of the world. The most important part of their business lies between God and their own souls, in the frame of their spirits, and the workings of their hearts, in their retirements, which no eye sees but his, that is all eye. Justly are the saints called God's hidden ones, and his secret is said to be with them, for they have meat to eat, and work to do, which the world knows not of; and joys, and griefs, and cares which a stranger does not intermeddle with. Great is the mystery of godliness." 66 And this is a good reason why we should look upon ourselves as incompetent judges one of another, because we know not each other's hearts, nor are witnesses to their retirements. It is to be feared there are many whose religion lies all in the outside; they make a fair show in the flesh, and perhaps a great noise, and yet are strangers to this secret communion with God, in which consists so much of the power of godliness. And on the other hand it is to be hoped, there are many who do not distinguish themselves by anything observable in their profession of religion, but pass through the world without being taken notice of, and yet converse much with God in solitude, and walk with him in the even, constant tenor of a regular devotion and conversation. "The kingdom of God comes not with observation." Many merchants thrive by a secret trade that make no bustle in the world. It is fit, therefore, that every man's judgment should proceed from the Lord, who knows men's hearts and sees in secret. 3. See what enemies they are to themselves who continue under the power of a vain and carnal mind, and live without God in the world. Multitudes I fear there are, to whom all that has been said of secret communion with God is accounted as a strange thing, and they are ready to say of their ministers when they speak of it, "Do they not speak parables?" They lie down and rise up, go out and come in, in the constant pursuit either of worldly profits, or of sensual pleasures; but God is not in all their thoughts, not in any of them. They live upon him, and upon the gifts of his bounty from day to day, but they have no regard to him, never own their dependence on him, nor are in any care to secure his favour. Those who live such a mere animal life as this, do not only put a great contempt upon God, but do a great deal of damage to themselves; they stand in their own light, and deprive themselves of the most valuable comforts that can be enjoyed on this side heaven. What peace can they have who are not at peace with God? they take in their hopes who build the everlasting foundation? or in their joys, who derive them not from him, the fountain of life and living waters? Oh that at length they would be wise for themselves, and remember their Creator and Benefactor! What satisfaction can them not upon God, 4. See what easy, pleasant lives the people of God might live, if it were not their own faults. There are those who fear God and work righteousness, and are accepted of the Lord, but go drooping and disconsolate from day to day, are full of cares, and fears, and complaints, and make themselves always uneasy; and it is because they do not live that life of delight in God, and dependence on him, that they might and should live. God has effectually provided for their dwelling at ease, but they make not use of that provision he has laid up for them. Oh that all who appear to be conscientious, and are afraid of sin, would appear to be cheerful, and afraid of nothing else; that all who call God Father, and are in care to please him, and keep themselves in his love, would learn to cast all their other care upon him, and commit their way to him as to a Father. He shall choose our inheritance for us, and knows what is best for us, better than we do for ourselves. "Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me." It is what I have often said, and will abide by, "That a holy, heavenly life, spent in the service of God, and in communion with him, is the most pleasant, comfortable life any body can live in this world." 5. See in this what is the best preparation we can make for the changes that may be before us in our present state; and that is, to keep up a constant acquaintance and com munion with God, to converse with him daily, and keep up stated times for calling on him, that so when trouble comes, it may find the wheels of prayer a-going. And then may we come to God with a humble boldness and comfort, and hope to speed when we are in affliction. if we have been no strangers to God at other times, but in our peace and prosperity had our eyes ever toward him. Even when we arrive to the greatest degree of holy security and serenity, and lie down most in peace, yet, still, we must keep up an expectation of trouble in the flesh. Our ease must be grounded not upon any stability in the creature; if it be, we put a cheat upon ourselves, and treasure up so much the greater vexation for ourselves. No, it must be built upon the faithfulness of God, which is unchangeable. Our Master has told us, "In the world you shall have tribulation," much tribulation, count upon it, it is only in me that you shall have peace. But if every day be to us, as it should be, a sabbath of rest in God, and communion with him, nothing can come amiss to us any day, be it ever so cross. 6. See in this what is the best preparation we can make for the unchangeable world that is before us. We know God will bring us to death, and it is our great concern to get ready for it. It ought to be the business of every day, to prepare for our last day, and what can we do better for ourselves in the prospect of death, than, by frequent retirements for communion with God, to get more loose from that world which at death we must leave, and better acquainted with that world which at death we must remove to. By going to our beds as to our graves we shall make death familiar to us, and it will become as easy to us to close our eyes in peace and die, as it used to be to close our eyes in peace and sleep. We hope God will bring us to heaven; and by keeping up daily communion with God, we grow more and more meet to partake of that inheritance; and have our conversation in heaven. It is certain all that will go to heaven hereafter, begin their heaven now, and have their hearts there. If we thus enter into a spiritual rest every night, that will be a pledge of our blessed repose in the embraces of divine love in that world wherein day and night come to an end, and we shall not rest day or night from praising him who is, and will be, our eternal rest. HYMN FOR THE MORNING. AWAKE, my soul! Awake mine eyes, Awake, and see the new-born light Thy power has made, thy goodness kept, Yet one day more hast given me, From all the powers of darkness free. Oh keep my heart from sin secure, My life unblamable and pure; That when the last of all my days is come, my doom. FLATMAN. ANTHEM FOR THE EVENING SLEEP, downy sleep! come close mine eyes, Sweet slumbers come and chase away The toils and follies of the day. On your soft bosom will I lie, Forget the world and learn to die. O Israel's watchful Shepherd, spread Let not the spirits of the air But save thy suppliant free from harms, Oh dart from thence a shining ray, FLATMAN. MORNING HYMN. Ps. ix. 5, 8; lxxiii. 24. 25. 1 GOD of the morning, at whose voice The cheerful sun makes haste to rise, And like a giant doth rejoice, To run his journey through the skies. 2 From the fair chambers of the east The circuit of his race begins; And without weariness or rest Round the whole earth he flies and shines. 3 Oh like the sun may I fulfil Th' appointed duties of the day, With ready mind and active will March on, and keep my heavenly way! 4 But I shall rove and lose the race, 5 Lord, thy commands are clean and pure, |