time I think, or speak, or read, or write of, upon every remembrance of, every approach to my God and Saviour, in the sacrifices of prayer and praise, my eyes may overflow with tears of remorse and love. Thou the King of glory, the teacher and pattern of all virtues, hast instructed us to weep, both by thy word, and by thy own example. Thou hast said, Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted: and didst thyself shed tears of compassion for thy deceased friend, and yet more abundantly for the ungracious city of thy people, and its approaching destruction.

By thy most precious tears, and by all the wonderful instances of thy mercy for the relief of lost mankind, I beg the grace of tears and godly sorrow, which my soul vehemently thirsts after. I cannot attain to this, unless thou vouchsafe to give it me; for it is thy Holy Spirit alone that can bring water out of this rock, and soften the hearts of hardened sinners. This thou hast been pleased to communicate freely to many primitive and eminent saints, in whose pious footsteps I dare to tread. Send down thy former and thy latter rain, and water this dry soil with the dew of heaven, that I may with true compunction bewail my sin and misery; and kindle in my heart a fervent zeal, that I may be a burnt-offering to thee, a sacrifice of sweet savour in thy presence. And let my tears wash that polluted offering, that it may be presented clean and pure. For of these I shall still have daily need; because, though by the assistance of thy grace I consecrate myself never so devoutly and entirely to thy service, yet such is my frailty, that still in many things I shall offend. Grant me therefore this necessary grace, that I may taste of thy

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cup, and quench my thirst, that my soul may ever pant after thee, and burn with the love of thee alone, regardless of any other object, and getting above the vanities of sense, and miseries of the world.

Hear me, my God; hearken, thou light of my eyes, grant me my request, and grant me to ask such things as thou delightest to give. Let not my manifold offences stop the current of thy grace, whose property it is to be a God hearing prayer, and always to have mercy. But, according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences, and think upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.

O gracious Saviour, O merciful Lord Jesus, who wast pleased to die for our sins, and rise again for our justification, be also pleased, by that glorious resurrection, I beseech thee, good Lord, to raise me from the death of sin, to the life of righteousness; that so partaking now in the first and spiritual, J may be admitted to partake of the blessed and literal resurrection at the last day. Most mighty King of glory, who hast ascended with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven, and sittest enthroned at the right hand of the Father, draw me up to thee; that by thy powerful guidance, and more than magnetic force, I may run after the odour of thy ointments, and not faint. Draw this thirsty soul to the rivers of eternal pleasure, to the fountain of living water, that I may drink my fill, and live for ever, O God of my life.

They are thy own most comfortable words, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. O well of life! make good that gracious invitation to thy unworthy servant, that I may continually drink of thee, and quench my eager thirstings, and

according to thy most true promise, be so filled with thy Holy Spirit, that out of my belly may flow streams of living water. O well of life! give me drink out of thy pleasures as out of a river, satiate my soul with the delights of thy love, that I may lose all relish for vain, and sensual, and worldly joys, and fix my thoughts and desires on thee alone, and on thy sweet mercies; as holy David professes of himself, I remembered thine everlasting judgments, O Lord, and received comfort.

Shower down upon me the fructifying graces of thy good Spirit, which thou wert pleased to represent, by the waters promised to be given to them that thirst. Let all my desires and endeavours tend directly to that blissful place, whither we most firmly believe thee to have gone forty days after the resurrection. That nothing but my body may be detained any longer in this valley of misery here below: but my soul and all its faculties may be with thee. That where my best, my only treasure is, my incomparable best-beloved Jesus is, there my heart may be also. In this dismal deluge, the wide unfaithful sea of this tempestuous life, we are tossed and driven about by storms that blow from every quarter; without port or shelter; without one spot of dry ground for the weary dove to rest her foot upon; no peace, no calm, no security; but rocks and quicksands, wars and contentions, and enemies on every side; without are fightings, and within are fears.

Thou hast framed us out of a wonderful mixture of different parts, and joined heaven and earth together in one man. The earthly body presseth down the soul, and hence the mind thus unequally coupled is dragged back by its companion, moves

heavily and is soon tired with its journey, nay often languishes and sinks down in the middle of its course; is torn and wounded by the thorny cares and vanities through which its way lies: bruised by the roughness of the passage; hungry and hard bestead, and often ready to perish with thirst, in this dry, barren, desolate wilderness. Nor have

I wherewithal to satisfy its cravings, being, alas! poor and destitute of my spiritual comforts. Therefore I flee to thee, my Lord and God, rich in mercies, and a bountiful giver of good gifts; imploring food in my necessity, refreshment for my weariness, balm for my wounds, and guidance for my wanderings. Behold, my soul stands at the door and knocks: O let that tender mercy of God, whereby thou glorious day-spring from on high hath visited us, open to this importunate beggar! Extend thy charity, and in a marvellous condescension take him in, that he may find refreshment and sweet repose in thee, and be fed with the bread of life, the bread of heaven; that thus sustained and strengthened, he may climb up the hill, and mounting on the wings of holy zeal, may be conveyed from this valley of tears, to the joys of the celestial kingdom.

O that my soul could fly like an eagle, bold and strong, without making any stop, or perching by the way, till it arrive at the beauties of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth! That it might feed there at the sumptuous table which thou hast prepared for the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem; and be led forth by its divine Shepherd into pleasant pastures, watered by fruitful streams; that so this heart, this tempest-beaten heart, might be brought at last into harbour, laid up and rest secure in thee, my God!

O thou, who didst command the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm, come down and walk upon the waves of my heart, that all its tumultuous passions may be composed into a profound tranquillity! that all may unite into that one of love, and that love be determined upon its own proper object, even thee my chief, my only good; that I may contemplate the delight of my eyes, my dear Lord, clearly and without interruption, free from the mists and dusts of trouble and confused thoughts. Let my spirit take sanctuary under the shadow of thy wings, and there be protected from the scorching heats of worldly cares; that lying close under that shelter it may sing securely with thy holy psalmist, I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest, for it is thou, Lord, only that maketh me to dwell in safety.

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Yea, let it take its rest, my God, I pray thee, by having all the remembrance of evils laid to sleep; let it love righteousness, and hate iniquity. For what can be more delightful, more desirable, than in the darkness and distresses of this afflicted gloomy life to look up to, and pant after, the sweet enjoyment of God and everlasting bliss? Than thither in our minds and affections to ascend, and there continually dwell, where alone true joys are to be found? O loveliest, and most loving Jesus, when shall I be happy in the sight of thee? When shall I come and appear before the presence of my God? When shall I be feasted with thy beauty? When wilt thou bring my soul out of this dark loathsome prison, into the regions of light, that I may give thanks unto thy name, and taste the bitter cup of grief no more? When shall I be translated into thy beauteous palace, and hear the voice