ed, by turning it quite upside down; which he had better not have done, than to feel the smart afterwards which must needs attend so rash an attempt. And I does not the fire of malicious tongues burn the fiercer, when we seek to quench it by too has ty efforts? And does it not even convert that into fuel, which was designed to diminish the flame? 11. A tongue that is set on fire of hell is like that serpent, which, as some tell us, brings forth seven other heads when you cut off but one in order to destroy it. Thus a wicked tongue is so far from being restrained by contradiction, that it will spread the farther by it, and broach seven lies instead of one. Whereas he that is deaf to popular rumours, and not easily alarmed at every little noise, will not only better repel the darts of malignant tongues, but enjoy also a calm and unshaken tranquillity both of soul and body, in the midst of all the boisterous storms of the world; this being the sweet reward, which usually attends a patient and submissive frame of mind. This is a truly noble and magnanimous method to overcome the worst of enemies, and to get a full conquest at last over the most stubborn and untractable temper. He that rejects this heroic meekness of soul, sets himself entirely out of God's guard, and, whilst he endeavors eagerly to save his name and rep. utation, must needs be more har. rassed with perpetual alarms of malignant tongues, inflamed by the common enemy of souls. 12. Besides this, there are some other particular reasons, why the Lord permits his chil. And dren to be insulted by sharp and virulent tongues. When David in his sore troubles was reviled and cursed by Shimei, one of the basest of men, he said no more than "let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him." And what other reason can be assigned for this, but that the Lord hereby seeks to preserve his children, lest they exalt themselves above measure, on account of such eminent gifts as have been conferred upon them; and at the same time improve themselves more and more in the practice of mutual love, mildness, and humility, as the gospel requires? What is said by David of Shimei, that he was bidden to curse his king, is expressed by Job in more general terms: "He poureth contempt upon princes." who is able to fathom here all the mysterious depths of divine judgments? the carnal mind does not like at all to be reviled, to be insulted, to be under-valued. To become a fool in this world, though it be recommended by an apostle as a mean for attaining true wisdom; yet is it not liked now a-days, because it is too opposite to self-love. Pride and self love naturally adhere to us : nay, it is an evil which by carnal generation is woven, as it were, into the very heart and interior faculties of the soul, whence it taints all the actions proceeding from it. Every one aspires now after greatness and dignities, titles, and preferments. Every one loves now to be extolled, and to be much made of, to be es teemed and admired. Alas! It is this self-conceit, this natural self-love, which, having once besotted mankind, propagates now nothing but error and folly in the whole world: It was this self-love that ruined both Lucifer and Adam, and stript them entirely of the divine love and life wherewith once they were adorned. 13. This spirit of self-love being thus seated in the heart, it continually alarms the soul, and engrosses all the faculties to itself. None but those that are inspired with a heavenly courage, can overcome the malignancy of an evil so strong and boundless, and so deeply rooted within. But to facilitate this victory, the Lord thinks as it were, with himself: "I will permit a virulent lying tongue to insult over such an one, as I formerly permitted Satan to infest my servants Job and Paul for their greater humiliation. This slandering tongue shall be his devil, his scourge, his plague, to buffet him constantly, and help to beat down that proud heart, that haughty look, that aspiring temper, which without this restraint, would at last carry all before it." Thus the Lord leaves nothing untried to use the soul to that excellent spirit of humility, and to set due bounds to the impetuous acting of the spirit of selflove, whereby men are now become allies to Lucifer, that great apostate spirit: who, endeav. oring to have a will of his own, opposite to that of his maker, lost entirely his principality, and that original integrity wherein he was created at first. 14. However, as the Lord is faithful on his side, and has no pleasure at all in the destruction, but preservation of his creatures; so he seeks also to convert the venom of impious tongues thrown on his children, into a precious medicine, thereby to heal that sore of self-love fostering within, and breeding abundance of other spiritual diseases in mind. When the world thinks evil against them, then God brings good out of the evil, which is an art only known by God. For as out of the most poisonous ser. pent an antidote is prepared against poison itself; so God overrules the very worst of counsels, so as they shall turn to the greatest good of his children. Thus "out of the eater comes forth meat," and out of the bitter, sweetness; all things being made to "work together for good to them that love God." For instance, they are taught thereby to practise one of the noblest of the works of charity, which is to "bless their enemies, and to pray for them who despitefully use them." 15. He that has thus far got the conquest over the bent of his corrupt nature, as to pray heartily for his enemies, is, methinks, almost arrived to the sublimest degree of true evangelical charity, which alone is able to soften our stubborn hearts into the mild and compassionate heart and mind of Christ, who also has set us a most blessed exemplar in this matter: "Father, (said he,) for. give them; for they know not what they do." And this tender and sympathizing heart a Christian must needs have, if ever he wishes to be in a condition to True pray for his enemies. love, wherever it is rooted in a soul, there it will most certainly produce a tender commiseration towards enemies; who at the same time, whilst they hate men, render themselves entirely unfit for any communion with God and Christ, giving up their heart to the devil, that great hater of souls. And this may move every Christian to commiserate the fate of such profligate wretches, who are not of God, but of their father, the devil: And lest they should forever sink into the jaws of the devil, who here inspires them with hatred, rage, and bit. terness, the Lord so earnestly commands his children to pray for them, with this motive annexed to the command: "That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven." the church in troubles and trials. The same over-ruling wisdom of God appeared for Daniel, when by the virulency of his accusers, he was cast into the den of lions, but most triumphantly exalted again by Divine Providence, for many good and noble ends; the enemies themselves being made to lay the foundation for his rise and greatness. Mordecai had almost the same providence. His ruin was devised by the murdering tongue of proud Haman, but the Lord returned his wickedness upon his own head, and the bloody machinations did but hasten the destruction of the contriver. 16. What has been said of the over-ruling power of God, whereby he converts the venom of lying tongues into a healing medicine, will more fully appear from the following instances: Joseph had never been exalted to the dignity of being ruler over all the land of Egypt, had he not fallen before under the malicious lashes of a wanton tongue, and thereby been condemned to a prison at last. However, wisdom did not leave him in bonds, but brought him, at length, the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him. Had Moses not been persecuted by violent accusations of his enemies, and obliged to flee from the face of Pharaoh, he had not seen the Lord in the bush, after having led Jethro's flock to the back-side of the de. sert. For here by a wonderful sight he enjoyed, he was, as it were, initiated into a new dispensation of life, which then rose upon him. Thus did the spiteful tongue of Doeg, the Edomite, and of other enemies of David, force many a comfortable psalm from the latter, now left upon record for a support of 17. Therefore "commit thy way unto the Lord: trust in him, and he shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon-day." Only endeavor to be in constant amity with the Lord your God, and to love him with all your heart, and then he will direct your steps: For "when a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." If the world be permitted to stain your reputation here, and to detract from your honor, what matters it, if the Lord dignifies you with a crown of eternal glory? It is he that will deliver and honor you at last; and it is he that will give you both grace here, and glory hereafter. 18. Another comfort in trials of this nature, may be drawn from the powerful influence the Lord has upon the hearts of all men. It is he that looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth, from the firm place of his habitation. He alone fashions or frames their hearts, and consid. ers all their works; and he will not deliver you into the will of your enemies. A man fumes often with rage and malice, and is transported to that degree of fury and passion, as if he would bear down all that comes in his way But a little while after, you shall find, that, by an unex. pected turn of providence, the man is altogether cooled again; his heat is allayed, and he is now reduced to such a gentleness and moderation of temper, as if he was become quite another man. Nay, how often do we see that the most profligate wretch, designing nothing but spite and malice against a good soul, is stopt in the midst of his passion. ate pursuit, and with a sweet force and holy violence, as it were, obliged not only entirely to drop his wicked design, but to bestow also tokens of favor and kindness upon the person whom he was to affront. Which certainly is an operation peculiar to the wisdom of God, who, by his secret and over-ruling power, often renders abortive the most malicious project conceived against his children. Thus the Lord came to Laban, when incensed against Jacob, and ordered him to speak not to him, either good or bad: And Esau, who bore his brother no good will at all; yet when he came within sight of him, must needs run to meet him, to embrace him, to fall on his neck, to kiss him, to weep over him, and to receive him with the most endearing expressions of love and kindness. 19. It is the nature of a malignant tongue, to swell high all on a sudden, and by rage and fury gain applause and admiration every where: but then its downfal is as sudden again, as the rise was before. Calumny is like a fire, whose outrageous flame mounts up to the very sky; but then the want of fuel will soon make it go down again. The reason is, because God, who is the everlasting truth itself, hates a spirit of lies beyond any thing: and this is the reason al. so, why all those that have raised their greatness, on no other foundation than lying and selfconceit, may indeed dazzle the eyes of others with a glaring lustre for a while; but when they now think themselves to be fixed in a stability not to be shaken; then generally their ruin is ready at hand, and the Lord's judgment destroys all. Then " the lying lips are put to silence, which spoke grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous." Which text plainly shows, that pride and disdain of others, is wont to accompany a slandering and lying tongue. But "wo unto thee that dealest treacherously, for when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity." Though a treacherous man may go on a while in quest after more honor and greatness; yet shall evil hunt the violent man at last, and overthrow him. LETTER FROM THE CELEBRATED MRS. ROWE, го THE RIGHT [Written the day before her death.] MADAM, THIS is the last letter you will receive from me, the last assurance I shall give you on earth, of a sincere and stedfast friendship; but when we meet again, I hope it will be in the heights of immortal love and ecstacy. Mine perhaps may be the glad spirit to congratulate your safe arrival to the happy shores. Heaven can witness how sincere my concern for your happiness is: thither I have sent my ardent wishes, that you may be secured from the flattering delusions of the world; and, after your pious example has been long a blessing to man. kind, may calmly resign your breath, and enter the confines of unmolested joy.—I am now tak. ing my farewell of you here; but it is a short adieu, with full persuasion that we shall soon meet again. But oh! in what elevation of happiness!--In what enlargement of mind, and what perfection of every faculty! What transporting reflections shall we make on the advantages of which we shall be eternally possessed !—To Him that loved us, and washed us in his blood, shall we ascribe immortal glory, dominion, and praise for ever. This is all my salvation, all my hope. That name in whom the gentiles trust, in whom all the families of the earth are blessed, is now my glorious, my unfail. ing confidence. In his worth 事 Afterwards Dutchess of Somerset ; the Lady to whom Mr. Thomson's Poem THE SPRING, is inscribed. VOL. II. New Series. alone, I expect to stand justified before infinite purity and justice. How poor are my hopes, if I depended on those works, which my vanity, or the partial. ity of men have called good; and which if examined by divine purity, would prove, perhaps, but specious sins! The best actions of my life would be found defective, if brought to the test of that unblemished holiness, in whose sight the heavens are not clean. Where were my hopes, but for a Redeemer's merit and atonement ?-How desperate, how undone my condition!With the utmost advantages I could boast, I should step back and tremble at the thought of appearing before the unblemished Majesty !-O Jesus! What harmony dwells in thy name! Celestial joy and immortal life are in the sound :-Let angels set thee to their golden harps, let the ransomed nations for ever magnify thee.-What a dream is mortal life! What shadows are all the objects of mortal sense! All the glories of mortality, my much beloved friend, will be nothing in your view at the awful hour of death, when you must be separated from this lower creation, and enter on the borders of the immortal world. Something persuades me this will be the last farewell in this world; heaven forbid it should be an everlasting parting! May that divine protection, whose care I implore, keep you stedfast in the faith of christianity, and guide your steps in the strictest paths of virtue. Adieu, my most dear friend, until we meet in the paradise of God. E. ROWE. 2K |