Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

possesses all the shore; so, whatever checks of conscience, and partial reformations may take place, still the wicked proceed from evil to worse, till the soul is drowned in sin, and lost in perdition.

6. What abundant variety of all things does the sea produce! The ground that lies along the coast is enriched with sea-weeds, and is very fertile; our tables are supplied from the deeps; and sometimes, when the crop has failed, the ocean has poured in its plenty, and supplied the poor. Such is the divine goodness. It is an ocean that supplies all our wants, and still overflows. From him come all our comforts, from him our blessings flow; and still they overflow. He gives grace, and he will give glory: He gives himself, and that is all in all.

7. Fields enriched with every grain, and verdant pastures stored with flocks and herds, are not far off, but my hap is to walk along a barren shore, and to have the foaming billows my attendants; many a traveller has gone this way, and a new road is not to be made for my fancy and pleasure: So must the sons of men, so must I, walk in that very path Providence has appointed me, however rugged, however afflicting it may prove! It is the way, and no other, that will lead to our better country, to our Father's house. To be running every now and then in quest of a more pleasant way, will only add to my toil, and lengthen my journey; just so, to fret under affliction, and to be discontented with our condition, may make us more miserable, and add edge to our anguish, but can do us no good. It is comfort, though the road be rugged, that it leads me to the house of my friend; so, if I arrive at last at my heavenly Father's house, who is

a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, I ought to put up with every disaster by the way.

8. I have walked a good way all alone, but I have had company for some miles, but such company, that I welcome my solitude again. Let this be a caution to be slow in choosing companions; and how happy they who have agreeable, godly companions, along the crooked road of life, whose pious colloquies will brighten the day, shorten the way, and cheer each other to their journey's end.

9. Sands that were lately covered with the tide, by a strong wind are now blown in my face; a sudden change indeed! And how soon do people that have been in deep affliction forget themselves, and turn frothy! Our natural vanity and levity is so great, that none but the Searcher of hearts can know it.

10. I find a man sitting in something like a centry. box, and take him for a criminal; but how surprised, on inquiry, to find that he is a kind of judge, and determines disputes on shore. More surprised shall thousands be at the great day, to see the saints, who have been held as criminals, and as such have been banished, beheaded, and burnt, sit judges on the world, and on angels.

11. By nature and art, I find doves dwelling secure. ly in the rocks; the ocean foams before them, the tempests roar around them, but they are safe at home; and, on their nimble wings, fly where they will: So, safe are the saints who dwell in the Rock Christ, in the rock of ages; and on the wing of faith they fly from all surrounding ills, to the heavenly rest, the land of promise, and paradise of bliss.

12. A fine shower falls from heaven, and falls on the salt sea with the same abundance that it does on

the fruitful field, or pasture-ground. This seems a waste, for the sea cannot become a whit fresher by all the rain that it receives; but who knows but a ship, too long on her voyage, and grown scarce of water, is catching on her sails the kindly shower, and preserving alive many persons? To how many has the gospel been preached that have never believed the heavenly report? Among thorns, by the wayside, and on stony ground, has the good seed been sown, which came to nothing; but heaven will be sovereign in his kindness to all, and sinners inexcusable who perish in their unbelief.

13. Innumerable creatures sport in the main, and a variety of water-fowl fly along the shore. There is an element for every creature, and every creature loves and lives in its element. Then, am I an expectant of heaven, and a candidate for glory, and yet wallow in earthly things? If born from above, I shall find delight in spiritual things, and desire to be above.

14. When come in sight of, and not far distant from the house to which I go, a little rivulet presents itself, through which I must go, or be disappointed of the pleasure I promise myself on visiting my friends. I learn there is a bridge for foot-passengers, but neither for horses nor carriages, built by some friendly hand over the stream; but many a traveller knows nothing of this bridge, and so must take the stream, whatever may ensue. This minds me of death, which stands between me and my Father's house, and presents itself at the end of my journey. However terrible it may appear, the prospect of communion with God may make me leap through all dangers. Christ, indeed, has built a bridge for his chosen to pass over; but over this bridge we can carK k

ry neither honours, nor riches, nor relations, but, stript of all, must walk alone, under the conduct of our heavenly Guide. But, alas how few know of this bridge, how few find it, and how many perish in the stream!

15. At last I reach the dear house for which I undertook my journey, and find a hearty reception from all my kind and much esteemed friends. So at last shall all the saints, and so may we, arrive at the house of the living God, and be blessed with the society of saints and angels, and ravished with communion with God and the Lamb. When arrived at this state of everlasting rest, I shall forget the dangers of my journey, and the troubles of my lot; I shall be filled with unspeakable joy in his presence, and feasted with the fatness of his house for ever.

However happy here, a short time must finish my visit, and I must return the very same way that I came but the bliss above is everlasting. I shall never quit the society of saints and angels, I shall never go out of his temple, I shall never rise from his banquet, I shall never depart from his throne, never cease to behold his glory, nor be silent in his praise ; but my whole soul, in every ravished power, shall be full of God, and go wholly out on God for

ever.

MEDITATION CXLIII.

BRITISH STATE-LOTTERY.

March 8, 1786.

I SHALL not here attempt to discuss how far state

lotteries are lawful, or not; but so well does government suit the bait to the ambition or avarice of men, by some capital prizes, that there is always a world of adventurers; and as among them there may be some well-meaning persons, I shall drop a few thoughts for their consideration.

1. We should have a firm belief of a divine, overruling Providence, and no dependence on blind chance. Therefore, such persons are reproved, who, to secure success, rather purchase a share in seveFal tickets, than one whole ticket; but the wheel of providence can turn up sixteen blanks as well as one.

2. We should never adventure from a principle of avarice; for we cannot ask from heaven what we have no use for; and it is not safe to have any thing under the sun but from the kind hand of God; so, when we adventure, we should have the call of providence by some pressing circumstances we are in at the time.

3. We should never buy deep, but such a share as will neither hurt our circumstances, nor ruffle our temper, though it turn out a blank.

4. If we be rich, and will support government by purchasing in the lottery, if it turns out a prize, the greater part thereof should be laid out in pious and charitable uses What good might thus be done to numbers of needy families, and unfortunate persons!

« AnteriorContinuar »