality and gentry of the Weft j buc now demolifhed, laid even with the among the TOMBS. 67 GOD, who carried them thro' their work, and ena- bled them to " bring forth their top-ftone with joy." O ! HOW amiable is gratitude! efpecially when it has the fupreme Benefactor for its objeft. I have always looked upon gratitude, as the mod exalted principle that can aftuate the heart of man. Ithasfomething noble, difmterefled, and (if I may be allowed the term) gene- roufly devout. Repentance indicates our nature fallen, and prayer turns chiefly upon a regard to one's felf : But the exercifes of gratitude fubilfled in paradiie, when there was no fault to deplore ; and will be perpe- tuated in heaven, when " GOD mail be all in all." The language of this fweet temper is, " I am un- " fpeakably obliged: what return lhall 1 make?" And, furely, it is no improper expreffion of an un- feigned thankfulnefs, to decorate our Creator's courts, and beautify " the place where his honour dwelleth." Of old, the habitation of his feet was glorious : let it not, now, be fordid or contemptible. It mufl grieve an ingenuous mind, and be a reproach to any people, to have their own houfes wainfcotted with cedar, and painted with vermilion ; while the temple of the Lo R D of hofls is deftitute of every decent ornament. HERE! recollected, and was charmed with Solomon's fine addrefs to the Almighty, at the dedication of his famous temple. With immenfe charge, and exquifite (kill, he had erected the moft rich and finiflied itruc- ture that the fun ever law. Yet, upon a. review of his work, and a reflection on the tranfcendent perfec- tions of the Godhead, how he exalts the one, and a- bafes the other ! The building was too glorious for the mightieft monarch to inhabit ; too Jacrcd for unhallowed feet even to enter; yet infinitely too mean for the Deity to refide in. It was, and the royal wor- I 2 fhipper the ground, and fcarce one (lone left upon another. So that corn may grow, or nettles fpring, where Stow lately flood. 68 MEDITATIONS fhipper acknowledged it to be, a moft marvellous vouchfafement in uncreated Excellency, to " put his < c name there." -The whole paflage breathes fuch a delicacy, and is animated with fuch a fublimity of fen- timent, that I cannot perfuade myfelf to pafs on, with- out repeating it. But will God indeed dwell on earth f Behold! the hen ven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee ; how much lej's this houfe that I have build- cd*i Incomparable faying ! worthy the wifeft of men. Who would not chufe to pofTefs fuch an elevated de-: votion, rather than to own all the glittering materi- als of that fumptupus edifice ? WE * i Kings viii. 27. But will. A. fine abrupt beginning, moft fignificantly deicribing the amazement and rapture of the royal prophet's mind ! G D : He ufes no epithet, where writers of inferior difcernment would have been fond to mul- tiply them ; but fpeakb of the Deity, as an incomprehenfible Being, whole perfections and glories are exalted above all praife. Dwell : To beftow on finful creatures a propitious look, to favour them with a tranfient viiit of kindnefs ; even this were an unutterable obligation. Will he then vouehfafe to fin his abode among them, and take up his ftated reiidence with them? Indeed: A word, in this connection, peculiarly emphatical ; exprelfive of a condefcenfion, wonderful and ex- traordinary almoft beyond all credibility. Behold: intimating the continued, or rather the increafing furprife of the fpeaker, and awakening the attention of the hearer. Behald! the hca~ ven : The fpacious concave of the firmament, that wide-ex- tended azure circumference, in which worlds unnumbered perform their revolutions, is too fcanty an apartment for the Godhead. Nay, the heaven of heavens : thole vafily higher tracts, which lye far beyond the limits of human furvey, tq which our very thoughts can hardly foar ; even thefe (un- bounded as they are) cannot afford an adequate habitation for JEHOVAH ; even thefe dwindle into a point, when compa- red with the infinitude of his eflence; even thefe " are as no- 44 thing before him." Hoia much Itfs proportionate is this poor diminutive fpeck (which I have been erecting and embel- iifliing) to fo augult a Prefence, fo immenfe a Majefty ] " among the TOMBS. 69 W E are apt to be ftruft with admiration at the ftate- linefs and grandeur of a maiterly performance in ar- chitefture ; and, perhaps, on a fight of the ancient fascluary, mould have made the fuprrficid obfervation of the dliciples ; " What manner of (tones, and what " buildings, are here I" But what a nobler turn of thought, wiAjufter tafte of things, does it difcover, to join with IJrael's king, in celebrating the condeA- cenfion of the divine inhabitant ! That the high and lofty One, who fills immenlity with his glory, mould, in a peculiar manner, fix his abode there ! mould there manifeft an extraordinary degree of his benedicHve prefence ; permit finful mortals to approach his Ma- jefly, and promife " to make them joyful in his houfe *' of prayer V this mould more fenfibly affect our hearts, than the moft curious arrangement of (tones can delight our eyes. NA Y , the everlafting Go o does not difdain to dwell in ourjouls by his Holy Spirit j and to make even our bodies his temple. Tell me, ye that frame critical judgments, and balance nicely the diftin&ion of things, " Is this moft aftonifhing, or moft rejoicing !" He humbleth himfelf, the icripture afTures us, even to behold the things that are in heaven *. 'Tis a moft condefcending favour, if HE pleafes to take the leaft approving notice of angels and archangels, when th,ey bow down in homage from their celeftial thrones. Will he then gracioufly regard, will he be united, moft intimately united to poor, polluted, breathing duft ? Unparalleled honour ! invaluable privilege I Be this my portion, and I (hall not covet crowns, nor envy conquerors. BUT let me remember, what zfanflity of difpofi- fjpn, and uprightnefs of convcrfation, fo exalted are- latio * Pfal. odii. 6, 70 MEDITATIONS Jation demands : remember this, " and rejoice with " trembling/' Durft i commit any iniquity, while I tread thefe hallowed courts } . Could the Jewifh high prieft allow himfelf in any known tranfgreflion, while he made that iolemn yearly entrance -J* into the holy of holies, and flood before the immediate prefence of JEHOVAH? No, truly. Injuc/i circumftances, a thinking peribn muft mudder at the moft remote fo- licitation to any wilful offence. I mould now be moc- ked at the leait indecency of behaviour, and am ap- prehenfive of every appearance of evil. And why do we not carry this holy jealoufy into all our ordinary life ? Why do we not, in every place J, reverence ourielves ; as perlons dedicated to the Divinity, as living temples of the Godhead ? For, if we are real, and not merely nominal Chriftians, the GOD of glory, according to his own promife, |J dwells in us, and 'walks in us. O ! that this one doclrine of our reli- gion might operate with an abiding efficacy upon our confciences ! It would be inftead of a thoufand laws, to regulate our conduct: ; inftead of a thoufand mo- tives, to quicken us in holinefs. Under the influence ofjiich a conviction, we fliould ftudy to maintain a purity of intention ; a dignity of aftion ; and to walk worthy of that tranfcendently majeftic Being, who admits us to a fellowfhip with himfelf, and with his Son JESUS CHRIST. THE j- Heb. ix. 7. irairuv ft psii.ir' ectir^v was the favourite maxim of Pythagoras, and fuppofed to be one of the bed moral precepts ever given to the Heathen world. With what fuperior force, and very fingular advantage, does the argument take place in the Chriftian fcheme ! where we are taught to regard ourfelves, not merely as intelleflual beings, who have rcafin for our monitor ; but as confecrated creatures, who have a GOD of the moft confummate perfec- tion ever -with us, ever in us. 2 Cor. vi. 1 6. among the TOMBS. 71 THE next thing which engaged my attention, was the lettered floor. The pavement, fomewhat like Eze- kiel's roll, was written over from one end to the o- ther. I loon perceived the companion to hold good in another refpecl: ; and the infcriptions to be matter of " mourning, lamentation, and wo *." They feemed to court my obfervation ; filently inviting me to read them. And what would thefc dumb monitors inform me of? " That, beneath their little circumferences, " were depofited fuch and fuch pieces of clay, which " once lived, and moved, and talked : that they had " received a charge to preferve their names, and were " the remaining truflees of their memory." AH ! faid I, is fuch my fituation ! the adorable Creator around me, and the bones of my fellow-crea- tures under me ! Surely, then, I have great reafon to cry out, with the revering patriarch, How dreadful if this place "j- ! Serioufnefs and devotion become this houfe for ever. May I never enter it lightly or irre- verently ; but with a profound awe, and godly fear \ ! that they were -wife \ ! faid the infpired penman. It was his laft wifh for his dear people. He breathed it out, and gave up the ghoft. But what is wifdom ? It confifts not in refined fpeculations, accurate refear- ches into nature, or an univerfal acquaintance with hiftory. The divine lawgiver fettles this important point, in his next afpiration : ! that they underftood this ! that they had right apprehenfions of their fpi- ritual interefts, and eternal concerns ! that they had eyes to difcern, and inclinations to purfue, the things which belong to their peace ! But how nhall they at- tain this valuable knowledge ? 1 fend them not, adds the illuftrious teacher, to turn over all the volumes of literature : they may acquire, and much more ex- pedi- * Ezek. ii. 10. -f Gen. xxviii. 17. ^ Deut. xxxii. 29. ?2 MEDITATIONS peditioufly, this fcience of life, by confidcr'mg their latter end. This fpark of heaven is often loft under the glitter of pompous erudition, but fliines clearly in the gloomy manfions of the tomb. Drowned is this gentle whifper amidft the noij'e of fecular affairs, but fpeaks diftin&ly in the retirements of ferious contemplation. - Behold ! how providentially I am brought to the fchool of wifdom * ! The grave is the mofl faithful f mafter ; and thefe inftances of mortality, the moft in- flrucYive lefTons. Come then, calm attention, and compofe my thoughts ; come, thou celcflial Spirit, and enlighten my mind ; that I may fo perufe thefe awful pages, as to become " wife unto falvation." EXAMINING the records of mortality, I found the memorials of a J promijcuous multitude. They were huddled, at leaft they reded together, without any regard to rank or feniority. None were ambitious of the uppermoft rooms, or chief feats, in this houfe of mourning. None entertained fond and eager expecta- tions of being honourably greeted in their darkfome cells. The man of years and experience, reputed as an oracle in his generation, was content to lye down at the feet of a babe. In this houfe appointed for all living, the fervant was equally accommodated, and lodged in the fame ftory, with his mafter. The poor indigent lay as foftly, and flept as foundly, as the mofl opulent pofjeffor. All the diftinclion that fubfifted was a graffy * The man how wife, who, tick of gaudy fcenes, Is led by choice to take his fav'rite walk Beneath death's gloomy, filent, cyprefs (hades^ Unpierc'd by vanity's iactaftic ray ! To read his monuments, to weigh his duft, Vific his vaults, and dwell among the tombs ! Night-Thoughts. f- Wait the great teacher Death. POPE. + Mifta/fnunt ac juvsnum dsnfaniur funsra. Hor%; among the TOMBS. 73 a graffy hillock, bound with ofiers ; or a fepulchral flone, ornamented with imagery. WHY then, faid my working thoughts, O ! why fhould we raife filch a mighty flir about Jupcriorify and precedence^ when the next remove will reduce us all to a ftate of equal meannefs I Why fliould we exalt ourielves, or debafe others ; fince we muft all, one day, be upon a common level, and blended together in the fame iindiitinguifhed duft ? O ! that this confidera- tion might humble my own, and others pride ; and fink our imaginations as low, as our habitation will fhortly be I AMONG thefe confufed relics of humanity, there are, without doubt, perfons of contrary interefls, and contradicting ientiments. But death, like fome able days-man, has laid his hand on the contending parties, and brought all their differences to an * amicable conclufion. Here enemies, (worn enemies, dwell to- gether in unity. They drop every embittered thought, and forget that they once were foes. Perhaps, their crumbling bones mix^ as they moulder; and thofe who, while they lived, ftood aloof in irreccncileable va- riance, here fall into mutual embraces, and even in- corporate with each other in the grave. O ! that we might learn from thefe friendly allies, not to perpe- tuate the memory of injuries ; not to foment the fe- ver of refentment ; nor cherilh the turbulence of paj- fion; that there may be as little animofity and diia- greement in the land of the living, as there is in the congregation of the dead ! But 1 iuipend for a while fuch general obfervations, andaddrefs myielfto a more particular inquiry. Yo N D E R * Hi rriotus animorum. atque hfc certamin'a tantx, Pulveris cxigu't j'aclu comfrfjfa quicjcent. Vi*o* VOL. I. N? i. K 74 MEDITATIONS YONDER -white Jlone, emblem of the innocence it covers, informs the beholder of one, who breathed out its tender foulalmoftinthe inftant of receiving it. - There, the peaceful injant, without fo much as knowing what labour and vexation mean, " * lyes (till and " is qukt j it fleeps and is at reft." Staying only to warn away its native impurity in thelaver of regene- ration, it bid a fpeedy adieu to time, and terreftrial things. What did the little hafty Ibjournerfind fo for- bidding and difguftful in our upper world, to occafion its precipitant exit ? 'Tis written, indeed, of its fuifer- ing Saviour, that when he had tafted the vinegar mingled with gall, he would not drink -j~. And did our new-come ftranger begin to ftp the cup of life ; but, perceiving the bitternefs, turn away its head, and refuie the draught ? Was this the caufe why the war y babe only opened ks eyes ; jult looked on the light, and then withdrew into the more inviting regions of undifturbed repofe ! Happy voyager ! no fooner launched, than arrived. at the haven J ! But more eminently happy they^ who have pafled the waves, and weathered all the florms, of a troublefome and dangerous world ! who, " through many tribulations, have entered into the <c kingdom of heaven ;" and thereby brought honour to their divine convoy, administered comfort to the companions of their toil, and left an inftruclive ex- ample to fucceeding pilgrims. Highly favoured probationer ! accepted, without being exercifed ! It was thy peculiar privilege, not ta feel the flighted of thofe evils, which opprejs thy fur- viving kindred ; which frequently fetch groans from the * Job Hi. 13. -j- Matth. xxvii. 34. : Happy the babe, who privileg'cl by Fate, To fhorter labour, and a lighter weight, Receiv'd but yefterday tht gift of breath, Order 'd to morrow to return to d^ath. PRIOR'J &/ among the TOMBS. 75 the moft manly fortitude, or moft elevated faith. The arrows of Calamity, barbed with anguifh, are often fix- ed deep in our choiceft comforts. The fiery darts of Temptation, fliot from the hand of Hell, are always fly- ing in mowers around our integrity. To thee, fwect babe, both thefe diftrefles and dangers were alike un- known. Coniider this, ye mourning parents^ and dry up your tears. Why mould you lament, that your little ones are crowned with victory, before the fword was drawn, or the conflict begun . ? Perhaps, the fupreme Difpo^- ier of events forefawfome inevitable fnare of tempta- tion forming, or fome dreadful florm of adverfity im^- pending. And why mould you be fo diffatisfied with that kind precaution, which houfed your pleafant plant, and removed into fhelter a tender flower, before the thunders roared ; before the lightnings flew ; .before the tempeft poured its rage : O remember! they are not loft, but taken away from the evil to come * At the fame time, \ctfurvivors, doomexl to bear the heat and burden of the day, for their encouragement reflect, that it is more honourable to have entered the lifts, and to have fought the good fight, before they come off conquerors. They who have bore the crofs, and fubmitted to afflictive providences, with a chearfui reiignation, have girded up the loins of their mind, and performed their Mafter's will with an honeft and per fever ing fidelity ; thefe, having glorified their Re- d.eemer on earth, will, probably, be as ftars ofthefo/!; magnitude in heaven. They will (hine with brighter beams, be replenifhed with ftron^er joys, in their LORD'S everlafting kingdom. HERE lyes the grief of a fond mother, andtheblaft- ed expectation of an indulgent father. The youth grew ,up, like a well-watered plant ; he fliot deep., rofe high, Ifa. 76 MEDITATIONS and bid fair for manhood. But juft as the cedar began to tower, and promifed ere long to be the pride of the wood, and prince among the neighbouring trees ; behold ! the axe is laid unto the root ; the fatal blow ftruck ; and all its branching honours tumbled to the dufl. And did he fall alone ? No : the hopes of his father that begat him, and the pleafing profpedts of her that bare him, fell, and were crumed together with him. Doubtlefs it would have pierced one's heart, to have beheld the tender parents following the breathlefs youth to his long home. Perhaps drowned in tears, and all overwhelmed with fbrrows, they flood, like weeping ftatues, on this very fpot Methinks,, I fee the deeply diftrefTed mourners attending the fad iblcm- nity. How they wring their hands, and pour floods from their eyes ! Is it fancy ? or do I really hear the paffioriate mother ^ in an agony of affliction, taking her final leave of the darling of her foul ? Dumb flie remain- ed, while the awful obfequjes were performing ; dumb with grief, and leaning upon the partner of her woes. But now the inward anguifli ftruggles for vent ; it grows too big to be reprefTed. She advances to the brink of the grave. All her foul is in her eyes. She f aliens one more look upon the dear doleful objecl, be- fore the pit flints its mouth upon him. And as me looks, me cries ; in broken accents, interrupted by many a railing fob, flie cries, -"Farewell, my fon ! my " fon ! my only beloved ! would to GOD I had died " for thee : -Farewell, my child ! and farewell all tc my earthly happineis \ ifhall never more fee good " in the land of the living. Attempt not to comfort " me. I will go mourning all my days, till my grey ^ hairs come down, with forrow, to the grave." . From this affcftingreprefentation, let parents be con- vinced, how highly it concerns them to cultivate the morals^ and fecure the immortal interefts of their chil- firen. If you really love the offspring of your own bodies 3 among the TOMBS. 77 bodies ; if your bowels yearn over thofe amiable pled- ges of conjugal endearment ; fpare no pains ; give all diligence, 1 intreat you, " to bring them up in the <c nurture and admonition of the LOR D ." Then may you have joy in their life, or confolation in their death. If their fpan is prolonged, their unblameable and ufeful conduct will be the ftaff of your age, and a balm for declining nature. Or, if the number of their years be cut off in the midft, you may commit their remains to the duft, with much the fame com- fortable expectations, as you lend the furvivors to places of genteel education. You may commit them to the dufi, with chearing hopes of receiving them a- gain to your arms, inexprejjibly improved in every no- ble and endearing accomplishment. 'Tis certainly zjevere trial, and much more afflictive than I am able to imagine, to reiign a lovely blooming creature, fprung from your own loins, to the gloomy receffes of corruption. 'Thus to refign him, after ha- ving been long dandled upon your knees, united to your affections by a thoufand ties of tendernefs ; and now become both the delight of your eyes, and the fupport of your family ! to have fuch a one torn from your bofom, and thrown into darknefs, doubtlefs, it mud be like a dagger in your hearts. But O ! how much more cutting to you, and confounding to the .child, to have the ibul feparated from GOD ; and, for //iamefulignorsmce,or early impiety ^traufmitted to places of eternal torment ! How would it aggravate your di- flrels, and add a diffracting emp hafis to all your fighs, if you mould follow the pale corpie with thefe bitter re- fieftions ! " This dear creature, though long ago ca- " pable of knowing good from evil, is gone out of the " world, before it had learned the great defign of " coming into it. A fhort-lived momentary exigence " it received from me ; but nogoodinflruclions, noho- * c ly admonitions, nothing to further its well-being in i' that everlafting ftate, upon which it is now entered. " The 7$ MEDITATIONS *' The poor body is conflgned to the coffin, and carried " out to confume away, in the cold and filent grave. ic And what reafon have I to fuppole, that the precious <c foul is in a better condition ? May I not juflly fear, <c that, fentenced by the righteous Judge, it is going, " or gone away, into the pains of endlefs punifhment ? <c Perhaps, while I am bewailing its untimely depar- " ture, it may be curfing, in outer darknefs, that *' ever to be deplored, that mofl calamitous day, when u it was born of fuch a carelefs, ungodly parent, as " 1 have been." Nothing, I think, but the gnawings of that worm which never dies, can equal the anguifh of thefe lelf- condemning thoughts. The tortures of a rack mufl be an eafy fuffering, compared with the flings and hor- ror of fuch a remorfe. How earneftly do I wifh, that as many as are intruded with the management of chil- dren, would take timely rare to prevent thefe fcourges of conference, by endeavouring to conduct their minds into an early knowledge of Chrifl, and a cordial love of his truth ! ON this hand is lodged one, whofe fepulchral flone tells a m oft pitiable tale indeed ! Well may the littleima- ges, reclined over the fleeping afhes, hang down their heads with that penfive air ! None can confider ib mournful a ftory, without feeling fome touches of fym- pathiztng concern. His age twenty-eight ; his death fudden; himfelf cut down MI the prime of life, amidft all the vivacity and vigour of manhood ; while " his 44 breads were full of milk, and his bones moiftened u with marrow/' Probably, he entertained no ap- prehenfions of the evil hour. And indeed, who could have fufpe&ed, that fo bright a fun mould go down at noon ? To human appearance, his hill flood flrong. Length of days feemed written in his fanguine counte- nance. He folaced himfelf with the profpecl of a long, long feries of earthly fatisfaftions. When, lo ! an un- expected among the T O M B S, 73 expected ftroke defcends ! defcends from that mighty- arm, which " overturneth the mountains by their " roots ; and crufhes the imaginary hero, * before the tc moth;" as quickly, and more eafily, than our fin- gers prefsfuch a feeble fluttering infecT: to death. PERHAPS, the nuptial joys were all he thought on . Were not fuch the breathings of his enamoured foul ? " Yet a very little while, and I fhall poffefs the utmoft " of my wifhes. I fhall call my charmer mine ; and, u in her, enjoy whatever my heart can crave.*' In the midfl of fuch enchanting views, had fome faithful friend but foftly reminded him of an opening grave, and the end of all things ; how unfeafonable would he have reckoned the admonition ! Yet, though all warm with life, and rich in vifionary blifs, he was even then tottering upon the brink of both. Dreadful viciffi- tude ! to have the bridal \ fefltvity turned into \hefune- * Job'iv. 19. tt-jnatft Adinftar, ad modum, tinea. I retain this interpretation, both as it is moft fui table to my purpofe, and as it is patronized by fome eminent commentators, efpeci- ally the celebrated Schultens. Though I cannot but give the preference to the opinion of a judicious friend, who would render the paffage more literally, Before the face of a moth, making it to represent a creature to exceedingly frail, that even a moth, flying againfl it, may dalh it to pieces. Which, beiides its cloler correfpondence with the exad import of the Hebrew^ prefents us with a much finer image of the inoft ex- treme imbecillity. For it certainly implies a far greater degree of weakneis, to be crumed by the feeble flutter of the feebleft creature, than only to be cruflied a? eafily as that creature, by the hand of man. The French verfion is very exprcllive and beautiful; ti la rencontre d'un vermljfcan. j* A diftrefs of this kind is pointed in very affecling colours by Pliny, in an epiftle to Marcellinus ; trifle plane acerbum- que ftinus! morte ipfa mortis tetnpus indignius! Jura dfjiinata erat egregfo juverii ; jam eleclus nuptlarum dies ; jam nos ad- vocati. Qiod gaud'ium quo moerore mutcitum eji ! A'ow frjfuni exf timers verb'iSj quantum animo vulniis ucceperh)'^ quum aa- divi gb MEDITATIONS ral folemnity ! Deplorable misfortune ! to be fhip* wrecked in the very haven ! and to pertfh even in fight of happinefs ! What a memorable proof is here of the frailty of man, in his beft eftate ! Look, O 1 look on this monument, ye gay and carelejs ! attend to this date ; and boaft no more of to-morrow ! Who can tell, but the bride-maids, girded with gladnefs, had prepared the marriage-bed ? had decked it with the richeft covers, and drefTed it in pillows of clown ? When,~ oh ! truft not in youth or ftrength, or in any thing mortal ; for there is nothing certain, nothing to be depended on, beneath the unchangeable GOD ; Death, relentlefs death, is making him another kind of bed in the duft of the earth. Unto this he muft be conveyed, not with a fplendid proceffion of joyous attendants ; but ftretched in the gloomy hearjc, and followed by a train of mourners. On this he muft take up a lonely lodging, nor ever be releaTed, " till " the heavens are no more.*' In vain does the con- fenting fair -one put on her ornaments, and expect her fpoufe. Did (lie not, like Sifcra's mother, look out of the lattice, chide the delays of her beloved ; and wonder u why his chariot was fo long in coming r" little thinking, that the intended bridegroom had for ever done with traniitory things ! that now everlafting. cares employ his mind, without one fmgle remem- brance of his lovely Lucinda ! Go, difappointed viiv gin ! go, mourn the uncertainty of all created blifs ! Teach thy ibul to afpire after a fure and immutable felicity ! for the once gay and gallant Fidelia deeps in other embraces ; even in the icy arms of Death 1 for- getful, eternally forgetful, of the world and then. HIT H E R TO, one is tempted to exclaim againft the king of terrors, and call him capricioujly cruel. He feems, divi Fitndanum ipfum (ut multa luflitofa dolor invfntf) prtcipi- entem, quod in vefies, margariias^ gemmas, fucrat erogaturiis i hoc in thura t ft ungnsnla^ et odares y impenderetur. PL IN. lib. v. epift. 2<*. among the TOMBS. 81 feems, by beginning at the wrong end of the regifter, to have inverted the laws of nature. Faffing over the couch of decrepit age, he has nipped infancy in. its bud, blafled youth in its bloom, and torn up manhood in its full maturity. Terrible indeed are thefe providences, yet not unfearchable the counfels : For us they ficken, and for us they die *. Such flrokes muft not only grieve the relatives, but furprife the whole neighbourhood. They found a pow- erful alarm to heedlefs dreaming mortals, and are in- tended as a remedy for our carnal fecurity. Such paf- fing-bells inculcate loudly our LORD'S admonition; u Take ye heed, watch, and pray : for ye know not " when the time is," -We nod, like intoxicated crea- tures, upon the very verge of a tremendous precipice. Thefe aftoniming difpenfations are the kind meflengers of heaven, to rouje us from our Jup inenejs, and quicken us into timely circumfpection. I need not, furely, ac- commodate them with language, nor act as their inter- preter. Let every one's confcience be awake, and this will appear their awful meaning : tr O ! ye fons of " men, in the niidft of life you are in death. No ftate, cc no circumftances, can afcertain your prefervation a " iingle moment. So ftrong is the tyrant's arm, that cc nothing can refift its force ; fo true his aim, that no- <c thing can elude the blow. Sudden as lightning, u fometimes, is his arrow launched ; and wounds, and a kills, in the twinkling of an eye. Never promife u yourfelvesfafety in any expedient, but conftant pre- " paration. The fatal (hafts fly fo promifcuoufly, that u none can guefs the next victim. Therefore be ye al- 11 ways ready : for, infuch an hour as ye think not, the u final fummons cometh." Be ye always ready : for infuch an hour as ye think not Important admonition I Mcthinks, it reverberates from * Night-Thoughts. Voi. I. N x. L S2 MEDITATIONS fromfepulchretofepulchre ; and addrefles me with line upon line, precept upon precept. The reiterated warning, I acknowledge, is too needful ; may co-ope- rating grace render it effectual 1 The momentous truth, though worthy to be engraved on the tables of a moft tenacious memory, is but {\.\<$\t\y Jk etched on the tran- fient flow of paffion. We fee our neighbours fall ; we turn pale at the mock ; and feel, perhaps, a trembling dread. No fooner are they removed from our fight, but, driven in the whirl of bufmefs, or lulled in the languors of pleafure, we forget the providence, and neglect its errand. The impreffion made on our un- .ftable minds, is like the trace of an arrow through the penetrated air, or the path of a keel in the furrowed wave. Strange ftupidity ! To cure it, another moni- tor befpeaks me, from a neighbouring flone. It con- tains the narrative of an unhappy mortal, fnatched from his friends, and hurried to the awful bar ; without leifure, either to take a I aft farewell of the one, or to put up fo much as a Jingle prayer preparatory for the other ; killed, according to the ufiial expreflion, by a fudden flroke of cafualty. Was it then a random ftroke ? Doubtlefs, the blow- came from an aiming, though invifible hand. GOD prefideth over the armies of heaven ; GOD ruleth among the inhabitants of the earth ; and GOD condufteth what men call chance. Nothing, nothing comes to pafs through a blind and undifcerning fatality. If acci- dents happen, they happen according to the exact fore- knowledge, and conformably to the determinate coun- fels, of eternal wifdom The LOR D, with whom arc the ifTues of death, figns the warrant, and gives the high commiflion. The feemingly fortuitous difafter is only the agent, or the injlrument appointed to execute the fupreme decree. When the king of Ifracl was mortally wounded, it feems to be a cafual (hot. ^4 certain man drew a bow at a venture * . At a -venture, as he * i Kings xxii. 34. among the TOMBS. 83 he thought. But his hand was ftrengthened by an omnipotent aid, and the (haft levelled by an unerring eye. So that what we term cafualty, is really provi- dence, accompHfhing deliberate defigns, but concealing its own interpofition. How comforting this reflec- tion ! Admirably adapted, to footh the throbbing an- guifli of the mourners, and compofe their fpirits into a quiet fubmiffion ! Excellently fuited, to diffipate the fears of godly furvivors, ancl create a calm intrepi- dity amidil innumerable perils ! How thin is the partition between this world and another ? How fhort the tranfition from time to eter- nity ! The partition, nothing more than the breath in our noflrils ; and the tranfition may be made in the twinkling of an eye. Poor Chremylns, I remember, arofe from the diverfion of a card-table, and dropt into the dwellings of darknefs. One night, Corinna was all gaiety in her fpirits, all finery in her apparel, at a magnificent ball. The next night, fhe lay pale and ftiff, an extended corpfe, and ready to be ming- led with the mouldering dead. Young Atticm lived to fee his ample and commodious feat completed ; but not to fpend one joyous hour under the ft a tely roof. The faflies were hung to admit the day ; but the matter's eyes were clofed in endlefs night. The apartments were furnifhed, to invite fociety, or ad- minifter repofe ; but their lord refts in the lower parts of the earth, in the folitary, filent chambers of the tomb. The gardens were planned, and a thou- fand elegant decorations defigned ; but alas ! their in- tended pofTeflbr is gone down to "the place of fkulls ;" is gone down to the valley of the fhaclow of death. While I am recollecting, many, I queftion not, are experiencing the fame tragical vicilfitude. The eyes of that fublime Being, who fits upon the circle of the earth, and views all its inhabitants with one compre- lienfive glance, even now behold many tents in af- fiiftion 5 fuch affliction, as overwhelmed the Egyptians L 2 ' in 84 MEDITATIONS in that fatal night, when the deftroying angel (heathed his arrows in all the pride of their ftrength. Some, finking to the floor from their eajy chair ; and deaf even amidft the piercing fhrieks of their dlftra&ed re- lations. Some, giving up the ghoil,astheylit retired, or lye reclined, under the fliady arbour, to tafte the iwe.'.s of the flowery fcene. Some, as they fail, af- fociated with a party of plca/ure^ along the dancing ftream, and through the laughing meads Nor is the grim intruder mollified, though wine and mufic flow around. Some intercepted^ as they are returning home 5 and fome interrupted^ as they enter upon an important negotiation. Some arrefted, with the gain of injufrice in their hands ; and fome furprifed in the very at of leiudne/s, or the attempt of cruelty. Legions, legions of difafters, fuch as no prudence can forefee, and no care prevent, lye in wait to accom- plifti our doom, \ftarting horje may throw his rider ; may at once dafh his body againft the flones, and fling his foul into the invifible world. A flack of chimneys may tumble into the ftreet, and crufti the unwary paf- fenger under the ruins. Even a fmgle ///<?, dropping from the roof, may be as fatal as the fall of the whole ftrufture. So frail, fo very attenuated is the thread of life, that it not only burfts before they/or;^, but breaks evenata^mfz*?. Themoft common occurrences, thofe from which we fufpecl: not the leaft harm, may prove the weapons of our deftruclion, A grape- ftone, a def- picable fly, may be more mortal than Goliath^ with all his formidable armour.- Nay, if GOD give com- mand, our very comforts become killing. The air we breathe, is our bane ; and the food we eat, the vehicle of death. That laft enemy has unnumbered avenues for his approach ; yea, lyes entrenched in our very bofom, and holds his fortrefs in the feat of our life. Thecrimfon fluid, \v\i\c\\diftributes health, is impregna- ted with thefceds of death. Heat may inflame it, or toil opprefs it, andmake it deflroy the -parts it was defigned to among the TOMBS. 85 to cherifh. Some unfeen impediment may obftru& its paflage, or fome unknown violence may divert its courie j in either of which cafes, it ads the part of a poiibnous draught, or a deadly Itab. Ah I in what perils is vain life engag'd I IV hat flight neglefts, what trivial faults deftroy The hardieft frame i Of indolence, of toil tfe die ; of want, of fiiperftuity. The aU-Jurronnding heaV'n, the vital air, Is big with death. Since then we are fo liable to be difpofTefled of this earthly tabernacle, let us look upon ourfelves only as tenants at will; and hold ourfelves in perpetual rea- dinefs, to depart at a moment's warning. Without fuch an habitual readinefs, we are like wretches, that fleep on the top of a maft, while a horrid gulf yawns, or furious waves rage, below. And where can be the peace, what the fatisfaftion, of fuch a ftate ? Where- as, a prepared condition will infpire a- chearfulnefs of temper, not to be difmayed by any alarming accident ; and create a firmnels of mind, not to be overthrown by the mod threatening dangers. When the city is fortified with walls, furnifhed with provifion, guarded by able and refolute troops ; what have the inhabi- tants to fear ? what may they not enjoy ? So, juft fo, or rather by a much furer band, are conne&ed the real tafte of life, and the conflant thought of death. I SAID, Our very comforts may become killing. And fee the truth infcribcd by the hand, fealed with the fignet of fate. The marble, which graces yonder pil- lar, informs me, that, near it, are dcpofited the re- mains of Sophronia; the much-lamented Sophronia, who died in child-bed. How often does this calamity happen! The branch (hoots ; but the ftem withers. The babe fprings to light ; but me that bare him, breathes her lait. She gives life, but gives it (O pi- tiablq 86 MEDITATIONS liable confideration ! ) at the expence of her own ; and becomes, at once, a mother, and a corp/e. Or elfe, perhaps, fhe expires in fevere pangs, and is her- ielf a tomb for her infant ; while the melancholy com- plaint of a monarch's wo is the epitaph for them both : The children are come to the birth, and there is notjlrtngth to bring forth *. Left to be lamented, in my opi- nion, this misfortune than the other. Better for the tender ftranger to be flopped in the porch, than to enter only to converfe with affliction. Better to find a grave in the womb, than to be expofed on a hazar- dous world, without the guardian of its infantile years, without the faithful guide of its youth. This monument is diftinguiftied by its finer materi- als, and more delicate appendages. It feems to have taken its model from an affluent hand, directed by a generous heart, which thought it could never do e- nough for the deceafed. It feems, alfo, to exhibit an emblematical picture ofSop/tronia's perfon and accom- plifliments. Is her beauty, or, what is more than beauty, her white-robed innocence, reprefented by the fnowy cojour f The furface, fmoothly polimed, like her amiable temper, and engaging manners. The whole adorned, in a well-judged medium between ex- travagant pomp and fordid negligence ; like her un- diffembled goodnefs, remote from the leaft oftenta- tion, yet in all points exemplary. But ah ! how vain were all thefe endearing charms ! How vain the luf- tre of thy fprightly eye ! how vain the bloom of thy bridal youth < how vain the honours of thy fuperior birth 1 how unable to fecure the lovely pofTeflbr from the favage violence of death ! How ineffectual the univerfal efteem of thy acquaintance ; the fondnefs of thy tranfported hufband ; or even the fpotlefs integrity of thy character ; to prolong thy fpan, or procure thee a (hort reprieve ! The concurrence of all thefe circum- ilances reminds me of thofe beautiful and tender lines : flow * If. xxxvii. 3. among the TOMBS. 87 How tov'd t how valuM once, avails thce not; To whom related, or by whom begot. ^4 heap ofduft alone remains of thee : ye Tis all THOU art ! and all the PROUD Jhall be * / POPE'S Mif bell. Yet, * Thefe verfes are infcribed on a final!, but elegant monu- ment lately erected in the great church at Northampton; which, in the hieroglyphic al decorations, correfponds with the def- criptions introduced above: in this circumftance particularly, that it is dedicated to the memory of an amiable woman, Mrs ANIS|E STONHOUSE, the excellent wife of my worthy friend DrSTONHOUSE; who has feen all the powers of that healing art, to which I, and fo many others, have been greatly indebted, failing in their attempts to preferve a life dearer to him than his own. Nee frofunt domino, qua profunt omnibus, artes. OVID. No longer his all-healing art avails j But ev'ry remedy its matter fails. In the midft of this tender diftrefs, he has fought fome kind of corifolation, even from the fepulchral marble j by teaching it to fpeak, at once, his efteem for her memory ; and his ve- neration for that religion, which me fo eminently adorned. Nor could this be more fignificantly done, than by fummon- ing up her character, in that concife, but comprehenlive fen- tence, A SINCERE CHRISTIAN. Concife enough, to be the motto for a mourning-ring ; yet as comprchenfive, as the moft enlarged fphere of peribnal, focial, and religious worth. For whatfoever things are pure, whatfoever things are lovely, whatfoever things are of good report, are they not all includ- ed in that grand and noble aggregate, Ajincere Chrijtian? The firft lines, confidercd in fuch a connection, are won- derfully plaintive and pathetic ; How lov>d, how valu'd o/?c<?, avails thee not ; To whom related, or by whom begot. They found, at leaft in my ears, like the voice of forrow mingled with admiration. The fpeuker feems to have been loft, for a while, in melancholy contemplation j fuddenly breaks 88 MEDITATIONS Yet, tho* unable to divert the ftroke, Chriftianity is fovereign to pluck out the fting, of death. Is not this the filent language of thofe lamps which burn, and of that heart which flames ; of thofe palms which flou- rifh, breaks out into this abrupt encomium; then melts into tears, and can proceed no farther. Yet, in this cafe, how eloquent is (ilence! While it hints the univerfal efteem which attended, and the fuperiority of birth which dUtinguilhed, the deceafed wife ; it exprefles, beyond all the pomp of words, the yearn- ing affedion, and heart-felt afflidion, of the fur viv ing /;/&# c/. Amidft the group of monumental marbles, which are laviflj of their panegyric ; this, I think, refembles the incomparable addrefs of the painter ; who, having placed round a beautiful expiring virgin, her friends in all the agonies of grief, repre- fented the unequalled anguim of the father, with far greater livelinefs and Urength, or rather with an inexprellible em- phalis, by drawing a veil over his face : If the laft lines are a wide departure from the beaten track of our modern epitaphs, and the very reverfe of their high- flown compliments, A heap of duft alone remains e/ thee ! 'Tis all THOU art Iand all the PROUD Jhall be I they are not without a precedent, and one of the moft con- fummate kind. Since they breathe the very fpirit of that facred elegy, in which all the heart of the hero and the friend feerns to be diflblved; Ho-w are the mighty fallen, and the -weapons of war perijhed ! 2 Sam. i. 27. They remind the reader of that awful lefibn, which was originally didated by the iupreme wifdom ; Duft tkou art, and unto dujl thoujhalt return, Gen. iii. 19. They inculcate, with all the force of the moft con- vincing evidence, that folemn admonition delivered by the prophet ; Ceafe ye from man, whofe breath is in his nojirils ; for "wherein is HE to be accounted of? If. ii. 22. That no reader, however inattentive, might miffoke the fenfe and defign of this part of the fourth line, 'Tis ALL thou art I it is guarded above and beneath. Above, is an expanded book, that feems to be waved, with an air of triumph, over the em- blem among the TOMBS* 8 Hm, and of that crown which glitters, in the well- imi- tated and gilded marble ? Do they not, to the difcern- Ing eye, defcribe the vigilance of her faith ; the fer- vency of her devotion ; her vi&ory over the world ; and the celeftial diadem, which the LofcD, the~rigb> teous Judge, (hall give her at that day * \ How happy the hufband, in fuch a iliarer of his bed, and partner of his fortunes ! Their inclinations were nicely-tuned nmjons, and all their eonverfation was harmony. How Olken the yoke to fuch a pair, and what bleflings were twifted with fuch bands ! Every joj? was heightened, and every care alleviated. Nothing feemed wanting to confummate their blifs, but a hope- ful progeny rifmg around them. That they might iec themfelves multiplied in their little ones ; fee their min- gled graces transfufed into their offspring ^ and feel the glow of their affection augmented, by being reflected from their children : '* Grant us this gift," laid their united prayers, " and our fatisfa&ions are crowned ; " we requeft no more.*' Alas \ how blind are mortals to future events ! how unable to difcern what is really good f ! Give me chil- dren^ blem of death : which we cannot but fuppofe to te the volume of infpiration, as it exhibits a fort of abridgment of its whole Contents, in thole animated words; BE YE NOT SLOTHFUL, BUT FOLLOWERS OF THEM, WHO THHOUGH FAITH ANI> PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES, Heb. VI. 12. Beneath, that every part might be pregnant with inftru&ion, are thofe ftriking reflections ; worthy the confederation of the higbejl proficient in knowledge and piety, yet obvious to the under- (landing of the m oft untaught reader; LTFE, HOW SHORT! ETERNITY, HOW LONG ! -May my foul learn the forci- ble purport of this fhort ieffon, in their contracted fpan of time i and all eternity will not be too long, to rejoice in ha- ting learned it. * 2 Tim. iv. 8. -j- Ncfcia mens hominttm fati^ fortifque futur* ! Turno tempus erit, magno cum optaverit emptum, Intaflum Pallanta $ ct cumffdia ijla diemquc Oderit. Vine. VOL. I. N? x, M M E D I'T-A T..I O. N S ^ 'faid Ruchsl,ordje I die *. An ardour of rnipa-^ tience altogether unbecoming, and as miftaken as it was unbecoming, .She dies, not by the dij appointment, but by the accomplifliment, of her :de{ire> if children are, tj parents j like a ilowery chaplet, whofe beauties bloflbin with ornament, and whole odours breathe delight ; death, or fome : fell misfortune, may find means. to entwine themfelves with the lovely wreath* "Whenever our fouls are poured out, with pallionate importunity, after any inferior acquifition ; it may be truly laid, in the words of aur divine Mafter, Ye know not what ye ajk. Does Providence with hold the thing that we long for? It denies in mercy ; and only with-holds the occ ailon of our mil cry, perhaps the in- firrument of our ruin. With a iickly appetite, we often loath what is wholcfome, and hanker after our bane. "\Vlts3rEJmaginati0n dreams of unrningledfweets, there experience frequently finds the bitternefs of wo. '1 herefore may we covet immoderately, neither this nor that form of earthly felicity ; but refer the whole of our condition, to the choice of unerring wifdom. May we learn to renounce our own will ; and be ready to make a facrifice of our warmed wifhes, whenever they run counter to the good pleafure of GOD. For, indeed, as to obey his laws, is to be perfectly free ; ib to rejlgn ourfelves to his difpofal, is- to eftablijh our own happinefs, and to be fecure from fear of evil. HERE a'fmall and plain ftone is placed upon the ground ; purchaled, one would imagine, from the little fund, and formed by the hand, of frugality itfelf. Nothing coftly ; not one decoration added ; only a very fliort infcription ; and that fo effaced, as to be icarcely intelligible. Was the depofitory unfaithful to its truft \ Or were the letters worn, by the frequent re- fort of the iiirviving family, to mourn over the grave of * Gen. xxx. I. among the T O M B S; 91 of a moft valuable and beloved relative : For I per- ceive, upon a cloier inipeclion, that it cove-s the re- mains of a. father ; a religious father ; inatched from his growing offspring, before they were fettled in the world, or ib much as their principles fixed by a tho- rough education. Tins, fure, is the mod complicated diflrefs, that has hitherto come under our coniideration. They^- lemnities of fuch a dying chamber, are fome of the moft melting and melancholy icenes imaginable. There lyes the affectionate huiband ; the indulgent parent ; the faithful friend ; and the generous matter. lie lyes in the lait extremities, and on the very point of diiTolu- tion. Art has done its all. The raging difeafs mocks the power of medicine. It haflens, with, rellillefs im- petuoiity, to execute its dreadful errand ; to rend a- iunder the filver cord of life, and the more delicate tie of focial attachment, and conjugal affeclion. A Jervant or two, from a revering diitance, caft many a wifliful look, and condole their honoured ma-r iterin the language of (ighs. The condefcencling nuJd- neis, of his commands was wont to produce an alacrity of obedience, and render their fervice a pleaibre. The remembrance of both embitters their grief, and makes it trickle plentifully down their honeit cheeks. iiis friends, who have fo often fliared his joys, and glad- dened his mind with their enlive'ning converie, now aremjier'ablecomforters. A iympathizirig and mourn- ful pity is all the relief they are able to contribute ; un- lefs it be augmented by their filent prayers for the di- vine fuccour, and a word of conlblation iuggefted from the fcriptures *. Thoic poor innocents, the children^ croud * Texts of fcripture, proper for fuch an occafion ; contain- ing promifes of fupporc under affliction, Lam. iii. 31. Heh. xii. 6. 2 Cor. iv. 17. of pardon. If. Hii. 5. V/7 i. 18. jt Jehu ii. i, 2. Atts x. 43. of justification, Ram. v. 9, M 2 jRcwfi pi MEDITATIONS croud around the bed ; drowned in tears, and almoft frantic with grief, they fob out their little fouls, and paflionately cry, " Willhe leave us ? leave us in a help- ' lefs condition ! leave us to an injurious world !" Thefe feparate ftreams are all united in the diftreff- ed fpoufe, and overwhelm her breaft with an impetu- ous tide of forrows. In her, the lover weeps, the wife mourns, and alj the mother yearns. To her, the Jofs is beyond meafure aggravated, by months and years of delightful fociety, and exalted friendmip. Where, alas ! can me meet with fuch unfufpe&ed fi- delity, or repofe fuch unreferved confidence ? where find fodifcreet acounfellor; fo improving an example; and a guardian fo fedulouily attentive to the interests of herielf, and her children ? See ! how me hangs o- ver her languifhing bed ; mod tenderly felicitous to prolong a life, important and defirable far beyond her own ; or, if that be impracticable, no lefs tenderly of- ficious to footh the laft agonies of her dearer J elf . Her hands, trembling under direful apprehenfions, wipe the cold dews from the livid cheeks ; and ibme- times flay the finking head on her gentle arms, fome- times reft it on her compaffionatebofom. See ! how ftie gazes, with a fpeechlcfs ardor, on the pale coun- tenance and meagre features. Speechlefs her tongue : but (he looks unutterable things. While all her foft pailions throb with unavailing fondnefs, and her very foul bleeds with exquifite anguiih. Tlnefetfferer^ all patient and adoring, fubmits to the divine will ; and, by fubmiflion, becomes fuperior to his affliction. He is fenfibly touched with the difcon- iolate (late of his attendants ; and pierced with an an- xious concern for his wife and his children ; his wife, who will fqon be a destitute widow ; his chil- dren, Row. viii. :p, 34. 2 Cor. v. 2t. of viftory over death, Pfal. xxiii. 4. Pfal. Ixxiii, 26. i Cor. xv. |6, 57. of a happy /refurrecliofi, John vi. 42. 2 Cor. v. i. Rru. vii. 16, 17. among the TOMBS. 93 dren, who will foon be helplefs orphans. u Yet tho* " caft down, not in defpair." He is greatly refrefhed by his truft in the everlafting covenant, and his hope of approaching glory. Religion gives a dignity to dif- treis. At each interval of cafe, he comforts his very comforters ; and fuffers with all the majefly of wo. The foul, juft going to abandon the tottering clay, colle&s all her force, and exerts her laft efforts. The good man raifes himfelf on his pillow j extends a kind hand to his fervants, which is bathed in tears ; takes an affecting farewell of his friends ; clafps his wife in a feeble embrace ; kiffes the dear pledges of their mu- tual love ; and then pours all that remains of life and of flrength, in the following words : " I die, " my dear children : but GOD, the everlafting GOD, " will be with you. Tho* you lofe an earthly pa- * 6 rent, you have a Father in heaven, who lives ^ for evermore. Nothing, nothing but an unbelie- u ving heart, and irreligious life, can ever feparate u you from the regards of his providence, from the *' endearments of his love." He could proceed no farther. His heart was full ; but utterance failed. After a mort paufe, with diffi- culty, great difficulty, he added, u You, the dear " partner of my foul, you are now the only protec- " tor of our orphans. I leave you under a weight " of cares. But GOD, who defendeth the caufe of ;< the widow, GOD, whofc promife is faithfulnefs u and truth, GOD hath faid, / will never leave u thee t nor forfake thee *. This revives my droop- " i n g Spirits, let this fupport the wife of my bofom ; *' and now, O Father of companions, into thy hands " I commend my fpirit. Encouraged by thy pro- " mifed goodneis, I leave my fatherlefs" Here he fainted ; fell back upon the bed ; and lay, for fome minutes, bereft of his fenfes. As a taper ^ up- on * Heb. xiii. 5, 94 M EDITATIONS on the very point of extinction, is fometimes fudden- denly rekindled, and leaps into a quivering flame ; fb life, before it totally expired, gave a parting ftrug- gle, and once more looked abroad from the opening eye-lids. He would fain have ipoke, fain have utter- ed the ientence he began. More than once he effayed : but the organs of fpeech were become like a broken vefTelj and nothing but the obftrufting phlegm rat- tled in his throat. His ajpect, however, fpoke affection inexpreffiole. With all the father, all the hufband (till Jiving in his looks, he takes one more view of thofe dear children, whom he had often beheld with a pa- rental triumph. He turns his dying eyes on that be- loved woman, whom he never beheld but with a glow of delight. Fixed in this poflure, amidM {'miles of love, and under a gleam of heaven, they mine out their laft. Upon this, the filent forrow burfts into loud la- ments. They weep, and refufe to be comforted. Till fome length of time had given vent to the excels of paflion ; and the confolations of religion had ftaunch- ed their bleeding woes. Then the afflicted family fearch for the fentence, which fell unfinifhed from thofe loved, thofe venerable, and pious lips. They find it recorded by the prophet Jeremiah, containing the dire&ion of infinite wifdom, and the promife of unbounded goodnefs ; Leave thy fat her lefs children; I 'mill preferve them alive ; and let thy uuidoius trujl in me *. This, now, is the comfort of their life, and the joy of their heart. They treafure it up in their memories. It is the beft of legacies, and an in- exhaujlible fund : A fund which will fupply all their wants, by entailing the bleffing of heaven on all their honefl labours. They are rich, they are happy, in this iacred pledge of the divine favour. They fear po evil ; they want no good ; becauie GOD is their portion, and their guardian GOD. No f Jer. xlix. n. among the T M B S. 9^ No fooner turned from one memento of > my own, and memorial of another's deceafe, but a fecond, a third, a long fucceffion of thefe melancholy monitors, croud upon my fight *. That which has fixed my obfervation, is one of a more grave and fable afpeCl than the former. I fuppofe, it preferves the relics of a more aged perfon. One would conjecture, that he made fomewhat of a figure in his ft at ion among the living, as his monument does among the funeral marbles. Let me draw near, and inquire of the ft one, " fi^ho, or "what, is beneath its furface ?" I am in- formed, he was once the owner of a confiderable ef- tate ; which was much improved, by his own appli- cation and management : that he left the world in the bufy period of life, advanced a little beyond the me- ridian. Probably, replied my mufing mind, one of thole indefatigable drudges, who rife early ; late take reft; and eat the bread of carefuinefs ; not to fecure the loving-kindnefs of the LORD, not to make provifion for any reafonable neceffity, but only to amafs toge- ther ten thoufand times more than they can poffibly life . I>id he not lay fchemes for enlarging his fortune, and aggrandizing his family ? Did he not purpofe to join field to field, and' add houfe to houfe, till his poffeflions were aim oft as vaft as his defires ? that^ then, he would fit down, and enjoy what he had acquired ; breathe a while from his toilfome purfuit of things temporal, and, perhaps, think a little of things eternal. But fee the folly of -worldly tvifdom ! How filly, how childifh, is the fagaeity of (what is called} manly and m after ly * - Plurima mortis imago. laborem Sefe ferre, fenes ut in otia tuta rccedant, t) cumfibijintcongeftacibaria. HOR. 96 MEDITATIONS mafterlv prudence, when it contrives more folicitouf- ly for TIME, than it provides for ETERNITY I How ftrangely infatuated arethofe iubtile heads, which weary themfelves in concerting meafures for phantoms of a day, and icarce beftow a thought on everlafting realities ! When every wheel moves on fmoothly ; when all the well-difpofed defigns arc ripening apace for execution ; and the long-expe&ed crifis of enjoy- ment feems to approach; behold 1 GOD from on high laughs at the Babel-builder. Death touches the bubble, and it breaks ; it drops into nothing. The cobweb, mod finely fpun indeed, but more eafily diflodged, is fwept away in an initant ; and all the abortive pro- jecls are buried in the fame grave with their projector. So true is that verdidt, which the wifdom from above pafles on \hefejuccefsfiil unfortunates : " They walk in 44 a vain (hadow, and difquiet themfelves in vain *." Speak, ye that attended fuch a one in his laft mi- nutes ; ye that heard his expiring fentiments / did he not cry out, in the language of disappointed icnfuali- ty ? " O death ! how terrible is thy approach, to a 44 man imaieried in fecular cares, and void of all con- " cern for the never-ending hereafter / Where, alas I 44 is the profit, where the comfort, of entering deep " into the knowledge, and of being dexterous in the 44 difpatch, of earthly affairs ; fmce I have, all the " while, neglecled the one thing needful I Deftruftive 44 miftake ! I have been attentive to every inferior * 4 intereft ; I have laid myfelf out on the trifles of a 44 moment; but havedifregarded/^ww; have forgot 4 * eternal ages ! O ! that my days" Here he was going on to breathe fome fruitlefs wiflies, or to form I know not what ineffectual refolutions : But a fudderi convulfion (hook his nerves ; difabled his tongue j and, in lefs than an hour, diflblved his frame. May the children of this world be warned, by the dying " Pfal, xxxix, 6, among the TOMBS. 97 dying words of an unhappy brother, and gather ad- vantage from his misfortune. Why mould they pant, with iuch impatient ardor, after white and yellow earth, as if the univerfe did not afford fufficient for every one to take a little ? Why mould they lade themfelves with thick clay, when they are to " run *' for an incorruptible crown, and prefs towards the " prize of their high-calling ?" Why fliould they o- verload the veffel, in which their everlafting ALL is embarked ; or fill their arms with Juperfluities , when they are to fwim for their lives f -Yet fo prepofte- rous is the conduit of thofe perfons, who are all in- dujlry, to heap up an abundance of the wealth which perifheth j but are fcarce fo mueh as faintly dejirous^ of being rich towards GOD. O ! that we may walk thro* all thefe glittering toys, at leaft with a wife indifference, if not with a fuperior difdain ! Having enough for the convenien- cies of life, let us only accommodate ourfelves with things below, and lay up our treajures in the regions above. Whereas, if we indulge an anxious concern, or lavifli an inordinate care, on any tranfitory pofTef- fions ; we fhall rivet them to our affections with fo firm an union, that the utmoft ieverity of pain mud attend the feparating ftroke. By fuch an eager at- tachment to what will certainly be ravilhed from us, we (hall only infure to ourfelves accumulated anguifli^ again!! the agonizing hour : we (hall plant, aforehand, our dying pillow with thorns *. SOME, I perceive, arrived at threefcore years and ten, before they made their exit ; nay, fome few religned not their breath, till they had numbered fourfcore re- volving * Lean not on earth ; 'twill pierce thee to the heart ; A broken reed at be'ft, but ofc a fpear : On its lharp point peace bleeds, and hope expires. Nigk VOL, I. N 2. N 98 MEDITATIONS volving harvefls. Thefej I would hope, " remember- " ed their Creator in the days of their youth ;" be- fore their flrength became labour and forrow ; be- fore that low ebb of languishing nature, when the keepers of the houje tremble, and tlioj'e that look out of the windows are darkened */ when even the lighting down of the gra/Jiopper is a burden on the bending moulders, and defire itfelf fails in the lifllefs, lethar- gic foul ; before thofe heavy hours come, and thofe tirefome moments draw nigh, in which, there is too much reafon to fay, ct IV e have no pleajure in them; " no improvement from them." If their lamps were unfurnifhed with oil, how unfit mufl they be, in fuch decrepit circumftances, to go to the market, and buy j* .1 For, befides a variety of diibrders, ariiing from the enfeebled conflitution, their corruptions mufl be furprifingly flrengthened, by fuch a long courfe of irreligion. Evil habits mufl have flruck the deepefl root; muft have twilled them- felves with every fibre of the heart ; and be as tho- roughly ingrained in the difpofition, as the foot in the ^Ethiopian's complexion, or the fpots in the leopard's fkin. If fuch a one, under fuch difadvantages, fur- mounts all the difficulties which lie in his way to glo- ry, it mufl be a great and mighty falvation indeed. If fuch a one efcapes de(lruHon, and is faved at the lafl, it mufl, without all peradventurc, bcfo as by fire t . 'J his is the feafon which flands in need of comfort, and is very improper to enter upon the conflict. The hufbandman * Eccl. xii. 2, 5. I need not remind my reader, that, by the former of thefe figurative exprefiions, is fignified the en- ervated Hate of the hands and arms ; by the latter, the dlm- nefs of the eyes, or the total lofs tf fight: that, tnken in con- nedion with other parts of the chapter, they exhibit, in a fe- ries of bold and lively metaphors, a delcription cf the various infirmities attendant on old age. -j- Matth. xxv. 9. :j: i Cor. iii. 15. among the TOMBS. 99 hufbandman mould now be putting in his fickle, or eating the fruit of his labours ; not beginning to break up the ground, or fcatter the feed. Nothing, 'tis true, isimpofliblswithGoD. Hefaid, Let there be light, and there was light ; inftantaneous light, diffuftd, as quick as thought, through all the difmal dominion of primeval darknefs. At his command, a leprofy of the longed continuance, and of the utmoft inveteracy, de- parts in a moment. He can, in the greatncfs of his Strength, quicken the wretch,' who has lain dead in trefpaifes and fins, not four days only, but fourfcore years. Yet truft: not, O truft not, a point of fuch in- exprcjjible importance, to fo dreadful an uncertainty. GOD may fufpend his power ; may withdraw his help ; may fwear in his wrath, that fuch ajbufers of his long- fuffering {hall " never enter into his reft." Ye, therefore, that are vigorous in health, and bloom- ing in years, improve the precious opportunity. Im- prove your golden hours to the noblefl of all purpo- fes ; fuch as may render you meet for the inhe; itance of faints in light; and afcertain your title to a Mate of immortal youth, to a crown of eternal glory *. Stand not, all the prime of your day, idle ; trifle no longer, * May J be permitted to recommend, as a treafure of fine fentiments, and a treatife particularly appofite to my fubje61y DR LUCAS's INQ.UIRY AFTER HAPPINESS? that part ei'pe- cially, which difplays the method, and enumerates the advan- tages, of improving life, or living much in a iittle time, chap. III. p, 158. of the 6th edit. An author, in whom the gentle- man, the fcholar, and the Chriitian, are mofl happily united. A performance, which, in point of folid argument, unaffected piety, and a vein of thought amazingly fertile, has, perhnps, no fuperior. Nor can I wifh my reader a more refined plea- lure, or a more fubftantial happinefs, than that of having the fentiments of this entertaining and pathetic writer, wove in- to the very texture of his heart. Unleis I might be allowed to wifh, that the writer himfelf had interfperled the glorious peculiarities of the gofpel (on which our happinefs abtblutelv Depends) a little more liberally through all his works. N 2 ioo MEDITATIONS longer with the offers of this immenfe felicity ; but make hafte, and delay not the time, to keep Go D'S commandments. While you are loitering in a gay injenflbility^ death may be bending his bow, and mark- ing you out for fpeedy viclims. -Not long ago, I hap- pened to fpy a thoughtlefs jay. The poor bird was idly bulled in drefling his pretty plumes, or hopping carelefly from ipray to fpray. A fportiman, coming by, obierves the feathered rover. Immediately lie lifts the tube, and levels his blow. Swifter than %vhirlwind flies the leaden death ; and, in a moment, lays the filly creature breathlefs on the ground. Such,yfA may be the fate of the man, who has a fair occaiion of obtaining grace to-day, and wantonly pofl- pones the improvement of it till to-morrow. He may be cut off in the midft of his folly ; and ruined for <?-, ver^ while he is dreaming of being wije hereafter. SOME, no doubt, came to this their laft retreat, full of piety , and full ojf days, u as a mock of ^corn, ripe " with age, and laden with plenty, cometh in, in his " feafon *." Theie were children of light, and wife in their generation ; wile with that exalted wifdom which cometh from above, and with that enduring wifdom which Jafts to eternity. Rich alfo they were, more honourably and permanently rich, than all the votaries of mammon. The wealth of the one has made itfelf wings, and is irrecoverably gone ; while the wretched acquirers are tranfmitted to that place of penury and pain, where not fo much as one drop of water is allowed to cool their fcorched tongues. The (lores of the other (till abide with them ; will never depart from them ; but make them glad, for ever and ever, in the city of their GOD. Their trealbres were fuch, as no created power could take away; fuch as none but infinite beneficence can beftow ; and (com- fortable Job v. 26, among die T O M B S. loi fortable to confider-i) fuch as I, and every indigent longing {inner, may obtain; treafures of heavenly knowledge, and faving faith; treafures of atoning blood, and imputed righteouihefs. Here * lye their bodies in " peaceable habitations, *' and quiet reiling-places." Here they have thrown off *' Some, I know, are offended at our buryingcorpfes with- in the church; and exclaim againftar,asaverygreat/mpro/>r/<r/y and indecency. But this, I imagine, proceeds from an excef- five arid miitaken delicacy. If proper care be taken to fecure from injury, tb* foundations of the building ; and to prevent the exhalation of any noxious effluvia, from the putrefying fleili; I cannot difcover any inconveniencies attending this practice. The notion, that noifome car cafes (as they are called) are very unbecoming a place confecrated to religiouspurpofes, feems to be derived from the antiquated "Jeiut/b canon ; whereby it was declared, that a dead body imparted defilement to the per- fon who touched it, and polluted the fpot where it was lodged. On which account, the Jews were fcrupuloufly careful to have their fepulchres built at a diftance from their houfes ; and made it a point of confcience, not to fufFer burial-places to fub- fill in the city. But as this was a rite purely ceremonial^ itfeeni* to be entirely iuperleded by the ^o/p^-diipenfation. I cannot forbear thinking, that, under the Chrillian cecono- my, there is a propriety and ufefulnefs in the cuftom. Ufe- fulncfs, becaufe it mult render our folemn aflemblies more venerable and awful. For, when we walk over the dufi of our friends, or kneel upon the allies of our relations, this awaken- ing circumrtance mult firike a lively imprellion of our own, mortality. And what consideration can be more effectual, to make us ferious and attentive in hearing, earneit and impor- tunate in praying? As for the fitncfs of the ufage, it feems perfectly fuitable to thedelignof thofe facred edifices. They are fet apart for GOD; not only to receive his worfhippers, but to preferve the furniture for holy ministrations, an<l what is, in a peculiar manner, ap- propriated to the Divine MajeHy. Are not the bodies of the faints the Almighty's property ? Were they not once the ob- jects of his tender lwe ? Are they not fu'11 the lubjecls of his 102 MEDITATIONS off every burden, and are efcaped from every fnnre. The head aches no more ; the eye forgets to weep ; the flefh is no longer racked with acute, nor wafted with lingering diflempers. Here they receive a final releafe from pain, and an everlafting difcharge from forrow. Here danger never threatens them with her terrify- ing alarms ; but tranquillity foftens their couch, and ffifety guards their repofe. Reft then, ye precious relics, within this hofpitable gloom. Reft in gentle {lumbers, fpccial care ? Has he not given commandment concerning the bones of h;s elecl; and charged the ocean, and enjoined the grave, to keep them until that day ? When rocks bright with gems, or mountains rich with mines, are abandoned to the de- vouring flames; will not thefe be refcued from the fiery ruin ? Will not theft be tranflated into JEHOVAH'S kingdom, and, con- jointly with the foul, made " his jewels;" made his peculiar il treafure ;" made to fliine as the brightnefs of the firmament, and as the (tars for ever and ever ? Is not CHRIST the LORD of our bodies? Are they not bought with a price ? bought, not with corruptible things, fil- ver and gold, but with his divinely precious blood. And if the blefled JESUS obtained the redemption of our bodies, at fo in- finitely dear a rate; can it enter into our hearts to conceive, that he ihould diilike to have them repofed under his own ha- bitation ? Once more ; Are not the bodies of the faithful, temples of the Holy Gboft ? and is there not, upon this fuppo- fition, an apparent propriety, rather than the lead indecorum, in remitting thefe temples of flefh to the temples made with hands ? They are veffels of honour ; inflruments of righteouf- nefs ; and, even when broken by death, like the fragments of a golden bowl, are valuable ; are worthy to be laid up in the fafeft, moft honourable repoiitories. Upon the whole, iince the LORD JESUS has purchafed them at theexpence of his blood, and the blefled Spirit has honoured them with his indwelling prefence; fmce they are right dear in the light of the adorable Trinity, and undoubted heirs of a glorious immortality ; why ihould it be thought a thing impro- per, to admit them to a tranfient reft in their heavenly Father's houfe? Why may they not lye down and fleep in the outer courts, fmce they are foon to be introduced into the irwwft man" fans of everlafting honour and joy? among the TOMBS. 103 (lumbers, till the laft trumpet (hall give the welcome fignal, and found aloud, through all your filent man- lions, " Arife ; mine ; for your light is come, and the " glory of the Lord is rifen upon you *." To thefe, how calm was the evening of life ! In what a fmiling ferenity did their fun go down ! When their flefli and their heart failed, how reviving was the remembrance of an all-fuificient Redeemer, once dying for their fins, now rifen again for their juftifica- tion ! How chearing the well-grounded hope of par- don for their tranfgreffions, and peace with GOD, through JE s us CH RIS T our LORD 1 How did this ajfuagethe agonies, and/if eeten the bitternefs of death ? Where now is wealth, with all her golden moun- tains ? Where is honour, with her proud trophies of renown ? W 7 here are all the vain pomps of a delu- ded world ? Can they inspire fuc/i comfort, can they ad- minifter any fupport, in this laft extremity ? Can they compofe the affrighted thoughts, or buoy up the de- parting ibul, amidft all the pangs of diffolution ? The followers of the Lamb feem pleafed and triumphant, even at their laft gafp. u GOD'S everlafting a/ms are u underneath |"their fainting heads. His Spirit whif- pers peace and confolation to their confciences. In the ftrength of thefe heavenly fuccours, they quit the field, not captives^ but conquerors ; with " hopes full of immortality." And now they are gone. The Itruggles of reluctant nature are over. The body ileeps in death : the foul launches into the invifible ftate. But who can imagine the delightful furprife, when they find themfelves lur- rounded by guardian angels, inftead of weeping friends f How fecurely do they wing their way, and pafs through unknown worlds, under the conduct ofthofe celeftiai guides ! The vale of tears is quite loft. Farewell, for ever, the realms of wo, and range of malignant beings ! They arrive on the frontiers of inexpreffible * If. lx. i. -j- Deut. xxxiii. 27. 104 M E D I T A T I O N S felicity. They " are come to the city of the living " GOD :*' while a voice, fweeter than mufic in her fbfteft flrains, fweet as the harmony of hymning fera- phim, congratulates their arrival, and befpeaks their admiliion : Lift up your heads , ye gates ; and be ye lift up, ye everlaflmg doors ; that the heirs of glory may enter in. Here, then, let us leave the fpirits and fouls of the righteous, efcaped from an entangling wildernefs, and received into a paradije of delights ! efcaped from the territories of difquietude, and fettled in regions of nnmolefted fecurity ! Heretheyfit down with Abraham, JJaac, &ndyacob,\n the kingdom of their Father. Here they mingle with an innumerable company of angels. and rejoice around the throne of the Lanib ; rejoice in the fruition of prefent felicity, and in the ajjured expec- tation of an inconceivable addition to their blifs \ when GOD Jhall call the hecw ens from above, and the earth , that he may judge his people * . Fools accounted their life madnefs^ and their end to be without honour ; but they arenumberedamongthe children of GOD, and their lot, their diftinguifhed and eternal lot, is among the Jaints\ I However, therefore, an un- difcerning world may dcfpije, and a profane world vilify the truly religious ; be this the fupreme, the invariable defire of my heart ! " Let me live the life, and die " the * Seneca?'-, reflexions upon theftateof holy fouls, delivered from the burden of the fieih, are fparkiing and fine ; yet very indijlinSt and empty, compared with the particulars mentioned above, and with many others that might be coliecled front fcripture. In hoc tarn proceilofo, ct in omnts tempeftates cx- fq/ito r.avigantibus marl, nullus portus, n'tji mortis cji. I\'e itaque tnvideris fratri tiw i quiefcit. Tandem liber, tandem tutus, tandem aternus cfl. Fruitur nitnc aperto et libcro ccelo ; ex bum'tli & de^reffo, in eum emicitit Jocuni, gut foltitas vin- culis animus hsata recipit finu ; et nunc omnia rerum nature bonacumfummavclupiateptrcipit. SEN. adPolyb. f Wifdom v. 4, 5. among the TOMBS. 10; " the death, of the righteous. O! let my latter end, " and future Rate, be like theirs !" WHAT figure is that which ftrikes my eye fron> an eminent part of the wall ? It is not only placed in a more elevated fituation than the reft, but carries a morefplendid and/umptuous air than ordinary. Swords and ipears, murdering engines, and inflruments of jQaughter, adorn the ftone with a formidable magnifi- cence. It proves to be the monument of a noble warrior. Is fuch refpeft, thought I, paid to the memory of this brave foldier, for facrificing his life to the public good? Then, what honours, what immortal honours, are due to the great Captain of our falvation ? who, though Lord of the angelic legions, and fupretne Commander of all the heavenly hofts, willingly offer- ed himfclf a bleeding propitiation for /inner s I The one died, being a mortal; and only yielded up a life, which was long before forfeited to divine juf- tice ; which mult foon have been iurrendercd as a debt to nattirc, if it had not fallen as a prey to war. But CHRIST took flem, and gave up the ghoft, tho' he was the great I AM ; the Fountain of exiftence; who Calls happinefs and immortality all his own. tie, who thought it no robbery to be equal with God ; he, whofe outgoings were /row evcrlafting; even lie was made in the likenefs of man, and cut off out of the land of the living. Wonder, O heavens! be aftonidi- ed, O earth 1 HE died the death, of whom it is-wit- nefTed, that he is " the true GOD, and eternal life *.'* The one expofed himfelf to peril, in the fervice of his Jovereign and his country ; which, though it was glorious to do, yet would have been ignominious, in fuch circumftances, to have declined. But CHRIST Jook the field, tho' he was the lie [fed and only poten- * I John v. 20. VOL. I. N 9 2. P io6 MEDITATIONS tate; the KING of kings, and LORD of lords. CHRIST took the field, tho* he was/Mr^ to drop in the engage- ment ; and put on the harnefs, tho* he knew before- hand, that it muft reek with his blood. That Prince of heaven refigned his royal perfon, not barely to the hazard, but to the inevitable ftroke ; to death, certain in its approach, and armed with all its horrors. And for -whom f Not for thofe who were in any degree deferving; but for his own difobedient creatures ; for the pardon of condemned malefaftors ; for a band of rebels, a race of traitors, the moft obnoxious and in- excufable of all criminals ; whom he might have left to perim in their iniquities, without the leaft impeachment of his goodnefs, and to the difplay of his avenging juftice. The one, it is probable, died expeditioufly ; was fuddenly wounded, and foon {lain. A bullet lodged in his heart, a fword fheathed in his bread, or a battle- axe cleaving the brain, might put a fpeedy end to his mifery, difpatch him " as in a moment/' Whereas the divine Redeemer expired in tedious and protrac- ted torments. His pangs were as lingering, as they were exquifite. Even in the prelude to his laft fuf- fering, what a load of forrows overwhelmed his facred humanity ? till the intolerable prefTure wrung blood, inftead of fvveat, from every pore ; till the cr.mibn, flood flained all his raiment, and tinged the very ftones. Bat when the laft fcene of the tragedy com- menced, when the executioner's hammer had nailed him to the crofs ; O ! how many dlfmal hours did that illuftrjous fuiferer hang ; a fpeiftacle of wo to GOD, to angels, and to men ! His temples mangled with the thorny crown ! his hands and feet cleft with the rugged irons ! his whole body covered with woundsr and bruifes 1 and his foul, his very foul, pierced with, pangs of unutterable diftrefs ! So long he hung, that nature, through all her do- minions, was thrown into iympathizing commotions. The earth' could no longer fuftain fuch barbarous in- dignities, among the T O M B S. 107 dignities, without trembling ; nor the fun behold them, without horror. Nay, fo long did he hang in this extremity of agony and torture, that the alarm reached even the remote regions of the dead.- Never, O my foul, never forget the amazing truth. i he Lamb of GOD was feized ; was bound; was flaugh- tered with the utmoil inhumanity ; and endured death in all its bitterneis, forthee. His murderers, ftudiouf- ly cruel, fo guided the fatal cup, that he taited every drop of its gall, before he drank it off to the very dregs. Once again ; The warrior died like a hero, and fell gallantly in the field of battle. But died not CHRIST as a fool dieth * f Not on the bed of honour, with fears of glory in his breaft ; but, like fome execrable mifcreant, on a gibbet ; with lames of the vile fcourge on his back. Yes, the bleffed JES o s bowed his ex- piring head on the accurfed tree ; liifpended between heaven and earth, as an outcaft from both, and un- worthy of either. What fuitable returns of inflamed and adoring de- votion can we make to the Holy One of GOD ; thus dying, that we might live ? dying in ignominy and anguim, that we might live for ever in the heights of joy, and fit for ever on thrones of glory. Alas ! it is not in us, impotent, infeniible mortals, to be duly thankful. He only, who confers fuch inconceivably rich favours, can enkindle a proper warmth of grate- ful affection. Then build thyfeif a monument, moft gracious IMMANUEL, build thyielf an everJalting mo- nument of gratitude in our fouls. Inf bribe the memo- ry of thy matchlefs beneficence, not with ink and pen but with that precious blood, which gufhed from thy wounded veins. Engrave it, not with the hammer and chizel, but with that fliarpened Jpear, which pierced thy facred fide. Let it ftand conipicuous and indelible, * Sam. Hi. 33. Of this indignity our LORE complains j An ye come 'jut as againft a thief? Match, xxvi. 55. O a, log M E D I T A T I O N S indelible, not on outward tables of (lone, but on th very inmoft tables of our hearts . QN E thing more let me obferve, before I bid adieu to this intombed warrior, and his garnimed fepulchre. Jiow mean are thefe oftentatious methods of bribing the vote of fame, and purchafing a little pofthumous renown 1 What a poor iubftitute for a fet of memo- fable actions, is polilhcd alabafter, or the mimicry of fculptured marble ! The real excellency of this bleeding patriot, is written on the minds of his coun- trymen. It would be remembered with applaufe, ib long as the nation fitbfifts, without this artificial ex- pedient to perpetuate itj. And fuch, iuch is the mo- nument I would wifh for myiclf. Let me leave a memorial in the breafts of my fellow-creatures. Let Surviving friends bear witneis, that I have not lived to myfelf alone, nor been altogether unlcrviceable in my generation. O ! let an uninterrupted ieries of be- neficent offices be the infcription; and the beft inter- efts of my acquaintance, the 'plate that exhibits it. Let : Sir Bcvil Gran-viUe, (lain in the civil wars, at an engage- ment with the rebels. It may poffibly be fome entertainment to the reader, if I fubjoin Sir Bevile's character, as it is drawn by that celebrated pen, which wrote the hittory of thofe ca- lamitous times. u That which would have clouded arty vic- t4 tory," fays the noble hiftorian, 4 ' and made the lofs of " others kfs fpoken of, was the death of Sir Bevil Granvillf. 44 He was indeed an excellent perfon, whofe activity, intereU, 44 and reputation, were the foundation of what had been " done in Cornwall: his temper and affections fo public, that no accident which happened, could make any imprelTion upon him; and his example kept others from taking any thing ill, or at leaft feeming to do fo. In a word, a brighter courage, and a gentler dtfpoiition, were never married to- gethfr, to mrike the moft chearful and innocent converfa- tion.'* CLAR. Htft. Rsb. vol.'IL among the TOMB S, log. i Let the poor^ as they pafs by my grave, point at the little fpot, and thankfully acknowledge, " There lyes " the man, whofe unwearied kindnefs was the conftant <c relief of my various diftrefTes ; who tenderly vifited <c my languifhing bed, and readily fupplied my indi- * c gent circumftances. How often were his counfels a u guide to my perplexed thoughts, and a cordial to " my dejected ipirit ! 'Tis owing to GOD'S blefling " on his ieafonable charities, and prudent confolations^ " that I now live, and live in comfort ."' Letaperfon, once ignorant and ungodly , lift up his eyes to heaven, and fay within himfelf, as he walks over my bones, <(> Here are the lail remains of that (incere friend, who " -watched for myjoul. I can never forget, with what ' heedlefs gaiety I was porting on in the paths of " perdition ; and I tremble to think, into what irre- *' trievable ruin I might quickly have been plunged, " had not his faithful admonitions arrefted me in the. " wild career. I was unacquainted with the gofpel of u peace, and had no concern for its unfearchable trea- u fures ; but now enlightened by his inftruttroe con- " verfation^ I fee the all-fufficiency of my Saviour ; " and, animated by his repeated exhortations, I count " all things but lots, that 1 may win CHRIST. Me- 4< thinks his difcourfes, feafoned with religion, and u fet home by the divine Spirit, flill tingle in my ears ; u are ftill warm on my heart ; and, I trull, will be more " and more operative, till we meet each other in the " houfenot made withhands, eternal in the heavens." The only infallible way of immortalizing; our charac- ters, a way equally open to the meaneit and moft ex- alted fortune, is, " to make our calling and ele&ion " fure ;" to gain fome fweet evidence, that our names are 'written in heaven. Then, however they maybe difregarded or forgotten among men, they will not fail to be ha"d in evcrlafting remembrance, before the LORD. This is, of all diilinftions, far the nobleft. ., be this thy objer, and every page of fcrip- ture MEDITATIONS ture will fanclify thy paffion ; even grace itfelf will fail thy flame. As to earthly memorials, yet a little while, and they are all obliterated. The tongue of tho'fe, whofe happinefs we have zealoufly promoted, muft foon be filent in the coffin. Characters cut with a pen of iron, and committed to the folid rock, will ere long ceafe to be legible *. But as many as are enrol- led " in the Lamb's book of life," he himfelf declares, fhall never be blotted out from thofe annals of eter- nity (. "When a flight of years has mouldered the triumphal column into dull ; when the brazen ftatue perifhes, under the corroding hand of time ; thoj'e honours ftili continue ; ftill are blooming and incor- ruptible, in the world of glory. Make the extended fides your tomb ; Let ftars record your worth : Yet know, vain mortals, all muft die, As nature's Jicklieft birth. Would bounteous heav'n indulge my pray'r, I frame a nobler choice ; Nor, living, wifh the pompous pile ; Nor, dead, regret the lofs. In thy fair book of life divine, My GOD, infcribe my name : There let it fill fome humble place, Beneath the (laughter 'd Lamb. Thy faints, while ages roll away, In endlefs fame furvive ; Their glories, o'er the wrongs of time Greatly triumphant, live. YONDER entrance leads, I fuppofe, to the vault. Let me turn afide, and take one view of the habita- tion, * Data font ipjis qu9qucfaiafepulchris t Juv. Rev, iii. . - among the T O M B S. in tion, and its tenants. The fallen door grates upon its hinges ; not ufed to receive many vifitants, it admits me with reluctance and murmurs. What meaneth ti\\s jiidden trepidation^ while I defcend the fteps, ajid am vifiting the pale nations of the dead ? Be compo- ied, my fpirits ; there is nothing to fear in thefe quiet chambers. " Heie, evii the wicked ceafe from trou- " bling," Good her.vens ! what a folemn fccne ! how difmal the gloom ! Here is perpetual darknefs, and night even at noon-day. How doleful the folitudsl Not one trace of chearful fociety ; but forrow and terror fecm to have made this their dreaded abode. Hark ! how the hollow dome reibunds at every tread. 1 he echoes , that long have (lept, are awakened, and lament, and figh, along the walls. A beam or two finds its way thro* the grates ; and reflects a feeble glimmer, from the nails of the coffins. Romany of thofe fad fpe&acles, half concealed in (hades, half feen dimly by the baleful twilight, add a deeper horror to thefe gloomy manfions.- I pore upon the infcriptions, and am juft able to pick out, that thefe are the remains of the rich and renowned. No vul- gar dead are dcpofited here. The Mofl Hlufrious , and Right Honourable, have claimed this for their lafl re- treat. And, indeed, they retain fomewhat of a fhadowy pre-eminence. They lye, ranged in mournful order, and in a fort of filent pomp, under the arches of an ample fepulchre ; while meaner corpfes, .without much ceremony, " go down to the ftones of the pit." My apprehenfions recover from their furprife, I find, here are no phantoms, but fuch as fear raifes. Hpw- ever, it ftill amazes me, to obferve the wonders of this nether world. Thofe who received vaft revenues, and called whole lordmips their own, are here reduced to half a dozen feet of earth, or confined in a fcwfoeets of lead. Rooms of ftate, and dimptuous furniture, are jefi^gpedj for no other ornament than the Jhroud, for no r 1 2 MEDITATIONS no other apartment than the darkfome niche. Where is the ftar that blazed upon the breaft, or coronet that glittered round the temples ? The only remains of de- parted dignity are, the weather-beaten hatchment, and the tattered efcutcheon I fee no fplendid retinue furroundirig this folitary dwelling. The lordly equi- page hovers no longer about the lifelefs mafter. He has no other attendant, than a dufty ftatue; which, v/hile the regardlefs world is as gay as ever, the i'culp- tor's hand has taught to weep. Thofe who gloried in high-born anceflors, and noble pedigree, here drop their lofty pretentious. They ac- knowledge kindred with creeping things, and quarter arms with the meaneft reptiles. They fay to corruption^ Thou art my father ; and to the -worm, Thou art my mo- ther and my fifter. Or, fhould they ftili affume the ftyle of diftinftiori, ah ! how impotent were the claim ! how apparent the oftentation ! It is faid by their mo- nument ? HERE LYES THE GREAT. How eafily is it replied by the fpectator, Falfe marble I Where? Nothing but poor andjordid dujl lyes here, Mortifying truth ! Sufficient, one would think, to \vean the moft fanguine appetite from this tranfitory ftate of things ; from its fickly fatisfaclions, its fading glories, its vanishing treafures. For now, ye lying -vanities of life ! Ye ever-tempting, ever-cheating train ! Where are ye now ? and what is your amount ? What is all the world to thefepoor breathlefs beings ? i What are their pleafures f A bubble broke. What their honours f A dream that is forgotten. What the fum-total of their enjoyments below ? Once, perhaps, it appeared to inexperienced and fond defire, ibmething confiderable. But, now death has meafured it with bis line, and weighed it in his fcale, what is the up- ftiot , ? among the TOMBS. 113, fliot ? Alas ! it is morter than a {pan ; lighter than the dancing fpark ; and driven away like the diiToi- ving fmoke. Indulge, my foul, a ferious paufe. Recollect ail the gay things, that were wont to dazzle the eyes, and in- veigle thy affections. Here examine thole baits of fenie. Here form an eftimate of their real value. Suppofe thyiHf firft among the favourites of fortune, who revel in the lap of pleafurc, who fhine in the robes of honour, and fwim in tides of inexhaufted riches. Yet how {boa would the pailing>-bell pro- claim thy exit ! And, when once that iron call has iummoned th.ec to thy future reckoning, where would all thefe gratifications be ? At that period, how will all the pageantry of the moft affluent, iplendid, or luxurious circumftances, vanifh into empty air ! And is this a happinefs Ib paffionately to be coveted ? I thank you, ye relics of founding titles, and mag- nificent names. Ye have taught me more of the lit- tlenefs of the world, than all the volumes of my li- brary. Your nobility arrayed in a winding-meet, your grandeur mouldering in an urn, are the moil indif- putable proofs of the nothingncfs of created thing?. Never, furely, did Providence write this important point in fuch legible characters, as in the ames of .My Lord, or on the corpfe of His Grace *. Let others, if they pleaie, pay their obfequious court to your wealthy fons ; and ignobly fawn, or anioufly fue, for preferments ; my thoughts ftiall often refort, in pen- five contemplation, to the fupulchres of their iires ; and learn, from their ileeping duft, to moderate my expectations from mortals, to fland dijengaged from every undue attachment to the little interests of time ; to get above the delufive amulernenfs of honour, the gaudy tinfels of wealth, and all the empty ma- clows of a perifhing world. HA R K ! *' Morsfola faietur fint hominum corpufrula. Juy I. N 2, ii 4 MEDITATIONS HARK ! what found is that! -In fuch actuation, every nolle alarms. -Solemn and flow, it breaks a- gajn upon the filent air. -'Tjs the ftriking of the clock. Defigned, one would imagine, to ratify aU my ferious meditations. Methinks, it fays Amen, and fets a feal to every improving hint. It tells me, that another portion of my appointed time is elapfed. One calls it, u the knell of my departed hours." 'Tis the watch-word to vigilance and activity. It cries in the ear of reafon, u Redeem the time. Catch the *' favourable gales of opportunity : O ! catch them, *' while they breathe ; before they are irrecoverably ?' loft. The fpan of life mprtens continually. Thy ct minutes are all upon the wing, and haflening to be u gone. Thou art a borderer upon eternity, and ma- " king inceifant advances to the ftate thou art con- " templating." May the admonition fink deep into an attentive and obedient mind I May it teach me that heavenly arithmetic, of " numbering my days, " and applying my heart unto wifdom I" I have often walked beneath the impending pro- montory's craggy cliff ; 1 have fometimes trod the vaft ipac-s of the lonely delert ; and penetrated the inmoft receipts of the dreary cavern : but never, never beheld nature louring, with IP tremendous a form j never felt iuch impreffions of awe, ftriking co|d on my heart ; as under thefe black-browed arches, amidft thefe mouldy walls, and furrounded by fuch rueful objedls, where melancholy, deepeft melancholy, for ever fpreads her raven wings. Let me npw emerge frorn the damp and dreadful obfcurity. Farewell, ye feats of defolation, and fhades of death ! Gladly I revifit the realms of day. HA v IN G caft afuperficialview upon thefe receptacles of the dead, curioiity prompts my inquiry to a more intimate furvey. Could we draw back the covering of the tomb 5 could we difcern what thofe are now, who among the T O M B Si once were mortals, O ! how would it furprife and grieve us ! Surprije us, to behold the prodigious tranf- formation which has taken place on every individual ; grieve us, tb obferve the difhonour done to our nature in general, within thefe fubterraneous lodgments ? Here, the fweet and winning afped i that wore per- petually an attractive fmile, grins horribly a naked, ghaiUy fkull.* The eye, that outmbne the diamond's brilliancy, and glanced ks lovely lightning into tiie moft guarded heart ; alas ! where is it \ Where (hall we find the rolling fparklcr ! How are all its ipright- ly beams eclipfed, totally eclipfed ! The tongue^ that once commanded all the power of eloquence, in this ftrarige land, " has forgot its cunning/' Where are now thofe ftraihs of harmony, Which ravifhed our ears I Where is that flow of perluafion, which carried captive our judgments ? The great matter of language and of long, is become filent as the night that furrounds him. The pampered fie(n, ib lately clothed in purple and fine linen, how is it covered rudely with clods of clay 1 There was a time, when the timoroufly nice creature would fcarce u * ad- venture to fet a foot upon the ground, for delicate- "' neisandtendernefs J but is now enwrapped in clam- my earth, and ileeps on no ibfter a pillow than the rag- ged gravel- ftones. Here u \.\\zftrorig men bow them- k4 felves." The nervous arm is unftriing ; the brawny linews are relaxed ; the limbs, not long ago the feats of vigour and activity, lye down motionleis ; and the bones, which were as bars of iron, are cru mbled into duft. Here the man of bufinefs forgets all his favounte fchemes, and difcontinues the purfuit of gain. Here is a total frand to the circulation of merchandize, and the hurry of trade. In thefe folitary receiles, as in the building of Solomon's temple, is heard no found of the hammer and axe. The winding- -Qieet and the coffin arc the utmoft bound of all earthly devices. " Hither- " to * Deut. xxviii. 56. P 2 no MEDITATIONS u to may they go, but no farther." Here tliefons of plenfure take a final farewell of their dear delights. No more is the fenfualift anointed with oil, or crown- ed with rofe-buds. He chants no more to the melo- dy of the viol, nor revels any longer at the banquet of wine. Inftead of fumptuous tables, and delicious treats, the poor voluptuary is himfelf a feaft for fat- tened infefts ; the reptile riots in his flefh ; ." the " worm feeds fweetly on him *." Here alfb beauty fails ; bright beauty drops her luftre here. O ! how her rofes fade, and her lilies languifb, in this bleak foil ! How does the grand leveller pour contempt upon the charmer of our hearts ! how turn to defor- mity, wjiat captivated the world before ! Co u L D the lover have a fight of his once-inchanting fair-one, what a ftartling aitonifhment would feize him ! tc Is this the object I not long ago fo paffionate- w ly admired ! 1 fa id,, me was divinely fair, and u thought her fomewhat more than mortal. Her " form was fymmetry itfelf ; every elegance breathed " in her air; and all the graces waited on her motions. tc -'Twa-s mufie when (lie {poke : but, when (he " fpoke encouragement, 'twas little lefs than rapture. tc How my heart danced to thofe charming accents 1 c *A;nd can t hat w y c h fome weeks ago was to admi- *' ration lovely, be now fo infufferably loathfome f " Where are thofc bluftiing cheeks ? where the coral tc lips ? where that ivory neck, on which the curling u jet, in fuch glody ringlets, flowed ? with a thoufand <c other beauties of perfon, and ten thoufand delicacies " ofaclion * ? Amazing alteration ! delufory blifs ! .*' Fondly I gazed upon the glittering meteor. It (hone " brightly j * Job xxiv. 20. T ^ fag' 1 * Venus ? heu ! quove color f dtcens >uo mohts ? quid habet illius, iliius^ *i{ fplralat amores, >u<e m? furpuerat mill f IIo&, among, the TOMBS. 11^ . " brightly ; and I miflook it for a /?#>-, for a perma- "' nent and fubftantial good. But how is it fallen ! " fallen from an orb, not its own I and all that 1 can u trace on earth, is but a putrid mafs." - Lye, poor Flordla ! lye deep, as thou doft, in ob- fcure darknefs. Let night, with her impenetrable fhades, always conceal thee. May no prying eye be witneis to thy difgrace : but let th^ furviving fiftcrs think upon thy ftate, when they contemplate thy idol in the glafs. When the pleafing image rifes graceful- ly to view, furrounded with a world of charms, and flufhed with joy at the confcionfnels of them all ; then, in thole minutes of temptation and dangers, when vanity ufes to (teal into the thoughts, then let them remember, what a "veil of horror is drawn over a face, which was once beautiful and brilliant as theirs. Such a feafonable reflection might regulate the labours of the toilet, and create a more earned folicitude to- polifh the jewel, than to varnifh the cajket. It might then become their higheft ambition, to have the mind decked with divine virtues, and dreffed after the ami- able pattern of their Redeemer's holinefs. And would this prejudice their peribns, or depre- tiate their charms ? Quite the reverfe. It would fpread a fort of heavenly glory over the fined: Jet of features, and heighten the loveKnefs of every other engaging accomplifhment. What is yet a more invi- ting conflde'ration, thele flowers would not wither with nature, nor be tarnifhed by time ; but would o- pen continually into richer beauties, and flourijh even in the -winter of age. But the moil incomparable re- commendation of thefe noble qualities, is, that from their hallowed relics, as from the fragrant ames of the phvniX) will ere long arife an illuftrious form, bright as the wings of angels, lafting as the light of the new Jerufalein. For my part, the remembrance of this fad revolu- tion (hall make me aftiamed to pay my devotion to a flirine ii8 MEDITATIONS fhrine of periftiing fiefh, and afraid to expeft all my happinefs from fo brittle a" joy. It lliall teach me, not to think too highly of well->proportioned clay, tho' formed in the mod elegant mould, and animated with the fweeted ibul. 'Tis heaven's lad, bed, and crown- ing gift, to be received with gratitude, and cherim- ed with love, as a mod valuable blelfing ; not wor- fhipped with the inccnfe of flattery, and drains of fulfome adoration, as a goddefs. It will cure, 1 trull, the dotage of my eyes ; and incline me always to pre- fer the fubdantial u ornaments of a meek and virtu- <c ous fpirit," before the tranfient decorations of white and red on the fkin. HERE I called in my roving meditations from their long excurfion on this tender iubjeft. Fancy lidened a while to the foliloquy of a lover. Now judgment refumes the reins, and guides my thoughts to more near and felf-interefting inquiries. However, upon a review of the whole fcene, erouded vr\t\\Jpeftacles of mortality and trophies of death, I could not forbear imiting my bread, and fetching a fighj and lamenting over the nobled of all vifible beings, laid prodrate un- der the feet of" the pale horfe, and his rider *." I could not forbear repeating that pathetic exclamation, " I thou \ Adam, what haft thou done f" What defolation has thy dilbbedience wrought in the earth ! '-See the malignity, the ruinous malignity of fin I Sin has demolifhed fo many dately druclures of Hefh ; fin has made fuch havock among the mod excellent ranks of GOD 's lower creation ; and fin (that deadly bane of our nature) would have plunged our better part into the execrable horrors of the nethermod hell, had not our merciful Mediator interpofed, and given himfelf for our ranfom, Therefore, what grateful acknow- ledgments does the whole world of penitent finners owe; what ardent returns of love will a whale heaven o^ * Rev. yi. 8, $2 Efdr. vii. 41. among the TOMBS. 119 of glorified believers pay, to fuch a friend, benefac- tor, and deliverer ! Muting upon thefe melancholy objects, a faithful remembrancer fuggefts from within, ct Muft this lad <c change iiicceed in me alfo ? Am I to draw my lalt ct gafp, to become a breathlefs corpfe, and be what I 4 ' deplore * f Is there a time approaching, when this tc body fliall be carried out upon the bier, and con- u figned to its clay-cold bed ? while fome kind ac- 44 quaintance, perhaps, may drop one parting tear ; u and cry, Alas ! my brother 1 Is the time approach- 4C ing ?" Nothing is more certain. A decree, much 4C lurer than the law of the Medes and Perfians, has irrevocably determined the doom. Should one of thefe ghaflly figures burft from his confinement, and ftart up, in frightful deformity, be- fore me ; mould the haggard Jkeleton lift a clatter- ing hand, and point it full in my view j (hould it o- pen the ftiffened jaws, and, with a hoarfe tremendous murmur, break this profound filence ; mould it ac- coft me, as Samuel's apparition addreffed the trem- bling king, " The LOR D fliall deliver thee alfo into 44 the hands of death; yet a little -while, and \.\\QU /halt 44 be with me / thejblenm warning, delivered in ib ftriking * I pafs, with melancholy Mate, By all thefe Iblemn heaps of fate; And think, as fbft and lad I tread Above the venerable dead, " Time was, like me, they life pofleit ; " And time will be, when I fliall re(L" PARNEL. i Sam. xxviii. 19. On this place, the Dutch translator of ;he Meditations has added a note ; to correct, very probably,, what he fuppofes a miftake. On the fame fuppofition, I pre- fume, the compilers of our rubric ordered the lad verfe of Ecclus xlvi. to be omitted, in the daily fervice of the church. But that the fentiment, hinted above, is ftridly true ; that it was Kin VKIOW Samuel himfelf (not an infernal fpirit, perfo- I\atirj; the prophet) who appeared to the female necromancer at Endor ; 120 MEDITATIONS ftriking a manner, mufl ftrongly imprefs my. imagina- tion. A meifage in thunder would fcarce link deeper. Yet there is abundantly greater reaibn to be alarmed, by that exprels declaration of the LORD GOD Al- mighty, " Thou /halt fur ely die" Well then, fmcc ientence is puffed ; lince I am a condemned man, and know not when the dead warrant may arrive ; let me die toy?/z, and die to the world^ before I die beneath the flroke of a righteous GOD. Let me employ the Jittle uncertain interval of refpite from execution, in preparing for a happier ftate, and a better life, that, when the fatal moment comes, and I am commanded to fhufc my eyes upon all things here below, I may open them again, to fee my Saviour in the manfions above. Since this body, which is fo fearfully and wonder- fully made, muft fall to pieces in the grave ; flnce I mult foon refign all my bodily powers to darkneis, inactivity, and corruption ; let it be my conftant care to ule them well, while I pofjefs them ! Let my hands be ftretched forth to relieve the needy ; and always be u ,mpre rea- " dy to give than to receive." Let my knees bend, in deepeft humiliation, before the throne of grace ; while my eyes are cait down to the earth, in penitential con- fiifion ; or devoutly looking up to heaven, for par- doning mercy ! In every friendly interview, let the 44 law of kindnefs dwell on my lips /" or rather, if the ferioufnefs of my acquaintance permits, let the gofpel of peace flow from my tongue, O ! that I might be enabled, in every public concourfe, to lift up my voice like a trumpet and pour abroad a more joyful found, than its moft melodious accents, in proclaiming the glad tidings of free falvation ! Be fliut, my cars, refolutely fhut, againft the malevolent whifpers of ilander, Endor; appeared, not in compliance with any diabolical incan- tation, but in purfuance of the divine commiffion ; this, I think, is fully proved in the Hijforical account of the life vf pavid, vol. 2. chap. 23. among the T O M B S. 121 flander, and the contagious breath of filthy talking. But be ivvift to hear the inftructions of wifdom ; be all attention when your RED E EMER fpeaks ; imbibe the precious truths ; and convey them carefully to the heart. Carry me, my feet, to the temple of the LORD, to the beds of the fick, and houfcs of the poor. May all my members, devoted entirely to my di- vine Mailer, be the willing inftruments of promoting his glory ! Then, ye embalmers, you may fpare your pains. Thefe works of faith, and labours of love ; thefe (hall be my j pices and perfumes. Enwrapped in thefe, I would lay me gently down, and fleep fweetly in the blcffed JESUS ; hoping, that GOD " will give com- <c mandment concerning my bones ;" and one day fetch them up from the dull, as iilver from the fur- nace, purified, " I fay n.ot ieven times, but feventy u times feven." HERE my contemplation took wing ; and in an in- ftant, alighted in the garden adjoining to mount Cal- vary. Having viewed the abode of my deceafed fel- iow-creatures, methought, I longed to fee the place where our LORD lay. And, O ! what a marvellous fpeclacle was once exhibited in this memorable iepul- chre ! He, " who clothes himfelf with light, as with a " garment ; and walks upon the wings of the wind * ;" HE * The fcriptures, fpeaking of the fupreme Being, fay, He lualketh upon the waves cf the ft a, ts denote his uncon- trollable power, Job ix. 8. He luulkeih in the circuit of hea- ven, to exprii's the immenfity of his p re fence, Job xxii. 14 He lualketh upon the -wings of the wind, to fignify the aimzing fwiftnefs of his operations, Pful, civ. 3. In which lalt phrafe, there is, I think, an elegance and emphafis, not taken notice of by our commentators, yet unequalled in any writer. Not, he flieth ; he runneth ; but, he ivalketh : and that on the very -wings of the wind ; on the moft impetuous of elements, roufed into its utmolt rage, and fweeping along with incon- y.oL, J. N? 2. O ceivable 122 M E D I T A T I Q N S HE was pleafed to wear the habiliments of mortality, and dwelt among the proftrate dead. Who can repeat the wondrous truth too often ? Who can dwell upon the traniporting theme too long ? HE, who fits enthro- ned in glory, and diifufes blifs among all the heavenly hofts ; HE was once a pale and bloody corpfe, and prei- fed this little fpot. O death ! how great was thy triumph in that hour ! Never did thy gloomy realms contain Juch a prifoner before. Prifoner, did I fay ? No ; he was more than conqueror. He arofe, far more mightily than Sam- Jon, from a transient {lumber ; broke down the gates, and demolished the ftrong-holds, of thofe dark domi- nions. And this, O mortals, this is your only confo- lation zndjecnrity. JESUS has trod the dreadful path, and fmoothed it for your paffage. JESUS, ileeping in the. chambers of the tomb, has brightened the djfmal manfion, and left an inviting odour in thofe beds of duft. The dying JESUS (never let the comfortable truth depart from your minds 1 the dying JESUS) is your fure protection, your unqueftionable paffport, through the territories of the grave. Believe in him ; and they mail prove a ct highway to Siun ; l> fliall tranf- mit you fafe to paradife. Believe in him ; and you fliall be no lofers, but unfpeakable gainers, by your difiblution. For hear what the oracle of heaven fays upon this important point, H^bflfo l)d(eveth iri #?<?, /hall ceivable rapidity. A tumult in nature, not to be defcribed, is the compofed and fedate work of the DEITY. A fpeed., not to be meafured, is (with reverence I ufe the exprelfion, and to comport with our low methods of conception) the fo- Icmn and majeftic foot-pace of JEHOVAH. Ro\v flat are the following lines, even iii the great mailer of lyric long, Ocyor ccrvls, ei agente nimbos Ocyor euro, when compared with this inimitable irroke of divine poetry He yalkelh upon the wings of the wind. ambrig the TOMBS. 123 jhdll never die *. What fubUmq and emphatical language is this 1 Thus much, at leaft, it muil import : " The nature of that laft change (hall be furprifihgly ' c altered for the better. It fliall no longer be inflitied, ii as a punifhment ; but rather be vouch]. if ed, as a blef- * c iing. To fuch perfons, it {hall come attended with " fuch a train of benefits, as will fender it a kind of " happy impropriety, to call it dying. Dying ! No ; *' 'tis then they truly begin to live. Their exit is the *' end of their frailty, and their entrance upon p'er- " feclion." -Their laft groan is the prelude to life <l and immortality." O ye timorous, fouls, that are terrified at the found of the parting bell ; that turn pale at the fight of an opened grave ; and can fcarce behold a coffin br_a fkull, without a muddering horror ; ye that are in bondage to the grifly tyrant, and tremble at the (baking of his iron rod ; cry mightily to the Father of your fpirits, for faith in his dear Son. Faith will free you from your (lavery j*. Faith will embolden you to tread ou (this * John xt. 26. j- Death's terror is the mountain faith removes : 'Tis faith difarms dedrudion. Btlicvc, and look with triumph on the tomb. Thefe, and Come other quotations, I am proud to borrbw from the Night-thoughts, especially from night t\\ fourth, hi which, energy of language, fublimity of tentiment, and thft mod exquifite beauties of poetry, are the ' Isaft perfections to be admired. Almoft every line glows with devotion ; rifes into the moft exalted appreheniions of the adun.ble Hedeemer; and is animated with the mod lively faith in his ali-Cufiicienc mediation. The author of this excellent performance has the peculiar felicity, of ennobling all the Itrength of ftyle, rind e- very delicacy of imagination, with the grand and didinguifb- ing truths of Chridianity. Thefe thoughts give the higheft entertainment to the fancy, and impirt the nobleft improve- ment to the mind. They not only refine our tafte, but pre- pare us for death, and ripen us for glory I never take up this admirable piece, but 1 am ready to cry out. Tecum vive- re amfrn, tccitrn obedm likens ; i. e. il Infpire hie with fuch a. <l fpirityjtndlife fliall be delightful, nor death itielf unwelcome/' 124 iM E D I T A T I O N S (this fierceft of) ferpents*. Old S/jww, clafping the child JESUS in the arms of his flefli, and the glorious Mediator in the arms of his faith, departs with tran- quillity and peace. That bitter perfecutor Saul, having \von CHRIST, being found in CHRIST, longs to be difmifTed from cumbrous clay, and kindles into rap- ture at the profpect of diffolution -(-. Methinks, I fee another of IMMANUEL'S followers, trufting in his Saviour, leaning on his Beloved, go down to the filent fhades,with compofure and alacrity J Inthis power- ful name, an innumerable company of finful creatures have fet up their banners ; and u overcome through " the blood of the Lamb.*' Authorized by the Cap- tain of thy falvation, thou alfo mayft fet thy feet upon the neck of this king of terrors. Furnimed with this antidote, thou alfo mayft play around the hole of the afp, and put thy undaunted hand on this cockatrice- den D. Thou mayft 4- feel the viper fattening to thy mortal part, and/>#r no evil : thou (halt one day (hake it off by a joyful refurreftion, andjuffer. no harm. RE s u R-R EC T ION \ That chearing word eafes my mind of an anxious thought, and folvesa mofl moment- ous queftion. I was going to afk, " Wherefore do alt " thefe corpfcs lye here, in this abject condition ? Is this u their final ftate ? Has death conquered ! and will the " tyrant hold captivity captive \ How long wilt thou for* " get them, O LORD ? For ever ?" No, faith the voice from heaven ; the word of divine revelation ; The righteous are all " prifoners of hops +-.** There is an hour, (an awful fecret that, and known only to all-for- feeing wifdom,) an appointed hour there is, when an act of grace will pafs the great feal above, and give them an imiverfal dilchargc,a general delivery from the abodes of * Luke x. 19. f phil ! - 7 3- 2 - Tim - iv - 7- 8 - t 2 Pet * i. 14. ]i If. xi. 8. 4- Acts xxviii. 35. H- Zech ix. 12. among the T O M B S. I2 of corruption. Then mall the LORD JESUS defccnd from heaven, with the fhout of the archangel, and the trump of Go D . Dejt ruction itfelf (hall hear his call, and the obedient grave give up her dead. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, they fhake off the flecp of ten thoufand years ; and fpring forth, like the bounding roe, to " meet their L o R D in the " air." And, O ! with what cordial congratulations, what tranfporting endearments, d6 the foul and body, thofe affectionate companions, re-unite ! But with how much greater demonftrations of kindnefs, are they both received by their compaflionate Redeemer ! The An- cient of days, who comes in the clouds of heaven, is their friend, their father, their bridegroom. He comes with irrefiftible power and infinite glory ; but they have nothing to fear from his majefHc appearance. Thofe tremendous Jolemnities^ which fpread defolation and aftonifhment through the univerfe, ferve only to inflame their love, and heightdn their hopes. The Judge, the awful Judge, amidft all his magnificence and fplcndor, vouchsafes to confels their names ; vouchfafes to commemorate their fidelity, before all the inhabitants of the ikies, and the whole aflembled world. Hark! the thunders arehufhed. Seel the lightnings ceafe their rage. The angelic armies fland in filent fufpenfe. The whole race of Adam is wrapped in pleating or anxious expectation. And now that a- dorablePerfon, whofe favour is better than life, whofe acceptance is a crown of glory, lifts up the light of his countenance upon the righteous. He fpeaks ; and what ravifhing words proceed from his gracious lips i "What ecftafies of delight they enkindle m the breafts of the faithful ! " I accept you, O my people ! Ye " are they that believed in my name. Ye are they tc that renounced yourfelves, and, are complete in me, 44 I fee no fpot or blemifh in vou j for ye are warned " in MEDITATIONS " in my blood, and clothed with my righteoufnefs. <c Renewed by my Spirit, ye have glorified me on " earth, and have been faithful unto death. Come, " then, ye fervants of holinefs, enter into the joy of " your LORD. Come, ye children of light, ye blei- <l fed of my Father, receive the kingdom that mall ne- " ver be removed ; wear the crown which fadeth not u away ; and enjoy pleafures for evermore 1" u Then it will be one of the fmalleft privileges of the righteous, that they mall languifli no more ; that fick- nefs will never again mew her pale countenance in their dwellings *, Death itjelf will be u fwallowed * 4 up in victory." That fatal javelin, which has drank the blood of monarchs, and finds its way to the hearts of all the ions of Adam, lhall be utterly broken. That enormous lithe, which has ftruck empires from their root, and fwept ages and genera- tions into oblivion, mall lye by in perpetual ulelefs- nefs. Sin alfo, which filled thy quiver, thou iniatiate archer ! (in, which ftrung thy arm with refiftleis vi- gour, which pointed all thy {bafts with inevitable deltruftion ; finj will then be done away. What- ever is frail or depraved, will be thrown off with our grave-cloaths. All to come is perfect holinefs, and confummate happmeis j the term of whole continuance is eternity. OETERNITY ! eternity ! how are our boldeft, our ftrongeft thoughts, loft and overwhelmed in thee 1 Who can let land-marks to limit thy dimenfions ; or finci plummets to fathom thy depths ? Arithmeticians have figures * Ifaiah, fpeaking of the new Jerufalem, mentions this as ne of its immunities, The inhabitant thereof fhalt no more fay ^ J am Jick. Another claufe, in its royal charter, runs thus : Godjball wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there Jbafl be no more death, neither forroiy, nor crying ; neither J there be any mvre fain. If. xxxiii. 24. Kev. xxi. 4. among the TOMBS. 127 gures to compute all the progreffions of time ; ^Jlro-> nomers have inftruments to calculate the diilances of the planets : ttut what numbers can ftate, what lines can guage, the lengths and breadths of eternity ? " It " is higher than heaven; what canft thou do \ deep- " er than hell ; what canft thou know ? the meafure u thereof is longer than the earth, broader than the *' fea *.' ? Myfterious, mighty exiftence ! A fum not to be lef- fened by the largeft deductions ! An extent not to be contracted by all poifible diminutions I None can tru- ly lay, after the mofi prodigious wade of ages, " So ' c much of eternity is gone." For when millions of centuries are elapfed, it is but juft commencing ; and when millions more have run their ample round, it will be no nearer ending. Yea, when ages, numerous as the bloom of fpring, increaied by the herbage of ium- mer, both augmented by the leaves of autumn, and all multiplied by the drops of rain, which drown the winter ; when thefe, and ten thoufand times ten thouiand more, more than can be reprefented by a- ny fimilitude, or imagined by any conception ; when all thefe are revolved and finished, eternity, vaft, boundlefs, amazing eternity, will only be beginning I What a pleafing, yet awful thought is this ! full of delight, and full of dread. O ! may it alarm our fears, quicken our hopes , and animate all our endeavours ! Since we are foon to launch into this endlefs and in- conceivable ftate, let us give all diligence to fecurc our entrance into blifs. Now let us give all diligence; becaufe there is no alteration in the icenes of futurity. The wheel never turns : all is ftedfaft and immoveable beyond the grave. Whether we are then feated on fche throne, or itretched on the rack, a feal will be fet to our condition, by the hand of everlafting mercy, pr inflexible juftice. The faints always rejoice amidfh the * Job xi. 8. 9, 128 MEDITATIONS Hie fmiles of heaven ; their harps are perpetually tu- ned; their triumphs admit of no interruption. The ruin of the -wicked is irremediable. The* fatal ientence, once pafTed, is never to be repealed. No hope of ex- changing their doleful habitations. But all things bear the fame difmal afpedl for ever and ever. THE 'wicked my mind recoils * at the apprehcn- fion of their mifery. It has ftudioufly waved the fear- ful fubjeft, and feems unwilling to purfue it even now. But 'tis better to reflect upon it for a few minutes, than to endure it to eternal ages. Perhaps, the con- federation of their aggravated mifery may be profitably terrible ; may teach me more highly to prize the Sa- viour, who " delivers from going down into the bot- " tomleis pit ; may drive me, like the avenger's fword, to this only city of refuge for obnoxious fm- ners. The wicked feem to lye here, like malefactors, in a deep and flrong dungeon ; referved againft the day of trial. " Their dep arture was without peace." Clouds of horror fat louring upon their doling eye-lids, mod fadly foreboding the u blacknefs of darknefs forever." When the laft ficknefs feized their frame, and the in- evitable change advanced ; when they faw the fatal arrow fitting to the firings, faw the deadly archer aiming at their heart, and felt the envenomed fhaft fattened in their vitals ; good GOD ! what fearfulnefs came upon them ! what horrible dread overwhelmed them ! How did they ftand muddering and aghafl upon the tremendous precipice ! exceflively afraid to plunge into the abyfs of eternity, yet utterly unable to main- tain their flanding on the verge of life. O 1 what pale reviews, what ftartling profpe&s, confpire to augment their forrows ! They look back- ward, and behold ! a mofl melancholy fcene ! Sins unrepented * -Animus mcminijff'e horrst^ luttuqite refugit, VJRC S among the T O M B S. 129 unrepented of ; mercy flighted ; and the day of grace ending! They look forward, and nothing prefents itfelf, but the righteous Judge, the dreadful tribunal, and a moft folemn reckoning. They roll around their affrighted eyes on attending friends. If accomplices in debauchery, it fharpens their anguim, to confider ihis farther aggravation of their guilt, that they have not finned alone, but drawn others into the fnare. If religious acquaintance, it ftrikes a frefh gafh into their hearts, to think of never feeing them any more, but only at an unapproachable diftance, feparated by the unpaf fable gulf, At laft, perhaps, they begin to pray. Finding no o- ther poflible way of relief, they are conftrained to ap- ply unto the Almighty. With trembling lips, and a faltering tongue, they cry unto that fovereign Beingj '" who kills and makes alive." But why have they deferred, fo long deferred their addreffes to GOD? Why have they defpifed all his councils, and ftood in- corrigible under his incefTant reproofs ? How often have they been forewarned of thefe terrors, and moft importunately intreated to feck the LO RD -while he might be found? 1 wifh they may obtain mercy at the eleventh, at the laft hour. I wifh they may be fnatched from the jaws, the opened, the gaping, the almoft clofing jaws of damnation. But, alas I who can tell, whether affronted Majefty will lend an ear to their complaint ? whether the Holy One will work a mira- cle of grace in behalf of fuch tranfgrefTors ? He may, for aught any mortal knows, " laugh at their calamity, u and mock when their fear cometh." Thus they lye groaning out the poor remains of life; their limbs bathed in IWeat ; their heart Struggling with convulfive throes ; pains infupportable throbbing in every pulfe ; and innumerable darts of agony trans- fixing their confcience. In that dread moment, how the frantic foul Raves round the wr n s of her clay tenement ; VOL. I. N 2. R MEDITATIONS Runs to each avenue; and JJirieks for But JJirieks in vain ! How wi/hfully Jhe Looks On all /he's leaving, now no longer hers ! ^4 little longer, yst a little lunger, (J I might /he ft ay, to -wafii aivay her crimes, And fit her for her pa/Jage ! Mournful fight 1 Her very eyes iveep blood; and every groan S/'u heaves, is big with horror : but the foe, Like a Jlaunch murderer, fteady to his purpoje, Pur jues her cloje through every lane of life, Nor mifjes once the track; but preffes on; Till, forc'd at laft to the tremendous verge, At once fie jinks *. If this be the end of the ungodly > " My foul, coniei " not thou into their iecret ! Unto their alterably, <c mine honour, be not thou united!'* How awfully accomplished is that prediction of infpired Wifclom 1 Sin, though feemingly fwcet in the commiifion, yet at the laft it bitcth like aferpent, and ftingeth like an adder. Fly therefore from the tents, O ! fly from the ways of fuch wretched men. HAPPY diffolution! were this the period of their woes. But, alas I all thefe tribulations are only u the " beginning offorrows;" a fmall drop only from that " cup of trembling/' which is mingled for their fu- ture portion. No fooner has the laft pang diilodged their reluftant fouls, but they are hurried into the pre- fence of an injured angry GOD. Mot under the con- dueling care of beneficent angels, but expofed to the infults of accurfed ipirits, \vho lately tempted them, now upbraid them, and will for ever torment them. Who can imagine their confuiion and diftrefs, when they (land guilty, and inexcufable, before their incen- iedQreator? They are received with frowns. The GOP that made them, has no mercy on them J." The Prince of Peace * See a valuable poem, entitled, The Grave. ^ If. xxvii. n. among die TOMBS. 131 Peace rejects them with abhorrence. He conflgns them over to chains of darknefs^ and receptacles of de/'pair ; againft the feverer doom, and more public infamy, of the great day. Then all the vials of wrath will be emptied upon thefe wretched creatures. The law they have violated, and the gofpel they have (lighted, the power they have defied, and the goodnefs they have abufed, will all get thcmiclves honour in their exemplary cleftrucliori. Then GOD, the GOD to whom vengeance belongeth, will draw the arrow to the ve- ry head, and fet them as the mark of his inexorable difpleai'ure. lleiurreclion will be no privilege to them ; but im- mortality itfelf their everlafting curfe.-r Would they, not blefs the grave, " that land where all things are forgotten ;" and wifli to lye eternally hid in its deep- eft gloom ? But the dud refufes to conceal their per- ibns, or to draw a veil over their practices. They alfo mull awake ; muft arife ; muft appear at the bar ; and meet the Judge ; a Judge, before whom " the pil- <c lars of heaven tremble, and the earth melts away ;'* , a Judge, once long-iufFering, and very compallionate ; but now unalterably determined to teach ftubborn of- fenders, what it is to provokcthc omnipotent Godhead ; what it is to trample upon the blood of his Son, and offer defpitc to all the gracious overtures of his Spirit. O ! the perplexity ! the diftra&ion 1 that muft feize the impenitent rebels, when they are fummoned to the great tribunal ! What will they do in this day of fe- vere vifitation \ this day of final deciiion : Where ? how ? whence can they find help ? To which of the iaints will they turn 1 v/ hither betake themfelves for ihelter or for fuccour ? Alas 1 'tis all in vain ; 'tis all too late. -Friends and acquaintance know them no more. Men and angels abandon them to their ap- proaching doom. Even the Mediator, the MEDIA- TOR himfelf, deferts them in this dreadful hour T" fly-i w ^^ ^ e impracticable ; to jiiftify themielves, Ha ftiU I 3 2 MEDITATIONS ftill more impoffible; and now to make any fupplica- tions, utterly unavailable. Behold ! the books are opened ; the fecrets of all hearts are difclofed ; the hidden things of darknefs are brought to light. How empty, how ineffectual noiu y are all thofe refined artifices, with which hypocrites impoied upon their fellow-creatures, and preserved a character in the light of men ! The jealous GOD, who has been about their path, and about their bed, and 'fpied out all their ways, fets before them the things that they have done. They cannot anfwer him one in a thoufand, nor fland in the awful judgment. The heavens reveal their iniquities, and the earth ri- fts up againft them *. They yrc Jpef chiefs yf\\\\ guilt, and ftigmatized with infamy, before all the armies of the fky, and all the nations of the redeemed. What a favour would they efteem it, to hide their amamed heads in the bottom of the ocean, or even to be bu- ried beneath the ruins of the tottering world ! If the contempt poured upon them be thus infup- , portable, how will their hearts endure, when the Jword of infinite indignation is unmeathed, and fierce- ly waved around their defencelefs heads, or pointed di- rectly at their naked breafts ? How muft the wretches {cream with wild amazement, and rend the very hea- vens with their cries, when the right-aiming thunder- bolts go abroad ? go abroad with a dreadful commif- fion, to drive them from the kingdoms of glory ; and plunge them, not into tlie forrows of a moment, or the tortures of an hour, but into all the reftleis a- gonies of unquenchable fire, and everlafting defpairf. Mifery of miferies ! top (hocking for reflection to dwell * Job xx. 27. f Region? of forrow, doleful fhades, where peace And red can never dwell ; hope never comes, That comes to all : ,but torture without end Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed With ever-burning iulphur uncontum'd. MILT. among ttie TOMBS. 133 dwell upon. But, if fo difmal to forefee, and that at a diftance, together with fome comfortable expedition of efcaping it, O! how bitter, inconceivably bitter, to bear, without any intermiffion, or any mitigation, through hopelefs and eternal ages ! Who has any bowels of pity ? Who has any fen- timents of compaffion ? Who has any tender concern for his fellow-creatures ? Who \ In GOD'S name, and for CHRIST'S fake, let v him mew it, by warning every man, and befeeching every man, tofeek the LORD while he may be found; to throw down the arms of rebellion, before the aft o f indemnity expires; fubmiffively to adore the Lamb, while he holds out the golden fceptre. Here let us act the friendly part to mankind ; here let the whole force of our benevolence exert itfelf; in exhorting relations, acquaintance, neighbours, whomfoever we may probably influence, to take the wings of faith unfeigned, of repentance unde- layed, and flee away from this wrath to come. UPON the whole, what ftupendous difcoveries are thefe ! Lay them up in a faithful remembrance, O my foul. Recoiled: them with the mod ferious attention, when thou lyefl down, and when thou rifeft up. When thou walked, receive them for thy companions ; when thou talkeft, liften to them as thy prompters ; and whatever thou doft, coni'ult them as thy directors .- Influenced by thefe confiderations, thy views will greaten, thy affections be exalted, and thou thyfelf raifed above the tantalizing power of perifhing things. Duly mindful of thefe, it will be the ium of thy de- fires y and the fcope of thy endeavours, to gain the ap- probation of that fovereign Being, who will then fill thethrone,and pronoance the deciiive fentence. Thou wilt fee nothing worth a with *, in comparifon of ha- ving ''* Great day of dread, decifion, and defpair I At thought: of thee, each fublunary wifli Lets go its eagergrafp, and quits the-world. Night-Thoughts. I 3 4 MEDITATIONS ving his will for thy rule ; his glory for thy aim ; and his Holy Spirit for thy ever-adhiating principle. "WON D ER, O man ; be loft in admiration, at thole prodigious events, which are coming uponthe univerie : events, the greatnefs of which nothing finite can mea- fure ; fuch as will caufe whatever is conliderable or momentous in the annals of all generations, to fink into littlenefs and nothing : Events (JES u s prepare us for their approach ; defend us, when they take place ! ) big with the everlafling fates of all the living, and all the dead I muft fee the graves cleaving, the fea teeming, and fwarms uniufpec"led, crouds unnumber- ed, yea, multitudes of thronging nations, rifing from both. I muft fee the world in flames ; muft ftand at the diffolution of all terreftrial things ; and be an at- tendant on the burial of nature, \ muft fee the vaft expanfe of the iky, wrapt up like a fcroll ; and the in- carnate GOD, iffuing forth from light inacceffible, with ten thoufand times ten thoufand angels, to judge both men and devils . I muft fee the curtain of time drop ; fee all eternity difclofcd to view; and enter up- on ^Jlate of being, that will never, never, have an end. And ought I not (let the vaineft imagination deter- mine ; ought I not) to try the fincerity of my faith, and take heed to my ways ? Is there an inquiry, is there a care, of greater, of equal, of comparable impor- tance ? Is not this an infinitely preffing call, to fee that my loins are girded about, my lamp trimmed, and myfelf dreiFed for the Bridegroom's appearance ? that, warned in the fountain opened in my Saviour's fide, and clad with the marriage-garment wove by his qbedience, I may be found in peace, unblameable, and linreprovable. Otherwife, how mall I ftand with bold- nets, whentheftars of heaven fall from their orbs \ How fhall I come forth erefi and courageous, when the earth itf elf reds to and fro like a drunkard * ? How mail I look * If. xxiv. 20, among the T O M B S. 13$ look up with joy, and fee my falvation drawing nigh, when the hearts of millions and millions fail for fear ? Now, Madam, left my meditations fet in a cloud, and leave any unpleafing gloom upon your mind, let me once more turn to the brightning prqfpetis of the righteous. A view of them, and their delightful ex- pectations, may ferve to exhilarate the thoughts which have been mufing upon melancholy fubjefts, and ho- vering about the edges of infernal darknefs. Juft as a fpacious field, arrayed in chearjul green^ relieves and re- invigorates the eye, which has fatigued itfelf by poring upon fome minute, or gazing upon fome gla- ring object. The righteous feem to lye by in the bofom of the earth, as a -wary pilot in fome well-meltered creek, till all theftorms, which infeft this lower world, are blown over. Here they enjoy fafe anchorage ; are in no dan- ger of foundering, amidft the waves of prevailing ini- quity, or of being flip-Wrecked on the rocks of any powerful temptation. But ere-long we mail behold them hoifting their flag 'of hope ; riding before a fweet gale of atoning merit, and redeeming love ; till they make, with all the fails of an allured faith, the blelFed port of eternal life. Then may the honoured friend, to whom I am wri- ting, rich in good works, rich in heavenly tempers, but inexpreffibly richer in her Saviour's righteoufneis, O i may me enter the harbour, like a gallant ftately vejfel, returned iiiccefsful and victorious from fome grand expedition, with acclamations, honour, and joy! While my little bark, attendant on the lolemnity, and a partaker of the triumph, glides humbly after ; and both reft together in the haven, the wifhed for, blifs ful haven, of perfect fccurity, and cvcrlafting repofe. REFLECTIONS O N A FLOWER-GARDEN. 0&o&:&(^o^o&D<3oo& / look upon the pleafure, luhich we take in a garden, as one of the mofl innocent delights in human life. A gar- den 'was the habitation of our fir ft parents before the fall. It is naturally apt to fill the mind with calmnefs and tranquillity, and to lay all its turbulent pajfions at reft. It gives us agreatinfightinto the contrivance andivifdom of Providence ^ tfw^fuggefts innumerable fubjefts for meditation. Sped*, vol. VII. N* 477. C^O&C&0&C$GC^O&C^ . j. N? REFLECTIONS ON A FLOWER-GARDEN. In a LETTER to a LABI. 4wU-*wV-^**-w^^ MADAM, SOME time ago, my meditations took a turn a"- mdng the Tombs; they vifited the awful and me- lancholy manfions of the dead * ; and you was plea- fed to favour them with your attention. May I now beg the honour of your company, in a more invititfg and delightful excursion ? in a beautiful flower-gar- den; where I lately walked, and at once regaled the fenfe, and, indulged the fancy. IT * u Difcourfes on the vanity of the creature, which repre- *' fent thebarrennefs of every thing in this world, and its inca- ** pacity of producing any folid or fubftantial happinefs, areufe- S fl 140 R E F L E C T I O N S on a IT was early in a/ummer-morning, when the air was cool, the earth moift, the whole face of the creation frefti and gay. The noify world was fcarce awake. Bufinefs had not quite (hook off his found deep ; and Riot had but juft reclined his giddy head. All was ferene ; all was ftill ; every thing tended to infpire tranquillity of mind, and invite to ferious thought. Only the wakeful lark had left her neft, and was mounting on high, to falute the opening day. Ele- Vated in air, (he feemed to call the laborious hufband- man to his toil, and all her fellow-lbngfters to their notes. Earlieft of birds, faid 1, companion of the dawn, may I always rife at thy voice ! rife, to offer the matin-fong, and adore that beneficent Being, " who makcth the outgoings of the morning and e- " vcning to rejoice." How charming to rove abroad, at this fweet hour of prime ! to enjoy the calm of nature ; to tread the dewy lawns, and tafte the unrifled fremnefs of the air I Sweet is the breath of morn, her rifmgfwcet, With charm of earliej} birds *. What a pleafure do the fons ofjlotb lofe ? Little, ah ! little is the fluggard fenfible, how delicious an enter- tainment he foregoes, for the pooreft of all animal gratifications j*. The " ful. Thefe fpeculations alfo, which fhew the bright fide of 44 things, and lay forth thofe innocent entertainments, which 4< are to be met with among the feveral objects that encom- " pafs us, are no lefs beneficial." Spefi. vol. v. N 393. Upon the flan of thefe obfervations, the preceding and following reflexions are formed. * MILT. Par. Loft, b. iv. I'm. 641. j- See ! how revelation and reafon, the fcriptures and the clalfics, unanimoufly exhort to this moft beneficial practice. They both invite us to early rijing, by the inoft engaging mo- tives, and the moft alluring reprefentations. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field ; let us hdge in FLOWER-GARDEN. 141 The greynefs of the dawn decays gradually. Abun- dance of ruddy ftreaks tinge the fleeces of the firma- ment ; till, at length, the dappled afpeft of the eaft is loft, in one ardent and boundlefs blufh. Is it the fur- mife of imagination, or do the fides really redden with fhame, to fee fo many fupinely flretched on their drowfy pillows ? Shall man be loft in luxurious eafe ? mail man wafte thefe precious hours in idle {lumbers ? while the vigorous fun is up and going on his Maker's errand ; while all the feathered choir are hymning their Creator, and paying their homage in harmony ? -No. Let him heighten the melody of the tuneful tribes, by adding the rational ftrains of devotion* Let him improve the fragrant oblations of nature, by mingling, with the rifing odours, the more refined breath of praife. 'Tis natural for man to look upward * ; to throw his firft glance upon the objefts that are above him. Strait towards heav'n my wondering eyes I turn'dt And gaz'd a 'while the ample SKY -f- , Prodigious theatre ! where lightnings dart their fire, and thunders utter their voice ; where tempefts fpend their rage, and worlds unnumbered roll at large ! O the greattiefs of that mighty hand, which meteth out this amazing circumference with a fpan ! O-the immenfity of that wonderful Being, before whom this in the villages. Let us get up early fo the vineyards ; let as fee if the vine flourifh^ -whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth. Cant. vii. n, 12. Lucifer! primo cum fidere, frigida ritra Carpamus : dum mane novum, dum gramina canent^ Et ros in tencra pecori gratijfimus herba eft. Vise. Georg. III. * Os komini fitblime dcdit, cixlttmque tueri Jufjit, et ereftos ad fide r a tollere vultus. Ovi. j MILT. Pan Loft, b. viii. lin. 257. I 4 2 REFLECTIONS on a this unmeafurable extent is no more than a point ! And O (thou pleafmg thought!) the unfearchable riches of that mercy , which is greater than the hea- vens */ is more enlarged and extenfive, in its graci- ous exercife, than thefe illimitable tracts of air, and fea, and firmament ! which pardons crimes of the moft enormous fize, and the moft horrid aggravations ; pardons them, in consideration of the Redeemer's a- tonement, with perfect freenefs, and the utmofl rea- dinels ! more readily, if it were poflible, than this all-fur rounding expanfe admits, within its circuit, a ridge of mountains, or even a grain of fanct Come hither, then, ye awakened, trembling fmners. Come -j-,- weary and heavy-laden with a fenfe of your iniquities. Condemn yourfelves. Renounce all reli- ance on any thing of your own. Let your trufl be in the tender mercy of GOD, for ever and ever. IN , * Pfal. cviii. 4. f The lines which follow, are admirably defcriptive of the fpirit and practice hinted above. In them defire pants ; pray- er -wreJUes ; and faith, as it were, grafts the prize. I take leave to tranfplant them into this place; and I could wifli them a better, a more confpicuous titua'ion, than either their new or their native foil. Their native foil is no other than the lamentation of a firmer, written by Mr Sternhold. Notwith- ftanding the unpromifmg genius of the performance, I think, we may challenge the greateft matters, to produce any thing more fpirited and importunate ? more full of nature, or more flufhed with life. Mercy, good LORD, mercy I crave ; This is the total fum ; For mercy, LORD, is all my fuit ; LORD, let thy mercy come. The fhcrt fenterrces Not a 1 fmgle copulative The frequent repetition of the divine name The almolt inceflant reitera- tion of the bleiiing, fo paillonately defired, and inexpreifibly Seeded this is the genuine language of ardor; thefe are beauties obvious to every eye ; and cannot fail, either ti> pleafe thejudiotu tafte, or to edify the gracious heart. FLOWER-GARDEN. 143 IN them hath hefet a tabernacle for the fun *. Behold him coming forth from the chambers of the eaft. See ! the clouds, like floating curtains, are thrown back at his approach. With what refulgent ?najefly does he walk abroad I How tranfcendently bright is his countenance, fhedding day, and inexhauilible light, thro' the univerfe ! Is there a fcene, though finifti- ed by the moft elaborate and coftly refinements of art, " comparable to thefe illuftrious iblemnities of open-r tc ing funfliine ? Before thefe, all the ftudied pagean- u try of the theatre, the glittering ceconomy of an " altembly, or even the heightened ornaments of a tc royal palace, hide their diminiilied heads, and flirink tc into nothing." I have read of a perfon ib ftruck with the fplendors of this noble luminary, that he ima- gined himfelf made on purpofe to contemplate its glories. O ! that Chriftians would adopt his perfualion, and transfer it to the Sun of Rightcoujhefs ! Thus ap- plied, it would ceafe to be a chimerical notion, and become a moft important truth. For fure I am, it is the fupreme happinefs of the eternal ftate, and therefore may well be the ruling concern of this prefent life, to know the only true GOD, and Jejiis CHRIST, -whom he hath Jent. Nor do I (land alone in this opinion. The very beft judge of whatever is valuable in fcience, or perfeftive of our nature ; a judge, who formed his tafte on the maxims of paradife, and received thefinifh- ings of his education in the third heavens ; this judge determines to know nothing but JESUS CHRIST, and him crucified. He poflefTed, in his own perfon, the fined, the moft admired accompli/hment s ; yet pro- nounces them no better than dung, in comparifon of the j- fupereminent excellency of this faving knowledge. Methinks I difcern a thoufand admirable properties in the fun. 'Tis, certainly, the beft material emblem pf the Creator. There is more of GOD in its luftre, energy, * Pfal. xix. 4. Tf yvuffuf , Phil. iii. 7, 144 REFLECTIONS on a energy, and ufefnlnefs, than in any other vifible being. To worfliip it as a deity, was the leaft inexcufablc of all the Heathen idolatries. One fcarce can wonder, that fallen reaibn Jhould miftake fo fair a copy for the adorable otiginaL No companion, in the whole book of facred wiiclom, pleafes me more, than that which refembles the bleffed JES us, to yonder regent of the day * ; who now advances on his azure road, to feat' ter light and diipenfe gladnefs thro' the nations. WHAT were all the realms of the world, but a dungeon of darknejs, without the beams of the fun ? All their fine fcenes hid from our view, loft inv ob- fcurity. In vain we roll around our eyes in the mid- night-gloom. In vain we ftrive to behold the features of amiable nature. Turn whither we will, no form or comelinefs appears. All feems a dreary wafte, an undiftinguifhed chaos, till the returning hours have unbarred the gates of light, and let forth the morn. Then what a profpe& opens ! The heavens are paved with azure, and ftrewed with rofes. A variety of the livelieft verdures array the plains. The flow- ers put on a glow of the richeft colours. The whole creation Hands forth, drefied in all the charms of beauty. The raviftied eye looks round, and wonders. And what had^been the condition of our intellectual nature, without the great Redeemer, and his divine re- velation f Alas ! what abfurd and unworthy appre- henfions did the Pagan fages form of GOD ! What idle dreams, what childifh conjectures, were their doctrines of a future ftate How did the bulk, even of that fa- voured nation, the Jews, weary themfelves in very vanity, to obtain peace and reconciliation with their offended JEHOVAH ! till JESUS arofe upon our be- nighted minds, and brought life and immortality to Kght ; * Unto you that fear my namc^Jballthe Sun of Right coufn eft ariffj with healing in his wings. Mai, iv. 2 F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 145 light ; till HE arofe, to enlighten the wretched Gen- tiles , and to be the glory of his people Ijrael. Now we no longer cry out, with a reftlefs impati- ence, Inhere is GOD my maker f For we are allow- ed to contemplate the brightnefs of his glory, and the exprefs image of his perfon, in the face of JESUS CHRIST. Now we no longer inquire, with an un- iatisfied folicitude, " Which is the way to blifs ?" becaufe JESUS has marked the path, by his mining example ; and left us an unerring clue, in his holy word. Now we have no more reafon to proceed with mifgiving hearts in our journey to eternity, or to afk anxioufly, as we go, " Who will roll away the u ftone, and open the cverlafting doors . ? Who will u remove the flaming fword, and give us admiffion " into the delights of paradife ?" For it is done, all done, by the Captain of our falvation. Sin he has ex- plated^ by the unblemifhed facrifice of himfelf. The law he has fulfilled, by his per fed obedience. The (inner he transforms, by his fancYifying Spirit. In a word, he hath both prefented us with a clear dijcovery of good things to come, and adminiftered to us an abundant entrance into the final enjoyment of them. Whenever, therefore, we blels GOD for the cir- cling fcafons, and revolving day, let us adore, thank- fully adore him, for the more precious appearance of the Sun of Righteoufnefs, and his glorious gofpel. Without which, we mould have been groping, even to this hour, in fpiritual darknefs, and the fhadow of death : without which, we mufb have wandered in a maze of inextricable uncertainties ; and have " ftum- ** bled upon the dark mountains" of error, till we fell into the bottomleis pit of perdition. WITHOUT that grand enlivening principle, what were this earth, but a lifelefs mafs ? a rude lump of inactive matter ? The trees could never break forth into leaves, nor the plants ipring up into ilowers. We VOL. I. N 9 2. T fliould i 4 6 REFLECTIONS on a fhould no more behold the meadows mantled over with gre,en, nor the valleys {landing thick with corn. Or, to fpeak in the beautiful language of a prophet ; * No longer -would the fig-tree bloffom, nor fruit be ire the vine : the labour of the olive would fail, and the fields could yield no meat : the flocks muft be cut ojf from the fold, and there would be no herd in the jt alls. The fun darts its beams among all the vegetable tribes, and paints the fpring, and enriches the autumn. This pierces to the roots of the vineyard and the orchard ; and lets afloat thofe fermenting juices, which at length burft into floods of wine, or bend the boughs with a mellow load. Nor are its favours confined to the upper regions ; but diftributed unto the deepejt recedes of creation. It penetrates the beds of metal, and finds its way to the place of the fapphires. It tinc- tures the feeds of gold, that are ripening into ore ; and throws a brilliancy into the water of the diamond, that is hardening on its rock. In fhort, the beneficial agency of this magnificent luminary is inexpreflible. It beautifies, 2ndi!Kpregnates,umveria.\ nature. "There " is nothing hid from the heat thereof/' Ju s T in the fame manner, were the rational world dead in trefpaffes and fins, without the reviving ener- gy of JESUS CHRIST. He is" the refurreclion and <c the life ;" the overflowing fountain of the one, and the all-powerful caufe of the other. Thefeeond Adam, is a quickening fpirit* and all his faints live thro* him. He fhines upon their afFeclions : and they (hoot forth into heavenly graces, and abound in the fruits of righ- tedulhefs. Faith unfeigned, and love undilTembled, thofe nobJeft productions of the renewed nature, are 1 the effecl of his operation on the mind. Not fo much as one divine difpofition could fpread itfelf, not one Chriftian habit unfold and flourish, without the kindly influences of his grace. As * fiab. iii. 17. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 147 As there is no fruitfuinefs, fo likevvifc no chearful- nefs *, without the fun. When that aufpicious fove- reign of the day diffufes the mildnefs of his morning- iplendor, he creates an univerfal fefHval. Millions of glittering infects awake into exigence, and bafk in his ray*, The birds ftart from their {lumbers, and pour their delighted fouls in harmony. The flocks, with bleating accents, hail the welcome bleiling. The valleys ring with rural mufic ; the hills echo back the artleis drains. All that is vocal, joins in the genei al choir : all that has breath, exults in the chearing influ- ence. Whereas, was that radiant orb extinguiftied, a tremendous gloom would enfue, and horror iniup- portable. Nay, let it only be eclipfed for a few mi- nutes, and all nature afTumes an air ofjadnefs. The heavens are wrapt in fables, and put on a kind of mourn- ing. The mod fprightly animals hang down their dejected heads. The fongfters of the grove are {truck dumb. Howlingbeafts roam abroad for prey, ominous birds come forth and fcreech ; the heart of man f.;, ; or a fudden pang feizes the foreboding mind. . when CHRIST hides away his face, when faith 1 - fight of that Confolation of IJrael, how gloomy arc proipefts of the foul ! Our GOD feerns to be a coin ming fire, and our (ins -cry loudly for vengeance. 'J h .thoughts bleed inwardly ; the Chriftian walks heavily. All without is irkfome ;'all within is difconlblate. Lift up then, moil gracious Jasus, thou nobler Day- fpring from on high ! O lift up the light of thy coun- tenance upon thy people ! Reveal the fulnefs of thy mediatorial iufficiency ; make clear our title to this, great falvation ; and thereby impart What nothing earthly gives, or can deflroy, The foul's cairn Jimfliine, and the heart -ft it joy f r T 2 IN * " The fun, which is as the great foul of the univerfe, and u produces all the necelTaries of life, has a particular influence " In chearing the mind of man. and making the heart ejad." . vol. V, N Q 387. f POP*'* Eth, fy 148 REFLECTIONS on a IN one inftance more let me purfue the fimilitude. The fun, I obferve, pours hi$ luftre all around, to e- very diftance, and in every direction. Profufely liberal of his gifts, he illuminates and chears all the ends of the earth, and the whole compafs ot the flues. The eaft reddens with his rifing radbnce, and the weftern. hills are gilded with his ftreaming fplendors. The chilly regions of the north are cherifhed by his genial warmth ; while the fouthern trails glow with his fire. Thus are the influences of the Sun of Righteoufnefs dtfuflvc and unconfined. The generations of old felt them ; and generations yet unborn will rejoice in them. The merits of his precious death extended to the firft, and will be propagated to the laft, ages of mankind. May they, ere long, vifit the remoteft climates, and darkeft corners of the earth ! Command thy gofpel, blefTed JESUS, thy everlafting gofpel, to take the wings of the morning, and travel with yonder fun. Let it fly upon ftrong pinions among every people, nation, and language ; that where the heat fcorches, and the cold freezes, thou mayft be known, confefTed, and adored ! that ftr angers to thy name, and enemies to thy doclrine, may be enlightened with the know- ledge, and won to the love, of thy truth ! O ! may that befl of aeras come, that wimed-for period ad- vance, when all the ends of the 'world /hall remember themfelveS) and be turned unto the LORD; and all the kindreds of tJie nations luorjhip before him *. FROM the heavens, we retire, to the earth. Here the drops of dew^ like fo many liquid cryftalsf, fparkle up- on the eye. How brilliant and unfullied is their lu- ftre ! How little inferior to the proud ftone, whicli ir- radiates a monarch's crown ! They want nothing but folidity * Pfal. xxii. 27. j- Now morn, her rofy rteps in th eaftern clime ' Advancing, To w'd the earth with orient pearl. MILT, FLOWER-GARDEN. 149 folidity and permanency, to equal them with the fined treafures of the jeweller's cafket. Here, it muft be confeffed, they are greatly deficient ; Ihort-lived or- naments ; polIefTed of little more than a momentary radiance. The fun that lights them up, will foon melt them into air, or exhale them into vapours. Within another hour, we may u look for their place, and they " mail be away." 6 ! may every good resolution of mine, and of my flock's; may our united breathings after GOD, not be like thefe tranfeent decorations of the morning, but like the fubilantial glory of the growing day I The one mines more and more, with augmented fplendors; while the other, having glitter- ed gaily for a few moments, disappear and are loft. How feniibly has this dew refreflied the vegetable kingdoms ! The fervent heat of yefterday's iun had ahnoft parched the face, and exhaufted the fweets, of nature. But what a fovereign reftorative are thefe cooling diftillations of the night ! How they gladden and invigorate the languilhing herbs ! Sprinkled with, thefe reviving drops, their verdure deepens ; their bloom is now flumed ; their fragrance, faint or inter- mitted, becomes potent and copious. Thus docs the ever-bleffed SPIRIT revive the drooping troubled con- fcience of a finner. When that almighty Comforter meds his fweet influence on the foul, difplays the all- fufiicient facrifice of a divine Redeemer, and tc wit- ct nelfes with our fpirit," that we are inter eft ed in the Saviour, and, by this means, are children of GOD ; then what a pleafing change enfues ! Former anxieties are remembered no more. Every uneaiy apprehenfion vaniflies. Soothing hopes, and delightful expeditions, fuccced. The countenance drops its dejected mien ; the eyes brighten with a lively chearfulnefs ; whil the lips exprefs the heart-felt fatisfaction, in the lan- guage of thankfgiving, and the voice of melody. In $his fenfe, merciful GOD, be as the dew unto Ifrael ! " Pour upon them the continual dew of thy blefling." And 150 RE FLECTIONS on a And O ! let not my fleece be dry, while heavenly be- nediction defcends upon ail around. Who can number thefe pearly drops ? They hang on every hedge ; they twinkle from every i'pray ; and adorn the whole herbage of the field. Not a blade of grafs, not a fingle leaf, but wears the watery pendants. So -uajJ is the profufion^ that it baffles the arithmetici- an's art. Here let the benevolent mind contemplate and admire that emphatical fcripture, which, from this elegant fimilitude, defcribes the increaje of the Meffi- rt/e's kingdom. The royal prophet, fpeaking of CHRIST, and foretelling the fuccels of his religion, has this re- markable expreffion * ; The dew of 'thy birth is of the luomb of the morning, (i. e.) As the morning is the mother of dews ; produces them, as it were from a prolific womb ; and icatters them with the moft lavifh abundance, over all the furface of the earth: fo JJiall thyjesd be, O thou everlafting Father! By the preach- ing * Pfal. ex. 3. innVi Vr ib *^nvo cms The moft exact tranl- lation of this difficult paflage is, I apprehend, as follows ; PriS rare uteri aurora* tlbi ejl ros juventutis -vel prolis tu The dew of thy birth is larger, more copious, than the dew which proceeds from the womb of the morning. I cannot ac- quiefce in the new v.erfion ; becaufe that disjoins the womb of the morning, from the dew of thy birth. Whereas, they ieem to have a clear affinity, and a clofe connection. The womb" of the morning is, with the utinoft pertinency, applied to the conception and production of dews ; agreeably to a de- licate line, in that great mailer of jult deicription, and live- ly painting, Mr Thoni/bn : The meek-cy *d morn appears, mother of dews. Summer. We meet with a fine expreffion in the book of Job, which may ferve to confirm this remark ; may illuftrate the propri- ety of the phrafe, ufed in this connection. " Hath the ram a *' father, or who hath begotten the drops of dew ?" It feeois, the oriental writers delighted to reprelent the dew, as a kind of birth, as the offspring of the morning. And if fo, furely there could be no image in the whole compafs of the univerfe, Better adapted to the Pfalmirt's purpofe, or more Strongly fig- nifican? F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 15* ing of thy word, fhall fuch an innumerable race of re- generate children be born unto thee, and prove an or- nament and a bleflingto all ages. Millions, millions of willing converts, from every nation under heaven, mall croud nificant of thofe multitudes of profelytes, which were born, not of blood^ nor of the "~ill of the flejh^ nor of the iuillofman 9 but of GOD ; by the powerful energy of his word and Spirit. Upon this fuppolition, the whole verfe defcribes The willing fubjeftion, ^> The gracious accorapliihments, >- of Chrift's converts. And the vaft number, j q. d. In the day of thy power, when thy glorious gofpel fhali be publifhed in the world, and accompanied with marvellous efficacy, in that memorable period, thy people diicontinuing the former oblations, commanded under the Mofaic law, ihall devote themfelvcs, as fo many living facrifices, to thy honour. Not constrained by force, but charmed with thy excellency, they fhall come in volunteers to thy fervice, and be free-will offerings in thy church. Neither (hall they be " empty vines,'* or bare profeflbrs; but Ihall walk in all the beauties of holinefs^ and bring forth fuch amiable fruit, as will adorn the doctrine they embrace. What is Mill more defirable, they fhall be as numerous, as they are willing and holy: born to tbee in num- bers immenfe and inconceivable ; exceeding even the count- lefs myriads of dew-drops, which are begotten by the night, and iflue from the womb of the recent morning. By this interpretation, the text, I think, is cleared of its obfcurity; and appears both truly fublime, and perfectly j ufl. May I be pardoned the digreffhn^ and acquitted from prc- Jumptiouj if, on this occafion, I take leave to animadvert up- on what feetns harlh and unnatural in the common expofitioa of the laft verfe of this pfalm ? All the commentators (as ma- ny, at leait, as I have confulted) inform their readers, that to drink of the brook in the way, (ignifies to undergo fuffcrings and death; which, in my opinion, is a conftrnction extremely forced, and hardly fupportable ; altogether remote from the import of fuch poetical forms of diction, cullomary among the eaftern nations. In thofe fultry climes, nothing could be more welcome to the traveller, than a brook Itreaming near his paths. REFLECTIONS orid croud into thy family, and replenifJh thy church ; till they become like the ftars of the iky, or the lands of the fea for multitude ; or even as numberlefs as thefe finejpanglcs, which now cover the face of nature. Behold paths. To quench his thirft, and lave his feet, in the cooling current, was one of the greatelt refrefhments imaginable, and re-animated him to purfue his journey. For which reafon, among others, brooks are a very favourite image with the infpired penmen; ufed to denote a fituation fertile and delight- ful^ or a ftate of pleafure andfatisfaflion ; but never, that I can recollect, to picture out the contrary condition of tribu- lation and diftrefs. The water-floods, indeed, in the facred writings, often re- prefent fome imminent danger, or grievous affliclion. But then they are not 1^2 ESTD dreams fo calm, that they keep within their banks, and glide quietly by the traveller's footfteps ; fo clear, that they are fit for the wayfaring man's ufe, and invite his lips to a draught j both which notions are plainly implied in the text, They are rather i3b &oi- jfterous it/lows ; burfting over a fhip, or darning themfelves, with dreadful impetuofhy, upon the more: or nbnv fiueep* ing inundations ; which bear down all before them, and drown the neighbouring country. Befides, in thefe inftances of hor- ror, we never find the word nnan He foall drink; which conveys a pleating idea, unlefs when it relates to a cup, filled with bitter, intoxicating, or empoifoned liquors; a cafe quite different from that under confideration ;) but either njo vv.hich imports terror and aftonijbmcnt ; or elfe *ow and 12* which fignify to rujb upon, to overwhelm, and even to bury under the waves. Upon thg whole: May not the pafTage more properly allude to the influences of the Holy Ghoft? which were communicated, in unmeafurable degrees, to our great High Prieft; and were, in fa ft, the caufe of his furmounting all difficulties. Thefe are frequently reprefented by waters ; u Whofo believeth on me, *' out of his belly (ball flow rivers of living waters." The enjoyment of them is defcribed by drinking ; u lie that drink- ** eth of the water that I fnall give him, fhall never thirft." Then, the fenfe may run in this well-connected and perfpicuous manner. Is it afked, How fiiall the Redeemer be able to ex- ecute the various and important offices foretold in the prece- ding F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 153 Behold then, ye obftinately wicked, though you are " not gathered, yet will the Saviour be glorious." His defign (hall not mifcarry, nor his labour prove abortive, though you render it of none eftecl with re- gard to yourfelves. Think not, that I MM A N u E L will want believers, or heaven inhabitants, becaufeyow continue incorrigible. No ; the Lamb that was (lain, will " fee of the travail of his foul, and be fatisficd," in a never-failing feries of faithful people below, and an immenfc choir of glorified faints above ; who (hall form his retinue, and furround his throne, in mining and triumphant armies, fuch as no man can number. HERE I was reminded of the various expedients which Providence, unfearchably wife, ufes, tofrutfijy both the material and intellectual world. Sometimes you {hall have impetuous and heavy fliowers, burfting from the angry clouds. They lafh the plains, and make the rivers foam. A florin brings them, and a deluge follows them. At other times, thefe gtntle dews are formed, in the ferene evening-air. They fteal down, by flow degrees, and with infenfible ftillnefs ; fo fubtile, that they deceive the niceft eye ; fo filent, that they eicape the mod delicate ear; and when fal- len, fo very light, that they neither bruife the ten- dered, nor opprefs the weakeft flower. Very differ e nt operations ! yet each concurs in the fame beneficial end, and both impart fertility to the lap of nature. So, ding parts of the pfalrn ! The prophet replies, He Jhall drink (jf the brook in the -way. He mall not be left barely to his hu- man nature, which mult unavoidably link under the tremen- dous work of recovering a loll world; but, thro* the whole courfe of his incarnate (Vate, through the whole adminiftratiou of his mediatorial kingdom, fhall be fupported with omnipo- tent fuccours. He fhall drink at the brook of almighty power, and travel on in the greatneis of an uncreated itrength. Therefore Jhall he lift up his head. By this means, fhall he be equal to the prodigious tafk, and fuperior to all oppofition. By this means, lhall he be thoroughly fuccefsful in whatever he undertakes, and greatly triumphant over all his enemies, VOL. I. N* 2. IJ 154 RE FLECTIONS on a So, fome perfons have I known reclaimed from theun-* fruitful works of darknefs, by violent and fevere means. The Mmighty addrefled their ftubborn hearts, as he addrefled the Ifraelites at Sinai, with lightning in his eyes, and thunder in his voice. The confcience, fmit with a fenfe of guilt, and apprehenfive of eternal ven- geance, trembled through all her powers ; juft as that ftrong mountain tottered to its centre. Pangs of re- rnorfe, and agonies of fear, preceded their new birth. 7'hey were reduced to the laft extremities, almoft o- yerwhelmed with defpair, before they found reft in JESUS CHRIST .Others have been recovered from a, vain converfation, by methods more ?;2/7^and attrac- tive. The Father of fpirits applied himfelf to their teachable minds, in ct a {till and fmall voice.'* His grace came down, as the rain into a fleece of wool ; or as thefe foftening drops, which now water the earth. The kingdom of GOD took place in their fouls, without noife or observation. They paflcd from death unto life, from a carnal to a regenerate (tate, by al- jnoft imperceptible advances. - The tranfition refem- bled the growth of corn ; was very vifible, when ef- fected ; though fcarce fenfible, while accompliming. O thou Author and Finifher of our faith, recall us from our wanderings, and reunite us to thyfelf ! Whether thou alarm us with thy terrors, or allure us with thy finiles ; whether thou drive us with the fcourge of conviction, or draw us with the cords of love ; let us, in any wife, return to thee ; for thou art our fupreme good ; thou art our only happinels. BEFORE I proceed farther, let me afcend the ter- race ', and take one furyey of the neighbouring cquntry, What a profpedl rufhes upon my fight ! How valt ; how various ; how a full and plenteous with all man- " ner of ftorel" Nature's whole wealth ! What a rich and inexhauftible magazine is here, furnifhing iubfiftence for every creature 1 Methinks I read, in, thefe FLOWER-GARDEN. 155 thefe fpacious volumes, a moft lively comment uport that noble celebration of the divine beneficence ; He upeneth his hand, and filleth all things living with jtlenteoufnefs. Thefe are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Almighty ! Thine this univcrjal frame, Thus wondrous fair ! Thyfelf how wond'rous then ! MILT. Theyfe/^-f are covered deepj and ftand thick, with torn. They expand the milky grain to the fun; while the gales, now inclining, now railing each flexile ftem, open all their ranks to the agency of his beams : which will foon impart a firm confidence to the grain, and a gloffy golden hue to the ear ; that they may bd qualified to fill the barns of the huibandman with plen- ty, and his heart with gladnefs. Yonder lie the meadows, fmoothed into a perfect level ; decorated with an embroidery of the gayefl flowers ; and loaded With * fpontaheous crops of her- bage : which, converted into hay, will prove a mod commodious provifion for the barrennefs of winter ; will fupply with fodder our fervkeable animals, when, all the verdure of the plain is killed by frofts, or bu- ried in frtows. -A. winding Jlream glides along the: flowery margin; and receives the image of the bend- ing fides, and waters the roots of many a branching willow. *Tis flocked, no doubt, with variety Qfjifn; Which afford a folitary diverfion to the angler, and nourifh for his table a delicious tre,at. Nor is it the only merit of this liquid element, to maintain the fin- ny nations ; it alfo carrier, cleaniinej's , and difpenfes fruitfulrtejs, where-ever it rolls the cryftai current. The paftures, with their verdant mounds, chequer the profpecl:^ and prepare a ftanding repaft for our cattle. There " our oxen are made ftrong to labour ; " and * Injuff'a vifefcuni Gramin a> ' V j R c , 1 5 6 REFLECT IONS on a " and our (beep bring forth thoufands and ten thotf- " fands." There the horfe acquires vigour, for the difpatch of our bufinefs ; and Ipeed, to expedite our journeys. From thence the kine bring home their ud- ders, diftended with one of the richefl and healthieft liquors in the world. On feveral fpots, a grove of trees, like fome grand collonade, erects its towering head Every one pro- jects a friendly (hade for the beafts, and creats a hof- pitable lodging for the birds. Every one ftands rea- dy, to furnifh timber for a palace ; majls for a navy \ or, with a more condefcending courtcfy, fuel for our hearths. One of them feems fkirted with a wild un- cultivated heath; which, like well-difpofed fhades in painting, throws an additional luftre on the more or- namented parts of the landfcape. Nor is its ufefulnefs, like that of a foil, relative only, but real. There fe- veral valuable creatures are produced, and accommo- dated without any expcnce or care of ours. There, likewife, fpring abundance of thofe herbs, which af- fuage the fmart of our wounds, and allay the fiery tumults of the fever ; which impart floridity to our circulating fluids, add amorevigoroustonetoouraclivc folids, and thereby repair the decays of our enfeebled conftitutions. Nearer the houfes, we perceive an ample fpread of branches not fo ftately as the oaks, but more amiable for their annual fervices. A little while ago, 1 beheld them ; and all was one beauteous, boundlefs wafte of blojfoms. The eye marvelled at the lovely fight, and the heart rejoiced in the proipe& of autumnal plenty. Eut now the blooming maid is refigned, for the ufeful ma- tron. The flower is fallen, and the/>7wYfwells out on every twig. Breathe foft, ye winds ! O fpare the ten- der fruitage, ye furly blafts ! Let the pear-iree luckle her juicy progeny, till they drop into our hands, and difTolve in our mouths. Let the plum hang unmoleftcd upon her boughs, till me fatten her delicious flefli, and cloud F L O W E R-G A R D N. 1^7 cloud her polimed fldn with blue. And as for the ap- ples , that ftaple- commodity of our orchards, let no in- jurious (hocks precipitate them immaturely to the ground ; till revolving funs have tinged them with a ruddy complexion, and conco&ed them into an exqui- fitc flavour. Then, what copious hoards, of what burniihed rinds, and what delightful relifhes, will re- plenifh the ftore-room ! Some, to prefent us with an early entertainment, and refrefh our palates amidft the fultry heats. , Some, to borrow ripenefs from the fall- ing fnows, and carry autumn into the depths of winter. Some, to adorn the falver, make a part of the deffert, and give an agreeable * clofe to our feafts. Others, to till our vats with a foaming flood ; which, mellowed by age, may fparkle in the glafs, with a livelinefs and de- licacy little inferior to the blood of the grape. I obferve feveral fmall inclofures, which feem to be apprehenilve of fome hoftile vifit from the north ; and, therefore, are defended, on that quarter, by a thick wood, or a lofty wall. At the fame time, they culti- vate an uninterrupted correfpondence with the fouth, and throw open their whole dimenilons to its friendly warmth. One, in particular, lyes within the reach of a diftinguifhing view, and proves to be a kitchen-gar* den. It looks} methinks, like a plain and frugal re- public. Whatever may refemble the pomp of courts, or the enfigns of royalty, is banifiied from this hum- ble community. Noneof the productions of the olitory afFect finery, but all are habited with the very perfec- tion of decency. Here thofe celebrated qualities arc eminently united, the utmofl fimplicity with the ex- acted neatnefs -f . A fkilful hand has parcelled out the whole ground into narrow beds, and intervening al- leys. The fame difcreet management has aifigned to each * Ab ovo Ufque ad mala *- HOR. -j- Simplex munditiis* Hox. 158 REFLECTIONS on a each verdant family, a peculiar and difHndl abode. Sd that there is no confufion amidft the greateft multipli- city ; becaufe every individual knows its proper home, and all the tribes are ranged with perfect regularity. - If it be pleafing to behold their orderly fituation, and their modeft beauties ; how much more delightful, to confider the advantages they yield ! What a fund of choice accommodations is here ! what a fource of whole- fome dainties ! and all, for the enjoyment of man. Why does the par/ley^ with her frizzled locks, v fhag the bor- der ; or why the celery , with her whitening arms, per- foratethe mould ; but to render his foopsfavoury ? The ajparagus .(hoots its tapering items, to offer him the firft- fruits of the feafon ; and the artichoke fpreads its turgid top, to give him a treat of vegetable marrow. The tendrils of the * cucumber creep into the fun ; and, though bafking in its hottefl rays, they fecrete for their mafter, and barrel up for his life, the moil cooling juices of the foil. The beans (land firm, like files of embattled troops ; the peas reft upon their props, like fo many companies of invalids ; while both replenifh their pods with the fatnefs of the earth, on purpofe to pour it on their owner's table. Not one fpecies, among all this variety of herbs, is a cumberer of the ground. Not a fmgle plant, but is good for food, or fome way falutary. With fo beneficent an ceconomy, * Virgil^ with great concifenefs, anil equal propriety, de- fcribes the cucumber r herbnm Crcfcerct in ventrem cucicriils. Georg. IV* MILTON has (if we admit Dr Btntlfy's alteration, which is, I think, in this place, unquestionably juft) almoft tranftu- ted the Latin poet, . - Forth crept The fuelling gourd Par. to/?, b. VII. 1. 3 29, F L O W E R-G A R D E N. oeconomy, arc the feveral periods of their miniftrati- on fettled, that no portion of the year is left deftitute of nourifhing efculents. What is ftill more obliging, every portion of the year affords Jucb efculents, as arc beft fuited to the temperature of the air, and the ftate of our bodies. -Why then mould the pofjeffor of fo valuable a fpot envy the condition of Kings * ? fmcc he may daily walk amidft rows of peaceable and ob- fequious, though mute fubjects. Every one of which tenders him fome agreeable prefent, and pays him a willing tribute ; fuch as is moft happily adapted, both to fupply his wants, and to regale his tafte ; to fur- nifli him, at once, with plenty and with pleafure. At a diftance, one defcries the mighty hills. They heave their huge ridges among the clouds ; and look like the barriers of kingdoms, or the boundaries of nature. Bare and deformed as their furface may ap- pear, their bowels are fraught with inward treafures ; treafures lodged fafb in the quarries, or funk deep in the mines. From thence, Induflry may draw her im- plements, to plough the foil, to reap the grain, and procure every neceifary convenience. From thence, Art may fetch her materials, to rear the dome, to fwell the organ, and form the nobleft ornaments of politer life. On another fide, the great deep terminates the view. There go theftiips; there is that leviathan; and there, in that world of waters, an inconceivable number of animals have their habitation. This is the capacious ciftern of the univerje ; which admits, as into a recep- tacle, and diftributes,asfroma refervoir,whatever wa- ters the whole globe. There is not a fountain thatgufh- es * Hie rarum tamen in dumis ofus, albaque circum Lilia, uerbenafque premens, vefcumque fapaver^ jequabat opes animis : feraqtte revertcns rrij da$ibus menfas onerabat inemptis. VIRG. Georg. IV* 160 RE FLECTIONS on a cs in the unfrequented defert ; nor a rivulet that flows in the remotefl continent, nor a cloud that fwims in the higheft regions of the firmament, but is fed by this all- replenishing fource.* The ocean is the grand vehi- cle of trade , and the uniter of diflant nations. To us it is peculiarly kind, not only as it wafts into our ports the harveft of every climate, and renders our ifland the centre of traffic ; but alfo as it fccures us from foreign invafions, by a fort of impregnable entrench- ment *. Methinks, the view of this profufe munificence in- fpires zjecret delight, and kindles a difintcrcjied good- -will, While the u little hills clap their hands/' and the luxuriant u valleys laugh and ling;" who can for- bear catching the general joy ? who is not touched with lively fenfations of pleafure ? While the ever- lafling Father is fcattering bleffings through his whole family, and crowning the year with his goodnefs ; who does not feel his bread overflowing with a diffu- ffve benevolence ? My heart, I muft confeis, beats high with fatisfaclion ; and breathes out congratulatory wiflies, upon all the tenants of thefe rural abodes : *' Peace be within your walls, as well as plenteoufncfs around * Whofc rampart was thefea. Nahum iii. 8. I hope, this little excursion into the country, will not be looked upon as a departure from my fubject ; becaufe a rural view, though no effential part of a garden, is yet a defirable appendage, and neceflary to complete its beauty. As ufeful- nefs is the moft valuable property which can attend any pro- duction this is the circumftance chiefly touched upon in the fur- vey of the land/cape. Tho' every piece of this extenfive and diverfified fcene is caft in the moft elegant mould, yet nothing is calculated merely for fhew and parade. You fee nothing formed in the tafte of the oftentatious obelifk, or infignificant pomp of the pyramid. No fuch idle expences were admitted into that confummate plan, which regulated the ftruclure cf the univerfe. All the decorations of nature are no lefs advan- tageous, than ornamental ; fuch as fpeak the MAKER infi- nitely beneficent, as well as incomparably magnificent. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 161 li around your dwellings." Live, ye highly favour- ed ; live fenfible of your benefits^ and thankful to your Benefactor. Look round upon tliefe prodigiouily large incomes -of the fruitful foil, and call them, (for you have free leave) all your own. -Only let me remind you of one very important truth. Let me fuggeft, and may you never forget, : that you are obliged to CHRIST JESUS, for every one of thefe accommoda- tions, which fpring from the 1 teeming earth, and the fmiling ikies. i. CHRIST made # them, when they were not. ' He fetched them up from utter darknefs ; and gave them both their being, and their beauty. He created the ma- terials, of which they are compofed ; and moulded them into this endlefs multiplicity of amiable forms, and * When I afcribe the work of creation to the SON, I would by no means be fuppofed to with-hold the fame honour from the eternal FA.THER, and ever-bleffed SPIRIT. The acls of thofe inconceivably glorious perfons are, like their efTence, un- divided and one. But I chufe to date the point in this manner, becaufe this is the manifed doctrine of the New Tedament, is the exprefs belief of our Church, and a mod noble peculiarity of the gofpel-revelation. I chufe it alfo, becaufe I would take every opportunity of inculcating, and celebrating, the divinity of the KEIJEEMER: A truth, which imparts an unutterable dignity to Chriftianity: a truth which lays an immoveable foun- dation for all the comfortable hopes of a Chriftian: a truth, which will render the mydery of our redemption, the won- der and delight of eternity : and with this truth, every one will obferve, my ail'ertion is inleparably connected. If any one quefiions, whether this be the doctrine of our church; let the mr^which we repeat in our mod folemn devo- tions, determine bis doUbt : " 1 believe," fays that form of found words, "in one LORD J FSUS CH R i ST, very Gou A * of very G o D, by whom all things were made" -If it be far- ther inquired, From whence the Nicene fathers derived this article of their faith? I anl'wer, From the writings of the be- loved difciple, who lay on the Saviour's bofom ; and of that great apodle, who had been caught up into the third heaven, jo hn i. 3. Col. i. 16. VOL. I. N a, X *62 R E F L E C T I O N S on a and ufeful fubftances. He arrayed the heavens with a vefture of the mildeft blue ; and clothed the earth in a livery of the gayeft green. His pencil ftreaked, and his breath perfumed, whatever is beautiful or fragrant in the univerfe. His ftrength fet faft the mountains ; his goodneis garnimed the vales ; and the fame touch which healed the leper , wrought the whole viiible^/- tem into this complete perfection. 2.' CHRIST recov ered them, when they were for- feited. By Adam's fin, we loft our right to the com- forts of life, and fruits of the ground. His difobedi- ence was the moft impious and horrid treafon againft the KING of kings. Gonfequently, his whole pa- trimony became confifcated; as well the portion of temporal good things, fettled upon the human race during their minority ; as that everlafting heritage re- ierved for their enjoyment, when they fhould come to full age. But the " feed of the woman," inftant- ly interpofing, took off the attainder, and redeemed the alienated inheritance. The firft Adam being difin- heritedj the fecond Adam || was appointed heir of all things, |f Hel>. i. 2. -In this fenfe at leaft, CHRIST is thf Saviour of all men. The former and latter rain ; the precious fruits of the earth ; food to eat, and raiment to put on ; all thefe he purchafed, even for his irreclaimable enemies. They eat of his bread, who lift up their heel againft him. We learn from hence, in what a peculiar and endearing light the CkrJftian is to contemplate the things that are feen. Heathens might difcovef an eternal power, and infinite wifdonr, in the frru&ure of the univerfe; Heathens might acknowledge a moft ftupendotis liberality, in the unreferved grant of the whole fabric, with all its furniture, to the fervice of man. But the Chriftian ihould ever keep in mind his forfeiture of them^ ;ind the price paid to redeem them. He fhotild receive the gifts cf indulgent Providence, as the Israelites received their law, from the hand of a Mediator : or rather, to him they ihoald come, not only ifluing from the ftores of an unbound- ed bounty, but fwimming (as it were) in thac crirnfon tide, which ftrcamed from IM M A N UE L'S veins. FLOWER-GARDEN. 163 tilings i vifible as well as invifible. And we hold our pofTeffion of the former, we expecl an inftatement in the latter, purely by virtue of our alliance to him, and our union with him. 3. CHRIST upholds them, which would otherwife tumble into ruin. By him y fays the oracle of infpi- ration, all things confifl *. His finger rolls the feaibns round, and presides over all the celeftial revolutions. His finger winds up the wheels, and impels every fpring of vegetative nature. In a word, the wkole weight of the creation refts upon his mighty arm, and receives the whole harmony of its motion from his unerring eye. This habitable globe, with all its rich appendages, and fine machinery, could no more continue, than they could create themleJves. Start they would into inft&nt conjujion, or drop into their primitive nothing, did not his power -fupport, and his wifdom regulate them, every moment. In conformi- ty to his will, they fubiift ftedfaft and invariable in their orders ; and wait only for his fovereign nod, to 4)4 fall away like water that runneth apace. '* 4. CHRIS T \ actuates them, which would otlierwife be lifelefs and inlignificant.' Peniioners they are, con- i-iant peniioiiers, on his bounty j and borrow their all from * Col. i. 17. I teg leave to fubjoin St Chryfoft orris perti- nent and beautiful note upon the pafiage ; by which it will ap- pear, that the fentiment of thei'e fefticns is noc merely a pri- vate opinion, but the avowed belief of the primitive church. Ti<7ts-/v, fays the eloquent father, t( y aulov x.pif*.x1cu xxvlzv wnosao-is' w ^cva* j- John v. 17. My Father ivorkcth hitherto, and I work ; or, I exert that unremitting and unwearied energy, which is the life of the creation. Thus the words are paraphrafed by a ma- iterly expolitor, who has illuftrated the life of our bleffed LORD, in the moft elegant tafte of criticifm ; with the moll amiable fpirit of devotion; and without any mixture of th<e malignant leaven, or low fingularities, of a party.' See the far ) vol. I. feet. 47. X 2 164 R E F L E C T I O N S on a from his fulnefs. He only has life; and whatever ope- rates, operates by an emanation from his all-fufficien- cy. Does the grape refrefh you with its enlivening juices ? It is by a warrant received, and virtue deri- ved, from the Redeemer. Does bread ftrengthen your heart, and prove the flaff of your life ? Remem- ber, that it is by the Saviour's appointment, and through the efficacy of his operation. You are charm- ed with his melody, when the u time of the finging " of birds is come, and the voice of the nightingale is " heard in your land." Yon tafte his goodnefs in the lufcious fig, the melting peach, and the muiky flavour of the apricot. You imell his fweetnefs in the open- ing honeyfuckle, and every odoriferous fhru : b. Could thefe creatures fpeak for themfelves, they would, doubtkls, difclaim all fufficiency of their own, and afcribe the whole honour to their Maker- " We " are fervants," would they fay, " of HIM, who died * c for you. Cifterns, only dry cifterns in ourfelves, we a tranfmit to mortals no more than the uncreated " fountain transfufes into us. Think not, that, from " any ability of our own, we furnifh you with affifl- <l ance, or adminifler to your comfort. 'Tis the di- " vine energy, the divine energy alone, that works u in us, and does you good. We Jerve you, O yc " fons of men, that you may love him, who placed us in thefe ftations. O ! love the LORD, there- " fore, all ye who are fupported by our miniftry ; or " elie we fhall * groan, with indignation and regret, " at your abuie of our ferviccs. life us, and wel- <c come ; for we are yours, if ye are CHRIST'S. c< Crop our choicefl beauties ; rifle all our treafures ; u accommodate yourfelves with our moft valuable " qualities ; only let us be incentives to your grati- <c titde, and motives to your obedience." H A VIN G furveyedthefpacious iky. and fent a glance round the inferior creation, 'tis time to dcfcend from . * Rom. viii. 22, F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 165 this eminence, and confine my attention to the beauti- ful J pot below.- Here Nature, always pleafing, every where lovely, appears with peculiar attractions. Yon- der (he feems drcfTed in her defhabille ; grand, but ir- regular. Here me calls in her handmaid, Art ; and fliines in all the delicate ornaments, which the niceffc cultivation is able to convey. 'Ttioje are her common apartments, where {he lodges her ordinary guefls ; this is her cabinet of curiofities, where (he entertains her intimate acquaintance. My eye mail often expatiate over thofe fcenes of univcrfal fertility ; my feet (hall ibmetimes brufli through the thicket, or traverfe the lawn, or {troll along the foreft-glade : but to this de- lightful retreat (hall be my chief refort. Thither will I make excurfions ; but here will I dwell. If, from my low procedure, I may form an allufion to the mod exalted practices, I would obferve, upon this occafion, That the celebrated Erafmus^ and our judicious Locke, having trod the circle of the fciences, and ranged through the whole extent of human litera- ture, at length betook themfelves -folely to the Bible. Leaving the fages of antiquity, they fat incefiantly at the feet of JE s u s . Wifely they withdrew from that immenfe multiplicity of learning, from thofe endlefs tracts of amufing erudition, where noxious weeds are mixed with wholefome herbs ; where is generally a much larger growth of prickly mrubs, than of fruit- ful boughs. They fpent their mod mature hours in thofe hallowed gardens, which GOD'S own wifdom planted, which GOD'S own Spirit watereth, and in which GOD'S own Son is continually walking ; where he meeteth thofe that feek him, and revealeth to them the glories of his perfon, and the riches of his good- nefs. Thus would I finifh the remainder of my days ! Having juft tafted (what they call) the politer fhidies, I would now devote my whole application to the lively oracles. From other purfuits, I might glean, perhaps, a few 1 66 REFLECTIONS on a a few fcattcred fragments of low, of lean, of unfatif- faftory inftruclion. From this I trtift to reap a harveil of the fublimeft truths, the noblefl improvements, and the pureft joys *. Waft me then, O I waft my mind to Sion's confecrated bovvers. Let my thoughts per- petually rove thro* the awfully-pleafmg walks of in- fpiration. Here grow thofe heaven-born plants, the trees of life and knowledge; whofe ambrolial fruits \ve now may " take and eat, and live for ever." Here flow thole precious ftreams of grace and rigktcoujhefs^ whofe living waters u whofoever drinks, (hall third u no more." And what can the fables of Grecian fbng, or the fined pages of Roman eloquence, what can they exhibit, in any degree comparable to thefe matchlefs prerogatives of revelation \ Therefore, tfao* I ihould not diflike to pay a vijit now and then to Kiy Heathen matters, I would live with the prophets and apoftles. With thofe I would carry on ibme oc- cafional correfpondence ; but thefe fliould be my bo- fbm -friends, my infeparable companions, " my de* <c light, and my counfellors/' aretheTe, which fo agreeably falute Kiy noftrils . ? They are the breath of the flowers, the incenfe of the garden. ->-How liberally does the jefla- mine difpenle her odoriferous riches ? How delicioufly has the woodbine embalmed this morning- walk ? The air is all perfume. And is not this another moft en- gaging argument to foriake the bed ofjloth f Who would lye diflblved in fenfelefs ilumbers, while fo many breathing fweets invite him to a fcaft of fra- grancy ? Efpecially confidering, that the advancing day will exhale the volatile dainties. A fugitive treat they are, prepared only for the wakeful and induflri- ous. Whereas, when the fluggard lifts his heavy eyes, the flowers will droop ; their fine fcents be diffipated ; and, * Qficquid docctur, v:ritas ; quicftuid f rtcipitur, bwitas > romittitur, felicitas. F L O \V E R-G A R D E N. 167 and, inftead of -this refrefhing humidity, the air will become a kind of liquid fire. With this very motive^ heightened by a reprefenta- tion of the moft charming pieces of morning-fcenery, the parent of mankind awakes his lovely confort. There is fuch a delicacy in the choice, and fo much life in the defcription, of thefe rural images, that I cannot excufe myfelf, without repeating the whole pafTage. Whifper it, fome friendly genius ^ in the ear of every one, who is now funk infleep, and loft to all thefe refined gratifications ! Awake: the morning fliines , and the frejh feld Calls you : yc lofe the prime ^ to mark how Jpring 'The tended plants, how blows the citron-grove; What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed; How Nature paints her colours ; how the bee Sits on the bloom, extracting liquid Jweets *. How delightful is this fragrance ! It is diftributed in the meed proportion; neither fo ftrong, as to opprefs the organs ; nor fo faint, as to elude them. We are ibon cloyed at a fumptuous banquet ; but this pleafure never lofes its poignancy^ never palls the appetite. Here luxury itfelf is innocent ; or rather, in this cafe, indulgence is incapable of excefs. This balmy enter- tainment, not only regales tiicjfn/e, but f chears the very foul; and, inftead of clogging, elates its powers. It puts me in mind of that ever-memorable facrifice, which was once made in behalf of offending mortals. I mean ihe facrifice of the lie [fed JESUS, when he of- fered up himfelf to GOD, '* for a fwect-fmelling-fa- " vour." Suc]n the Holy Spirit ftyles that wonderful oblation ; as if no image, in the whole ienfible crea- tion, was fo proper to give us an idea of the ineffable f all's faction^ which the Father of mercies conceived from * Mi IT. Par. Loft, b. v. 1. 20. f Ointment and perfume rejoice thz J:;art, Prov. xxvii. 9. 168 R E f L E C T I N S on a from that unparalleled atonement, as the pleafing fen- fations, which fuch rich perfumes are capable of rai- fing. '* Thoufands of rams, and ten thoufands of " rivers of oil," from an apoflate world \ the moft fubmiffive acknowledgments, added to the moft coft- ly offerings, from men of defiled hands, and unclean lips ; what could they have effected : A prophet re- prefents the " high and lofty One, that inhabiteth *' eternity," turning himfelf away from fuch filthy rags ; turning himfelf away, with a difdainful abhor- rence *, as from the noifome ft earns of a dunghill. But in CHRIST'S immaculate holinefs, in CHRIST'S confummate obedience, in CHRIST'S moft precious blood-fhedding, with what unimaginable complacency does juftice reft fatisfied, and vengeance acquieice ! All thy works i O thou Surety for ruined finners I all t\xyfujferings y O thou flaughtered Lamb of GOD ! as well as all thy garments, O thou Bridegroom of thy church \fmell of myrrh, aloes, andcaffia f / They are infinitely more grateful to the eternal Godhead, than the choiceft exhalations of the garden, than all the odours of the fpicy eaft, can be to the human noftrils. As the altar of old fanctified the gift ; fo this is the great propitiation, which recommends the obnoxious perfons, and unprofitable fer vices of the believing world . In this may my foul be interefted ! By this may it be reconciled to the Father ! There is fuch a leprous depravity cleaving to my nature, as pollutes whatever I perform. My moft profound adorations, and fincereft acl:s of religion, muft not prefume to challenge a re- ward, but humbly implore forgivenefs J . Renouncing, therefore, * Amos v. 21. 22. -f Pfal. xlv. 9. ; A writer of dtltinguiflied fuperiority, thus addrefles the great Obferver of adlions, and Searcher ot" hearts ; and vindi- cates my fendments, while he fo juftly and beautifully utters his own : Look down, great GOD, with pity's fofteft eye, On a poor breathing particle in duft. His F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 169 therefore, myfelf in every inftance of duty, difclaim- ing all (hadow of confidence * in any deeds of my Own, may I now, and evermore, be accepted through the Beloved ! WHAT colours, what charming colours, are here! Thefe fd nobly bold; and thofe fo delicately languid. What a glow is enkindled in Tome ! what a glofs Ihines upon others ! In one, methiriks, I fee the ruby with her bleeding radience ; in andther, the fapphire with her fky-tinctured blue; in all fuch an exqdiiite richnefs of dyes, as no other fet of paintings in the univerfe can boaftf. With what a ni after \yjkill is every one of the varying tints difpofed ! Here they feem to be thrown on with an eafy dafh of fecilrity and freedom ; there they are adjufted by the niceft touches c>f art and accuracy* His crimes forgive ; forgive his virtues too, Thofe fmaller faults^ half-converts to the right. Night-Thoughts, N IX * See page 44. & 45. in the jfecond edition of a moft can- did and evangelical little treatife, called CHRISTIANITY the great ORNAMENT of human life;" If Chrittians 44 happily avoid the dangerous extreme, and too often fatal 44 rock, of a dead fruitlefs faith on the one hand, he p. e. 44 Satan]] wilt endeavour, by all kind of plaufible infmuations, 44 to fp'lit them on the oppofite, viz. fpiritual pride, oftenta- * 4 tion and dependence on their works, as if THESE were the *' meritorious or procuring caufe of all true peace, hope, con- 44 folatipn, and divine acceptance. Now, this/?// Dependence 44 may be ranked among the moft dangerous of the infernal po- 44 litics, becaufe the fatal poifon lyes deep, and too ofteu un " difc.erncd." f- H'ho can paint Like Nature ? Can imagination boajl^ Amid his gay creation, hues like ihtfe $ And can he mix them with that matchlefs fkill^ And lay them onfo delicately fine, dnd lofe them in each other, as appears In ev'ry bud that bio-jus? THOMS. Spring* . i. N 2; 1r j 70 REFLECTIONS on a accuracy. Thole which form the ground, are always fo judicioufly chofen, as to heighten the luftre of the fuperadded figures ; while the verdure of the im- palement, or the fhadings of the foliage, impart new liveliriefs to the whole. Indeed, whether they are blended or arranged, foftened or contrafted, they arc manifeftly under the conduct of a tafte that never rniftakes, a felicity that never falls (hort of, the very perfection of elegance. Fine, inimitably fine, is the texture of the web, on which thefe mining treafures arc difplayed. What are the labours of the Perfian looms, or the boafled commodities of Bru(Jels, com- pared with thefe curious manufactures of nature ? Com- pared with thefe, the moft acjmired chintzes lofe their reputation ; even fuperfine cambrics appear coarfe as canvas in their prefence. What a chearing argument does our Saviour derive from hence, to ftrengthen our affiance in GOD ! He directs us to learn a lefTon of heaven-depending faith, from every bird that wings the air, and from every flower that blofToms in the field. If Providence, with unremitted care, fupports thofe inferior creatures, and arrays thefe infenfible beings with fo much fplendor ; furely he will in nowife with- hold from his cleft chil- dren, *' bread to eat, and raiment to put on.'* Ye faithful followers of the Lamb, difmifs every low anxiety, relating to the needful jujlenance of life. He that feeds the ravens from an inexhauftable magazine ; he that paints the plants with fuch furpaffing elegance; in fhort, he that provides fo liberally, both for the a- nimal and vegetable parts of his creation ; will not, cannot, neglect his own people. Fear not, little flock, ye peculiar objects of almighty love ! // is your Father's goodpleajure to give you a kingdom *. And, if he free- ly gives you an evcrlafting kingdom hereafter, is it pol- fible to fuppofe, that he will deny you any neccflary conveniencies here ? ONE * Luke xii. 32. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 171 ONE cannot forbear reflecting, in this place, on the too-prevailing humour,, of being fond and oftentatious of drefs *. What abject and xniftaken ambition is this ! How unworthy the dignity of immortal, and the wifdom of rational beings ! Efpecially, iince thefe little productions of the earth have indiiputably the pre- eminence * Mr Addifon has a fine remark on a female warrior, cele- brated by Virgil. He obferves, that, with all her other great qualities, this little foible mingled itfelf; becauie, as the poet relates, an intemperate fondnefs for a rich and fplendid fuit of armour, betrayed her into ruin. In this cjrcumltance, our cricic difcovers a moral concealed ; this he admires, as a neat, though oblique fatire, on that trifling pallion. Spctf* vol. L N* 15. I would refer it to the judicious reader, whether there is not a beauty of the fame kind, but touched with a more ma- Iterly hand, in the long of Deborah. Speaking of Siftra's mother, the facred eucharUtic ode reprefents her as anticipa- ting, in her fond fancy, the victory of her fon; and indulging the following foliloquy : Have they notfped? have they not divided the prey ? to Sifera a prey of divers colours ; a prey / divers colours of needle-work ; of divers colours of needle- work on both Jides ; meet for the necks of them that take the fpoil? She takes no notice of the llgnal iervice, which her hero would do to his country, by quelling fo dangerous an infurrection. She never reflects on the prefent acclamations, the future advancement, and the eternal renown, which are the tribute ufually paid to a conqueror's merit. She can con- ceive, it feems, nothing greater, than to be clad in an em- broidered vetture; and to trail along the ground, a robe of the richeft dyes. This is, in her imagination, the mod lordly ipoil he can win ; the moft ftately trophy he can erect. It is alfo obfervable, how (he dwells upon the trivial circumftance, reiterating it again and again. It has fo charmed her ignoble heart, fo entirely engrofled her little views, that me can think of nothing el le, /peak of nothing elfe, and can hardly ever defifl from the darling topic, Is not this a keen, though deli- cately couchecflcenfure, on that poor contemptible, grovelling tafte, which is enamoured with filken finery, and makes the attributes of a butterfly the idol of its affections ? Y* How i. 7 2 REFLECTIONS on a eminence in fuch outward embellifhments. Qo, clothe thyfelf with purple, and fine linen ; trick thyfelf up in all the gay attire, which the fhuttle or the needle can furn^fh : yet know, to the mortification of thy vanity, that the native elegance of a common daify * eclipfes all this elaborate finery .-Nay, wert thou deck- ed like fome illuftrious princefs, on her coronation- day, in all the fplendor of royal apparel ; couldft thou equal even Solomon , in the height of his magnificenc and glory ; yet would the meaneft among the flowery populace outfhine thee. Every difcerning eye would give the preference tp thefe beauties of the f ground. r Scorn then to bqrrqw thy recommendations from a neat difpofition o.f threads, and a curious arrangement .of colours. Aflume a becoming greatnefs of temper. Let thy endowments be of the immortal kind. Study- to be alt -glorious -within. Be clothed with humility Wear the ornament of a meek and quiet fpirit J. To fay all in a word, Put on the LORD How confpicuous is the elevated and magnificent fpirit of that venerable mother in Jfrael^ when viewed in comparifon, with the low, the defpicable turn of this Canaa nnitljh lady .' . Such flrong and beautiful contrafts are, I think, fome of the moil ftriking excellencies of poetic painting : and in no book are they more frequently ufed, or expreffed with greater life, than in thefacred Volumes of infpiration. * Peaceful and lowly in their native foil, They neither know to fpin, nor care to toil ; Yet with confefs'd magnificence deride Our mean attire, and impotence of pride. PRIOR. j- Mr Co-wlcy, with his uiual brilliancy of imagination, ftyles them ftars of earth. : How beautifully does the prophet dffcribe the furniture of a renewed and heavenly mind, under the fimilitude of a rich and complete//uV of apparel ! I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my foul Jhall be joyful in my GOD ;for he hath clothed me "with the garments offalvation; he bath covered me -with the robe of right soufncfs, as a bridegroom decketh himfelftiiitb <irnamentS) and as a bride adorneth hcrfclf-with her jewels. If. Ui. 10. ' |] Rom. xiii. 14. F I O W E R-G A R D E N. 173 let his blood be fprinkled upon thy confcience, and it (hall be whiter than the virgin-fnows. Let his rights* ouj'nejs, like a ipotlefs robe, adorn thy inner man ; and thou {halt be a.miable, even in the moft diftin- guifhing eye of GOD. Let his blefTed Spirit dwell in thy heart; and, under his fanclifying operations, thou fhalt be made partaker of a divine nature. Thefe are real excellencies ; truly noble accomplim* ments thefe. In this manner be arrayed, be beauti- fied ; and thou wilt not find a rival in the feathers of a peacock, or the foliation of a tulip. Thefe will ex- alt thee far above the low pretenjions of lace and em. broidery . Thefe will prepare thee to ftand in the bea- tific prefence, and to take thy feat among the angels of light. WHAT an inchanting fituation is this ! One can fcarce be melancholy within the atmofphere of flowers, /Such lively hues, and delicious odours, not only ad- drcfs themfelves agreeably to the fenfes ; but touch, with a furprifing delicacy, the fweetefl movements of the - -To the heart infpiring Vernal * delight and joy. Ml LT . b. iv, How * " I would have my reader endeavour to MORALIZE this natural pleafure of the foul, and to improve this vernal delight, as Milton calls it, into a Chriftian virtue. When we find ourfelves inlpired with this pleaiing inftinft, this fecret fatisfaclion and complacency, ariiing from the beauties of the creation, let us confider, to whom we (land indebted for all thefe entertainnrrents of fenfe; and -who it is that thus opens his hand, and fills the world with good. Such an habitual difpolition of mind conj'ecrates every field and wood ; turns an ordinary "walk into a morning and evening facrifice ; and will improve thofe tranfient gleams, which naturally brighten up and refrefh the foul on fuch occafions. into an inviolable and perpetual ftate of blifs and happi- nefs.", ,S><rA vol. V. N 394. 174 REFLECTION Son a How often have I felt them diflipate the gloom of thought, and transfufe a fudden gaiety through the de- jected fpirit ! 1 cannot wonder, that kings deicend from their thrones, to walk amidft blooming ivory and gold ; or retire from the mod lumptuous feaft, to be recreated with the more refined fweets of the garden. I cannot wonder, that queens forego, for a while, the compliments of a nation, to receive the tribute of the parterre ; or withdraw from all the glitter of a court , to be attended with the more fplendid equipage of a bed of flowers, But if this be fo pleafing, what tranf- porting pleafure mutt arife from the fruition of un~ created excellency ! O ! what unknown delight, to enter into thy immediate prefence, moft blelfed LORD GOD ! to iee thee *, thou King of heaven, and Lo R D of glory, no longer " through a glafs darkly, but face " to face !" to have all thy goodnefs, all thy great- nels, mine before us ; and be made glad for ever with the brighteft difcovery of thy perfections, with the ineffable joy of thy countenance. This we cannot bear, in our prefent imperfect ftate. The effulgence of unveiled divinity would dazzle a mortal fight. Our feeble faculties would be overwhelm- ed with iiich a fulnefs of fuperabundant blifs j and muft lye opprejfed under fuch an exceeding great, eter- nal weight of glory. But, when this corruptible hath put on incorruption, the powers of the foul will be greatly invigorated ; and thefe earthly tabernacles will be *' Ifaiah reprefents the felicity of the righteous, in the ever- lading world, by this elegant and amiable image; Thine eyes fhall fee the King in his beauty. Milton touches the lamefub- jecl, with wonderful elevation and majelty of thought : -They -walk -with GOD, High infalvation, and the climes of blifs, Words, which, like the fiery car, almoft tranfport our affec- tions to thole glorious abodes. If* xxxiii. 17. MILT. b. XI, 1. 707, F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 175 be transformed into the likenefs of CHRIST'S glorious body. Then, though " the moon (hall be confound- " ed, and the fun amamed *," when the LORD of hofts is revealed from heaven ; yet (hall his faithful people be enabled to fee him as he is (*. Here then, my wifties, here be fixed. Be this your determined and invariable aim. Here, my affe&ions, here give a loofe to your whole ardour. Cry out, in the language of infpiration, This one thing have I de- fired of the LORD, which, with inceflant earneftnefs, / uuill require; that I may dwell in the celeftial haufe of the LORD, all the days of my future life; to behold the fair beauty of the LORD J, and to contemplt e, withwonder and adoration with unfpeakable and ever- lafting rapture all the attributes of the incompre- henfible Godhead. SOLOMON, a mod penetrating judge of human- nature, knowing how highly mankind is charmed with the fine qualities of flowers, has figured out the bleffed JESUS, that " faireft among ten thoufand," by thefe lovely reprefentatives. Heftyles him (| therofc of Sha- ron, and the lily of the valleys 4- ; like the firft, full of delights, * If. xxiv. 23. -j- i John iii. 2. \ Pf.il. xxvii. 4. || Cant. ii. r. Mai us ut arbor ibus decor i eft, ut vitibus uv/e f Utque rof<e campts, ut lllia vallibtts alba, Sic CHRIST us decus omncfuis. 4- By the lily of the valleys, I apprehend, is meant, not the flower which commonly palTes under that denomination, and is comparatively mean ; but the grand, majeftic, garden-- lily, growing in a rich irriguous foil, where it flourifhes in the mod ample manner, and arrives at thehigheft perfection. The circumttance of the valleys, added by the facred writer, is fig- nificant not of thefpecies, but of the place. This is by far the nobleft interpretation, and mod exactly fuitable to the fpiritual fenfe ; which intimates, that the bleiFed JESUS delights to dwell, by the communications of his Spirit, in humble hearts, cnpcyn rw t w lillum vallibtts gaudens. 176 REFLECTIONS on a delights, and communicable graces ; like the laft, ex- alted in majelty, and complete in beauty. In that fa- cred paftoral, he ranges the creation ; borrows its moft finimed forms ; and dips his pencil in its choiceft dyes, to prefent us with a fketch of the amiablenefs of his perfon : his amiablenefs, who is the light of the world ; the glory of his church ; the only hope, the fovereign confolation of finners ; and exalted, infinitely exalted, not only above the fublimefl comparifon, but even " above all bleffingandpraife." -May I alfo make the fame heavenly ufeof all fublunary enjoyments ! What- ever is pleafurable or charming below^ let it raife my defire to thofe delectable objects^ which are above; which will yield, not partial, but perfect felicity ; not tranfientj but never-ending^ iatisfaction and joy. Yes, my foul, let thefe beauties in miniature always remind thee of that glorious perfon, in whom " dwells all the " fulnefs of the Godhead bodily." Let thefe little e- manations teach thee to thirft after the eternal foun- tain. O ! may the creatures be thy conftant clue to the Creator ! For this is a certain truth, and deferves thy frequent recollection, demands thy moft attentive confideration ; that the whole compafs of finite per- fection, is only a faint ray *, (hot from that immenfe fource ; is only a fmall drop, derived from that in- exhauftable ocean of all good. WHAT a fhrprifing variety is obfervable among the flowery tribes ! How has the bountiful hand of Pro- vidence diversified thefe niceft pieces of his workman- fhip ! added the charms of an endlefs novelty, to all their other perfections 1 A conftant uniformity would foon * Thou fitt'd above all heav'ns, To us invifible, or dimly fee n In thefe thy lowelt works; yet thefe declare Thy goodnefs beyond thought, and pow'r divine. MIL T. book V- FLOWER-GARDEN. 177 foon render the entertainment tirefome, or infipid ; therefore every ipecies is formed on a feparate plan, and exhibits fomething entirely new. The famion fpreads not from family to family ; but every one has a mode of its own, which is truly original. The moft curfory glance perceives an apparent difference, as well as a peculiar delicacy, in the airs, and habits, the at- titude and lineaments, of every diftincl clais. Some rear their heads with a majeftic mien, and overlook, \ikefvvereigns or nobles, \ko, whole parterre. Others feem more moderate in their aims, and ad- vance only to the middle ftations ; a genius turned for heraldry might term them the gentry of the border. While others, free from all afpiring views, creep un- ambitiouily on the ground, and look like the common* 'alty of the kind. Some are interfered with elegant Jlripes, or ftudded with radiant Jpots. Some affeci to be genteelly powdered, or neatly fringed; while others are plain in their afpect, unaffected in their drefs, and content to pleafe with a nakedy7;w/7//V//y. Some affume the monarch's purple; fome look moft becoming in the virgin's white; but black, doleful black, has no ad- mittance into the wardrobe of fpring. The weeds of mourning. would be a manifeft indecorum, when na- ture holds an univerfal feftival. She would now in- fpire none but delightful ideas, and therefore always makes her appearance in fome * amiable fuit Here Jlands a warrior, clad with crimfon ; therey/TV a ma- giftrate, robed in fcarlet ; and yonder ft ruts a pretty fellow, that feems to have dipped his plumes in the rainbow, and glitters in all the gay colours of that re- fplendent arch. Some rife into a curious cup, or fall into a fet of beautiful bells. Some fpread themfelves in a fwelling tuft^ or croud into a delicious clufler. In fome, the predominant ftain foftens by the gentlefl diminutions, till it has even ftole away from itfelf. The eye * Nunc formoft'limus annus. VIRG. VOL. I. N 2, Z 1 78 REFLECTION Son a eye is amufed at the agreeable delufion ; and we won- der to find ourfelvcs infenfibly decoyed into a quite different luftre. In others, you would think, the fine tinges were emulous of pre-eminence. Difdaining to- mingle, they confront one another with the refolution of rivals, determined to difpute the prize of beauty ; while each is improved, by the oppofition, into the higheft vivacity of complexion. How manifold are thy werks *, O LORD ! Multiplied even'to a prodigy. Yet in. ivifdom, confummate wif- dom, hajt thou made them all. -How I admire the vaft- nejs of the contrivance, and the exd&nefs of the exe- cution ! Man, feeble man, with difficulty accomplifli- es a (ingle work* Hardly, and after many efforts^ does he arrive at a tolerable imitation of fome one production of nature. But the almighty Artift fpoke millions of fubftances into inftantaheous being ; the whole collection wonderfully various, and each indi- .vidual completely perfecl Repeated experiments ge- nerally, I might fay always, discover errors or defefts in our happiefl inventions.. Nay, what wins our ap- probation, at the prefent hour, or in this particular place, is very probably, in fome remote period, or fome diftant clime, treated with contempt. Whereas, thej'e fine ftrudures have pleafed every tafte, in every country, for alrnoft fix thoufand years. Nor has any | fault been detected in the original plan, nor any room left for the leaft improvement upon the firft model. All our performances, the more minutely they are fcanned T the more imperfect they appear. With regard to thefe delicate objects, the more we fearch into their properties, the more we are raviflied with their gra- ces. They are fure to difclofe frem (Irokes of the mod mafterly * Pfal. civ. 24. j- Ecclef. Hi. 14. 1 know, that i^hatfoever GOD doth, it fl/all be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing from it. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 179 mafterly {kill, in proportion to the attention with which they are examined. Nor is the Simplicity of the operation lefs aftonifhing, than the accuracy of the workman fliip, or the infini- tude of the etfecls. Should you a&, " Where, and 44 what are the materials which beautify the blooming " world ? What rich tints, what fplendid dyes, what xt (lores of mining crayons, Hand by the heavenly 44 Limner, when he paints the robe of nature ?" ' Tis aniwered, His powerful pencil needs no fiich coftly apparatus. A iingle principle, under his conducting .hand, branches out into an immenlity of the molt varied, and molt finimed forms. The moifture of the earth, and of the circumambient air, pafled thro* proper ftrainers, and diipoied in a range of pellucid tubes ; this performs all the wonders, and produces all the beauties, of vegetation. This creeps along the fibres of the low-fpread mois, and climbs to the very tops of the lofty- waving cedars. This, attracted by the root, .and circulating thro' invifible canals ; this buriis into gems, expands itielf into leaves, and clothes the foreft with all its verdant honours. This one *, plain and Jimple^ caufe, gives birth to all the charms, which deck the youth and maturity of the year. This blujhes in the early hepatica, and flames in the late-advancing poppy. This reddens into blood in the veins of the mulberry ; and attenuates itfelf into leafen gold, to create a covering for the quince. This breathes in all the fragrant gales of our garden, and weeps odorous gum in the groves of Arabia. So | wonderful is our Creator in counfel^ and fo excellent in working ! Z 2 IN * " When every feveral effe& has a particular feparate *' caufe, this gives no pleafure to the ipecliator, as not difco- *' vering contrivance. But that work is beheld with admira- " tion and delight, as the refult of deep counfel, which is ** complicated in its parts, and yet Jimple in its operations ; 4< where a great variety of effects are ieen to arife from one " principle operating uniformly." ABERNETHY on the -j* II. xxviii, 29. l8o REFLECTIONS on a IN a grove of tulips, or a knot of pinks, one per- ceives a difference in almoft every individual. Scarce any two are turned and tinctured exactly alike. Each allows himfelf a little particularity in his drejs, tho* all belong to one family : ib that they are various, a,nd yet the fame. A pretty emblem this of the Jmallcr differences between Proteflant Chriflians. There are modes in religion, which admit of variation, without prejudice to found faith, or real holineis. Juft as the drapery on thefe pictures of the fpring, may be formed after a variety of patterns, without blemifhing their beauty, or altering their nature. Be it fo then, that, in fome points of inconfiderable confequence, feveral of our brethren difTent : yet let us all live a- micably and fociably together ; for we harmonize in principals ) tho' we yary in puntfilios. Let us join in converfation, and intermingle intereils ; difcover no eflrangement of behaviour, and cherifli no alienation of affection. If any ftrife fubfifls, let it be to follow our divine Mailer mod clofely, in humility of heart, and unblameablenefs of life. Let it be to ferve one another moft readily, in all the kind offices of a cor- dial friendship- Thus (hall be united^ though dijiin- guijlied; united in the fame grand fundamentals, tho* diitinguifhed by fome {mail circumflantials ; united in one important bond of brotherly love, though diflin- guiihed by fome (lighter peculiarities of fentiment. Between Chriflians, whofe judgments difagree only about a form of prayer, pr manner of worfhip, I ap- prehend, there is no more ejfential difference, than between flowers which bloom from the fame kind of feed, but happen to be fomewhat diveriified in the mix- ture of their colours Whereas, if one denies the di- vinity of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and degrades the incarnate GOD to the meannefs of a mere creature ; if another cries up the worthinefs of human works, and depredates the alone-meritorious r ighteoufnefs of the F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 181 the glorious Mediator ; if a third acldrefTes the incom- municable honours to a finite being, and bows to the image, or prays to the faint ; thefe are errors, ex- tremely derogatory to the RED t EMER'S dignity, and not a little prejudicial to the comfort of his people A" gainft thefe to remondrate j againft thefe to urge every argument, and ufe every dilfuafwe ; befpeaks not the cenforious bigot, but the friend of truth, and the lo- ver of mankind. -"-Whereas, to iland neuter arid fiient, while fuch principles are propagated, would be an in- ftance of criminal remhTnefs, rather than of Chriflian moderation. Forthe perfons^we will not fail to main- tain a tender companion ; we will not ceafe to put up earnefl interceilions ; we will alfo acknowledg a> d love whatever is excellent and amiable in their charac- ter : Yet we dare not fubfcribe their creed; we cannot remit our alliduous, but kind endeavours, if by any means we may reconcile them to a more Jcriptural belief, and a purer worfhip *. ANOT H ERcircumftance, recommendingand endear-* ing the flowery creation, is their regular Jucceffion. They make not their appearance all at once, but in an orderly rotation. While a proper number of thefe ob- liging retainers are in-waiting, the others abfcond ; but hold themfelves in a pofture of fervice, ready to take their turn, and fill each his refpeclive ftation, the inflant * In fome former editions, I expreiTed myfelf, on this point, unwarily and harjhly. But my meaning, and real fentiments, were no other than thole represented above. The reader, from fuch unguarded intimations, might too naturally be led to conclude, that the author avows, and would ttir up. a Spirit of perfecution, But this is a method of dealing with opponents in religious doclrines, which he disclaims, as abfurd ; and ab- hors, as iniquitous. He is for no force, bur that ot rational conviction ; for no constraint, but that of affectionate perfua- fion. IhitS) if you pleafe, compel them to come in, Luke xiv. REFLECTIONS on a inflant it becomes vacant. Thcfnoivdrop^foremofk of the lovely train, breaks her way through the frozen foil, in order to prefent her early compliments to her lord. Drefled in the robe of innocency, (he iteps forth, fearlefs o f danger ; long before the trees have ventured to unfold their leaves, even while the icicles are pen- dent on our houfes. Next, peeps out the crocus, but cautioufly, and with an air of timidity. She hears the howling blafts, and fkulks clofe to her low fituation. Afraid me feems to make large excurfions from her root, while fo many ruffian winds are abroad, and fcouringalong the asther. Nor is the violet laft, in this mining embaffy of the year ; which, with all the em- bellifhments that would grace a royal garden, conde- fcends to line our hedges, and grow at the feet of briers. Freely, and without any felicitation, me dif- tributes the bounty of her emiflive fweets : while her- ielf, with an exemplary humility, retires from fight ; feeking rather to adminifter pleaiure, than to win ad- miration *. Emblem, expreilive emblem, of thofe modcft virtues, which delight to bloom in obfcurity j which extend a chearing influence to multitudes, who are fcarce acquainted with the fource of their com forts ! Motive,engagingmotive,tothat<?i><?r-fl#/i;<? beneficence, which ftays not for the importunity of the diftrefTed, but anticipates their fuit, and prevents them with the bleffings of its goodnefs ! The poor polyanthus, that lately adorned the border with her fparkling beauties, and, tranfplanted into our windows, gave us a frefh entertainment, is now no more. I faw her complexion fade ; I perceived her breath decay ; till at length (he expired, and dropt into her grave.rScarce have we iuf- tained this lofs, but in comes the auricula, and more than retrieves it. Arrayed fhe comes, in a fplendid va- riety of amiable forms ; with an eye of cryftal, and garments of the mod glofTy fatin ; exhaling perfume, an4 " * Prvdcfle quart con/piei. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 183 and powdered with filver. A very diftinguifhed pro- ceflion this ! The favourite care of the florifl ! Scarce one among them, but is dignified with a character of renown, or has the honour to reprefent fome celebra- ted toaft. But thefe alfo, notwithftanding their illuf- trious titles, have exhaufted their whole flock of fra- grance, and are mingled with the meaneft dufl. Who could forbear grieving at their departure, did not the tulips begin to raife themfelves on their fine wands, or flately (lalks ? They flufh the parterre with one of the gayeft drefTes that blooming nature wears. Did ever beau or belle make fo gaudy an ap- pearance, in a birth-night fuit ? Here one may behold the innocent vvantonnefs of beauty. Here fhe indul- ges a thoufand freaks, and fports herfelf in the moft charming diverfity of colours. Yet I mould wrong her, were I to call her a coquet; becaufe fhe plays her lovely changes, not to enkindle difTolute affections, but to difplay her Creator's glory . Soon arifes the ane- mone ; encircled at the bottom with a fpreading robe, and rounded at the top into a beatiful dome. In its loofely- flowing mantle, you may obferve a noble ne- gligence ; in its gently-bending tufts, the niceft iym- metry. 1 would term it \\\efine gentleman of the gar- den ; becaufe it feems to have learned the fingular ad- drefs of uniting fimplicity with refinement, of recon- ciling art and cafe. The fame month has the merit of pfoducing the ranunculus . All bold and graceful, it expands the riches of its foliage ;. and acquires, by degrees, the lovelieft enamel in the world. As per- fons of intrinfic worth difdain the fuperficial arts of recommendation, pra&ifed by fops ; fo this lordly fiowerfcornsto borrow any of its excellence from pow- ders and efTences. It needs no fuch attractives, to ren- der it the darling of the curious ; being fufficiently en- gaging from the elegance of its figure, the radiant va- yiety of its tinges, and a certain fuperior dignitv o c afpecl. Metbinks nature improves in her operations. Her 184 REFLECTIONS cm a Her lateft ftrokes are moft mafterly. To crown the collection > (he introduces the carnation; which capti- vates every eye, with a noble fpread of graces ; and charms another fenfe, with a profufion of exquifite o- dours. Th;s fingle flower has centered in itlelf, the perfections of all the preceding The moment it ap- pears, it fo commands our attention, that we fcarce re- gret the abfence of the reft. The gillyflower, like a real friend, attends you through all the vicilfitudes and alterations of the feafon. While others make a tranfient vifit only, this is rather an inhabitant, than a gueft in your gardens ; adds fidelity to complaifance. It is in vain to attempt a catalogue of thefe amiable gifts. There is an endlefs multiplicity in their charac- ters, yet an invariable order in their approaches. E- very month, aimed every week, has its peculiar or- naments ; not fervilely copying the works of its prc~ decefTor, but forming, ftill forming, and ftill execu- ting fome new defign. So lavifh is the fancy, yet fo exact the procefs, of nature ! Here let meftandawhile, to contemplate this diftri- bution of flowers, through the feveral periods of the year. Were they all to blofTom together, there would be at once a promifcuous throng, and at once a total privation. We mould fcarce have an opportunity of adverting to the dainty qualities of half; and muffc foon lofe the agreeable company of them all. But now iince every fpecies has a feparate poft to occupy, and a diftindt interval for appearing, we can take aleilurely and minute furvey of each fucceeding fet. We can view and review their forms ; enter into a more inti- mate acquaintance with their charming accomplim* ments ; and receive all thofe pleadng fervices, which they are.commiflionedto yield. This remarkable piece of oeconomy, is productive of another very valuable effect. It not only places in the moft advantageous light, every particular community ; but is alfo a fure provifionary relburce againft the frailty of the whole nation. f L O W E R-G A R t> E N. nation. Or, to fpeak more truly, it renders the flow- ery tribes a fort of * immortal corps* For though fome are continually dropping ; yet, by this expedi- ent, others are as continually rifingj to beautify our borders, and prolong the entertainment. Wtt AT goodnefs is this, to provide fuch a feries of* gratifications for mankind ! both to diverfify, and per- petuate the fine collation ! to take care, that our paths fhould be, in a manner, inceflantly ftrewed with flow- ers ! And what ivifdom, to bid every one of thefet infenfible beings know the precife juncture for their coming forth ! inibmuch that no actor on a ftage cart be more exact in performing his part ; can make t more regular entry, or a more punctual exit. WHO emboldens the daffodil to venture abroad in February, and to truft her flowering gold with incle- ment and treacherous fkies ? Who informs the various tribes of fruit-bearing blo/foms, that vernal funs, and a more genial warmth, are fitteft for their delicate tex- ture ? Who teaches the clove to ftay, till hotter beams are prepared, to infufe a fpicy richnefs into her odours^ and tincture her complexion with the deepen: crim- fon ? Who difpofes thefe beautiful troops into fuch orderly bodies, retarding fome, and accelerating others ? Who has inftructed them to file off, with fuch perfect regularity, as foon as the duty of their refpective fla- tion is over? And, when one detachment retires, who gives the fignal for another immediately to advance f Who, but that unerring Providence, which, from the higheft thrones of angels, to the very lowelt degrees of * In allufion to the celebrated practice of the Per/Ian kings? " who maintained, for their lifeguard, a body of troops, call- 44 ed Immortal ; becaufe it perpetually fubfifted ; for as footl " as any of the men died, another was immediately put into " his place." ROLLIN'S ancient hiftory y vol. IL VOL. I. N 9 2. A a i86 R E F L E C T I O N S on a of exiftence, orders all things in " number, weight, 4i and meafure 1" Thefe, O my foul, are the regulations of that mod adorable, that moil beneficent Being, who bowed the heavens ; came down to dwell on earth ; and united the frailty of thy mortal nature, to all the glories of his Godhead. All the honour of this admirable efta- blifhment belongs to thy Ranfom, thy Surety, thy Sa- viour. To HIM it belongs, who iuftained the ven- geance, which thou hadft deierved, and waft doomed to iuffer ; who fulfilled the obedience, which thou waft ob- liged, but unable to perform ; and who humbled him- felf (ftupendous, ineffable loving-kindnefs !) humbled himfelf to death, even the death of the crofs. HG formed this vaft machine, and adjufted its nice depen- dencies. The pillars that fupport it, the embellifh- ments that adorn it, and the laws that govern it, are the refult of his unfearchable counfels. O ! the heights of his majefty, and the depths of his abatement ! Which (hall we admire moft, his eflential greatnefs, or his free grace? He created the exalted feraph, that fings in glory ; and every the minuteft infect, that flutters in air, or crawls in duft. He marks out a path for ail thofe globes of light, which travel the circuit of the fkies ;, and difdains not to rear the violet from its lowly bed, or to plait the daify which dreffes our plains. So grand are his operations ; yet fo conde- fc nding his regards 1 If fummer, like a fparkling bride, is brilliant and glorious in her apparel ; what is this, but a feeble reflection of his uncreated effulgence? If autumn, like a munificent hoft, opens her ftores, and gives us all things richly to enjoy; what is this but a little tafte of his inexhauftible liberality ? If thunders roar, you hear the found of his trumpet ; if light- nings glare, you fee the launching of his glittering fpear : if " the perpetual hills be fcattered, and the ** evcrlafting mountains bowed/' you behold a dif- y^ -no, fays the prophet, you have rather the hi- ding F L O \V E R-G A R D E N. 187 ding of his power J. So immenfe is his power, fo un- controllable and inconceivable, that all theie mighty works are but ^Jketch^ in which more is concealed than difcovered. Thus, I think, we mould always view the vifible fyftem, with an evangelical tehjcope, (if I may be al- lowed the expreflion,) and with an evangelical micro- fcope; regarding CHRIST JESUS as the great projec- tor and architect ; who plapned and executed, the amazing ^ Hab. iii. 4. Nothing can be more magnificently concei- ved, than the imagery of this whole chapter; and, upon the foot of our interpretation, nothing was ever more delicately and nobly turned, than the fentimcnt of this claufe. Other ienfes of the pailage, I acknowledge, may be affigned with equal propriety. But none, 1 think, can be imagined fo ma- jejtic znd/ublime. As the original will fairly admit of it ; as it carries no difagreement with the context ; and exprefles a moll important, as well as undoubted truth ; I hope, I may be permitted to ufe it, at leaft by way of accommodation. Efpecially, as it fuggefh one of the finefl mottoes imaginable, wherewith to infcribe all the vifible productions of the Crea- tor's hand. When Oruck with aftonilhment, we confider their grandeur, beauty, and confummate perfections ; let us, in juftice to their author, apply the exalted reflection of this facred ode: " In all thefe is the hiding, rather than an acle- 44 quate difplay, of his mat chiefs power. Tho* they challenge u our praite, and furpafsourcomprehenlion; yet are they by no -" means the utmoii exertions, but rather ibrne (lighter edays^ " of omnipotent (kill." Milton, relating the overthrow of the fallen angels, introduces a grand circumfhnce, not much unlike the preceding. Mejfiab, unaided and alone, had routed an innumerable ho(t of apodate fpirits. This was great and marvellous. But to create a jufter idea of the illuftrious Con* queror, our poet beautifully adds, Yet half his ftrciigtb he put not forth. If we forget to make the fame remark, when we contemplate GOD in his works; we mutt necefTarily form very fcanty con- ceptions of that SUPREME BEING, before whom all nations are as a " drop of a bucket, and are counted as the fmall duft balance." A J2 i88 R E F L E C T I O N S on a amazing fcheme. Whatever is magnificent orvaluable, tremendous or amiable, mould ever bq afcribed to the Redeemer. This is the Chriftian's natural philo/ophy. "With regard to this method of considering the things that are feen, we have an infpired apoftle for our pre- ceptor and precedent. Speaking of C H RI s T, he fays, " Thou, LORD, in the beginning, haft laid the " foundation of the earth ; and the heavens are the " work of thy hands." Did we carefully attend to this leading principle, in all our examinations of na- ture ; it would, doubtlefs, be a moft powerful means of enkindling our love, and * ftrengthcning our faith. "When I look round upon millions of no.blc fubftances, and * The apoftles, I obferve, delight to ufe this method of dif- playing the honours of the Redeemer, and eftablilhing the/4// of his people. The beloved difciple, teaching that moft pre- cious doctrine, " of a Lamb flain to take away the fins of the " world;" in order to evince the fufficiency of CHRIST'S facri- fice for this blefled purpofe, affirms, that all things "were made by him ; and 'without him -was not any thing, no, not fo much as one fingle being, made, John i. 3. St Paul, preaching the fame glad tidings to the Colojfians, and expreffly maintaining, that sve have redemption through his blood, feems to fore fee an objection of this kind. " To expiate tranfgreilions againft ** an infinite Majefty, is a moft prodigious act. It muft coft " vaftly more than any common furety can pay, to redeem a * 4 fniful world. What reafon have we to believe, that JESUS ' is equal to this mighty undertaking?" All podible reafon, replies the apoftle, from the dignity of his perfon, for he is the image of the invifible GOD; and from the greatnefs of his works, for by him all things 'were made. Confider the opera- tions of his hands, and you cannot doubt the atoning efficacy of his death, Co/, i. 15. 16. The author of the epHUe to the Hebrews, falls exactly into the fame train of arguing. Decla- ring, that CHI ST JESUS has purged our fins by the facrifice of himfelf, he proves his ample ability for this tremendous office, from his efTential excellence, becaufe he is the bright- nefs of his Father's glory ; and from his admirable works, be- he made the -worlds, and u^holdeth all things by the -word F L O W E R-G A R D E NL 189 and carry with me this transporting reflection, " The <c Maker of them all expired on a crofs for me ;" how can I remain any longer indifferent ? Muft not the coldefl heart begin to glow with gratitude ?-*- When I furvey an immenfity of the fined productions imagi- nable, and remember, that the Author of them all is u my righteoufnefs and my redemption;" how can I ehufe but repofe the moil chearjul confidence in fuch a Mediator ? LET me add one more remark^ upon the admirable adjuftment of every particular relating to thefe fine co- lonies planted in the parterre. Withiuch accuracy and correclnefs is their ftrueture finiflied, that any the leaft conceivable alteration would very much impair their perfection . Should you fee, for inftance, the nice dif- pofition of the tulip's attire fly abroad, diforderly and irregular, like the flaunting woodbine; mould the jef- famine rear her diminutive head> on thofe grand co- lumns which fupport the hollihock ; fhould the erect and manly afpedt of thepiony hang down with a pen- five air, like the flexile bells of the hyacinth; (hould that noble plainnefs which diftinguiflies the ///y, be ex- changed for the glittering fringes which edge the pink^ or the gaudy (tains which bedrop the iris; fhould thofe tapering pillars which arife in the middle of its vafe, and, tipt with golden pendants, give fuch a luftre to the furrounding pannels of alabafter, {hould thofe fink and difappear, like the chives which cover the heart of the anemone : in many of thefe cafes, would notthetranfpofition be fantaftical and awkward . ? in all, to the apparent prejudice of every individual ? Again, of his power, Heb. i. 2, 3.- Which truth, as it is fo impor- tant in itfelf, of fuch fignal comfort to Chriftians, and fo par- ticularly infifted on by the infpired writers, I hope, I fhall need no apology for an attempt to illuftrate and enforce it, in a kind of evangelical Dffcant upon creation, annexed to thefe re REFLECTIONS on a Again, with regard to the time of their appearing, this circumftance is fettled, by a remarkable forefignt and precaution. What would become of the Jailor, if, in very ftormy weather, he mould raife a lofty maft, and croud it with all his canvas ? Such would be the ill effect, if the moft (lately fpecies of flowers mould prefume to come abroad, in the bluftering months. Ah ! how would they rue the imprudent boldnefs ! Therefore thofe only that (hoot the fhorteft ftems, and difplay the fmalleft fpread of leaves, or (if you pleafe) carry the leaft fail, are launched amidft the blowing ieafons. How injudicioufly would the perfumer aft, if he (hould unfeal his fined efTences, and expofe them to the northern winds, or wintry rains ! Our blooming artifts of the aromatic profeffion, at leaft the moft de- licate among them, feem perfectly aware of the confe- quences of fuch a procedure. Accordingly they poft- pone the opening of their odoriferous treafures, till a ferener air, and more * unclouded fkies grant, a pro- tection to their amiable traffic ; till they are under no more * Cafimir, in a very poetical manner, addrefles himfelf to the dormant rofe, and moft prettily invites her to venture a- broad, by the mention of thefe two circumftances : Siderum facros itnifata vultus, >uid lates dudum, Rof* ? Ddicatum Efffr e terns caput, tepcntis Filia cceli. Jam t'tb't nubes fuglunt aquofae, uas fugant albis Zephyri quadngis ; Jam tibl mulcet Boream jocantis Aura Favoni. Child of the fummer, charming Rofe, No longer in confinement lye ; ' Arife to light ; thy form difclofe ; Rival the fpangles of the iky. The rains are gone j the ftorms are o'er ; Winter retires to make thee way: Come FLOWER-GARDEN. 191 more apprchenfions of having their fpicy cells rifled by rude blafts, or drowned in inceflant (bowers. What a ftriking argument is here for rejignation ; un- feigned refignation, to all the difpofals of Providence I Too often are our diflatisfied thoughts apt to find fault with divine difpenfations. We tacitly arraign our Maker's conduct, or queftion his kindnefs with regard to ourfelves. We fancy our lot not fo commodioufly fituated, or our condition not fo happily circumflan- ced, as if we had been placed in fome other ftation of life. But let us behold this exquifitely nice regula- tion of the minuteft plants, and be afiiamed of our repining folly. Could any fibre in their compofition be altered, or one line in their features be tranfpofed, without clouding fome of their beauties ? Could any fold in their veftments be varied, or any link in their orderly fucceflion be broken, without injuring fome delicate property \ And does not that all-feeing eye, which preferves fo exa& a harmony among thefe pretty toys^ maintain as watchful a care over his ra- tional creatures f Does he chufe the propereft feafon for the cowflip to arife, and drink the dews ? And can he neglect the concerns, or misjudge the conve- niences, of his fons and daughters ? He, who has fo completely difpofed whatever pertains to the vegeta- ble (economy, that the leaft diminution or addition would certainly hurt the finifhed ftheme, does, with- out all peradventure, prelide, with equal attention, over the interefts of his own peopie. Be dill, then, thou uneafy mortal * ; know, that GOD is unerringly wife ; and be aflured, that, amidft the Come then, thou fweetly-blufhing flow'r ; Come, lovely ftranger, come away. The/n is drefe'd in beam'mgjhiilcsj To give thy beauties to the day : Young zephyrs wait, with gentled gales, To fan thy bofom, as they play. * Permlttas ipfis expendere numinibus, quid Convsniat nobis t rebufque Jit utUe noftris, Nam 19* REFLECTIONS on a the greateft multiplicity of beings, he does not over- look thee. Thy Saviour has given me authority to al~ fert, that thou art of far fuperior value, in the efti- jhate of Omnipotence, than all the herbage of the field. If his facred will ordains ficknejs for thy portion, never dare to imagine, that uninterrupted health would be more advantageous. If he pleafesto with-hold, or takeaway, children; never prefunieto conclude, that thy happinefs is blafted, becaufe thy hopes of an in- creafing family are difappointed. He, that marfhals all the ftarry hoft, and fo accurately arranges every the meaneft fpecies of herbs ; HE orders all the peculiari- ties, all the changes of thy ftate, with a vigilance that nothing can elude, with a goodnefs that endureth for ever. Bow thy head, therefore, in humble acquiei- cence. Reft fatisfied, that -whatever is by the appoint- ment of heaven *, is right, is beft. AM o N Q < Nam pro juctmdis aptifllma qtt<cque dabunt dii : Carior eft illis homo, quamjibi. Juv. Since all the downward traces of time GOD'S watchful eye fur'veys ; O ! who fo wife to chufe our lot, And regulate our ways ? Since none can doubt his equal love, Unmeafurably kind ; Xo his unerring, gracious will, Be ev'ry wilh retign'd. Good when he gives, fupremely good } Nor lefs, when he denies j Ev'n croffes, from his fov'reign hand, Are bleflings in difguife. * Whatever is, is right.-^-lf Mr Pope underftands the max* im according to Delimitation fuggeUed above, he fpeaks a molt undeniable and glorious truth. But if that great poet includes whatever comes to pafs, through the wild and extravagant paf- lions of men ; furely no thinking perfon, at leaftno Chriftian, can accede to his opinion. What GOD orders, is wife, be- yond all poflibility of correction j and^oo*/, above all that we can F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 193 AMONG all the productions of the third creating-dayj this of flowers feems to be peculiarly defigned for man. Man has the monopoly of this favour j it is conferred on him by a fort of exclufive charter. See the impe* rial crown, fplendid and beautifully grand 1 See the tuberofc) delicate and languifhing fair ! See all the pomp and glory of the parterre, where paint and per- fume do wonders. Yet the inferior animals are nei- ther fmit with their beauties, nor regaled with their odours. The horfe never ftands ftill to gaze upon their charms ; nor does the ox turn afide to browfe upon their fweets. Senfes they have to difcern thefe curious objects in the grofs, but no tafte to diftinguifli or relifli their fine accomplishments.- Jufl fo, carnal and unenlightened men may underftand the literal meaning of fcripture, may comprehend the evidences of its divine infpiration ; yet have no relifli of the heavenly truths it teaches, no ardent longing for the fpiritual bleffings it offers ; fee " no form or come- linefs" in the Saviour it defcribes, fo as to render him. ihejupreme defire of their fouls. The chief end of thefe beautiful appearances, philo- fophers can afk or think. His decrees are the refult of infinite dif- cernment; and hisdifpenfations the iffues of unbounded bene- volence. But man, fallen man, is hurried away, by his lufts, into a thoufand irregularities ; which are deplorably evil in them/elves, and attended with confequences manifeftly pernici- ous to fociety. Let the fentiment, therefore, be reflrained to the difpolals of heaven, and I moft readily fubfcribe it. But, if it be extended to the conducl of men, and the effefts of their folly ; I think myfelf obliged to enter my protelt again (I it. For whatever kindles the divine indignation, is caufe of final ruin to the author, is ftriclly forbidden by GOD'S holy word, >is contrary to the whole defign of his revealed will, and the very reverfe of his eflential attributes : this cannot pofiibly be right ; this 1s moft undoubtedly wrong. Omnipotence, indeed, can over-rule it, and educe good from it : but the very notion of ever-ruling, fuppofes it to be ab~ folutely -wrong in itfelf. VOL. I. N 3. B b 194 REFLECTIONS on a fophers fay, is to enfold and cherifli the embryo feed, or to i'wathe the tender body during its infant ftate. But, whatever is the chief end of nature, 'tis certain, ihe never departs from the defign of adminiftering de- tight to mankind *. This is infeparably connected with her other views. Were it only to fecure a re- productive principle, what need of fdch elegant compli- cations f why fo much art employed, and fo many de- corations added ? Why mould veftments be prepared, richer than brocades, more delicate than lawns, and of a finer glow than the moft admired velvets ? If the great mother had no other aim than barely to ac- commodate her little offspring, warm flannel, or home- ly fuftian, would have ferved her turn ; ferved it full as well as the moft fumptuous tuTues, or all the fur- niture of the mercer's mop. Evident then it is, that flowers were endued with fuch enchanting graces for the pleajure of man. Inpur- fuance of this original intention, they have always p?id their court to the human race ; they ftill feem particularly folicitous of recommending themfelves to our regard. The fined: of each fpecies croud about our habitations, and are rarely to be feen at a diftance from our abodes. They thrive under our cultivating hand, and obferving eye ; but degenerate, and pine away, if unregarded by their lord. To win his atten- tion, and deck his retreats, they hide their deformi- ties under ground ; and dHplay nothing but the moft graceful forms, and engaging colours, to his fight. To merit a farther degree of his efteem, the generali- ty * " We find that the moft important parts in the vegetable " world, are thofe which are the moft beautiful. Thefe are " the feeds by which the feveral races of plants are propagated 44 and continued, and which are always lodged in flowers or *' bloflbms. Nature feems to hide her principal defign, and to " be indultrious in making the earth gay and delightful, while " (he is carrying on her great work, and intent upon her owa k; prefervation.'' fyetf. vol. v. N 387. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 195 ty of them difpenfe a delightful perfume. What is itili more obliging, they * reierve their richeft exhal- ations, to embalm his morning and evening walks f. Becaufe he ufually chules thofe cool hours to recreate himfelf among their blooming ranks ; therefore, at thofe hours, they are moft lavifli of their fragrance, and breathe out their choiceft fpirits. O MAN, greatly beloved by thy Creator ! the dar- ling of Providence ! thou art diftinguimed by his good- nejs ; diftinguifli thyfelf alfo by thy gratitude. Be it thy one undivided aim to glorify him, who has been at fo much expence to gratify thee ! While all thefe inferior creatures, in filent eloquence, declare the glo- jy of GOD, do thou lend them thy tongue. Be thou the high prieft of the mute creation. Let their praifes become vocal in thy longs, Adore the fupreme Be- nefactor, for the bleflings he fhowers down upon every order of beings. Adore him for numberlefs mercies, which are appropriated to thyfelf. But, above all$ adore him for that noble gift of a rational and immortal foul. This constitutes us matters of the globe, and gives us the real enjoyment of its riches. This difcovers ten thoufand beauties, which otherwife had been loft ; and renders them both a fqurce of delights, and a nurfery of devotion. By virtue of this exalted principle, we are qualified to admire our Maker's works, and capa- ble of bearing his illuftrions image ; bearing his illuflri- ous image, not only when thefe ornaments of the ground * , The flow'rs, That open now their choiceft bofom'cl fmells, lleferv'd from night, and kept for thee injhre. MILT. f The twining jas'mine, arid the blufning rofe t With lavifli grace their morn/wg--fcents difcloie ; The fmelling tuberofe and jonquil declare The ftronger impulfe of an ev'xing-zir. PRIOR'J So^ Bb 2 196 REFLECTIONS On a ground have refigned their honours, but when the great origin of day is extinguifhed in the fkies, and all the flaming orbs on high are put out in obfcure darknefs. Then to furvive, to furvive the ruins of one world, and to enjoy GOD, to referable GOD, to be " filled with all the fulncfs of GOD," in ano- ther ; what a happinefs, what an ineftimable happi- refs, is this ! Yet this is thy privilege, (barter it not for trifles of an hour I) this thy glorious prerogative, O man 1 O ! THE goodnefs, the exuberant goodnefs, of our GOD ! I cannot forbear celebrating it once more, be- fore I pafs to another confideration. How much mould we think ourfelves obliged to a generous friend, who fhould build a (lately edifice *, purely for our abode \ But how greatly would the obligation be increafed, if the * I cannot perfuaele myfelf, that the comparifon is ftretched beyond proper bounds, when carried to this pitch. It is my ftedfaft opinion, that the world, at lead this lower world t wich its various appurtenances, was intended purely for man ; that it is appropriated to him; and that he (in fubordination to GOD'S glory) is the end of its creation. Other animals, 'tis true, partake of the Creator's benefits : but then they partake Tinder the notion of man's domeftics, or on the foot of re- tainers to him ; as creatures which bear fome relation to his fervice, and fome way or other contribute to his good. So that ftill he is the centre of the whole ; or, as our incompa- rable Milton, equally matter of poetry and divinity, exprefles himfelf, All things live for man. Par. Loft, b. XI. 1. 161. Mr Pope, in his Ethic EpiiUes, is pleafed to explode this tenet, as the height of pride, and a grofs abfurdity. For my part, 1 fee no reafon for fuch a charge. With all fubmiffion to fo fuperior a genius, it feems very remote from pride, to be duly fenlible of favours vouchfafed j to contemplate them in all the extent of their munificence, and acknowledge them ac- cordingly. I fhould rather imagine, that to contract their fize, when they are immenfely large; to flint their number, when they are altogether innumerable j that fuch a pro- cedure F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 197 the hand that built (hould zlCofurnift it ! and not on- ly furnilh it with all that is commodious and comfort- able, but ornament it alfo with whatever is fplendid and delightful ! This has our mofl indulgent Creator done, in a manner infinitely furpalfing all we could wifh or imagine. The cedure favours more of infintjibility. than our hypothecs of prefumption ; and has more in it of ingratitude, than that of arrogance. And how can it be deemed an abfurdity, to maintain that Gou gave us a world for our pofleflion, when it is our duty to believe, that he gave us his only Son for our propitiation ? Sure, it can be neither difficult, nor extravagant, to fuppofe, that he defigned the habitable globe, with its whole furniture, for our prefent ufe ; fince he with-held not his holy child JE- SUS, but freely delivered him up for our final ialvation. Upon the whole, I cannot but conclude, that the attempt of our famous poet is neither kind with regard to his fellow- creatures, nor grateful with regard to his Creator, nei- ther is his fcheme, in faft, true. The attempt not hlnd^ with regard to man ; becaufe it robes him of one of the moft delightful and ravifhing contemplations imaginable. To con- fider the great Author of exigence as having me in his eye, when he formed univerfal nature; as contriving all things with an immediate view to the exigencies of my particular ftate; and making them all in fuch a manner, as might be moll conducive to my particular advantage ; this muft occafion the ftrongeft fatisfaclions, whenever I cad a glance on the objects that fur- round me. Not grateful with regard to GOD; becaufe it has the moft direct tendency to di minim our fcnfe of his kindnefs, and by that means to throw a damp upon our gratitude. It teaches us to look upon ourfelves as almoft loft among a croud of other beings, or regarded only with an occalional and inci- dental beneficence ; which muft certainly weaken the difpofi- tion, and indeed flacken the ties, to the moft adoring thank- fulnefs. To which, I apprehend, we may juftly add, Neither is the fcheme, in facl, true. For, not to mention what might be urged from the fure word of revelation, this one argument appears fufficiently conclulive. The world began with man j the world muft ceafe with man ; confequently, the grand ufe, the principal jt 9 8 REFLECTIONS on a The earth is afligned us for a dwelling. The Jkics are ftretched over us like a magnificent canopy, dyed in the pureft azure ; and beautified, now with pictures of floating filver, now with colourings of reflected crimfon. The grafs is fpread under us, as a fpacious carpet ; wove with filken threads of green, and da- mafked with flowers of every hue. The/aw, like a golden lamp, is hung out in the ethereal vault } and pours his effulgence, all the day, to lighten our paths. When night approaches, the moon takes up the friend- ly office ; and theftars are kindled in twinkling my- riads, to chear the darknefs with their milder luflre, not difturb our repofe by too intenfe a glare. The clouds, befides the rich paintings they hang around the heavens, aft the part of a fliifting fcreen ; and defend us, by their feafonable interpofition, from the fcorch- ing beams of fummer. May we not alfo regard them, as the great watering-pots of the globe ; which, waft- ed on the wings of the wind, difpenfe their moii- ture principal end of the world, is, to fubferve the intereft of man, It is on all fides agreed, that the edifice was erected, when roan was to be furnifiied with an habitation ; and that it will be demolished, when man has no farther need of its accom- modations. When he enters into the houfe not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, " the earth, and all the works " that are therein, (hall be burnt up." From which it feems a very obvious and fair deduction, That man is the final caufe of this inferior creation. So that I think my readers and myfelf privileged (not to fay, on the principles of gratitude, obliged) to ufe thofe lovely lines of our author, with a propriety and truth equal to their elegance and beauty : For me kind nature makes her ge nia I pow'r, Suckles each herb, and ff reads out cv"ry flow'r ! Annual, for me, the grape, the rofe renew The juice neflarcous, and the balmy dew ; For me, the mine a thoufand treajitres brings i F$r me, health gujhcs from a thwj "and firings. Eth. Ep. I. vcr. 129, F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 199 ture * evenly thro* the univerfal garden ; and fruc- tify, with their (bowers, whatever our hand plants.- The fields are our exhauftlefs granary. The ocean is our vaft refervoir. The animals fpend their ftrength, to difpatch our bufinefs ; refign their cloathing, to re- plenim our wardrobe; andfurrender their very lives, to provide for our tables. In fhort, every element is a ftorehoufe of conveniencies ; every feajon brings us the choiceft productions ; all nature is our caterer. And, which is a moft endearing recommendation of thefe favours, they are all as lovely as they are ufeful. You obferve nothing mean or inelegant. All is clad in beauty's faireft robe f, and regulated by proportion's niceft rule. The whole fcene exhibits a fund of plea- fures * This circumftance, amidft abundance of other delicate and edifying remarks upon the wonders of nature, is finely touched in the Philofophical Tranfatfions recorded in the book of Job, chap, xxxviii. ver. 15. ntyn oDar 1 ? j"?9 in Who hath divided a water-course for the overflowing of waters ? The Hebrew is fo pregnant and rich with fenfe, that no tranjla- tion can do it juftice. The following paraphrafe, perhaps, may reprefent the principal ideas comprehended in the expreC* five original. Who has branched out, and, with admirable judgment, dlfpofed a variety of aquedufls, for that immenfe collection of waters which float in the iky ? Who diftributes thofe pendulous floods thro* all the borders of the earth? dif- tributes them, not in dreadful cataradrs, or promifcuous gluts of rain, but in kindly drops, and refrefhing mowers ; with as much regularity and (economy, as if they were conveyed by pipes from a conduit? To WHOM fliall we afcribe that nice- nefs of contrivance, which now emits, now retrains them; fometimes derives their humid train to one place, fometirnes to another ; difpenies them to this foil in larger, to that ia fraaller communications ; and, in a word, fo manages th mighty fluid, that every fpot is fupplicd, in exa& proportion to its wants ; none deflroyed by an undiftinguiming deluge * f Perhaps it was from fuch an obfervation, that the Greeks^ thofe critical and refined judges of things, exprefTed the m- dane fyftem by a word, which fignifies beauty^ xo^tf, 200 REFLECTIONS on a fures to the imagination, at the fame time that it more than fupplies all our wants *. Therefore thou art inexcufable^ O man, whofoever thou art, that rebellcft againft thy Maker. He fur- rounds thee with unnumbered benefits, and follows thee with an effufion of the richeft, nobleft gifts. He courts thy affections, he folicits thy gratitude, by libe- ralities which are never intermitted, by a bounty which knows no limits. Moft blefled LORD, let this thy goodnefs, thy unwearied goodnefs, lead us to repent- ance. f^in us to thyfelf, thou Fountain of felicity, by thefe fweet inducements. Draw us to our duty, GOD of our falvation, by thcfe " cords of love." "WHAT a living picture is here of the beneficial ef- fects of indujlry ! By induftry and cultivation, this neat fpot is an image of Eden. Here is all that can entertain the eye, or -j- regale the fmell. Whereas, without cultivation, this fweet garden had been a de- folate wildernefs. Vile thirties had made it loath- fome, and tangling briers inacceflible. Without culti- vation, it might have been a neft for ferpents, and the horrid haunt of venomous creatures. But the fpade and pruning-knife, in the hand of Induftry, have im- proved it into a fort of terreftrial paradife. How naturally does this lead our contemplation to the advantages which flow from a virtuous education^ and the niiferies which enfue from the J negletl of it 1 The mind, without early inftruction, will, in all probability, * " Thofe feveral living creatures, which are made for our '* fervice or fuftenance, at the fame time either fill the woods ** with their mufic, furnifh us with game, or raile pleafing 44 ideas in us by the delightfulnefs of their appearance. Foun- " tains, lakes, and rivers, areas refreshing to the imagination, 44 as to the foil through which they pafs." Speft. vol. v. IsP 587, f Omnis copia nariwn. Hon. ^ Negleflis Urcndaflix innafcltur agris. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. dot probability, become like the " vineyard of the flug- " gard." Iflefttothepropenfitiesof its own depraved will, what can we expect, but the moft luxuriant growth of unruly appetites, which, in time, will break forth into all manner of fcandalous irregulari- ties ? What ? but that anger, like a prickly thorn^ arm the temper with an untractable morofenefs ; pee- vi/hnefs, like a ftinging nettle, render the conversation irkfome and forbidding ; avarice^ like fome choking weed, teach the fingers to gripe, and the hands to op- prefs ; revenge, like fome poifonous plant, replete with. baneful juices, rankle in the breaft, and meditate mif- chief to its neighbour ; while unbridled lufts, like iwarms of noifome infects, taint each rifing thought ; and render " every imagination of the heart, only evil " continually." Such are the ufual products of favage nature ! fuch the furniture of the uncultivated foul ! Whereas, let the mind be put under the " nurture u and admonition of the LORD ;" let holy difcipline clear the foil ; let facred inftructions fow it with the beft feed ; let (kill and vigilance drefs the rifing moots, direct the young ideas how to fpread, the wayward paffions how to move : then, what a dif- ferent ftate of the inner man will quickly take place ! Charity Will breathe her fweets, and Hope expand her blofToms ; the perfonal virtues difplay their graces, and the facial ones their fruits * ; the fentiments become generous, the carriage endearing, the life honourable and ufeful f . O! * This transformation of the heart, and renewal of the life, are reprefented, in fcripture, by iimilitudes very nearly allied to the images ui'ed above. Goo, by his fanftifying Spirit, -will make thejbul as a ixatcrcd gardzn* Under the operation of this divine principle, the defertjhall rejoice, andbloffbm as the rofe. Where-ever it exerts the refining and ennobling energy, in- ft cad of the thorn^Jball come up the fir-tree ; and, inftcadof thr brier, the myrtle-tree. Jer. xxxi. 12. If. xxxv. i. & lv. 13,. 4- A teneris afjuefcere tanti eft ! VIRG- VOL. I. N 3. C c 202 R E F L E C T I O N S on a O ! that governors of families, and matters of fchools, would watch, with a confcientious iblicitude, over the morals of their tender charge ! What pity it is, that the advancing generation mould lofe theie in- valuable endowments, through any fupinenefs in their inftruclors ! See ! with what 'amduity the curious florift attends his little nurfery ! He vifits them early and late ; furnifhes them with the propereft mould j fupplies them with feafonable moifture ; guards them from the ravages of infers ; fcreens them from the injuries of the weather ; marks their fpringing buds ; obferves them attentively, through their whole pro- greis j and never intermits his anxiety, till he beholds them blown into full perfection. And mall a range of painted leaves , which flourish to-day, and to-mor- row fall to the ground ; mall thefe be tended with more zealous application, than the exalted faculties of an immortal foul ! Yet truft not in cultivation alone. It is the bleffing of the almighty Hufbandman which imparts fuccefs to fuch labours of love. If GOD " feal up the bottles " of heaven," and command the clouds to with-hold their fatnefs, the beft manured plot becomes a barren defert. And if HE reftrain the dew of his heavenly benediction, all human endeavours mifcarry ; the ra- tional plantation languifhes ; our moft pregnant hopes, from youths of the mofl promifing genius, prove abortive. 'Their root "Will be as rottennejs, and their blojjom will go up as duft * . Therefore let parents plant j v yap ff.int.fiv ticcfsftt, re vlat n vlat inSuT (K vtov 9jjr<r9a(, aKXo */*.- TTCM, ^KXX.V > TO jr. ARISTOT, The principles we imbibe, and the habits we contraft, in our early years, are not mat- ters of fmall moment, but of the uimoft confequence imagina- ble. They not only give a tranlient or fuperficiai tindture to our ftrft appearance in life, but moft commonly ftamp the form of our ivhble future condud, and even of our eternal Oate. * If. v. 24. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 203 plant ; let tutors water ; but let both look up to the Father of/pirifs, for the deiired incrcafe. ON every fide, I efpy feveral budding flowers. As yet they are like bales of cloth from the packer's ware- houfe. Each is wrapt within a flrong inclofure, and its contents are tied together by the firmcft bandages ; fo that all their beauties lye concealed, and all their fweets are locked up.- Juft fuch is the niggardly wretch, whole aims are all turned inward, and mean- ly terminated upon himfelf, who makes his own pri- vate ioterefts, or perfonal pleafures, the fole centre of his defigns, and the (canty circumference of his actions. Ere long the fearching beams will open thefe filken folds, and draw them into a graceful exp an/ion. Then, what a lovely blufli will glow in their cheeks, and what a balmy odour exhale from their bofoms ! So, when divine grace mines upon the mind, even the churl becomes bountiful; the heart of flone is taken a- way ; and a heart of fiefh, a heart fufceptible of the fofteil, moft compaffionatc emotions, is introduced in its Head. O 1 how fwcetly do the focial affections dilate themfelves, under ib benign an influence ! Juft like thefe difclofing gems, under the powerful eye of day. The tender regards are no longer confined to a flngle object ; but extend themfelves into a generous concern for mankind, and (hed liberal refrelbments on all within their reach * Arife * The prophet, defcribing the charitable temper, very beau- tifully fays, If thou draw out thy foul to the hungry ! This, I think, may not improperly be illustrated by the circumftances obferved above. The opening of thofe buds into a large and cxtenfive fpread, is a pretty portrait of the amplitude of a ge- nerous heart ; which cannot fliut up its companion, or remain unconcerned at any human calamity. The frcenefs and copi- oufnefs, with which the expanded flowers are continually pour- ing out their choicer! eflences, may reprefent the various adb C c 2 of 204 REFLECTIONS on a Arife then, thou Sun of Rightcoufnefs ? arifc, with healing under thy wings ; and transfufe thy gentle, but penetrating ray, through all our intellectual pow- ers. Enlarge every narrow difpofition, and fill us vfithzdifufeve benevolence. Make room in our breafts for the whole human race ; and teach us to love all our fellow-creatures, for their amiable Creator's lake. May we be pleafed with their excellencies, and re- joice in their happinefs ; but feel their miferies as our own, and, with a brother's fympathy, haften to re- lieve them ! DISPOSED at proper diftances, I obferve a range of flrong zn&ftatelyjialks. They (land like towers, along the walls of a fortified city ; or rife, like lofty fpires, amidft the group of houfes* They part, at the top, into feveral penfile fpiky pods ; from each of which we fliall foon fee a fine figure difplaying itfelf ; rounded into a form, which conftitutes a perfect circle ; fpread wide open, into the moft frank and communi- cative air ; and tinged with the colour, which is fo peculiarly captivating to the mifer's eye. But the property I chiefly admire, is its paflionatc fondncfs for the fun. When the evening-fhades take place, the poor flower droops, and folds up its leaves. It mourns all the long night, and pines amidft the gloom, like fome forlorn lover, baniflied from the object of his affections. No fooner does Providence open " the eyelids of the morning," but it meets * and welcomes the returning light ; courts and caref- fes it, all the day ; nor ever lofes fight of the refulgent charmer, of an unwearied liberality ; together with thofe endearing words, and that cordial affedYion, which embalm^ as it were, a gift, double its value ; and conltitute what the facred pen- man (tyles, drawing out the foul, irss pian deprompferis ant- mam tuam. If. Iviii. 10. * Ilia fmtm, quamvis radice do Vcrtltur adfolem. O v i c . F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 20$ charmer, fo long as he continues above the horizon. In the morning, you may perceive it preferring a golden bofom to the eaft ; at noon, it points upward to the middle fky ; in the evening follows the fame attractive influence to the weft. Surely, Nature is a book, and every page rich with facred hints. To an attentive mind, the garden turns preacher^ and its blooming tenants are fo many lively fermons. What an engaging pattern, and what an excellent leffon, have we here ! 0, let the redeemed of the LORD look unto JESUS *, and be conformed to their Beloved. Let us all be heliotropes (if I may ufe the expre(fion) to the Sun of Righteoufnefs . Let our paffions rife and fall ; take this courfe or that ; as his word determines, as his holy example guides. JLet us be fo accommodated, both to his commanding and providential will, as the wax is turned to the im- printed feal ; or as the afpect of this enamoured flower, to the fplendid ftar, which creates our day. In every enjoy ment^ O thou watchful Chriftian, look unto JETS u s ; receive it as proceeding from his love, and purchafed by his agonies "j~ . -In every tribulation look unto JES u s ; mark his gracious hand, managing the fcourge, or mingling the bitter cup ; attempering it to a proper degree of feverity ; adjufting the time of its continuance ; and ready to make thefe feeming difafters productive of real good. In every infirmity and failing, look unto JESUS, thy merciful High Prieft, pleading his atoning blood, and making inter- ceffion for tranigreifors. In every prayer look unto JESUS, thy prevailing Advocate, recommending thy devotions, and " bearing the iniquity of thy holy ^ things j ." In every temptation look unto JESUS, the * Heb. xii. 2. j- He funk beneath our heavy woes, To raife us to his throne : There* 's not a gift his hand beftoiuS) But co/? his heart a groan. WATTS, ^ Exod. xxviii. 38, 206 RE FLECTIONS on a the Author of thy ftrength, and Captain of thy falva- tion ; who alone is able to lift up the hands which hang down, to invigorate the enfeebled knees, and make thee more than conqueror over all thy enemies. But efpecially, when the hour of thy departure ap- proaches ; when " thy flefhand thy heart fail ;" when all the fprings of life are irreparably breaking ; then look unto JESUS with a believing eye *. Like ex- piring Stephen^ behold him (landing at the right hand of GOD, on purpofe to fuccour his people, in this their laft extremity. Yes, my Chriftian friend, when thy journey through life is f.niftied, and thou art arri- ved on the very verge of mortality ; when thou art juft launching out into the invifible world, and all be- fore thee is vaft eternity ; then, O then, be fure to look ftedfaftly unto JESUS ! " See by faith the " LORD'S CHRIST." View him as the only (fay f to the everlafting manfions j as the only Door J to the abodes of blifs, YOND E R tree, which faces the fouth,has fomething too remarkable to pafs without obfervation. Like the fruitful, though feeble vine, (he brings forth a large family of branches ; but, unable to fupport them herfelf, commits them to the tuition of a funny wall. As vet the tender twigs have fcarce gemmed their fu- ture blolToms. However, I may anticipate the well- known productions, and picture to myielf tliepaffion- flo-wer ; which will, in due time^ with a long and co- pious fuccefllon, adorn the boughs. I have read, in a Latin author, of flowers infcribed with the names of kings || : but here is one emblazoned with the marks of the bleeding Prince of life. I read, in * Lotk unto ME, ahdbcyefaved, all the ends of the earth* If. xlv. 22. j- John xiv. 6. John x. 9. [J Die, quibus In terris infcriptl nomlna regum Nafcanter floret ? VIRG. FLOWER-GARDEN. 207 irt the infpircd writings, of apoftolic men, who bore about in their bodies, the dying of the LORD JESUS * : but here is a blooming religiofo, that carries apparent memorials of the fame tremendous and fatal cata- ftrophe. Who would have expected to find fuch a tragedy of wo exhibited in a collection of the moft delicate delights? or to fee Cavalry's horrid fcene pourtrayed on the foftefl ornaments of the garden ? Is nature then actuated by .the noble ambition of paying commemorative honours to her agonizing So- vereign ? Is (he kindly officious to remind forgetful mortals of that miracle of mercy, which it is their duty to contemplate, and their happinefs to believe ? Or is zj'portive imagination my interpreter ; and all the fuppofed refemblance no more than the pre- carious glofs of fancy ? Be it fo : yet even fancy has her merit, when me fets forth, in fuch pleafing ima- gery, the crucified JESUS. Nor fhalllrefufe a willing regard to Imagination herfelf, when me employs her creative powers to revive the fenfe of fuch unparalleled love, and prompt my gratitude to fo divine a friend. Thztfpzral tendril, arifing from the bottom of the ftalk, is it a reprefentation of thefcourge, which lafhecl the Redeemer's unfpotted flefh ; and inflicted thole ftripes, by which our fouls are healed ? or, is it twifted for ihecord, which bound his hands in painful and ig- nominious confinement ; thofe beneficent hands, which were inceffantly ftretchcd out to unloofe the heavy burdens, and to impart bleffings of every choice kind . ? Behold the nails, which were drenched in his facred veins, and rivetted his feet to the accurfed tree; thofe beautiful j feet, which always went about doing good ; and travelled far and near, to fpread the glad tidings of everlafting falvation. See the hammer, ponderous and mafly, which drove the rugged irons through the fhivering * 2 Cor. \v. 10. f Hvw beautiful are the feet of him that bringeth good tid* ings, that puUijhcth peace, that bringtth good tidings of good, that fuiilijf,ethfahetion ! If. lii. 7. REFLECTIONScna fhivering nerves ; and forced a pallage for thofe dread- ful wedges, between the diflocated bones. View the thorns i which encircled our Royal Matter's brow, and ihot their keen afflictive points into his blefled head. O the fmart ! the racking fmart ! when, inftead of the triumphal laurel, or the odoriferous garland, that pun- gent and ragged wreath was planted on the meek Mef~ fiah's forehead ! When violent and barbarous blows of the ftrong eaftern cane *, ftruck the prickly crown, and fixed every thorn deep in his throbbing temples J ! - There ftand the difciples, ranged in the green impale- ment, and forming a circle round the inftruments of their great Commander's death. They appear like fo many faithful adherents, who breathe a gallant refo- lution, either of defending their Lou D to the laft ex- tremity, or of dropping honourably by his fide. But did they give fuch proofs of zeal and fidelity in their conduct, as their fleadypofture, and determined afpect, feem to promife I Alas ! what is all human firmnefs, when * They took the reed, fays the facred hifforian, and fmote tim on the head ; " and fo, as it were, nailed down the thorns into his forehead and temples, and occafioned thereby ex- " quitite pain, as well as a great effufion of blood." Family- cxpofitor, vol. II. fefl. 188. It is moft probable," adds the fame judicious critic, " this was a walking-ftaff, which they ' put into his hand as a fceptre; for a hloia with a flight reed ** would fcarce have been felt, or havedeferved a mention in ** a detail of fuch dreadful fufferings." The fmart attending this unparalleled piece of contempt and barbarity, muft be inexprejjibly fevcre ; not only on ac- count of the many painful punftures made in the flefii, but principally, becaufe the pcriofieitm, an exquifitely fenlible te- gument of the bones, lying, in thofe parts, very near the ex- ternal Ikin, muft receive a multitude of terrible wounds. The anguifli of which could not fail of being inflamed to an exccf's of rage, by the continuance of fo many thorny lancets in thac extremely tender membrane; which, in fuch a cafe, tremblingly alive all o'er r Mujt fmart and agonize at e'Jry pore,- t L O W E R-G A R D E N. when deftitute of fuccours from above, but an expiring vapour? What is every Taint, if unfupported by power- ful grace, but an abandoned traitor? Ooferve the^/ory, delineated in double rays, grand with imperial purple, and rich with atthereal blue. But ah ! how incapable arc threads, tho' fpun by fummer's finefl hand, tho' dyed in fncws or dipped in heaven, to dilplay the immacu- late excellency of his human, or the ineffable majefty of his divine nature ! Compared with thefe fublimeper- f eftions,themoft zw/^aflemblage of colours fade s into an unmeaning fifitnefs ; themofl charmingeffecls of light and fhade are not only mere daubings, but an abfolute blank. Among all the beauties which mine in funny robes, and fip the (liver dews, this, I think, has the nabieft import, if not \hzfineftprejcnce. Were they all to pals in review^ and expert the award of fuperiority from my decifion, I mould not hefitatc a moment. Be the prize affigned to this amiable candidate, which has fa eminently diflinguifhed, and fo highly dignified her- ielf, by bearing fuch* a remarkable refemblance to " the " righteous Branch; the Plant of Renown *." While others appoint it a place in the parterre, I would tranf- plant the paffion-flower, or rather transfer its facred lignificancy, to my heart. There Jet it bloom, both in fummer and in winter; bloom, in the mofl impref-* five characters, and with art undecaying lultre : that I alfo may wear, wear On my very foul, the traces of IMMANTJ EL, pierced for my fins, and bruifed for my tranfgrefllons : that I alfo mayfo- crucified 'with CHRIST , at lead in penitential remorfe, and affectionate iym- pathy : that I may know the feiloiufliip of his juffer-* ings || , and feel all my evil affections, wounded by his agonies, mortified by his death. THERE is another fubjeft of the verdant kingdom which, * So the bleffed Jrsus is defcribed, Jer. xxiii. 5. Ezek. xiv. 29. $ Gal. ii. 2O. I! Phil. iii. i. VOL. I, N 3 . Dd 210 REFLECTIONS on a which, on account of its very uncommon qualities? demands my particular notice : one, fo extremely diffi- dent in her difpofition, and delicate in her con(litution r that me dares not venture herfelf abroad in the open air, but is nurfed up in the warmth of a hot-bed, and lives cloiftered in the cells of a green-honfe* But the moil curious peculiarity is, that, of all her kindred- fpecies, fhe alone partakes of perceptive life; at leaft advances neareft to this more exalted flate of being, and may be looked upon as the link which connects the animal and the vegetable world. A ftranger, ob- lerving her motions, would almoft be induced to fuf- peft, that me is endued with fome inferior degrees of confcioufnefs and caution. For, if you offer to handle this Jenjitive plant ^ fhe immediately takes an alarm ; haftily contrails her fibres ; and, like a perfon under apprehenlions of violence, withdraws from your finger, in a kind of precipitate diforder. Perhaps, the beauty of her afpeft might be fullied, or the nicenefs of her texture difcompofed, by the human touch. There- fore, like a coy virgin, fhe recedes from all unbeco- ming familiarities, and will admit no fuch improper,, if not pernicious, freedoms. Whatever be the caufe of this unufual effect, it fug- gefts an inftru&ive admonition to the Chriltian. Such ihould be our apprehenftve timorous care, with regard to fin, and all, even the moil diftant, approaches of vice. So mould we avoid the very appearance of evil, and ftand aloof from every Occahon of falling. If iinners entice, if forbidden pleafures tempt, or if op- portunity beckon, wkh the gain of injuftice in her hand \ O I turn from the gilded fnare ; touch not the beauteous bane ; but fly, fly with hafte, fly without any delay, from the bewitching ruin. Does ^nger draw near with her lighted torch, to kindle the flame of refentment in our breafts ? does Flattery ply our ears, with her inchanting and intoxicating whifpers ? would Dtfco?itent lay her leaden hand upon our temper, and mould FLO WER-GARDEN. 211 mould into our minds her four leaven, in order to make us a burden to ourlelves, and unamiable to others ? Inftantly let us divert our attention from the danger- ous objects ; and not fo much endeavour to antidote^ as toy^tf/2, the moral contagion. Let us revolve m our meditations, that wonderful meekneffof ourdiftref- fed Matter, which, amidft the moft abufive and provor king infults, maintained an uniform tenor of unihaken ferenity. Let us contemplate. that prodigious J-iumilia~ tion, which brought him, from an infinite height a<- bove all worlds, to make his bed in the dull of death- Let us foothe our jarring, our uneafy paflions, with the remembrance of that chearfulnefs and reji^nation^ which rendered him, in the deepelt poverty, un- feignedly thankful ; and, under the heavieft tribula- tions, mod fubmidively patient. Harbour not, on any confideration, the betrayer of your virtue. Be deaf, inflexibly deaf, to every be- guiling folicitation. If it obtrude into the unguarded heart, give it entertainment, no, not for a moment, To parley with the enemy, is to open a door for de- ftru&ion. Our fafety confifts in flight : and, in this cafe, fufpicion is the trueft prudence; fear, the great- eft bravery. Play not on the brink of the precipice.. Flutter not round the edges of the flame. Dally not with the ftirigs of death. But rejeft, with a beco- ming mixture of folicitude and abhorrence, the very firfl infinuations of iniquity ; as cautioufly, as the jmartingjorc {brinks even from the fofteft hand ; as constantly, as this jealous plant recoils at the approach- ing touch *. NOT * The prophet Ifaiah, in an elegant and lively clefcription of the upright man, fays, He foaketh h'ts bands from holding of bribes ; and, I may add, from praftifmg any kind of ini- quity. The image, exceedingly beautiful, and equally ex- jirelfive, both illustrates and enforces the doftrine of this whole fc&ion. Shaketh his hands ; juft as a perfon would do, who JD d 2 bap- 212 R E FL E C T I O N S on a NOT long ago, thefe curious productions of the {pring were coarje and mif-mapen roots. Had we o- pened the earth, and beheld them in their feed, how uncouth and contemptible had their appearance been ! - But now they are the boaft of nature, the delight of the fons of men, finished patterns for enamelling and embroidery, outihining even the happieft flrokes of the pencil. They are taught to bloom, but with a very inferior luftre , in the richeft tapeftries, and moll magnificent filks. Art never attempts to equal their incomparable elegancies ; but places all her merit, in copying after thefe delicate originals. Even thofe who glitter in filver, or whofe cloathing is of wrought gold, are defirous to borrow additional ornamentS) from a fprig of jeffamme, or a little af- fernblage of pinks. What a fine idea may we form, from hence, of the rcjurretlion happens to have burning coals fall into his lap, or fome vf~ nomous creature fattening upon his flefb. Jn fuch a cafe, none would Hand a moment to confider, or to debate with himfelf the expediency of the thing. He would inftantly fling off the pernicious incumbrance ; inftantly endeavour to (lilengage himfelf from the clinging mifchief. If. xxxiii. 15. ] have reprelented the danger of not extinguilhing immedi- ately the very firft fparks of temptation, in a variety of views. Becaufe a proper behaviour, in this conjuncture, is of fuch va(t importance to the purity, the fafety, and the comfort of our minds. Becaufe I had the royal morqlijt in my eye; who, deterring his pupils from the path of the wicked, cries, with an air of deep concern, and in the language of vehement importunity, cries ; Avoid it ; pafs not by it ; turn from it ; and pafs away. How (trongly is the counfel urged, by being fo frequently repeated ; in fuch a remarkable divcrfoy of con- cife and abrupt, confequently of forcible apd prelfmg admoni- tions ! Prov. iv. 15. The cowilip fmiles in brighter yellow dreft, Than that which veil's the nubil virgin's breafl : A. fairer red (lands bluming in the rofe, Than that which on the bridegroom's veftments flows. PR i pa's &eA F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 213 refurrettion of tliey/?, and the ftate of their re-anima- ted bodies ! As the roots even of our choiceft "flowers, when depofited in the ground, are rude and ungrace- ful ; but, when they ipring up into blooming life, are mod elegant and fplendid ; fo the flefli of a faint, when committed to the duft, alas ! what is it \ A heap of corruption ; a niafs of putrefying clay. But, when it obeys the great archangel's call, and ft arts into a new exiilence ; what an aftonifliing change enfues ! what a moil ennobling improvement takes place ! '-That which was fown in weaknejs, is railed in all the vivacity of power. That which was {own in deformity^ is railed in the bloom of celeftial beauty. Exalted, refined, and glorified, it will fliine " as the brightnefs of the fir- " fnament," when it darts the inimitable blue thro* the fleeces the fnowy fleeces of fome cleaving cloud. Fear not, then, thou faithful Chriftian j fear not, at the appointed time, to jdefcend into the tomb. Thy foul thou mayft truft with thy omnipotent Redeemer, who is LORD of the ilnfeen world ; " who has the " keys of hell, and of death." Moft fafely mayft thou truft thy better part, in thofe beneficent hands, which were pierced with nails, and faftened to the ignominious tree, for thy falvation. With regard to thy earthly tabernacle, be not difmayed. It is taken down, only to be rebuilt upon a diviner plan, and in a more heavenly form. If it retires into the fhadow of death, and lyes immured in the gloom of the grave ; it is only to return, from a fliort confinement, to end- lefs liberty. If it falls into difTolution, it is in order to rife more illuftrious from its ruins ; and wear an in- finitely brighter face of perfection, and of glory *. HAVING '? The wife, the juft, the pious, and the brave, Live in their deaths, and flourifli frum the grave. Grain hid in earth repays the peafant's care, And ev'ning-funs but fet to rile ntare fctfr. 2H REFLECTIONS on a HA v IN G now made my panegyric, let me next take up a lamentation, for thefe lovelieft productions of the vegetable world. For I forefee their approaching doom. Yet a little while, and all thefe plealing fcenes vanifh. Yet a little while, and all the fweets of the breathing, all the beauties of the blooming fpring, are no more. Every one of thefe amiable forms mult be mri veiled to deformity, and trodden to the earth. Significant refemblance this of all created beauty. Allflejh is gr-afs ; like the green herbage, liable and prone to fade. Nay, all the goodlinefs thereof, its fined accomplirtmients, and what the world univerfally ad- mires, is as the flower of the field *, which lofes its glofs, decays and perimes, more fpeedily than the grafs itfelf. Behold then, ye brighteft among the daughters of Eve ; behold yourfelves, in this glafs. See the charms of your perfon eclipfed, by the luftre of thefe little flowers ; and the frailty of youryfote repre- fcnted f , by their tranfient glories. A fever may fcorcli * Ifa. xl. 6. f Kect rt paSav xaXov in, xau o %fivcs avTv /aaponvx** Kati TO lov x.acXov *rv tv vicipi, xsti ra^Yf yiff' Kai xaXXef xaXon nrli TO jrajJ/xov, aA.x' sXiyov Jy. The reader will excufe me, if I imitate^ rather than tranf- late, thefe lines from Thsocritus ; If I vary one image, adj another, and give a new turn to the whole, When fnows defcend and robe the fields In winter's bright array ; Touch'd by the lun, the lu(tre fades, And weeps itfelf away. When fpring appears ; when violets blow, And died a rich perfume ; How foon the fragrance breaths its laft I How (hort-liv'd is the bloom ! Frelh in the morn, the fummer-rofe Hangs with'ring ere 'tis noon ; We fcarce enjoy the balmy gift, But mourn the pleafure gone. With FLOWER-GARDEN. fcorch thofe poliflied veins ; a confumption may ema- ciate the dimpling cheeks ; and a load of unexpected forrows deprefs thofe lively fpirits. Or fhould thefe difafters, in pity, fpare the tender frame ; yet age, inexorable age and wrinkles, will afluredly come at laft ; will wither all the fine features, and blaft every iprightly grace. Then, ycfair, when thofe fparkling eyes are dark- ened, and fink in their orbs ; when they are rolling in agonies, or fwimming in death ; how will you ihf- tain the affliction ? how will you repair the lofs ? Ap- ply your thoughts to religion. Attend to the one thing needful. Believe in, and imitate, the blefTed JE- SUS . Then fliall your fouls mount up to the realms of happinefs, when the well-proportioned clay is min- gling with its mean original. The light of GOD'S countenance will irradiate, with matchlefs and con- fummate perfection, all their exalted faculties. Clean- fed entirely from every dreg of corruption, like fome unfullied mirror, they will reflect: the complete image of their Creator's holinefs. O 1 that you would thus drcjs your minds, and prepare for the immortal Irate I Then, from mining among your fellow-creatures on earth, you (hall be tranilated, to {bine around the throne of GOD . Then, from being the fweeteners of our life, and the delight of our eyes here below ; you (hall With gliding fire, an evening-flar Streaks the autumnal fkies ; Shook from the fphere, it darts away, And, in an inflant, dies. Such are the charms that fkifh the cheek r And fparkle in the eye : So, from the lovely finifh'd form The tranfient graces fly. To this the fiafons, as they roll, Their atteftation brirg : They warn the fair; their evVy round Confirms the truth I ling. REFLECTIONS on ft mall pafs, by an eafy tranfition, into angels of light ; and become <c an everlafting excellency, the joy o " all generations." TES ; ye flowery nations, ye muft all decay . Yonder lily, that looks like the queen of the gay creation, Tee, how gracefully it creels its majellic head ! What an air of dignity and grandeur ennobles its afpeft ! For elevated mien, as well as for incomparable luftre, juflly may it be preferred to the magnificent monarch of the Eaft *. But, all ftately and charming as it is, it will hardly furvive a few more days. That un- fpotted whitenefs muft quickly be tarniflied, and the fnowy form defiled in the duft. As the lily pleaies, with the noble fimplicity of its appearance ; the tulip is admired, for the gaiety and multiplicity of its colours. Never was cup cither painted or enamelled with fuch a profufion of dyes. Its tinges are fo glowing, its contrafis fo ftrong, and the arrangement of them both fo elegant and artful 1 -'Twas lately the pride of the border, and the reign- ing beauty of the delightful feafon ; as exquifitely fine as the rainbow, and almofl as extremely tranfient. It fpread, for a little moment, its glittering plumage; but has, now, laid all its variegated and fuperior ho- nours down. Thofe radiant ftripes are blended, alas ! rudely blended with common mould. To a graceful fhape, and blooming complexion, the rofe adds a moft agreeable perfume. Our noflrils make it repeated vifits, and are never weary of drinking in its fweets. A fragrance, fo peculiarly rich and revi- ving, tranipires from its opening tufts, that every one covets its acquaintance. How have I feen even the accomplished ClarifJ'a, for whom fo many votaries languifb, fondly careffing this little flower ! That love- ly bofom, which is the feat of innocence and virtue ; whofe leaft excellency it is, to rival the delicacy of the purelt ;* Matth. vi. 29. \ F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 117 pureft fnows ; among a thoufand charms of its own, thinks it poifible to adopt another from the damafk rofe-bud. Yet even this univerfal favourite muft fail. Its native balm cannot preferve it from putrefaction* Soon, foon muft it refign all thofe endearing quali- ties ; and hang neglected on its ftem, or drop defpi- fed to the ground. One could wifli, methinks^ thefe mod amiable of the inanimate race, a longer exiftence : but in vain. 'They fade almoft as foon as they ftourifli. Within lefs than a month their glories are extinct. Let the fun take a few more journeys through the {ky ; then vifit this enchanting walk ; and you will find nothing but a wretched wilder nefs of ragged or naked ftalks. But (my foul exults in the thought) the garment of celeftial glory, which mail ere long array the re-ani- mated body, will never wax old. The illuftrious robes of a Saviour's confummate righteoujnejs, which even now adorn the juftified fpirit< are incorruptible and immortal. No moth can corrode their texture ; no number of ages fully their brightnefs. The light of day may be quenched, and all the ftars fink in obfcu- rity ; but the honours of " juft men made perfect" are fubject to no diminution. Inextinguifhable and unfading is the luflre of their crown. TES; ye flowery nations, ye muft all dec ays Win- ter, like fome enraged and irreflftible conqueror, that carries fire and fword where-ever he advances ; that demoliflies towns ; depopulates countries ; fpreads ilaughter and defolation on every fide ; fo, juft fo, will Winter , with his favage and unrelenting blafts, invade this beautiful profpect. The ftorms are gather- ing, and the tempefts mtiftering their rage, to fall up- on the vegetable kingdoms. They will ravage thro* the dominions of nature ; and plunder her riches, and lay wafte her charms* Then, ye trees, muft you ft and ftript of your verdant apparel ; and, ye fields, VOL. 1. N Q 3 . K b<5 2i8 REFLECTIONS dn a be fpoiled of your waving treafures. Then, the earthy difrobed of all her gay attire, muft fit in fables, like a difconfolate widow. The fun too, who now rides in triumph round the world, and featters gaiety from his radiant eye, will then look faintly from the windows of the fouth ; and, calling a ihort glance on our de- jected world, will leave us to the uncomfortable gloom of tedious nights. Then, thefe pretty chorifters of the air will chant no more to the gentle gales ; the lark, the linnet, and all the feathered fongflers, abandon their notes, and indulge their woes. The harmony of the woods is at an end ; and filence, (unlefs it be in- terrupted by howling winds,) a fulleri filence, fits brooding upon the boughs ; which are now made vo- cal, by a thoufand warbling throats. But (fweet recolle&ion ! raviming expectation !) t\\efongs of faints in light never admit a paufe for fadnefs. All heaven will refound with the melody of their gratitude ; and all eternity echo to their trium- phant acclamations. The Hallelujahs of that world, and the harmonious joy of its inhabitants, will be as lading as the divine perfections they celebrate. Come then, holy love, and tune my heart ; defcend, celeftial fire, and touch my tongue; that I may fland ready to flrike up, and bear my part, in that great hofanna, that everlafling hymn. TES; yes ; ye flowery nations, ye muft all decay.- And, indeed, could you add the ftrength of an oak, or the (lability of a pyramid *, to all the delicacy of your texture ; yet fliort, exceeding ftiort, even then would * I know not any performance, in which the tranfitory na- ture of chefe rnoft durable monuments of human graicieur, is hinred with fuch a tnodeft air of inftruftion, or their hideous ruin c'efcribed in fuch a pomp of pleating horror, as in a fmall, bu: folenni, picluretque, and majcftic poem, entitled TH E RUINS OF ROME, written by the Rev. Mr DVER : whonr the F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 219 would your duration be. For I fee that all things come to an end* The pillars of nature are tottering. The foundations of the round world are falling away. " The heavens themfelves wax old like a garment/' But, amidfl thefe views of general ruin, here is our refuge ; this is our coniblation ; We know that our Redeemer livcth. Thy years, bleffed JESUS, (hall not fail. From everlafting to everlafting, thou art (till the fame ; the fame moil excellent and adorable perfon ; the fame omnipotent and faithful friend ; the fame all-fufficient and ineftimable portion. O ! may we but partake of thy merits , be fanclified by thy grace ; and received into thy glory ! Then perifh, if ye will, all inferior delights. Let all that is fplendid in the ikies expire ; and all that is amiable in nature be ex- punged. Let the whole extent of creation be turned again into one undiftinguifhable void, one univerfal blank. Yet, if GOD be ours, we mail have enough* If GOD be ours, we (hall have #//, and abound * ; all that our circumftances can want, or our willies crave, to make us inconceivably bleffed and happy ; bleffed and happy, not only thro' this little interval of time, feut thro ; the unmeafurable revolutions of eternity. TH a the reader (if he feas the pleafure of perufing that beautiful piece) will eafily perceive to have taken his draughts from the originals themielves; as nothing but the fight of thofe magni- ficent remains, could have infpired his lines with fuch vivaci- ty. As a fpecimen of the work, and a confirmation of the re- mark fuggefted axH>ve, I take leave to tranfcribe the following paffage : The pilgrim oft, 4t dead of 'night, mid his orai/bn hears dghaft the voice of time, difpdrting towers, Tumbling all precipitate doivn dajtfd, Rattling around, loud thundering to the moon. * His hand the good man fallens on the fkies, And bids earth roll, nor feels the idle whirl. Night-Thoughts, N IV., E * 2 320 REFLECTIONS on a I'H E/W is noweome forth in his ftrength,and beats fiercely upon my throbbing pulfe. Let me retire to yonder inviting arbour. There the woodbines retain the lucid drop ; there the jeflamines, which line the ver- dant alcove, are ftill impearled, and delicioufly wet with dews. ^-Welcome, ye refreshing fliade s ! I feel, I feel, your chearing influence. My languid fpirits revive ; the flaekened finews are new-ftrung; and life bounds brifker thro* all her crimfon channels. Reclined on this moffy couch, and furrounded by this fragrant coldnefs, let me renew my afpirations to the eyer-prefent Deity. Here let me remember, and imitate, the pious sfuguftine, and his mother Monica; who, being engaged in diicourfe on the beauties of the vifible creation, rofe, by thefe ladders, to the glories of the invifible ftate; till they were infpired with the molt afettingffnfe of their fupereminent excellency, and actuated with the moft ardent breathings after their full enjoyment : infomuch that they were almoftraptup into the blifs they contemplated ; and fcarce " knew, " whether they were in the body, or out of the body.'* WH EN tempefts tofs the ocean ; when plaintive fig- nals of diilrefs are heard from the bellowing deep ; and melancholy tokens of mipwreck come floating on the foaming furge ; then how delightful to ftand fafe on more, and hug one's felf in confcious fecurity * ! "When a glut of -waters burftsfromibme mighty torrent, ruflies headlong over all the neighbouring plains, fweeps away the helplefs cattle, and drives the affrighted fhepherd from his hut ; then from the top of a diftant eminence, * As Lucretius gave the hint for thefe obfervations, fo he afiigns the reafon of the pleafure fpecifled. It arifes, not from the confiderations of another's mifcry ; this would argue the ranked malevolence : but from the agreeable contemplation of our own per Tona fafe ty ; which, while we view circumttances that are pernicious to others, but harmlefs to ourfelves, is not a little heightened by die contraft* Suave marl magno, &c. F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 221 eminence, to defcry the danger we need not fear ; how pleafing ! Such, methinks, is my prefent fituation. For now the fun blazes from on high : the air glows with his fire : the fields are rent with chinks ; the roads are fcorched to duft : the woods feem to con- trad a fickly afpecl:, and a ruffet hue : the traveller, broiled as he rides, haftens to his inn, and intermits his journey : the labourer, bathed in fweat, drops the fithe, and defifts from his work : the cattle flee to Come fhady. covert, or elfe pant and tofs under the burning noon. Even the flubborn rock, fmit with the piercing beams, is ready to cleave. All things langitifli beneath the dazzling deluge. While I (hall enjoy a cool hour, and calm reflection, amidil the gloom of this bowery recefs, which fcarce admits one i'peck of fun- fliine. Thus, may both the flock, and their fhepherd, dwell beneath the defence of the Mo ft High, and abide under the Jhadow of the Almighty *. Then, tho' -j- the peftilcnce walketh in darknefs, and the Jicknejs deftroyeth at noon-day ; though thoufands fall beOde us, and ten thoufands at our right hand ; we need fear no evil. Either the deftroying angel {hall pafs over our houfes ; or elfe he (hall difpenfe the corrections of a friend, not the fcourges of an enemy ; which, inftead of hurting us, mall work for our good. Then, though profane- nefs and infidelity, far more malignant evils, breathe deadly contagion, and taint the morals of multitudes around us ; yet, if the great Father of fpirits " hide *' us in the hollow of his hand/' we fliall hold faft our integrity, and be faithful unto death, Let then, deareft LORD, O 1 let thy fervant, and the people committed to his care, be received into thy pro- tection, Let us take fancluary under that Tree of Life^ Creeled in thy ignominious crofs. Let us fly for fafety to * Pfal. xcj. i. j- This was written, when a very infectious and mortal dif- temper raged in the neighbourhood. 222 REFLECT I ONSona to that City of Refuge, opened in thy bleeding wounds. Thefe fhall be a facred hiding-place, not to be pierced by the flames of divine wrath, or the fiery darts of temptation. Thy dying merits, and perfeft obedience, fhall be to our fouls, as rivers of water in a dry place ^ or as the ftiadow of a great rock in a weary land * . BUT moft of all, in that laft tremendous day, when the heavens are rent afunder, and wrapped up like a fcroll ; when thy almighty arm fliall arreft the fun in his career, and dalh to pieces the ftruclure of the univerfe ; when the dead, both fmall and great, fhall be gathered before the throne of thy glory ; and the fates of all mankind hang on the very point of a final irreverfible decifion : then, blefled J E s u s , let us be owned by thee, and we mall not be a/hamed; de- fended by thee, and we fhall not be afraid. O I may we, at that awful, that unutterably important junc- ture, be covered with the wings of thy redeeming love, and we fliall behold all the horrible convulfions of expiring nature, with compofure, with comfort ! We fliall even welcome the diflblution of all things, as the times ofrefre/hingfrom the prefence of the LORD f . TH E R E are, I perceive, who ftill attend the flowers ; and, in defiance of the fun, ply their work on every expanded blofTom. The bees I mean ; that nation of chymifts.l to whom nature has communicated the rare and valuable fecrct, of enriching themfelves, without Impoverishing others ; who extrad the moft delicious fyrup from every fragrant herb, without wounding its fubftance, or dimiiiifhing its odours. I take the more notice of thefe ingenious operators, becaufe I would willingly make them my pattern J . While the g^ * If. xxxii. 2. -j- Afts iii. 19. ijl Ego apis matin* More modoque Grata carfentis thy ma* HOR, F L O W E R-G A R D E N. 223 gay butterfly flutters her painted wings, and tips a lit- tle fantaftic delight, only for the prefent moment ; while the gloom y fpider, worfe than idly bufied, is preparing his infidious nets for deftruction, or fucking venom even from the moftwholefome plants ; this fru- gal community are wifely employed in providing for futurity, and collecting a copious ftock of the mofl balmy treafures. And O ! might thefe meditations fink into my foul I would the GOD, who- fuggefted each heavenly thought, vouchfafe to convert it into an eft abli/hed principle, to determine all my inclinati- ons, and regulate my whole conduct ! I mould, then, gather advantages from the lame blooming objects,. more precious than your golden ftores, ye induftrious artifts. I alfo mould go home, laden with the richefl facets, and the nobleft jpoils, though I crop not a leaf, nor call a {ingle flower my ow. HERE I behold, aflfembled in one view, almoft all the various beauties which have been feverally entertain- ing my imagination. The viftas, ftruck through an ancient wood, or formed by rows of venerable elms ; conducting the fpectator's obfervation to fome remark- able object ; or leading the traveller's footfteps to this delightful feat : The -walls, enriched with fruit-trees, and faced with a covering of their leafy extenfions ; I mould rather have faid r hung with different pieces of nature's nobleft tapeflry : The -walks, neatly (horn, and lined with verdure ; or finely fmoothed, and coat- ed with gravel : The alleys, arched with fhades, to embower our noon-tide repofe ; or thrown open, for the free accemon of air, to invite us to our evening- recreation : The decent edgings of box,wluchinclofe, like a plain felvage, each beautiful compartment, and its fplendid figures : The fhapely evergreens, and flowering Jkrubs, which ftrike the eye, and appear with peculiar dignity, in this diftant fituation : The bafon^ with its cryftal fount, floating in the centre, and dif- fufing REFLECTIONS on a fufingan agreeable fremriefs through the whole : Tb waters, falling from a remote cafcade, and gently murmuring, as they flow along the pebbles : -Thefe^ added to the reft, and all fo difpofed, that each re- commends and endears, each render the whole a moft fweet ravifhing fcene of order and variety, of ele- gance and magnificence. From fo many lovely profpecls, cluftering upon the fight, it is impoffible not to be reminded of heaven^ that world of blifs, thofe regions of light, where the Lamb that was {lain manifefts his beatific prefence, and his faints live for evermore. -^But 1 what pencil can fketch out a draught o that goodly land ? What co- lours, or what ftyle, can exprefs the fplendors of IM- MANUEL'S kingdom! Would fomc celeftial hand draw afide the veil, but for one moment ; and permit us to throw a iingle glance on thofe divine abodes ; how would all fublunary poiTeflions become tarnimed in our eyes, and grow flat upon our tafte 1 A glimpfe, a tranfient glimpfe of thofe unutterable beatitudes, would captivate our fouls, and engrofs all their facul- ties. Eden itfelf, after fuch a vifion, would appear a chearlefs def'ert; and all earthly charms intolerable deformity. Very excellent things arefpoken of thee, thou city of GOD *. Volumes have been written, and thofe by infpiredmeri,to difplay the wonders of thy perfec"Uons4 All that is rich and refplendent in the vifible creation, has been called in to aid our conceptions, and elevate our ideas. But, indeed, no tongue can utter, no pen tan defcribe, no fancy can Imagine, what GOD, of his unbounded munificence, has prepared for them that love him. Seeing then that all terreftrial things muft come to a fpeedy end ; and there remaineth a reft, a blifsfnl and everlafting reft, for the people of GOD ; let me never be too fondly attached to any prefent fa- tisfa&ions. Weaned from whatever is temporal, may T main- * Pfal. Ixxxvii. 2. $ L O W E R-G A R D E N. 22> I maintain a fuperior indifference for fuch tranfitory enjoyments ; but long, long earneftly, for the man- fions that are above ; the paradife, " which the LORD " hath planted, and not man." Thither may I tranf- mit the chief of my converfation; and from thence expecl the whole of my happinefs . Be that the facred, powerful magnet, which ever influences my heart, e- ver attracts my affections. There are fuch tranfcend- ent glories, as eye has not fecn ; there are fuch tran- fporting pleafures, as ear has not heard ; there is fueh afulnefs of joys, as the thought of man cannot conceive. INTO that confummate felicity, thofe eternal frui- tions, permit me, Madam, to wifh you, in due time, an abundant entrance; and to allure you, that this wifh is breathed, with the fame fincerity and ardor, for my honoured correfpondent, as it is, MADAM, for .' Tour mofl obedient , <&c. JAMES HERVEY, VOL. I. N 3. F f DESCANT UPON CRE AT I O N. With joy, 'with grief j that healing hand I fee; The ikies it form* d^ and yet it bled for me. Night-Thoughts, N IV F f 2 <fr&&<&^^ DESCANT UPON CREATION. IF the reader pleafes to look back on page 1 89, he will find me engaged, by a promt ffbry note, to fub- join a DESCENT upon CREATION. To know the love o/ CHRIS T ; to have fuch a deep apprehenfion of his unfpeakable kindnefs, as may produce in our hearts an adoring gratitude, and an unfeigned faith ; this, according to St Paul's eftimate, is the higheft and happieft attainment in the facred fcience of Chriftianity . What follows, is an attempt to aflift the attentive mind, in learning a line or two of that beft and greateft leflbn. It introduces the mod confpicuous parts of the vifible fyflem, as fo many prompters to our dull affections ; each fuggefling a hint) adapted to the important occafion, and fuited to its refpccldve character. Can Eph, iii. 19, 230 A DESCANT upon CREATION. Can there be a more powerful incentive to devout gratitude, than to confider the magnificent and deli- cate fcenes of the univerfe, with a particular reference to CIIRI s T, as the Creator ? Every objeft, viewed in this light, will furely adminifter inceffant recruits to the languiming lamp of divine love. Every produc- tion in nature will ilrike a fpark into the foul ; and the whole creation concur to raife the fmoking flax into a flame. Can any thing impart a ftrongeryoy to the believer, or more effectually confirm his faith in the crucified J ESUS, than to behold the heavens declaring his glory, and the firmament fhewing his handy-work ? Surely, it mufl be matter of inexprelfible confolation to the poor fmner, to obferve the honours of his Redeemer, writ- ten with fun-beams, over all the face of the world. We delight to read an account of our incarnate JEHOVAH, as he is revealed in the books of Moj'ef and the prophets, as he is difplayed in the writings of the evangelifls and apoftles. Let us alfo endeavour to fee a fketch of his perfections, as they ftand delineat- ed in that {lately volume, where every leaf is a fpa- cious plain, every line^ a flowing brook, every pf- riod,. a lofty mountain. Should any of my readers be unexercifed in fuch {peculations, I beg leave (in purfuance of my promife) to prefent them with ifpecimen; or to offer a clue, which may poflibly lead their minds into this moft improving and delightful train of thinking. Should any be inclined to fufpect the folidity of the following obfervations, or to condemn them, as the voice of rant, and the lawlefs flight of fancy ; I muft intreat fuch perfons to recollect, that the grand doc- trine, the hinge on which they all turn, is warranted and eftablifhed by the unanimous teftimony of the in- ipired penmen; who frequently celebrate I M MA- NUEL, or CHRIST JESUS, as the .great almighty r aufe of all ; afliiring us, that all things were created by A DESCANT upon CREATION. 231 by him, and for him; and that in him all things confift** On fuch a fubjeft, what is wonderful, is far from being extravagant. To be wonderful, is the infepa- rable characleriftic of G OD and his works ; efpecially of that moft diftinguifhed and glorious event of the divine works, REDEMPTION ; fo glorious, that " all the miracles in Egypt, and the marvellous acts in u the field of Zoan;" all that the Jewifli annals have recorded, or the human ear has heard ; all dwindle into trivial events^ are fcarce worthy to be remembered^ in comparifon of this infinitely grand and infinitely gracious tranfaftion . Kindled, therefore, into plea- fing aftoniftiment, by fuch a furvey, let me give full" fcope to my meditations. Let me pour out my whole foul on the boundlefs fubjecl j not much regarding the limits, which cold criticifm, or colder unbelief, might prefcribe. O Y E angels, that furround the throne ; ye princes- of heaven, " that excel in ftrength," and are clothed with tranfcendent brightnefs ; He, who placed you ia thofe ftations of exalted honour, and dignified your nature with fuch illuftrious endowments ; He, whom you all obey, and all adore : HE took not on him the, angelic form, but was made flefh, and found in faflrion. as a man. Like us wretched mortals, He was fubjecl to wearinefs, pain, and every infirmity, (in only ex- cepted ; that we might, one day, be raifed to your fublime abodes ; be adopted into your blifsful fociety \ and join with your transported choir, in giving glory to HIM that fitteth upon the throne, and to the LAMB for ever and ever J O YE heavens , whofe azure arches rife immenfely high, and ftretch unmeafurable wide ; ftupendous am- phitheatre 1 * Co/, i. 16, 17. Before my reader enters upon the fol- lowing Defcant, he is defired to perufe the note, page i8&. f If. xliii. 18. \ Rev. v. 13. 232 A DESCANt 1 upon CREATION. phitheatre ! amidft whofe vaft expanfive circuit, orbs of the mod dreadful grandeur are perpetually running their amazing races : unfathomable depths of aether 1 where worlds unnumbered float ; and, to our limited fight, worlds unnumbered are loft : He, who adjuflcd your dimenfions with his fpan, and formed the mag-- nificent ftructure with his word ; HE was once wrapt in fwaddling-cloaths, and laid in a manger : that the benefits accruing to his people, through his moft meri- torious humiliation, might have no other meaiurc of their value than immenfity ; might run parallel, in their duration, with eternity. f, that beam with inextinguifhable brilliancy, through the midnight-iky ; oceans of flame, and cen- tres of worlds, though feemingly little points of light ! He, who fhone, with eflential effulgence, innumer- able ages, before your twinkling tapers were kindled ; and will mine with everlafting majefty and beauty, when your places in the firmament (hall be known no more : HE was involved, for many years, in the deep- eft obfcurity ; lay concealed in the contemptible city Nazareth; lay difguifed under the mean habit of a carpenter's fon : that he might plant the heavens *, as it were, with new conftellations ; and array thefe clods of earth, thefe houfes of clay, with a radiancy far fuperior to yours ; a radiancy, which will adorn the very heaven of heavens, when you mall vanim a- way like fmoke *|~ ; or expire as momentary fparks from the fmitten fteel. COMETS, * If. li. 1 6. j- Alluding to a pnflage in Ifaiah, which is, I think, grand and elevated beyond ail companion. Lift up your eye* to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath : for the heavens Jhail vani/h away like fmoke, and the earthjhall-wax eld like a gar- ment, and they that dwell therein foall die like the feeble inlcdi: but my right e oiifne fs JJiall be for ever, and my falvaticn JJiall not be ' abolijbtd, lif. li. 6. With the great Vitringa, I tranf- late A DESCANT upon CREATION. COMETS, that fometimes (hoot into the illimit- able traces of aether, farther than the difcernment of our eye is able to follow ; fometimes return from the long, long excurfion, and fweep our affrighted hemif- phere With your enormous fiery train ; that fometimes make near approaches to the fun^ and burn almoft in his immediate beams ; fometimes retire to the remoteft diitance, and freeze, for ages, in the exceflive rigours of winter : He, who, at his fovereign pleafure, with- draws the blazing wonder ; or leads forth the porten- tous flranger, to make terror over guilty kingdoms 5 HE was overwhelmed with the moft mocking amaze- meht, and plunged into the deepelt anxiety ; was chil- led with apprehcnfions of fear, and fcorched by the flames of avenging wrath : that I, and other depraved rebellious creatures, might not be eternally agitated with the extremes of jarring paifions ; oppofite, yetj on either fide, tormenting ; far more tormenting to the foul, than the fevereft degrees of your heat and cold to the human fenfe. YE Planets , that, winged with unimaginable fpeecl, traverfe the regions of the fky ; fometimes climbing millions and millions of miles above, fometimes de- fcending as far below, the great axle of your motions ? ye, that are fo minutely faithful to the viciflitudes of* day and night ; fo exadly pundual in bringing on the changes of your refpedlive feafons : He, who launch- ed you, atfirft, from his mighty arm ; who continually impels you with fuch wonderful rapidity, and guides you with fuch perfect regularity ; who fixes " the ;c habitation of his holinefs, and his glory," infinite heights above your fcanty rounds: HE once became a hclplefs infant, fojourned in our inferior world, fled from late the words 13 ins not, In like manner; but, like the feeble infefl. Which renders the period more complete; the fenfc more emphacical ; and is mars agreeable to the .genius of tb facred original. VOL. I. N 3. .0 g; 234 A DESCANT upon CREATION. from the perfecutor's fword, and wandered as a flran* ger in a foreign land : that he might lead our feet into the way of peace ; that he might bring us aliens near to GOD, bring us exiles home to heaven. THOU Sun, inexhaufled fourcc of light, and heat, and comfort ! without whofe prefence an unjverfal gloom would enfue, and horror insupportable ; who, without the affiflance of any other fire, Jheddeft day through a thoufand realms ; and, not 'confining thy munificence to realms only, extendeft thy enlightening influences to furrounding worlds : prime chearer of theanimal, and great enlivener of the vegetable tribes ! fo beautiful in thyfelf, fo beneficial in thy effects, that erring Heathens addreffed thee with adorations, and miftook thee for thy Maker ! He, who filled thy orb with a profufion of luftre ; luftre, in its direcl emana- tions, unfufferably bright, but, rebated by thy reflec- tion, delightfully mild : He, before whom thy meri- dian fplendors are but a (hade ; whofe love transfufed into thy heart, is infinitely more exhilarating, than e- ven the fweet and clear fhining after the rain : H E diverted himfelf of his all-tranfcending diftinftions, and drew a veil over the effulgence of his divinity ; that, by fpeaking to us, face to face, as a man fpeak- eth unto his friend, he might difpel our intellectual darknefs. His " vifage was marred */' and he be- came the fcorn of men, the outcaft of the people; that, by this manifeflation of his unutterably tender regard for our welfare, he might diffufe many a gleam of joy thro' our dejected minds : that, in another ftatc of tilings, he might clothe even our fallen nature, with the honours of that magnificent luminary ; and give all the righteous to fhine forth as the fun, in the kingdom of their Father. THOU A/bow, that walkeft among the hoft of ftars, and, in thy lucid appearance, art iuperior to them all: fair *If. lii. 14, A DESCANT upon CREATION. 23-? Fair ruler of the night ! fornetimes half-reftoring the day, with thy waxing brightncfs ; fometimes waning into dimneis, and fcarcely fcattering the nocturnal gloom ; fometimes covered wih fackcloth, and alai m- ing tlie gazing nations 1 He, who dreiles thy opake globe, in beaming, but borrowed i:lver ; He, whole dignity is unchangeable, underived, and all his own ; He vouchfafed to wear a body of clay : HE was con- tent to appear as in a bloody eclipie, morn of his re- fplendent beams, aad furrounded with a night of hor- ror, which knew not one reviving ray. Thus has he impowered his church, and all believers, to tread the moon under their feet *. Hence, infpired with the hope of brighter glory, and of more enduring bills, are they enabled to triumph over all the vain anxie- ties, and vainer amufements, of this iublunary, pre- carious, mutable world. YE T/wnderS) that, awfully grumbling in the'diftant clouds, feem to meditate indignation, and form the iirfl efTays of a far more frightful peal ; or, fuddenly burfl- ing over our heads, rend the vault above, and make the ground below, with the hideous, horrid crack: ye, that fend your tremendous volleys from pole to pole, ftartling the favage herds f, and aftoniming the human race : He, who permits terror to found her trumpet, in your deep, prolonged, enlarging, aggra- vated roar : HE uttered a feeble infantile cry in the ftable, and ftrong expiring groans on the accuricd tree : that he might, in the gentleft accents, whifper peace to our fouls ; and, at length, tune our voices to the melody of heaven. O YE Lightnings, that brood, and lye couchant, in the fulphureous vapours ; that glance, with -forked fu- , from the angry gloom, fwifter and fiercer than the lion * Rev, xii. i. -r Pfel. xxix. 8, Gg 2 236 A DESCANT upon CREATION. lion ruflies from his den ; or open into vaft expanfive flieets of flame, fublimely waved over the proftrate world, and fearfully lingering in the frighted fides : ye, that formerly laid in afhes the licentious abodes of luft and violence ; that will, ere long, fet on fire the elements, and co-operate in the conflagration of the globe : He, who kindles your flam, and directs you when to fally, and where to ftrike ; He, who commif- fionsyour whirling bolts, whom to kill, and whom to fpare : HE refigned his {acred perfon to the moft bar- barous indignities ; fubmitted his beneficent hands to the ponderous hammer, and the piercing nail; yea, with-held not his heart, his very heart, from the flab of the executioner's fpear : and, inftcad of flaming confu- fion on his outrageous tormentors ; inftead of ftriking them dead to the earth, or plunging them to the depths of hell, with his frown ; He cried in his laft moments, and with his agonizing lips, He cried, FATHER, FOR- GIVE THEM; FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY Do ! O ! what a pattern of patience, for his faints ! What an object of admiration for, angels ! What a conftellation of every mild, amiable, and benign vir- tue ; fhining, in this hour of darknefs, with ineffable fplendor and beauty 1 Hence, hence it is, that we are One can hardly forbear animadverting upon the dijinge- nuous temper, and perverfe tatte of Celfus ; who attempts to turn this molt dirtinguilhing and ornamental part of our LORD'S life, into ridicule and reproach. Having fpoken of CHRIST, as defpitefully ufed, and arrayed in a purple robe; crowned with thorns; and holding, by way of mock majefty, a reed inftead of a fceptre, (for he enters into all thefe circum- Dances, which is a teftimony to their truth even from the mouth of an enemy;) he adds, T* , *t pt v/^4*^ x^ vw yav &uv n ta-jj-tixvo- 7<x< xai rwf ttif^uvus ravlnf tuvlov r,un?aj, xa< T*J uC/>/Jov?j us fa7av rt xi TV *& li f <r ( K/oi; Orig. contra CELS. p. 81. i. e. Why, in the name of -wonder, docs he not, on this sccafion, at leaft, aft the GOD? Why does he not deliver himfelf from this Jhocking ignomi- tiy ; or execute fame Jignal vengeance on the authors of fuch injurious and abujivc infults^ both of hlmfclf and his Father? Why, A DESCANT upon CREATION. 237 are not trembling underthe lightnings of mount Sinai; that vte are not blafted by the flames of divine venge- ance j or doomed to dwell with everlafling burnings. YE frowning wintry Clouds ; oceans pendent in the air, aid burdening the winds : He, in whole hand you are ai overflowing (courge; or, by whofe appointment, an arena! * of warlike ftores : He, who opens your fluke, and a flood guihes forth, to deftroy the fru'its of Why^elfus? Becaufe HE was raeeknefs and gentlenefs itfelf ; wherfis your deities were flaves to their own turbulent and re- fentfu paflions. Becaufe th<y were little better than isivages in hu$n (hape; who too often made a merit of (laughter, and t6k a horrid pride in fpilling blood : While CHRIST was the Plnce of peice, and came not to deftroy inens lives, but to fav, Becaufe any madaian on earth, or fury from hell, is capabi of venting his rage; but who, arnidft fuch unfffer- able ;ovocations and barbarities ; who, having in his own hand,he power to refcue himfelf, the power to avenge him- felf ; >uld fubmit to all, with an unruffled ferenity of pati- ence ?nd not only, not be exafperated, but overcome, in fo triunuant a manner, evil with good? Ixlone but CRIST ! none it CHRIST 1 This was compailion worthy of a Goo; clemey and charity truly divine. Thefore, the calumny raifed by the fame virulent objeclor in anoer place, carries its own confutation ; or rather, falls with weight of infamy on his dunghill-deities ; while it bears a moionourable teftimony to the majefiicand invincible meek- nefs our Saviour.r s w p., fays he to theChriitian, r ?oy7aj, o< r*vix Spctexrtif Ttixorfxrti, ibid. p. 404 i.c.Fetf, indeed, take upon;, to deride the images of our deities ; but //"Bacchus him- filf, (Hercules had been prefent. you -would not have dared to (i $ ir jf } an tfjfront ; or if you had been JQ prefumptuous, would bave^relyfmarted for your infolence. Whereas^theyuihotQr- mentiheveryperfon of your GOD, and even extended him with morttgony on the crofs^fuffercd no tjjefls of his difplcafure. Jena! feems to confider the clouds, under this faoie in that beautiful line, icquid habsnt tehrum armamentaria c&lf, 238 A DESCANT upon CREATION. of the earth, and drown the hufbandrnan's hopes : who moulds you into frozen balls, and you arc (hot, linked with death *, on the troops of his enenies : H E, inftead of discharging the furioufnefs of his wrath upon this guilty head, poured out his pra/ers ; poured out his fighs ; poured out his very foul, fr me and my fellow-tranfgreflbrs : 'that, by virtue f his ineftimable propitiation, the overflowings of a'vine good-will might be extended to finful men ; tht the fkies might pour down righteoufnefs ; and peace <n her downy wings, pea^e with her balmy blelfings, ddcend to dwell on earth. YE vernal Clouds ; furls of finer air, folds ofbfter moifture : He, who draws you, in copious exhakions, from the briny deep ; bids you leave every diftfteful quality behind, and become floating fountains of veet- eft waters: He, who diflblves you into gentle rai, and difmifTes you in fruitful fhowers ; who kincll}com- miffions you to drop down fatnefs, as you fall, nd to {carter flowers over the field : HE, in the unut Table bitternefs of his fpirit, was. without any com rting fenfe of his almighty Father's prefence : He,whcn his bones were burnt up like a firebrand, had it one drop of that facred confolation, which, on manyf his aiHi&ed fervants, has been diftilled as the eveninglews, and '* Job has informed us, for what purpofe the magaies of the firmament are flocked with hail. That they may 'ready again/} the day of battle and -war. Job xxxviii. Q.^.-Jq/hua has recorded, what terrible flaughter has been made, thofe mijfivf weapons of the Almighty, Jojh. x. n.-r-Modehifto- rians relate, that, when Edward III. invaded France, lower of hatKtones defcended, of fuch a prodigious fize, at fix thoufand horfes, and one thoufand men, were flruckad in- ftantaneoufly. But the molt dreadful defcription ordnance of the heavens, is given us in Rev. xvi. fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every Jt one iyeigkt of a talent. A DESCANT upon CREATION. 339 and has " given fongs in the night" of diftrefs : that, from this unallayed and inconfolable anguifh of our all- gracious Matter, we, as from a well of falvation, might derive large draughts of fpiritual refreiliment. THOU grand ethereal Bow ; whofe beauties flufh the firmament, and charm every fpetlator : He, who paints thee on the fluid fkirts of the fky ; who decks thee with all the pride of colours, and bends thee into that graceful and majeflic figure ; at whofe command, thy vivid ftreaks fweetly rile, or fwiftly fade : HE, through all his life, was arrayed in the hfrmble garb of poverty ; and, at his exit, wore the gorgeous gar- ment of contempt ; infomuch that even his own fami- liar friends, afhamed or afraid to own him, " hid as it tc were their faces from him * :" to teach us a be- coming difdain for the unfubftantial and tranfitory glit- ter of all worldly vanities : to introduce us, in robes brighter than the tinges of thy refplendent arch ; even in the robes of his own immaculate righteoufnefs, to introduce us, before that augufl and venerable throne, which the peaceful rainbow furrounds ; furrounds, as a pledge of inviolable fidelity, and infinite mercy. Ye Storms and Tempefts, which vex the continent, and tofs the leas ; which dafh navies on the rocks, and drive forefts from their roots : Fie, whofe breath roufes you into fuch refiftlefs fury, and whofe nod controls you in your wildefl career : He, who holds the rapid and raging hurricane in flreightened reins ; and walks, dreadfully ferene, on the very wings of the wind: HE went, all meek and gentle, like a lamb to the {laughter for us ; and, as a fheep before her fhearers is dumb, fo he opened not his mouth. Thus are we inftruftcd to * If. liii. 3. 1330 a>:s incan Full tanquam aliquis, a qu^ qutfqucfaciem occultaret. He iaas as fame flagitious and aban- doned iuretck,from whom every one, difdaining fuch a character, and declaiming fuch an acquaintan< acquaintance, ftudioufiy hid his face. A DESCANT upon CREATION. to bear, with decent magnanimity, the various aflaults of adverfity ; and to pafs, with a becoming tranquillity bf temper, through all the rudeblafts of injurious treat- ment. Thus are we delivered from the unutterably fiercer ftorms of incenfed and inexorable jufticej from the ct fire, the brimftone, and the horrible tempeft, " which will be the final portion of the ungodly." Tnotr Peftilence, that fcattcreft ten thoufand poifons from thy baleful wings ; tainthig the air, and infe&ing the nations : under whofe malignant influence, joy is blafted, and nature fickens ; mighty regions are depo- pulated, and once crouded cities are left without inha- bitants : He, who arms thee with inevitable definition, and bids thee march before * his angry countenance, to fpread defolation among the tents of the wicked, and be the forerunner of far more fearful indigna- tion : HE, in his holy humanity, was arraigned as a criminal ; and, though innocence itfelf, yea, the very pattern of perfection, was condemned to die, like the mod execrable milcreant. As a nuifance to fociety, and the very bane of the public happinefs, he was hur- ried away to execution, and hammered to the gibbet : that, by his blood, he might prepare a fovereign me- dicine, to cure us of a more fatal diftemper, than the peftilence which walketh in darknefs, or the ficknefs which deftroyeth at noon- day : that he might himielf fay to our laft enemy, 4t O death, I will be thy plagues 5 " O grave, I will be thy definition f." whofe burning influence parches the Li* by an wilds j tans into foot the Ethiopian's complexion ; and makes every fpecies of life pant, and droop, and languifh : Cold, whofe icy breath glaies yearly the Ruffian feas ; often glues the frozen failor to the cord- age ; and ftiffens the traveller into a ftatue of rigid flefli-: * Before klm -went the pcftilence, Hab, iii. 5. f Hoi', iiii. 14. A DESCANT upon CREATION. 241 flefh : HE, who fometimes blends you both, and produces the moft agreeable temperature ; fometimes iuffers you to aft feparately, and rage with intolera- ble feverity : that King of heaven, and controller of univerfal nature, when dwelling in a tabernacle of clay, was expofed to chilling damps, and fmitten by fultry beams. The ftars, in their midnight- watches, heard him pray ; and the fun, in his meridian fer- vours, faw him toil. Hence are our frozen hearts diffolved into a mingled flow of wonder, love, and joy ; being confcious of a deliverance from thole in- fufferable flames, which, kindled by divine indigna- tion, burn to the loweft hell. THOU Ocean , van: world of waters ! He, who funk that capacious bed for thy reception, and poured the liquid element into unfathomable channels ; before whom, all thy foaming billows, and floating moun- tains, are as the fmall drop of a bucket : who, by the leaft intimation of his will, fwells thy fluid kingdoms, in wild confufion, to mingle with the clouds j or re- duces them, in calm compofure, to flumber on the fhores : He, who once gave thee a warrant to over- whelm the whole earth, and bury all its degenerate inhabitants in a watery grave ; but has now laid an everlafting embargo on thy boifterous waves ; and bound thee, all fierce and madding asthou art, in chains ftronger than adamant, yet formed of defpicable fand: all the waves of vengeance and wrath, of tribulation and anguim, patted over HIS crucified body, and HIS agonizing foul : that we might emerge from thofe depths of mifery, from that abyfs of guilt, into which we were plunged by Adam's fall, and more irretrieva- bly funk by our own tranfgremons : that, at the laft, we might be reftorcd to that happy world, which is reprefented, in the vifion of GOD, as having u no " fea *," to denote its perpetual {lability, and undif- turbed ferenity. YE * Rev. xxi. x, Vet. I. N 3. H h A DESCANT upon CREATION. YE Mountains^ that overlook the clouds, and pro- jeft a {hade into diftant provinces : everlafting pyra- mids of nature, not to be fhaken by conflifting ele- ments ; not to be (nattered by the bolts of thunder ; nor impaired even by the ravages of time : He, who bid your ridges rife ib high, and your foundations ftand fo fad :- He, in whofe fcale you are lighter than duft ; in whofe eye you are lets than nothing : H E funk beneath a load of woes ; woes infupportable, but not his own ; when he took our iniquities upon himfelf, and heaved the more than mountainous bur- den from a guilty world. YE verdant Pfoods, that crown our hills, and are crowned yourfelves with leafy honours : Ye humble ftirubs^ adorned, in Ipring, with opening blolfoms ; and fanned, in fummer, by gentle gales : Ye, that in diftant climes, or in cultivated gardens, breathe out ipicy odours, and embalm the air with delightful per- fumes : your all- glorious and ever-blefTed Creator's head was encircled with the thorny wreath ; his face was defiled with contumelious fpitting j and his body bathed in a bloody fweat : that we might wear the crown, the crown of glory, which fadeth net away ', and live for evermore, furrounded with delights, as much furpaffing yours, as yours exceed the rugged defolations of winter. THOU mantling Vine ; He who hangs on thy {lender moots, the rich, tranlparent, weighty duller ; who, under thy unornamented foliage, and amiciit the pores of thy otherwife worthlefs bough, prepares the liquor, the refined and exalted liquor, which chears the nations, and fills the cup of joy : trees, whofe branch- es are elevated and waving in air ; or diffuied in eafy confinement, along a funny wall : He, who bends you with a lovely burden of delicious fruits ; whole genial warmth beautifies their rind, and mellows their tafte ; HE, when voluntarily fubject to our wants, inftead A DESCANT upon CREATION. 243 inftead of being refrefhed with your generous juices, or regaled with your lufcious pulp, had a loathtbme potion of vinegar, mingled with gall, addreffed to his lips : that we might fit under the madow of his merits, with great tranquillity and the utmoft com- placency : that, ere long, being admitted into the pa- radife of GOD, we might eat of the Tree of Life *, and drink new wine with him in his Father's kingdom. YE luxuriant Meadows; He who, without the feed- man's indufhy, replenishes your irriguous lap with ne- ver failing crops of herbage ; and enamels their chear- ful green with flowers of every hue : Ye fertile Fields ; He, who blefles the labours of the hufbandnian ; enrich- es your well-tilled plains with waving harvefts, and calls forth the ftaff of life from your furrows : He, who caufes both meadows and fields to laugh and fmg, for the abundance of plenty : HE was no ftranger to corroding hunger, and parching third ; he, alas ! ate the bitter bread of wo, and had u plenteoulhefs of " tears to drink :" that we might partake of richer dainties, than thofe which are produced by the dew of heaven, and proceed from the fatnefs of the earth : that we might feed on "the hidden manna," and eat the bread which giveth life, eternal life, unto the world. Ye Mines, rich in yellow ore, or bright with veins of filver ; that diftribute your fhining treafures, as far as winds can waft the veffel of commerce ; that be- ftow your alms on monarchs, and have princes for your penQoners : Ye beds of gems , toy-fliops of na- ture ! which form, in dark retirement, the glittering itone : diamonds, that fparkle with a brilliant water ; rubies, that glow with a crimlbn flame : emeralds, dipped in the freftieft verdure of fpring ; fapp hires, decked with the faireft drapery of the iky : topaz, emblazed with a golden gleam ; amethyjl, impurpled with the bluihes of the morning : He, who tindlures the me- tallic * Rev. ii. 7, 244 A DESCANT upon CREATION. tallic duft, and confolidates the lucid drop ; HE, when fojourning on earth, had no riches, but the riches of difinterefted benevolence ; had no ornament, bnt the ornament of unfpotted purity. Poor he was in his circumftances, and mean in all his accommodations ; that WE might be rich in grace, and " obtain falvation *' with eternal glory :" that we might inhabit the new Jerujalem; that fplendidcity ! whofe ftreets are paved with gold ; whofe gates are formed of pearl ; and the walls garnifhed with all manner of precious ftones*. YE gulhing Fountains ^ that trickle potable filver thro* the matted grafs : ye fine tranfparent Streams, that glide, in cryftal waves, along your fringed banks : ye deep and (lately Rivers^ that wind and wander in your courfe, to fpread your favours wider ; that glad- den kingdoms in your progrefs, and augment the fea with your tribute : He, who fupplies all your cur- rents from his own ever-flowing and inexhauftible li- berality : HE, when his nerves were racked with ex- quifite pain, and his blood inflamed by a raging fever, cried, I THIRST ; and was denied (unparalleled hardfhip !) in this his great extremity, was denied the poor refreshment of a fingledrop of water : -that we, having all fufficiency in all things, might abound to every good work, might be filled with the fulnefs of fpiritual blellings here, and hereafter be fatisfied with that fulnefs of joy, which is at GOD'S right hand for evermore. YE Birds, chearful tenants of the bough, gaily dref- fed in glofly plumage ; who wake the morn, and ib- lace the groves, with your artlefs lays : inimitable ar- chitecls ! who, without rule or line, build your penfile flruftures, with all the nicety of proportion : you have each his commodious neft, roofed with (hades, and lined with warmth, to proteft and cherifh the cal- low brood. But He, who tuned your throats to har- mony, and taught you that curious (kill j JIE was a man. * Rev, xxi, 19, 21. A DESCANT upon CREATION. 245 man of forrows, and had not where to lay his head ; had not where to lay his head, till he felt the pangs of diflblution, and was laid in the lilent grave : that we, dwelling under the wings of Omnipotence, and refling in the bofom of infinite love, might fpend an harmonious eternity, in " fmging the fong of Mofes " and of the LAMB." B E E 5, induflrious workmen ! that fweep, with bufy wing, the flowery garden; and fearch the bloom- ing heath ; and lip the mellifluous dews : flrangers to idlenefs ! that ply, with incelfant afliduity, your plea- ling tafk j and fuffer no opening bloffom to pafs unex- plored, no funny gleam to flip away unimproved : mofl ingenious artificers ! that cling to the fragrant buds ; drain them of their treafured Tweets ; and extract (if I may fo fpeak) even the odoriferous fouls of herbs, and plants, and flowers : -you, when you have com- pleted your work ; have collected, refined, and fe- curely lodged the ambrofial (lores ; when you might reaforiably expeft the peaceful fruition of your acqui- fitions ; you, alas, are barbaroufly deftroyed, and leave your hoarded delicacies to others ; leave them to be enjoyed by your very murderers. I cannot but pity your hard defliny ! How then fliould my bowels melt with fympathy, and my eyes flow with tears j, when I remember, that thus, thus it fared with your and our incarnate Maker! After a life of the mofl exemplary and exalted piety ; a life filled with offices of benefi- cence, and labours of love ; H E was, by wicked hands, crucified and flain. He left the honey of his toil, the balm of his blood, and the riches of his o- bedience, to be fliared among others ; to be Ihared even among thofe, who too often crucify him afrefli, and put him to open fhame. SHALL I mention the animal, which fpins her foft, Canft thou, ungrateful man, his torments fee, Nor drop a tear for HIM, who poitr'd his blood for thee ? PITTS'S Poem*. 246 A DESCANT upon CREATION. foft, her (liining, exquifitely fmcjilken thread f ? whofe mrtchleis manufactures lend an ornament to grandeur, and make royalty itfelf more magnificent. Shall I take notice of the cell, in which, when the gaiety and bufineis of life are over, the little reclufe immures herfelf, and fpends the remainder of her days in re- tirement ? Shall I rather obferve the fepulchre, which when cloyed with pleafure and weary of the world, ihe prepares for her own interment ? Or how, when a flated period is elapfed, flic wakes from a death-like in- aclivity ; breaks the inclofure of her tomb ; throws off the dufky fhroud ; aiTumes a new form ; puts on a more fumptuous array ; and, from an infet creeping on the ground, becomes a winged inhabitant of the air ? No : this is a poor reptile; and therefore un- worthy to ferve as an illuftration, when any cha- racter of the Son of GOD comes under confideration. But let jne correcT: myfelf. Was not C H R I s T (to ufe the language of his own blefTed Spirit) a worm, and no man \? in appearance fuch, and treated as fuch. Did he not alfo bequeath the fine linen of his -j- No one, I hope, will be offended at my introducing, on fuch an occafion, creatures of fo low a rank. Since even the volumes of infpiration feem to lend me the fanclion of their f acred authority ; as they difdain not to compare the blefled JESUS to a door, a high-way, &c. And, perhaps, all compan- ions which refpect a Being of infinite dignity, are not only mean, but equally mean and unworthy. I am fenfible, likewife, that in this paragraph, and fome others, all the circumftances are not completely correipondent. But if, \nfome grand particulars, the reddition anfwers to the defcription ; this, I truft, will be fufficient for my purpole, and fatisfaclory to my readers. Perhaps, it would be no mil- taken caution, to apply the fame obfervation to many of the beutiful (imilitudes, parables, and allegories, ufed by our LORD; fuch as the brazen ferpent^ the unjuji lleward, the thief m the night, ore. ; which, if fcrupuloufly iifted, or rigoroufly ftrain- ed, for an entire coincidence in every circumftance, muft ap- pear to great difadvantage, and lead into palpable inconveni- cncies, Pfal. xxii. 6, A DESCANT upon CREATION. 247 his own moft perfect righteoufnefs, to compofe the marriage-garment * for our difarrayed and defiled fouls ? Did he not, before his flefti law corruption, emerge triumphant from the grave ; and not only mount the lower firmament, but afcend the heaven of heavens ; taking pofleflion of thofe fublime abodes, in our name, and as our forerunner. YE * This, and feveral other hints, interfperfed in the two vo- lumes, refer to the attive and pa/five righteoufnefs of CHRIST, imputed to believers, for their juitification : which, in the o- pinion of many great expofitors, is the myftical and the moil fublime meaning of the wedding-garment, fo emphatically and forcibly recommended by the Teacher fent from GOD, Matth. xxii. ir. A doctrine, which fome of thofe who honour my Meditations with a perufal, probably may not receive with much, if any, approbation. 1 hope, the whole performance will not be cafhiered, for one difference in fentiment. And I beg, that the fentiment itfelf may not haftily be rejected, without a ferious hearing. For I have the pleafure of being intimately acquainted with a gentleman of good learning, and diflinguifhed fenfe, who had once as ftrong prepoffeflions a- gainft this tenet, as can well be imagined. Yet now he not on- ly admits it, as a truth ; but embraces it, as the joy of his heart ; and cleaves to it, as the rock of his hopes. A clear and cogent treatife, entitled, Submij/ion t the righ- tcoufncfs of Goo, was the inftrument of removing his preju- dices, and reducing him to a better judgment. In which he has been happily confirmed by the authority of the moft illuf- trlous names, and the works of the moft eminent pens, that have ever adorned our church and nation. In this number are, Bifhop Jewel, one of our great reformers ; and the other ve- nerable compilers of our homilies ; Archbifhop Ufher, that oracle of univerfal learning; Biihop Hall, the devout and fprightly orator of his age; the copious and fervent Bifliop Hopkins ; the fingularly good and unaffected Biihop Beve- ridge ; that everlaft-ng honour of the bench of judicature, Lord Chief Juitice Hales ; the nervous, florid, and perfua- five Dean Stanhope ; -the practical and perfpicuous Mr Jjur~ kitt ; and, to funmion no Other evidence, that matchlefs geni- us Milton i who, in various parts of his uiviae poem, inculcate*. this 248 A DESCANT upon CREATION. YE Cattle^ that reft in your inclofed paftures ; ye beafts, that range the unlimited foreft ; ye fifh, that rove thro' tracklefs paths of the fea : ftieep^ clad in garments, which, when left by you, are wore by kings : kine, who feed on verdure, which, tranfmuted in your bodies, and drained from your udders, fur- nifhes a repaft for queens : lions, roaring after your prey ; leviathan, taking your paftime in the great deep ; with all that wing the firmament, or tread the foil, or fwim the wave : He, who fpreads his ever-hofpitable board \ who admits you all to be his continual guefts ; and fuffers you to want no manner of thing that is good: HE was deftitute, afflicted, tormented: He endured all that was miferable and reproachful; in or- der to exalt a degenerate race, who had debafed them- felves this comfortable truth; and, in one paflage, reprefents it under the very fame image, which is made ufe of above, book X. /. 222. I had atmofl: forgot to mention, that the treatife entitled, Submijfion, &c. was written by Mr Benjamin Jenks ; whofe book of devotions has defervedly pafled thro* eleven editions; is truly admirable for the fublimity, fpirituality, and proprie- ty of the fentiments ; as well as for the concife form, and pa- thetic turn of the expreffion : Whofe book of meditations, through no lefs worthy of general acceptance, has, for a con- fiderable time, been almoft unknown and extinft. But it is now revived, and is lately publiihed, in two odavo volumes, by Mr James Kivington. For which fervice he has my thanks; I flatter myfelf, he will have the thanks of the public : as I am perfuaded, could religion and virtue fpeak, he would have their acknowledgments alfo. Since few treadles are more hap- pily calculated, to reprefent religion in its native beauty, and to promote the interefts of genuine virtue. On which account, I trufl, the candid will excufe me, and the judicious will not condemn me, even tho' the recommendation of thofe devo- tions of thefe meditations may appear to be a digrelfion from my fubjeft. N. B. Should the reader be inclined to examine the afore- mentioned tenet, he will find it ftated, difcujjed, and applied to its due improvement, in a piece entitled THE RON and As- ?ASIO, in the fecund and third volumes of this edition* A DESCANT upon CREATION. 249 jfelves to a level with the beafts that perifh, unto feats pf undiftinguiftled and immortal honour ; in order to introduce the flaves of fin, and heirs of hell, into manfions of confummate and everlafting blifs. SURELY, the contemplation of fuch a fubjeft, and the diftant anticipation of fuch a hope, may almoft turn earth into heaven, and make even inanimate na- ture vocal with praife. Let it then break forth from every creature. Let the meaneft feel the infpiringim- pulfe ; let the greateft acknowledge themfelves una- ble, worthily to exprefs the ftupendous goodnefs. Praife HIM) ye infects that crawl on the ground ; who, though high above all height, humbled himfelf to dwell in duft* Birds of the air, wdft on your wings, and warble in your notes, HIS praife ; who, though LORO f the celeftial abodes, while fojourn- ing on earth, wanted a (helter commodious as your nefls. Ye rougher world of brutes, join with the gentle fongfters of the {hade, and howl to HIM your hoarfe applaufe ; who breaks the jaw-bones of the in- fernal lion ; who foftens into mildnefs the favage dif- pofition ; and bids the wolf lye down, in amicable a- greement with the lamb. Bleat out, ye hills ; let broader lows be refponfive from the vales ; ye forefts catchj and ye rocks retain, the inarticulate hymn ; be- caufe MESSIAH the Prince feeds his flock, like a fliep- herd. He gathers the lambs with his arm; he Carries them in his bofom ; and gently leads thofe that are with young *. Wave, ye ftately cedars, in fign of worfhip, wave your branching heads to H I M, who meekly bowed his own, on the accurfed tree. Pleafing prof- petfs, fcenes of beauty, where niceft art confpires with lavilh nature, to form a paradife below ; lay forth all your charms, and in all your charms cohfefs yourfelves a mere blank, compared with his amiablenefs, who is *' faireft among ten thoufand, and altogether lovely." Drop * If. xl. ii. VOL. I, N* 3. I i 350 A DESCANT upon CREATION. *^- Drop down, yeftiowers; and teftify, as you fall } teftify of his grace, which defcends more copioufly than the rain, diiHls more fweetly than the dew. Let fighing gales breathe, and murmuring rivulets flow ; breathe and flow in harmonious confonance to HIM ; whole Spirit is far more reviving than the cooling breeze ; who is himfelf the fountain of living waters. YE Lightnings^ blaze to his honour; ye Thunders, found HIS praiie ; while reverberating clouds return the roar, and bellowing oceans propagate the tremen- dous anthem. Muteft of creatures, add your filent oratory, and difplay the triumphs of HIS meeknefs ; who, though he maketh the clouds his chariot, and treadeth upon the waves of the fea ; tho' the thun- der is his voice, and the lightning his fword of juftice ; yet, amidft the moft abufive and cruel injuries, was fubmiffive and lifted not his hand, was u dumb and " opened not his mouth." Great Joitrce of day, ad- drefs thy radiant homage to a far fublimer fun. Write, in all thy ample round, with every lucid beam, O 1 write a teftimony to HIM, who is the brightnefs of his Father's glory ; who is the Sun of righteoufnefs to a linful world ; and is rifen, never to go down ; is ri- fen, to be our everlafting light. Shine clear, ye Skies ; look gay, thou Earth; let \\\Q floods clap their hands, and let every creature wear a fmile : for he cometh, the CREATOR himfelf cometh, to be manifefled in the flefli ; and with him comes pardon, peace, and joy j every virtue and all felicity comes in his train. An- gels and arcliangds, let your fongs be of JESUS, and teach the very heavens to echo with his adored and ma- jeftic name. Ye beheld him, with greater traniports of admiration, when you attended his agony in the garden, and faw him proftrate on the ground, than when you beheld univerfal nature riling at his call, and faw the wonders of his creating might. Tune to lofdeft notes your golden harps, and waken raptures unknown before even in heavenly breafls : while all that A DESCANT upon CREATION. 251 that has breath fwells the concert of harmony ; and all that has being unites in the tribute of praife. Chiefly, let man exalt his voice : let man, with dif- tinguifhed hofannas, hail the REDEEMER. For man, he was ftretched on the racking crols ; for man, he \vas configned to the gloomy fepulchre j for man, he procured grace unmeafurable, and blifs inconceiv- able. However different, therefore, in your age, or more different in your circumftances, be unanimous, O men, in magnifying a Saviour, who is no refpefter of peribns, who gave himfelf a ranfom for all. Bend, ye kings , from your thrones of ivory and gold ; in your robes of imperial purple, fall proftrate at HI S feet ; who forfook a nobler throne, and laid aft-de more illuftrious enfigns of majefty, that you might reign with GOD for ever and ever. Children of poverty, meaneft of mortals, (if any can be called poor, who are thus enriched ; if any can be accounted mean, who are thus ennobled,) rejoice, greatly rejoke, in GOD your Saviour; who chofe to be indigent, was willing to be contemned, that you might be entitled to the treaiures, and be numbered with the princes of hea- ven. So as of affliction, tho 1 barafTcd with pain, and inured to anguifh, O I change your groans into fongs of gratitude. Let no complaining voice, no jarring firing be heard, in the univerfal fymphony ; but glo- rify the LAMB even in the fires ; who himfelf bore greater torment, than you feel ; and has promifed you a mare in the joy which he inherits ; who has made your fufferings iliort, and will make your reft eternal. Men of hoary locks, bending beneath a weight of years, and tottering on the brink of the grave ; let CHRIST be your fupport, under ail infirmities ; lean upon CHRIST, as the rock of your falva- tion. Let his name, his precious name, form the laft accents, which quiver on your pale expiring lips. And let this be the firft, that lifps on your tongues, ye render infants % Remember your RE o E EMER, in you* I i 2 earlicft $ If. xx iv. 15* 352 A DESCANT upon CREATION. earlieft moments. Devote the choice of your hours to the learning of his will, and the chief of your flrength to the glorifying of HIS name ; who, in the perfection of health, and the very prime of manhood, was content to become a motionlefsandghaftlycorpfe, that you might be girt with the vigour, and clothed with the bloom, of eternal youth. YE fpirits of jufl men made perfett^ who are relea- fed from the burden of the flefti ; and freed from aU the vexatious felicitations of corruption in yourfelves; delivered from all the injurious effects of iniquity in others : who ibjourn no longer in the tents of ftrife, or the territories of diforder ; but are received into that pure, harmonious, holy fociety, where every one acts up to his amiable and exalted character ; where GOD himfelf is pleafed gracioujly and immediately to prefide. You find, not without pleafmg aftonifhment, your hopes improved into actual enjoyment, and your faith fuperfcded by the beatific vifion. You feel all your former fhynefs of behaviour, happily loft in the overflowings of unbounded love ; and all your little differences of opinion, entirely bore down by tides of invariable truth. Bleis, therefore, with all your en- larged powers, blefs his infinitely larger goodnefs ; who, when he had overcome the fharpnefs of death, opened the gates of paradife, opened the kingdom of heaven, to all generations, and to every denomination of the faithful. Ye men of holy converfation, and humble tempers, think of HIM, who loved you^ and luaflied you Jrom your fins in his own bloo4* Think of him, on your fi- lent couch ; talk of him, in every focial interview. Glory in his excellencies ; make yourboaft of his o- bedience ; and add, ftill continue to add, the incenfe of a dutiful life, to all the oblations of a grateful tongue. ffcakeft of believers , who go mourning un- der a fenfe of guilt, and conflicting with the cafelefs ajTaults ' A DESCANT upon CREATION. 253 ailaults of temptation ; put off your fackcloth, and be girded with gladnefs. Becaufe Jfi s u s is as mer- ciful to hear, as he is mighty to help. Becaufe he is touched with the tendered fympathizing concern, for all your diftrefTes ; and he lives, ever lives, to be your Advocate with the FATHER. Why then ftiould un- eafy doubts fadden your countenances \ why fhould defponding fears opprefs your fouls ? Turn, turn thofe difconfolate fighs into chcarful hymns ; iince you have his powerful interceffion, and his inejlimable me- rits, to be your anchor in all tribulations, to be your paifport into eternal bleflednefs. MOST of all, yeminifters ofthe/antfuary, herald^ commiffioned from above ; lift, every one, his voice like a trumpet, and loudly proclaim the REDEEMER. Get ye up, ye ambafTadprs of peace, get ye up into the high mountains ; and fpread far and wide the ho- nours of the LAMB, u that was flain, but is alive u for evermore." Teach every facred roof to re- found with his fame ; and every human heart to glow with his love. Declare, as far as the force of words will go, declare the inexhauftible fulnefs of that great atonement, whofe merits are commenfurate with the glories of the Di VINIT Y *. Tell the fmful wretch, what pity yearns in IMMANU EL'S bowels ; what blood he has fpilt, what agonies he has endured, what won- ders he has wrought, for the falvation of his enemies. Invite the indigent, to become rich ; intreat the guil- ty, to accept of pardon ; becaufe with the crucified JESUS is plenteous redemption, and all-fufficiency to lave. While you, placed in confpicuous ftations pour the joyful found ; may I, as I fteal through the vale of humble life, catch the pleafmg accents ! For me, the * If in this place and others, I have fpoken magnificently of the blood of CHRIST, and its infuperable efficacy to ex- piate guilt ; I think, it is no more than is exprefled in a very celebrated hymn, written by one of the greateft ty///, who bad alfo been one of the greateft libertines, and afterwards commenced 2J4 A DESCANT upon CREATION. the Author of all blefiings became a curfe ; for me, his bones were diflocated, and his flelh was torn ; he hung with ftreaming veins, and an agonizing foul, on the crofs, for me. O ! may I, in my little fpherc, and amidft the fcanty circle of my acquaintance, at leaft whifper thefe glad tranfporting tidings ; whifper them from my own heart, that they may furely reach, and fweetly penetrate theirs. But, when men and angels raife the grand hymn ; when all worlds, and all beings, add their collective acclamations ; this full, fervent, and univerfal chorus will be fo inferior to the riches of the REDEEMER 's grace ; fo disproportionate to the magnificence of his glory, that it will feem but to debafe the unutterable iubjeft it attempts to exalt. The loud Hallelujah will die a-way, in the folemn mental eloquence of pro- flrate, rapturous, filent adoration. goodnefs infinite I goodnefs immenfe . f ^fidlovc that pafTeth knowledge ! fiords arcvain ; Language is loft in wonders fo divine, " Come then^ exprejfive SILENCE, mufe his praifc.'* CON- commenced one of the moft remarkable penitents, in France : A hymn, which even Mr Bayle confefTes to be a very fine one: which another great critic calls an admirable one; and which a genius fuperior to them both recommends as a noble one. (See Speff. vol. VII. N* 513.) The author, having acknowledged his crimes to be beyond meafure hainous, and almoft beyond torgivenefs provoking; fo provoking, as to render tears from fuch eyes offenfive, and prayers from fuch lips abominable ;-*- compofes himfelf to fub- mit, without the leaft repining fentiment j to fubmit, even with praife and adoration, to the moft dreadful doom. Accordingly, he (lands in refigned expectation of being inftantly (truck by rhe bolts of vengeance: but with a turn of thought equally furprifing and Tprightly j with a faith properly founded, and happily firm ; he adds, Yet where ! O where ! can ev'n thy thunders fall ? Can IST'S -blood o'erfpreads and fliields me from them all* CONTEMPLATIONS O N THE NIGHT, AND THE STARRY HEAVENS, AND A WINTER-PIECE, ?te(!fegfofftec&(foi&(^^e&.':fo My meditation ofhimjhallbejweet. Pfal. civ. 34. T b I A U L ORCHARD^ Of Stock-Abbey > in Devon/hire, Efq. t>ear S I R, AS your honoured father was pleafed to make; choice of me to anfwer in your name at the font, and to exercife a fort of guardian/hip over your ipiritual interefts ; permit me, by putting thefe little treatifes into your hand, to fulfil fome part of that folemn obligation. GRATITUD E for many fignal favours, and a con- fcientious regard to my facred engagement, have long ago infpired my breaft with the warmeft wifhes, botli for your true dignity, and real happinefs. Nor can I think of a more endearing, or a more effectual way, of advancing either the one or the other, than to fet before you a (ketch of your excellent father's charac- ter. Illuftrious examples are the moft winning in- citements to virtue. And none can come attended with fuch particular recommendations to You, Sir, as the pattern of that worthy perfon, from Whom you derive your very being. A MOST cordial and reverential efteem for the di- vine word) was one of his remarkable qualities . Thojfe .oracles of heaven were his principal delight, and his infcparable companions. Your gardens, your folitary walks, and the hedges of your fields, can witnefs *, with what an unwearied affiduity lie exercifed himfelf In the law of the LORD. From hence he fetched his '* Jofh. xxiv. 27, VOL. I. N -' Kk 258 DEDICATION. his maxims of wifdom, and formed his judgment of things. The facred precepts were the model of his temper, and the guide of his life ; while the preci- ous promifes were the joy of his heart, and his por- tion for ever. IMPROVING company was another of his mod f eliming pleatures. Few gentlemen were better fur nimed, either with richnels of fancy, or copioufneis of exprefiion, to bear a mining part in converfation. With thefe talents, he always endeavoured to give fome ujejul) generally fome religious^ turn to the dif- courie. Nor did he ever reflect, with greater com- placency, on his focial hours, than when they tended to glorify the eternal Majefty ; and to awaken, irr himiclf and others, a more lively fpirit of devotion. To project for the good of others, was his fre- quent Jludy ; and to carry thofe benevolent contrivan- ces into execution, his favourite employ. When vi- fited by the young perfons of the neighbourhood, far from taking an ungraceful pride to initiate them in debauchery, or confirm them in a riotous habit ; it was his inceffant aim, by finely- adapted perfuafives, to encourage them in induftry, and eflablim them in a courie ofjobriety; to guard them againft the allure- ments of vice, and animate them with the principles of piety. A noble kind of hofpitality this ! which will probably tranfmit its beneficial influence to their earthly poffeflions, to their future families, and even to their everlafting iiate. A CONVICTION of human indigence, and a tho- rough periuafion of the divine all-iufficiency, in- duced him to be frequent in prayer. To pro- ftrate himielf, in profound adoration, before that infinitely exalted Being, who dwells in light inaccef- iible, was his glory ; to implore the continuance of the almighty favour, and the increafe of all Chr^ftiait graces was his gain. In thofe moments, no doubt, he remembered You, Sir, with a particular earneft- nefc DEDICATION. 259 uefs ; and lodged many an ardent petition in the court of heaven, for his infant-fon. Ceafe not to fe- cond them with your own devout fupplications, that they may delcend upon your head, " in the fulnefs of u the bleffings of the gofpel of peace.'* To give their genuine luftre to all his other en- dowments, he was careful to maintain an humble mind. Tho' his friends might admire his fuperior abilities, or his acquaintance applaud his exemplary behaviour, he faw how far he fell fliort of the mark of his high calling ; faw, and lamented his defects ; {aw, and re- nounced himfelf; relying, for final acceptance, and endlefs felicity, on a better righteoufnefs than his own ; even on the tranfqendently perfect righteoufnefs, and inconceivably precious death, of JE s u s the Redeem- er. This was the rock of his hope, and the very crown of his rejoicing. THESE, Sir, are ibme of the diftingwfking cha- radteriftics of your deceafed parent. As ypu had the misfortune to lofe fo valuable a relative, before you was capable of forming any acquaintance with his perfon ; I flatter tnyfelf, you will the more attentive- ly obferve his picture: this his moral picture; defign- ed, not to be let in gold, or fparkle in enamel, but to breathe in your fpirit, and to live in all your con- duct. Which, tho* it be entirely your own, calcu- Jated purely for yourielf, may poffibly (like the fa- mily-pieces in your parlour, that glance an eye upon as many as enter the room) make ibme pleafing and tijeful impreffion on every beholder. -May every one, charmed with the beautiful image, catch its refem- blance ; and each, in his refpective fphere, " go and " do like wife. ' BUT you, Sir, are peculiarly concerned to copy the amiable original. As the order of an indulgent Providence has made you heir of the affluent circum- ftances^ let not a gay and thoughtlefs inadvertence cut you off from the richer inheritance of theie nobls K k 2 ua- $6o DEDICATION. qualifications. Thefe will be your fecurity, amidft all the glittering dangers, which are infeparable from blooming years, and an elevated fituation in life. Thefe are your path, your fure and only path, to true greatnefs and folid happinefs --Tread in thefe fteps, and you cannot fail to be the darling of your friends, and the favourite of heaven. Tread in thefe fteps, and you will give inexpreflible joy to one of the beft of mothers ; you will become an extenfivc bleffing to your fellow- creatures ; and which, after fuch m oft engaging motives, is fcarce worthy to be mentioned, you will be the delight, the honour, and 'the bqafl of, Dear S I R y Tour very afe&ionate godfather , And moft faithful bumble feru ant ^ Wefton-Favell, near Northampton, July 14. 1747. JAMES HERVEY, PREFACE. ~nr E have already exercifed our fpeculations on the * tombs and flowers ; furv eying nature, covered with the deepeft horrors, and arrayed in the richejl beauties. Allegory taught many of the objects to /peak the language of virtue, while Imagination lent her co- louring to give the lejjons an engaging air. And this, with a view of imitating that divine Inftruttor ; who cemmiffioned the lily , in her Jilver fait, to remon- ft rate in the ear of unbelieving reafon; who fent his dijciples (men ordained to teach the univerfe) to learn maxims of the laft importance, from the niofl infigni- ficant birds , that wander thro* the paths of the air $ from the very meaneft herbs , that are fcattered over the face of the j- ground. Emboldened Matth. vi. 26. 28. 29. 30. f Celebrated writers, as Demojlhenes and Cicero, Thucy- dides and Livy, are obferved to have a ftyle peculiar to them- felves. Now, whoever confiders the difcourfes of Chrift, will find him diilingpifhing himfelf by a ityle, which may properly be called HIS OWN. Majertic, yet familiar; happily uniting dignity with condefcenfion ; it conlifts, in teaching his follow- ers the fubllrnefl truths, by fpiritualizing on the moft common occurrences : which, befides its being level to the loweft ap- prehenlions, and admirably adapted to fteal into the moft in- attentive heart, is accompanied with this very fingular advan- tage, that it turns even ihefphere of bufinefs into a fchool of ; and renders the moft ordinary objects a fet of mo- nitors, 262 PREFACE. Emboldened by the kind acceptance of the preceding Jkctches, I beg leave to confide in the fame benevolence of taftc,/or the protection andfupport of the two remain- ing e (fays; which exhibit a profped o/ilill life, and grand operation ; which moralize on the mojl compo- Jed, and mo/t magnificent, appearances of things. - In which, Fancy is again Juffered to introduce her ima- gery, but only as the handmaid of Truth, in order to drefs her perfon, and difplay her 'charms ; to engage the attention, and win the love,, even of the gay, and of the fafh ion able, ff^hich is more likely to be effec- ted, by forming agreeable pittures of nature, and de- riving inftruttive obfervations y than by the laborious method of long-deduced arguments, or clofe-connetfed reafonings. The contemplation of the heavens and the earth) of their admirable properties and benefi- cial changes, has always afforded the mofl exalted gra- tification to the human mind. In compliance with this prevailing tafte, I have drawn my Jerious admonitions from the Jlupendous theatre, and variegated fcenery, of the univerfe : that the reader may learn his duty from his very pleafures ; <-may gather wifdom, min- gled nttors, ever foliating our regard, becanfeever prefent to our fenfes. So that, I believe, it may be faid of this amiable me- tbodin which our LORD conveyed, as well as that of power- ful energy which attended his doctrines, That never man f pake Ilk: this man. The harvejl approaching, he reminds his dif- ciples of a far more important harveft, John iv. 35. Matt, xiii. 39. when immortal beings lhall be reaped from the grave, and gathered in from all the quarters of the earth ; when every human creature lhall fuftain the character of va- luable wheat, or defpicable tares ; and accordingly be lodged in mantions of everlafting fecurity, or configned over to the rage of unquenchable fire. In his charge to fifoermen, when, they are commencing preachers, Matth, iv. 19. he exhorts them, conformably to the nature of their late occupation, to ufe the fame affiduity and addrefs in winning fouls, as they were wont to exercife in catching the finny prey. For the farther illuitration of this no lefs ufeful, than curious fubjec"V I would refer my reader to a valuable note, in Sir Jfaac fcfl's obfervations on the prophecies, p. 148. 4to edition. PREFACE. 263 gled with virtue, from the moft refined entertainments, a?td nobleft delights. The Evening, drawing her fables over the world, and gently darkening into Night, is ajeafon peculiarly -proper for Jedate confideration. Alt drcumjiances concur to hufh our pajjionf, and foot he our cares ; to tempt our fteps abroad, and prompt our thoughts toje- rious reflection. Then is the time, For thofe whom wifdom, and whom nature charm, To fteal themfelves from the degenerate croud, And foar above this little fcene of things ; , To tread low-thoughted vice beneath their feet ; To footh the throbbing paffions into peace ; And woo lone Quiet in her filent walks f. The favour I wouldfolicit for the firft of the following compofttions, is, That it may be permitted to attend, infuch retired and contemplative excursions; to attend if not under the character of a friend, at leaft, in the humble capacity of afervant, or a page :*as a fervant, to open the door of meditation, and remove every jm pediment to thofe beft exercifes of the mind; which blend advantage with amujement, and improve while they delight : as a page, to gather up the unft able, fluc- tuating train of Fancy ; and collecj her fickle powers into a conjijtant, regular , and ujeful habit of thinking* The other, converfant among the flarry regions, would lead the imagination thro 1 thofe beautiful tratts of unclouded azure ; and point out to the judgment fome of thofe ajloni/hing particulars, which fo eminently fig- nalize the celejlial worlds. A prof p eft this, to which curioftty attracts our eyes, and to which jcripture it- j elf often directs our Jiudy : ^ prof peel beyond all o- thers moft excellently calculated to enlarge the foul, and ^ THOMS, Autumn, 1. 973. laft edit. 264 PREFACE. and ennoble its conceptions ; to give grandeft appre- hen/ions of the everlafting G 2), and create fenti~ merits of becoming fuperiority^ with relation to all tranfitory inter efts; in a word, to furnifli faith with the fur eft foundation for a fteady affiance and true mag- nanimity of Jpirit ; to afford piety the ftrongeft mo- tives both for a lively gratitude , and profound vene- ration. While Galilseo lifts his tube, and difcovers the pro- digious magnitude ofthofe radiant orbs ; while New- ton meafures their amazing diftances, and unites the whole Jyftem in harmonious order ^ by the fubtle influ- ences of attraction : / would only, like the herald be- fore that illuftrious Hebrew J , proclaim at every turn^ " Bow the knee, and adore the almighty Maker; " magnify his eternal name, and make his praife, like " all his works , to be glorious." ^ Gen. xli. 43. CON- CONTEMPLATIONS ON THE NIGHT. gfe^t&^^^gfe^&c&gfecfotfe Night is fair Virtue'/ immemorial friend : The confcious Moon, through ev'ry diftant age, Has held a lamp to Wifdom. Night-Thoughts, N V. VOL. I. N? 3* LI CONTEMPLATIONS ON THE NIGHT. THE bufmefs of the day difpatched, and the ful- try heats abated^ invited me to the recreation of a walk ; a walk in one of thejine/} recefjes of the country, and in one of the moft pleafant evenings- which the fummer-fcafon produced. The limes and elmSj uniting their branches over my head, formed a verdant canopy , and caft a mofl refrefhing (hade. Under my feet lay a carpet of na- ture's velvet} grafs intermingled with mof3, and em- broidered with flowers. Jeffamines, in conjunction with woodbines, twined around the trees, difplaying their artlejs beauties to the eye, and diftufing their de- licious facets through the air. On either fide, the boughs, rounded into a fet of regular arches, opened a view into the diflant fields, and prefented me with a profpecl of the bending Jkies . The little birds, all joyous and grateful for the favours of the light, were paying their acknowledgments in a tribute of harmo- #y, and Toothing themfelves to reft with fongs* L 1 2 While 268 CONTEMPLATIONS While a French-horn, from a neighbouring feat, fent its melodious accents, foftened by the length of their paflage, to complete the concert of the grove. Roving in this agreeable manner, my thoughts were exercifed on a fubjeft flillmore agreeable than the fea- fbn, of the fcene. , I mean, our latey// victory over the united forces of intefline treafon, and fo- reign invafion : a victory, which pours joy through the prefent age, and will tranfmit its influence to ge- nerations yet nnborn. Are not all the bleflings, which can endear fociety, or render life itfelf deiira- ble, centred in our prefent happy conftitution, and aufpicious government ? Were they not all ftruck at, by that impious and horrid blow, meditated at Rome^ levelled by France, and feconded by factious fpirits at home ? Who then can be fufficiently thankful for the gracious interpofitkm of Providence, which has not only averted the impending ruin, but turned it, with aggravated confufion, on the authors of our trou- bles ? Methinks, every thing valuable which I poffefs, e- very thing charming which I behold, confpire to en- hance this ever-memorable event. To this it is owing, that I can ramble unmolefted along the vale of private life, and tafte all the innocent fatisfa&ions of a con- templative retirement. Had rebellion * fucceeded in her deteftable defigns ; inftead of walking with fecu- rity and complacence in thefe flowery paths, I might have met the ajfaffin with his dagger; or have been obliged to abandon my habitation, and " embrace " the rock for a flicker. "Farewell then, ye fragrant {hades ; feats of meditation, and calm repofe ! 1 fhould have been driven from your loved retreats, to make way for fome barbarous, fome injidting victor. Fare- well * Referring to the rebellion, fet on foot in the year 1745 ; which, for feveral months, made a very alarming progrefs in the north ; but was happily extinguifhed by the glorious and decifive vic>ory on the NIGH T. 169 well then, ye pleafmg toils, and wholefome amufe- ments of my rural hours ! I mould no more have rear- fed the tender flower to the fun ; no more have taught the efpalier to expand her boughs ; nor have fetched, any longer, from my kitchen-garden, the pureft fup*- plies of health. Had Rebellion fucceeded in her deteftable defigns ; inftead of being regaled with the mufic of the ivoods y I might have been alarmed with the found of the trumpet, and all the thunder of war. Inftead of be- ing entertained with this beautiful landfcape^ I might have beheld our houfes ranfacked, and our villages plundered ; I might have beheld our fenced cities en- compafFed with armies, and our fruitful fields ct cloth- " ed with defolation ;" or have been mocked with the more frightful images of " garments rolled in blood," and of a ruffian's blade reeking from a brother's heart. Inftead of Peace, with her chearing olives, flickering our abodes ; inftead of Juftice, with her impartial {bale, fecuring our goods ; Perfccution had brandifhed her fword, and Slavery clanked her chains. Nor are thefe miferies imaginary only, or the crea- tures of a groundlefs panic. There are, in a neigh- bouring kingdom, who very lately experienced them in all their rigour *. And, if the malignant fpirit of Popery had forced itfelf into our church ; if an abjured pretender had cut his way to our throne ; we could have no reafon to expedl: a mitigation of their feverity, on our behalf. But, fuppofing the tender mercies of a bigotted ufurper to have been fomewhat lefs cruel ; where, alas ! would have been the encouragement to cultivate our little portion ; or what pleafure could arife from an improved fpot ; if both the one and the other lay, every moment, at the mercy of laivlefs power ? * See a pamphlet, entitled, Pop try always the fame ; which contains a narrative of the perfecutions, and fevere hardships, lately fafferedby the Pro ttft ants in thefouthern parts of France; and clofes with a nioft feafonable, alarming, and fpirited addrels to the inhabitants of Great Britain. Printed 1746. s;o CONTEMPLATIONS power ? This embittering circumftance would fpoil their relifti ; and by rendering them a precarious , would render them a joylefs acquifition. In vain might the vine fpread her purple clufters ; in vain be lavifh of her generous juices ; if Tyranny, like a ravenous har- py, mould be always hovering over the bowl, and ready to fnatch it from the lip of Induftry^ or to wreft it from the hand of Liberty. LIJBERTF, that deareft of names ; and Property, that beft of charters, give an additional, an inexpref- fible charm, to every delightful object. See, how the declining fun has beautified the lueftern clouds ; has ar- rayed them in crimfon, and Ikirted them with gold. Such a refinement of our domeftic blifs is property j Inch an improvement of our public privileges is liberty. When the lamp of day mall withdraw his beams, there will Mill remain the fame collection of floating vapours ; but O ! how changed, how gloomy ! The carnation-ftrcaks are faded ; the golden edgings are worn away ; and all the lovely tinges are loft, in a leaden-coloured louring fadnefs. Such would be the afpect of all thefe fcenes of beauty, and all thefe abodes of pleafure, if expofed continually to the caprice of arbitrary fway, or held in a ftate of abject and crin- ging dependence. The fun has aim oft finimed his daily race, and haft- ens to the goal. He defcends lower and lower, till his chariot-wheels feem to hover on the utmoft Verge of the fky. What is fomewhat remarkable, the orb of light, upon the point of fetting, grows confiderably broader. The (hadows of objects, juft before they be- come blended in undiftinguimabledarknefs, are exceed- ingly lengthened*. Like bleffings, little prized^ while fojjefjed; but highly efteemed, the very inftant they are preparing for their flight ; bitterly regretted, when once they are gone, and to be feen no more. The radiant globe is, now, half-immerfcd beneath the * Majorcfque cudunt altls de montibus umbr**- Vine. on the NIGH T. 271 the dufky earth ; or, as the ancient poets fpeak, is fhooting into the ocean, and finks in the weftern fea. And could I view the fea at this juncture, it would yield a moft atnufing and curious fpeftacle. The rays, flriking horizontally on the liquid clement, give it the appearance of floating glafs ; or, reflected in many a different direction, form a beautiful multiplicity of colours. A ftranger, as he walks along the fandy beach, and, loft in penfive attention, liftens to the murmurings of the reftlefs flood, is agreeably alarmed by the gay decorations of the furface. With entertain- ment and with wonder, he fees the curling waves, here gliflering with white, there glowing with purple ; in one place, wearing an azure tinfture ; in another, glancing a caft of undulating green ; in the whole, ex- hibiting a piece of fluid fcenery, that may vie with yonder penfile tapeftries, tho' wrought in the loom, and tinged with the dyes of heaven. While I am tranfported by fancy to the mores of the ocean, the great luminary is funk beneath the horizon, and totally difappears. The whole face of the ground is overfpread with mades ; or, with what one of the Jmeft painters of nature calls, a dun obfcurity. Only a few very fuperior eminences are tipt with dreaming lilver. The tops of groves, and lofty towers, catch the lafl /miles of day * ; are ftill irradiated by the departing beams. But, O ! how tranfient is the dif- linftion ! how momentary the gift ! Like all the blef- fings, which mortals enjoy below, it is gone almoft, as foon as granted. See ! how languimingly it trembles on the leafy fpire ; and glimmers, with a dying faint- iiefs, on the mountain's brow. The little vivacity that remains, decays every moment. It can no longer hold * See this remarkable appearance delicately defcribed, and wrought into a comparifon, which, in my opinion, is on* of the moft juft, beautiful, and noble pieces of imagery, to be found in modern poetry ; Night-Thoughts, IS? II. p. 42. 4ta edit, 17* CONTEMPLATIONS bold its ftation. While I fpeak, it expires ; and re- ligns the world to the gradual approaches of night. twilight grey Has in her fober liv'ry all things clad *. Every object, a little while ago, glared with light ; but now all appears under a more qualified luftre. The animals harmonize with the infenfible creation ; and what was gay in thofe, as well as glittering in this, gives place to an univerfal gravity. In the meadows, all was jocund and fportive ; but now the gamefome lambs are grown weary of their frolics, and the tired fiiepherd has impofed filence on his pipe. In the bran- ches all was fprightlinefs and fong : but now the live- ly green is wrapt in the defcending glooms ; and nq tuneful airs are heard, only the plaintive ftock- dove, cooing mournfully through the grove. Should I now be vain and trifling, the heavens and the earth would rebuke my unieafonable levity. Therefore, be thefe moments devoted to thoughts fedatc as the clo- fing day, folemn as the face of things. And, indeed, however my focial hours are enlivened with innocent pleafantry, let every evening, in her fable habit, toll the bell to ferious confideration. Nothing can be more proper, for a pcrfon who walks on the borders of e- ternky, and is hafting continually to his final audit ; nothing more proper, than daily to flip away from the circle of amufements, and frequently to relinquish the hurry of bufinefs, in order to confider and adjuft 4t the things that belong to his peace." SINCE the fun is departed, from whence can it pro- ceed, that I am not involved in pitchy darknefs ? Whence thefe remainders of dimini/hed brightnefs * which, though fcarcely forming a refulgence, foften and footh the horrors of night. I fee not the mining ruler, yet am chearcd with a real, though faint com- munication * MILT. Par. Lojl, b, IV. 1. 598. on the NIGHT. 273 miinication of his fplendor. Does he remember us, in his progrefs through other climes ? Does he fend a detachment of his rays to ejcort us during his perfonal abfence ; or to cover (if I may ufe the military term) our retreat from the fcene of action ? Has he bequeath- ed us a dividend of his beams, fufficient to render our circumftances eafy, and our fituation agreeable ? till ileep pours its foft oppreffion on the organs of fenfe ; till fleep fufpends all the operations of our hands, and entirely fuperfedes any farther occafion for the light. No : it is ill judged and imreafonable, to afcribe this beneficent conduct to the fun. Not unto him, not unto him ; but unto his almighty Maker, we are obli- ged, for this pleafing attendant, this valuable -legacy. The gracious Author of our being has fo difpofed the collection of circumambient air, as to make it pro- ductive of this fine and wonderful effect. The fun- beams, falling on the higher parts of the sreal fluid, inftead of paffing on in ftrait lines, are bent inwards, and conducted to our fight. Their natural courfe is over-ruled, and they are bidden to wheel about, on purppfe to favour us with a welcome andfalutary vi- fit. By which means, the blefling of light, and the feafon of bufinefs, are confiderably prolonged ; and, what is a very endearing circumftance, prolonged moil confiderably, when the vehement heats of fummef in- cline ihejlitdent to poftponehis walk, till the tempe- rate evening prevails ; when the important labours of the harvefl call the hujbandman abroad, before! the day is fully rifen. AFTER all the ardors of the fultry day, how revi- ving is this coolnefs ! This gives new verdure to the fading plants, new vivacity to the withering flowers, and a more exquifite fragrance to their mingled fcents. By this, the air alfo receives a new. force, and is qualified to exert itfelf with greater activity : qualified VOL. I. N 3. Mm t.a 274 CON T E M P L A T I O-.N S to brace our limbs ; to heave our lungs ; and co-ope- rate, with a brilker impulie, in perpetuating the circu- lation of our blood. This I might call the grand (f- lembic of nature ; which diftils her moft fovereign ror- dial, the refreshing dews. Inceffant heat would rob us of their beneficial agency ; and oblige them to eva- porate, in imperceptible exhalations. Turbulent winds, or even the gentler motions of Aurora's fan, would diffipate the rifiiTg vapours, and not fuffer them to form a coalition. But, favoured by the ftillnefs, and condenied by the coolnefs of the night, they unite in pearly drops, and create tio& finely-tempered humi- dity, which chears the vegetable world, as ileep ex- hilarates the animal. Not unlike to thefe are the advantages offolitude. The world is a troubled ocean ; and who can ereft ftable purpoles on its fluctating waves? The world is a fchool of wrong ; and who does not feel himfelf warping to its pernicious influences * ? On this fea of glafe f , how infenfibly we flide from our own ftedfaft- nefs ! Some iacred truth^ which was (truck in lively characters on our fouls, is obfcured, if not obliterated. Some worthy refolution, which heaven had wrought in our breads, is fhaken, if not overthrown. Some en- ticing vanity , which we had folemnly renounced, again pra&ifes its wiles, and again captivates our affections. How often has an unwary glance kindled a fever of irregular defire in our hearts ? How often has a word of applatife dropt lufcious poifon into our ears ; or fome difrefpectful expreffion raifed a guft of paflion in our bofoms ? Our innocence is of fo tender a confti- tution, that it differs in the promiscuous croud. Our purity is of fo delicate a complexion, that it fcarce touches on the world, without contracting a ffcain. We lee, we hear, with peril. But * Nunquam a turbo, mores^ quos extul'i, refers. j4liquid, ex re quod compofui, turbatur : aliquio, ex his q:t fagavi, rc- dit. Inimica fjl multoritm converfatio. -j- Rev. xv. 2 on the NIGHT. 275 But here fofety dwells. Every meddling and in- trufive avocation is fecluded. Silence holds the door againft the ftrife of tongues, and all the impertinen- cicsofidle converfation. The bufy fwarm of vain images, and cajoling temptations, which befet us, with a buzzing importunity, amidft the gaieties of life, are chafed by theie thickening (hades. Here I may, with- out difturbance, commune with my own heart ; and learn that bed of fciences, to know myfelf. Here the ibul may rally her diflipated powers, and grace recover its native energy. This is the opportunity to rectify every evil impreflion j to expel the poifon, and guard againlt the contagion, of corrupting examples. This is the place where I may, with advantage, apply my- felf to fubdue the rebel within; and be inafter, not of a fceptre, but of myfelf. Throng then, ye ambitious, the levees of the powerful ; I will be punctual in my affignations with iblitude. To a mind intent upon its own improvement, folitude has charms incomparably more engaging, than the entertainments prefented in the theatre, or the honours conferred in the drawing-room. I SAID, folitude. Am I then alone ? 'Tis true t my acquaintance are at adiftance, I have ftole away from company, and am remote from all human obfer- yation. -But that is an alarming thought, Millions of fpiritual creatures "walk the earth, Unfeen, both "when ive "wake y and when ivejleep *, Perhaps, there may be numbers of thofe invifible beings^ patrolling this fame retreat ; and joining with me, in contemplating the Creator's works. Perhaps, thofc minifteringfpiritS) who rejoice at the converfion of a (inner, and hold up the goings of the righteous, jnay follow us to the lonely recefs ; and, even in our mpft * MILT. Par. Lojl, b. IV. 1. 677, Mm 2 276 C O N T M P L A T I O N S moft folitary moments, be out conftant attendants.- What a pleafing awe is awakened by fuch a refle&ion ! How venerable it renders my retired walks ! I am ftruck with reverence, as under the roof of fome fa- cred edifice, or in the prefence-chtmbcr of fome migh- ty monarch. O ! may I never bring any pride of imagination, nor indulge the lead dhTolute affe&ion, where fuch refined and exalted intelligences exercife their watch ! 'Tis poffible, that I am encompafTed with fuch * cloud of witnefTes ; but it is certain, that GOD, the infinite eternal GOD, is how and ever with me. The great JEHOVAH, before whom all the angelic armies bow their heads, and veil their faces, furrounds me ; fuppprts me ; pervades me. " In HIM I live, move, " and have -my. being."- The whole world is his au- guft temple ; and, in the moft fequeftered corner, I ap- pear before his adorable Majefty, no lefs than when I worfliip in his houfe, or kneel at his altar. In every place, therefore, let me pay him the homage of a heart, cleanfed from idols, and devoted to his iervice. In every circumftance, let me feel no ambition, but to pleafe him j nor covet any happinefs, but to enjoy him. How fublime is the defcription, and how ftriking the fentiment, in that noble palTage of the pfalms ! W hither fliall I go from thy Spirit, or -whither Jli all 1 flee from thy prefence f If I climb up into the heights ofnea- "jen, thou art there inthroned in light. If 1 go down to the depths of the^r^i;<?, thoii art there at/bin thy pavilion of darknels. If I retire to the remoteft eaftern climes, "where the morning firft takes -wing : if, fwifter than the darting ray, / pafs to the oppofite regions of the weft, 3,nd remain in the uttermoft parts ofthcfea*: mall I, in that * Pfal. cxxxix. 7, 8, 9. There is, I think, an additional flrength and beauty in the thought, if, with the learned Mr Mudge y we fuppofe brtajftitfrtfa between the two claufes of the lait on the NIGHT. 277 tkat dirtant fituation, be beyond thy reach ; or, by this Hidden traniition, efcape thy notice I So far from it, that could I, with one glance of thought, tran- port myielf beyond all the bounds of creation ; I ihould (till be encircled with the immeniity of thy ef- fence ; or rather, ftill be inclofed in the hollow of thy hand. Awful, yet delightful truth 1 Let it be inter- woven with every thought ! and become one with the very confcioufnefs of my exiftence ! that I may con- tinually walk with GOD, and conduct myfelf, in e- very ftep of my behaviour, u as Jeeing HIM ttiat is " invijible." They are the happy perfons ; felicity, true felicity, is all their own; who live under an habitual fenfe of GOD'S omniprefence, and a fweet perfuafion of his* fpecial love. If dangers threaten, their impregnable defence is at hand. Nothing can be fo near to terrify, as their Almighty Guardian to fecure them. To thefe the hours can never be tedious ; and it is iinpof- fible for them to be alone. Do they ftep afide from the occupations of animal life ? A more exalted fet of employments engage their attention. They addrefs themfelves, in all the various acls of devotion, to their heavenly Father ; ivho now fees in fccret, and will hereafter reward them openly. They fpread all their wants before his indulgent eye, and dilburden all their forrows into his compaffionate bofom. Do they with- draw from human fociety 1 They find themfelves un- der the more immediate regards of their Maker. If they refign the fatisfaclions of focial intercourfe, it is to cultivate a correfpondence with the condefcending DEITY, and tafte the pleafures of divine friendmip. What is fuch a ft 'ate, but the very fuburbs of hea- ven ? What is fuch a conduft^ but an antepaft of eter- nal blefTednefs ? Now, laft verfe, as there evidently is between thofe of the preced- ing ; and that they exprefs, in a poetical ftyle, the extremi- ties of the eaft and the weft. syS CONTEMPLATIONS Now, my foul, the day is ended. The hours are all fled. They are fled to the fupreme Judge, and have given in their evidence ; an evidence regiftered in heaven ! and to be produced at the great audit. Happy they whole improvement has kept pace with the fleeting minutes ; who have feized the important fugitives, and engaged them in the purfuit of wifdoin, or devoted them to the fervice of virtue* Fugitives indeed they are. Our moments flip away filently and infenfibly. The thief fteals not more un- perceived from the pillaged houfe. And will the runagates never flop ? No : where-ever we arc, how- ever employed, time purfues his inceiFant courfe. Though -we are lifllefs and dilatory ; the great meafu- rer of our days prefles on ; ftill prefles on, in his un- wearied career * ; and whirls our weeks, and months, and years away. Is it not then furprifingly ftrange, to hear people complain of the tedioufnefs of their time, and how heavy it hangs upon their hands ? to fee them contrive a variety of amufing artifices, to accelerate its flight, and get rid of its burden ? Ah 1 thoughtlefs mortals ! Why need you urge the heedlong torrent ? Your days are fwifter than a poft ; which, carrying clifpatches of the laft importance, with unremitted fpeed fcours the road. They pals away like the nim- ble flips; which have the wind in their wings, and Jkim along the watery plain. They haften to their deftined period, with the rapidity of an eagle; which leaves the ftormy blaft behind her, while me cleaves the air, and darts upon her prey -f. Now the day is gone, how flort it appears ! When my * Ssdfugit Inlerea^ fugit irrcparabile tempus, VIRG. j- Job ix. 25. 26. By thefe three very exprefllve images, the inlpired poet reprefents the unintermlttcd and rapid flight of time. The paflage is illuftrated with great judgment, and equal on the N I G H T. 279 my fond eye beheld it in perfpetfive^ it Teemed a very considerable fpace. Minutes crouded upon minutes, and hours ranged behind hours, exhibited an extenfive draught, and flattered me with a long progreffion of pleaiures. But, upon a retrospective view, how won- derfully is the fcene altered ! The landfcape, large and ipacious, which a warm fancy drew, brought to the teft of cool experience, (brinks into a fpan. Juft as the mores vanifh, and mountains dwindle to afpot, when thefailor, furrounded by ikies and ocean, throws his laft look on his native land. How clearly do I now difcover the cheat ! May it never impofe upon my unwary imagination again ! I find, there is nothing abiding on this fide eternity. A long duration, in a flate of finite exiftence, is mere illufion. Perhaps, the healthy , and the gay, may not readily credit the ierious truth ; efpecially from a young pen, and new to its employ. Let us then refer ourfelves to the decifion of th ancient. Afk fome venerable old perfon, who is juft marching off the mortal ftage, How many have been the days of the years of thy life |f It was a monarch's queftion, and therefore can want no recommendation to the falhionable world. Ob- ferve, how he makes his hoary locks, and from a deep- felt conviclion replies; " Four f core years have finifli- " ed their rounds, to furrow thefe cheeks, and clothe " this head in ihow. Such a term may feem long and Cl large to inconiiderate youth. But O ! how mort, " how fcanty, to one that has made the experiment ! u Shorty as a gleam of tranfient funfhine j fcanty, as 41 Che rqual delicacy, in Dr Grey's moft ingenious abridgement of Scbultffs. o%^ tribus in elcm- ::tis velocitfima, hie adrriira- bili cum emphaji cangeruntur. In terris, nil -permc'ius curfo- re, ft quidcm Utl quid ff rente. Rapidjus tarnen adhuc undas, nonftcant, fed fupervolant, navigiola papyro contexta. Om- nium rdtpidijfime aersm grandibus alls permetitur acquila y cipiti lapfu rufns in pr/edam. t Gen. xlvii. 8. Htb. Bib. CONTEMPLATIONS *' the fhadow that departeth. Methinks, it wa3 but 44 yefterday that I exchanged my childifhfports, forman- " ly exercifes ; and now I am refigning them both, for " the fleep of death. As foon as we are born y we be- 44 gin to draw to our end; and how fmall is the inter- **' val between the cradle and the tombl"O; may we believe this teftimony of mature age ! May every evening bring it, with clearer evidence to our minds I And may we form fuch an eftimate of the little pit- tance, while it is upon the advancing hand, as we mail certainly make, when the fands are all run downj Let me add one reflection on the work to be done while this (buttle is flying through the loom *. A work of no fmall difficulty, yet of the utmoft confe- quence ! Haft thou not feen, haft thou not known, the excellent of the earth, who were living images of their Maker ? His divine likenejs was transfufed into their hearts, and beamed forth in all their conduift ; beamed forth in meeknefs of wifdom, and purity of affection ; in all the tender offices of love, and all the noble efforts of zeal. To be (lamped with the fame beautiful fignature, and to be followers of them, as they were of CHRIST ; this, this is thy bujinefs. On the accomplishment of this, thy eternal all depends. And will an affair of fuch unfpeakable weight admit of a moment's delay, or coniift with the leaft remifF- nefs ? Efpecially, fince much of thy appointed time is already elapfed ; and the remainder is all uncertainty, fave only that it is in the very act to fly. Or fuppofc, thou hadft made a covenant with the grave, and waft affurcd of reaching the age of Methujelah; how foon would even fuch a leafe expire ! Extend it, if you pleafe, ftill farther ; and let it be co-exiflent with na- ture itielf. How inconfiderable is the addition ! For yet a very little while, and the commiflioned archan- gel lifts up his hand to heaven, and fwears by the al- mighty *.My days arefwiftcr than a x;*v4r > s fiuttlc. Job vii. 6 im the N I G H T. 28* mighty name, That time fliall be no longer . Then abufed opportunities will never return ; and new op- portunities will never more be offered. Then, fhould negligent This alludes to the beginning of Rcvelathns the xth ; which, abftracled from its fpiritual meaning, and confidered only as a (lately piece of machinery^ well deferves our atten- tion; and, I will venture to fay, has not its fuperior, perhaps not its equal, in any of the moft celebrated matters of Greece and Rvmt.-*- All that is gloomy or beautiful in the atmofphere all that is (triking or magnificent in every element, is taken to heighten the idea. Yet nothing is difproportionate ; but an. uniform air of ineffable majefty greatens, exalts, ennobles the \vhole.~Be pleafed to obferve the afpeft of this augult perfon- age. All the brightnefs of the fun mines in his countenance; and all the rage of the fire burns in his feet. See his apparel. The clouds compofe his robe, and the drapery of the Iky floats upon his moulders. The rainbow forms his diadem; and that which " compafieth the heaven with a glorious circle," is the ornament of his head Behold his attitude. One foot ftands on the ocean, the other refts on the land. The wide- extended earth, and the world of waters, ferve as pedeftals for thofe mighty columns. "Confider" the aflion. His hand is lifted up to the height of the (tars. He fpeaks ; and the re- gions of the firmament echo with the mighty accents^ as the rnidQight-defert refounds with the lion's roar. The artillery of the Ikies is difcharged at the fignal ; a peal of fevenfo'd thunders fpreads the alarm, and prepares the univerfe to re- ceive his orders. To finifh all, and give thehi^heft grandeur, as well as the utmoft folemnity, to the representation, hear the decree that ifTties from his mouth. He fib cars by HI J\I that liveth for ever and evsr. In whatever manner fo majelVic a perfon had exprefTed himfelf, he could not fail of commanding universal attention. But when he confirm?, his fpeech by a moft facred and inviolable oath, we are not only wrapt in (ilent fuf- penfe,but overwhelmed with the profoundeftawe. >He fwcars, j[hat time foall be no longer. Was ever VSic'e fo full of terror; fo big with wonder? It proclaims, not the fall of empires, buc the final period of things. ]c Itrikes off the wheels of nature; bids ages and generations ceafe to roll; and, with one potent word, confiorns a whole world over to diffblution. This is one among a multitude of very fublime and mufterly ftrokes r ro be found in that too much neglected book the BIBJ.IL. VOL. I. N 3. N n CONTEMPLATIONS negligent mortals wifli wifli ever fo paffionatelyr foe a few hours a few moments only to be thrown buck from the opening eternity ; thoufands of worlds would not be able to procure the grant. Shall I now be induftrious to fliorten what is no longer than a fpan, or to quicken the pace of what is ever on the wing? Shall I fquander away what is un- utterably important, while it lafts ; and, when once departed, is altogether irrevocable? O ! my foul, for- bear the folly ; forbear the defperate extravagance. Wilt thou chide as a loiterer, the arrow that boundeth from the firing ; or fweep away diamonds, as the re- fufe of thy houfe ? Throw time away ! Aftonifhing, ruinous, irreparable profufenefs ! Throw empires a- way, and be blamelefs. But O ! be pariimonious of thy days. ; hufband thy precious hours. They go con- nected, indiffolubly connected, with heaven or hell *. Improved, they are a fure pledge of everlafting glory ; wafted, they are a fad preface to never-end- ing confufion and anguifh. WH A T a profound filence has compofed the world ! So profound is the filence, that my very breath feems a noife ; the ticking of my watch is diftinctly heard ; if 1 do but Mir, it creates a difturbance. There is now none of that confufed din from the tumultuous city ; no * I remember to have fecn, upon a fun-dial in a phyfician's garden at Northampton, the following infcription ; which, I think, is the molt proper motto for the inftrmnent that mea- fures our time, and the moh /hiking admonition that can poi- fibly be preiented to every eye. AB HOC MOMFNTO P2NDET ./E T E RH I T A S. The weighty fenfe of which, I know not how to exprefs in EngliJJj, more happily than in thofe words of Dr Watts : Good God ! on what a Jlentler thread (]Or, on wha.t a moment of timej Hang cverlafting things J on the N I G H T. 283 no voice of jovial ruftics from the neighbouring mt a- dow ; no chirping melody from the Ihady thicket. Every lip is fealed. Not the lead whilpcr invades the air ; nor the lead motion ruftles among the boughs. Echo herfelf deeps unmoleded. The expanded ear, though all attention, catches no found, but the liquid lapfe of a diftant murmuring dream. 4$ll things are hufli'd, as nature's fdf lay dead. If, in the midlt of this deep and univerfal cornpo- fure, ten thoufand bellowing thunders fhould burft o- ver my head, and rend the ikies with their united vol- leys ; how fhould I bear ib unexpected a flock f It would dun my fenfes, and confound my thoughts. I fhould (hudder in every limb ; perhaps fink to the earth with terror.' Confider then, O mortals ! confi- der the much more prodigious and amazing call, which will, ere long, alarm your deeping bones. When the tenants of the tomb have {lumbered, in the mod un- didurbed repofe, for a multitude of ages ; what an inconceivable condernation mud the flout of the arch- angel, and the trump of GOD, occaiio'n 1 Will it not wound the ear of the ungodly ; and affright, even to didraftion, the impenitent finner ? The ftupendous peal will found riirough the vaft of heaven ; will ihake the foundations of nature ; and pierce even the deep- ed recedes of the grave. And how O ! how will the prifoners of divine judice be able to endure that trc- mcndous JwmHons to a far more tremendous tribunal ? Do thou, my foul, liden to the Jiill -voice of the gofpel. Attend, in this thy day, to the gracious in- vitations of thy Saviour. Then mail that great mid- night-cry loie its hprror, and be mitfec in thy cars. It ihall be welcome to thy reviving clay, as the tidings of liberty to the dungeon-captive ; as the year of ju- bilee to the haraded Have. This, this (hall .be 'its charming import ; " Awake, and fing, yc that dwell iv 4uft *. WHAT * If. xxvi. 19. Nn a 284 CONTEMPLATIONS WHAT a general cejjation of affairs has thisdufky hour introduced ! A little while ago, all was hurry, hurry. Life and activity exerted themfelvcs in a thou- fand bufy forms. The city fwarmed with paffing and repafling multitudes. All the country was fwcat and dull. The air floated in perpetual agitation, by the flitting birds, and humming bees. Ait fat prying with her piercing eyes ; while Induftry plied her reftlefs hands. But fee, how all this fervent and impetuous bufl|e is fled with the feting fun. The beafts are flunk to their grafly couch j and the winged people are re- tired to their downy nefts. The hammer has refigned its founding tafk, and the file ceafes to repeat its fly- ing touches. Shut is the well- frequented fliop, ancl its threfhold no longer worn by the feet of numerous cuflomers, The villagc-fwain lyes drowned in flum- bers ; and even his trufly dog, who, for a confiderable time, flood centry at the door, is extended at his eafe, and fnores with his mafler . In every place Toil reclines her head, and Application folds her arms. All interefls feem to be forgot j all purfuits are fufpended ; all em- ployment is funk away, funk away with thofe flutter- ing myriads, which lately fported in the fun's depart- ing rays.---'Tis like the fabbath of univerfal nature j or as tho' the pulfe of life flood ftitt, Thus will it be with our infinitely momentous con- cerns, wheq once theftiadows of the evening (that long evening which follows the footfleps of death 1) are ftr etched over us. The dead cannot feek unto Goo ; the living, the living alone, are pofTefTcd of this inef- timablc opportunity *. '* There is no work or de- " vice, no repentance or amendment, in the grave f, " whither * Behold .' now is the accepted time. Rcbold ! now is ths day of falvation. 2 Cor. vi. 2. Hafte, hade, he lyes in wait, he's at the door, Infidious death ! fhou'd his flrong hand arreft, No compofhion fets the prisoner free. { They who are gone down to the grave, are reprefented on the NIGH T. 285 iC whither we all arc hafling." When once that clofing fcene is advanced, we (hall have no other part to adfc on this earthly theatre. Then, the fluggard, who has {lumbered away life in a criminal inactivity, muft lye down in hopelefs diftrefs, and everlafting forrow. Then that awful doom will take place, u He that is " holy, let him be holy ft ill j and he that is filthy , let " him be filthy for ever." Is it fo, my foul ? Is this the only, only time allotted for obtaining the great reward, arid making thy falva- tion fure ? And art thou lulled in a vain Jecurity, or dreaming in a jupine inadvertency f Start, O ! ftart from thy trance. Gird up the loins of thy mind, and work while it is day. Improve the prelent feed-time, that eternity may yieldajoyfulharveft. Weefpecial- ly, who are watchmen in Ijrael, andminiflers of the glo- rious gofpel ; may we be awakened, by this confidera- tion, to all aifiduity in our holy office. Some or other of our people are ever and anon departing into the invi- iible ftate j all our friend* are making incefTant ap- proaches (If. xxxviii. ii.) by the phrafe, raw; ^in -rendered by Vi~ tritiga, Thofe that inhabit the land of intrrmi/fiori or ce/fation. Which prevents all appearance of tautology in the fentence; and is, I think, a valuable improvement of the translation ; as it conveys an idea, not only diftincl: from the preceding, but of a very poetical and very afflicting nature ; fuch as was per- fectly natural for the royal finger, and royal futferer to dwell upon, in his defponding moments. Thus interpreted thefenfe will run ; " I Jhall fee man no more ; I lhall be cut off from " the chearful ways of men, and all the fweets of human fo- 44 ciety. And, what is a farther aggravation of the threaten-i * 4 ed (troke, I Jball^ by its taking place, be numbered -with ** tbofe that inherit the land <>fcff/ation and inactivity j where 44 there will be no more pottibility of contributing to the hap- 44 pinefs of my kingdom, no more opportunity of advancing 44 my Creator's glory t or of making my own final falvation 44 fure." A femiment like this is grand, important, and full of benevolence; removes all fufpicion of unbecoming fuJtlU- nimity y and does the higheft honour to th? monarch's charaq- 286 CONTEMPLATIONS preaches to their long home ; and we ourf elves mall very fhortly be tranfmitted to the confinement of the tomb. This is the favourable juncture, wherein alone we can contribute to their endlefs welfare. This is the crifis, the all- important crifis y of their final felicity. Inftantly, therefore, let us pour in our wholefome in- firutttons ; inflantly let us ply them with our earned exhortations. A moment's delay may be an irrepa- rable lols ; may be irretrievable ruin. While we pro- craftinate, a fatal ftroke may intervene ; and place us beyond the power of adminiftering, or place them be- yond all poflibility of receiving, any fpiritual good*. Hew frequently is the face of nature changed! and, by changing, made more agreeable / The long-con- tinued glitter of the day, renders the foothing (hades of the evening doubly welcome. Nor does the morn ever purple the eaft with fo engaging a Inftre, as after the gloom of a dark and difmal night. At prefent, a calm of tranquillity is fpread through the univerfe. The weary winds have forgot to blow. The gentle gales have fanned themfelves afleep. Not fo much as a iingle leaf nods. Even the quivering afpin refts. j4ndnot one breath cur Is o'er the ftream, Sometimes, on the contrary, the tcmpeft fummons all the forces of the air ; and pours itfelf, with relHHefs fury, from the angry north. The whole atmofphere is tofTed into tumultuous confiifion, and the watery world is heaved to the clouds. The aftonimed mariner, and his {training veffel, now fcale the rolling mountain, and hang dreadfully vifjble on the broken (urge 5 now fnobt, * The cafe represented by the prophet (i Kings xx. 40.) feems perfectly applicable on this occafion. As thy fcivant 11} as Intfy hfre and there, he "was gone. So, while we are either remlfs in our fundion, or laying ourfelves out upon inferior cares, the people cf pur charge may be gone; gone beyond th'e influence of our counfels, beyond the reach of our prayers} gone into the unchangeable and eternal (late. on the N I G H T. 287 fhoot, with headlong impetuofity, into the yawning gulf; and neither hulk nor rnaft is feen. The ftorm {weeps over the continent ; raves along the city-ftreets ; ftruggles through the forefl-boughs ; and terrifies the favage nations with a howl, more wildly horrid than their own. The knotty oaks bend before the blaft ; their iron trunks groan j and their ftubborn limbs are dafliecl to the ground. The lofty dome rocks j and even the folid tower totters on its bafts. Such variations are kindly contrived, and with an evident condefcenfion to the ficklenefs of our tafte. Becaufe a perpetual repetition of the fame objecls w oald create fatiety and difgujl ; therefore the indulgent Fa- ther of our race has diverfified the univerlal fcene, and bid every appearance bring with it the charm of novelty. This circumftance isbeneficial^ aswell as en- tertaining. Providence, ever gracious to mortals, ever intent upon promoting our felicity, has taken care to mingle, in the conftitution of things, what is pleafing to our imagination, with what is ferviceable to our interefls. The piercing winds, and rugged afpeft of winter, render the balmy gales, and flowery fcenes of fpring, peculiarly delightful. At the fame time, the keen frofts mellow the foil, and prepare it for the hand of Industry. The ruftiing rains impregnate the glebe, and fit it to become a magazine of plenty. The earth is a great laboratory; and December's, cold collects the grofs materials, which 2x fublimated_ by the refining warmth of May. The air is a pure elaftic fluid ; and were it always to remain in this motion- lefs ferenity, it would lofe much of its aftive fpring; was it never agitated by thofe wholefome concufh'ons, it would contract a noifome, perhaps, a peftilential taint. In which cafes, our refpiration, inftead of purifying, would corrupt the vital juices ; inftead of fupplying us with refrefhment, would be a fourcc of dileafes ; or every gafp we draw, might be unavoid- able 688 CONTEMPLATIONS able death *. How then fhould we admire, how fhould we adore, that happy union of benignity and wifdom ; which, from a variety of difpenfations, pro- duces an uniformity of good ? produces a perpetual fucccffion of delights, and an uninterrupted {cries of advantages ! The darknefs is now at its height \ and I cannot but admire the obliging manner of its taking place. It comes not with a blunt and abrupt incivility, but makes gentle and refpe&ful advances. A precipitate tranfition, from the {plendors of day, to all the hor- rors of midnight, would be inconvenient and fright- ful. It would bewilder the traveller in his journey ; it would /hike the creation with amazement ; and, perhaps, be pernicious to the organs of fight. There- fore the gloom ruihes not upon us inftantaneouily, but increafes by flow degrees : and, fending tiuilight before as its harbinger^ decently advertises us of its approach. By this means, we are neither alarmed, nor incommoded, by the change ; but are able to take all fuitable and timely meafures for its reception.- Thus gracioufiy has Providence regulated, not only the grand * Confidering the immenfe quantity of coals, and other combuftible materials, which are daily confumed, and evapo- rate into the air ; confidering the numberiefs fteams, and clouds of fnoke, which alrnott continually overwhelm populous cities j thenoifome exhalations, which arifefrom thronged in- firmaries and loathfome jails, from (taguating lakes and putrid fens ; the variety of offenfive and unwholefome efiluvia, which proceed from other caufes ; it is a very remarkable in (lance of a Providence, at once tenderly kind, and infinitely powerful, that mankind is notfuffocatfd with ftench; that the air is not choked with tilth. The air is the common fewer, into which ten thoufand times ten thoufjud nuifartces are incefiantly dif- charged ; yet it is preferved fo thoroughly clear, as to afford the moft trani'parent medium for vifion ; fo delicately undulatory, as to tranfmit, with all imaginable diftinftnefr, every diveril- ty of found ; ib perfectly pure, as to be the cenftant refiner of the fluids, hi every animal that breathes. on the NIGH t. 289 grand viciljitudes of the feafons, but alfo the common interchanges of light arid darknels, with an apparent reference tti our comfort. Now the fierce inhabitants of the joreft forfake their dens. A thoufand grim forms, a thoui'and growling monlters, pace the defcrt. Death is in their j'aws, while, flung with hunger, and athirfl for blood, they roam their nightly rounds. Unfortunate the traveller, who is overtaken by the night, in thofe dif- mal wilds ! How muft he ftand aghaft at the min- gled yell of ravenous throats, and lions roaring after their prey ! Defend him, propitious heaven ! or die he muft fee his endearing fpoufe, and hail his native home, no more ! Now the prowling wolf, like a murderous ruffian, dogs the (hepherd's footfteps, and befets his bleating charge. The fox, like a crafty fe- lon, fteals to the thatched cottages, and carries off the feathered booty. Happy for the world, were thefe the only deftroy- ers that walk in darknefs. But, alas 1 there are fa- vages in human fhape, who muffled in (hades, infeft the abodes of civilized life. The fons of -violence make choice of this feafon *, to perpetrate the moft outrageous a&s of wrong and robbery. The adulter- er waiteth for the twilight ; and, bafer than the vil- lain on the highway, betrays the honour of his bo- f bm-friend. Now Faction forms her clofe cabals, and whifpers her traiterous infinuations. Now Rebellion plans her accurfed plots, and prepares the train to blow a nation into ruin. Now crimes which hide their odious heads in the day, haunt the feats of ibciety, and ftalk thro* the gloom with audacious front. Now the vermin of thcftews crawl from their lurking-holes, to wallow in iin, and fpread contagion through the night : * When night Darkens the ftreet?, then wander forth the fons Of Btlial, flown with infolence and wine. MJUT VOL. I. N4 Uo 290 CONTEMPLATIONS night : each foothing himfelf with the fond notion, that all is fafe ; that no eye fees. Are they then concealed ? Prepofterous madmen ! to draw the curtain between their infamous practices, and a little fet of mortals ; but lay them open to all thefe chafte and wakeful eyes of heaven * ! as though the moon and ftars were made to light men to their revels, and not to GOD. Are they then concealed ? No, truly. Was everyone of thefe vigilant lumina- ries clofed ; an eye keener than the lightning's flam, an eye brighter than ten thoufand funs, beholds their e- very motion. Their thickeft {hades are beaming day j-, to the jealous Infpector, and fupreine Judge of human actions. Deluded creatures ! have ye not heard, have ye not read, " that clouds and darknefs " are HIS majeftic refidencej ?" In that very gloom, to which you fly for covert, he erects his throne. What you reckon yourfcreen, is the bar of his tri- bunal. O ! remember this ! ftand in awe, and fin not. Remember, that the great and terrible GOD if about your path ||, when you take your midnight- range ; is about your bed, when you indulge the loofe defire ; andfpies out all your ways, be they ever fo fecretly conducted, or artfully difguifed. SOME * Sed luna vldet, fedjidera tejles Intendunt oculos. f This is finely, and very forcibly exprefled by the pfalmifl: If Ifay, Per adventure the darknefs Jk all cover me ; then Jhall my night be turned to day : or, as it may be rendered fome- \vhat more emphatically, Even the night Jhall be broad day light all around me. Pfal. cxxxix. 10. ^ Pfal. xcvii. 2. |j The original words are much flronger than the tranflation, rmi and nruaarr fignif'y, Thou Jiftcft my path, and art Inti- mately acquainted with all my ways : the former, I apprehend, denoting the exaft cogniiance which the Almighty taketh, the latter implying the co nftant infpeclrion which he exercifeth, o- ver all the circumftances of our conduct. Pfal. cxxxix. 2. on the NIGHT. 291 SOME minutes ago, a pafTenger crofled along the road. His horfe's foot flruck the ground, and fetch- ed fire from a flint. My eye, tho* Hit a diftance, catch- cd the view ; and faw, with great dcarnefs, the tran- fient fparkles : of which, had I been ever fo near, I fhould not have difcerned the leajt glirnpje, under the blaze of day. So *, when ficknefs has drawn a veil ever the gaiety of our hearts ; when misfortunes have eclipfed the fplendor of our outward circumftances ; how many important convictions prefentthemfelveswith the brighteft evidence ! Under the funfhine of profpe- rity, they lay undifcovered ; but, when fome interve- ning cloud has darkened the fcene, they emerge from their obfcurity, and even glitter upon our minds. Then, the world, that delufive cheat, confefTes her emptinefs : but JES u s, the bright and Morning-ftar, beams forth with inimitable luftre. Then, vice lofes all her fallacious allurements ; that painted flrumpet is horrible, as the hags of hell: but virtue, defpifed vir- tue, gains lovelinefs from a louring providence, and treads the (hades with more than mortal charms. May this reconcile me, and all the Jons of farrow y to our appointed Ihare of fuffering ! If tribulation tend to diffipate the inward darknefs, and pour heavenly day upon our minds ; welcome diflreis j welcome difappointment ; welcome whatever cur froward flefli O o 2 or * I beg leave to inform the young gentleman, whofe name dignifies my dedication, that //;// was a remark of his honour- ed father, when we rode together, and converfed in a dufky evening. I mention this circumfbnce, partly to iecure the pa- ragraph from contempt; partly to give him, and the world, an idea of that eminently ferious taite which qiltinguilhed my deceafed friend. The left obvious the reflection, the more clearly it difcovers a turn of mind remarkably Ipiritual ; which would fuffer nothing to efcape, without yielding forne religious improvement. The meaner the incident, the more admirable was that fertility of imagination, which could deduce the fub- Jijneft truths from the moft trivial occurrences. 292 CONTEMPLATIONS or peevifh paffions, would mifcall calamities. Thefe light afflictions, luhich are but for a moment^ (hall lit eafy upon our fpirits ; fince they befriend cur know- ledge 5 promote our faith ; and To u "work out for us " ajar more exceeding and eternal -weight of glory * .'* How has this darknefs fnatched every fplendid and graceful object from my fight 1 It has darned the iponge over the pictures of fpring, and deftroyed all the delicate diji Indians of things. Where are now the fine tinges, which fo lately charmed me from the glov.-ing parterre ? The blufh is ftruck out from the cheeks of the rofe, and the fnowy hue is dropt from, v the lily. I caft my eyes toward a magnificent feat ; but the afpiring columns, and fair-expanded front, are mingled in rude confulion. Without the fun, all the elegance of the blooming world is a mere blank ; all the iymmctry of architecture is b/k&pclrjs heap. Is not this an exprelfive emblem of the lovelinefs, which the Sun of Righteoufnefs transfufes into all that is amiable ? Was it not for JESUS, and his merits j I fhould ligh with anguifn of fpirit ; even while 1 rove thro* ranks of the moft beautiful flowers, or breathe amidft a wildernefs of fweets. Was it not for JESUS, and his merits ; I (liould roam like fome dijconjolate fpctlre, * 2 Cor. iv. 17. The great Stephens, that oracle of Grecian learning, tranflates x8' ujr t p3A Quo nihil majus did ant fingi potfft. But how does the fenfe rife ! how is the idea enlarged, under two fuch forcible expreflions ! *!* vj/^w* r V<>/*IM, The whole verfe is a mafterpiece cf the beautiful antithefis, the lively defcription, and the nervous diftion. It is one of thofe exquiiite paflages in the infpired writings, which, like fame rich aromatic plants, cannot be transferred from their own ge- nerous and native foil, without being impaired in their viva- city, and lofing much of their delicacy. Perhaps, the following verfion may be fomewhat lefs injurious to the iacred original, than the common tranflation : Our very light affliction, -which is but juj} fur the prefent moment, worketh out a far more ex- cssding, an incomparably greai^ and eternal -weight of glory > on the NIGHT. 293 fpetfre, even through the fmiles of creation, and the careffes of fortune. My converfation in this world, though drefled in the moft engaging forms of exter- nal pleaiure, would be like the paflage of a condemned ?nalefadur, through enamelled meadows, and bowers of bliis, to be broke upon the wheel, or to expire on the rack. But a daily reflexion on the LAMB'S aton- ing blood ; a comfortable trull, that my foul is re- conciled thro* this divine expiation ; this is the ray, the golden ray, which irradiates the face of the uni- verfe. This is the oil of beauty, which makes all things wear a chearful afpecl: ; and the o//of gladnefs, which difpofes the fpectator to behold them with de- light *. This, this is the fecret charm, which teach- es nature, in all her profpecls and all her productions, ib exquifitely to pleafe. " MAN goeth forth to his work, and to his labour, " till the evening " But then his ftrength fails ; his Spirits flag ; and he (lands in need, not only of fomc refpite from toil, but of ibme kindly and fovereign refrefhments. What an admirable provifion for this purpofe is/leep ! Sleep introduces a moil welcome va- cation, * Thus applied, that fine piece of flattiry, addrefled to the Jieathen emperor, is itridly and literally true. Vultus ubl tuus Affulfit populo, gratior it dies^ Et fetes mellus nitent. Hem AT. Which I would caft in a Chriftian mould, and thus tranflate ; When faith prefents the Saviour's death, And whifpers, 4t This is thine;'* Sweetly my rifmg hours advance, And peacefully decline. While fuch my views, the radiant fun Sheds a more fprightly ray ; Each object fmiles; all nature charms; I fing my cares away. 294 CONTEMPLATIONS cation, both for the foul and body. The excrcifes of the brain, and the labours of the liand, are at once dii- continued. So that the weary limbs repair their ex- haufted vigour ; while the penfive thoughts drop their load of forrows, and the bufy ones reft from the fatigue of application. -Mod reviving cordial ! equally bene- ficial to our animal and intellectual powers. It fupplies the flefhly machine, and keeps all its nice movements in a proper pofture for eafy play. It animates the thinking faculties with frefh alacrity, and rekindles their ardor for the ftudies of the dawn. Without theie enlivening recruits, how foon would the moft robuft conftitution be wafted into a walking jk el e ton ; and the moft learned fage degenerate into 2. hoary idiot I Some time ago, I beheld, with furprife, poor Florio. His air was wild ; his countenance meagre ; his thoughts roving, and fpeech difconcerted. Inquiring the caufe of this ftrange alteration, I was informed, that, for feveral nights, he had not clofed his eyes in fleep. For want of which noble reftorative, that fprightly youth (who was once the life of the difcourfe, and the dar- ling of the company) is become a fpeftacle of mifery and horror. How many of my fellow-creatures are, at this very inftant, confined to the bed of languishing ; and com- plaining with that illuftrious fuffererof old, ffearifome nights are appointed to me || / Inftead of indulging fbft repofe, they are counting the tedions hours ; telling every ftriking clock; or meafuring the very moments, by their throbbing pulfe. How many, harafTed with fain, moft paflionately long to make fbme little truce with their agonies, in peaceful {lumbers ! How many, fick with dif'qnietude, and reftlefs even on their downy pillows, would purchafe this tranflent oblivion of their woes, almoft at any rate ! That which wealth cannot procure, which multitudes figh for in vain, thy GOD has * Job vii. 3. on the NIGHT, 295 has beftowed on thee, times out of number. The 'wel- come vifitant, punctual at the needed hour, has enter- ed thy chamber, and poured his poppies round thy couch ; has gently clofed thy eye-lids, and fhed his flumberous dews over all thy fenfes. Since fleep is fo abfolutely neceflary, fo ineftimably valuable, obferve, what a fine apparatus almighty good- nefs has made, to accommodate us with the balmy blefling. With how kind a precaution he removes whatever might obftruct its accefs, or impede its in- fluence! He draws around us the curtain of darknefs ; which inclines us to a drowfy indolence, and conceals every object that might too ftrongly agitate the fenfe. He conveys peace into our apartments ; and impofes filence on the whole creation. Every animal is bid- den to tread foftly, or rather to ceafe from its mo- tion, when man is retiring to his repofe. May we not difcern, in this gracious difpofition of things, the tender cares of a nurfing-mother ; who huflies every noife, and fecludes every diftnrbance, when (he has laid the child of her love to reft ? So, by fuch footh- ing circumftances, and gently-working opiates, HE giveth, to his beloved, fleep *.' Another fignal inftance of a providence intent upon our welfare, is, that we are preferved jafe in the hours of Jl umber. How are we then loft to all appre- henfion of danger, even though the murderer be at our bed-fide, or his naked fword at our breaft ! Deftttute of all concern for ourfelves, we are unable to think of^ much more to provide for, our own fecurity. At thefe moments, therefore, we lie open to innumera- ble perils ; perils from the refiftlefs rage of flames ; perils from the iniidious artifices of thieves, or the outrageous violence of robbers ; perils from the ir- regular 4 'workings J of our own thoughts, and efpe- cially from the incurfions of our fpiritual enemy. What * Pfal. cxxvii. 2. 1 1 think, it is referable only rd aihperintending and watch- ful 296 CONTEMPLATIONS What a dreadful mifchief might that reftlefs, that implacable advcrfary of mankind work, was there not an invifible hand to control his rage, and protect poor mortals ! What fcenes of horror might he reprefent to our imaginations, and " fcare us with dreams, or " terrify us with vifions * 1" But the Keeper of Ifrael, who ful providence, that we are not hurried into the moft pernicious actions, when our imagination is heated, and our realbn ttu- pefied by dreams. We have fometimes heard of unfortunate perfons, who, walking in their fleep, have thrown therafelves headlong from a window, and been dafhed to death on the pebbles. And whence is it, that fuch dilaftrous accidents are only related as pieces of news, not experienced by ourfelves, or our families ? Were 6ur minds more fober in their opera- tions, or more circunafpecl in their regards ? No, verily: no- thing could be more wild than their excurfions ; and none could be more inattentive to their own welfare. Therefore, if itif have laid us down, >and jlcpt in peace ; it was, becaufe the LORD vouchfafed us the fweet refrefhment; if we rofe again in fafety, it was, becaufe the LOKDfuftained us with his un- remitted protection. Will the candid reader excufe me, if I add a fhort ftory, or rather a matter of fad, fqitable to the preceding remark? Two perfons, who had been hunting together in the day, flept together the following night. One of them was renewing the purfuit in his dream ; and, having run the whole circle of the chace, came, at latt, to the fall of the flag. Upon this, he cries out with a determined ardor, /'// kill him, I'll kill him; and immediately feels for the knife, which he carried in his pocket. His companion happening to be awake, and obfer- vrng wat patted, leaped from the bed. Being fecure from danger, and the moon finning into the room, he flood to view the event. When, to his inexprefHble furprife, the infatuated fportfsnan gave feveral deadly (labs, in the very place, where, a moment before, the throat and the life of his friend lay. This ,1 mention, as a proof, that nothing hinders us, even from being adalTms of others, ormurderers of ourfelves, amidfhhemad tallies of fleep; only thepreventingcareofour heavenly Father. * What a completemafterthatmalignant fpirit isin exhibiting vijlwary representations^ appears from his conduft towards CHRIST, on the & I G H f . 29? who never flumbers nor fleeps, interpofes in our be- half; at once to cherifli us under his wings, and to defend us as with a (hield. It is faid of Solomon, * c That threefcorc valiant men were about his bed; all *' expert in war ; every one with his fword upon his "thigh, becaufe of fear in the night ." But one greater than Solomon, one mightier than myriads o armed hofts ; even the great JEHOVAH, in whom is everlafting ftrength, he vouchsafes to encamp about our houfes, to watch over our fleeping minutes, and to ftop all the avenues of ill. Ol the unwearied and condescending goodnefs of our Creator ! who lulls us to our reft, by bringing on the filent {hades ; and plants his own ever-watchful eye as our centinel, while we enjoy the needful repofe* R E^4S ON, now, refigns her fedate office ; and Fancy $ extravagant fancy, leads the mind through a maze of vanity. The head is crouded with falfe images, and tantalized with the moft ridiculous mifapprehenfions of things. Some are expatiating amidtt fairy-fietdf, and gathering garlands of vifionary bills ; while their bodies are ftretched on a wiip of ftraw, and Qieltered by the cobwebs of a barn. Others, quite infeniible or* their rooms of flate, are mourning in a doleful dun-* geon, or ftruggling with the raging billows. Perhaps, with hafly fteps, they climb the craggy cliff; and, with real anxiety, fly from the imaginary danger. Or ellc, benumbed with ludden fear, and finding themfelves unable to efcape, they give up at once their hopes and their efforts; and, tho* reclined on a couch of ivory, are finking, all helplefs and diflrefTed, in the furious whirlpool. So unaccountable are the vagaries of the CHRIST, on the high mountain : and that he is too ready, if not retrained by an over-ruling power, to employ his dexte- rity in ajflitting mankind, is evident from his treatment of Job. See Luke iv. 5. Job vii. 14. $ Cant. iii. 7. 8, VOL. I. N? 4. P p 298 C O NT E M P L AT IONS in y while fleep maintains its dominion over the limbs ! But is this the only feafon, when abfurd and inco- herent irregularities play their magic on our minds ? Are there not thofe who dream, even in their waking moments ! Some pride themfelves in a notion of fu- perior excellency, becaufe the royal favour has annex- ed a few fplendid titles to their names ; or becaufe the dying (ilkworm has bequeathed her fineil threads to co- ver their nakednefs. Others congratulate their own iignal happinefs, becaufe loads of golden lumber are amafled together in their coffers j or promife them- felves a moft fuperlative felicity indeed, when fome thoufands more are added to the ufelefs heap. Nor are there wanting others, who gape after fubftantial iatisfaftion from airy applaufe ; and flatter themfelves with, I know not what, immortality in the momenta- ry buz of renown.-^ Are any of thefe a whit more rea- fonable in their opinions, than the poor ragged wretch in his reveries ; who, while (boring under a hedge, exults in the pofTeffion of his (lately palace,, and fump- tuous furniture? If peribns, who are very vaffals to their own domineering paffions, and led captive by numberlefs temptations ; if thefe perfons pique them- ielves with a conceit of their liberty, and fancy them- felves the generous and gallant fpirits of the age : where is the difference between theirs, and the madman's frenzy ; who, tho' chained to the floor, is throned in thought, and wielding an imaginary fceptre ? In a word, as many as borrow their dignity from a plume of feathers, or the gaudy trappings of Fortune ; as many as fend their fouls to feek for blifs in the blan- difhments of fenfe, or in any thing fhort of the divine. favour, arid a well-grounded hope of the incorrupti- ble inheritance * ; what are they but dreamers with their eyes open ; delirious, tho* in health f Would * Thefe give a facrdd, and home-felt delight, A/ckr certainty of waking blifs. ' MILT. Comus* on the NIGHT. 299 Would you fee their pifture drawn to the very life, and the fuccefs of their fchemes calculated with the ut- rnoft exaclnefs ; cait your eye upon that fine reprefen- tation exhibited by the prophet : It Jhall be even as iv hen a hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his foul is empty: or as when a thirjty man dreameth, and behold, he drinketh; but he aiuaketh, and behold he is faint, and his joul hath appe- tite *. Such is the race, and fuch the prize, of all thole candidates for honour and joy, who run wide from the mark of the high calling of Go D in CH R I s T J E s u s . They live in vanity, and die in wo. Awaken us, mer- ciful LORD, from thefe noon-tide trances! Awaken us, while conviction may turn to our advantage, and not ferve only to increafe our torment. O I let our '* eyes be enlightened, to difcern the things that are 4< excellent j" and no longer be impofed upon by fan- taftic appearances, which, however pompous they may ,ieem, will prove more empty than the vifions of the night, more tranficnt than the dream that is forgotten. HAVING mentioned fieep and dreams, letrneonce a- gain corifider tliofe remarkable incidents of our frame ; fo very remarkable, that I may venture to call them a kind of experimental myjlery, and little lefs than a ftandingJW/Vvzfrfe. Behold the moft vigorous conjiitution when flretched on the bed of eafe, and totally refigned to the {lumbers of the night. Its activity is opprefTecl with fetters of indolence ; its ftrength is configned o- ver to a temporary annihilation ; the nerves are like a bow unftrung, and the whole animal fyftem is like a motionlefs log. Behold a perfon of the moil delicate fenfations, and amiable difpojitions , His eyes, though thrown wide open, admit not the vifual ray ; at leait, diftinguifh not objedts. His ears, with the organs un- impaired, and articulate accents beating upon thedrum, perceive not the found ; at leaft, apprehend not the meaning. . *If. xxix. 8. 5 oo CONTEMPLATIONS meaning. The fenfes, and their exquifitely line feeU ings, are overwhelmed with an unaccountable ftupe- facdon. You call him a Jocial creature ; but where are his focial affections ? He knows not the father that begat him, and takes no notice of the friend that is as his own foul. The wife of his bofom may expire by bis fide, and he lye more unconcerned than a barbarian. The children of his body may be tortured with the ie- vereft pangs ; and he, even in the fame chamber, re- main untouched with the leaft commiieration Behold the moft ingenious Jcholar / whofe judgment is piercing, and able to trace the moft intricate difficulties of fcience; his tafte refined, and quick to relifh all the beauties of fentiment and compofition. Yet, at this juncture, the thinking faculties are unhinged, and the intellec- tual ceconomy quite difconcerted. Inftead of clofe- coanected reaibnings, nothing but a disjointed huddle of abfurd ideas ; inftcad of well-digefted principles, nothing but a diforderly jumble of crude conceptions. The moft palpable delufions impofe upon his imagi- nation. The whole night pafTes, and he frequently miftakes it for a lingle minute ; is not fenfible of the tranfition, hardly fenfible of any duration. Yet, no fooner does the morning dawn, and day- light enter the room j but this ftrange inchantment va- nifties. The man awakes, and finds himfelf poflefled of all the valuable endowments, which, for feveral hours were fufpended, or loft. His finews are braced, and fit for action. His fenfes are alert, and keen. The romantic vifionary brightens into the mafter of reafon. The frozen or benumbed affections melt with tender- nefs, and glow with benevolence. And, what is be- yond meafure furprifing, the intoxicated mind works itfelf fober, not by flow degrees; but, in the twinkling of an eye, recovers from its perturbation. Why does not the ftupor which deadens all the nice opera- tions of the animal powers, hold faft its poffeflion ? When the thoughts are once difadjufted, why are they not on the NIGH T. 301 not always in confufion ? How is it, that they are ral- lied in a moment ; and, from the wildefl irregularity, reduced to the moft orderly array ? From an inacH- vity refembling death, how is the body fojiiddenly re- ftored to vigour and agility ? From extravagancies bordering upon madncfs ; how is the understanding injiantaneoujly re-e(lablimed in fedatenefs and harmo- ny ? Surely, u this is the LORD'S doing, and it mould " be marvellous in our eyes ;" mould awaken our gratitude, and infpirit our praiie. THIS is the time in which ghofls are fuppofed to make their appearance. Now the timorous imagina- tion teems with phantoms, and creates numberlefs terrors to itfelf. Now dreary forms, in fullen ftate, flalk along the gloom ; or, fwifter than lightning, glide acrois the mades. Now voices more than mor- tal * are heard from the echoing vaults, and groans iffue from the hollow tombs. Now melancholy fpec- tres vifit the ruins of ancient monafteries, and frequent the folitary dwellings of the dead. They pals andre- pais, in unfubftantial images, along the forfaken gal- leries ; or take their determined fiand over fome la- mented grave. How often has the fchool-boy fetch- ed a long circuit, and trudged many a ncedlefs ftep, in order to avoid the haunted church-yard ? Or, if neceffity, fad neceffity, has obliged him to crofs the fpot, where human Jkulls are lodged below, and the baleful yews fhed fupernumerary horrors above ; a thoufand hideous (lories rufh into his memory. Fear adds wings to his feet ; he fcarce touches the ground ; dares not once look behind him ; and blelfes his good fortune, if no frightful found purred at his heels, if no ghaftly (hape bolted upon his fight. 'Tis flrange to obferve the exceflive timidity which pofTeffes * VQX quoque per lucos vulgo exaudita Jllsntes Ingens, et Jimulacra modis fallcntia miris Vifafub Qbjcurum nQflis>-~ VIRG. 3 o2 CONTEMPLATIONS poflefles many people's minds, on this fanciful occafion; while they are void of all concern, on others of the mofl tremendous import. Thofe who are ftartled, in any dark and lonely walk, at the very apprehenjion of a fingle fpectre, are neverthelefs unimprefled at the lure projpefi of entering into a whole world of dif- embodied beings ; nay, are without any emotions of awe, tho' they know themfelves to be haftening into the prefence of the great, infinite, and eternal Spirit. Should fome pale meifenger from the regions of the dead, draw back our curtains at the hour of midnight ; and, appointing fome particular place, fay, as the hor- rid apparition to Brutus , I'll meet thee there */ I be- lieve the boldeft heart would feel fomething like a pa- nic ; would ferioufly think upon the adventure, and be in pain for the event. But, when a voice from heaven cries, in the awakening language of the prophet, Pre- pare to meet thy God, Ifrael -\ ; how little is the warn- ing regarded ! how foon is it forgot ! Prepofterous Stupidity ! to be utterly unconcerned, where it is the trueft wifdom to take the alarm ; and to be all trepi- dation, where there is nothing really terrible ! Do thou, my foul, remember thy Saviour's admonition ; " / -will forewarn you, whom you fliall fear . Fear not " thefe imaginary horrors of the night : but fear that < awful Being, whofe revelation of himfelf, tho' with " expreflions of peculiar mercy, made Mofcs, his fa- " vourite fervant, tremble exceedingly: whofe mani- " feflation, when he appears with purpofes of inexo- tc rable vengeance, will make mighty conquerors, who " were familiar with dangers, and eftranged to difmay, " call upon the mountains to fall on them, and the " rocks to cover them : the menace of whofe majeftic eye, * The (lory of Brutus, and his evil genius y is well known. Nor muft it be denied, that the precife words of the fpeftre to the hero were, /'// meet thee at Philippi. But as this would not anfwer my purpofe, I was obliged to make an alteration in the gircuuiftance of p/acc. -f Amos iv, 13. on the NIGHT. 303 u eye, when he comes attended with thoufand thou- " fands of his immortal hofts, will make the very <c heavens cleave afunder, and the earth flee away. " O! dread HIS difpleafure ; fecure HIS favour ; and <c then thou mayft commit all thy other anxieties to " the wind ; thou mayft laugh at every other fear." This brings to my mind a memorable and amazing occurrence, recorded in the book of Job * : which is, I think, no inconfiderable proof of the real exiflence of apparitions f, onfome very extraordinary emergencies ; while it diicountenances thofe legions of idle tales, which fuperftition has raifed, and credulity received. Since it teaches us, that if, at any time, thofe vifitants from the unknown world render themfelves perceivable by mortals, it is not upon any errand of frivolous confequence, * Job iv. 12, 14, &c. j- Is a proof of the reel exigence of apparitions, if the fenfe, in which I have always underllood this paflage, be true. //"- phaz, I apprehend, was neither in a trance, nor in a dream^ but perfectly awake. Though he fpeaks of fleep; he fpealcs of it, as fallen not upon himfelf, but upon other men. He does not mention dreams, though nwbn fomnia, would have fuited the verfe (if the book be in metre) altogether as well as /vopin vijiones. It could not furely be a wind, as fome tramf- late the word rm. Becaufe the circumftances of flandlngjllll is not fo compatible with the nature of a wind ; and a wind would have parted above him, all around him, as well as before him. Not to add, how low a remark it isj and how unworthy of a place in fo auguft a defcription, that he could not difcern the form of a' wind, It feems, therefore, to have been a real fpi- rit ; either angelical, as were thofe which prefented themfelves to Abraham retting at the door of his tent, and to Lot fitting in the gate of Sodom ; or elfe the fpirit of fome departed faint, as in the cafe of Samuel's apparition, or the famous appearance cfMofes and Elijah on the mount of transfiguration. A fpirir, afluming fome vehicle, in order to become vifible to the human eye: which, accordingly, Etiphaz faw, exhibiting itfelf as an object of fight : but faw fo obfcurely and indifVindly, that he was not able either to defcribe its afpetf, or to difcern -whom it refembled. 304 CONTEMPLATIONS confequence, but to convey intelligences of the utmoft moment, or to work hnpreffions of the higheft advan- tage. 'Twas in the dead of night . All nature lay fhrouded in darknefs. Every creature was buried in fleep. The mod profound filence reigned through the univerfe. In thefe folemn moments, Eliphaz alone, all wakeful and folitary, was mufmg upon fublime and heavenly fubje&s. When, lo 1 an awful being, from the invifi- ble realms, burfl into his apartment*. A fpirit p&ffed before his face. Aftonimment feized the beholder. His bones fhivered within him ; his flelh trembled all over him ; and the hair of bis head flood ereft with horror. ^-Sudden and unexpected was the appearance of the phantom ; not fuch its departure. It flood flill, to prefent itfelf more fully to his view. It made a folemn paufe, to prepare his mind for fome momentous mef- age. After which, a voice was heard : a voice, for the importance of its meaning, worthy to be had in cverlafting remembrance ; for the folemnity of its de- livery, enough to alarm a heart of ftone. It fpoke ; and this was the purport of its words : " Shall man, "frail man, be juft before the mighty GOD f Shall "even the mofl accomplifoedof mortals be pure in the fight " of his Maker f / Behold, and confider it attentively. " He * I have given this folemn pifture a modern drefs, rather for the fake of variety and illuftration, than from any appre- heniion of improving the admirable original. Such an attempt, I am fenfible, would be more ahfurdly vain, than to lacquer gold, or, paint the diamond. The defcription, in Ellpbaz'i own language, is awful and affefting to the laft degree, a night- piece, drefied in all the circumttanees of the deeped horror. I queftion, whether Shakcfpearc himfelf, though fo peculiarly happy for his great command of terrifying images, has any thing fuperior or comparable to this. The judges of fine com- pofitiony?<r the mafterly ftrokes ; and, I believe, the moft or- dinary reader feels them, chilling his blood, and awakening emotions of dread in his mind. -j- Therefeemstobea fignincantandbeautiful < g > rj^//ointhe Hebrew 6n the NIGHT. joj ** He put no fuch trufl in his mofi exalted fervants^ as " fhould befpeak them incapable of defedl-. *dnd his *' very angels he charged with folly ; as finking, even *' in the higheft perfection of their holinefs, infinitely 44 beneath his tranfcendent glories ; as falling, even in " all the fidelity of their obedience, inexpreffibly fhort * c of the homage due to his adorable Majefty . If ange- " lie natures muft not prefume to juitify either them- 44 felves or their fervices, before uncreated purity 5 44 how much more abfurd is fuch a notion $ how much 44 more impious fuch an attempt, in them that dwell *' in houfes of clay ; whofe original is from the duft, <e and whofe date is all imperfection !" I would obfcrve from hence, the very fingular necefli- ty of that poverty df/pirft, which entirely renounces its own attainments ; arid moft thankfully jubmits to the righteouihefs of the incarnate GOD . To inculcate this lelfon, the Son of the Blefied came down from hea- Ven ; and prefled no other principle, with fo repeat- ed J. an importunity, on his hearers. To irtftil the: fame Ifsbrew words wnx and 133 which I have endeavoured to pre- ierve, by a fort of parapkraftic vsrjion. The reader will ob- lerve a new turn given to the ientiment ; preferable, i think, to that which our Englijh tranflation exhibits. Not, Shallmari be more jufl than GOD ? but Shall man be jujl before, or in the fight of GOD ? The paflage, thus rendered, fpeaks a truth incomparably more weighty, and needful to be inculcated : a truth exadtly parallel to that humbling confefTion of the pro- phet, We are all as an unclean thing ; and to that folemn de- claration of the pfalmift, In thy fight frail no man living be juftified. It is well worthy of our obfervation, fays an excellent commentator, " That no one fen fence uttered by our LORD, tk is fo frequently repeated as this; Whofocver foall exalt kin;- "frlf, Jhall be abaft d ; and he thatjhatl humble himfelf, frail 44 be exalted: 1 ' which often occurs in the evangelifts; but is never duly accomplimed in us, till we difclaim all pretenfion to merit and righteoufnefs of our own, and feek them only in the atonement and obedience of JESUS CHRIST. VOL. I. N* 4 . Q.q 306 CONTEMPLATIONS fame doclrine, the HOLY GHOST touched the lips of the apoftles with facred eloquence ; and made it an eminent part of their commiffion, <fc to demolim e- 11 very high imagination." That no expedient might be wanting, to give it a deep and lafting efficacy on the human mind ; a phantom arifes from the valley of the fhadow of death, or a teacher defccnds from the habitation of fpirits. Whatever then we neglect, let us not neglect to cultivate this grace, which has been fo varioufly taught, fo powerfully enforced* HA R K ! a doleful voice. With fudden ftarts, and hideous fcreams, it difturbs the filence of the peaceful night. 'Tis thefcreec/i-owl) fometimes in frantic, {bine- times in difconfolate accents, uttering her woes . She flies the vocal grove, and fhuns the fociety of all the feathered choir. The blooming gardens, and flowery meads, have no charms for her. Obfcene (hades, rag- ged ruins, and walls overgrown with ivy, are her fa- vourite haunts. Above, the mouldering precipice nods r and threatens a fall ; below, the toad crawls, or the poifonous adder hilTes. The fprightly morning, which awakens other animals into joy, adminifters no plea- jfure to this gloomy reclufe. Even the fmiling face of day is her averfion ; and all its lovely fcenes create nothing but uneafinefs. So, juft fo, would it fare with the ungodly, were it poffible -to fuppofe their admiifion into the chafte and bright abodes of endlefs felicity. They would find nothing but difappointment and fliame, even at the fountain-head of happinefs and honour. For how could the tongue, habituated to profanenejs y tafte any delight Solaque culminilus ferall carmine kubv Stfpe qu:ri, hngafque in fl: turn ducerc vocrs, Thus fung that charming genius, that prince of the ancient poets, that inert confutnmate matter of elegance and accuracy; all who.fe/c7;f/mr/j- are nature, whofe every defcription is a pidure, whofe whole language is malic VIRGIL. on the NIGHT. 307 delight in the harmonious adorations of heaven ? How- could the lips, cankered with Jlander, relifh the rap- tures of everlafting praife ? Where would be the ia- tisfaction of the vain beauty, ortliefupercilious gran- dee ? Since, in the temple of the ikies, no incenic of flattery would be addrefled to the former ; nor any obfequious homage paid to the latter. The fpotleis and inconceivable purity of the bldfled GOD, would jiafJi confusion on the laicivious eye. The envious mind mufl be on a rack of ielf-tormenting pujjlons^ to obferve millions of happy beings, mining in all the perfections of glory, and folacing themfelves in the fiilnefs of joy. In fliort, the unfandHfied foul, amidft holy and triumphant fpirits ; even in the refined re- gions of blifs and immortality ; would be like this melancholy bird, diflodged from her darkfome retire- ment, and imprisoned under the beams of day *. The voice of this creature fcreaming at our win- dows, or of the raven croaking over our houfes, is, they fay, a token of approaching death. There are per- ibns who would regard fuch an incident with no fmall degree of folicitude. Trivial as it is, it would damp their Ipirits, perhaps break their reft.- One cannot but wonder, * T would beg of the reader to obferve, with what emphajis and -propriety our LORD touches this important point, in his memorable reply to Nicodemus. Verily , verily I fay unto thee, Except a man be born again^ he CANNOT enter into the king- dom of heaven ; q. d. " I wave the authority of the fupreme " J ut ' e anc ^ fp ea k with the condefcenfan of a teacher in Ifracl. 44 Tho' I might, without being liable to the laft control, pafs ** it into a fovereign decree, that unrenewed mortals, who are 4 fla-ves to corrupt appetite, SHALL NOT enter the habitations 4 of the juft ; I rather chufe to reprefent it as a cafe utterly 4 imp&jfible ; and charge the calamity, not upon divine feveri- 4 ty, but upon human folly. Such perfons, from the very na- 4 ture of things, preclude themfelves ; they incapacitate their * 4 own minds ; and contrarieties mull be reconciled, before ** they, in their unregenerate condition, can be partakers of <* jhoie fpiritual and fublime delights." John iii. 3. 308 CONTEMPLATIONS wonder, that people fhould fuffer themfelvcs to be affrighted at fuch fan taftical, and yet be quite unaffcft- ed with real, prefages of their dhTolution. Real prer. fages of this awful event addrefs us from every quar- ter. What arc thefe incumbent glooms, which over- whelm the world, but a kind of pall provided for na- ture ; and an image of that long night, which will quickly cover the inhabitants of the whole earth ? What an affinity has the fleep *, which will very focn weigh down my drowfy eye-lids, with that itate of entire cefTation, in which all my fenfes muft be laid afide ! The filent chamber, and the bed of {lumber, are a very fignificant reprcfentation of the land, where all things are hulbed, all things are forgotten. What meant that deep death-bell note, which, the other even- ing, faddened the air ? Laden with heavieft accents, it flruck our ears, and feemed to knock at the door of our hearts. Surely, it brought a mefTage to furviving mor- tals, and thus the tidings ran : u Mortals, the deftroy- " er of your race is on his way. The laft enemy has " begun the purfuit ; and is gaining ground upon you, " every moment. His paths are ftrewed with heaps " of (lain. Even now his javelin has hid one of your tc neighbours in the duft ; and will foon, very foon, " aim the inevitable blow at each of your lives." We need not go down to the charnel-houfe, nor carry our fearch into the repofitories of the dead, in order to find memorials of our impending doom. A multitude of thefe remembrancers are planted in all our paths, and point the Jieedlefs pafTengers to their long home. I can hardly enter a confiderable town, but I meet the funeral proceffion, or the mourners going about the ftreets. The hatchment fufpended on the wall, or the crape ftreaming in the air, are filent in- timations, that both rich and poor have been empty- Ing their houfes, and replenifliing their iepulchres. I can fcarce join in any converfation, but mention is, made * Ei confcnguincus lethi fopor. on the NIGH TV 309 made of fome that are given over by the phyfician, and hovering on the confines of eternity ; of others, that have juft dropt their clay amidft weeping friends, and are gone to appear before the Judge of all the earth, There's not a news-paper comes to my hand, but a- midft all its entertaining narrations, reads feveral fe- rious lecJures of 'mortality. What elfe are the repeated accounts of age worn out by (low-confuming fick- nefTes of youth daflied to pieces by fome fudden /Iroke of cafualty of patriots exchanging their feats in the fenate for a lodging in the tomb of mifers refigning their breath, and (O relentlefs defliny !) lea- ving their very riches for others ? Even the vehicles of our amufement are regiflers of the deceafed ; and the voice of fame feldom founds, but in concert with a kneli. Thefe monitors croud every place ; not fo much as the fcenes of our diversion excepted. What are the decorations of our public buildings, and the moft ele- gant furniture of our parlours, but the imagery of death, and trophies of the tomb ? That marble buft, and thofe gilded pictures, ho*v folemnly they recognize the fate of others, and fpeakingly remind us of our own 1 I fee, I hear, and O ! I feel this great truth. It is interwoven with my conftitution. The frequent decays of the ftru&ure forctel its final ruin. What are all the pains, that have been ciarted through my limbs ; what every difeafe, that has aflkulted my health ; but the advanced guards of the foe ? What are the languors and wearinefs that attend the labours of each revolving day, but the morejecref practices of the ad- verfary, (lowly undermining the earthly tabernacle ? Amidft fo many notices, (hall we go on thoughtlefs and unconcerned ? Can none of thefe prognoftics, which are fure as oracles, awaken our attention, and engage our circumfpeftion ? Noah^ 'tis written, being ivarned of GOD, prepared an ark. Imitate, my foul, imitate this excellent example. Adinonifhed byfuch a cloud 3 io CONTEMPLATIONS a cloud of witnefTes, be continually putting thyfelf in a readinefs for the laft change. Let not that day, of which thou haft fp many infallible figns, come upon thee unawares. Get the ivy untiuined, and thy affec- tions difentangled from this inchanting world, that thou inayft be able to quit it without reluctance. Get the dreadful hand-writing cancelled, and all thy fins blotted out, that thou mayft depart in peace, and have nothing to fear at the decifive tribunal. Get, O ! get thyfelf interefted in the Redeemer's merits, and tranf- formed into his iacred image ; then malt thou be meet for the inheritance of faints in light, and mayft even defire to be diflblved, and to be with CHRIST. SOMETIMES in my evening-walk I have hear4 The wakeful bird Sing darkling, and in fliadieft covert hid, Tune her noclnrnal note *. How different the airs of this cljarming fongfter, from thole harm and boding outcries ! The little creature ran through all the variations of mufic ; and {hewed herfelf miftrefs of every grace, which conftitutes or embellimes harmony. Sometimes Ihe fwells a manly throat, and her fong kindles into ardor. The tone is ib bold, and ftrikes with fuch energy, you would ima- gine the fprightly ferenader in the very next thicket. Anon the ftrain languijhss, and the mournful warbler melts into tendernefs. The melancholy notes juft fteal upon the fhades, and faintly touch your ear ; or, in foft and fadly-pleafing accents, they feem to die along the diftant vale. Silence is pleafed, and night liftens to the trilling tale. What an invitation is this, to flip away from the thronged city ! This coy and modeft minftrel enter- tains only the lovers of retirement. Thofe who are caroufmg over their bowls, or ranting at the riotous * MILT. Par. Loft, b. III. 1. 38. club ? on the N I G H T. 311 club, lofe this feaft of harmony. In like manner, the plcafures of religion, and the joy of reconciliation with GOD ; the fatisfactions arifing from an eftabliflied intereft in CHRIST, and from the profpect of a blifs- ful immortality ; thefe are all loft to the mind, that is ever in the croud; and dares not, or delights not, to retire into itfelf. Are we charmed with the nightin- gale's fong ? Do we wifti to have it nearer, and hear it oftener ? Let us feek a renewed heart, and a re- figned will ; a confcience that whifpers peace, and pal- fions that are tuned by grace. Then mall we never want a melody in our own breafts, far moremufically plea/ing than fweet Philomela's fweeteft (trains. As different as the voices of thefe birds, are the circumjtances of thofe few perfons who continue awake. Some are fquandering, pearls mall I fay, or king- doms ? No ; but what is unfpeakably more precious, time ; fquandering this ineflimable talent, with the moft fenielefs and wanton prodigality. Not content with allowing a few fpare minutes for the purpofe of neceifary recreation, they lavifh many hours, devote 'whole nights, to that idle diverfion of muffling, ran- ging, and detaching a fet of painted pafteboards. Others, inftead of this bufy trifling, aft the part of their own tormentors. They even piquet themfelves *y and call it amufement; they are torn by wild horfes, yet term it a fport. What elfe is the game /?er*s practice ? His mind is ftretched on the tenter-hooks of anxious iufpenfe, and agitated by the fierceii extremes of hope and fear. While the dice are rattling, his heart is throbbing; his fortune is tottering: and, poffibly, at the very next throw, the one finks in the gulf of ruin, the other is hurried into the rage of diftraclion. Some, fnatched from the bloom of health, and the lap of plenty, are confined to the chamber of ftcknefs : where they are conftrained, either to plunge into the everlafting * Alluding to a very painful pu'nilhment inflicted on deliqi- quen.rs among the foldiery. $12 CONTEMPLATIONS evcrlafling world, in an unprepared condition ; or elfd (fad alternative !) to think over all the follies of a heedlefs life, and all the bitternefs of approaching death. The difeafe rages ; it baffles the force of me- dicine ; and urges the reluctant wretch to the brink of the precipice. While furies roule the confcience, and point at the bottomlefs pit below. Perhaps, his drooping mother, deprived long ago of the huiband of her bofom, and bereft of all her other offspring, is, even now, receiving the blow which consummates her calamities *. In vain fiie tries to afTuage the for- rows of a beloved fon>; in vain me attempts, with her tender offices, to prolong a life dearer than her own. He faints in her arms ; he bows his head ; he finks in death. Fatal, doubly fatal, that laft expiring pang ! While it diflodges the unwilling foul, it rends an only child from the yearning embraces of a parent, and tears away the fuport of her age from a difconfolate widow. While thofe long for a reprieve, others invite the! ftroke. Quite weary of the world, with a reftlefs im- patience, * This brings to my mind one of the deepeft mourning-pie- ces extant in the productions of the pen. The facred hiiiorian paints it in all the iirnplicity of ftyle, yet with all the flrength of colouring. When JESUS came nigh to the gate of the city i behold! there was a dead man carried out, the only fon of his mother, and/be was a widow. What a gradation is here! How pathetically beautiful ! Every frelh circumftance widens the wound; aggravates the calamity; till the defcription is work- ed up into themoftfinifbed picture of exquifite and inconfolable .clifh-efs. Tie was a young man ; cut off in the flower of life, amidft a thoufand gay expectations, and fmiling hopes. A fon ; an only fon ; the afflicted mother's all : fo that none re- mained to preferve the name, or perpetuate the family. What rendered the cafe ftill more deplorable, Jbe was a widow: left entirely defolate: abandoned to her woes; without any to flure her forrows, or to comfort her under the irreparable lofs. Is not this a fine (ketch of the impajriomdzndpiflurefque? Who can confider the narrative with any attention, and not fee] his heart penetrated with a tender commiferaticn ? Luke vii. 12. on the N I G H T< 3*3 patience, they figh for dhTolution : fome pining away under the tedious decays of an incurable confumption ; or gafping for breath, and almoft fuffocated by an in- undation of drop/ical waters. On fome a relentleis cancer has fattened its envenomed teeth ; and is gnaw- ing them, tho' in the midft of bodily vigour, in the midft of pitying friends, gradually to death. Others are on a rack of agonies, by canvulfive fits of the ftone. O ! how the pain writhes their limbs ; how the fweat bedews their flefti ; and their eye-balls wildly roll ! Methinks the night condoles with thefe her diftrefled children ; and fheds dewy tears over their ibrrowful abodes. But of all mortals, they are the mod exquifitely miferable, who groan beneath the preflure of a melancholy mind, or (mart under the lam- es of a rejentfut confcience. Tho* robed in ermine, or covered with jewels, the ftatc of a flave chained to the galleys, or of an exile condemned to the mines, is a perfect paradife compared with theirs. O ! that the votaries of mirth^ whofe life is a con- tinued round of merriment and whim, would bellow one ferious reflection on this variety of human woes ! It might teach them to be lefs enamoured with the few languid fweets, that are thinly fcattcred through this vale of tears, and environed with fuch a multi- tude of ragged thorns. It might teach them no longer to dance away their years, with a giddy rambling im- pulfe ; but to af'pire with a determined aim, after thofe happy regions, where delights, abundant and unem- bittered, flow. Clan there be circumflances, which a man of wif- clom, would more earneftly deprecate, than thefe fe-. veral inftances of grievous tribulation ? There are ; and, what is very aftoniming, they are frequently the defire and the choice of thoie, who fancy themielves the fole heirs of happinefs : thofe I mean, who are launching out into the depths of extravagance, and running exceflive lengths of riot : who are proftitut- VOL. I. N4. Rr ;;' iS 314 CONTEMPL ATI O N S ing their reputation, and facrificing their peace, to the gratification of their lufts ; Tapping the foundation of their health, in debaucheries j , or (hipwrecking the interefh of their families, in their bowls ; and, what Is worfe, are forfeiting the joys of an eternal heaven, for the fordid latisfaftions of the beaft ; for the tranji- tory fenfations of an hour.- Ye flaves of appetite, how far am I from envying your grofs fenfualities, and voluptuous revels ! Little, ah ! little are you fen- fible, that, while Indulgence fhowers her roles, and Luxury diffufes her odours, they fcatter/?o//owj"alfo,and flied unheeded bane * : evils incomparably more ma- lignant, than the wormwood and gall of the fharpeffc affliction. Since death is in the drunkard's cup, and worfe than poinards in the harlot's embrace, may it ever be the privilege of the man whom I love, to go without his mare of thefe pejlilent Jwee ts f / AB UN DANCE of living fparks glitter iri the lanes, and twinkle under the hedges. I fuppofe they are the glow-worms ; which have lighted their little lamps, and obtained leave, thro* the abfence of the fun, to" play a feeble beam. A faint glimmer juft ferves to render them perceivable, without tending at all to diffipate the fhades, or making any amends for the! departed day. Should fome weather-beaten travel- ler, dropping with wet, and (hivering with cold, hover round this mimicry of fire, in order to dry his garments, and warm his benumbed limbs ; fhould lonie bewilder- ed traveller, groping for his way, in a flarlefs night and * Yes ; in the floors that -wreathe the fparkling bo-wl, Fell adders hifs, and pots' nous ferpents roll. FKIOR'J Sol. f* ^uamfuave eft fuavita tibus iff is carer e ! was St Auguj+ tine's pions exclamation. The lubdance of which Mr Pope has e-xprefTed, with more fitnplicity, and with no lefs dignity* Count all tb y advantage prti/p'rous vice attains ,; 3 Iis but -what virtue flics from, and dlfdains. on the NIGH T. 315 and tracklefs defert, take one of thefe languid tapers, as a light to his feet, and a lantern to his paths : how certainly would both the one and the other be fruftra- ted of their expectation ! And are they more likely to fucceed, who, neglecting that fovereign balm, which diflilled from the crofs, apply any carnal diverfion, to heal the anxiety of the mind ? who, deaf to the in- fallible decifions of revelation, refign themfelves over to the erroneous conjectures ofreafon, in order to find the way that leadeth unto life ? or, laflly, who have recourfe to the/roM of this vain world, fpr a fatisfacr tory portion, and a ihbftantial happinefs ? Their con- dud: is in no degree wiier ; their diiappointment equal- ly fure ; andtheir mifcarriage infinitely more diiaftrous. To fpeak in the delicate language of a facred writer, " They fow the wind, and will reap the whirlwind *." To fpeak more plainly ; the pleafures of the world, which we are all fo prone to dote upon ; and the powr -ers of fallen reafon, which fome are fo apt to idolizef ; are * Hqf. viii. 7. j- I hope if will be obferved, that I am far from decrying that noble faculty of reafon, when exerted in her proper fphere; when acting in a deferential fubordination to the revealed will of heaven. While ihe exercifes her powers within thefe ap- pointed limits, flic is unfpeakably ferviceable, and cannot be too induftrioufly cultivated.-^But, when (he fets up herfelf in proud contradiftinflion to the facred oracles ; when, all-arro- gant and felf-fufficient, flie fays to the word of fcripture, / have no need of thee ; (he is then, I muft be bold to maintain, not only a glow-worm, but an ignis fatiittf ; not only a bub- ble, but a fnare. May not this remark, with the ftriftefl propriety, and with- out the leaft limitation, be applied to ihe generality of our mo- dern romances, novels, and theatrical entertainments ? Thefe are commonly calculated to inflame a \vanton fancy; or, if con- dufted with fo much modefty, as not to debauch the affedions, they pervert the judgment, and bewilder the tafte. By their incredible adventures; their extravagant parade of gallantry ; and their characters, widely different from truth and nature; they infpire foolifli conceits ; beget idle expectations j intro- R r 2 duc 3i6 CONTEMPLATIONS are not only vain, but treacherous : not only a painted flame, like thefe fparkling animals ; but much like thofe unctuous exhalations, which arife from the marmy ground, and often dance before the eyes of the be- nighted wayfaring man. Kindled into a fort of fire, they perfbnate a guide, and feem to offer their fervice ; but, blazing with delujive light, miflead their follower into hidden pits, headlong precipices, and unfathom- able gulfs ; where, far from his beloved friends, far from all hopes of fuccour, the unhappy wanderer is fwallowed up and loft. NOT long ago, we obferved a very furprifing ap- pearance in the weftern fky. A prodigious fter took its flaming rout through thofe coafts ; and trailed, as it palled, a tremendous length of fire, almoft over half the heavens. Some, I imagine, viewed the por- tentous ftranger, with much the fame anxious amaze- ment, as Beljhazzar beheld the hand-writing upon the \vall. Some looked upon it as a bloody *flag, hung out by divine refcntment, over a guilty world. Some read, in its glaring vifage, the fate of nations, and the fall of kingdoms f . To others, it fhook, or feem- ed to (hake, pejlilence and war from its horrid hair. For my part, 1 am not fo fuperftitious as to regard what every aftrologer has to prognofticate, upon the acceffion of a comet, or the projection of its huge v&- foury train. Nothing can be more precarious and un- juftifiable, than to draw fuch conclufions from fuch events : fince they neither are preternatural effects, duce a difguft of genuine hiucry; and indifpofe their admirer.-, to acquiefce in the decent civilities, or to relifli the foltcr fa- tisfa&ions, of common life, * Liquid* Ji quan do nofie comet* Sanguinei lugubre rubent. VJRC. j* Crinemque timendi et terris mutamem regna cometem* on the NIGHT. 317 nor do they throw the frame of things into any difor- der. I would rather adore that omnipotent Being, who rolled thofe ftupendous orbs from his creating hand ; and leads them, by his providential eye, thro' unmea- furable tracts of aether: who bids them, now approach the fun, and glow with unfufferable ardors * ; now retreat to the utmoft bounds of our planetary fyftem, and make their entry among other worlds. They are harmlefs vifitants. 1 acquit them from the charge of caufing, or being acceiTary to, defolating plagues. Would to GOD, there were no other more formidable indications of approaching judgments, or impending ruin ! But, alas ! when vice becomes pre- dominant, and irreligion aimed epidemical: when the fabbaths of a jealous GoD are notorioufly profaned ; and that u name, which is great, wonderful, and ho- " Jy," is proflltuted to the meaneft, or abul'ed to the moll execrable purpofes : when the worfhip of our great Creator and Preferver is baniflied from manv of the moft confpicuous families ; and it is deemed a piece of rude impertinence, To much as to mention the gra- cious Redeemer, in our genteel interviews : when it paflfes for an elegant freedom of behaviour, to ridicule the myfteries of Chriflianity ; and a fpecies of refined converfation, to taint the air with lafcivious hints : when thofe who fit in the /corner's chair, fin with a high hand: and many of thofe who wear the prof efforts garb, are deftitute of the power, and content them- felves with the mere form of godlinefs: when fuchis the ftate of a community, there is reafon, too appa- rent rcafon, to be horribly afraid. Such p/nenomena 9 abounding * ** The comet in the year 1680, according to Sir Ifaac " Newton's computation, was, in its neareft approach, above *' 166 times nearer the fun than the earth is. Confequently, 44 its heat was then 28000 times greater than that of fummer. " So that a ball of iron as big as the earth, heated by it, would " hardly become cool in 50,000 years. .DERH. -Aflr. " P- 237- CONTEMPLATIONS abounding in the moral world, arc not fanciful, but real omens. Will not an injured GOD " be avenged *' on fuch a nation as this ?" Will he not be provok- ed to " fweep k with the befom of definition * ?" O ! that the inhabitants of Great Britain would lay thefe alarming confiderations to heart! The LORD of hofls has commanded the fword of civil difcord to return into its (heath. But have we returned eve- ry one from his evil "ways f Are we become a renew- ed people ; devoted to a dying Saviour ; and zealous of good works ? What mean thole peals of fobs, which burft from the expiring cattle f What meaa thofe melancholy moans, where the lufty droves were wont to low-}-? What mean thofe arrows of untime- ly death, difcharged on our innocent and ufeful ani- mals ? . No wantonnefs or {loth has vitiated the blood of thefe laborious, temperate creatures. They have con- tracted no difeafe from unfeafonable indulgencies, and inordinate revellings. The pure ftream is their drink ; the fimplc herb their repair. Neither care difturbs their fleep, nor paffion inflames their bread. Whence then are they vifited with fuch terrible diforders, as no prudence can prevent, nor any medicines heal ? Surely, thefe calamities are the weapons of divine difpleafure, ancj manifefl '* If. xiv. 23. The eternal Sovereign, fpealcing of Babylon, denounces this threatening, Iiuillfiaeep it -with the beforn of defintftion. What a noble, but dreadful image, is here! How Wrongly and awfully pourtrayed ! How pregnant alfo in its fjgnification ! intimating the vile nature, and expreffing the total extirpation, of this wicked people ; at the fame time, iuggefting the pcrfefi cafe, with which the righteous Goo would execute his intended vengeance. f If thefe papers fhould be fo happy as to outlive their au- thor, perhaps, it may be needful to inform poftericy, that the above-mentioned hints allude to a moft terrible, contagious, and mortal diflemper^ raging among the horned cattle, in va- rious parts of the kingdom. on tlie NIGHT. 319 manifefl chaftifements of an evil generation *. Sure- ly GOD, the " GOD to whom vengeance belongeth," has ftill a controverfy with our fmful land. And who can tell, where the vifitation will end ? what a ftorrn may follow thefc prelufive drops ? O ! that we may " hear the md, and who hath appointed it !" Taught by theie penal effetls of our difobedience, may we re- move the accurfedthing\ from our tents ; our practices our hearts ! May we turn from all ungodlinefs, be- fore wrath come upon us to the uttermoft ; before iniquity prove our ruin ! SOMETIMES, at this hour , another moft remarka- ble fight amufes the curious, and alarms the vulgar. A blaze of lambent meteors is kindled, or fome very ex- traordinary lights are refracted, in Ihe quarters of the north. The flreams of radiance, like legions rufhing to the engagement, meet and mingle, infomuch that the air feems to be all conflicting fire. Within a while they ftart from one another ; and, like regions in pre- cipitate flight, fweep, each a feparate way, through the firmament. Now they are quiefcent ; anon they are thrown into a quivering motion ; prefently the whole horizon is illuminated with the glancing flames. Sometimes, with an afpecl: awfully lud(crous^ they re- preient extravagant and antic vagaries : at other times, you would fiifpe&j that fome invifible hand was play- ing off the dumb artillery ofthejkies; and, by a ftrange expedient, giving us the flafli, without the roar. The villagers gaze at the fpe#acle,firft with wonder, then with horror. A general panic feizes the country. Every heart throbs, and every face is pale. The croud's that flock together, inftead of diminifhing, increafe the * Hinc Itetis vituli vulgo moriuntur in herbls^ Et dulcfs animas plena ad prafepio reddunt. Balatu hinc pecorum^ ft crebris mugitibus amncs, At inlffquc fonant ripee, colltfque fupini* Via. j- Jofh. vi. 18* 320 CONTEMPLATIONS the dread. They catch contagion from each other's looks and words ; while fear is in every .eye, and e- very tongue fpeaks the language of terror. .Some fee hideous Jhapes^ armies mixing in fierce encounter, or fields fwimraing with blood. Some forefee direful <?- vents, ftates overthrown, or mighty monarchs totter- ing on their thrones. Others, facred with ftill more frightful apprehenfions, think of nothing but the day of doom. " Sure," fays one, " the unalterable hour " is ftruck, and the end of all things come." " See," replies another, " how the blafted ftars look wan i " Are not thele the figns of the Son of man, coming 4C in the clouds of heaven ?"" JESUS prepare us' (cries a third, and lifts his eyes in devotion) " for the " Archangel's trump, and the great tribunal 1" If this waving brightnefs, which plays innocently o- ver our heads, be fo amazing to multitudes; what in- expreffible confirmation muft overwhelm unthinking mortals, when the general cenflagreition commences I The day, the dreadful day, is approaching, " in the " "which the heavens /hall pafs away with a great noife*, and * 2 Pet. iii. 10. I have often thought this verfe an emi- nent inftance of that kind of beautiful writing, in which the very found bears a fort of Jlgnificancy ; at leaft, carries an cx- a& correfpondence with thefenfe. The original exprefiion f ei^j-.v i s one of the hoarfeft and deeped words in language. Nothing could be more exquifitely adapted to affect the ear, as well as imprefs the imagination, with the wreck of nature, and the craih of a falling world. I fcarce ever read this claufe, but it brings to my mind that admired deicription in MJL- TON : ' ^On a fudden open fly," With impetuous recoil, and jarring /bund, Xh' infernal doors, and on their hinges grate Harfb thunder Book II. 1. 879. It is a pleafing employ, and a very laudible office of true cri- ti'cijfm, to point out thefe inferior recommendations of the facreJ tc on the NIGH T. 32* and the elements fti all melt "with fervent heat ; the earth alfo, and all the -works that are therein, fliall be burnt up.'* That mighty hand, which once o- pened the windows from on high, and broke up the fountains of the great deep, will then unlock all the magazines of fire, and pour a fecond deluge upon the earth. The vengeful flames, kindled by the breath of the Almighty, fpread themfelves from the centre to the circumference. Nothing can withftand their impetuofity ; nothing can efcape their rage. Univer- fal deiblation attends their progrefs. Magnificent pa- laces, and folemn temples, are laid in afhes. Spacious cities, and impregnable towers, are mingled in one {rooking mafs. Not only the productions of human art, but the works of almighty power, are fuel for the devouring element. The everlafHng mountains melt, like the fnows which cover their fiimmit. Even vaft oceans ferve only to augment the inconceivable rapidity and fury of the blaze. O ! how fliall I, or others, ftand undifmayed amidft the glare of a burning "world, unlefs the LORD JEHOVAH be our defence ? How mail we be upheld in fecurity, when the globe itfelf is finking in a fiery ruin, uulefs the Rock of A- ges be our ibpport ? BEHOLD ! a new fpe&acle of wonder ! The moon is making her entry on the eaftern iky. See her rifmg in clouded majefty ! opening, as it were, and aflerting her original commiflion to rule over the night. All grand and Itately, but fomewhat fullied is herafpect. How- ever, Ihe brightens as fhe advances ; and grows clear- er, as fhe climbs higher : till, at length, her filver loles all itsdrofs ; fhe unveils her peerlefs light ; and becomes tc the beauty of heaven, the glory of the ftars ;" delighting facred daffies. Tho* 1 believe, the infpired writers themfelves, amulft all the elevation and magnificence of their divine ideas, difdained a fcrupulous attention to fuch little niceties of ftyle-, \ Ecclus xliii. 9. Lucidum cccli decus. HOR, VOL. I. N? 4. S f 322 C O N T E M P L A T I O N S delighting every eye, and chearing the whole worU with the brightnefs of her appearance, and the foftnefs of her fplendors. O ! thou queen of the (hades ! may it be my ambition to follow this thy inftructive ex- ample ! While others are fond to tranicribe the fa- fhions of little courts, and to mimic perfonages of in- ferior ftate ; be it mine to imitate thy improving pu- rity ! May my conduct become more unblemiihed, and my temper more refined, as I proceed farther and farther in my probationary courie ! May every fordid defire wear away, and every irregular appetite be gradually loft, as I make nearer approaches to the ce- leftial manfidns ! Will not this be a comfortable evi- dence, that I too mall mine in my adored Redeemer's kingdom ? fhinc with a richer luftre, than that wjiicb radiates from thy refplendent orb ; mine with an un- fading luflre, when every ray that beams from thy beauteous fphere, is totally extinguifhed ? day afforded us a variety of entertaining fights. Thefe were all withdrawn, at theacceffionof darknefs. The flars^ kindly officious, immediately lent us their aid. This ferved to alleviate the frown of night, ra- ther than to recover the objects from their obfcurity. A faint ray, fcarcely reflected, and not from the entire furface of things, gave the draining eye a very imper- fect glimpfe; fucll as rather mocked, than fatisfied vi- fion.- Now the moon is rifcn, and has collected all her beams, the veil is taken off from the countenance of nature. I fee the recumbent flocks J I fee the green hedge-rows, though without the feathered chorifters hopping from fpray to fpray. In fhort, 1 fee once a- gain the world's great picture ; not indeed in its late lively colours, but more delicately fliade d y and array- ed mjofter charms *. What * -- Now reigns Full orb'd the moon, and with more pleafing light Shadowy fets off the face of things. MILT, on the N I G H T. 323 What a majeftic fcene is here ! incomparably grand, and exquiiitely fine ! The moon, like an immenfe cryftal lamp, pendent in the magnificent ceiling of the heavens. The ftars, like fo many thoufands of golden tapers, fixed in their azure lockets. All pour- ing their luftre on fpacious cities, and lofty moun- tains ; glittering on the ocean ; gleaming on the fo- refl ; and opening a proipeft, wide as the eye can glance, more various than fancy can paint *. We are forward to admire the performances of human art. A landfcape, elegantly clefigned, and executed with a mafterly hand ; a piece of ftatuary, which feems, amidft all the recommendations of exact proportion, and graceful attitude, to foften into flefh, and almoft breathe with life ; thefe little imitations of nature,we be- hold with a pleafing iurprife. And (hall wo be lefs affected, lefs delighted, with the inexpreffibly-noble, and completely -finifhed original I The ample dimen- lions of Ranelagh's dome ; the gay illuminations of f^aux-hall grove ; I mould fcorn to mention on fuch an occafion, were they not the objects of general ad- miration * As when the moon, refulgent lamp of night, O'er heav'n's clear azure fpreads herfacred light ; IV hen not a breath dijturbs the deepferene y And not a cloud o'ercafts the folemn fcene : Around her throne the vivid planets ro/', And ftars unnumbered gild the glowing pole O'er the dark trees a ye/lower verdure Jbed t And tip ivith Jilver tru'ry mountain's head ; Then jkine the vales ; the rocks in profpefl rife ; A flood of glory burfts from all the fkies ; * The confcious Jwains, rejoicing in the fight ', Eye the blue vault, and blefs the ufeful Alight. Iliad VHI. I tranfcribe thefe lines, becaufe Mr Pops fays, they exhibit, in the original, the fineft night-piece in poetry. And, if they are fo beautiful in Homer''?, language, who can fufpeft their fuffering any difadvantage from the pen of his admirable tr&i* fttitor ? 324 CONTEMPLATIONS miration. Shall we be charmed with thofe puny ef- lays of finite ingenuity ; and touched with no tranf- port, at this flupendous difplay of omnipotent fkill ? at the auguft grandeur, and {Inning ftatelinefs, of the firmament ? which forms an alcove for ten thoufand worlds, and is ornamented with myriads of everlafting luminaries. ^Surely, this muft betray, not only a to- tal want of religion, but the. moft abject littlenefs of mind, and the utmoft poverty of genius. The moon is not barely u an ornament in the high ct places of the LORD *," but of fignalfervice to the inhabitants of the earth. How uncomfortable is deep, pitchy, total darknefs ! efpecially in the long abfence of the winter's fun. Welcome therefore, thrice welcome, this aufpicious gift of Providence, to enliven the noc- turnal gloom, and line with filver the raven-coloured mantle of night. How defireable to have our fiimmer- evenings illuminated ! that we, may be able to tread the dewy meads, and breathe the delicious fragrance of our gardens ; efpecially, when the fultry heats render it irkfome and fatiguing, to walk abroad by day. How chearing to the fhepherd, the ufe of this uiuver- ial lantern ; as he tends his fleecy charge, or late con- figns them to their hurdled cots ! How comfortable and how advantageous to the mariner, as he ploughs the midnight-main, to adjuft the tackling, to explore his way, and, under the influence of this beaming fconce, to avoid the fatal rock 1 For thefe, and o- ther beneficial purpofes, the hand of the ALMI G H T Y has hung the (lately branch on high ; and filled it with a fplendor, not confined to a fingle edifice, or com- menfurate to a particular fquare, but diffufive as the whole extent of the hemifphere. 'The mofl faithful of our inferior fervants are fome- times tardy in their office, fometimes negligent of their duty. But this celeftial attendant is moft exatt- ly puntfual) at all the ftated periods of her miniftra- * Ecclus. xliii, 9. on the NIGHT. 325 tion. If we chufe to prolong our journey, after the iun is gone down ; the moon, during her whole /- creafe, is always ready to act in the capacity of a guide. If we are inclined to fet out very early in the morning ; the moon in her decreafe prevents the dawn, on purpofe to offer her affiftance. And, be- caufe it is To pleafant a thing for the eyes to behold the light, the moon at her/////, by a courie of tinin- termitted waiting, gives us, as it were, a double day. How apparently has the divine wifdom interefted itfelf, in providing even for the pleafnrable accommo- dation of man ! How defirous, that he fiiould want no piece of commodious furniture, no kind of delightful convenience! and, in profecution of thefe benevolent intentions, has annexed fo valuable an appendage to the terreflrial globe. Juftly, therefore, does the pfal- mift celebrate that admirable conftitution, which or- dained the moon and the ftars to govern the night, as an inftance of rich goodnefs, and of mercy -which endureth for ever *. THE moon, it is confefTed, is no luminous body* All the brightnefs, which beautifies her countenance, is originally in the fun, and no more than tranfmiflive- ly in her. That glorious orb is the parent of day, and the palace of light. From thence the morning-ftar gilds her horn ^ ; from thence the planetary circles are crowned with luftre ; and from thence the moon derives all her iilvcr radiance. It is pleafing to reflecT:, that fuch is the cafe with the all-Jufficient Redemer, and * Pfal. cxxxvi. 9. f I might, to jufHfy this expreffion, obferve, that the planet Venus, commonly called the morning-Har, is found, by our telefcopes, frequently to appear hsrned ; or to have -Acre/cent of light, fomewhat like the moon, a little before or after her conjunction. But this would be a remark too deep and refi- ned for my fcheme j which proceeds only upon zjfitpfrficial knowledge, and the moft obvious appearances, of nature. 326 CONTEMPLATIONS and his dependent people. We are replenifhed from his fulnefs. What do we pofTefs, which we have not re- ceived j and what can we defire, which we may not expe& ; from that never-failing Source of all good ? He is the author of our faith, and the former of our graces. In his unfpotted life, we fee the path ; in his meritorious death, the price ; and in his triumph- ant reiurrection, the proof, of blifs and immortality. IF we offend, and fall feven times a-day ; he is the LORD our peace** If we are depraved, and our beft deeds very unworthy ; he is the LOR D our righ- tcdUfaffs f . If we are blind, and even brutifh, in hea- venly knowledge ; he is the LORD ourwi/dom]: his word difpels the {hades ; his .Spirit fc'ivrers the intel- lectual gloom ; his eye looks our darknefs into day. In ihort, we are nothing, and'" CHRIST is all." Worfe than defective in ourfelves, *' we are complete " in him." So that if we fhine, it is with delegated rays, and with borrowed light. We act by a ftrength, and glory in merits, not our own ! O ! may we be thoroughly fenfible of our dependence on the Saviour ! May we conftaittly imbibe his propitious beams ; and never, by indulging unbelief \ or backfliding into/o//y, withdraw our fouls from his benign influences ! left ,we lofe our comfort, and our holinefs ; as the fair ru- ler of the night lofes her iplendor, when her urn is turned frem its fountain |(, and receives no more com* inunications of iblar effulgence. TH E moon is incefTantlyi^rj//^, either in her afpeft, or her flages. Sometimes (he looks full upon us, and her vifege is all luftre. Sometimes flie appears in pro- file, and fhews us only half her enlightened face. A- non a radiant crefcent but juft adorns her brow. Soon it *. Judges vi. 24. -f Jer. xxiii. 6. i Cor. i. 30. j| Alluding to thofe truly poetical lines in Mi/ton, Hither^ as to their fountain^ other Jiars Repairing^ in their golden urns draw light. Par. Loft, b. VII. 1. 364. . on the NIGHT. k dwindles into a {lender (Ireak : till, at length, all her beauty vanifhes, and fhe becomes a beamlefs orb. Sometimes (he rifes with the defcending day, and be- gins her proceffion amidft admiring multitudes. Ere long fhe defers her progrefs till the midnight-watches, and f teals unobfervedupon the fleeping world. Some- times fhe juft enters the edges of the weflern horizon, and drops us a ceremonious vifit. Within a while, fhe fets but on her nightly tour, from the oppofite regions of the eatt ; traverfes the whole hemifphere; and ne- ver offers to withdraw, till the more refulgent partner of her fway renders her prefence unneceflary. In a word, fhe is, while converfant among us, ftill waxing or waning, and " never continueth in one flay." Such is the moon ; and fuch are zlljublunary things ; expofed to perpetual viciffitudes. How often, and how foon, have the faint echoes of renown flept in filence, or been converted into the clamours of ob- loquy ! The fame lips, almoft with the fame breath, cry Hofanna, and Crucify. Have not riches confeffed their notorious treachery, a thoufand and a thoufand times ? either melting away, like fnow in our hands, by infenfible degrees ; or efcaping, like a winged pri- ibner from its cage, with a precipitate flight. Have we not known the bridegroom's cloj'et, an antechamber to the tomb ; and heard the voice, which fo lately pro- nounced the fparkling pair hufband and wife, proclaim an everlafting divorce ; and feal the decree with that folemn affeveration, " Ames to afhes, duft to duft :" Our friends, though the medicine of life ; our health, though the balm of nature ; are a mofl precarious poi- feffion. How foon may the firft become a corpf'e in our arms ; and how eafily is the l.aft deftroyed in its vi- gour ! You havefeen,no doubt, a fet of pretty paint- ed birds, perching on your trees, or (porting in your meadows. You was pleafed with the lovely vifitants, that brought beauty on their wings, and melody in their throats. But could you infure' the coniinuancf of 328 CONTEMPLATIONS of this agreeable entertainment ? No, truly. At the lead difturbing coiie, at the lead terrifying appear- ance, they ftart from their ients ; ' they mount the fkies ; and are gone in an inftant, are gone for ever. Would you chuie to have a happinefs, which bears date with their arrival, and expires at their departure ? If you could not be content with a portion, enjoyable only through filch a fortuitous term, not of years, but of moments, O ! take up with nothing earthly ; let your affections on things above ; there alone is " no 44 variablenefs or fhadovv of turning." Job is not a more .illudrious pattern of patience^ than an eminent exemplification of thisremark. View him in his private eft at a He heaps up (ilver as the dud ; he wafties his iteps in butter, and the rock pours him out rivers of oil. View him in his public cha- r after* Princes revere his dignity ; the aged liden to his wifdom ; every eye beholds him with delight ; every tongue loads aim with bleffings. View him in his dome/lie cir cum fiances . On one hand, he is defended by a troop of fons ; on the other, adorned with a train of daughters ; and on all fides iurrounded by " a ve- " ry great houfehold." Never was human felicity fo consummate ; never Vfi&dijaftrous revolution ib fudden. The lightning, which continued his cattle, was not more terrible, and fcarce more indantaneous. The joyful parent is bereft of his offspring, and his " chil- " dren are buried in death." The man of affluence is ftript of his abundance .; and he who was clothed in fcarlet, embraces the dunghill. The venerable patriarch is the derifion of fcoundrels ; and the late darling of an indulgent providence, is become " a brother to dra- u gons, a companion of ov^ls." Nor need we go back to former ages, for proofs of this aiiiicling truth. In our times, in all times, the wheel continues the fame incefTant whirl. And frequently thole who are tri- umphing to-day in the highed elevations of joy, to- morrow are bemoaning the inftability of mortal aifairs, on the NIGH T. 329 in the very depths of mifery *. Amidft fo much fluc- tuation and uncertainty, how wretched is the condi- tion, which has no anchor of the foul, ftir~ and fted- faft ! May thy loving-kindnefs, O GOD, be our pre- fent treaiure ; and thy future glory, our reverfionary inheritance ! Then fliall our happinefs, not be like the full-orbed moon, which is " light that decreajeth in " its perfeftion ;" but like the fun, when he goeth forth in his ftrength, and knowcth no other change, but that offtining more arid more unto the perfecl: day. ME THINKS, in this ever-varying fphere, I fee a representation^ not only of our temporal advantages, but alfo ofourjpirztual accompli/hments . Such, I am. lure, is what the kind partiality of a friend would call my right eoujnefs : and fuch, I am apt to fufpect {, is the righteoufnefs * I believe, I may venture to apply, what the Temanite fays of the affairs of the wicked, to all fublunary things, as a true defcription of. their very great instability. Job xxii. 16. b-no' pvrt in a rendered by Sc6ultens^ Flumsn fufum junda,- mentum eorum. Their foundation (or what they reckon their molt folid and {table poffeffion) is a flood poured out. Which is one of the boldeft images, and mod poetical beauties, I e- ver met with in any language, facred or profane. In order to have a tolerable conception of the image, and a tafte of its beauty, you mud fuppofe a torrent of waters, ruining in bro- ken cataracls, and with impetuous rapidity, from a fteep and craggy mountain. Then imagine to yourfelf an edifice, built upon the furge of this rolling precipice; which has no other bafis than one of thole headlong -whirling -waves. Was there ever fuch a reprefentation of tranfitory profperity, tending, with inconceivable fwiftnefs, unto ruin ? Yet fuch is every form of human felicity, that is not grounded on JESUS, and a participation of his merits, who is the Kock of Ages ; on JESUS, and his image formed in our hearts, which is the hope of glory. $ I would not be under flood, as meafurincr, in this refpeft, others by myfslf; but as taking ray eitimate from the unerring ftaudard of i'cripture. And indeed, proceeding on this evi- dence, fupported by this authority, I might have ventured T t farther 33 o CONTEMPLATIONS rightcoufnefs of every man living. Now we exercifs it, in fome few inftances^ in fome little degrees. A> non fin revives, and leads our fouls into a tranfient, though unwilling captivity. Now we are meek ; but loon a raffling accident intervenes, and turns our com- pofure into a fretful difquietude. Now we are hum- ble; foon we reflect upon fome inconiiderable or ima- ginary fuperiority over others, and a fudden elatement fwells our minds. Now, perhaps, we poffefs a clean heart, and are warm with holy love. But O ! how eafily is the purity of our affections fullied ! how foon the fervour of our gratitude cooled ! And is there not fomething amifs even in our bell moments ? fome-* thing to be afliamed of> in all we are; fomethiug to be repented of, in all we do ? With what gladnefs, therefore, and adoring thank-* fulnefs, fhould we u fubmit to the righteoufnefs of *' our incarnate GOD ;" and receive, as a divine gift, what cannot be acquired by human works \\ A writer of the firft diftinction, and niceft difcernment, ftyles the obedience of our glorious Surety, an everlafting right eoujnefs / farther than a bzrefa/piciott. For u there is not zjuft man " upon earth that doth good, andyTw<r//> not," lays the Spirit of infpiradon by Solomon (Ecclef. vii. 20.) Nay, fuch is the purity, and fo extenfive are the demands of the divine law, that an apollle makes a lh'11 more humbling acknowledgment j " In many things we offend all." (Jam. iii. 3.) -And the un- erring Teacher, who moft thoroughly knew our frame, direcis the moft advanced, moft eftabliibed, and mod watchful Chri* ftians, to pray daily for the forgivenefs of their daily trej- pajjcs. To which teftirnonies, I beg lea,ve to add an elegant paflage from the Canticles ; becaufe it not only exprefles the fentiment of this paragraph, but illuflrates it by the very fame fimilitude. She (the church) is fair as the moon ; clear as the fun. Fair as the moon, the leffer and changeable light, in herfatifiification ; clear as the fun, the greater and invari- able luminary, in her juftlficathn : the inherent holinefs of believers being imperfeci, and fubject to many inequalities; while their imputed righteoufnefs is every way complete, and cjnftantly like itfclf. Cant. vi. 10. \ Rom. vi. 17. x, 3. on the NIGH T. 331 right eoufnefs */ fuch as was fubjedt to no interrup- tion, nor obfcured by the leait blemifh ; but proceeded always in the fame uniform tenor, of the moft fpotleis perfection. This righteoufnels, in another feni'e, an- fvvers the prophet's exalted defcription ; as its bene- ficial and fovereign efficacy knows no end ; but lafts thro* all our life ; laits in the trying hour of death ; Jafts at the decitive day of judgment j lafts through every generation ; and will laft to all eternity. SOMETIMES I have feenthatrefplendent globe ftript of her radiance; or, according to the emphatic a! lan- guage of fcripture, ci turned into blood." The earth, interpofing with its opake body, intercepted the iblar rays, and c aft its own gloomy fhadow on the moon. The malignant influence gained upon her fickening orb ; extjnguimed, more and more, the feeble remain- ders of light; till at length, like one in a deep fwoon, no cpmeimefs was left in her countenance ; (he was totally overfpread with darknefs.- At this juncture, what a mukitude of eyes were gazing upon the rueful (pe&acle ! even of thole eyes, which disregarded the empreis of the night, or beheld her with indifference, when, robed in glory, and riding in her triumphal chariot, {he fhed a ibfter day through the nations. But now, under thefe circumltances of difgrace, they watch her motions with the moft prying attention. In every place, her misfortune is the object of generall pbfervation ; and the prevailing topic of difcourfe, in, every company. Is it n t thus with regard toperfons of eminence ^ in their refpeftive fpheres ! Kings, at the head of their iubjeds ; nobles, furrounded with their dependents ; and (after names of fo much grandeur, may I be al- lewed to add ?) minifters labouring among their peoplef; are * Dan. ix. 24. f Ye are the light of the world. A city tlzt^is fct on a% ilt 9 cannot be hid. Matth. v. 14. X t 2 332 CONTEMPLATIONS are each in a confpicuous ftation. Their conduct in its minute/i ftep, efpecially in any .mifcarriage, will be narrowly furveyed, and critically fcanned. Can there be a louder call, to ponder the paths of their feet, and to be particularly jealous over all their ways ? Thofe who move in inferior life, may grofsly offend ; and little alarm be given, perhaps no notice taken. But it is not to be expected, that the leaft flip in their carriage, the leaft flaw in their character, will pafs undifcovered. Malice^ with her eagle-eyes, will be fure ten, difcern them ; while ^enfure, with her fhrill trumpet, will be, as far from concealing them ; as Calumny, with her treacherous whifpers, from extenuating them. A pla- net may fink below the horizon j or a ftar, for feveral months, withdraw its mining ; and fcarce one in ten thoufand perceive the lofs. But, if the moon fuffers a tranfient eclipfe, almoft half the world are fpectators of her difhonour. Very different was the cafe, when, at this late hour, I have taken a folitary walk on the iveftern cliff's. At the foot of the fteep mountain, the lea, all clear and fmooth, fpread itfelf into an immenfe plain, and held a watery mirror to the ikies. Infinite heights above, the firmament ftretched its azure expanfe, befpaqgled with unnumbered ftars, and adorned with the moon, u walking in brightnefs *." She feemed to contem- plate herfelf, with a peculiar pleafure ; while the tranf- parent jurface both received, and returned \\tf Jllver image. Here, inftead of being covered with fackcloth, me (hone with double luftre ; or rather, with a luftre multiplied, in proportion to the number of beholders, and their various fituations. Such, methinks, is the effect of an exemplary be- haviour, in perfons of exalted rank. Their courfc, as it is nobly diftinguifhed, fo it will be happily influen^ tied. Others will catch the diffufive ray ; and be am- bitious to referable a pattern fo attracting, fo com- manding. * Job xxxi. 26. on the NIGH T. 333 mantling. Their amiable qualities will not terminate in themfelves ; but we (hall fee them reflected from their families, their acquaintance, their retainers. Juft as we may now behold another moon, trembling * in the flream, glittering in the carnal, and difplaying its lovely imprefs on every collection of waters. TH E moon, philofophy fays, is a fort offovereign over the great deep. Her orb, like a royal fceptre, fways the ocean, and actuates the fluid realms. It fwells the tides, and perpetuates the reciprocal returns of ebb and flow. By which means the liquid element purges off its filth ; and is preferved from being pu- trefied itfelf, and from poifoning the world. Is the moon thus operative on the vaft abyfs ? And mall not the faith of eternal and infinite delights to come, be equally efficacious on this foul of mine ? Far above her argent fields, are treafures of hqppinefs, unfeen by mortal eye, by mortal ear unheard, and unconceived by any human imagination. In that deiirable world, themofldiftinguifhedand exalted honours alfo are con- ferred ; in companion with which, the thrones and diadems of earthly monarchs are empty pageants, and childifh toys. Yonder arch of fapphire, with all its fpangles of gold, is but the floor of thofe divine a- bodes. What then are the apartments ; what is the palace ? how bright with glories ; how rich with blifs ? O ye manfions of bleffednefs ; ye beauties of my Father's kingdom ; which far outfhine thefe lamps of the vifible heaven ; tranfmit your fweet and winning invitations to my heart. Attratt and refine all my af- fections. Withdraw them fromftagnaiing on the for- did mores of flefh ; never fuffer them to fettle upon the impure lees of fenfe ; but imprefs them with emo- tions of reftlefs defire after fublime and celeflial joys : Joys, that will proceed, ftill proceed in a copious and everlafting flow, when feas mall ceafe to roll : Joys, that will charm every faculty with unimaginable pleafure ; *t Sflendet tremulofub famine pontus, VJRG. 334 CONTEMPLATIONS pleafure ; when the moon, with her waxing fplendors, ihall chear our fight no more. ENOUGH for the prefent evening. My thoughts have been fufficiently exercifed, and my fteps begin to be attended with wearinels. Let me obey the admo- nition of nature ; and give refpite to my meditations, flumber to my eyes. But flay. Shall 1 retire to the bed of ileep, with as little ceremony, and with as much inattention, as the brutes to their fordid lair ? Are no acknowledgments due to that divine Being, who is the fupport of my life, and the length of my days ? Have I no farther need of his protecting care j no more occafion for the bleffings of his goodnefs ? Le- fidus, perhaps, may laugh at the bended knee ; and have a thoufand darts of raillery ready to discharge on the practice of devotion* The wits, I know, are un- mercifully fevere on what they call the drudgery of prayer, and the fantaflical rant of praife. Thefe they leave to the illiterate labourer, and the mean mechanic ; or treat them, with a contemptuous fneer, as the par- ion's ignoble trade. Is it then an inftance of fuperftitious blindnefs, to diftinguifti ; or of luhimfical zeal, to celebrate, the mod fupereminent excellency and merit \ Is it an un- graceful bufinefs, or does it argue a grovelling difpofi- tion, to magnify goodnefs tran(cendcntly rich and dif- fuiive ? What can be fo truly becoming a dependent Jiate, as to pay our adoring homage to the Author of all perfection, and profefs our devoted allegiance to the fupreme almighty Governor of the univerfe ? Can any thing more fignificantly befpeak an ingenuous temper, or administer a morerealfatisfaclion to its fined feelings, than the exercUes of penitential devotion ; by which we give vent to an honed anguifti, or melt into filial forrow, for our infenfibility to the bed of friends, for our difobedience to the bed of parents ? In a word, can there be a morcfublime pleafure, than to dwell, in fixed contemplation, on the beauties of the on the N I G H T. the eternal Mind ; the amiable original of all that is fair, grand, and harmonious ; the beneficent giver of all that is convenient, comfortable, and ufeful ? Can there be a more advantageous employ, than to prefent our requefts to the Father of mercies ; opening our minds to the irradiations of his wifdom, and all the faculties of our fouls to the communications of his grace \ It is ftrange, unaccountably ftrange, that the notion of dignity in fentiment;, and the purfuit of re- fined enjoyment, (liould ever be difunited from devo- tion : that perfons, who make pretentions to an im- proved tafte, and exalted genius, mould neglect this moft ennobled intercourfe with the wifeft and beft of beings, the ioexhauftible fource of honour and joy. Shall I be deterred from approaching this fource of the pureft delight ? deterred from purfuing this high- eft improvement of my nature ? deterred from all bj a formidable banter, or confuted by one irrefragable fmile ? No : let the moon, in her refplendent fphere ; and yonder pole, with all its ftarry train : witnefs, if I be iilent even or morn ; if I refrain to kindle in my heart$ and breathe from my lips, the reafonable in- cenfe of praife ; praife to that great and glorious GOD, who formed the earth, and built the fkies ; who pour- ed from his hand the watery world, and med the all- iurrounding air abroad. u Thou alfo madeft the " night, Maker omnipotent ! and thou, the day \ u which I, tho' lefs than the leaft of all thy mercies, a have pa^Ted in fafety, tranquillity, and comfort. " When I was loft in the extravagance of dreams, or a lay immerfed in the infenflbility of deep, thy hand " recovered me from the temporary lethargy. Thy tc hand fet a new, a delicately-fine edge on all my " blunted Jenjes ; and ftrung my finews with recruit- 44 ed vigour. When my thoughts were benumbed 44 and ftupefied, thy quickening influence roufed them " into activity ; when they were difconcerted and wild, [< thy regulating influence reduced them into order : " refitting me at once, to relifh the innocent enter- " tainntents 336 CONTEMPLATIONS u tainments of an animal, and to enjoy the fublimc u gratifications, of a rational capacity. When dark- " nefs covered the creation, at thy command, the/ " arofe ; painted the flowers, and diftinguifhed every " object ; gave light to my feet, and gave nature, " with all her beautiful fcenes, to my eye. To thee, " O thou GOD of my ftrength, I owe the continuance * c of my being, and the vivacity of my conflitution. " By thy facred order, without any confciouinefs of <c mine, the wheels of life move, and the crimfon <c fountain plays. Over-ruled by thy exquifite kill, it " transforms itfelf, by the niceft operations of an in- <c explicable kind of chemiftry, into a variety of the " finefl fecretions : which glide into the mufcles, and tc fwell them for action ; or pour themfelves into the x< fluids, and repair their inceflant decays : which <c caufe cheat fu] nefs to fparkle in the eye, and health " to bloom in the cheek. u Dijajlrous accidents, injurious to the peace of my " mind, or fatal to the welfare of my body, befet my " paths. But thy faithfulnefs and truth, like an im- " penetrable fhield, guarded me all around. Under " this divine protection,! walked fecure, amidft legions <c of apparent perils ; and pafled unhurt, through a tc far greater multiplicity of unjeen evils. Not one of " my bones was broken ; not a {ingle maft grazed up- " on my eafe ; even when the eye that watched over " me, fav/, in its widefurvey, thoufands failing befede u me, in irrecoverable ruin : and ten thoufands deeply u wounded, on my right hand. If ficknefs has, at any " time, faddened my chamber, or pain harrowed my u flefh ; it was a luholefome difcipline, and a gracious " feverity. The chaftifement proved a fovereignme- u dicine, to cure me of an immoderate fondnefs for u this imperfect troublefomeftate ; and to quicken my a delires after the unembittered enjoyment of my e- < ternal home. Has not thy munificence, unwearied 41 and unbounded, fprcad my table / and furniflied it " with the fineft wheat j repleriifhed it with marrow - " and on the NIGH T. 337 c< and fatnefs ? While temperance fweetened the bowl; " appetite feafoned.the difh ; contentment and grati- " tude crowned the repaft. Has not thy kindnefs, *t O GOD of the families of Ifrael^ preferved my af- " fe&ionate relations ; who fludy, by their tender " offices, to foften every care, and heighten every " joy? Has not thy kindneis given me valuablc/r/>fifr / " whole prefence is a cordial, to chear me in a de- 1 jefted hour ; and whole convcrfation mingles im- " provement with delight f u When fin lay difguifed amidft flowery -fcenes of " pleafure ; enlightened by thy wifdom, 1 dijcerned " the latent mil'chief ; made refolute by thy grace, I " flmnned the lufcious bane. If, through the impulfc 1 of fenfuality, or the violence of paffion, I have been *' hurried into the fnare, and ftung by the ferpent , ;c thy faithful admonitions have recalled the foolifh 44 wanderer ; while the blood of thy Son has healed his deadly wounds. Some, no doubt, have been cut off in the midft of their iniquities ; and tranf- mitted from the thrillings of polluted joy, to the agonies of eternal defpair. Whereas, 1 have been '* diflinguiflied by long-fufFering mercy; and, inftead " of lifting up my eyes in torments, to behold a he'a- C ven irrecoverably loft ; 1 may lift them up under u the plealing views of being admitted, ere long, into " thofe abodes of endlefs felicity. In the mean time, " thou haft vouchiafed me the revelation of thy will j " the influences of thy Spirit; and abundance of the ic moft efFedual aids, for advancing in knowledge, " and growing in godlinels ; for becoming more con- *' formable to thy image, and more meet for thy pre- <c fence ; for tafting the pleafures of religion, and fe- <c curing the riches of eternity. " How various is thy beneficence, O thou Lover of fouls ! It has unfealed a thoufand fources of good ; opened a thoufand avenues of delight ; and heaped bleffings upon me, with a ceafelefs liberality. If J . N. Uii '* " 338 CONTEMPLATIONS, &c. u fiiould attempt to declare them, they would be. " more than thcftarry hoft, which glitter in this un~ ?* clouded fky ; more than the dewy gems, which will <c adorn the face of the morning. " .And (hall I forget the GOD of my falvatiqn, the " Author of all my mercies ? Rather let my pulfe " forget to beat ! Shall I render him no expreffions " of thankfulnefs ? Then might all nature reproach " my ingratitude.- Shall I reft fatisfied with the bare " acknowledgment of my lips ? No : let my life be <c vocal, and fpeak his praife, in that only genuine, * c that mofl emphatical language, the language of* devout obedience. Let the bill be drawn upon my very heart ; let all my affections acknowledge the u draught ; and let the whole tenor of my atlions, " in time and through eternity, be continually paying " the debt, the ever-pleafing, ever-growing debt of " duty, veneration, and love. " And can I, O thou Guide of my goings, and " Guardian of all my interefls, can I diftruft fuch fig- " nal, fuch experienced goodnefs ? Thou haft been my " Helper, through all thebufyfcenes of day : therefore " under thc/fiadow of thy wings will I repofe myfelf, c< during the darknefs, the danger, and death-like in- c< activity of the night. Whatever defilement I have c< contracted, wafh it thoroughly away in redeeming " blood ; and let neither the fulfill ftain, nor the fin- " ful inclination, accompany me to my couch ! " Then mall tlay me down in peace, and take my reft ; ** chearfully referring it to thy all-wife determina- " tion, whether I {hall open my eyes in this world, a or awake in the unknown regions of another." C O CONTEMPLATIONS O N T H E STARRY HEAVENS. There dwells a noble pathos in the Jkies, Which warms our paffions, profelytes our hearts* How eloquently (bines the glowing pole ! With what authority it gives its charge^ Remonjlrating great truths in flyle Jublime ! Night-Thoughts, N IX U u <>4>-<>:<^:<t><>^^ CONTEMPLATIONS ON THE STARRY HEAVENS. THIS evening, I exchange the nice retreats of art for the noble theatre of nature. Inftead of meafuring my fteps under the covert of an arbour, let me range along the fummit of this gently-rifing hill. There is no need of the leafy (hade, fmce the fun has quitted the horizon, and withdrawn his fcorch- ing beams. But fee, how advantages and inconveni- encies are ufually linked, and chequer our affairs be- low ! If the annoying heat ceafes, the landfcape y and its pleafing fcenes, are alfo removed. The majeftic caftle, and the lowly cottage, are vanifhed together. I have loft the afpiring mountain, and its rufTet brow; I look round, but to no purpofe, for the humble vale, and its flowery lap. The plains whitened with flocks, and the heath yellow with furze, difappear. The advancing night has wrapt in darknefs the long-ex- tended foreft, and drawn her mantle over the wind- ings of the filver ftream. I no longer behold that luxuriant fertility in the fields ; that wild magnificence f profpeft, and endlefs variety of images ; which have & 342 CONTEMPLATIONS fo often touched me with delight, and (truck me witli awe from this commanding eminence. The lofs, however, is icarcely to be regretted ; fince it is amply compenfated by the opening beauties of the iky. Here I enjoy a free view of the whole hemifphere ; without any obftacle from below, to con- fine the exploring eye ; or any cloud from above, to overcaft the fpacious concave. VTis true, the lively vermilion, which fb lately ftreaked th chambers of the weft, is all faded. But the planets, one after an- other, light up their lamps; the ftars advance in their glittering train ; a thoufand and a thoufand luminaries fhine forth in fucceffive Iplendors ; and the whole fir- mament is kindling into the moil beautiful glow. The blueneis of the aether, heightened by the feafon of the year, and ftill more enlivened by the abjencc of the moon, gives thofe gems of heaven the ftrongeft luflre. One pleafure more, the invading gloom has not been able to {hatch from my fenfe. The night rather improves, than deftroys, the fragrance which exhales from the blooming beans. With thefe the fides of this iloping declivity are lined ; and with thefe the balmy zephyrs perfume their wings. Does Arabia, from all her fpicy groves, breathe a more liberal, or a more charming gale of fweets ? And, what is a peculiar re- commendation of the rural entertainments prefentecl in our happy land, they are alloyed by no apprehen- fions of danger. No poilonous ierpent lurks under the bloflbm ; nor any ravenous bead lies ready to ftart from the thicket. But 1 wander from a far more ex- alted fubjecl. My thoughts, like my affections, are too eafily diverted from the heavens, and detained by inferior objects. Away, my attention, from theia little blandifhments of the earth j fince all the glories of the_/y invite thy regard. WE have taken a turn among the Tombs, and view- ed the fokran memorials of the dead ; in order to learn on the STARRY HEAVENS. 343 learn the vanity of mortal things, and to break their foft inchantment. We have furveyed the ornaments of the Garden ; not that the heart might be planted in the parterre, or take root among the flowery race ; but that thefe delicacies of a day might teach us to afpire after a better paradife, where beauty never fades, and delight is ever in the bloom. A third time we lighted the candle of meditation ; and fought for wifdom, not in the crouded city, or wrangling (cliools, but in the filent and lonely walks of ancient Night* . r Let us once more indulge the contemplative vein, and raife our {peculations to t ho fejit bltm er -works of the great Creator, which the regions of the fky contain, and this dufky hour unveils"}". If we have difcerned the touches of his pencil glow- ing in the colours of fpring ; if we have feen a fample of his beneficence exhibited in the itores of nature, and a ray of his brightness beaming in the blaze of day ; what an infinitely richer field for the difplay of his perfections are the heavens ! The heavens, in the moit emphatical manner, declare the glory of GO,D. The heavens are nobly eloquent of the Deity, and the moft magnificent heralds of their Maker's praife. They fpeakto the whole univerie ; for there is neither ipeccli fo barbarous, but their language is underftood ; nor nation fo dijtant, but their voices are heard among them. Let me then, in this iblemn feafon, formed for thought, and a calm intercrnrfe with heaven ; let me liften to their lilent leftures. Perhaps, I may re- ceive fuch impreflive manifeftations of u the eternal * 4 power and Godhead," as J3\*.yjhed religion on my foul, * Referring to the feveral fubjecb of the three preceding ef- fays. _ f- Night opes the no hlzft fc cnes, and flieds an awe Which gives thofe ven.enible icenes full weight, And deep reception in th' eatencler'd heart. Night-Thought*) No IX. Pfal xix. 2. 344- CONTEMPLATIONS foul, while I walk the folitary (hades ; and may be a tutelary friend to my virtue , vv*hen the call of bufinefs, and the return of light, expofe me again to the in- roads of temptation. THE Ifraelites, imtigated by phrenzy rather than devotion, worfhipped the hoft of heaven. And the pretenders to judicial ajirology talk of I know not what myfterious efficacy, in the different afpect of the flars, or the various conjunction and oppofition of the planets. Let thofe who are unacquainted with the lure word of revelation, give ear to thefe ions of delu- fion, and dealers in deceit. For my part, it is a quef- tion of indifference to me, whether the conftellations fhone with fmiles, or loured in frowns, on the hour of my nativity. Let CHRIST be my guard ; and, fccure in fuch a protection, I would laugh at their impotent menaces. Let CH RIST be my guide; and I {hall fcorn to afk, as well as defpair of receiving, any predictory information from fuch lenfelefs mafTes. What ! (hall " the living feek to the dead *>" Can thefe bodies advertife me of future events, which are unconfcious of their own exiftcnce ? Shall I have re- courfe to dull unintelligent matter, when I may ap- ply to that all -wife Being ; who, with one comprehen- iive glance, diflindtly views whatever is lodged in the bo~ fom of immenfity, or forming in the womb of futurity ? Never, never will I iearch for any intimations of my fate, but often trace my Great or 'sfootfttps f, in yon- <jer Itarry plains. In the former cafe, they would be teachers * If. viii. i 9 . f- ** It is mofl becoming" (fays a great author) " fuch imper- fect creatures as we are, to contemplate the works of GOD, with this defign, that we may difcern the raanifeftations of wifdom in them ; and thereby excite in ourfelves thofe de- vout affe&ions, and that fuperlative refpedi, which is the very efience of praife, as it is a reafonable and moral fervice." on the attributes. And, indeed, if we are fin- cereiy on the STARRY HEAVENS. 345 teachers of lies ; in the latter, they are oracles of truth. In this therefore, this fcnfe only, I profels myielf the pupil of the ftars. TH E vulgar are apprehenfive of nothing more, than a multitude of bright Jpangles dropt over the zethereal blue. They have no higher notion of theie fine appearances, than that they are fo many gulden Jiuds, with which the empyrean arch'is decorated. But ftudious minds, that carry a more accurate and ftricl: inquiry among the celeftial bodies, bring back advices of a moft aftoniming import. Let me jufl re- colled the moft material ofthoiejtupendousdi/coveries, in order to furnifh out proper fubjecls for contempla- tion. And let the unlearned remember, that the icene I am going to difolay, is the workmanfhip of that in- comprehenfible GOD, who is u perfect in knowledge, *' and mighty in power ;" whofe name, whofe nature, and all whole operations, are u great and marvellous;" who fummons into being, with equal cafe, a fingle grain, or ten thoufand worlds. To this if we conti- nually advert, the aflertions, though they will certain- ly excite our admiration^ need not tranicend our belief. TH E earth is, in fact, a round body ; however it inay feem, in fome parts, to be funk into vales, and raifed cerely difpofed to employ ourfelves in this excellent, this de- lightful duty of praifmg the infinite Creator; the means, and the motives, are both at hand. His works, in a wonderful and indruftive variety, prefent themfelves, with pregnant manifedations of the moft tranfcendent excellencies of their Maker. They pour their evidence from all quarters, and into all the avenues of the mind. They invite in, efpeciaily in the magnificent fyftem of the universe, to contemplate counfel confummately wife, and execution inimitably perfect; power, to which nothing is impoffiblej and gooclntfs, which extendeth, to ail, which endureth for ever. To give, not a full dilplay, but only fome flight Jlritfures, of thefe glorious truths, is the principal fcope of the following remarks. VOL. i N 4. X x CONTEMPLATIONS raifed into hills * ; in other parts, to be fpread into # fpacious plain, extending to the confines of the hea- vens, or terminated by the waters of the ocean.- We may fancy, that it has deep foundations, and refts up- on ibme prooigioufly folicl bafts. Bat it is pendent in the wide tranfpicuioas aether, without any vifible caufe to uphold it from above, or fupport it from beneath* It rnay feem to be fedentary in its attitude, and mo- tionlefs in its fituation. But it is continually /z/V/Vzg- j-, through the depths of the iky ; and, in the fpace of twelve months, finifhes the mighty voyage. Which periodical rotation produces the feafons, and completes the year. As it proceeds in the annual circuit, it/pins upon its own centre; and turns its fides alternately to the fountain of light. By which means, the day dawns in one hemiiphere ; while the- night fucceeds in the other. Without this expedient, one part of its regions would, during half the great revolution, be icorched with exceilive heat, or languifh under an un- intermitted glare : while the other, expofed to the con- trary extremes, would be frozen to ice, and buried un- der a longoppreffionof difrnalanddeftruclivedarknefs. I can- * A learned writer, I think? Dr Derham, has fomewhere an obfervation to this purpofe : That the loftie(tymm//j of hills, and the moft enormous ridges of mountains, are no reai objection to the globular or round form of the earth. Becaufe, however they may render it, to our limited light, vaftly un- even and protuberant ; yet they bear no more proportion to the entire furface of the terraqueous ball, than a particle of du(r, cafually c'ropt on the mathematician's globe, bears to its whole circumference. Coniequently, the rotund figure is no more deQroyed in the former cafe, than in the latter. On the fame principle, I have not thought it necelHiry, to take any notice of the comparatively fmall difference between the polar and' equatorial diameter of the earth. j- With what aiiiazingy^i?^/, this veflel (if I may carry- on the allufion) filled with a multitude of nations, and freighted .with all their pcfTefHons, makes her way through the acthereai fpace ; fee page 363. in note . on the STARRY HEAVENS. 347 I cannot forbear taking notice, that, in this com- pound motion of the earth, the one never interfere* with the other, but both are perfectly compatible. Is it not thus with the precepts of religion, and the need- ful affairs of the prefent life ; not excepting even the innocent gratifications of our appetites ? Some, I be- lieve, are apt to imagine,that they muft renounce fociety, if they devote themfelves to CHRIST; and abandon all the fatisfactions of this world, if they once become zealous candidates for the felicity of another. But this is a very miftaken notion, or elie a very injurious re- prefentation, of the doctrine which is according to godlines. It was never intended to drive men into deierts ; but to lead them, through the peaceful and pleafant paths of wifdom, into the bliisful regions of life eternal. It was never intended to ftrike off the wheels of bufmefs, or cut in funder the finews of in- duftry ; but rather, to make men induflrious from a principle of conference, not from the infligations of avarice; that fo they may promote their immortal hap- pinefs, even while they pro vide for their temporal main- tenance. It has no defign to extirpate our'paffions, but only to reftrain their irregularities ; neither would it extinguish the delights of ienie,but prevent them from evaporating into vanity, and fubfiding into gall. A perfon maybe chearful among his friends, and yet joy- ful in GOD. He may tafle the fweets of his earthly eflate ; and, at the fame time, cherifli his hopes of a nobler inheritance jn heaven. The trader may profc- cute the demands of commerce, without neglecting to negotiate the affairs of his falvation . The warrior may wear his fword ; may draw, in a juft caufe, that mur- derous weapon ; yet be a good foldier of JESUS CHMIST, and obtain the crown that fadeth not a- way. The parent may lay up a competent portion for his children, and not forfeit his title to the treafures, either of grace or of glory. So far is Chriftianity ifrom obftrufting any valuable interefr, or vvith-holding X x 2 any 348 CONTEMPLATIONS any real pleafure ; that it improves the one, and advan- ces the other. Juft as the diurnal and annual motion*; are fo far from clafliing, that they entirely accord; and inftead of being deftruclive of each other, by mutual- ly blending their effects, they give proportion and har- mony to time, fertility and innumerable benefits to nature. To us, who dwell on its furface, the earth is by far the mojl extcnfive orb, that our eyes can, any where, behold. It is alfo clothed with verdure ; diftinguimed by trees ; and adorned with a variety of beautiful de- corations. Whereas, to a fpectator placed on one of the planets, it wears an uniform afpecl ; looks all lu- minous, and no larger than a fpot. To beings who dwell at ftill greater diftances, it entirely difappears. That which we call, alternately, the morning and the evening ftar ; as in one part of her orbit, fhe rides foremoft in the proceflion of night ; in the other, umers in, and anticipates the dawn ; is a planetary -world. Which, with the four others, that fo wonder- fully vary their myftic dance, are in themfelves dark bodies, and fliine only by reflection ; have fields, and feas, and fkies of their own ; are furniihed with all accommodations for animal fubfiflence, and are fuppo>- fed to be the abodes of intellectual life. All which, to- gether \yith this our earthly habitation, are dependent on that grand difpenfer of divine munificence, the fun; receive their light from the diflribution of his rays ? and derive their comforts from his benign agency. TH E fun^ which feems to perform its daily ftages through the fky, is, in this refpecT: *, fixed and im- rnoveable. 'Tis the great axle of heaven, about which the globe we inhabit, and other more fpacious orbs, wheel their dated courfes. i he fun, though feeming- * I fay, in this refpcft ; that I may not feem to forget, or 'exclude, the revolution, of the fun round its own axis. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 349 ty f mailer than the dial it illuminates, is abundantly larger * than this whole earth ; on which fo many lofty mountains rife, and fuch vaft oceans roll. A line, ex- tending from fide to fide, through the centre of that refplendent orb, would mcafure more than eight hun- dred thoufand miles: a girdle, formed to go round its circumference, would require a length of millions : were its iblid contents to be eiiimated, the account would overwhelm our understanding, and be almoft beyond the power of language to exprefs \. Are we ftartled at thefe reports of philofophy ? Are we ready to cry out, in a tranfport of furprile, How mighty is the Being, who kindled fuch a prodigious fire ; and keeps alive, from age to age, fuch an enormous mafs of flame ! Let us attend our philofophic guides, and we (hall be brought acquainted with fpeculations more enlarged and more amazing. This fun, with all its attendant planets, is but a very little part of the grand machine of the univerfe. Every ftar, though, in appearance, no bigger than the diamond that glitters upon a lady's ring, is really a "vajl globe^ like the fun in fize, and in glory, no lefs Spacious, no lefs luminous, than the radiant fource of our day. 80 that every flar is, not barely a world, but the centre of a magnificent fyftem ; has a retinue of worlds, irradiated by its beams, and revolving round its attractive influence. All which are loft to our fight, in unmeafurable wijds of asther. That the ftars * A hundred thoufand times, According to the hius/l reck- oning. Sir ISAAC NEWTON computes the fun to be 900,000 times bigger than the earth. Religious Philofopher, p. 749. j* Dr DERHAM, after having calculated the dimenfions of the planets, adds, " Amazing as thefe mafles are, they are all 44 far outdone by that ftupendous globe of light, the fun ; " which, as it is the fountain of light and heat to all the pla- u nets about it, fo doth it far furpafs them all in its bulk: its *' apparent diameter being computed at 822,148 Etiglijl) miles, " its ambit at 2.582,873 miles, and its folid contents at " 290,971,000,000,000,000." AJtrQ'TbcQl. book I. chap. II. 350 C O N T E M P L A T I O N S ftars appear like fo many diminutive, and fcarce dif- tinguifhable points, is owing to their immenie and in- conceivable diftance* Immenfe and inconceivable in~ deed it is ; fince a ball, (hot from the loaded cannon, and flying," with unabated rapidity, muft travel, at this impetuous rate, almoft feven hundred thouiand years *, before it could reach the near eft of thoie twinkling luminaries. Can any thing be more wonderful than thefe obfer- vations ? Yes: there are truths far more ftupendous; there are fcenes far more extenfive. As there is no end of the almighty Maker's greatnefs ; fo no imagi- nation can fet limits to his creating hand. Could you ibar beyond the moon, and pals through all the plane- tary x:hoir ; could you wing your way to the highefl apparent ftar, and take your fland on one of thofe loftieft pinnacles of heaven : you would, there, fee other Jkies expanded j another fun, diftributing his in- exhatiftible beams by day ; other ft ars, that gild the horrors of the alternate night : and other -j~, perhaps nobler Jyflems, eftablimed ; eftablifhed, in unknown profufion, through the boundlefs dimenfions of fpace. Nor does the dominion of the univerfal Sovereign terminate there. Even at the end of this vaft tour, you would find yourfelf advanced no farther than the fuburbs of creation ; arrived only at the frontiers of the great JEHOVAH'S kingdom J. And * See Rfliglous Philofop^er^ p. 819. j- See Aftro-Tbeology, book II. chap. II. : Where the author, having afligned various reaibns to fupport this theory of our modern aftronomers, adds, tl Befides the foremendon- * 4 ed ftrong probabilities, we have this farther recomraenda- *' tion of fuch an account of the univerfe, that it is far more " magnificent, and worthy of the infinite Creator^ than any *' other of the narrower fchemes." $. Job, after a mod beautiful differtation on the mighty works of GOD, as they are didributed through univerfal na- ture, from the heights of heaven, to the very depths of hell, clofe* onthe'STARRY HEAVENS. And do they tell me, that the fun, the moon, and all the planets, are but a little part of H I S works ? How great, then, are his figns ! and how mighty are his wonders * /And if fo, what is the CREATOR himfelf ! How far exalted above all praife ! who is fo high, that he looks down on the highefl of thefe daz- zling fpheres, and fees even the fummit of creation in a vale : fo great, that this prodigious extent of fpace is but a point in his prefence ; and all this confluence of worlds, as the lighted atom, that fluctuates in air, and {ports in the meridian ray f . Thou clofes the magnificent account with this acknowledgment; Loi thefe are parts of his ways. Or, as the original word more literally fignifies, and may, I think, be more elegantly render- ed, Thefe are only the Jkirts, the very outermoft borders of his works. No more than a fmall preface to the immenfe vo- lume of the creation. From the Hebrew mvp extremitates, I cannot forbear thinking on the extreme and very attenuated fibres of the root, when compared with the whole fubftance of the trunk; or on the exquifitely fmall fize of the capillary veiTels, when compared wich the whole ftructure of the bo- dy. Job xx vi. 14. '* Dan. iv. 2 j- This puts me in mind of a very fine remark on a fcriptu- ral beauty, and a folid correction of the common tranflation, made by that learned, fagacious, and devout expositor Vitringa. f If. xl. 15. we find it written of the Supreme Being, that/;*? taksth up the ijles as a very little thing. Which, our critic ob- ferves, is neither anfwerable to the import of the original, nor confonant to the ftructure of the difcourfe. The prophet had no intention to inform mankind, what the Almighty could da with regard to the iflands, if he pleafed to exert uncontrolla- able power. His deiign was to (hew how iniignificant, or ra- ther what mere nothings they are, in his efteem, and before his majeity. The iflands, lays he, tlio' fo Jpacious, as to afford room for the erection of kingdoms, and the abode of nations; tho' fo ft rang, as to withstand, for many thoufands of years, the raging and reiterated affaults of tiie whole watery world; are yet, before the adored JEHOVAH, finall as the minuted grain, which the eye can fcarce difcern; light as the feathered mote, which the leaft breath hurries away like a temped. 352 CONTEMPLATIONS Thou moft fublime and incomprehenfibly glorious GOD, how am I overwhelmed with awe ! how funk into the lowed proftration of mind ! when I confider thy " excellent greatnefs" and my own utter infigni- ficancy ! And have I, exceflively mean as I am, have I entertained any conceited apprehenfions of myfelf ? Have I felt the leait elatement of thought, in the preience of fo majeftic and adorable a Being ? How mould this wound me with forrow, and cover me with confuiion I O my GOD, was I pofTefTed of all the high perfec- tions, which accomplifti and adorn the angels of light ; amidft all thefe noble endowments, I would fall down in the deepeft abafement at thy feet. Loft in the in- finitely fuperior blaze of thy uncreated glories, I would confefs myfelf to be nothing ; to be lefs than nothing, and vanity. Hov, T much more ought I to maintain the moft unfeigned humiliation, before thy divine Majcfty ; who am not only duft and afhes, but a compound of ignorance, imperfection, and depravity ! WHILE, beholding this vaft expanfe, I learn my own extreme meannefs, I would alfo difcover the abject lit- tlenefs of all terrcjtrial things. What is the earth, with all her oftentatious fcencs, compared with this a- ftonimingly grand furniture of the fides ? What, but a dim fpeck, hardly perceivable in the map of the u- niverfe ? It is obferved by a very judicious writer * 3 That if the fun himfelf, which enlightens this part of the creation, was extinguifhed ; and all the hoft of plane- tary worlds, which move about him, were annihilated; they would not be miffed, by an eye that can take in the whole compafs of nature, any more than a grain of fand upon the iea-{hore. The bulk of which they con- lift, and the fpace which thev occupy, is fo exceeding- bim pna e-iiK InfuU funt ut hve quid, quod avdat. Th: deep-rooted ijlands arc as the volatile atom, -which, by the gentlett undulations of the air, is wafted to and fro in perpe- tual agitation. * Sped, vol.- VIII. No 565. on ike STARRY HEAVENS. 353 ly little in comparifon of the whole, that their lofsi would fcarce leave a blank in the immenfity of GOD'S works. If then, not our globe only, but this whole fyftem, be fo very diminutive ; What is a kingdom, or a county ? What are a few lord/hips, or the fo much admired patrimonies of thole who are ftyled wealthy * ? When I meafure them with my own little pit- tance, they fwell into proud and bloated dimenfions : But, when I take the univerfe for my ftandard, how fcanty is their fize, how contemptible their figure ! They flirink into pompous nothings |. When the keen-eyed eagle foafs above all the fea- thered race, and leaves their very fight below ; when fhe wings her way, with direct afcent, up the iteep of heaven ; and, fteadily gazing on the meridian fun, ac- counts its beaming fplendors all her own : does flic then regard, with any folicitude, the mote that is fly- ing in the air^ or the duft which fhe fhook from her feet ? And fliali this eternal mind, which is capable of contemplating its Creator's glory, which is intend- ed to enjoy the vifions of his countenance ; fhall this eternal mind, endued with fuch great capacities, and made for fuch exalted ends, be fo ignobly ambitious, as to figh for the tinfels of ftate ; or fo poorly covetous, as to grafp after ample territories on a needle's point ? 'No ; under the influence of fuch confideraticns, I feel my fentiments expand, and my wiflies acquire a turn of fublimity. My throbbing defires after worldly grandeur die away ; and I find mylelf, if not pofTefTed of power, yet fuperior to its charms. Too long, muft I own, have my affections been pinioned by vanity, and immured in this earthly clod. But thefe thoughts break the fliackle s {. Thefe objects open the door of liberty. * Juvat inter fidcra vagantem divitum pavimcnta ridere, et totam cum auro fuo terrarri. Sr N. j- Tcrrelle grandia inania. WATTS'S Hor. lyr. ^ The foul of man was made to walk the ikies, Delightful outlet of her pnfon here ! VOL. I. N 9 4. Y y Therc ? 354 CONTEMPLATIONS liberty. My foul, fired by fuch noble profpefts, weighs anchor from this little nook ; and coafls no longer about its contracted fhores ; dotes no longer on its painted (hells. The immcnfity of things is her range ; nd an infinity of blifs is her aim. BEHOLD this imrncnfe expanfe, and admire the condefcenfion of thy GOD. In this manner, an infpir- ed and princely afrronomer improved his ftirvey of the nofturnal heavens. When I conjider thy heavens, even the works of thy finpers, the moon and the flars which thou haft ordained; I am fmitten with wonder at thy glory, and cry out in a tranfport of gratitude, LORD, what is man, that thou art mindful of him ? or the Jon of man* that thou vifitefl him \ f " How a- 44 mazing, how charming, is that divine benignity, tc which is pleafed to bow down its facred regards to " fo foolifli and worthlefs a creature ! yea, diiciains <c not, from the height of infinite exaltation, to ex- <c tend its kind providential care to our mod minute " concerns! This is amazing. But that the everlafling " Sovereign mould give his. Son, to be made flefh, and " become our Saviour I (hall I call it A miracle of con- 4t clefcending goodnefs ? Rather, what are all miracles, " what are all myfteries, to this ineffable gift 1" Had the bri^hteft archangel been commiiFioned to come down, with the olive-branch of peace in his hand, lignifying his eternal Maker's readincfs to be re- conciled; on our bended knees, with tears of joy, and a torrent of thankfulnefs, we ought to have received the tranfporting news. But when, inflead of fuch an angelic envoy, he fends his only-begotten Son, his Son beyond There, d'TencumberM from her cba:ns, the ties Of toys terrefhial, flie can rove at large; There freely c-n refpire, dilate, extend, In full propcrtiou le: loofe all her j-ow'rs. ' Nioht-Tuwbts, N IX. *Pial. viii. '-'. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 355- beyond all thought iiluftrious, to make us the gracious overture: lends him from the c<> habitation of his " holinefs and glory," to put on the infirmities of mortality, and dwell in a tabernacle of clay: fends him, not barely to make us a Jranfient vilit, but to abide ~,hcmy years in our inferior and miferable world : fends him, not to exereiie dominion over monarchs, but to wear out his life in the ignoble form of a f'-.r- vant ; and, at laft, to make his exit under the infa- mous character of a malefactor I Was ever love like this ? Did ever grace (loop fo lo\v * ? Should the fun be morn of all his radiant honours, and degraded into a clod of the valleys ; mould all the dignitaries of heaven be depofed from their thrones, and dege- nerate * This reminds me of a very noble piece offecrfd oratory^ where, in a fine 1 cries of the moft beautiful gradations, the apofUe difplays the admirably-condefcendir.g kmdnefs of our Saviour. #<r thought it no robbery, h was Im indifpuuble right, to bs equal -with the infinite, felf-exitlent, immortal G'jD. Yet, in mercy :o tinners, he emptied himfelf of the incommunicable honours, and laid aiide the robes of incomprc-henfible g'ory. Whea he entered upon his mediatorial ttate, inftead qf acting in the grand capacity of univerlal Sovereign, he took upon kr.n the f t nn ef a fervant : and not the form of thofe mimftering ipirits, whole duty is dignity utl-lr"; who /re throned, tho' adoring. He took not on him the nature of angeis, but ftoop- ed incomparably low; afiu'rnrd a body of animated dufl, and luas mad; in the likenefs of men; thole inferior and depraved creatures. Afloni^iing coridefcenlion ! but rot fuiiicient for the overflowing richnefs of the Rcds-e.'aer's l:,ve. /or, -bslr.g found in fafcion as a man, hz humbled hirnfi-lf farther Itill; oc- cupied tiie loweft place, where all was low ar.d ignoble. Me not only fubaii'ted ro the yoke of the hw, but ali'o bore the infirmities, and miniftered to the neceilities of mortals. He even walhed-the feet of otiiers, and had not \\here to lay his own head. Yea, he carried his meritorious humiliation to the very deepeft degrees of poflible abalement.' He i-ecamt obedient unto death ;--and not to. a common or natural death, but a death more infamous than the gibbet; more torturous than the rack ; ev:n the accurfed death of the crcfs. Phil. ii. 6, 7. 8. Y y 2 356 CONTEMPLATIONS nerate into infetfs of a day ; great, great would be the abatement. But nothing to thine, moft bleffed JES us; nothing to thine, thou Prince of pesce ; when, for us men, and for our falvatiorf, thou didft not abhor the coarfe accommodations of the manger; thou didft not decline even the gloomy horrors of the grave. J Tis well, the facred oracles have given this do&rinc the moft explicit confirmation, and evidence quite in- conteffable. Otherwife, a favour fo undeferved, fo unexpected, and rich beyond all imagination, might flaggcr our belief. Could He, who launches all thefe planetary globes, thro' the illimitable void; and leads them on, from age to age, in their extenfive career ; could HE refign his hands, to be Confined by the gird- ing cord, and his back to be ploughed by the bloody fcourge ? Could HE, who crowns all the ftars with inextinguimable brightnefs, be himfelf defiled with Jpitting) and disfigured with the thorny fear ? It is the greateft of wonders, and yet the fureft of truths. O ! ye mighty orbs, that roll along the fpaces of the iky ; 1 wondered, a little while ago, at your vafl di- menfions, and ample circuits But now my amazement ceafes ; or rather, is entirely fwallowed up by a much more ftupendous fubjeft. Methinks, your enormous bulk is fhrivelled to an atom; your prodigious revolu- tions arc contraclpd to a.Jpan; while I mufe upon the far more elevated heights, and unfathomable depths ; the infinitely more extended lengths, and unlimited breadths o/this love of CUD in CHRIST JESUS f . CON T EM PLA T IN G this ftately expanfe, I fee a mirror, which reprefents, in the moft awful colours, the hai- noujnejs of human guilt. Tenthoufand volumes, wrote on purpofe to difplay the aggravations of my various a&s of diibbedience, could not fo effectually convince me of their inconceivable enormity, as the confidcra- j- Eph. iii. 1 8, 19. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 357 tion of that all-glorious perfon *, who, to make an atonement for them, fpilt the lafl drop of his blood. I have finned^ may every child of Adam fay ; and what fliall 1 do unto thee, thou Objcrver of men f f Shall i give my firft born for my tranfgreffion, the fruit of my body for the fin of my foul ; Vain commutation ! and fuch as would be reje&ed by the bletfed GOD, with the utmoft abhorrence. Will all the potentates, that {way the fceptre in a thoufand kingdoms, devotf their royal and honoured lives, to re'icue an obnoxious crea- ture from the ftroke of vengeance ? Alas ! it muft coft more, incomparably more, to expiate the malig- nity of fin, and fave a guilty wretch from hell. Will all the principalities of heaven be content to afTumc my nature, and reiign ttjemfelves to death for my pardon J ? Even * uo quifque altius afcendit in agnitione CHRISTI, to pro* fundius peccati atrocitatem cognofcet. f- Job vii. 20. Not prefervzr, as it (lands in our verfion, but obferuer of men. Which phrafe, as it denotes the exadl and incefTant infpetfion of the divine eye : as it intimates the abfolute impoilibility, that any tranfgreffion fhould efcape the divine notice ; is evidently moft proper, both to aflign the rea- fin, and heighten the emphajis of the context. ij: MILTON fets this thought in a very poetical and ftriking light. All the {aridities of heaven ftand round the throne of the Supreme Majelty. Goo forefees and foretels the fall of man; the ruin which will unavoidably tnfue on his tranfgref- iion ; and the utter impojfibitity of his being able to extricate himfelf from the abyfs ot mifery. He, with his -whole po/lenty, muft die ; Die he, or juftice mujl ; unlefs for him Some other able, and as luilling^ pay The rigid fatisfaftion, death for death. After which affecting reprefentation, intended to raife the moft tender emotions of pity, the following inquiry is addrefled to all the furrounding angels : Say^ heav'nly powers, -where Jball we find fuch love? fVhifh of you -will be mortal, te redeem Man's 35$ CONTEMPLATION S Even this would be too mean a fatisfaclion for inexo- rable juflice ; too fcanty a reparation of G OD 's injured- honour. So flagrant is human guilt, that nothing but a victim of infinite dignity could constitute an ade- quate propitiation. /f<?whofaid, " Let there be light, ** and there was light ;" Let there be a firmament, and immediately the blue curtains floated in the fky ; He rnuft take flefli ; HE rnufl feel the fierce torments of crucifixion ; and pour out his foul in agonies, if ever fuch tranfgreffors are pardoned. How vaft is that debt, which all the wealth of both the Indies cannot difcharge ! How vitiated that habit of body, which all the drugs produced by nature her- felf, cannot redify ! But how much more ruined was thy condition, O my foul'! how much more hainous were thy crimes 1 Since nothing lefs than the fufFer- ings and death of Meffiah, the Son of GOD, and ra- diant image of his glory, could effeft thy recovery, or cancel thy iniquity. Though perhaps thou art not funk fo very deep in pollution', as fome of the moil abandoned profligates ; yet remember the ineflimable ranfom paid to redeem thee from everlafting deftruc- tion. Fcemember this ; and u never open thy mouth " any Man"s Snortal crime ? and die, the dead to/ave ? He af/t'd ; liut all the heavenly choir ftood rnutf, And fdsnce was in heaven. There is, to me at leaft, an inimitable fpirit and beauty in the laft circuraltance. That iuch an innumerable multitude, of ge- nerous and compaflionate beings, fhould be itruck dumb with furprife and terror, at the very mention of the deadly forfeiture and ranfom fst ! No language is fo. eloquent as t\\\sjilencs. Words could not poiFibly have exprefled, in fo ernptiatical a manner, the dreadful nature of the talk ; the aifolute inability of any or all creatures to execute it; the fuperemiment and matchlefs love of the eternal Son, in undertaking the tremen- dous work ; not only without reluctance, but unfought and un- implored ; with readinefs, alacrity, and delight, Paradife Loft, III. line 200. Edit. BEN it. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 359 cc any more *," either to murmur at the divine chaf- tifements, or to glory in thy own attainments. Re- member this ; and even " loath thyfelf f for the mul- 64 titude of thy provocations/' and thy great bafenefs. ONCE more: let me view this beautiful, this magni- ficent expanfc ; and conceive fome jufter apprehen- fions of the unknown richnefs of my Saviour's atone- ment. lam informed by a writer who cannot miftake, that the High Priefl of my profeflion, who was alfo the facrifice for my fins, is higher than the heavens J ; more exalted in dignity, more bright with glory, than all the heavenly manfions, and all their illuftrioas in- habitants. If my heart was humbled at the confider- ation of its exceffivc guilt, how do ail my drooping powers revive at this delightful thought ? The poor criminal, that feemed to be tottering on the very brink of the infernal pit, is raijed, by fuch a belief, even to the portals of paradife. My felf-abafement, I trull, will always continue ; but my fears, under the influ- ence of fuch a conviction, are quite gone|j. I do not, I can- * Ezek. xvi. 63. -f- Ezek. xxxvi. 31. 1 Hcb. vii. 26. j| lamibrrow to find, that fome of my readers were a little difguited at tfrs exprellion, " My fears are quit? gone ;" as thinking, it ('Hoovered a tincture of arrogance in the writer, and tended to di (courage the weak Chriftian. But, I hope, a more mature confideration will acquit me from both thefe charges. For what has the author (aid ? Only, that at i'omc peculiarly happy moments, when the Holy Ghoit bears wirnels of CHRIST in his heart, and he is favoured with a glimpfe of the Redeemer's matchlefs excellency ; that, in thele brighter intervals of life, his trembling fears, with regard to the deci- iive fen re nee of the great tribunal, are turned into polling expectations. And what is there in fuch a declaration cffenfive to the//ri#<r/7 modeily, or difpiriting to the wsakeji believer? In (lead oi" creating dilcouragemcnt, ir points out the way to- obtain a fettled ti aiiijuillity. Its natural tendency is, to engage the ferious mind in a more conftant and attentive meditation on the unl;:jc-.va ir.eri:s of the D;v::u MEDIATOR. And 3 6o CONTEMPLATIONS I cannot, doubt the efficacy of this propitiation. I Jee a glimpfe of its matchlefs excellency, and verily believe myfelf interefted in its merits j I know not what it is to feel any mifgiving fufpicions ; but am ftedfaft in faith, and joyful through hope. Be my iniquities like debts of millions of talents, here is more than full payment for all that prodigious fum. Let the enemy of mankind, and accufer of the brethren, load me with inveelives ; this one plea, ^4 di- vine Redeemer died, moft thoroughly quafhes every in- diclment. For, though there be much turpitude, and manifold tranfgreffions, " there is no condemnation *' to thofe that are in CH R I s T JE s u s ." Nay, were I chargeable with all the vilcfl deeds, which have been committed in every age of the world, by every nation of men ; even in tnis moft deplorable cafe, I need not fink into defpair. Even fuch guilt, though grievous beyond all expreffion, is not to be compared with that abundance of grace and righteonfnefs, which dwell in the incarnate Divinity. How great, how tranfcendent- ly glorious, are the perfections of the adored JEHOVAH! So great, fo fuperlatively precious, is the expiation of the dying JES u s . Tis impoffible for the human mind to exalt this atonement * too highly ; 'tis impoffible for the H UM* LE PEN IT ENT to confide init tooftea- dily. were we more thoroughly acquainted, more deeply affefted,with his unutterable dignity ; I am perfuadcd, our uneafy appre- henfions would proportionabiy vaniih ; our faith be eftablifhed^ our hopes brightened, and our joys enlarged. * This do&rine, though rich with confutation to the ruined fmner j yet is it not likely to open a door for licentioufnefs, and embolden tranfgreflbrs to profccute their VICES ? No : it is thr aioft powerful motive to that genuine repentance, which flows from an unfeigned love of Go; and operates in a hearty doteflation of all (in. One, who knew the unineafurable good- nefs of the Lord, and was no Granger to the tingle perverfe- nefs of our nature, fays, There is mercy ivith thee : THERE- FORE Jhalt tbtu be feared. Pfal. cxxx. 4.- Words full to my on the STARRY HEAVENS. 36 s dily. The fcriptures, the fcriptures of eternal truth, have faid it, (exult, my foul, in the belief of it !) that the blood on which we rely, is GOD'S own blood * ; and therefore all-iufficient to expiate, omnipo- tent to fave. David, that egregious (inner, but more exempla- ry laint, feems to have been well acquainted with this comfortable truth. What elfe can be the import of that very remarkable, but moil devout declaration ? Thou /halt purge me J -with hyjffbp, and I /hall be clean : thou /halt lua/hme, and I /hall be 'whiter than /now .' " I have been guilty, I muft confefs, of the mod com- " plicated and fhocking crimes: crimes, inflamed by a every aggravating circumftance, with regard to " myielf, my neighbour, and my GOD. My/elf, who " have been blefTed above men, and the diftinguifhed u favourite of providence ; my neighbour, who, in the " moft dear and tender interefts, has been irrepara- " bly injured; my GOD, who might juftly expect the *' moft grateful returns of duty, inftead of fuch enor- " mous violations of his law. Yet, all horrid and " execrable as my offence is, it is nothing to the fu- * c perabundant merit of that great Redeemer, who was " promifed from the foundations of the world ; in <c whom all my fathers trufted ; who is the hope of " all the ends of the earth. Tho' my confcience be " more loathfome, with adulterous impurity, than the u dunghill ; tho* treachery and murder have rendered " it my purpofc j which at once add the highcft authority to this lentiment, and dired our minds to its proper influence, and due improvement. * Ads xx 28. ^ Pfal. li. 7. Thau Jhalt purge. I prefer this trandatioti before the new one. Kecaufe this fpeaks the language of a more ftrdfaft belief, and gives the highert honour ro the divine goodnefs. Were the words intended to bear no more than the common petitionary fenfe, and not to be exprefTivc of a noble flerophory of faith ; they would rather have been "UKon and was imperatives, noi futures. VOL. I. N? 4. Zz $6a CONTEMPLATIONS u it even black as the gloom of hell ; yet, warned hi- u the fountain opened for fin and for uncleannefs *, " I (hall be, I fay not, pure only, this were a difpa- " ragement to the efficacy of my Saviour's death ; but " I mall be fair as the ///y, and white as the fhow. " Nay, let me not derogate from the glorious object " of my confidence ; cleanfed by this Sovereign fane- " tifying ftream, I ftiall be fairer than the full-blown *'' lily, whiter than the new-fallen fnows." ) faith the fcripture, belongethnnto GOD jr. And in what majeflic lines is this attribute of JE- HOVAH written, throughout the whole volume oftlie creation ? efpecially, thro* thole magniiicent pages, unfolded in yonder ftarry regions ; which are therefore ftyled, by the fweet and feraphic finger of IJ'rael^ " the " firmament of his power {;" becaufe the grand ex- ploits of omnipotence-are, there difplayed with the utmoft pomp, and recorded in the mod legible characters. Who, that looks upward to the midnight-fey ; and, with an eye of reafon, beholds its rolling wonders ; who can forbear inquiring, Of what were thofe mighty Qrks formed ? Amazing to relate ! they were produ- ced without materials. They fprung from emptinefs itfelf. The ftately fabric of univerfal nature emerged out of nothing. What inftruments were ufed by the iupreme Architect, to fafhion the parts with fuch ex- quifite nicenefs, and give fo beautiful a poHfh to the whole ? How was all connected into one finely-propor- tioned, and nobly-finifhed ftrudture ? A bare Fiat ac- complifhed all. LET THEM BE, faid GOT>. tte ad- ded no more ; and immediately the marvellous edifice arofe ; adorned with every beauty ; difplaying innu- merable perfections ; and declaring, amidft enraptu- red feraphs, its great Creator's praife. " By the word of the LORD " were the heavens made, and all * Zech, xiii. i. f 1>fal - kii. " \ Pfa1 ' cl - l ' on the STARRY HEAVENS. 363 &11 the hofts of them by the breath of his mouth *." What forceful machinery y?*^ fome of thofe pon- derous globes on an immovable bafis I What irreiiiti- ble impulfe bowled others through the circuit of the heavens? What coercive energy confined their impe- tuous courfes within limits aftonifhingly large, yet mo ft minutely true \ Nothing but \\isj over eign will, For all things were at firft constituted, and all to this day abide, u according to his w orditiance." Without any toilfome affidmty or laborious procefs, to raiie to touch to Jpe&k fuch a multitude of im- menfe bodies into being ; to launch them thro* the (j)aces of the fky, as an arrow from the hand of a giant ; to imprefs on fuch unwieldy maffes a motion far outstripping the fwiftnets of the winged creation f ; and to continue them in the fame rapid whirl, for thoufands and thoufands of years : what an amazing inflance of infinite might is this ! Can any thing be impoifible to the LOR D, the LORD GOD ; the Creator and Controller of all the ends of the earth, all the re- gions of the univerfe \ leather, is not all that we count difficult^ perfect cafe to that glorious Being, whp * If this thought" is admitted a fecond time, and fuffered to ennoble the next- paragraph ; it i- partly, becaufe of its une- , q nailed fudlltnity ; partly, becaufe it awakens the mo ft grand idea ot creating power ; and partly, becauie the practice of the Pfalmijt) an authority too great to be controverted, is my precedent. The beautiful itanza quoted frvrnPfal. xxxiii. 6. is a proof, how thoroughly the royal poe: entered into the majefty of the Mofaic narration. The repetition of the len- tiuient, ver. 9. intimates, how peculiarly he was charinc*! with that noble manner of defcribing the divine operations, While the turn of his own coinpofition ihews, how perfectly lie pof- felfed the fame devat.sd -way of thinking. And this, long be- fore Longintts wrote the celebrated treatife, which has taught the Heathen, as well as the Chriilian world, to admire the dignity of the Jewifh legiflator's Ityle. Vid LONG IN. de Su- blim fed. IX. -j- To give one inftance of this remark. The earth, in the diurnal revolution^ which it performs on its own axis ? -whirls ..z 2 about 364 CONTEMPLATIONS who only fpake, and the world was made * ? who only gave command, and the ftupendous axle was lodged faft, the lofty wheels moved complete I What a fure defence, O my foul, is this everlafting flrength of thy GOD ! Be this thy continual refuge, in the article of danger ; this thy never-failing rejource^ in every time of need. What cannot this uncontrollable power of the great JE H OVA H effect for his people ? Be their miferies ever fb galling, cannot this GOD relieve them ? Be their wants ever fo numerous, cannot this GOD fupply them ? Be their corruptions within ever fo inveterate, or their temptations without ever fo importunate ; cannot this mighty, mighty GOD fubdue the former, and fortify them againft the latter ? Should Trials^ with an in- ceiTant vehemence, fift thee as wheat ; mould Tribu-* lation, with a weight of woes, almoft grind thee. to powder ; (hould Plcafure, with her bewitching fmiles, Iblicit thee to delicious ruin ; yet " hold thee faft by " GOD," and lay thy help upon him that is omnipo- tent *( . Thou canft not be involved in fuch calami- tous about at the rate of above a thoufand miles an hour. And as the great orbit which it defcribes annually round the fun, is reckoned at 540 millions of miles, it mult travel near a mil- lion and a half each day What a force muft be requiiite, to protrude fo vaft a globe ; and wheel it on, loaded as it is with huge mountains, and ponderous rocks, at fuch a prodigious degree of rapidity ! It furpafTes human conception ! How natural, how pertinent, how almoft neceflary, after fuch an obfervation, is the acknowledgment made by holy Job, I know that THOU canft do every thing, and that no thought, no imaginable fcheme, can be -wtth-holden from thee y can lye be- yond thy power to execute. Chap. xlii. 2. * Pfal. xxxiii. 9. f It is a moft charming defcription, as well a a moft com- fortable promife, which we find in If. xl. 29, 30, 31. HE giveth po-wcr to the feeble, and to them that have no might at all, be not only imparteth, but increafethjli-cngth ; making it to on the STARRY HEAVENS. 365 tous circumftances, or expofed to fuch imminent pe- ril ; but thy GOD, whom thou fervcft, is able to de- liver thee from the one, and to fupport thee under the other. To fupport ! to deliver ! let me not difho- nour to abound, where it did not fo much as exift. Without this aid of JEHOVAH, even the youths, amidtf the very prime of their vigour and activity, yZW/ become languid in their work, ana weary in their courfe. And the young men* to whofe re- iolution and abilities nothing fcemed impraft cable, /hall not only not fucceed, but utterly fall, and milcarry in their various cnterprifes. Whereas they that -wait upon the LORD, and confide. in his grace, fhall prefs on, with a generous ardor, from one degree of religious improvement to another. Inftead of exhaufiing, they Jball reneiu their ftrer.gth ; difficulties fhall animate, and toil invigorate them. They fiall mount up, as with foaring wings, above all oppofitioq ; thfy fhall be carried through every difcouragement, as eagles cleave the yielding air. They Jhall ruin, with fpeed and alacrity, the way of GOD'S commandments, and not be -weary : they fhall hold on (*yn frogredientur, carpent itcr) with conftancy and perfeverance, in thofe peaceful paths, and not faint ; but arrive at the end of their progrefs, and receive the prize of their high calling. To this moil chearing doctrine, permit me to add its no lefs beautiful and delightful centra/}. Eliphaz, fpeaking of the enemies of the righteous, fays psv nn:^ Nb which is ren- dered by a great critic in facred learning, Nihil excifum faflio tiobis adverfaria. We fhould reckon our language acquitted itfelf tolerably well, if, when depredating the abilities of an adverfary,it fhould reprefent them weak as \hefcorched thread, feeble as the dijjolving fmoke. But thefe are cold forms of fpeech, compared with the eloquence of the call. According to the genius of our Bible, all the po-wer that oppofes the god- ly, is a mere nothing; or, to fpeak vvith a more emphatical air of contempt, a dteftroycd, an extirpated nothing. Admire this expreffion, ye that are charmed with daring images, and (what Tully czMsverbumardens}* fpirited and glowing diction. Remember this declaration, ye that fight the good fight of faith. The united force of all your enemies, be it ever fo for- midable to the eye of flefh, is before your almighty Guardian, nihil nikilijfimum, not only nothing, but lefs than nothing, and vanity. Jc6 xxii. 20. 366 CONTEMPLATIONS ii our the unlimited greatnefs of his power. He is able to exalt thee, from the deepeft diftrels, to the xnoft triumphant joy j and to make even a complica- tion of evils work together for thy everlafting good. He is able, not only to accomplilh what I have been ipeaking, but to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ajk or think *. O ! the wrecked condition of the wicked, who have this LORD of all power for their enemy ! O ! the def- ferate madnejs of the ungodly, who provoke the Al- mighty to jealoufy ! Befotted creatures ! are you able to contend with your Maker, and enter the lifts againft incenfed Omnipotence ? Can you bear the fiercenefs of his wrath, c - fuftairi the vengeance of his lifted arm ? At his prefence, though awfully ferenc, the hills melt like wax, and the " mountains ikip like frighted *' lambs." At the leaft intimation of his difpleaiure, the foundations of nature rock, and the " pillars of " heaven tremble." How then can a withered leaf endure, when " his lips are full, of indignation, and <c his tongue as a devouring fire ?"- Or can any thing fcreen a guilty worm, when the great and terrible GOD ili'all "whethis glittering/word^ and his hand take hold on inexorable * I fhould, in this place, avoid fwelling the notes any far- ther, was it not to take notice of, the inimita.ble pafTage quo-- ted above, and to "be found Eph. iii. 20. Which, if I (Jo not greatly miftake, is the moft complete representation of divine power, that it is poffiMe for words to frame. To do sll that our tongue can afk, is a miracle of might. But we often think more than we can exprefs, and are actuated with " groan- ** ings unutterable" "Yet to anfwer thefe vaft defires, is ncrt beyond the accomplishment of our heavenly Father. Nay, to make his gifts and his bleffings comrnenfiirate to the largejl Jiretcb of human expectations, is a fmaH thing with the Gop of glory. He is able to do above all that the moft enlarged apprehenfion can imagine; yea, to do abundantly more, exceed- ing almndantly more, than the mind itfelf, in the utmoft ex- ertion of all its faculties, is capable of wt/biiig, or knows how to conceive. on the STARRY HEAVENS. inexorable judgment? when that hand, which (hoots the planets, maffes of exceffive bulk *, with fuch furpri- fing rapidity, through the fky : that hand, which darts the comets to fuch unmeafurable diftances, be- yond the orbit of our remoteft planet, beyond the purfuit of the ftrongeft eye : when THAT HAND is ftretched out to punifli, can the munition of rocks, the intervention of feas, or even interpofing worlds, di- vert the blow ? Confider this, Ambition ; and bow thy haughty creft. Confider this, Difobedience ; and bend thy iron finew. O 1 confider this, all ye that forget, or affront, the tremendous JEHOVAH. He can, by a fingle ad of his will, lay the univerfe in utter ruin : andean he want power to bring you, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, to the duft of death, or to the flames of hell \ He has I fay not, ten thoufand lightnings to fcorch you to afhes ; ten thoufand thun- ders to crufh you into atoms ; but, what is unfpeak- ably more dreadful, he has an army of terrors, even in the look of his angry countenance. His very frown is worfe than deftruclion. I cannot difmifs this fubjecl:, without admiring the patience of the blefTed GOD ; who, though fo ftrong and powerful, yet u is provoked every day." Sure- ly, as is his majefty, fo is his mercy ; his pity altoge- ther commenfurate to his power. If I vilify but the name of an earthly monarch, I lofe my liberty, and am confined to the dungeon. If I appear in arms, and draw the fword, againft my national fovereign ; my * One of the planets (Saturn] is fuppofed to be more than 90 times as big as the globe on which we live. According to the fame calculation, the largeft of the planets (Jupiter] is above 200 times vafter, than this vaft collection of fpacious fo- refts, towering mountains, extenfive continents, and boundlefs oceans. Suc*i enormous magnitude ! winged with fuch prodi- gious f peed I It railes anonifhment beyond expreiTion. JVith GOD is terrible majefty I Job xxxvii 22. JVhofoall notfsar THEE, O LORD, and glorify thy name? Rev. xv. 4. 368 CONTEMPLATIONS my life is forfeited, and my very blood will fcarce a- tone for the crime. But thee I have dishonoured, O ! thou King immortal and invifible ! Againft thee my breafl has fomented fecret dij affection; my behaviour has rifen up in open rebellion ; and yet I am fpared, yet 1 am preferved. Inftead of being banimed from thy prefence, I fit at thy table, and am fed from thy hand. Inftead of puriuing me with thunder-bolts of venge- ance, thy favours iurround me on every fide. That arm, that injured arm, which might juftly fall, with irretrievable ruin, on a traitor's head, is mod graci- oufly ftretched out, to cards him with the tendered endearments, to cherifli him with every inftance of parental kindnefs ! O ! thou mightieft, thou bed of beings, how am I pained at my very foul, for luch fhameful and odious difingenuity ! Let me always abominate myfelf, as the bafeft of creatures : but adore that unwearied long-fuffering of thine, which refutes to be irritated ; love that nnremitted goodnefs, >vhich no acts of ingratitude could flop, or fo much as check, in its gracious current. O ! let this ftub- born heart, which duty could not bind, which threat- enings could not awe, be the captive, the uniting captive , of fuch triumphant beneficence. I H A v E often been ftruck with wonder at that al- mighty {kill, which "weighed the mountains in fcales, and the hills in a balance ; which proportioned the wa- ters in the hollow of its hand, and adjured the dull of the earth * by a meafure. But how much more marvel- lous * If. xl. 12. The dufl of the earth, in this fublime fcripture, fignifies the dry land, or J Wid part of our globe ; which is pla- ced in contradittindlion to the whole colle&ion of fluid matter, mentioned in the preceding claufe Perhaps, this remarkable expreflion may be intended to intimate, not only the extreme nlcenefs, which dated the dimenfions of the world in general^ or in the grofs j but alfo thai particular exatlncfs, with which the m the STARRY HEAVENS. 369 tons is that magnificent (Economy ) which poifed the ftars With inexpreffible nicety, and meted out the heavens with a fpan ? where all is prodigioufly vaft ; immenfely various ; and yet more than mathematically exacio Surely the wijdom of GOD manifefts itfelf in thefkies, and fliines in thofe lucid orbs ; (bines on the contem- plative mind, with a luftre incomparably brighter than that Which their united fplendors tranfmit to the eye. Behold yonder countlefs multitude of globes ; con- fider their amazing magnitude ; regard them as the fovereigns of fo many fyftems, each accompanied with his planetary equipage. Upon this fuppofition, what a multiplicity of mighty fpheres mud be perpetually running their rounds, in the upper regions ! Yet none miftake their way, or ivandtr from the goal, though they pafs through tracklefs and unbounded fields. K T oney?x off" from their orbits, into extravagant ex- curfions ; none prefs in upon their centre, with too near an approach. None interfere wifh each other in their perennial palTage, or intercept the kindly com- munications of another's influence*. But all their rotations the very fmalleft materials that confHtute its frame, (not ex- cepting each individual atom,) were Calculated and difpofed.- q. d, 'Tis a fmall thing to fay, No fuch enormous redundan- cies, as unneceflary ridges of mountains, were fuffercd to fubfift. There was riot fo much as the leaf! grain of fand fuperfluGus+ or a fingle particle of duft deficient. ^ the grand aim of the defcription is, to celebrate the confummate iv'fdom, exemplified in the creation; and to difplay mat pcrfeft proportion, with which every part tallies, coincides and harmonizes, with the whole ; I have taken leave to alter the word of our EngHJh tranilation comprehend, and to introduce in its (lead a term, equally faithful to the Hebrew, and more fignificanve of the prophet's precife idea. * The interception of light, by means of an eclipfe, hap- pens very rarely. ' And then it is of fo flort a continuance, as not to be at all inconvenient. Nay, it is attended with fuch ctrcumftanccs, as render it rather ufeful, than prejudicial. VOL. I. N4. 3 A 57 o CONTEMPLATIONS rotations proceed in eternal harmony ; keeping fuch' time, and observing luch laws, as are molt exquifitely adapted to the perfection of the whale. "WHILE I contemplate this " excellent wifdom,. " which made the heavens," and attunes all their mo- tions ; how am I abafhed at that mixture of arrogance and folly, which has, at any time, ineUaed me to murmur at thy di/penfations , O LORD ! What is this ? . but a fort of implicit treafon againft thy iupremacy, and a tacit denial of thy infinite undei {landing I Haft thou fo regularly placed fuch a wonderful diverfity of fyftems, through the fpaces of the univerie ? didft thou, without any probationary efFays, without any improving retouches, fpeak them into the molt con- fummate perfection ? doft thou continually fuperin- tend all their circumftances, with a fagacity that never nriftakes the minuteit tittle of propriety ? And fhall 1 be fo imaccountably ftupid, as to queftion the juftnejs of thy difcernment, in " chufing m.y inheritance, and " fixing the bounds of my habitation 1" Not a fmgle erratum, in modelling the fbucture, determi- ning the diftance*, and conducting the career of un- numbered worlds ! And (hall my peevifh humour pre- iume to cenfure thy interpofition, with regard to the affairs of one inconfiderable creature ; whole ftature, in fuch a comparative view, is lets than aipan, and his preient duration little more than a moment ? 01 * The fun in particular, (and let tins ferve .is 3 fpecimen of that molt curious exaclnefs, with v.hich the other celeftial bo- dies are confHtutecl and all their circumfhnces regulated,) the fun is formed at" fuch a determinate magnitude, and placed at fuch a convenient difianee, " as not to annoy, but only re- *' frefh us, and nourifb the ground with its kindly warmth. ** If it was larger, it would let the earth on fire; if fmallar^ *' it would leave it frozen. If it was nearer us, we fhould be *' fcorchtd to death ; if farther from us, we mould not be 4< able to live for want of heat." STACKHousE 3 .r////?0rj' nftb: Bibfe* on the STARRY HEAVENS. 371 O I THOU GOD, " in whofe hand my breath is, *' and whole are all my ways," let i-uch fentiments as now potfefs my thoughts, be always lively on my heart ! Thefe ihall com pole my mind" into a ckearful acquiefcence, and a thankful iubmiiFion ; even when afflictions gall the ienfe, or diiappointments break my Ichemes. Then iliall !, like the grateful patriarch *, in all the changes of my .condition, and even in the depths of dittreis, erect an .altar of adoring religoa- tion, and infcribe it with the apoflle's motto^ To GOD ONLY WISE. Then, mouldft thou give m leave to be the .carver of my own fortunes, I would hum. bly defire to relinquifh the grant, and recommit th e diipoial of myfelf to thy unerring beneficence. Fully perfuaded that thy counjels, tho* contrary to my fro- ward inclinations, or even amiftiv.e to my flefh, are incomparably more eligible than the blind impulie of my own will, however -ibothing to animal nature. ON a carelefs irifpe&ion,, you perceive r.o accuracy or uniformity in the petition of the heavenly bodies. They appear like an ijluftrious chaos ; a promifcuous heap of Ihining globes ; neither ranked in order, nor moving by line. But yfa&fcems confufion, is all re- gularity. What carries a {how of negligence, is real- ly the refult of the mod maiterly contrivance/ You think, perhaps, they rove in their aereal flight ; but they rove ,by the niceft rule, and without the lead er- ror. Their circuits, though feemingly devious ; their mazes, tho* intricate to our apprehenfions "f ; are marked out, not indeed with golden compafles, but by the infinitely more exacl determinations of the ^11- wife Spirit. So, * See Gen. xii. 7, 8. "|- Mazes intricate, Eccentric, imervolv'd; yet regular Then mod, yvhen mod irregular they feem. MILT- 372 CONTEMPLATIONS So, what wears the appearance of calamity, in the allotments appointed for the godly, has really the nature of a bleffing. It ifTues from fatherly love, and will terminate in the richeit good, \fjofeph isfnatched from the embraces of an indulgent parent, and aban- doned to flavery in a foreign land ; it is in order to fave the holy family from periihing by famine ; and to pre- ferve " the ieed, in whom all the nations of the earth, " fhould be bleffed." If he falls into the deepeft dif- grace, it is on purpofe that he may rife to the highefl honours. Even the confinement of the priibn, by the unfearchable workings of providence, opens his way to the right hand of the throne itfelf. Let the moft afflicted ferv ant of JE s u s wait the final upfhot of things. He will then difcover the apparent expedien- cy of all thole tribulations, which now y perhaps, he can hardly admit without reluctance, or fuffer without fome ftruggles of diffatisfartion. Then the gufning tear,, and the heaving figh, will be turned into tides of gratitude, and hymns of holy wonder. In the mean time, let no audacious railer prefump- tuouily impeach the divine procedure ; but, adoring where we cannot comprehend, let us expert the evolu- tion of the myfterious plan. Then mall every eye per- ceive, that the feeming labyrinths of providence, were the moft direct and compendious way, to effert his ge- neral purpofes of grace, and to bring about each one's particular happineis *. Then, alfo, (hall it be clearly Ihewn, in the preience of applauding worlds, why Vir- tue pined in want, while Vice rioted in affluence ; why amiable innocence ib often dragged thedungeon-cvfo/w, while horrid Guilt trailed the robe of flate.- That day of univerlal audit, that day of everlafting retribution, will not only vindicate, but magnify, the whole manage- ment * The moral world, Which, though to us it feems embroil'd, moves on In higheT order ; fitted, and impell'd By wifdom's fineft hand, and iflTuing all In gen'ral good. TUOMS. ti r int, 1, 586. laft edit. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 373 ment of Heaven. The augufl feffions (hall clofe with this unanimous, this glorious acknowledgment : * l Though clouds and darknefs, impenetrable by any hu- " man fcrutiny,iy<rr<rfometimes round about the Cupreme <; Conductor of things ; yet rightcoujnefs and judgment *' 'were the conftant habitation of his feat* ; the inva- 44 riable ftandard of all his adminiftrations." Thus {if I may illuftrate the grandcft truths by inferior oc- currences) while we view the arras on the fide of lea ft diftinftion, it is void of any elegant fancy ; without any nice ftrokes of art ; nothing but a confufed jumble of incoherent threads. No foon-er is the piece beheld in its proper afpett, but the fufpec^ed radenefs vanifhes, and the molt curious arrangement takes place. We are charmed with defigns of the fineft tafte, and figures of the moft graceful form. All is fliaped with iym- metry ; all is clad in beauty, TH E goodncfs of G OD is mofr eminently difplayed in the fides. Could we take an underflanding iurvey of whatever is formed by the divine Architect, through- out the whole extent of material things ; our minds would be tranfported with their excellencies, and our tongues echo back that great encomium, They are " good, very good-J-." Moft beautiful\ in themfelves ; contrived by unerring wifclom, and executed with ini- mitable fluil. Moft ujcful { in their functions ; cxattly fitting * Pfal. xcvii. 2. f Gen. 5. 31. ^ ^ This *MM*.y*$ie. of the univerfe, and all its parts^ has been very highly, and very juftly extolled, by the ancient in- quirers into nature ; and was indeed, an illuftrious icene ipreaU before thefage* of the Heathen world, wherein to contemplate the goodnefs and the glories of the Supreme Being. It was nobly faid by a Pagan philofopher, on this occafion; E,S lpa * 4>i1a. \sva/ TO* 0(v fu^Koiia. Sv.u.mp-yiu. "That G OD 9 ivhen he undertook the work ofcreation^transfirmedhimfrlfintolove. But he need not transform hhnfelf into this amiable principle ; for u GOD " is love;" as was much more nobly faid by one, whom that fbilofopher would have termed a barbarian, x John iv. 8 374 CONTEMPLATIONS fitting the places they fill, and completely anfwering the purpofes for which they 'were intended. All the parts of the inanimate creation proclaim, both by their intrinfic and relative excellencies, the all-diffufive bene- ficence of their Maker. How much more wonderful are the difplays of di- vine indulgence, in the worlds of life 1 Becaufe dead matter is incapable of delight, therefore the gracious Creator has railed innumerable ranks of 'perceptive ex- ijtence ; fucli as are qualified to tafte his bounty, and enjoy each a happinefs Anted to its peculiar (late. With this view, he furniuhed the regions of inferior ^nature with an order and a ieries of fenfitive beings. The waters teem with flioals of finny inhabitants. The dry land fwarms with animals of every order. The dwellings of the firmament are occupied by mul- titudes of winged people. Not fo much as a green /<?#/; phi lofopuers fay, but lodges and accommodates its puny animalcule tenants*. And wherefore this di- veriity * A very celebrated poef, in a beautiful paragraph on this fubjedl, informs his readers, that all nature fwarms with life. Jn fubterranean cells, the earth heaves with vital motion. E- ven the hard (tone, in the very inmoft recelTes of its impenetra- ble citadel, holds multitudes of animated inhabitants. The />/)> of mellow fruir, and all the productions of the orchard, feed the invilible nations. Each liquid, whether. of acid tafte, or jnilder relilh, abounds with various forms of fenfitive exiftence. Nor is the pure /./ram, or tranfparent air, without their co- lonies of unfeen people. In which conditHtion of things, we fcave a wonderful inltance, not only of the divine goodnefs to thofe minute beings, in giving them a capacity for animal gratifications ; but of his tender care for mankind, in making them imperceptible to our fenfes. Thefe, conceal'd By the kind art of forming Heav'n, cfcape The grolFer eye of man : tor if the worlds In worlds inclos'd fhould on his fenfes burtt ; From cates ambrofial. and the ne&ar'd bowl. on the- STARRY HEAVENS. ferfity, this profufion of living creatures, flying the air, treading the ground, and gliding through the paths of the fea ? For this moft glorious reaibn : That the eternal Sovereign may exercife his fupera- bundant goodnefs ; that his table may be furnifhed with millions and millions of guefts ; that he may fill, every hour, every moment, their mouths with food, or their hearts with gladnefs. But what a fmall theatre are. three or four elements for the operations of JEHOVAH'S bounty! His mag- nificent liberality fcorns Such Scanty limits. If you, afk, Wherefore has he created all worlds, and replen- ifhed them with an unknown multiplicity of beings, ri- iing, one above another, in an endlefs gradation of {till richer endowments, and ftill nobler capacities ? The anfwer is, For the manifeftation of his own glory, and .especially for the communication of his inexhaufti- ble beneficence *. The great Creator could propofe no advange to himfelf. His bliSs is incapable of any addition. u Before the mountains were brought " forth, or ever the earth and the world were made," he was Supremely happy in his own independent and all-fufficient Self. His grand defign therefore, in e- recling fo many ftately fabrics, and peopling them with ib many tribes of inhabitants, was, to transfuj'e- his He'd turn abhorrent; and, in dead of night, When iilence fleeps o'er all, be ftunn'd with noife. T*K o M so N ' j~ $u mm cr, * A facred writer, confidering this delightful fubjcct, and confining his observation within the narrow limits of his own country, .cries out, with a mixture of amazement and gratitude, How great is bis goodnefs, and how great is his beauty ! Who then can forbear being loft in wonder, and tranfported with delight, when he extends his furvey to thofe infinitely more copious communications of divine bounty ; which, like falutary and ref refhing dreams, run through all worlds ; and make, not: only the little valleys of a fingle kingdom, bat the immenfity of creation laugh, andfing? Zech. ix. 17. CONTEMPLATIONS his exuberant kindnefs, and impart felicity in all it3 forms. Ten thoufand worlds, flocked with ten thou- fand times ten thoufand ranks of fenfitive and intelli- gent exiftence, are ib many fpacious gardens, which, with rivers* of communicated joy, this ever-flowing fountain waters continually. Boundlefs *, and (which raifes our idea of this di- vine principle to the very higheit degree of perfec- tion) difinterefted * munificence ! How inexpreffibly amiable is the bleflcd GOD, confidered in this charm- ing light ! Is it poffible to conceive any excellence fo adorable and lovely, as infinite benevolence, guided by unerring vvifdom, and exerting almighty power, on purpofe to make a whole univerie happy I O my foul, what an irrefiflible attractive is here ! What a moil worthy object, for thy moft fervent affection ! Shall now every glittering toy become a rival to this tranfcendently-beneficent Being, and rob him of thy heart ? No. Let his all-creating arm teach thee to truft in the fulnefs of his fufficiency: lethisall-fuper- intending eye incline thee to acquiefce in the difpenfa- tions of his Providence : and let his bounty, fo free- ly vouchfafed, fo- amply diffufed, induce thee to love him, with all the ardor of a grateful and admiring foul ; induce thee toferve him, not with a joylefs awe, or (lavifh dread, but with unfeigned alacrity, and a delightful complacency. If the goodnefs of Got> is fo admirably feen in the works of nature, and the favours of Providence ; with what a noble fuperiority does it even triumph in the myjlery of 'redemption \ ! Redemption is the bright- eft * * In this Penfe, there is none good, but One, that is GOD. . None univerfally and eflentially good: none, whofe goodnefs extends itfelf, in an infinite variety of bleflings, to every ca- pable object ; or, who always difpenfes his favours, from the file principle of free and difintereRed benevolence. j- In this, and in other parts of the Contemplations, the read- er will obfei-ve, that the attributes of the DEITY are repre- fented on the STARRY HEAVENS. 377 fc& mirror, in which to contemplate this mofl lovely attribute of the Deity. Other gifts are only as mites from the divine treafury ; but redemption opens, I had ahnoft laid exhaufts, all the Jtores of indulgence and grace. Herein u GOD commendeth his love * :" not only manifefts, but fets it off, as it were, with every bright and grand embellifhment : manifefts it in ib ftupendous a manner, that it is beyond parallel ; be- yond thought ; " above all bleiling and praife."- Was he not thy Son, everlafting GOD, thy only Son; the Son of thy bofom from eternal ages ; the higheft object of thy complacential delight ! Was not thy love to this adorable Son, incomparably greater than the tendereit affection of any^ or the united affections of fill, mortal parents \ Was not the bleffed JESUS more illuftrious in excellency than all angels ; more exalt- ed in dignity than all heavens ! Yet didft thou refign HIM for poor mortals ; for vile tinners ! Couldft thou fee him defcend from his royal throne ; and take up his abode in the fordid ft able f fee him forego the homage of the feraphim ; and (land expofed to the reproachful in- dignities of an infolent rabble ? fee him arraigned at the bar, and ientenced to death j numbered with male- factors, Tented as faming with mo^e diftinguimed luftre in the wonders of redemption^ than in the works of creation. If ' fuch remarks (hould feem to be unprecedented, or to (land in need of a vin- dication; permit me to 1'ubjoin the fentiments of a great critic equally verfcd in bzth thofe fublime theories. u In a perfect " orator," he fays, u Tully requires fome fkill in the nature 44 of heavenly bodies; becaufe his mind will become more ex- tenfive and unconfined ; and, when he defcends to treat of human affairs, he will both think and write in a moreexalt- ted and magnificent manner. For the fame reafon, that excellent matter would have recommended theftudy of thofe great and glorious mylleries, which revelation has difcover- ' ed to us; to -which the nobhji parts of this Jyftcm of the * -world an as much Inferior, as the creature is Icfs excellent than the Creator. SpfcJ. vol. VIII. N 6^3, * Rom. v. 8. VOL, I. . . B 373 CONTEMPLATIONS faftors, and nailed to the gibbet ; bathed in his own innocent blood, and pouring out his foul in agonies of forrow r Gould the Father, the Father himjelf, with unknown philanthropy *, fay ? " It fliall, it (hall, be 44 fo ! My pity to rebellious man pleads, and prevails. u Awake, therefore, O fword jr, edged* with divine cc wrath ; awake ; and be meathed- in that immaculate M bread ; pierce that dearly-beloved heart. I arn con- " tent, that my Son endure the fiiarpnefs of death, " rather than finful mortals pcrifh forever." Incom- prehenfible love ! May it henceforward be the favou- rite fubje^t of my meditation; more delightful to my muling mind, than applaufe to the ambitious ear ! May it be the darling theme of my difcourfe ; fweeter to my tongue, than the droppings of the honey-comb to my tafle ! May it be my choicefl comfort^ through all the changes of life ; and my reviving cordial^ even in the laft extremities of diffolution itfel-f ! A prophet contemplating, with a diftant furvey, this unexampled inftance of almighty love, is wrapt into a tremjport of devotion. At a lofs for proper acknow- ledgments, he calls upon the whole univerfe to aid his labouring breaft, and fupply his lack of praife. Sing melodioufly^ ye vaulted heavens ; exult \ and even leap for gladncjs, thou cumberous earth; ye mountains , break your long filence, and bur ft into peals ofloudeft ac- clamation J; for //E<f.LoRD, by this precious gift, and this. * PhiiA7tlL'tc/J>y, that is, loving-kindnefs to man. j- Zcch. xiii. 7. If. xlix. 13. I have net adhered to our common tranf- lation, but endeavoured to prefcrve, foroewhat more faithful- ly, the noble pathos, and inimitable energy, of the facred origi- nal. The love of GOD naanifefted in a divine and dying Savi- our, is a bldiing of iueh inconceivable richnefs, as muft render all acknowledgments j^^jf, and all encomiums languid. Yet,. I think, the in oft- poetical and moil emphatieal celebration of that unfpeakable iuftance of goodnefs, is contained in this rapturous en the STARRY HEAVENS. 379 this great falvation, hath comforted his people. A/z- cred hijhrian hath left it upon record, that, at the firft ^exhibition of this ravifliing fcenc, there was with the angel who brought the bleffed tidings, a multit-ud*? of the heavenly hod, praifingGoD, and making the con- cave of the fkies refound with their Hallelujahs. At the dawn, of the Sun of Righteoufnefs, when he was be- ginning to rife with healing in his wings, the morning- ftars fang together, and all \\\efons of GO D ftiotited for joy. And (hall man, whom this gracious difpen- iation principally refpeclts ; (hall man, who is the cen- tre of all tlrcie gladdening rays ; (hall he have no heart to adore, no anthem to celebrate, this Love "without end, and without meafure grace f MILT. How pure is the ftate of the iky, and how clear its afpeft { Clearer than the limpid ftream ; purer than the tranfparent cryftal ; and more curioufly fine than the polifhed mirror. That /lately ceiling, fretted with gold, and ftretched to an extent of many millions of leagues, is not disfigured with a fingle flaw. That aztire canofty, embroidered with flars, and fpacious enough to form a covering for unnumbered worlds, is with- out tlae leaft fpot or wrinkle. Yet this, even this, will fcarce yield us fo much as a faint reprefentation of the divine purity. GOD is a GOD of matchlefs and tranfcendent excellency. His ways are upright - nefs itfelf. His oounfels and words are the very fanc- tity of wifdorn and of truth. The laws which he has given to univerfal nature, are exquifiteiy contrived, and beyond ail pollibility of improvement. The pre- cepts which he has appointed for the human race, are a com- rapturoui exclamation of the prophet. Which intimates, with a wonderful majedy of fentimcnt, that even the whole compafs of the inanimate creation^ could it be ieniible of the benefit, and capable of delight, would cxprefs its gratitude, in iUJ. tbefe demonftrations of the moll lively and exuberant joy. 380 CONTEMPLATIONS a complete fummary of all that is honourable in itfelf, and perfective of the rational mind. Not the leaft over/ighty in planning a feries of events for all futuri- ty. Not the Icaft mal-adminiftration, in managing the affairs of every age, fince time began ; and of e- very nation under the whole heavens. Pardon thefc d^fparaging expreffions. A negative perfection is far, far beneath thy dignity, thou Mofl Highcft *. In all thefe inflances ; in all thy ads, and all thy attributes ; thou art not only holy, but " glorious in holincfs." So inconceivably holy is the LORD GOD of hofts, that he fees defilement even in the brightnefs of the fir- mament. The living fapphire of the heavens, before his * thou Mofl High eft. This expreflion occurs more than once in the pfalnis uled by the eftablifhed church. It is, I think, one of thof e beauties, which, becaufe often exhibited, general- ly efcape our notice. It is afuper/ative formed on a fuperlative; and, though not ftrictly conformable to grammatical rules, is nobly fuperior to them all. The language feems to be fenfible of its own deficiency, when the incomprehenfible JEHOVAH is addreiled, or celebrated. Oppreiled, a* it were, with the glories of the fubject, it labours after a more emphatical man- ner of diction, than the ordinary forms of fpeech afford. It is, if I rightly judge, one of thole daring and happy peculiari- ties of a matterly genius, which Mr POPE To finely defcribes and,' while he describes, exemplifies : Great wits fometimes may glorioufly offend, And rife to faults true critics dare nift mend; From vulgar bounds with brave diforder part, And fnatch a grace beyond the reach of art. Effay on Criticifm* St Prfw/'s <x" x r<ro7fpffr *y? a r v *yiw\i a beautiful paflage of the like nature. Which our tranflators have very properly render- ed, A-/JT than the lea/i of all faints. His *O*.KU ^\M *.finr<r< is ano- ther inQance of the lame kind. But here the EngliJJy verlion, fails, far better is extremely flaccid, compared with the ner- vous original. And I greatly queftion, whether it is pollible to tranflate the lentence, with equal concifenefs, and \vi:i'. equal fpirit. See Eph. iii. 8. Phi!. \. 23. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 381 his majefty, Jofes its luftre. Tea, the flars (though the moft pure and resplendent part of the heavens) fire not pure in his fi^ht. How much lefs man, 'who, in his fallen and depraved (late, is but as a -worm, that crawls in the corrupted carcafe ; and the Jon of man, iuho, by reafon of his manifold aftual impurities, is too juftly compared to an infetf, that wallows amidft flench and putrefaction* I Is there not then abun- dant caufe, for the nioft irreproachable and eminent of mankind, to renounce all arrogant pretenfionf , o lay allde every aiTuming air ; to take nothing .at Jhame and confufion to themfelves ? A holy product, and a holy prince, felt iuch humbling imprellious, from a glimpfe of the uncreated purity. / abhor my- j elf in dufl and aflies f, was the declaration of the one ; * Job xxv. 5, 6. I fnbmit it to the judgment of the learn- ed, whether this is not the true meaning of the text. It may not perhaps recommend irielf to the fqueamifoly-nice critic; or to thole perfons who dream of, I know not what, dignity in our fallen nature. But it feems, in preference to every other interpretation, fuitablc to the facred context ; and is far, far from being injurious to the character of that apoftate race, which is " altogether become abominable," and " is asanun- 4i clean thing." On this fuppoiirion, there is not only an ap- parent, but a very linking contract, between the purity of GOB, and the pollution of man : the purity of the moft high GOD, which outfliiaes the moon, and eclipfes the (tars ; the pollution of degenerate man, which, exclulive of a Saviour, would render him as loathfome to the all-feeing eye, as the vilett vermin are in ours. Without ailigning this lenfe to the paflage, I cannot difcern the force of the antiihefis, nor indeed the propriety of the fentiment. Worms, in the general, give us an idea of mcannefs and infirmity ; not of defilement and impurity : unlefs they are infects, hatched amidft putrefaction, rind contidered in fuch noilbrne circuinfhnces. The two words of the original, nm and nyVw are evidently ufed in this fig- nification, by Mofes and Ifaiah : by the former, to denote the vermin which devoured the putrifie<!?msi$Tia ; by the latter, to exprefs the reptiles which fwarmin the body that fees cirrupthn. xvi. 20. If. xiv. ii. -j- Job xlii, 6, 38* CONTEMPLATIONS -one ; / am a man of unclean lips *, the confeffion of the other. Should not this teach us all to adore the divine mercies, for that precious purifying fount ain^^ which was foretold from the foundation of the world, but was opened at that awful juncture, when knotty whips tore the flefh ; when ragged thorns mangled the temples ; when fharpened nails cut frefh flukes for the cimfon current ; when the ga(h of the ipcar compleated the dreadful work, zi\d. forthwith flow- ed there, from the wounded heart, blood and -water f Efpecially, fince GOD himfelf faw no blemifh in his dear Son. He laoketh to the moon^ and it fliinethnot : yet his all-penetrating and jealous eye diicerned no- thing amifs, nothing defective, in our glorious Redeem- er. Nothing amifs ! He bore this molt illuflrious tefti- mony concerning his holy child JES u s : "In him I am " pleafed; I am well pleafed ; I acquiefce, with entire " complacency, and with the higheft delight, in his " perfon ; his undertaking ; and the whole execution ** of his office." -How mould this thought enliven our hopes, while the other mortifies our pride ? Should not our hearts fpring within us, and even leap for joy, at the repeated aflurance givxm us by revelation, that fuch a divinely^excellent perfon is our Mediator? What apparent reafon has every believer to adopt the blefTed virgin's exclamation ! " My foul doth magnify *' the LORD for his tranfcendent mercy ; and my '** fpirit rejoices, not in wide-extended harvefts, wa- *' ving over my fertile glebe J, not in armies vanquifh- <c ed, and leaving the peculiar treafure of nations } " for * If. vi. 5. f . In that day tbfrf foall be a fountain opened to the houfe of David, and to the inhabitants o/Jerufalem,/or/W unclcan- nefs. Zech. xiii. i. ^ ^ The in t pi red penman, from thefe two occafions of dif- tinguifhed joy, fets forth the incomparably greater delight^ which ariies from the gift of a Saviour, and the bleffingof re- de::jp|;ion. If. ix. ver. 3. compared with ver. 6. on the STARRY HEAVENS-. a for my fpoil ; but in an infinitely richer, nobler blef- *' (ing, even in GOD my Saviour." That a perfon fa fublime and perfect, has vouchfafed to become my Surety; to give himfelf for my Ranfom, in the world below ; and acl as my Advocate^ in the royal prefence above ; yea, to make my recovery the reward of his- fufferings ; my final felicity, the honour of his medi- atorial kingdom ! WHEN an innumerable multitude * of bodies, ma- ny of them more than a hundred thoufand miles in dia- meter f , are all fet in motion ; when the orbits, in which they perform their periodical revolutions, are extended at the rate of feveral hundreds of millions ; when each has a diftintt and feparate fphere for fi- niQiing his vail circuit ; when no one knows what it is to be cramped ; but each mod freely expatiates in his unbounded career ; when every one is placed at iiich an immenfe remove from each other, that they ap- pear to their refpective inhabitants, only as fo many fpots of light ; how aftonifhing muft be the expanfe, which yields room for all thofe mighty globes, and their widely-diffnfed operations ! To what prodigious lengths did the almighty Builder ftretch his line, when he marked out the ftupcndous platform ? I wonder at fuch an immeafurable extent. My very thoughts are loft in this abyfs of fpaces. But be it known to mor- tals, be it nev er forgot by finners, that, in all its moft furprifing amplitude, it \sjmat I ^ it iifcanty, compared with the bounty and the mercy of its Maker. His * This refers not only to the planets which pafs and repafs about our fun, but alfo to the other planetary worlds, hicb are fuppofed to attend the feveral fixed (tars. j- The diameter of Jupiter is calculated at 130,650 miles, while its orbit is reckoned to confjlt of 895,134,000. Which computation, according to the maxims of aftronomy, and the laws of proportion, may, as is taken for granted in the Con- templations, be applied to other planets revolving round other funs* 384 CONTEMPLATIONS . His bounty is abfolutely without limits *, and without end. The moll Javilh genero{]ty cannot exhauft, or even diminifh, his munificence. O ! all ye tribes of men, or rather, all ye clafTes of intelligent creatures, ye are not ftraitened in the liberality of your ever- blefTed Creator; be not ftraitened in your own expec- tations. tc Open your mouth wide, and he (hall fill u it," with copious and continual draughts from the eup of joy. Your GOD, on whom is your whole de- pendence, is more than able, is more than willing, to 44 fupply all your need, according to his riches in glo- " ry." When the LORD JEH OVA H is the giver, and his grace ~\ the gift ; let your wifhes be unbounded, and your cravings uniatiable. All that created beings can poflibly covet, is but a very fmall pittance of that unknown happinels, which the everlafling Benefactor is ready tobe/iow. Suppofe every charitable dilpofition which warms the hearts of the huirian race, added to thofe more enlarged affections which glow in heavenly bofoms ; what were they all, even in their higheft exer- cife, compared with the benignity of the divine nature ? Blefs 7;;?theu, thou eternal Source of love j blefs all that * By bounty, I mean, not the actual exercife, or the fenli- ble effects, of this excellency in the Deity. Thefe are, and always muflbe, through the immenfe perfection of theattribute, and the necefl'ary fcantinels of the recipient, bounded. But I \vould be underltood, as fpeaking of the divine power, and the divine will, to exert ciivine beneficence. Theie can have no real, no imaginable liinirs. Theie, after a profuilon of blef- lings, diftributed to unnumbered worlds, continued through unnumbered ages, mu{t///7/have more tobeflow ; for ever have more to beitow ; Infinitely more co beilow, than it is poflible for c:. iticn irfelf to receive. j- 2 Cor. ix. 8. God is able to msks all grace abound to- wards you, that ys, having all fufliciency in all tilings, may a- bound to every good -work. How beautiful and emphatical is this defcription ! inferior to nothing, but that extent of ability, and thofe riches of liberality, which it fo eloquently celebrates. Does it not cxk(iuft all the powers of language, while it at- tempts to give us a fpecirr.cn of the munificence of the LORD ? on the STARRY HEAVENS. that reverence thy holy name ; according to thy own moft profufe goodnefs j whofe great prerogative it is to difdain all meafure. O ! blefs us, in proportion to that grace ; the richnefs of which (unutterable by the tongues of men, and of angels) was onccfpoken in the groans, and -written in the wounds, of thy ex- piring Son ! Spacious indeed are thefe heavens 1 Where do they begin ? Where do they end ? .What is their extent ? Can angels anfwer my queftion ? Have angels travelled the vaft circuit ? can angels meafure the bounds of fpace ? No ; *tis boundlefs, 'tis unknown, 'tis amazing all. How charming then to reflect, that the mercy of GOD is u greater than the heavens ;" is more extenfive than the dimenfions of the fky. Tranfporting reflec- tion ! Let me indulge thee once more *. Let me think over the delightful difplays of this lovely attribute ; and, while I admire the trophies of forgiving goodnefs, add one to the number. With what amiable and aftec- tingcolours is this reprefented in the parable of the pro - digal ! What could induce that foolifh youth to forfake his father's houfe ? Had he not been tenderly cherifhed by the good parent, and loaded with benefits from his indulgent hand ? Were not the reftraints of parental go- vernment an eafy yoke ? or rather, a prefervative from, ruin ? Notwithstanding every endearing obligation, he revolts from his duty ; and launches into fuch fcanda- lous * Once more refers to page 142, of Reflections on a F/owtr- Garden. The following pages, to the 39Oth, exhibit a digref- Jive view of the divine mercy. I thought it proper to apprife my reader of this excurfion ; though, I hope, it will be need- lets to offer an apology for enlarging upon a theme incompa- rably joyous. Who can complain of tcdioufnrfs, while I fpeak conlblation to dittreffed, and recovery to ruined creatures ? The divine mercy is the fole fountain of all our prefent and future blefllngs. In conformity to this benign attribute, human hopes arife, and human felicity flows. Who, therefore, can be weary ofvie-wittgand reviciu'i ng, when the lengthsand breadths of forgiving grace are the ravilhing profpeft ? Vx.. I. N 5 . 3 C 386 CONTEMPLATIONS lous irregularities as were di (honourable to his family, and deflru&ive to himfelf. When neceility, not choice, but ftiarp neceffity drove him to a iubmiffive return ; does the injured father (land aloof, or fhut his doors ? QuitC'thC reverie. He efpies him, while he is yet a great way off; and, the moment he beholds the profii- gate youth, he has compajjiononhim. His bowels yearn ; they " found like an harp," touched with notes divine- ly toft. He never once thinks of his ungracious depar- ture, and infamous debaucheries. Pity, parental pity, palles an ael of oblivion ; and, in one inftant, cancel! a feries of long-continuedprovocations.- Softrongare the workings of fatherly affeclion, that he is almoft im- patient to embrace the naked and deilitute wretch. The fon's pace is flow,- He aroje and came ; the father's is fwift, He iprung forth (aged as he was) and ran* And is there a fingle frown in his brow, or one tip-* braiding word on his tongue ? Inftead of loathing the fordid creature, or reproaching him for his odious excefles ; lie falls on bis neck, chips him in his arms, and hugs him to his boioni. Inftead of difowning the riotoits fpendthrift, or rejecting him for his unduti- ful behaviour ; he receives and welcomes him with kif* Jes of delight. He rejoices at his return from extrava- gance and vice, as he formerly rejoiced on the day of his nativity. When this companion of harlots opens his n^outh, before he J peaks, i he father hears . He in* terrupts him, in the midft of his intended fpeech. The overflowings of his compaflionate heart can brook no delay. He feems to be uneajy himfelf, till he has made the afflicted penitent glad, with the affurance of his ac- ceptance, and the choiceft of his favours. While the poor abafhed offender feeks nothing more than not to be abhorred, he is thoroughly reconciled, and honour- ed before the whole fafnily. While he requefts no other indulgence, than only to be treated as the mean- eft fervant; he is clothed with the be ft robe; he is ' feaited with the faffed calf; he is carefTed as the dear- eft ' on the STARRY HEAVENS. 387 eft of children. Was there ever fo bright and win- ding a pi&ure .of the tendered mercy, moft freely vouchfafed, even to the moft unworthy of creatures? Yet thus, my ibnl ; and thus, my fellow-finner ; will the LORD G'OD of everlafting companions receive us, if, fenfible of our mifery, and thirfticg .for faiva-. tion, we turn to him through JES us CH RIST. ' fFhcre fin has abounded, fays the proclamation from the court of heaven, ^ra'ce doihmucfi wore abound* Manajfeh was a monfter of barbarity ; for he caufeol his own children to pals through the fire, and filled J'erufalem with i n nocent blood . M&naffeh was an adept in iniquity ; for he not only multiplied, and to an ex- travagant degree, his own facrilegious impieties ; but he poifoned the principles, -and perverted the manners of his fubie.cls- 'nuking them to do luorje than the moft deteftable of the Heathen idolaters *. Yet, through this fuperabundant grace, he is humbled ; he is reform- ed ; and becomes a child of forgiving love, an hek- x)f immortal glory. Behold that bitter andbloodyper T fecutor Saul; when, breathing out threatening? f, and bent * See 2 Chran. xxxiii. j- Atts ix. i. r a vxof f?. f,c4*vfv ixf x< ?>ovf, Saul yet breath- ing out threatening and jl aught er. What a representation is liere of a mind, mad with rage, and abandoned to the fiercef-t extremes of barbarity ! 1 fcarce know, whether I am more JJjocked at the perfecutor's fa v age drfpolition, or. -charmed with the evangelift a s Hvely defer iption. The adverb ?< feems refer- able to chap. viii. ver^ 3 and has, in this connection, a pecu- liar force. The hivock he had committed, the inoffenfive fa- milies he had already ruined, were not fufficient to afluagehis vengeful fpirit. They were only a ta/te ; which, inftead of glut- ting the blood-hound, made him more clofely purfue the track, and more eagerly pant for deftruftion.--He \sfilll athirit for violence and murder. So eager and infatiable is his third, that he even breathes out threatening and (laughter. His words are fpears and arrows, and his tongue a fliarp fword. 'Tis asna- .tural for him to menace the Christians, as to breathe the air. *-Nay, they bleed every hour, every moment, in thepurpolcs ^3' 388 C O N T E M P L A T I O N S bent upon (laughter, he worried the lambs, and put to death the difciples of JESUS. Who, upon the principles of human judgment, would not have pro- nounced him a vefTel of wrath, deftined to unavoidable damnation ? nay, would not have been ready to con- clude, that, if there were heavier chains, and a deep- er dungeon, in the world of wo ; they muft furely be referved for fuch an implacable enemy of true godli- nefs ? Yet (admire and adore the inexhauftable trea- fures of grace !) this Saul is admitted into the goodly fellowfhip of the prophets ; is numbered with the no- ble army of martyrs ; and makes a diftinguifhed figure among the glorious company of the apoftles. The Corinthians were flagitious even to a proverb. Some of them wallowed in fuch abominable vices, and ha- bituated themfelves to fuch outrageous adls of injufl- ice, as were a reproach to human nature. Yet even thefe fons of violence, and flaves of fenfuality, " were " wafhed ; were fanftified ; were juftified * :" wafted in the precious blood of a dying Redeemer \fanttified by the powerful operations of the bleffed Spirit ; jufli- fied thro* the infinitely-tender mercies of a gracious GOD. Thofe who were once the burden of the earth, are now the joy of heaven, and the delight of angels. There is another inftance in fcripture, which mofl loudly publifhes that fweetcft of the divine names, %he LORD, the LORD GOD, merciful and gracious, long- fuffering, and abundant in goodnefs and truth; keeping mercy for thoufands, forgiving iniquity, tranfgreffion,and Jin j-. An inftance this, which exceeds all the former ; which exceeds whatever can be imagined ; which if I was to forget, the very (tones might cry out, and found it in my ears. I mean the cafe of thofe finners who murdered of his rancorous heart. It is only owing to want of power, that every fyllable be utters, every breath he draws, does not dtal about deaths, and caufe fome of the innocent difciples to fall. * i Cor. vi. 9, 10, n. -j- Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7, on the STARRY HEAVENS. 389 murdered the Prince of Peace, and Lo R D of glory. Thefe men could fcarce have the fhadow of an excufe for their crime ; hardly a circumftance to extenuate their guilt. They were well acquainted with his ex- emplary convcrfation ; they had often heard his hea- venly doctrines ; they were almoft daily fpectators of his unequalled miracles. They therefore had all pofli- ble reafon to honour him, as the moft illuftrious of beings ; and to receive his gofpel, as the mod ineflima- ble of bleflings. Yet, notwithftanding all thefe enga- ging motives to love him, even above their own lives, they feize his perfon ; aiperfe his character ; drag him before a Heathen tribunal ; and extort a ientence of death againft innocence and holinefs itfelf. Never was the vileftflave fo contumelioufly abufed ; nor the moffc execrable malef attar fo barbaroufly executed. The fun was confounded at the mocking fcene ; and one can- not but wonder, how the avenging lightnings could with-hold their flames . The earth trembled at the horrid deed ; and why, why did it not cleave afunder, and open a paifage, for fuch blood-thirfty mifcreants, into the nethermoft hell ? Shall theje ever hope to obtain for- givenefs from the righteous Judge ? Shall not thefe be configned over to inexorable wrath, and the fevereft torments ? O the miraculous effects of divine grace ! O the triumphant goodnefsof GOD our Saviour ! Many, even of thefe impious 'wretches, at the defcent of the Holy Ghoft, were convinced of their miferable ftate ; were wounded with penitential remorfe : fled to the ianctuary of the crofs ; had their pardon ratified by the baptifmal leal ; and, continuing in the apoflles doctrine, were made partakers pf the kingdom of heaven : where they now fhine, as fo many everlatting monuments of moft diltinguiftied mercy ; and receive beatitude paft Utterance, from that very Redeemer, whom once * c with wicked hands they crucified and (lew/* Well might the prophet cry out, with a pleafing a- 4Hazement, " Who is a GOD like unto thec, that par- " doneth 390 C Q N T E M P L A T I O N S * c doneth iniquity, and pafTeth by tranfgrelfion * !"-- Let all ftefh know afTuredly ; let all fleih rejoice great- ly ; that with the LOR D there is fuch 'mercy , and with his CHRIST Juch plentiful redemption, And O ! for the voice of an archangel, to circulate the glad tidings thro* the univerfe; that the American favage, as well as the European-fygc, may learn the exceeding riches of grace in CHRIST : thro* whole infinitely -great propitiation, all manner of fin, barbarity, and blaf- phemy are freely forgiven unto men., WHAT a grand and majeftic domei&hefcyl Where are the pillars which iupport the ftately concave I What art, moft exactly true, balanced the preiTure ? What props of iniuperable fire ng.th,fu Main the weight I How is that immeaiurable arch upheld, unmaken and unimpaired; while fo many generations of bufy mor- tals have/# and difappeared, as bubbles upon the ilream? If thofe ftars are of fuch an amazing bulk, liow are they alfo Jaftened in their lofty iituation ? By what miracle in mechanics, are fo many thousands of ponderous orbs kept from falling upon our heads ; kept from dafliing, both the world to pieces, and its inhabitants to death ? Are they hung in golden or ad- amantine chains ? Reft they their enormous load OH rocks of marble, or columns' of brafs ? No ; they are pendulous in fluid aether ; yet are more immoveably Jixed, than if the everlailing mountains lent their fo*- refts for an axle-tree, or their ridges for a bafis. The Almighty Architect Jlretches out the north, and its whole ( tarry train, over the empty place. He hangs .the earth, and all the ethereal globes, upon nothing \. Yet are their foundations laid fo fure, that they can " never be moved at any time." No unfit reprefentation, to \\~\sjincere Chriftian, of iiis final perfeverance J; fuch as points out the caufe which * Mic. vii. 18. -j- Job xxvi. 7. j: With regard t o the final perseverance of the true believer, I am on the STARRY HEAVENS. 391 Which effects it, and constitutes the pledge which afcertains it. His nature is all enfeebled. He is not I am fenfible, this point is not a little controverted. The .fentiments, which follow, are my ftedfaft belief. It is by no means proper, in a work of this nature, to enter upon a dif- cuffion of the fubjecl: j Neither have I room, fo much as to hint, what might be urged for its fupport. Let my reader obferve, that I am far from delivering it, as eflential to Chri- itianity, or neceflfary to falvation. Millions, of the very con- trary conviction, are, I doubt not, high in the favour of GOD, and in a growing meetnefs for his heavenly kingdom. As I blame none for resetting *, none, I hope, will be offended with me for efpQu/ing, this particular doclrine. To be of different opinions, at leaft in fome inferior inftances, feems an una- voidable conieqnence of our prefent ftate ; where ignorance, in part, cleaves to the wifeit minds; and prejudice eafily be- fets the molt impartial judgments. This may turn to our com- mon advantage ; and afford room for the difplay and exercife of thole healing virtues, moderation, meeknefs, and forbear- ance.-^-Let me only be permitted to afk, whether this tenet does not evidently tend to eflabjilh the comfort of the Chrifti- an, and to magnify the fidelity of Gou our Saviour ? whe- ther, far from countenancing (loth, or encouraging remiffnefs, to kno-w that our labour mail not be in vain, is not the moil prevailing inducement to abound in the work of the LORD! I Cor. j;v. 58. Is any one inclined to examine the reafons which made the author a profelyte to this perfualion ? He may find them dif- played in the memorial, delivered by ieveral feleft and eminent divines of the church of England, at the renowned Synod of" Dordt. (See Afla Synod. Dordrech. par. II. pag. 246. of the Latin edition, publilhed in a fingle quarto volume.) Thofe who have no opportunity of confulting the memoirs of that venerable aflembly, I would refer to the works of the indefa- tigable and very learned Turrcttine, or to thole of the candid and elegant Witfius. Turret, torn. II. q. xvi. Witf. Oecon. lib. III. chap. xiii. The * As the final perfeverance of the faints is as much the doc- trine of the Bible, as juftification by the imputed righteoufnefs of Chrift ; our author's charity here fecnis to be culpable ; and certainly thole who impugn any do&riue ofChrilliauiiy, are wor- thy of reproof. 392 CONTEMPLATIONS able, of himfelf, to think a good thought. He has no vifible fafeguard, nor any fufficiency of his own. And yet whole legions of formidable enemies are in a confederacy to compafs his ruin. The world lays un- numbered fnares for his feet : the devil is inceflantly urging the fiege, by a multitude of fiery darts, or wily temptations: theyfe//;, like a perfidious inmate, under colour of friendihip, and a fpecious pretence of plcafure, is always forward to betray his integrity. Butj amidft all thefe threatening circumftances, of perfonal weaknefs, and imminent danger, an inviilble aid is his defence. / will uphold thee, fays the blefled GOD, with the right hand of my righteouj'ncfs *. Com- fortable truth ! The arm, which fixes the ftars in their orders, and guides the planets in their courfe, isftretch- ed out topreferve the heirs of falvation. Mj/y/^/>,adds the great Redeemer, are mine ;andt hey fliall never perifti, neither fhall any pluck them out of my hand j~. What words are thefe ! and did they come from H I M, who hath all power in heaven, and on earth ! And were The lateft and fulleft view of the point, which I ever re- member to have met with, in any of our Englifo writers, is in the Lime-Jlrect leftures. Which are a defence of feveral moft important dodtrines of the gofpel, and contained in two octavo volumes; the united labours of nine modern divines ; inoft of whom are well known to the world by their other e- vangelical and ufeful writings. In thofe ledures, the final per- feverance of the faints is very particularly ftated, and, to my apprehenllon at lead, mod fatisfaclorily proved. The argu- ments, ui'ually urged againft it, are impartially confidered; and I cannot but think (with all due deference to the judgment of others) unanfwerably confuted. And here (not to fwell this note any farther) I fiiall only juft hint, that the judicious Hooker (an authority, perhaps, as weighty and unexceptionable as any that can well be pro- duced) gives afolemn atteftution to this tenet, in a fhort dif- courfe on the perpetuity of faith, fubjoined to his Ecdfjiafti- cal Polity* fol. edit. * If. xli. xo. -f John x. 28. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 393 Were they fpoke to the weakeft of the flock, to every jnfeigned follower of the great Shepherd ? Then, Omnipotence itfelf mint be vanquijhed, before they can be deftroyed, either by the feductions of fraud, or the afTaults of violence. If you alk therefore, what fecurity we have of en- during to the end, and continuing faithful unto death ? -The very fame that eftablilhes the heavens, and fettles the ordinances of the univerfe. Can thefe be thrown into confufion * ? Then may the true belie- ver draw back unto perdition. Can the fun be dif- lodged from his fphere, and rum lawlefsly thro* the iky ? Then, and then only, can the faith of GOD'S elect j- be finally overthrown. ^-Be of good courage then, my foul; rely on thofe divine fuccours, which are fo iblemnly ftipulated, Ib faithfully promiied. Tho* thy grace be languid as the glimmering fpark ; though the overflowings of corruption threaten it with total extinction 5 yet, iince the great JEHOVAH has undertaken to cherifli the dim principle, " many wa- " ters cannot quench it, nor all floods drown it." Nay, tho* it were feeble as the Jmoking flax }, good- nefs and faithfulnefs itand engaged, to- augment the heat ; * Jer. xxxi. 35, 36. -f Tit. i. 2. ^ The tendernefs and faithfulnefs of GOD to his people are finely pictured by the prophet Ifaiah, chap. xlii. ver. 3. Which palfage, becaufe of its rich conlblatiun, and uncommon beau- ty, is defervediy adopted by bt Matthew, and ingrafted into the lyitem of evangelical truths. He -witt net himielf break, nor fufter to be broken by any other, the bruifed reed; nor quench the fmoking flax. Was it poJHble to have chofen two more de- licate, and expreflive reprefentations p-^Could any image be more iignificant of a very infirm and enfeebled /d/V;, than the fiexiie reed^ that bends before every wind? which, befules its natural weaknefs, is made abundantly weaker by being brul- fed, and fo is ready to fall in pieces of itfelf. Or could any thing, with a more pathetical exadinefs, defcribe the extreme imbecillity of that orher principle of the divine life, love? The ihte of the^x, juft beginning to burn, is liable to be put out Vo*. u I. N v 5. 3D by 394 CONTEMPLATION S heat ; to raife the fire, and feed the flame ; till it beanl forth, a lamp of immortal glory, in the heavens. As to ifrtefittokfiilitcft of a covenanting GOD, this may be emblematically feen in the (lability of the hea- venly bodies, and the perpetuity of their motions *. - Thofe that are fixed or Jtationary, continue unalter- able in their grand elevations. l\o injurious {hocks, no violence of conflicting elements, are able to dif~ place thofe everlafting hinges, on which dependent worlds revolve. Through the whole flight of time, they recede not, fo mucn as a hair's breadth, from the precife central point of their reipeclive iyftems. While thevrrrt//V, or planetary, perform their prodi- gious ftages without any intermiilion, or the kali em- baraifment. Ho\v loon, and how ealily, is the moft fi- nifhcd piece o-f human machinery difconcerted ! But all the celeftial movements are fo nicely adjufled, all their operations fo critically proportioned, and their mutual dependencies fo ftrongly connected, that they prolong their beneficial courfes throughout all ages. While mighty cities are overwhelmed in ruin, and their very names loft in oblivion ; while v&Jt empires are fwept from their foundations, and leave not fo much as a fhadowy trace of their ancient magnifi- cence ; while alt terreftrial things are fubjecl: to vicif- fitude, and fluctuating in uncertainty : the/e are per- manent in their duration ; the/e are invariable in their funclions. " Not one faileth." Who doubts the conftant fuccefiion of day and night, or the regular returns by the lead felafl : more liable dill is the wick of the lamp, when it is not fo much as kin-Jled into a glimmering flame, but only breathing fmoke, and uncertain whether it fhall take tire or no. Yet true faith, and heavenly love, though fubfHt- ing arnidft fuch pitiable infirmities, will not be abandoned by their great Author ; ihall not be Cv;tinguifhed by any tempta- tions; but be maintained, invigorated, and made finally tri- umphant. Matth. xii. 20. * Pfal. cxix. 89. 90* on die STARR Y H E AV E NS 395 returns of fummcr and winter ? And why, O ! why Ihall we doubt the veracity of G o D , or diilruft the ticcomptifliment of his holy word? Can the ordinances of heaven depart ? Then only can GOD forget to be gracious, or neglect the performance of his proinife. Nay, our LORD gives us yet firmer ground of af- fiance. He affords us a ilu'er bottom for our faith, than \\\z fundamental .1 aius of the univerfe. Heaven find earth^ he fays, /hall pajs away ; but my words Jhalt not) in a ilngle inllance, or .in- one tittle o-f their im- port, pajs away. No : his Tacred word, whatever may obitruct it, whoever may oppofe it, ihall be ful- filled to the very uttermoft. O powerful word;' How aftonifhing is its efficacy ! When this word was iffued forth, a thoufand worlds emerged out of nothing. Should the mighty orders be repeated, a thoufand more would fpring into exift- ence. By this word, the vaft fyftem of created things is upheld, in conftaitf and immutable perfection. Should it ^ive command, or ceafe to exert its energy $ the univerial frame would be difTolved, and all nature 2'evert to her original chaos. And this very word is pledged forrthe fafety, the comfort, the bappinefs of the godly. This inviolable, this almighty \vord, Jpea/cs in all the promifes of the gofpel. How (trangely in- fatuated are our fouls, that wefhould value it fo little.? What infidels are we in fact, that we mould depend upon it no more ? Qid it create whatever has a being ; and Ihall it not iuork faith in our breads ? Do unnum- bered worlds owe their fupport to this word ; and (hall it not be fufficient to buoy up our fouls in troubles, or eftabiifh them in trials ? Is it the life of the uni- verfe, and fnall it be a dead letter to mankind ? If 1 wifti to be heard, when I implore heavenly blef- /ings ; is not this privilege moft clearly made over to rny enjoyment, in that well-known text, u Afk, and ^ it mall be given you* ?" If I long for the eternal 302 Comforter ":itt. vii. 7. 396 CONTEMPLATIONS Comforter to dwell in my heart, andfandify my nature * have I not an apparent title to this high prerogative, conferred in that fvveet afTertive interrogation; " How " much morefhall your heavenly Father give the Holy ** Spirit to thole that afk him * ? If I earneftly covet the ineftimabletreafures that are comprifed in the great IMMANUEL'S mediation ; can I have a firmer claim to the noble portion, than is granted in that moft precious fcripture ; " Him that cometli to me, I will in no wife " caft out -J- ?*' What aflurance of being interefted in thefe unfpeakable mercies would 1 defire ? What/or;;? of conveyance, what deed of fettlement, were it left to my own option, fhould I chufe ? Here is the word of a king ; the King immortal and invifible ; all whofe declarations | are truth itfelf. -If a monarch beftows immunities on a body of men, and confirm them by an authentic charter j no one controverts, no one queftiohs their right to the royal favours. And why mould we fufpecT: the validity of thofe glorious grants, which are made by the everlafting Sovereign of nature ; which he has alfo ratified by an oath, andfealed with the blood of his Son ? Corporations may be disfran- cliifed, and charters revoked. Even mountains may be removed, and ftars drop from their fpheres : But a tenure founded on the divine promife, is unalienably fecure, is lifting as eternity itfelf. WE have endeavoured to fpell zfyllable of the eter^ nal name in the ancient manufcript of the fky. We have catched a glimpfe of the Almighty's glory, from the luflre of innumerable ftars. But would we behold all his excellencies pourtrayed in full perfection, and drawn to the very life ; let us attentively confider the RE D E EM E R .I obferve, there are fome parts of the firmament, * Luke xi. 13. 4- John vi. ry. - If thefe fail, The pillar'd firmament is rottennefs, And earth's bafe built on ttubble. MILT. Comus* on the STARRY HEAVENS. 397 iirmament, in which the ftars feem, as it were, to clufter. They are fown thicker, they lye clofer, t an ullial ; and (Irike the eye with redoubled fplendor. Like the jewels on a crown, they mingle their beams, and reflect an increafe of brilliancy on each other. Is there not iuch an afFemblage, fuch a constellation of the divine honours, moft amiably effulgent in the bleffed JESUS? Does not infinite wifdom "j~ fhine, with furpaffing brightnefs, in CHRIST? To the msking of a world, there was no obftacle ; but to the faving of man, there feemed to be unfurmountable bars. If the rebel is fufFered to eicape ; where is the inflexible juftice, which denounces " death as the wages of fin ?" ff the offender is thoroughly pardoned ; where is the inviolable-veracity, which has folemnly declared, "The " foul that finneth, (hall die?" Thefe awful attributes are fet in terrible array ; and, like an impenetrable battalion, oppofe the falvation of apoftate mankind. Who can fuggeft a method to abfolve the traiterous race, yet vindicate the honours of almighty Sove- reignty ? This is an intricacy, which the moft exalt- ed of finite intelligences are unable to clear. But behold the unfearchable J'ecrct revealed ! revealed in the wonderful redemption accomplifhed by a dying Saviour ! fo plainly revealed, that " he who runs " may read;'* and even babes underftand, what minds of the deepeft penetration could not contrive Jf he Son of GOD, taking our nature, obeys the law, and undergoes death, in our ftead. By this means, the threatened curfe is executed in all its rigour, and free grace is exercifed in all its riches. Juftice main- tains her rights, and, with a fteady hand, adminifters impartial vengeance ; while mercy difpenfes her par- dons, and welcomes the repentant criminal into the tendereft embraces. Hereby the feemingly thwarting attributes are reconciled. The fmner isfaved, not on- iy f See the next note. 398 CONTEMPLATIONS ly in full confiflence with the honour of the fupreme perfections, but to the moft illuftrious manifeftation of them all. Where does the divine power * fo flgnally exert it- felf, as in the crofs of CH R i s T, and in the conquefts of grace ? Our LORD, in his loweft ftate of humilia- tion, gained a more glorious victory, than when, through the dividing fea, and the wafte howling wil- ^dernefs, he " rode upon his chariots and hories of <c falvation." When his hands were rivetted, with irons, to the bloody tree ; he difarmed death of its fling, and plucked the prey from the jaws of hell. Then, even then, while he was crucified in lueaknefs^ he vanquiftied theyfrwzgv man, and iubdued our mod formidable enemies. Even then, he fpoiled principa- lities, triumphed over the powers of darknefs, and led captivity captive. ^Now he is exalted to his heavenly throne, with what a prevailing efficacy does liis grace go forth, " conquering, and to conquer !" By this, the flaves of (in are refcued from their bondage, and reltored to the liberty of righteoufnefs. By this, de- praved wretches, whofe appetites were Jenjual, and their difpofitions devilijh, are not only renewed, but renewed after the image of GOD, and made partakers of a divine nature. Millions, millions of loft crea- tures are (hatched, by the interpolation of grace, like brands from the burning ; and, tranilated into ever- Rafting manfions, ftnne brighter than the^rj, fhine bright as the/ww, in the kingdom of their Father. Would you then fee an incomparably more bright idifplay of the div-ine excellence, than the unfpotted firmament, the fpangles of heaven, or the golden fountain * CHRIST, the -wifa'om of GOD, and the power of GOD. y. Cor. i. 24. To the intent that noiv, unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might he known by the church (by the amazing contrivance, and accomplifliment of its re- demption) the deep, extenfive, and (*9\virot*.mt} greatly-div:.r~ Sifad viifdom of GOD,. .ph. Hi, ip. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 399 fountain of day exhibit ? Contemplate JESUS of Na~ zarctk. He is the brightnefs of his Father's glory, and the expreis image of his perfon. In his immacu- late nature, in his heavenly tempers, in his moil holy life, the moral per fc& fans of the Deity are reprefented to the highefl advantage *. Hark ! how Mercy, witli her charming voice, ipeaks in all he utters. See ! how Benevolence pours her choiceft (lores, in all he does. Did ever companion look fo amiably foft, as in thole pitying tears, which fwelled his eyes, and trickled down his cheeks, to bedew the rancour of his invete- rate enemies ? Was it poilible for Patience to afTume a form fo lovely, as that fweetly-winning conduct, which bore the contradiction of finners ? which intreat- ed the obftinate to be reconciled, befought the guilty not to die ? In other things, we may find fomefcat- teredrays of JEH ovAH'sglory j butin CHRIST they are all collected and united. In CHRIST they beam. forth, with the flrongefl radiance, with the moft dc~-' lightful effulgence. Out of Sion, and in Sion's great Redeemer, hath GOD appeared in perfect beauty. Search then, my foul, above all other purfuits, fearchthe records of redeeming love. Let thefe be the principal objects of thy ftudy. Here employ thyfelf with the moll unwearied amduity . In theje are hid all the treasures ofivifdom and knowledge -f. Such wijdom^ as * In this fenfe, that faying of our LORD is eminently true, Iff that hath ft en ME, hath f sen the FATHER. John xiv. 9, -f Co/o//" ii. 3, Not a mean degree, but a treafure ; not one treafure, but many ; not many only, but all treafures, of true wifclotn, and laving knowledge, are in CHRIST, and his glo- rious go f pel. The tranfcendent excellency of thole treafures ieems to be finely intimated in that other expreflion aroxpu^i, hid; (wllich maybe interpreted by the Hebrew n*r.an?2, Jof, iii. 21.) luid up, with the utmoitcare, and the greate{t lafety. Not left at all adventures, to be {tumbled upon by every giddy wanderer; or to fall into the arms of the yawning fluggard ; hut, like jewels of the brightelt luftre, or riches of the higheit value, ktpi in Ihrt to adorn and reward the diligent fearcher. 400 CONTEMPLATIONS as charms and aftonifiies the very angels ; engages their clofeft attention, and fills them with the deepeft adora- tion *. Such knowledge, as qualifies the pofiefior, if not for offices of dignity on earth, yet for the moft honourable advancements in the kingdom of heaven. Diibnited from which knowledge, all application is but elaborate impertinence ; and all icience, no better than pompous ignorance. Thefe records contain the faultlefs model of duty, and the nobleft motives to obedience. Nothing fo powerful to work a lively faith, and a joyful hope, as an attentive confideration of our LORD'S unutterable merits. Nothing ib fovereign to antidote the peftilential influence of the world, and deliver our affections from a flavery to ignoble objetts, as an habitual remembrance of his extreme agonies. The genuine, the ever- fruitful fource of all morality, is the unfeigned love of CHRIST ; and the erofs, the CROSS, is the appointed -j~ altar, from which we may fetch a coal {, to enkindle this facred fire. Behold, * This, I believe, is the import of the apoftle's language^ though it is not a litfral tranflation of us txtSvfttww ctyft\ot xapa- rv^xi, i Pet, i. 12.1 I never had fuch a lively apprehenfion of the beautiful fignificancy of the lad word, as when I have at- tended a difleclion of ibrae part of the animal body. In order to d:fcern the minutia of the admirable frame, the latent won- ders of art and mechanifm, the eye is fo fharpened, and its ap- plication fo intenffly bended, as gives a very juft experimental comment on that expreffive phrafe, *<*paw\,xt. With fuch ear- neft attention is the'everlalh'ng gofpel contemplated by the angelic or -ers ! How much more, if it were poffible, does it deiervethe devout and mediant confideration. of human minds? flnce, by them, it is not only to be fpeculated, as a bright and ravilhing difplay of the divine attributes; but to be applied to their fallen nature, as a mcA benign fcheme of recovering grace; as the fure and only method of obtaining life and immortality. f- And /, lays our LORD, if I be lifted up from the earth, and extended on the crofs, wtt draw all men unto me ; will give fuch a rich ?.nd tranicer>dent difplay of my love, as fhali conftitute the moft powerful and prevailing attractive cf theirs. John xii. 32. 4 Alluding to If. vi. 6. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 401 Behold, therefore, the man ; the matchlefs and du- |5endous man ; whole practice was a pattern of the mod exalted virtue, and his perion the mirror of e- very divine perfection. Examine the memoirs of his heavenly temper, and exemplary converiation. Con- template that choir of graces, which were afTociated in his mind, and died the highed ludre on all his ac- tions. Familiarize to thy thoughts his indructive dif- courfes, and enter into the very fpirit of his refined doctrines : that the graces may be transfufed into thy bread, and the doctrines tranfcribed in thy life. Fol- low him to Calvary's horrid eminence ; to Calvary's fatal catadrophe : where innocence, dignity, and me- rit, were made perfect thro* jujfer ings ; each (liming, with all poflible fplendor, thro' the tragical icene ; fornewhat like his own radiant bow, then glowing with the greated beauty, when appearing on the darkeft cloud. Be thy mod condant attention fixed on that lovely and forrowful {pectacle. Behold the ipotlcfs victim nailed to the tree, and dabbed to the heart. Hear him pouring out prayers for his murderers, be- fore he poured out his foul for tranigreflbrs. See the wounds that dream with forgiveneis, and bleed balm for a didempered world. O ! fee the judice of the Almighty and his goodnefs ; his mercy and his ven- geance ; every tremendous and gracious attribute ma- nifeded, manifcded with inexpreffible glory, in that mod ignominious, yet grandejt, of tr-anfactions. SINCE GOD is fo inconceivably great, as thefc his marvellous works declare ; Since the great Sovereign /ends ten thoujand Ivor Ids, To tell us, he re fides above them all, In glory's unapproachable reccfs */ how * For this quotation, and feveral valuable hlnts^ I acknow- ledge rnyfelf indebted to thole beautiful and i'ublime poems, entitled, 'Night-Thoughts. Of which I (hall only fay, that I receive frefli pleafurc, and richer improvement, from every VOL. I. N 5. 3 E renewed 402 CONTEMPLATIONS how can we forbear battening, with Mofes, bowing 1 earfelves to the earth, and worfliipping ? O ! whaS an honourable, as well as advantageous employ, is prayer ! Advantageous. By prayer, we cultivate that improving correspondence with JEHOVAH, we car- ry on that gladdening intercourse with his S PI HIT, which mud begin here, in order to be completed in eternity. Honourable* By prayer, we have accefs to that mighty potentate, whofe fceptre (ways univer- ial nature, and whofe rich regalia fill the Ikies with luftre. Prayer places us in his prefence-chamber ; while cc the blood of fprinkling," procures us a gra- cious audience. Shall I then blitfli to be found proftrate before the throne of grace ? Shall I be >a/?iamedto have it known that I offer up focial fuppllcations in the family, or am confcientious in obfcrving my private retirements ? Rather, let me glory in this unipeakable privilege. Let me reckon it the nobleft pofture, to fall low on my knees before his footftool ; and the highcft honour, to enjoy communion with his moft exalted Majefty. Incomparably more noble, than to fit, in perfon, on the triumphal chariot ; or to ftand, in effigy, amidit the temple of worthies. Moft ineftimable, in fucli a view, is that promife, which ib often occurs in the prophetic writings, and is the crowning benefit of the new covenant, I will be thy God* . Will this fupremcly excellent and almighty Being renewed perufal, And, I think, I flial! have reaforr to bkf the indulgent Be (tower of all wifdom, for thole inttrnclive and animating compositions, even in ntfy latt moments. 'Than which nothing can more emphatically fpeak their fuperior excellence^ nor give a more folidtat'tsfadtionto their worthy author. >Hap py fbonid I think myfelf, if thefe little iketches of contem- plative devotion might be honoured with the mo/f inferior de- gree of the fame fuccefs ; might receive a tettimony, not from the voice of fame, but from the dying lips of Ibme edified Chriftian. * Heb. Viii. 10. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 403 Being vouchfafe to be my portion ? to fettle upon a poor finner, not the heritage of a country, not the poileiiion of the whole earth, but his own ever-blelfed jelff May I then, thro* his free condescending grace, and the unknown merits of his Son, look upon all thefe infinitely-noble attributes as my treafure ? May I regard the lui/dom, which fuperintends fuch a mul- titude of worlds, as my guide ; the power^ which pro- duced, and preferves them in exiftence, as my guard ; the goodneffi which, by an endlefs communication of favours, renders them all fo many habitations of hap - pinefs, as my exceeding great reward? rWhat a fund of felicity is included in fuch a bleffing ! How often docs the Ifraelitifh prince exult in the aflurance, that this unutterable and boundlefs good io iiis own ? In- terefted in this, he bids defiance to every evil that can be dreaded, and rcfts in certain expectation of e- very bleffing that can be defired. The LORD is my light and my f&lvation ; 'whom then fliali 1 fear f The LORD, with an air of exultation, he repeats both his affiance, and his challenge, /'/ the /trength of my life; of "whom then fliall I be afraid *.** Nothing ib effectual, as this appropriating faith, to infpire a dig- nity of mind, fuperjor to tranfitory trifies ; or to cre- ate a calmneis of temper, unalarmed by vulgar fears, unappalled by death itfelf. The LORD is my fliep- lierd, fays the fame truly gallant and heroic peribnage : therefore fliall I l&ck nothing -\ . How is it poflible, he fhoeld fnffer want, who has the all-fufficient fulneis for his fupply ? So long as unerring wifdom is capa- ble of contriving the means, fo long as uncontrollable power is able to execute them j fuch a one cannot fail of being fafe and happy, whether he continue amidft the viciilitudes of time, or depart into the unchange- able eternity. Here, let us ftand a moment, and humbly contem- plate this great GOD, together with ourfelves, in a re- # Pfal, xxvii. i. t Pfal, xxiii. i. lative 404 CONTEMPLATIONS lative view. If we reflect on the works of material nature, their number incomprehenfible, and their ex- tent unmeafurable ; each of them apart, fo admirably framed ; the connections of the whole to exquifitely regulated ; and all derived from one and the fame glo- rious Agent : If we recollect the far more noble ac~ complifhments of elegant tafte, and difcerning judg- ment ; of refined affections, and exalted fentiments ;; which are to be found among the feveral orders of in- telligent exiftence ; and all of them flowing, in rich emanations, from the one fole fountain of intellectual light : If we farther confider this Author of material beauty, and moral excellency, as a Guardian, a Gover- nor, and Benefactor to all his creatures ; fupporting the whole fyftem, and protecting each individual, by an ever- watchful providence ; prefiding over the minutefl affairs, and caufing all events to terminate in the moft extenfive good ; heaping, with unremitted liberality, his benefits upon every capable object, and making the circuit of the univerfe afeminary of happinefs : Is it poffible for the human heart, under fuch captivating views, to be \ indifferent towards this moft benign, moft bountiful Original of being and of blifs ? Can any be. ib immerfed in ftnpidity, as to fay unto the Almighty, in the language of an irreligious temper, and licen- tious life, to fay, " Depart from us ; we implore not " thy farpur ; nor defire the knowledge of thy ways.'* Wonder, O heavens I be amazed, O earth ! and let the inhabitants of both exprefs their aflonifhment, at this unparalleled complication of diiingenuous, un- grateful, deftru&ive perverfenefs 1 If we confider our fallen and imperfett ftate ; frail in our bodies : enfeebled in our minds ; in every part of our confutation, and in all the occurrences of life, " like atottcring wall, ora broken hedge ;" If we fur- vey our indigent zn&infirm ftate, without holinefs, with- out fpiritiialftrength ; ourpofTeffionof preient conveni- encies entirely dependent on GOD 'sfovereign pleafure on the STARRY HEAVENS. 405 yea, forfeited, juftly forfeited, with every future hope, by a thoufand aggravated iniquities : If we add the va- rious dijajtcrs of our condition ; agitated as we are by tumultuous paffions ; oppreiled with difpiriting fears ; held in lufpenfe by a variety of perplexing * cares ; liable to pains, and expofed to troubles ; troubles from every quarter ; troubles of every kind : Can we, a- midit fo many wants, under fuch deplorable infirmi- ties, and fubjecl to fuch diiaftrous accidents, can we be unconcerned, whether GOD'S omnipotent, irrefif- tible, all-conducTting hand be againft us, or /or us ? Imagination itieif fhudders at the thought ! Can we red fatisfied, without a well-grounded perfualion, that we are reconciled to this fupreme LORD, and the ob- jects of his unchangeable goodnefs ? If there be an abandoned wretch, whole apprehensions are fo fatally blinded ; who is fa utterly loft to all fenle of his duty, and of his interefr. ; let me bewail his. mijery, while I abhor his impiety ; bewail his mifery ; though Popu- larity, with her choicer! laurels, adorn his brow ; though Affluence, with her richeft delicacies, load his table ; * Perplexing. Thofe who read the original language of the New Tefiarnenr, are fufficiently apnriled, that fuch is \\iejig- nificancy of that benevolent diflua five urged by our LORD, ^ ftiptuyx'i, Matth vi 2^5 I beg leave, for the fake of the - iearntd reader, to obferve, that our tranilation, though for the moft parr faithful and excellent, has here mifreprefented our divine Mailer's meaning. Take no thought for your food, for your raiment, for your bodily welfare, is not only not the true fenfe, but the very reverfe of thii frriptural dodrine. VV^eare required to take a prudent and moderate thought for the ne- cefTaries of life. The flnggard who neglects this decent precau- tion, is fevereiy reprimanded ; is fenr to one of the meandt animals, to bluih for his folly, and learn difcretion from her conduct, Prov. vi. 6. Our Saviour's precept, and the exact jeufe of his exprefiion, is, Take no anxious thought ; indulge no perplexing care; no fuch. care, is may argue an unreafon- able itiftrufl of providence, or may rend and tsar your with dilh'efiing, with pernicious folicitude. 4ot3 CONTEMPLATIONS table ; though half a nation, or half a world, confpire to call him happy. May I, by a believing application, "folace myfelf in this everlaftkig iburce of love, perfection, and joy ! Grant me this requeft, and I aik no more. Only, that I may expect, not with a relu-ctant anxiety, but with a ready chearfulnefs, the arrival of that import- ant hour, when this veil -of flefh mall drop, and the, ihadows of mortality flee away ; when I Ihall no long- er complain of obfcure knowledge, languid affections, and imperfefl fruition ; but (hall fee the uncreated ami immortal Majefty ; fee him, not in this diftant and unaffecting method of reasoning from his works ; but with the mofl clear and direct intuition of the mind : when I (hall iove him, not with a cold and contracted fpirit ; but with the moft lively and en- larged emotions of gratitude : when I ftiall inceffant- ]y enjtiy the light of his countenance ; and be united, infeparably united to his all-glorious GOD H E AD. Take, ye ambitious, unenvied and unoppofed, take to yourfelvesthetoysof ftate. May I be enabled to rejoice in this blefTed hope ; an.d to triumph in that amiable, that adorable, that delightful name, the LORD MY GOD I And I mall fcarce beftow a thought on the fplendid pageantry of the world, unlefs it be to defpife its empty pomp, and to pity its deluded admirers. ALL thefe bodies, though immenfe in their fize, and almoft infinite in their multitude, are obedient to the divine command. The GOD of wifdom *' tell- lt eth their numbers," and is intimately acquainted with their various properties. The GOD of power " calleth them all by their names," and affigns them whatfoever office l>e pleafes. He mar foals all the flar- 5-y legions, with infinitely greater eale, and nicer or- der, than the moft expert general arranges his difci- plined troops. He appoints their pofts ; he marks their route; he fixes the time for their return. The 6n the STARRY HEAVENS. 407 pofts which he appoints, they occupy without fail. In the route which he fettles, they perievere, without the leaft deviation. And to the inilant* which he fixes for their return, they are precifely punctual. He has given them a taw^ which, through a long revolution of ages, (hall not be broken, unlefs his fovereign will interpoles for its repeal. Then, indeed, the motion of the celeftial orbs is controlled ; their action remains fufpended ; or their influence receives anew direftion. - The/?2, at his creation, iflued forth with a com- mand, to travel perpetually through the heavens. Since which, he has rrever neglected to perform the great circuit ; " rejoicing as a giant to run his race." But, when- it is requifite to accomplifh the purpofes of divine love, the orders are countermanded; the flaming courier remits his career j flands Jlill in Gi~ beon *j~ / and, for the conveniency of the chofen people, holds back the falling day. The moon was difpatched with a charge, never to intermit her re- volving courie, till day and night come to an end. But when the children of providence are to be fa- voured with an uncommon continuance of light, fhc halts in her march,, makes a iblemn paafe/w the valley of Ajalon J, and delays to bring on her attendant train * u The planets, and all the innumerable hoft of heavenly " bodies, perform their courfes and revolutions, with To much " certainty and exactness, as never once to fail ; but, for al- " moft 6coo years, come conftantly about to the fame period, " in the hundredth part of a minute." STACKHOUSE'J /////. Bible. f This is fpoken in conformity to the feripture-language, and according to the common notion. With refpect to the power which effecled the alteration, it is much the fame thing, and alike miraculous, whether the fun, or the earth, be fup- pofed to move. :j: Jofo. x. 12, 13. The prophet Habakkuk^ according to his lofty manner, celebrates this event; and points out, in ve- ry poetical diction, the clefign of fo furpriling a miracle. Ihe fun and moon flood ftill in their habitation : in the light, the long,- 4 o8 CONTEMPLATIONS train of (liadows. When the enemies of the LORD are to be difcomfited, the Jtars are levied into the fervice ; the liars are armed, and take the field j the Jlars, in their conrjes fought againjl Si/era *. So dutiful is material nature ! fo oblequious, in ell her forms, to her Creator's pleafure ! The bel- lowing thunders liften to his voice ; and the volleyed lightnings .obferve the direction of his eye. The flying florm, and impetuous whirlwind, weai* his yoke. The raging waves revere his nod ; they {hake the earth ; they dafh the ikies ; yet never offer to pafs the li- mits which he has prescribed, Even the planetary Inheres, though vafliy larger than this wide- extend- ed earth, are in his hand, as clay in the hands of the potter. Though, fwifter than the northern blalr, they fweep the long traces of sether ; yet are they gui- ded by his reins, and execute whatever he enjoins. All long-continued and miraculous light, thy arrows, edged with deftrucHon, walked on their awful errand; in the clear fin- ing of the day, protracted for this very purpofe, thy glitter- ingfpear, launched by thy people, but guided by thy hand, -fprung to its prey. Hub. iii. n. * Judg.v.io The fcfiptural phrafe fought again/}, will, I hope, be a proper warrant for every expreffion I have uled on this occafion. The paiiage is generally fuppofed ro Ggnify, that fome very dreadful meteors, (which che ftars were thought to influence,) fuch as fierce flaflies of lightning, impetuous fhowers of rain, and rapid itonns or hail, were employed by the Almighty to terrify, annoy, and overthrow the enemies of Ifracl. If fo, there cannot be a more clear and lively pa- raphrafe on the text, than thole fine lir.es of a Jewi/h writer. His fivere wrath Jball fiEfjfoarpen for a fword ; and the world fly all fight with him again ft the ungodly. Ihcnjhall the right-aiming tnunderbolts go abroad; and from the xlouds, as from a well-drawn bow, foali they fiy to the mark. Sindhwl- ftones, full of wrath, foall be caff out of a ftwe-how ; and the water of the fea Jball rage agqinfi tham ; and the floods (as was the cafe of the river Kjjbon) /ball cruelly drown them ; yea, a mighty wind jlmll ftand up againjl them ; ana, Hhs a (tonn, JJ:aU b! f jw them avjay. Wii'd. v. 2o ; 21, 22, 23. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 409 All thofe enormous globes of central fire, which beani through the boundlefs azure, in comparifon of which an army of planets were like a fwarm of fummer- in- fects ; thofe, 6ven thofe, are conformable to his will, as the melting wax to the imprefled feal. Since <e//, ALL is obedient, throughout the whole afcent of things, fliall man be the only rebel againft the almighty- Maker ? Shall thefe unruly appetites reject his govern- ment,, and refufe their allegiance ? Shall thefe head- ftrong paj/ions break loofe from divine reftraint, and run wild, in exorbitant fallies, after their own imagi- nations ? O my foul, be flung with remorfe, and overwhelm- ed with confufton, at the thought ! Is it not a righte- ous thing, that the blefled GOD mould fway the Jeep- tre, with the moft abfolute authority, over all the crea- tures which his power has formed ? eipecially over thofe creatures, whom his diftingui(hing favour has endued with the noble principle of reafon, and made capable of a blifsful immortality ? Sure, if all the ranks of inanimate exiftence conform to their Maker's decree, by the neceffity of their nature ; this more ex- cellent race of beings mould pay their equal homage, by the "willing compliance of their affeclions *. ~ Come * This argument, I acknowledge, is not abfolutely conclu- five. But it is popular and linking. Nor can I think myfelf obliged in fuch a woik, where fancy bears a confiderable Iway, to proceed always with the caution and exaclneis of a dlffuter in the /chools. If there be fome appearance of analogy between the fait and the inference, it feems fufHcient for rny purpofe ; though the deduction ihould not be necelTdry, nor the procefs Uriel ly fyllogidicaL One of the apoftolic fathers ha^ an affect- ing and fublirae paragraph, which runs entirely in this form : HA.(ey rt xai 0rj\)ivw artpa n xipot, xalat TUV fialxyn* u? rv nv.i-na. , ttvit x-crnt xxptrfixo-iat , ^iKuj-a-vftv TJ (XililKyy.tvyJ auraif cpifftiiS. Thcfun, tljS mOOn f and the flurry choir, "without the leaf} deviation, and "with the utmoft harmony, perform the revolutions appointed them by the f up rente decree. From which remark, a:*! abundance of other VOL. I. I\ v . 3 F l:mihr 410 CONTEMPLATIONS Come then, all ye faculties of my mind; come, all ye powers of my body; give up yourfelves, without a moment's delay, without the lead referve, to his go- vernance. Stand, like dutiful fervants, at his foot- ftool ; in an evei lading readinefs to do whatfoever he requires ; to be whatfoever he appoints ; to further, with united efforts, the purpofes of his glory in this earthly fccne ; or elie to ieparate, without reluc- tance, at his fummons ; the one, to fleep in the filent cluft ; the other, to advance his honour, in Tome re- moter colony of his kingdom. Thus may I join with all the works of the LORD, in all places of his do* minion, to recognize his univerfal iupremacy ; and proclaim him Sovereign of iouls, as well as rluler of worlds. . AT my fir/I coming abroad, all thefe luminaries were eclipjcd, by the overpowering luftre of the fun. They were all placed in the very fame ftations, and played the fame fprightly beams ; yet not one of them was feen. As the day light wore away, and the fober fhades advanced ; tiejperus, who leads the darry train, difclofed his radiant -forehead, and catched my eye. While 1 flood gazing on his bright and beautiful af- pecl, feveral of his attendants peeped through the blue curtains. Scarce had I turned to obferve thefe frefh emanations of fplendor, but others dropt the veil, others dole into view. When lo ! fader and more jiumerous, multitudes fprung from obicurity ; they poured, in mining troops, and in fweet confufion, over all the empyrean plain ; till the firmament feem- ed fimilar inftances, obfervaWe in the ceconomy of, nature ; he exhorts Chriftians to a cordial unanimity among thtmfelves, and a dutiful obedience ro Goo. Vid. Ciem. Roman, i ep. ad Corinth, fed. 2.O. See alfo a beautiful ode in Dr Watt's Lyric Poems, entitled, The Comparijln and Cofrji/aiut, whiclt turns upon this veryt thought. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 411 fd like one vaft conftellation ; and " a flood of glo- " ry burlt from all the flues." Is not Ibch tne rije, and fuch the progrefs of a true fonverjion, in the p; ejudifed infidel, or inattentive Din- ner ? During the period of his vainer years, a thou- fand interef-iing truths lay utterly undiicovered ; a thoufand momentous concerns were entirely difregard- ed. But, when divine grace diilipajes the delufive glitter, which dazzled his understanding, and begui- led his affections ; then he begins to difcerc, dimly to diicLTn, the things which belong unto his peace. Some admonition of fcripture da.ts conviction into his foul, as the glimmering of a flar pie ces the gloom of night. Then, perhaps, another awful, or chearing text, impreflcs terror, or diffufes comfort. A threatening alarms his fears, or a prot/iife awakens his hopes. This, poflibly, is fucceeded by fome afflictive difpeniation of providence ; and improved by fome edifying and in- ilru&ive. coxiverfation. All which is eftabliihed as to its continuance, and enlarged as to its influence, by a diligent ftudyof the facred word. -r-By this means, new truths continually pour their evidence. Scenes of re- fined and exalted, but hitherto unknown delight, ad- drefs him with their attractives. New deiires take wing ; new purfuits are let on foot. A new turn of mind forms his temper ; a new habit of converfation regulates his life. In a word,old things are paU'cdaiuay^ and all things become new. He who was fometime dark- iieis, is now light, and life, and joy in the LORD. TH E more attentively I view the ,cryflal concave, the more fully I xiiicern the richnefs of its decorations. Abundance of minuter lights, which lay concealed from zjuper filial notice, are viilbleon a clojer examin- ation. Efpecially in thofe tratls of the fky, which are called the galaxy; and are didinguifliable by a fort of imilky path. There the itars are croudcd, rather than The region feems to be all on a blaze, 3 F 2 with 4 i2 CO NTEMPLATIONS with their fplendid rays. Befides this vaft profufion, which in my prefent fituation the eye difcovers ; was I to make my furvey, from any other part of the globe, lying nearer the fouthern pole, I mould behold a new choir of ftarry bodies, which have never appear- ed within our horizon. Was I (which -is ftill more wonderful,) either here or there, to view the firma- ment with the virtuofo's glafs ; I fliould find a prodi- gious multitude of flaming orbs, which, immerfed in depths of EEther, efcape the keeneft unaffifled fight*. - Yet, in thefe various fituations, even with the aid of the telefcope tube, I mould not be able to defcry the half, perhaps not a thoujandthvxTt. of thofemajeftic luminaries, which the vaft expanfive heavens contain f. So, the more diligently I purfue my fearch into thole oracles of eternal truth, the Jc riptures ; I perceive a wider, a deeper, an ever-iricreafmg fund of fpiritual treafures. I perceive the brighter Itrokes of wilHom ? and the richer difplays of goodnefs ; a more tranlcen- dent excellency in the illuftrious Meiiiah, and a more deplorable vilenefs in fallen man ; a more immaculate purity in GOD'S law, and more precious privileges in his gofpel. Yet, after a courfe of ftudy, ever ib aili- duous, ever fo prolonged, I fliould have reafon to own myfelf a mere babe in heavenly knowledge ; or, at moil, but a puerile proficient in the fchool of C H R i s T . AF T ER * Come forth, O man, yon azure round furvey, And view thote lamps, which yield eternal day. Bring forth thy glafTes : clear thy wond'ring eyes : ") Millions beyond the former millions rife: Look farther; millions more blaze from remoter fkies. _) See. an ingenious poem, entitled, The Univerfe. j- How noble, confidered in this view, are the celebrations of the Divine Majeity, which frequently occur in the facrecJ writings ! .// is the LORD that made the heavens. Pfal. x.cvi. 5. What a prodigious dignity does fuch a fenfe of things give to that devout afcription of praife ! 27;0, even thou, art 'LOEJD alone ; thou haft made h:aven^ the heaven of heavens with on the STARRY HEAVENS. 413 AFTER all my moft accurate infpe&ion, thofe ftarry orbs appear but &$ glittering points . Even the planets, though fo much nearer our earthly manfion, feem only like burning bullets. If then we have fuch imperfect apprehenjions of vifible and tnateriaj things ; how much more fcanty and inadequate mud be our notions of in- vifible and immortal objects ! We behold the ftars. Though every one is incomparably bigger than the globe we inhabit, yet they dwindle, upon our furvey, into the moft diminutive forms. Thus, we fee by faith the glories of the bleffed JESUS ; the atoning efficacy of his death ; the juftifying merit of his righ- teoufnefs ; and the joys which are referved for his fol- lowers. But, alas ! even our mod exalted ideas are vaftly below the truth ; as much below the truth, as the report wjiich our eyes make of thofe celeftial edi- fices, is inferior to their real grandeur. -Should we take in all the magnifying alliftances which art has con- trived ; thofe luminous bodies would elude our fkill, and appear as/w^// as ever. Should an inhabitant of earth travel towards the cope of heaven ; and be car- ried forwads, in his aerial journey, more than a hun- dred and fixty millions of miles * ; even in that ad- vanced fituation, thole oceans cf flame would look no larger than radiant Jpecks. In like manner, conceive ever fo magnificently of the Redeemer's honours, and of with all their haft. Nehem ix. 6. Examined by this rule, the beautiful climax in our infpired hymn is fub'ime beyond compare. Pmife HIM, fun and moon: praifc HIM, alt ye Jtars of light : praife HIM ye heavens of heavens. Fial. cxlviii. 3. 4. * This, incredible as it may feem, is not a mere fuppofition, hut a real faft. For, about the twenty firlf of December, we are above 160,000,000 of miles nearer the northern parts of thefky, than we were at the twenty-firit of June: And yet, with regard to the (tars (ituate in that quarter, we perceive no change in their offerf, nor any augmentation of their mag- nitude. 414 CONTEMPLATIONS of the blifs which he has purchafed for his people; yet you will fall fhort. Raiie your imagination higher; ftretch your invention wider ; give them all the icope which a foaring .and excurfive fancy can take ; ftill your conceptions will be extremely difproportionaie to their genuine perfections. Vafl are the bodies which roll in the expanfe of heaven ; vafter far are thole fields of cether, through which they run their endleis round : but the excellency of JESUS, and the happi- nefs laid up for his fervants, are greater than either , than both, than all. An infpired writer calls the former, " the unfearchable riches of C H R i s T ;" and ftyles the lat- ter, " an exceeding great and eternal weight of glory ." IF thofe ftars are fo many inexhauftibie magazines of fire, and immenfe refervoirs of light ; there is no reafon to doubt, but they have fome very grand ufes, iuit^ble to the magnificence of their nature. To ipe- cify or explain the particular purpofes they anfwer, is altogether impoffible, in our preient ftate of diftance and ignorance. This, however, we may clearly dif- cern ; they are difpofed in that veYy manner whidi is moft pie ajing and mo&ferviceable to mankind, They are not placed at an infinite remove, Co as to lye beyond our fight ; neither are they brought/^ near our abode, as to annoy us with their beams. We fee them mine on every fide. The deep azure, which ferves them as a ground, heightens their fplendor. At the fame time, their influence is gentle, and their rays are defti- tute of heat. So that we are furrounded with a mul- titude of fiery globes, which beautify and illuminate the firmament, without any rifk either to the coolnejs of our night, or the quiet of our repofe. Who can. Tuflicently admire that wondrous benignity, which, on our account, ftrews the earth with blefiings of every kind, and vouchfafes to make the very heavens fubier- vjlent to our delight ? It is not Jfolely to adorn the roof of our palace with coflly ' on the STARRY HEAVENS. 41? toftly gildings, that GOD commands the celeftial lu- minaries to glitter through the gloom. We alfo reap confiderable benefits from their miniftry. They divide our time, and fix its folemn periods. They fettle the order of our -works ; and are, according to the deitin- ation mentioned in facred writ, u for figns, and for u feafons ; for days, and for years." The returns of heat and cold alone^ would have been too precarious a rule. But thefe radiant bodies, by the variation, aod alfo by the regularity, of their motions, afford a me- thod of calculating, abfolutely certain, and fufficiently obvious. By this, the farmer is instructed when to commit his grain to the furrows, and how to conduct the operations of hufbandry. By this, the Jailor knows when to proceed on his voyage with leaft peril, and how to carry on the bufmefs of navigation with moft fuccefs. Why fhould not the Chriftian, the probationer for eternity, learn fromjthe fame monitors, to number for nobler purpofes, to number his days ; and duly to tranfaet the grand, grand affairs of his everlafting fal- vation ? Since GOD has appointed fo many bright meafurers of our time, to determine its larger periods, and to minute down its ordinary ftages ; fure this moft ftrongly inculcates its value, and fliould powerfully prompt us to improve it. Behold ! thefupreme LORD marks the progrefs of our life, in that moft confpicu- ous kalendar above. Does not fuch an ordination tell us, and in the moft emphatical language, that our life is given for vje, not for luafte? that no portion of it is delivered, but under a ftrict account ; that all of it is entered, as it paffes, in the divine regifter ; and, therefore, that the ftewards of fuch a talent are to expect a future reckoning ? Behold ! the very heavens are bidden to be the accountants of our years, and months, and days. O ! may this induce us to manage them with a vigilant frugality.; to part with them, as mifers with their hoarded treajure, warily and circum- C 6 N T E M L A t I O N S fpeclly ; arid, if poffible, as merchants with their rich commodities, not without an equivalent, either in per- fonal improvement, or focial ufefulncfs ! How bright the ftarry diamonds mine ! The ambi- tion of eaftern mor.archs could imagine no tliftindKon more noble and fublirne, than that of being likened to thofe beaming orbs *. They form night's richejl drefs ; and fparkle upon her fable robe, like jewels of the fineft luftre. Like jewels ! I wrong their character* The lucid ftone has no brilliancy ; quenched is the .fiame even of the golden topaz; compared with thofe glowing decorations of heaven. How widely are their radiant honours diffujed ! No nation io remote, but fees their beauty, and rejoices in their ufefulncfs. They have been admired by all preceding generations ; and every rifing age will gaze on their charms, with .renewed delight. How animating, then, is that pro- mife made to the faithful minifters of the gofpel ! t; They that turn many to righteoufnefs, mall mine as tc the ftars for ever and ever -j*." Is not this a moft winning encouragement, u to fpend and be fpent" in the fervice of fouls ? Methinks, the ftars beckon, as they twinkle. Methinks they mew me their fplen- dors, on purpiofe to infpire me with alacrity in tl?e race let before me ; on purpofe to enliven my activity in the work that is given me to do. Yes ; ye majeflic mo- nitors, I underftand your meaning. If honour has any charms ; if true glory, .the glory which cometh from GOD, is any attractive ; you difplay the moft powerful incitements to exercife all affiduity in my holy vocation. I will, henceforth, obferve your in- timation and, when zealbecomes languid, have re- courfe to your heavenly lamps ; if fo be I may rekindle its ardor at thofe inextinguifliable res. OF t\\epolar ftar, it is obfervablc, that, while other luminar.i.es * Numb. xxiv. 17. Dan. viii. 16. -j- Dan. xii. 3. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 417 luminaries alter their fituation, this feems invari- ably fixed * k While other luminaries, now, mount the battlements of heaven, and appear upon duty ; now retire beneath the horizon, and refign to a frefh let the watches of the night ; this never departs from its ftation. This, in ever)'- feafon, maintains an uni- form pofition ; and is always to be found in the iame tract of the northern fky. How often has this beam- ed bright intelligence on the Jailor; and conducted the keel to its defired haven i In early ages, thofe who went down to the fea in mips, and occupied their bufinefs in great waters, had fcarce any other fure guide for their wandering veffel. This therefore they viewed with the moft Iblicitous attention. By this they formed their obfervations, and regulated their voyage. When this was obfcured by clouds, or enve- loped in mifts, the trembling mariner was bewildered on the watery wafte. His thoughts fluctuated, as much as the floating (urge ; and he knew not where he was advanced, or whither he mould fleer. But, when this aufpicious ftar broke through the gloom, it diflipated the anxiety of his mind, and cleared up his dubious paflage. He re-aflumed, with alacrity, the management of the helm ; and Was able to lhape his courfe, with fome tolerable degree of fatisfaction and certainty. Such, only much clearer in its light, and much fu- fer in its direction, is the holy word of GOD, to thofe myriads of intellectual beings, who are bound for the eternal mores ; who, elnbarked in a veflel of feeble flefh, are to pafs the waves of this terripefluous and perilous world. In all difficulties , thofe facred pages fhed an encouraging ray ; in all uncertainties , they fug- geft- * I fpeak in conformity to the appearance of the object For though this remarkable ftar revolves round the pole, its motion is iojlow, and the circle it deicribes, iv final/, as ren- der both the revolution and change of fituation hardly per- eeivable. VOL. I. N 5. 3 G 418 CONTEMPLATIONS geft the right determination, and point out the propei* procedure. What is dill a more ineftimable advantage, they, like the ftar which conducted the eaftern fages, make plain- the way of accefs to a Redeemer. They difplay his unfpeakable merits; they difcover the me- thod of "being interefted in his great atonement; and lead the weary foul, toffed by troubles, yn^'fhatiered by temptations, to that only harbour of peaceful re- pofc. Let us, therefore, attend to this unerring direc- tory, with the fame conftancy of regard, as the fea- faring man obfervcs his compafs. Let us become as thoroughly acquainted with this facred chart, as the pilot is with every trufty mark, that gives notice of a lurking rock ; and with every open road, that yields a fife paffage into the port. Above all, let us commit '.irfelves to this infallible guidance, with the fame im- plicit refignation ; let us conform our conduct to its exalted precepts, with the fame fedulous care, as the children of Ifrael, when fojourning in the tracklefs defert, followed the pillar of fire, and the motions of the miraculous cloud. So will it introduce us, not into an earthly Canaan, flowing with milk and honey \ but into an immortal paradife, where is the fulnefs of joy, and where are pleafures for evermore. It will introduce us into thofe happy, happy regions, where our fun f/i all no more go down, nor our moon withdraw iff elf; for the LORD /hall be our everlafting light, and the days of our mourning, together with the fatigues of our pilgrimage, fliall be ended *. I PERCEIVES great variety in the fize and fplen- dor of thofe gems of heaven. Some are of the firft magnitude ; others of an inferior order. Some glow with intenfe flames : others glimmer with fainter beams. Yet all are beautiful ; all have their peculiar luftre, and diflincft ufe ; all tend, in their different degrees, to enamel the cope of heaven, and embroider the robe of night. * If. k. 20. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 419 night. This circumftance is remarked by an autl.or, whole ieiHiments are a iburce of wifdom, and the very ftandard of truth. " One irar," (ays the Apoftie of the Gentiles^ u differ eth from another ftar in glory : " fo alfo is the reiurreftiou of the dead." In the world above, are various degrees of happinefs, various feats of honour. Some will rife to more illuf- trious diftin.6tions, and richer joys *. Some, like vef- lels of ample capacity, will admit more copious accei~ fions of light and excellence: Yet there will be no want, no deficiency, in any ; but a fulnefs both of divine fatisfaclions, and peribnal perfections. Each will enjoy all the good, and be adorned with all the glory, that his beart can wifh, or his condition re- ceive. None will know what it is to envy. Not the lead malevolence, nor the leaft felfimnefs,but everlafl- ing friendfliip prevails, and a mutual complacency in each others delight. Love, cordial love, will give e- very particular faint a participation of all the fruitions f, which are diifufed through the whole affembly of the bleffed. No one eclipfes, but each reftetfs light upon his brother. A fwcet interchange of rays fubiifts ; all enlightened by the great Fountain, and all enlighten- ing one another. By which reciprocal communica- tion of pleafure and amity, each will be continually receiving from, each inceffently adding to, the general felicity. Happy, fupremely happy they, who are admitted into the celeftial manfions. Better to be a door-keep-* cr in thofe " ivory palaces J," than to fill the mod gorgeous * i Cor. xv. 41, 42.. The great Mr Mede prefers the fenfe here given ; and the learned Dr Hammond admits it into his paraphrale : whofe joint authority, though far from excluding any ot/icr, yet is a fufiicient warraBC for this application of the words. j* Toll: invidiam, et tuumeft quodbabco ; till: inv'tdlarn, ft eft qwd habcs. AUGUSTINE. If Pfal. xlv. 8. 3 G a 420 CONTEMPLATIONS gorgeous throne on earth, The very loweft place at GOD'S right hand, is did inguifhed honour, and con- fummate blifs. O ! that we may, in fome meafure, anticipate that beatific (late, while we remain in our banifhment below 1 May we, by rejoicing in the fupe- rior profperity of another, make it our oiun ! and, pro- vided the general refult is harmony, be content, be pleafed with whatfoever part is afligned to our fhare in the univerfal choir of affairs. WHILE I am confidering the heavenly bodies, I mutt not entirely forget thofe fundamental laws of our modern aftronomy, projection and attraction. One of which is the all-combining cement, the other is the ever-operative fpring, of the mighty frame. In the beginning, the all-creating FIAT imprefled a proper degree of motion on each of thofe whirling orbs : Which, if not controlled, would have carried them on, in ftrait lines, and to endlefs lengths ; till they were even loft in the abyfs of fpace. But the gravita- ting property, being added to the projectile force, de- termined their courfcs to a circular * form ; and obli- ged the reluctant rovers to perform their deftincd rounds, * I am aware, the planetary orbits are not ftri&ly circular, but rather elliptical. However, as they are but a fmall remove from the perfectly round figure, and partake of it incompa- rably more than the trajectories of the comets, I chufe to re- prefent the thing in this view. Efpecially, becaufe the notion of a circle is fo much more intelligible to the generality of readers, than that of an ellipfis ; and becaufe I laid it down for a rule, not to admit any fuch abflrufe fentiment, or difficult expreffion, as mould demand a painful attention, inftead of railing an agreeable idea. For which reafon, I have avoided technical terms ; have taken no notice of Jupiter's Satellites, or Saturn's ring; have not fo much as mentioned the names of the planets, nor attempted to wade into any depths of the fcience; left, to thofe who have no opportunity of ufing the telefcope, or of acquainting themfelves wich a fyflem of aftro- nomy, I fhould propound riddles, rather than difplay enter- gaining and edifying truths. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 421 rounds. Were either of thofe caufes to fufpend their action, all the harmonioufly-moving i'pheres would be tiifconccrted ; would degenerate into fluggim inactive mattes ', and, falling into the central fire, be burnt to afhes ; or elfe would exorbitate into wild confufion ; and each, by the rapidity of its whirl, be diffipated in- to atoms. But the impulfive ar;t attractive energy being raoft nicely attempered to each other ; and, un- der the immediate operation of the Almighty, exert- ing themfelvesin perpetual concert ; the various globes run their radiant races, without the leaft interruption or the leaft deviation ; fo as to create the alternate changes of day and night, and difhibute the uieful vi- ciffitudes ofjucceedtngezns ; fo as to anfwer all the great ends of a gracious providence, and procure eve- ry comfortable convenience for universal nature. Does not this constitution of the material, very na- turally lead the thoughts to thofe grand principles of the moral and devotional world, faith and love? Thefe are often celebrated by the infpired apoftle, as a com- prehenfive fummary of the gofpel *. Thefe inipirit the bread, and regulate the progreis, of each private Chriflian. Thefe unite the whole congregation of the faithful to GOD, and one another : to GOD, the great centre, in the bonds of gratitude and devoti- on ; to one another, by a reciprocal intercourfe of brotherly affections, and friendly offices. If you afk, Why is it impoflible for the true believer to live at all adventures ? to Jl 'agnate in floth, or habitually to deviate from duty ? We anfwer, It is owing to * c his faith, working by love f ." He afTuredly truftj, that CHRIST has fuftained the infamy, and endured the torment due to his fins. He firmly relies on that divine propitiation, for the pardon of all his guilt ; and humbly expects everlafling falvation, as the pur- chafe of his Saviour's merits. This produces fuch a ipirit of gratitude, as refines his inclinations, and ani- mates * Col. i. 4. Philem. ver. 5, -f Gal. v. 6. 422 CONTEMPLATIONS mates his whole behaviour. He cannot, he cannot run to excefs of riot ; becaufe love to his adorable Re- deemer, like a ftrong, but filken curb, fweetly reftrains him. He cannot, he cannot lye lulled in a lethargic in- dolence, becaufe love to the fame infinite Benefactor, like a pungent, but endearing//?r, pleafingly excites him. In a word, fcith fupplies the powerful impulfe, while love .gives the determining bias ; and leads the willing feet, through the whole circle of G OD'S com- mandments. By the united efficacy of theie heavenly graces , the Chriftian conduct is prefer ved, in the uni- formity and beauty of holinefs ; as, by the blended power of thole Newtonian principles, the folar fyftem revolves, in a fteadv and magnificent regularity. How admirable, how exterifive, how diverfified, is the force of this fingle principle, attraction * / This penetrates the very offence of all todies, and difiufes itfelf to the remoteft limits of the mundane fyftem. By this, the worlds imprefled with motion, hang/<?//- balanced on their centres f ; and, though orbs of im- menfe magnitude, require nothing but this amazing property for their fupport. To this we afcribe a phe- nomenon, of a very different kind, the prefjure of the -atmofphere ; which, though a yielding and expanfwe fluid, yet conftipated by an attractive energy, fur- rounds the whole globe, and inclofes every creature, as it were, with a tight bandage. An expedient this, abfolutely necefTary to preferve the texture of our bo- dies ; and indeed, to maintain every fpecies of animal cxiftence. -^Attraction ! Urged by this wonderful im- petus, the rivers circulate, copious and unintermitted, among all the nations of the earth ; fweeping with ra- pidity down the fteeps, or foftly ebbing through the plains. Impelled by the fame mylterious force, the nutritious juices are detached from the foil ; and, af- cending * I mean the attraction both of gravitation and cohejion^ j- Ponderibus libratefuis. OviiK on the STARRY HEAVENS. 423. tending the trees, find their way through millions of the fined meanders, in order to transfuie vegetative life into all the branches. This confines the ocean within proper bounds. Though the waves thereof roar ; though they tofs themfelves, with all the madnefs of indignant rage ; yet checked by this potent, this ine- vitable curb, they are unable to pals even the flight barrier of fand. To this the mountains owe that un- Ihaken firmnefs, which laughs .at the fhock of career- ing winds'; and bids the tempeft, with all its mingled horrors, impotently rave. By virtue of this inviiible mechanifm, without the aid of crane or pulley, or any inflrument of human device, many thoufan-d tons of water are raifed, every moment, into the regions of the firmament. By this, they continue Jufpended in, thin air, without any capacious cittern to contain their fubftance, or any many pillars to fuftain their weight. By this fame varioufly-afting power, they return to the place of their native refidence ; di/iilled in gentle falls of dew, or precipitated in impetuous mowers of rain. Theyjlide into the fields in fleecy flights of fnow, or are darted upoji the houfes in clattering ftorms of hail. This occafions the ftrong cohefion of folid bodies. Without which, our large machines could exert themfelves with no vigour ; and the nicer ntenfils of life would elude our expectations of fervicc. This affords a foundation for all thofe delicate or noble mechanic arts, which furnifh mankind with number- lefs conveniences, both of ornament and delight. In fhort, this is the prodigious ballaft, which com- pofes the equilibrium, and conftitutes the liability of things ; this the great chain^ which forms the connec- tions of universal nature ; and the mighty engine^ which prompts, facilitates, and, in good meafure, ac- complifhesall her operations. What complicated effects from, a fingle caufe * ! What profuiion amidfl frugali- ty! * See another remarkable inftance of this kind, in the c- fleflknz 424 CONTEMPLATIONS ty ! An unknown profufion of benefits, with the ut~ moft frugality of expence ! And what is this attradion ? Is it a quality, in its exigence, infeparable from matter ; and, in its acling independent on the DEITY ? Quite the reverfe. It is the very finger of GOD ; the conftant impreffion of divine power ; a principle, neither innate in mat- ter, nor intelligible by mortals. Does it not, how- ever, bear a confiderable analogy to the agency of the HOLY GHOST, in the Chrittian ceconomy ? Are not the gracious operations of the bleffed Spirit, thus extenfive, thus admirable, thus various f -That al- mighty Being tranfm its his gifts through every age, and communicates his graces to every adherent on the Redeemer. All, either of illuflrious memory, or of beneficial tendency ; in a word, " all the good that ct is done upon earth, he doth it himfelf." Strong in his aid, and in the power of his might, the faints of all times have trod vice under their feet ; have triumph- ed over this abject world ; and converfed in heaven, while they dwelt on earth. Not /, but the grace of COD 'which "was with me *, is the unanimous ac- knowledgment of them all.- By the fame kindly fuccours, the whole church is ftill enlightened, quick- ened, and governed. Through his benign influences, the fcales of ignorance fall from the understanding ; the leprofy of evil concupifcence is purged from the will; and the fetters, the more than adamantine fetters of habitual iniquity, drop off from the con vcrfation. He breathes even upon dry bones *j~, and they live : they are animated with faith; they pant with ardent and hea- venly defire ; they exerciie themfelves in all the duties of fleflions on a Flower Garden, page 179. together with a fine obiervation, quoted in the correfponding note. * i Cor. xv. 10. -j- See that beautiful piece of facred and allegorical imagery !ifplayed, Ezek. xxxvii. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 42$ of godlinefs. His real, though fecret, infpiration, diflblves the flint in the impenitent breaft, and binds up thcforrows of the broken heart ; raif^s the thoughts high, in the elevations of holy hope ; yet lays them low in the humiliations of inward abafement ; fleets the foul with impenetrable refolutioii, and perfevering fortitude ; at the fame time, foftens it into a dove- like meeknefs, and melts it in penitential forrow. WH EN I contemplate thofe ample and magnificent ftruclures, erected over all the aethereal plains : when I look upon them as fo many fplendid repofito- ries of light, or fruitful abodes of life : when I re- member, that there may be other orbsj vaflly more remote than thofe which appear to our unaided fight ; orbs, whofe effulgence, though travelling ever fince the creation, is not yet arrived upon our coafts * : when I flretch my thoughts to the innumerable orders of * If this conjecture (which has no lefs a perfon than the celebrated Mr Huygensfor its author) concerning unfeen flar s 9 be true; if, to this obfervation, be added, what is affirmed by our Ikilful aftronorners, that the motion of the rays of light is fo ferpH/irigfy Jviiftj as to pafs thro' ten millions of miles in a lingle minute : how vaft ! beyond imagination vail and unmeafurabie, are the fpaces of the univerfe ! While the mind is diltended with the grand idea ; or rather, while (he is difpatching her ablelt powers of piercing judgment, and ex- curfive fancy ; and finds them all draptjtXirt} all baffled by the amazing fubjeclj permit me to apply that fpirited excla* mation, and noble remark Say, proud arch, Built with divine ambition ; in dlfdain Of limit built ; built in the ta(te of heav'n ! Vafl concave ! ample dome ! waft thou defign'd A meet apartment for the DEITY ? Not fo : that thought alone thy fate impairs : Thy lofty finks; and (hallows thy profound ; And ftreightens thy <i-ffufive. Might-Thoughts, N l VOL. I. N* 5. 3 H 426 C O N T E M P L A T I O N- S of being, which inhabit all thofe fpacious fyftems ; from the loftieft jer- aph y to the loweft reptile ; from the armies of angels, which furround the throne of JEHOVAH, to the puny nations, which tinge with blue tire furface of the pkwrr*, or mantle the (land- ing pool with grec?n : how various appear the links in this immenfe chain ! how vaft the gradations in this univerfal icale of exiftence ! Yet all thefe, though ever fo vaft and various, are the -work of G OD 's hand, and are full- of his preferice. He rounded in his palm thofe dreadfully-large globes, which are pendulous in the vault of heaven. He kindled thofe aitonifhingly-brigh!; fires, which fill the firmament with a flood of glory. By him they are fufpended in fluid aether, and cannot be maken : by him they difpenfe a perpetual tide of beams, and are never exhaufted. He formed, with inexpreffible nicety, that delicately-fine collection of tubes ; that unknown multiplicity of fubtile (prings, which orga- nize and actuate the frame of the minutell inieft. He bids tiie crmifon current roll ; the vital movements play ; and affociates a world of wonders, even in an animated point -f. In all thefe is a fignal exhibition of creating * Ev'n the blue down the purple plum furrounds r A living -world, thy failing light confounds. To H i M a peopled habitation (hews, Where millions tafle the bounty GOD be^ows. See a beautiful and inftruftiv: po^m^Jiyled DEITY. -f There are living creatures abundantly fmaller than the" mite. Mr Bradley, in his treatife on gardening, mentions an in- fei, which, after accurate exa-mination, he found to be a thou- far.d times left than the leajl vifible grain of (and. Yet fuch an infecl, tho' quite imperceptible to the naked eye, is an elephant,, is a whale, compared with other animalcules almoii infinitely more minute, difcovered by Mr Lfwenhoeck. If we eonfider the feveral limbs which compoie fuch an organized particle'; tha different niufcles which actutate fuch a fet of limbs ; the flow of fpirits, incomparably more attenuated, which put thofe mufcies on the STARRY HEAVENS. ,427 -creating power ; to all thefe are extended the rpecial regards of preferving goodnefs. -From hence let -me learn to rely on the providence, and to revere the prefence, of the Supreme Majefty. To rely on his -providence. For, am-idfl that incon- ceivable number and variety of beings, which fwarm through the regions of creatipn, not one is overlook- ed, not one is neglected, by the great omnipotent Caufe of all. However inconsiderable in its character, or diminutive in its fize, it is (till the production of the univerfal Maker, and belongs to the family of the al- mighty Father ! What tho* inthroned archangels enjoy the VJH//W of his countenance ! yet the low inha- bitants of the earth, the m oil .defpic able worms of the ground, are not excluded from his. providential care. Tho' the manifestation of his perfections is vouchfafed to holy and intellectual elFenc-es ; his ear is open to the cries of the young raven. His eye is attentive to the wants, and to the welfare, of the very meaneft births of nature. How much lefs, then, are his own people dif- -regarded ? thofe, for whom he has delivered his belo- ved Son to death, and for whom he has prepared ha- bitations of eternal joy. T/ieyd if regarded ! No. TH E Y are " kept as the apple of an eye." The very hairs of their head are all numbered. The fondeft mother may forget the infant, that is " dandled upon her *' knees/' and fucks at her breaft *, muc.h .fooner tfeaa mufcles in motion; the various .fluids which circulate; the different iecretions which are performed ; together with the peculiar minutenefs of the.foiids, before they arrive at their full growth ; not to mention other more^ijionilbing modes of diminution : lure, we fiwll have theutmolt reafon to acknow- ledge, that the adored Maker is MAXIMUS IN MINIMIS; greatly glorious even in his fmalleft works. * If. xlix. 15. Can^a ivsman forget her fucking chlld^ that fie fhould not have companion on the fun of her luornb? Yea, they may fidget ; yet will I not forget the.s. How delicate and ex- 3 H ?, preCive 428 CONTEMPLATIONS than the Father of everlafling companions can difcon- tinue, or remit, his watchful tendernefs to his people his children his heirs. Let this teach me alfo a more lively fenfe of the divine prefence. All the rolling worlds above, all the living atoms below, together witli all the beings that intervene betwixt thefe wide extremes, are vouchers for an ever-prefcnt Deity. " GOD has not left himfelf * c without witnefs." The marks of his footfleps arc evident preflive are the images in this charming fcripture ! How full of beauty, if beheld in a critical, how rich with confolation, if confidered in a believing, view ! Can a -woman ! one of the fofter fex ; whofe nature is moll imprefiible, and whofe paf- {ions are remarkably tender ; can fuch a one, not barely dif- regard, but entirely forget ; not fufpend her care for a while, but utterly erafe the very memory of her child ; her own child, not another's ; a child that was formed in her womb, and is a part of herfelf ? her/on ; the more important, and therefore more defirable fpecies; to whom it peculiarly belongs to preferve the name, and build up the family : her only fon ; for the world is fmgular, and refers to a cafe, where the off- fpring, not being numerous, but centered in a (ingle birth, muft be productive of the tended endearment : Can {he divert her- i'elf of all concern for fuch a child; not when he is grown up to maturity, or gone abroad from her houfe ; but while he con- tinues in an infantile flate, and muft owe his whole fafety to her kind attendance ; while he lyes in her bofom, reds on her arm, and evenfucks at her breaft ? Especially, if the poor innocent be racked with pain, or lei zed by fome fevere affliction ; and fo become an object of ccmfajjion, as well as of love. Can flic hear its piercing cries ; can ihe fee it all rettlefs, all helplefs, un- der its niifery ; and feel no emotions of parental pity ? If one fuch monfter of inhumanity might be found ; could all (her? the prophet, to give his companion the utmoft energy, changes the fingular number into the plural. It is not NTH m, or nnx o) but H^K 02, could all} mothers be fo degenerate ? This, fure, cannot be fufpecled, need not be feared. Much lefs need the true believer be apprehenfjve of the failure of my kindnefs. An unlverfal extinction of tliofeftrongeft affections of nature, is a more fuppofable cafe, than that I mould evey be unmindful of my people, or regardkfs of their i on the STARRY HEAVENS. 429 evident in every place, and the touches of his finger diftinguimable in every creature. " Thy name is fo nigh, * 4 O thou all-fupporting, all-informing LORD ; and ** that do thy wondrous-works declare* . Thy goodnefs " warms in the morning-fun, arid refremes in the even- <c ing-breeze. Thy glory mines in the lamps ofmid- " night, and fmiles in the bloffoms of fpring. We < c fee a trace of thy incomprehenfibje grandeur in the " boundlefs extent of things ; and zJJtetch of thy ex- " quifite (kill, in thofe aXmoftevaneJcent fparksof life, " the infect race." How ftupid is this heart of mine, that, amidftfuch a multitude of remembrancers, throng- ing on every fide, I mould forget thee afingle moment I Grant me, thou great I AM ; thou fource and fupport of universal exiftence ; O grant me, an enlightened eye, to difccrn thee in every object ; and a devout heart, to adore thee on every occafion. Inftead of living without GOD in the world, may I be ever with him, and fee all things full of him ! The glitt'tingftars, By the deep ear of meditation heard, Still in their midnight -watches fing of HIM. He nods a calm. The tempeft blows his wrath The thunder is his voice; and the red flafh His fpeedy fword of juftice. ^4t his touch The mountains flame. He /hakes the f olid earth * ^4nd rocks the nations. Nor in theje alone ^ In ev'ry common inilance God is feen. THOMSON'S Spring. IF the beautiful fpangles which a clear night pours on the beholder's eye ; if thofe olher fires which beam, in remoter fkies, and are difcoverable only by, that revelation to the fight, the telefcope ; if all thofe bright millions are fo many fountains of day, enriched with Dative and independent luftre, illuminating planets, and * Pfal. Ixxy. 2. 430 CONTEMPLATIONS and enlivening fyftems of their own* : what pomp, how majeftic and fplendid, is difclofed in themidnight- icene ! What riches are difTemlnated through all thofe jiumberlefs provinces of the great JE HO v AH 's empire. Grandeur beyond expreffion ! Yet there is not the meaneft flave, but carries greater wealth in his own bofom, poffeifes fuperior dignity in his own perion. The/o/, that informs his clay ; The foul, that teaches him to think, and enables him to chufe ; that qualifies .him to relim rational pleafure, and to breathe fublime defire f ;-~ The foul, that is endowed with fuch noble faculties, and above all, is diftinguimed with the dreadful, the glorious capacity, of being pained, or blefled for ever ; this foul iurpaifes in worth, what- ever the eye -can fee ; whatever of material the fancy- can imagine. Before one fuch intellectual being, ali the treaiure and all the magnificence of unintelligent creation becomes poor and contemptible J. For this foul, * Confult with Reafon, Reafon will reply, Each lucid pQintj which glows in yonder &y, Inforais zfyfiem in the boundlefs fpace, And 'fills, with glory, its appointed place : With beams unborrow'd, brightens other Hues; And worlds, to thee unknown^ with heat and life fupplies. The Univerfe,, *|- In this refpeft, as veiled with fuch capacities, the foul e- ven of fallen men has an unquettionable^reatnefs and dignity; is majejiic, though in ruin, $. I beg leave to tranfcribe a pertinent paifage, from that celebrated mafter of reafon, and univerfal literature, Dr Bent- icy ; whom no one can be tempted to fufpeft either tinctured with enthufiafm, or warped to bigotry. " If we conlider,'* fays he, " the dignity of an intelligent being, and put that in 44 the fcale againft brute and inanimate matter, we may affirm, *' without overvaluing human nature, that the foul of one * l vK'tuous and religious man is of greater worth and excellen- *' cy, than the fun, and his planets, and afl the ftars in the See his .fermons at Boyle's led. N? 8. on the STARRY HEAVENS. 43* foul, Omnipotence itfelf has waked, and worked, through every age. To convince this foul, the funda- mental laws of nature have been controlled ; and the moft amazing miracles have alarmed all the ends of the earth. To inflrutt this foul, the wifdom of hea- ven has been transfufed into the faered page ; and miffionaries have been fent from the great King, who refides in light unapproachable. Tojantfify this foal, the almighty Comforter takes the wings of a dove \ and, with a fweet transforming influence, broods on the human heart. And O ! to redeem this foul from guilt, to refcue it from hell, the heaven of heavens waj> bowed, and Goi> himfelf came down to dwell in duft ! Let me paufe a while upon this important fubjecl:. What are the fchemes which engage the attention of eminent flatefmen, and mighty monarchs, compa- red with the grand interests of an immortal foul ? The fupport of commerce, and the fuccefs of armies,, though extremely weighty affairs ; yet, if laid in the balance againft the falvation of a foul, are lighter than the downy feather, poifed againft talents of gold. To fave a navy from flip-wreck, or a kingdom fromyfo- very, are deliverances of the 'moft momentous nature, which the tranfa&ions of mortality can admit. But O ! how they fhrink into an inconlldcrablc trifle, if (their afpetl; upon immortality forgot) they are fet in com- petition with the delivery of a fingle foul, from the anguifli and horrors of a dijlreffed eternity * / Is fuch the importance of the foul ! what vigilance then can be too much, or rather what holy folicitude can \xjufficicnt, for the overfeers of the Saviour's flock and the guardians of this great, this venerable, this invaluable charge ? Since fuch is the importance of the foul, wilt thou not, O man, be watchful for thq prefervatioii * Not all yon luminaries qucncb'd at once Were half fo Cad as one benighted mind, Which gropes for bapoinds and meets defpair Wight-ThQughts N? IX. 432 CONTEMPLATIONS prefervation of thy own ? Shall every cafual incident awaken thy concern ; every tranlitory toy command thy regard ? and (hall the welfare of thy foul, a work of continual occurrence, a work of endleisconfequence, fue, in vain, for thy ferious care. Thy foul, thy foul is thy all. If this bejecured, thou art greatly rich, and wilt be nnfpeakably happy. If this be /o/?, a whole world acquired, will leave thee in poverty ; and all its delights enjoyed, will abandon thee to mifery. I HA VE often been charmed, and awed, at the fight of the nocturnal heavens ; even before I knew how to confider them in their proper circumftances of majefty and beauty* Something^ like magic, has ftruck my mindj on a tranfient and unthinking furvey of the aethereal vault, tinged throughout with the pureft azure, and decorated with innumerable ftarry lamps. I have felt, I know not what, powerful and aggran- dizing itnpnlfe ; which feemed to fnatch me from the low entanglements of vanity, and prompted an ardent figh forjublimer objetfs* Methought, I heard, even from the filent fpheres, a commanding call, to fpurn the abject earth, and pant after unfeen delights. ' Henceforward, I hope to imbibe more copioufly this moral emanation of the fkies^ when, in fome fuch man- ner as the preceding, they are rationally feen, and the fight is duly improved. The ftars, I truft, wiil teach as well ?& fhinc ; and help to difpel, both na- ture's gloom, and my intellectual darknefs. To fome people, they difcharge no better a fervice, than that of holding a flambeau to their feet, and foftening the horrors of their night. To me and my friends, may they act as minifters of a fuperior order, as counfel- lors of wifdom, and guides to happinefs 1 Nor will they fail to execute this nobler office, if they gently light our way into the knowledge of their adored Ma- ker ; if they point out, with their filver rays, our path to his beatific prefence. ' - I ga2e, on the STARRY HEAVENS. 433 I gaze, I ponder. I ponder, I gaze ; and think in- effable things. Iroll an eye of awe and admiration. Again and again I repeat my ravifhed views j and can never fatiate either my curiofity, or my inquiry. I fpring my thoughts into this immenfe field, till even Fancy tires upon her wing. I find wonders ever new ; wonders more and more amazing. Yet, after all my prefent inquiries, what a mere nothing do I know ; by all my future fearches, how little mall I be able to learn, of thole vaflly diftant funs, and their circling retinue of worlds ! Could I pry with Newton's piercing fagacity, or launch into his exterilive furvcys ; even then my apprehenfions would be little better, than thofe dim and Fcanty images,, which the mcle, jufl emerged from her cavern, receives on her feeble op- tic. This, lure, (hould reprefs all impatient or im- moderate ardor to pry into the iecrets of the ftarry ilructures, and make me more particularly careful to cultivate my heart. To fathom the depths of the di- vine efTence, or to fcan univerfal nature with a criti- cal exa&nefs, is an attempt which lets the acuteft phi- lofopher very nearly an a level with the idiot ; fince it is almoft, if not altogether, as impracticable by the for- mer, as by the latter. Be it, then, my chief ftudy, not to purfue what is ablblutely unattainable ; but rather to feek what is obvious to find, eafy to be acquired, and of inefli- mable advantage when pofTefTed. O 1 let me feek that charity which ctlificth*, that faith which purifieth. Love 7 * r Cor. viii. r. I need not inform ray reader, that in this text, in that admirable chapter, t 6br. xiii. and in various o- ther pafiages of fcriptnre, the word charity fhould by no means be confined to the particular act of alms-giving, or external beneficence. It is of a much more exalted and extenfive na- ture. It fignifies that divinely-precious grace, which warms the' foul with fuf rente hve to GOD, and enlarges it with dijintcr- tjled ajj'eflion for men, ^\ r iiich renders it the reigning care of " VOL. I.N5, 3! ' 434 CONTEMPLATIONS Love, humble love, not conceited fcience, keeps the door of heaven . Faith, a child-like faith in Jefus ; not the haughty felf-fufficient fpirit, which fcorris to be ignorant of any thing ; prefents a key * to thofe abodes of blifs. This prefent flate is the fcene deflined to the exercije of devotion ; the irivifible world is the place appointed for the enjoyment of knowledge. There the dawn of our infantile minds will be advanced to the maturity of perfect day ; or rather, there our midnight-fhades will be brightened into all the luftre of noon. There the fouls which come from the fchool of faith, and bring with them the principles of love, will dwell in light itfelf j will be obfcured with no darknefs at all ; will know, even as they are known f. Such an unacquain- tance, therefore, do I deiire to form, and to carry on fuch a correfpondence, with the heavenly bodies, as may fhed a benign influence on the feeds of grace im- planted in my bread. Let the exalted tracls of the firmament fink my foul into deep humiliation. Let thofe eternal fires kindle in my heart an adoring grati- tude to their almighty Sovereign. Let yonder ponde- rous and endrmous globes, which reft on his fupport- ing arm, teach me an unfliakcn affiance in their incar- nate Maker. Then fliall I be if not wife as the a- ftronomical adept, yet WISE UNTO SALVATION. HAVING now walked and wormipped in this /- verfal temple^ that is arched with fkies, emblazed with ftars, the life, and chief delight of the heart, to promote the happi- iiefs of the one, and the glory of the other. This^ this is that charity of which fo many excellent things are every where fpoken; which can never be too highly extolled, or too ear- neftly coveted, fmce it is the image of GOD, and the very fpirit of heaven. * The righteoufnefs of CHRIST. This \~> what MILTON beatifully ftyles, The golden key, That opes the palace *f Eternity. j- i Cor. xiii, 12, on the STARRY HEAVENS. 435 flars, and extended even to immenfity : having caft an eye, like the enraptured patriarch * ; an eye of rcafon and devotion, through the magnificent fcene : with the former, having difcovered an infinitude of worlds ; and with the latter, having met the Deity in every view : having beheld, as Mofes in the flaming bum, a glimpfe of JEHOVAH'S excellencies ! reflecl- cd from the feveral planets, and dreaming from my- riads of celeftial luminaries : having read various lei- fons in that flupendous book of wijdom-f, where un- meafurablc meets of azure compofe the page ; and orbs of radiance write in everlafting characters, a comment on our creed : what remains, but that I clofe the midnight-folemnity, as our LORD concluded his grand facramental inftitution, with a fong of praije f And behold a hymn, fuited to the fublime occafion, indited by} infpiration itfelf, transferred into our language, by || one of the happieft efforts of human ingenuity. The fpcicious firmament on high, With all the blue ether ealjky, Andfpangled heav'ns, a fhining frame ^ ^Their great Original proclaim : Th' uniueary'd S, from day to day, Does his Creator's pow'r difplay ; And publi/hes to ev'ry land^ 'The work of an almighty hand. Soon as the ewmng-jfhades prevail, The Moon takes up the 'wondrous tale; And nightly, to the lift'ning Earth^ Repeats the ftory of her birth : * Gem xv. 5. -j- For heaven Is as the btok of GOD before thee fet t Wherein, to read his wondrous works. MILT. Pfal. xix. J) ADDISON, Spett. vol. VI. N? 465, 3 I 2 436 C O N T E MP L A T I O N S, & c< Whit* all theftars, that round her burn <And all the planets in their turn^ Confirm the tidings as they roll, jlndfpread the truth from pole to pole. What though^ in folemnjilencc, all Move round the dark terreftrial ball f What though nor real voice n$r found jfmid their radiant orbs be found? In Rfafon's ear they all rejoice^ jfnd utter forth a glorious voice y For ever fmging) as they fiinc , The hand that made us is diving WINTER-PIECE. Storms and Tempefts may calm the foul Soiy a^ /Cff <r taught to warm the heart, and praife the Creator* Anonym. Lett, to the Author. See p. 440. <|*KX*|><H^ A W I N T E R-P I E G E. j'T^IS true, in the delightful feafons, HIS tender- JL nefs and HIS love are mod eminently difplay- ed. In the vernal months, all is beauty to the eye, and mufic to the ear. The clouds drop fatnels ; the air foftens into balm ; and flowers in rich abundance ipring where-ever we tread, bloom where-ever we look. Amidft the burning heats ofjiimmer, HE ex- pands the leaves, and thickens the {hades. He fpreads the cooling arbor to receive us, and awakes the gen- tle breeze to fan us. The mofs iwells into a couch, for the repofe of our bodies ; while the rivulet foft- ]y rolls, and fweetly murmurs, to footh our imagin- ation. In autumn^ HIS bounty covers the fields with a profufion of nutrimental treafure, and bends the boughs with loads of delicious fruit. He furniftics his hofpitable board with prefent plenty, and prepares a copious magazine for future wants. But is it only in thefe finiling periods of the year, that GOD, the all-gracious GOD, is feen ? Has ivinter, ftern winter, no tokens of his prefcnce ? Yes : all things are elo- quent of his praife. " His way is in the whirlwind." Storms and tempefts fulfil his word, and extol his power. Even piercing frofts bear witnefs to his goodnefs, while they bid the mivering nations tremble at his wrath. 440- A WINTER-PIECE. wrath. Be winter then, for a while, our theme * Perhaps, thofe barren fcenes may be fruitful of intel- lectual improvement. Perhaps, that rigorous cold, which binds the earth in icy chains, may ferve to en- large our hearts, and warm them with holy love. SEE! how the day isfliortened? The fun, detained 111 fairer climes, or engaged in more agreeable fervi- ces, rifes, like an unwilling vifitant, with tardy and reluctant fteps. He walks, with a fhy indifference, along the edges of the fouthern iky ; cafting an oblique glance, he jufts looks upon our dejected world ; and fcarcely fcatters light through the thick air. Dim is his appearance, languid are his gleams, while he con- tinues. Or, if he chance to wear a brighter afpeft, siid a eloudlefs brow ; yet, like the young and gay in the houie of mourning, he feems uneaiy, till he is gone, is in haite to depart. And let him depart. "Why fliould we wifh for his longer ftay, fince he can fhevv us nothing but the creation in cliftreis ? The flowery families lye dead, and. the tuneful tribes are ftruck dumb. The trees, flript of their verdure, and lamed by florms, fpread their naked arms to the en- raged and relentlefs heavens. Fragrance no longer floats in the air ; but chilling damps hover, or cut- ting gates blow. Nature, diverted of all her beauti- ful robes, fits, like a forlorn difconfolate widow, in her weeds. * A fketch of this nature, I muft acknowledge, is quite different from the fubject of the book ; and, I cannot but de- clare, was as far tiiffant from the thoughts of the author. But the defire Q$ ftfvcral acquaintance, together with an intimation cf its ufefulnefs, by a very fvlite letter from an unko'ivn hand, (which has undone dly furnifl)ed ms with the beft nsotto I could recoiled,) prevailed with me to add a few defcriptive t:jv.ci)cs, and improving hints, on what b fo often experienced in thefe northern regions. I hope, the attempt I have made to oblige thefe gentlemen, will obtain thcapfrobatioti) or ? at leaft, the fxctfa of my their readers. A WINTER-PIECE. 441 Weeds. While winds, in doleful accents, howl; and rains, in repeated (bowers, weep. We regret not, therefore, the fpeedy departure of the day. When the room is hung with funeral black , and difmal objects are all around, who would defire to have thcgiirnmeringtaptr kept alive ? which can only difcover ' fpeclacles of ibrrow, can only make the horror vifible. And, fince this mortal life is little better than a continual conflict with fin, or an unremitted ftruggle with mifery ; is it not a gracious ordination, which has reduced our age to a/pan f Fourfcore years of tri- al, for the virtuous, are fufficiently long ; and more than fuch a term allowed to the wicked, would render them beyond all meafure vile. Our way to the king- dom of heaven lyes through tribulations. Shall we then accufe, (hall we not rather blejs, the providence, which has made the paffage fhort ? Soon, foon we crofs the vale of tears ; and then arrive on the happy hills, where light for ever (nines, where joy for ever fmiles. SOMETIMES the day is rendered fhorter (till ; is almoft blotted out from the year *. The vapours ga- ther ; they thicken into an impenetrable gloom, and obfcure the face of the fey. At length, the rains de- fcend. The flukes of the firmament are opened ; and the low-hung clouds pour their congregated (tores. Co- pious and unintermitted, flill they pour, and (till areun- exhaufted. The waters drop inceifantly from the eaves, and rufh in rapid (treams from the fpouts. They roar along the channelled pavements, and (tand in foul dial- lows amidft the village- (Ireets. Now, if the inatten- tive eye, or negligent hand, has left the roof but fcan- tily covered ; the infmuating element finds its way in- to every flaw, and oozing through the ceiling, at once upbraids and chaftiies the carelefs inhabitant. The ploughman, "* Involvere diem nimbi, et nox humlda ccelum Abftulit. VIRC. VOL. I. N5. ,3K 443 A WINTER-PIECE. ploughman, foaked to the fkin, leaves his half-tilled acre. The poor poultry, dripping with wet, croud into fhelter. The tenants of the bough fold up their wings, afraid to launch into the ftreaming air. The beatts, joylels and diipirited, ruminate under their iheds. The roads fwim, and the brooks fwell. The river, amidft all this watery ferment, long contained itfelf within its appointed bounds : but, fwollen by innumerable currents, and roufed at laft into uncon- trollable rage, burfts over its banks, (hoots into the plain, bears down all oppofition, ipreads itfelf far and wide, and buries the meadow under a brown, fluggiQi, foaking deluge. How happy for man, that this inundation comesj when there are no flowery crops in the valley, to be overwhelmed ; no fields Handing thick with corn, to be laid wafte 1 Atfuch a juncture, it would have been ruin to the hufbandman and his family : but, thus ti- med, it yields manure for his ground, and promifes him riches in revcrfion. How often, and how long, has the divine Majeftybore with the moft injurious affronts from finners ! His goodnefs triumphed over their per- verfenefs, and graciouily refufed to be exafperated. But, O presumptuous creatures, multiply no longer your provocations. Urge not, by repeated iniquities, the almighty arm to flrike ; left his long-fuffering ceafe, and his fierce anger break forth ; break forth Jike & flood of waters *, and iweep you away into ir- recoverable and everlafting perdition. How mighty ! how majeftic ! and O how myfte- rious are thy works, thou GOD of heaven, and LORD of nature ! When the air is calm, where deep the ft or my winds f In what chambers are they repofed, or in What dungeons confined ? till thou art pleafed to awaken their rage, and throw open their priibn-rdoors. Then, * Hof. v. 10. A WINTER-PIECE. 443 Then, with irrefiftible impetuofity they fly forth, fcat- tering dread, and menacing deltruftion. The atmofphere is hurled into the mod tumultuous confufion. The asreal torrent burfh its way over mountains, feas, and continents. All things feel the dreadful {hock. All things tremble before the furious blaft. Thefore/t, vexed and tore, groans under the icourge. Her (turdy fons are (trained to the very root, and almoft i'weep the foil they were wont to fhade. The (tubborn oak, that difdains to bend, is dallied headlong to the ground ; and, with Shattered arms, with proftrate trunk, blocks the road. While the flexile reed, that fprings up in the marlh, yielding to the guft, (as the meek and pliant temper to injuries, or the refigned and patient fpirit to misfortunes,) eludes the force of the ftarm, and furvives amklil the wide- ipread havock. For a moment, the turbulent and outrageous fky feems to be affuaged ; but it intermits its wrath, only to increafe its ftrength. Soon the founding fquadrons of the air return to the attack, and renew their rava- ges with redoubled fury. The (lately dome rocks a- midft the wheeling clouds. The impregnable tower totters on its bafis, and threatens to overwhelm whom it was intended to protect. The ragged rock is rent in pieces * r and even the hills, the perpetual hills, on their deep foundations, are fcarcely fecure. Where now is the place of fafety ? when the city reels, and houfes become heaps ! Sleep affrighted flies. Diver- lion is turned into horror. All is uproar in the ele- ment ; all is consternation among mortals ; and no- thing, but one wide fcene of rueful deva(tation, thro* the land. Yet this is only an inferior minuter of divine difpleafure ; the executioner of mUder indig- - nation. How then, O ! how -will the lofty looks of be humbled^ and the haughtinejs of men be boiued * i Kings xix. ir. 3K ? 444 A WINTER-PIECE. down *, when the LORD GOD omnipotent mall meditate terror, when he (hall fet all his terrors in array, when he riles to judge the nations, and to /hake terribly the earth ? The ocenn i wells with tremendous commotions. The ponderous waves are heaved from their capacious bed, and almoft lay bare the unfathomable deep. Flung into the moft rapid agitation, they fweep over the rocks ; they lafti the lofty cliffs ; and tofs themielves into the clouds. Navies are rent from their anchors ; and, with all their enormous load, are whirled, fwift as the arrow, wild as the winds, along the vaft abyfs. -Now they climb the rolling mountain ; they plough the frightful ridge ; and feem to fkim the ikies. Anon they plunge into the opening gulf ; they lofe the fight of day ; and arc loft themfelves to every eye. How vain is the pilot's art ! how impotent the mariner's flrength ! They reel to and fro, and dagger in the jarring hold ; or cling to the cordage, while burfting leas foam over the deck. Defpair is in every face, and death fits threatening on every furge. But why, Q ye aftoniftied mariners, why mould you abandon yourfelves to defpair ? Is the LORD's hand Jhortened^ becaule the waves of the fea rage horribly ? Is his ear deafened by the roaring thunders, and the bellow- Ing temped ? Cry, cry unto HIM, who u holdeth " the * Mortalia corda Per gentes humtlis frravit pavor. One would almoft imagine, that Virgil had read Ifaiah, and borrowed his ideas from chap. ii. ver. n. The humilis and Jiravlt of the one fo exa&ly correfpond with the humbled bowed down of the other. But, in one circumitance, the prophet is very much fuperior to the poet. The prophet, by giving a ftriking contrafl to his fentiments, reprefents them with incomparably- greater energy. He fays not, men in the grofs, or the human heart in general : but men of the moft elated looks ; hearts big with the mod arrogant imaginations; even thefe (hall ftoop from their fupercilious heights; even tbefe fhall grovel in the duft'of abafement, and ihudder with all the extremes of an abjeft pufillanhuity. A WINTER-PIECE. 445 " the winds in his fift, and the waters in the hollow " of his hand." HE is all -gracious to hear, and al- mighty to lave. If HE command, the ftorm lhah DC hufiied to filence ; the billows (hall fubhde into a calm ; the lightnings (hall lay their fiery bolts aiicie ; and, infhead of finking in a watery grave, you ihall find yourfelves brought to the defired haven. SOMETIMES, after a joylefs day, a more dif al night fucceeds. The lazy, louring vapours Had u \c fb thick a veil, as the meridian fun could fcarteiy r e- iietrate. What gloom then muft overwhelm the noc- turnal hours ! The moon withdraws her filming. Not a fingle ftar is able to ftruggle through the deep arrangement of (hades. All is pitchy <&/>:;; -/J , with- out one enlivening ray. How folemn 1 how awful 1 *Tis like the fhroud of nature, or the return of chaos. I don't wonder, that it is the parent of terrors, and fo apt to engender melancholy. Lately the tempelt marked its rapid way with mifchief ; now the Mght drefles her filent pavilion with horror. I \\avefometimes left the beaming tapers, withdrawn from the ruddy fire, and plunged into the thicken: of thefe footy (hades ; without regretting the change, rather exulting in it as a welcome deliverance. The very gloom was pleafing, was exhilarating, compared with the conversation I quitted. The fpcech of my companions (how does it grieve me, that I rtionld even once have occafion to call them by that name !) was the language of darknefs ; was horror to the foul, and tor- ture to the ear*. "Their teeth lueref pears and arrows , and * What has been faid, I afk'd my foul, what done ? How flow'd our mirth ? or whence the fource begun? Perhaps, the jeft, that charm'd the fprightfy croud, And made the jovial table laugh fo loud, To fome falfe notion ow'd its poor pretence, To an ambiguous word's perverted fenfe ; TO a wild fonnet, or a wanton air, Offence and torture to the fober ear. Perhaps, 446 A WINTER-PIECE. and their tongue a {Jiarp fword^ to ftab and affaflinate their neighbour's character. Their throat -was an open fepulchre, gaping to devour the reputation of the in- nocent, or tainting the air with their virulent and polluted breath. Sometimes, their licentious and un- governable difcourfe (hot arrows of profanenejs againft heaven itfelf ; and, in proud defiance, challenged the refentment of Omnipotence. Sometimes, as if it was the glory of human nature, to cherifh the grofltft ap- petites of the brute ; or the mark of a gentleman, to have ferved an apprenticefhip in a brothel ; the filthieft jefts of the flews (if low objcenity can be a jefl) were naufeoufly obtruded on the company. All the modeft part were offended and grieved ; while the other be- ibtted creatures laughed aloud, tho* the leprofy of un- cleannds appeared on their lips. Are not thefe pcr- fons prifoners of darknefs, tho* blazing fconces pour artificial day through their rooms ? Are not their ibuls immured in the moft baleful fhades, tho* the noon- tide fun is brightened by flaming on their gilded cha- riots ? They difcern not that great and adorable Be- ing, who fills the univerfe with his infinite and glori- ous pref fence ; who is all eye, to obferve their actions ; all ear, to examine their words . They know not the all- fuffi- cient Redeemer, nor the unfpeakable blefTednefs of his heavenly kingdom. They are groping for the prize of happinefs ; but will certainly grafp the thorn of anxiety. They are wantonly fporting on the brink of a precipice ; and are every moment in danger of falling headlong into irretrievable ruin, and endlejs defpair. They have forced me out, and are, perhaps, deri- ding me in my abfence ; are charging my reverence for the ever-prefent GOD, and my concern for the dig- nity Perhaps, alas ! the pleating ftream was brought From this man's error, from another's fault ; From topics, which good-nature would forget, And prudence mention with the laft regret. Prior's Solomon, A WINTER-PIECE. 447 jiity of our rational nature, to the account of humour and fingularity ; to narrownefs of thought, or four* neis of temper. Be it fo. I will indulge no indigna- tion againft them. If any thing like \lfliould ariie, I will convert it into prayer : " Pity them, O thou " Father of mercies ! Shew them the madnefs of their " profanenefs ! Shew them the bafenefsof their vile " ribaldry ! Let their diffolute rant be turned into " filent forrow and confulion ; till they open their " lips, to adore thine injulted Majefty, and to implore " thy gracious pardon. Till they devote tothyfer- 44 vice, thofe focial hours, and thofe fuperior faculties, " which they are now abufing, to the difhonour of " thy name, to the contamination of their own fouls, u and (unlefs timely repentance intervene) to their *' everlafting infamy and perdition." I ride home amidft the gloomy void. All darkling and iblitary, I can fcarce difcern my horfe's head ; and only guefs out my blind road. No companion, but dan- ger ; or, perhaps, " deftruction ready at my fide*." But, why do I fancy mylelf folitary f Is not the Father of lights, the GOD of my life, the great and everlafting friend, always at my right hand ? Becaufe the day is excluded, is his omniprefence vacated ? Though I have no earthly acquaintance near, to affifl in cafe of a misfortune ; or to beguile the time, and divert uneafy fufpicions, by entertaining conferences ; may I not lay my help upon the Almighty, and con- verle with GOD by humble fupplication ? For this exercife no place is improper, no hour unfeafonable, and no porture incommodious. This is fociety, the beft of ibciety, even in folitude. This is a fund of delights, ea-fily portable, and quite inexhauftible. A treafure this of unknown value ; liable to no hazard from wrong or robbery ; but perfectly fecure to the lonely wanderer, in the mofl darkfome paths. And * Job xviii. 12: 448 A WINTER-PIECE. And why mould Idiftrefs myfelf with apprchenfions of peril f This accefs to GOD is not only an indefea- iible privilege, but a kind of ambulatory garrijon. Thofe who make known their requefts unto GOD, and rely upon his protecting care ; he gives his angels charge over their welfare. His angels are commiffioned to efcort them in their travelling ; and to hold up their goings, that they dam not their foot againft a ftone *. Nay, he himfelf condefcends to be their guardian, and " keeps all their bones, fo that not one of them is *' broken.*' Between thefe perfons, and the moft mif- chievous objects, a treaty of peace is concluded. The articles of this grand alliance are recorded in the book of iev- lation ; and will, when it is for the real bene- fit of believers, affuredly be made good, in the admi- .niftrations of Providence. Inthatday, faith the LORD, "will 1 make a covenant for them with the beafts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creep- ing things of the ground; and they fliall be m league -with the ft ones of the feld-\ . Though they fall head- long on the flints ; even the flints, fitted to fracture the ikull, fliall receive them as into the arms of friend- fhip, and not offer to hurt whom the LORD is pleafed to preicrve. May I then enjoy the prefence of this gracious GOD, and darknefs and light mall be both alike. Let HIM whifper peace to my confcience ; and this dread filence fhall be more charming than the voice of eloquence, or the ftraihs of mufic. Let HIM reveal his ravifhing perfections in my foul ; and I fiiall not want the faf- fron beauties of the morn, the golden glories of noon, or the impurpled evening-fky. I (hall figh only for thofe moil defirable and diftinguifhed realms, where the light of HIS countenance perpetually mines, and confequently "there isj no night there." How * PfaL xci. ii. 12. -j- Job v. 23. Hof. ii. 18. Rev. xxi. 25. A WINTER-PIECE. 449 How furprifing are the alterations of nature ! I left her, the preceding evening, plain and unadorned. But, now, a thick rime has Ihed its hoary honours over all. It has fhagged the fleeces of the (beep, and crifped the travellers locks. The hedges are richly fringed, and all the ground is pi-ofufely powdered. The down- ward branches are taffelled with filver, and the up- right are feathered with the plumy wave. Theyf/zc? are not always the -valuable. The air, amidft all thele gaudy decorations, is charged with chilling and nnwholejome damps. The raw hazy influence ipreads wide ; fits deep ; hangs heavy and oppreffive on the fprings of life. A liftlels languor clogs the animal funclions, and the purple ftream glides but faintly through its channels. In vain, the ruler of the day exerts his beaming powers : in vain, he attempts to difperfe this infurreclion of vapours. Thcfullen, ma- lignant cloud refufes to depart. It envelops the world, and intercepts the profpett. I look abroad for the neighbouring village ; I fend my eye in queft of the rifing turret ; but am fcarce able to difcern the very next houie. Where are the blue arches of heaven ? Where is the radiant countenance of the iun ? where the boundleis icenes of creation ? Loft, loft are their beauties; quenched their glories. The thronged theatre of the univerfe ieems an empty void ; and all its ele- gant piftures, an undiftinguiihed blank. Tlius would it have been with our intellectual views, if the gojpel had not come in to our relief. We mould have known neither our true good, nor realxcvil. We had been a riddle to ourfelves ; the preient ftate all coniufion, and the future impenetrable darknefs. But the Sun of Righteoufnefs, ariiing with potent and triumphant beams, has diffipated the imerpofmg eloud ; has open- ed a profpect more beautiful than the blofToms of* fpring, more chearing than the treaiures of autumn, and far more enlarged than the extent of the vifible fyftem : which, having led the eye of the mice! thro* VOL. I. N 5. 3 L 450 A WINTER-PIECE. fields of grace, over rivers of righteoufnefs, and hills crowned with knowledge, terminates, at length, in the heavens ; fweetly lofing itfclf in regions of infi- nite blifs, and endlefs glory. As 1 walk along the fog, it feems, at fome little diftance, to be almoft folid gloom ; fuch as would (hut out every gHmpfe of light, and totally imprifon me in obfcurily. But when I approach, and enter it, I find myfelf agreeably miftaken, and the mift much tiunner than it appeared. Such is the cafe with regard to the fufferings of the prefent life ; they arc not, when experienced, fo dreadful as a timorous imagination furmifed. Such alfo is the cafe with re- ference to the gratifications ofjenfe; they prove not, when enjoyed, fo fubftantial as a fanguine expectation reprefented. In both inftances, we are gracioufly dif- appointed. The keen edge of the calamity is blunted, that it may not wound us with incurable anguifli : the exquifite relifli of the profperity is palled, that it may not captivate our affections, and enflave them to in- ferior delights. SOM E T IME s the face of things wears a more p!ea- fing form ; the very reverfe of the foregoing. The ibber evening advances, to cloie the mort-lived day. The firmament, clear and unfullied. puts on its bright- eft blue. The ftars, in thronging multitudes, and with a peculiar brilliancy, glitter through the fair expanfe. While the frojt pours its fubtile and penetrating influ- ence all around. Sharp and intenfely fevere, all the the long night, the rigid aether continues its opera- tions. ^Vhen, late .and flow, the morning opens her pale eye ; in what a curious and amufing dilguife is nature drelTed ! The icicles, jagged and uneven, are pendent on the houfes. A whitiih film incrufts the windows, where mimic landfcapes rife, and fancied figures fwell. The fruitful fields are hardened to iron ; the moiftened meadows are congealed to marble ; and A WINTER-PIECE. 451 and both refound (an effect unknown before) with the peafant's hafty tread. The ftream is arrdted in its career, and its ever-flowing furface chained to the banks. The fluid paths become a Iblid road ; where the finny Ihoals were wont to rove, the fportive youth flide, or the rattling chariots roll *. And (what would feem, to an inhabitant of the fouthern world, as un- accountable as the deepeft myfleries of our religion) that very fame breath of heaven, which cement * the lakes into a cryftal pavement, cleaves the oaks as it were with invifible wedges : " breaks in pieces the 41 northern iron, and the fteel ;" even while it builds a bridge of icy rock over the feas j~. The air is all icrenity. Kefined by the nitrous par- ticles, it affords the moft diftinct views, and cxteniive profpefts. The feeds of infection are killed ; and the pejtilence deftroyed, even in embryo. So, the cold of affliftiQn tends to mortify our corruptions, and fub- due our vitious habits. The crouding atmofphere conftringes our bodies, and braces our nerves. The fpirits are buoyant, and fally brifkly on the execution of their office. In the fummer- months, fuch an un- clouded fky, and fo bright a fun, would have melted us with heat, and foftened us into fupinenefs. We mould have been ready to throw our limbs under the fpreading beech, and to lye at eafe by the murmuring brook. But now none loiters in his path; none is feen with folded arms. All is in motion ; all is activity. Choice, * Conor efcunt fubi to currenli in flumlnt crufta ; Undaque jam tergo ferratos fuftinet orbcs, Pupplbus ilia prius patulis, nunc hofflta flauftris Sjraque dijfiliunt vufgo. VIRG. f- Job xxxviii. 30. Ihe -waters are hid, locked up from the cattle's lips, and Fecured from the fiflier's net, as wells were wont to be clofed with a ponderous and impenetrable ftonf. And not only lakes and rivers, but the fin face of the great deep, with its reftlefs and uncontrollable (urges, is taken cap- five r^n' by the froft, and bound in fliining fetters. 3 ^2 452 A WINTER-PIECE. Choice, prompted by the weather, fupplies the fpnr of neceffity. Thus, the rugged ichool of misfortune often trains up the mind to a vigorous exertion of its facul- ties. The bleak climate of adverfity often infpirits us with a manly refolution. When a foft and downy affluence, perhaps, would have relaxed all the gene- rous fpring of the foul, and have left it enervated with pleafure, or diflblved in indolence. " COLD cometh out of the north *." The winds, having fwept thofe deferts of fnow, arm themlelves with millions of frozen particles, and make a fierce defcent upon our iile. Under black and fcowling clouds, they drive, dreadfully whizzing, thro' the darkened air. They growl around oar houfes ; af- fault our doors j and, eager for entrance, fatten on our windows. Walls can fcarce reftrain them ; bars are unable to exclude them ; thro' every cranny they force their way. Ice is on their wings ; they fcatter agues thro* the land ; and winter, all winter, rages as they go. Their breath is as a fearing f iron to the little verdure left in the plains. Vaftly more perni- cious to the tender plants than the fliarpeft knife, they kill their branches, and wound the very root. Let not the corn venture to peep too freely from the en- trenchment of the furrow ; let not the fruit-bearing blofToms dare to come abroad from their lodgment in the bark ; left thefe murderous blafts intercept and feizc the unwary flrangers, and deflroy the hopes of the advancing year. O, 'tis. * Job xsxvii. 9. f This, I fuppofe, is the meaning of that figurative expref- fion ufed by the prophet Habakkuk : who, (peaking of the Chaldeans invading Judea, fays, The ir faces, or the incur- fions they make, Jhall fup up, fliall fwallow greedily, floall de- vour utterly, the inhabitants of the country, and their va.'u- able effecls ; as the keen, corroding blafts of the eaft -wind de* flroy every green thing in the field. Hab. i. 5. A WINTER-PIECE. 453 O, 'tis feverely cold ! Who is fo hardy, as not to fhrink at this excejjively-pinching weather \ See \ Every face is pale Even the blooming cheeks contract a gelid hue, and the teeth hardly forbear chattering. Ye that lit eafy and joyous, amidft your commodious apartments, folacing yourfelves in the diffufive warmth of your fire, be mindful of your brethren in the chear- lefs tenement of poverty. 'Their fhattered panes are open to the piercing winds ; a tattered garment fcarce- ]y covers their mivering flefb ; while a few faint and dying embers on the iqualid hearth, rather mock their willies, thap warm their limbs. -While the generous juices of Oporto iparkle in yourglafTes ; or the ftreams, beautifully tinged and deliciouily flavoured with the Chinefe leaf, fmoke in theelegant porcelain ; O remem- ber, that many of your fellow-creatures, amiciil all the rigour of thefe inclement ikies, are emaciated with fickneis, benumbed with age, and pining with hun- ger. Let u their loins bleis you," for comfortable cloathing. Reftore them with medicine ; regale them with food ; and baffle the raging year. So, may you never know any of their diftreffes, but only by the hearing of the ear, the feeing of the eye, or the feel- ing of a tender commiferation ! Methinks, the biN ter blufhering winds plead for the poor indigents. May they breathe pity into your breafts, while they jilow hardships into their huts 1 Obferve thofe blue flames, and ruddy coals, in your chimney : quickened by the cold, they look more lively, and glow more ilrongly. Silent, but feafonable admonition to the gay circle, that chat and fmile around them ! Thus, may your hearts, at fuch a juncture of need, kindle into a peculiar benevolence ! Detain not your iuper- fiuous piles of wood. Let them haften to the relief of the ftarving family. Bid them expire in many a willing blaze, to mitigate the feverity of the feaibn, and chear the bleak abodes of want. So (hall they afcend, mingled with thankfgivings to GOD, and ar- dent. 454 A WINTER-PIECE. dent prayers for your welfare ; afcend, more grateful to heaven than columns of the molt coftly incenfe. Now the winds ceafe. Having brought their load, they are difmhTed from fervice. They have wafted an immenfe cargo of clouds, which empty themfelves in fnoiu. At firft, a few fcattered (hreds come wandering down the faddened fky. This flight ikirmifti is fucceed- cd by a general onfet. The flakes, large and numer- ous, and thick-wavering, defcend. They dim the air, and haften the approach of night. Through all the night, in fofteft filence, and with a continual flow, this fleecy mower falls. In the morning, when we awake, what a furprifing change appears ! Is this the fame world ? Here is no diverfity of colour ! I can hardly diftinguifh the trees from the hills on which they grow. Which are the meadows, and which the plains ? Where are the green paftures, and where the fallow lands ? All things lye blended in bright confu- fion ; fo bright, that it heightens the fplendor of day, and even dazzles the organs of fight. -^-The lawn is not fo fair, as this fnowy mantle, which inverts the fields ; and even the lily, was the lily to appear, would look tarnifned in its prefencc. I can think of but one thing, which excels or equals the glittering robe of winter. Is any perfon defirous to know my meaning ? He may find it explained in that admirable hymn *, compofed by the royal penitent. Is any defirous to pofTefs this matchlefs ornament ? He will find it of- fered to his acceptance in every page of the gofpel. See ! (for the eye cannot fatisfy itfelf without view- ing again and again the curious, the delicate fcene,) fee ! how the hedges are habited, like fpotlefs vcftals ! The houfes are roofedwith uniformity and luftre. The meadows are covered with a carpet of the fined er- mine. * Can any thing be whiter than fnow ? Yes, faith David; If GOD be pleafed to wafh me from my llns in the blood of CHRIST, IJhail be even -whiter thanfnwj. Pfal. U, 7. See page 361, 2. A WINTER-PIECE. mine *. The groves bow beneath the lovely burden ; and all, all below, is one wide, immenfe, fhining wafle of white. By deep fnows, and heavy rains, GOD fealeth up the hand of every man. And for this purpofe, adds our facred philofopher, that all men may know his "work [ . He confines them within their doors, and puts a flop to their fecular bufinefs ; that they may confider the things which belong to their fpiritual welfare ; that, having a vacation from their ordinary ciliploy, they may obferve the works of his power, and *become acquainted with the myfleries of his grace. And worthy, worthy of all obfervation, are the works of the great Creator. They are prodigioufly various, and perfectly amazing. How pliant and duc- tile is nature under his forming hand ! At his com- mand, the felf-fame iubftance affuines the moft diffe- rent fhapes, and is transformed into an endlefs multi- plicity of figures. If HE ordains, the water is mould- ed into hail, and difckarged upon the earth like a volley of fhot ; or it is conjolldated into ice, and defends the rivers, u as it were with a bread-plate." At the bare intimation of his will, the very fame element is (battered in hoar-frofl, like a fprinkling of the mofl attenuated afhes ; or is fpread over the furface of the ground, in thefe couches of fwelling a.ndfla/iy down. The ihow, however it may carry the appearance cf cold, affords a warm garment for the corn ; fcreens it from nipping frofts, and cherifhes its infant-growth. It will abide for a while, to exert a protecting care, and exerciie a foftering influence. Then, touched by the fun, or thawed by a foftening ga!e, the furry vei- ture melts into genial moifture ; finks deep into the foil, and faturates its pores with the difTolving ritre j replenifiiing * This animal is milk-white. As for thofe black /pots, which \ve generally fee in linings of ermine, they are added by the furrier, in order to diversify the appearance, or. heighten the beauty, of the native colour. -f Job xxxvii, 7. .456 A WINTER-PIECE.. repleniming the glebe with thofe principles of vegeta- tive life, which will open into the bloom of ipring, and ripen into the fruits of autumn. Beautiful em- blem this, and comfortable reprefentation of the di- vine word, both in the fucceisful and advantageous iflue of its operation ! As the rain cometh down, and the Jnoii) from heaven, and ret ur net h. not thither, but watertth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give Jeed to thejower, and bread to the eat- er : Jo /hull my word be, that goeth forth out of uty mouth : it fliall not return unto me void, but jhalfac- complifh that "which I pleafe, and itjhall pro/per in the thing "^hereunto I fent it #. NA T u RE, at length, puts off her lucid veil. She drops it in a trickling thaw. The loofened fnow rolls in meets from the houfes* Various openings ipot the hills ; which, even while we look, become larger, and more numerous. The trees rid themfelves, by degrees, of the hoary incumberance. Shook from the fpringing boughs, part falls heavy to the ground, part flies abroad in fhining atoms. Our fields and gardens, lately buried beneath the drifted heaps, rife plain and diflinci to view. Since we fee nature once again, has fhe no verdant traces, no beautiful features, left ? They are, like real friends, very rare ; and therefore the more particularly to be regarded, the more highly to be valued. Here and there the holly hangs out her glowing btrries ; the laurujtinus fpreads her graceful tufts ; and both under a covert of unfading foliage. The plain, but hardy ivy, clothes the decrepit, crazy wall ; nor (brinks from the friendly office, though the fides frown, and the ftorm roars. The laurel, firm, erect, and bold, expands its leaf of vivid green. In fpite of the united, the repeated attacks of wind> and rain, and froft, it preferves an undifmayed lively look; and maintains its poft, while withering millions fall around, * If. Iv. 10, ii. ' A WINTER-PIECE. 457 around. Worthy, by vanquifhing the rugged force of winter, worthy to adorn the triumphant conquer- or's br.ow. Nor rouft I forget the bay-tree ; which icorns to be a mean penfioner on a few tranfient fun- ny gleams ; or, with a fervile obfequkmfnefs, to vary its appearance, in conformity to the changing feafons : by iuch indications of flerling worth, and -{launch re- folutiori, reading a, lecture to the poet's genius, while it weaves the chaplet for his temples.-^ Thefe, and a few other plants, clad with native verdure, retain thek comely alpecl, in the bleakeft climes, and ia the coldeft months. Such, and fo durable, are -the accomplishments of a refined understanding, and an amiable temper. The tawdry ornaments of drefs, which catch the unthink- ing vulgar, foon become infipid and defpicable. The rubied lip, and the rofy cheek fade. Even the fpark- ling wit J, as well as the fparkling eye, pleafe but for a mo- il: 4t How little does GOD efteem the things that men count 44 great ; the endowments of wit and eloquence, that men ad- mire in fome ! Alas ! how poor are they to him ! He re- ipeð not any who are wife in heart : they are nothing, and lefs than nothing, in his eyes. Even uul/e men admire, how little it is that men know; how final! a matter lyes un- der the found of thefe popular wonders, a learned man, a great fcholar, a great ftatefman. How much more doth the all-wife Goo meanly account of thefe ! He often difcovers 44 even to the world, their meannefs. He befools them. So 44 valour, or birth, or worldly greatnefs, thefe he gives, and 44 gives us things he makes no great reckoning of, to fuch as 44 mall never fee his face ; and calls to the inheritance of glo- 44 ry poor defpifed creatures, that are looked en as the </''- 44 fcourlngs and refufe of the world." Y HUS fays an excellent author; who writes with the mod amiable fpirit of benevolence; with the mo(V unaflfecled air of humility; and, like the facred originals, from which he copies, with a majedic fimplicity of ftyle. Whofe/cr/rt? works I may venture to recommend, not only as a treafure, but as a MINE of genuine, flerling, evangelical piery. See page 520. ' VOL. 1. N $. 3 M cf 458 A WINTER-PIECE. a moment. But the virtuous mind has charms, which furvive the decay of every inferior embellifhment 5 charms, which add to the fragrancy of the flower.j the permanency of the ever-green. Such, likewife, is the happinefs of the fincerely-re- ligious 5 like a tree, fays the infpired moralifl, " whofe u leaf mall riot fall." He borrows not his peace from external circumftances ; but has a fund within, and is tfc fatisfjed from himfelf *." Even though impoverished by calamitous accidents, he is rich in the poffeffion of grace, and richer in the hope of glory. His joys are infinitely fliperior to, as well as nobly inde- pendent on, the tranfitory glow of fenfual delight, or the capricious favours of wtyat the world calls for- tune. IF the fnoiu compofes the light-armed troops of the fky, methinks the hail conftitutes its heavy artillery f . Wlien driven by a vehement wind, with what dread- ful impetuosity does that (lony fliower fall ! How it rebounds from the frozen ground, and rattles on the reibunding dome ! It attenuates the rivers into fmoke, or fcourges them into foam. It cruihes the infant flowers ; cuts in pieces the gardener's early plants ; and batters the feeble fortification of his glafles into fhivers. It darts into the traveller's face : he turns, with bade, from the flroke ; or feels, on his cheek, for of Archbifhop LEIGHTON'S file ft works, the Edinburgh e- dition, octavo. Which it is necetifary to Ipecify, becauie the London edition does not contain that part of his writings which has fupplied me with the preceding quotation. * Prov. xiv. 14. f- //<? caftetb forth his ic: like morfels. Pfal. cxlvii. 17. Which, in modern language, might be thus exprefled : He foursih his hail like a volley of/hot. The word cpms inadequate- ly tranflated morfels, alludes, 1 think, to thofe fragments of the rock, or thok/rnooth f:onss from the brook, which, in the day of battle, the warriors hurled from their flings, A WINTER-PIECE. 459 for the guming blood. If he would retreat into the houfe, it follows him even thither ; and, like a de- termined enemy, that pumes the purfuit, dames thro" the crackling panes. But the fierce attack is quickly over. The clouds have foon fpent their ihafts ;'foon unftrung their bow. Happy for the inhabitants of the earth, that a fally fo dreadfully furious^ mould be fo remarkably Jhort I What elfe could endure the fliock, or efcape deftruclion ? BUT behold a bow, of no hoftile intention ! a bow, painted in variegated' colours, on the diiburdened cloud. How vaft is the extent, how delicate the tex- ture, of i[\zt fhowery arch I It conipaffetli the heavens with a glorious circle, and teaches us to forget the horrors of the ftorm. Elegant its form, and rich its tinclure ; but more delightful its facred fignificancy. While the violet and the rofe blufli in its beautiful afpect, the olive-branch fmiles in its gracious import. It writes, in radiant dyes, what the angels fung iii harmonious (irains; " peace on earth, and good-will " towards men." It is the (lamp of iuj'urance, for the continuance of feed -time and harvefl ; for the prefer- vation and fecurity of the vifible world *. It is the comfortable token J of a better (late, and a happier kingdom ; a kingdom, where fin mall ceafe, arid mifery be aboliflied ; where ftorms (hall beat, and winter pierce no more ; but holinefs, happinefs, and joy, like one unbounded Jpring^ for ever, ever bloom* * Gen. ix. 12, 16. :j: Rer. iv. 3. M An IMITATION of Mr H E R v E Y ' s M E- D I T A T I O N S. Wrote by a young Lady, in 1750. p. n6, 215. TH E ftiortening days, the ftilten clouds, grown dark and ponderous with the gathering rain ; the frigid air, which ftrikes unwelcome on the tender frame, (but mews what Albion's fons could once en- dure,) proclaim the approach of winter. Sec! how the trees, as tho' they felt a mock like human dhTolu- tion, now drop their "leafy honours : 1 fome, you may obierve, like feeble old age, hang totleritig in the air, till a gentle breeze breaks the tender fibre thaTfupports them, and throws them relenttefs on the ground. They fall unlainerited, when they can no longer de- light our eyes; and are no fooner diflblved, than 'for- got : one fummer*s beauty is all they can pretend to \ whilft the lofty fir, though greatly eclipfed by thefe gay ftrangers in the bloom of their yoinh, yet far ex- ceeds them in the duration of her charms. The beau- ty of the fir is always the fame, and periihe's only with her exiftence. A lively emblem this, of the hiflability a'nd worth- lefTnefs of mortal charms. How mutable is the hap- pinefs of thofe thoughtlefs women, who place all their felicity in admiration ! Admiration from whom ? Not from the wife and prudent, that were well worth their aim ; but from peribns light and trifling as them- &lves : for fuch alone 'pay court to polifhed daft. Perhaps, they pafs the bloom of their youth without one ferious thought ; and what a fund of impertinence do they then treaTure up for the remainder of their days !". Ail iMiYAtlON bf the MEDICATIONS. 461 days'! which, when all thefe gay fantaftic vifions fade, when every outward charm is fled, grows quite kifup* portable .-~Hbw can they bear tht (hock of approach* ing age ? which (like autumn by the trees) difrobes them of every attractive grace.-* The perfections we are by the flattering world allowed, whilft we have beauty, too often, at leaft the praile of them, vanifh with it, and leave nothing but malice and envy to fill up the great void of uncultivated fenfe :* they drop like the withered leaves, neglected, if not defpifed ; and, like the path of a fwift arrow thro' the invifible air, leave n6 traces of virtue or goodnefs, whereby they may be remembered. How much happier they, who, in the rnidft of their chHdifh, innocent amufe- tnents, 'experience the effects of a true parental care ; who are taught " to remember their Creator in the " days of their youth, while the evil days come not, u and the years wherein they mail (truly) fay, I have " no pleafure in them ;" and are early informed, (be- fore the trifling joys of this world have made too deep an impreffion on their tender minds,) that all is vanity; that religion, wifdom, and virtue, are the only perma- nent enjoyments in this world, and will be their only confolation when they fink into another. Beauty is no farther of advantage to us than as it is an' cmbel- lifhment to fenfe, and makes virtue appear more ami- able : but when it is only a mafk to vice, or folly ; when it perfuades the owner to neglect the attainment of all other accomplifliments, the blefling then degene- rates into a curfe, and we quickly defpiie the idle flat- terer ; in fhort, " the praife that is worth ambition, " is attained by good fenfe alone, with dignity of mind ;'*" and a woman of true fenfe will be always ambitious^ not of gaining admiration, but of deferving it. I m uft own myfelf obliged to Mr Hervey's- Meditc~ tions, for this poor imitation of him. The two vo- lumes publiihed under that title, cannot, I think, be fuificicntJy 462 An IMITATION of the MEDITATIONS. fufficiently admired : His Reflections are fo eafy and na- tural, that, upon reading them, you cannot help be- ing furpriied, that the objects which furniftied him with thofe beautiful ideas, did not in the fame manner affect you upon the like occafions, till you confider the dignity of ftyle in which they arc wrote : You are then immediately convinced, that this is only to be attained by a bright underftanding, refined by a li- beral education. 1 can't, for my own part, conceive any thing (in this world) to be more thoroughly con- ducive to happinefs than fuch a genius, where every object round him raifes his admiration, and excites his thankfulnefs to that Being, whofe blemngs he only truly enjoys, who PROPERLY efleems them ; there is nothing fuch a one beholds, but what he can apply to the good of himfelf, and of his fellow-creatures. A A B E E OF THE More or lefs iiluftrated in this W o R K. . B. As Dr SHAW, in the fupplemint to bis excellent book of Travels, andfeveral t'her authors of the greateft eminence, have given an ndex of Scriptures, occafton- ally explained in their -writings ; I doubt not, lut I Jball oblige many of mi rea- ders, by -what I \\ertfubjoiu; tbofe efyecially, whofe tajtc is happily formed to re* lif,j the beauties of thej'acred records. Chap. Ver. Page Chap. Ver. Page GENESIS. JOB XXX. i. 90. XXXVIII. 451. DEUT. PSALM XXXII. 29. ll. VIII. 3-4- 354. JOSH. XXIII. 403. X. 12, 13. 407. XXVII. . I. 43- JuDG. XXVII, 4- V. 20. 171, 2. XXXIII. 6.9. 363. V. 30. 171. XLV. 9- 168. 1 SAM, LI. 7- 361. XXVIII. 19. 1 19. XCVI. 5- 412. I KINGS XCVII. 2. 373- VIII. 27. 68. CIV. 3- 121. XX. 40. 286. CIV. 24. 178. NEHEM. CVI1I. 4- 142. IX. 6. 412. ex. 3- 1 5 0. JOB ex. lv 14. 15 1 6, 17.18.19. 33 4 5- CXXXVI. CXXXIX. 9- 2. 325. 290. IV. 19. 79 CXXXIX. 7- 8. 9. 2 76. 'V. 23. 44 8. CXXXIX. IO. 290. VII. 20. 357- PROVERBS IX. 8. 121. IV. | . 212. IX. 25,26. 2 7 8. ECCLES. XiX. 25. 219. XII. 3- 5 9 8. XXII. 14. 121. CANTIC. XXII. -16. 329- II. i. jjr. XX 1 1. 20. 365. VI. 10. 33- XXV. 5 . 6. 381. ISAIAH XXVI. 14. 35 i II. ir. 444. XXXVIII, 25. 199. IX. 3- 382. 4^4 TEXTS illujlratcd. Chap. Ver. Page Chap. Ver. Page ISAIAH XIV. 23. XX X. 8. XXXIII. i 5 , xxxn r. i 7 . XXXV. i. 3,8. 299. 2ii, 2. 174. 201. JOHM XI. 26. XII. 32. XIV. 6. XIV. 9 . 123. 400. 206. 399- XXXVIII. n. 285, A^TS TY XL. 12. XL. 15. 368, 9 351. IA. I. XX. 28. 361, XL. 29, 30. 3'. 364- ROM. XL I. 10. 39*- V. g. 377- XLII. 3. 393- V. 20. 387- XL1X. 13. 378. XIII. 14. 172. Xi^X. 15. 427. I COR. LI. 6. 1 6. 232 I. 24. 397> 8 - L1II. 3. 239- I. 30. 326. LV. 13. 201. XV. 41.42. 419. LVIil. 10. 203. 4- 2 COR. LXI. 10. 172. IV. 17. 292. JEREM. VI. 16. 70. xxxr. 12. 201. IX. 8. 384. XLIX. n. 94- GAL. EZEK. II. 20. 209. XVI. 03. 359- EPH. DAN. III. 10. 398. IX. 24. 33 r - III. 18. 19. 356. XII. 3. 416. III. 20, 366. HABAK. PHILIP. I. 9. 452. II. 6. 7. 8. 355- m. 4 . 187. III. JO. 209. III. IT. 47> 3. COLOSS. ZECH. II. 3. 399- IX. 17. 375- HEB. XIII. i. 362,82. I. 2.3. 162, 88. MATTH. VII. 3 6. 359- VI. 2J. 40*. VIII. ,o. 402. LUKE XII. 2. 205. VII. 12. 5,2. I PET. XIV. 23. i3r. I. 12. 400. XV. ii. & c. 385, 86. 2 PET. XVIII. 19. 376. III. 10. 3 zo. JOHN REV. * 3- 161, 8S. X. 1f2 'l' 281 III. 3. 307. 4.5-6. V. , 7 . 164. XII. i. 235. 206. XXI. i. 24 f. End of VOLUME FIRST. '"* UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. ^ DISCHARGE-URL L S NOV " ' HOv i LD-UR ' ER% ffP" ljAINlHH> "t/Aln P 5 i %fOJiiv: ^OF-CAll ^ - ER%. ER % II AME-UKIV It-