ness is committed, he points out their care, that they should not, by an unguarded friendship with the authors of it, appear like unconcerned lookers on, but as people so deeply affected with sorrow, that they cannot endure to stand by and behold it; this he represents under the similitude of a man shutting his eyes from seeing evil."

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He proceeds, in the spirit of prophecy, to show how the faithful, being supported under temptations, would be preserved from defilement by the love of money; that as they, who in a reverent waiting on God, feel their strength renewed, are said to "mount upward;" so here their preservation from the snare of unrighteous gain, is represented by the likeness of a man borne up above all crafty, artful means of getting the advantage of another, " He shall dwell on high;" and he points out the stability and firmness of their condition, "His place of defence shall be the munition of rocks ;" and that, under all outward appearance of loss, in denying himself gainful profits for righteousness' sake, through the care of Him who provides for the sparrows, he should yet have a supply answerable to His infinite wisdom, "Bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure.” As our Saviour mentions the sight of God to be attainable by "the pure in heart; SO here the prophet points out how, in true sanctification, the understanding is opened to behold the peaceable, harmonious nature of His kingdom, "Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty;" and that looking beyond all the afflictions which attend the righteous, to "a habitation eternal in the heavens," they with an eye divinely opened, “shall behold the land that is very far off."

I often remember, and to me the subject is awful, that the great judge of all the earth doeth that which is right, and that He "before whom the nations are as the drop of a bucket," is "no respecter of persons." Happy for those who,

like the inspired prophet, "in the way of his judgments: wait for Him." When we feel Him to sit as a refiner with fire, and know a resignedness wrought in us, to that which He appoints for us, his blessing in a very low estate will be found to be more precious, than much outward treasure in those ways of life, in which the leadings of His spirit are not followed.

The prophet foreseeing a Divine work among many people, declared in the name of the Lord, "I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see my glory." Isaiah lxvi. 18. And again, "from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering." Malachi i. 11. From this it is evident that the prophets had an inward sense of the spreading of the kingdom of Christ: He was spoken of as one who should take the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. Psal. ii. 8. Also that He should be given for a light to the Gentiles; and for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Isaiah xlix. 6.

When we meditate on this Divine work, as a work of ages; a work which the prophets felt long before Christ appeared visibly on earth, and remember the bitter agonies He endured when He "poured out his soul unto death," that the Heathen nations as well as others, might come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved;-When we contemplate this marvellous work, as that which "the angels desire to look into," 1 Pet. i. 12; and behold people among whom this light hath eminently broken forth, and who have received many favours from the bountiful hand of our Heavenly Father, not only indiffer-ent with respect to publishing the glad tidings among the Gentiles, who are sitting in darkness, and entangled with many superstitions; but who, aspiring after wealth and worldly

honours, and taking such means to obtain their ends, as tend to stir up wrath and indignation, and to beget an abhorrence in them to the name of Christianity; -When these things are weightily attended to, how mournful is the subject!

It is worthy of remembrance, that people in different ages, deeply baptized into the nature of that work for which Christ suffered, have joyfully offered up their liberty and lives for the promoting of it in the earth.

Polycarp, who was reputed a disciple of the apostle John, having attained to great age, was at length sentenced to die for his religion; and being brought to the fire, prayed nearly as follows, "Thou God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom I have received the knowledge of thee! O God of the angels and powers, and of every living creature, and of all sorts of just men which live in thy presence; I thank thee that thou hast graciously vouchsafed this day and this hour to allot me a portion among the number of martyrs, among the people of Christ, unto the resurrection of everlasting life; among whom I shall be received in thy sight this day, as a fruitful and acceptable sacrifice; wherefore for all this I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee, through the everlasting Highpriest, Jesus Christ, thy well beloved son; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory, world without end. Amen.”

Bishop Latimer, when sentence of death by fire was pronounced against him, on account of his firmness in the cause of religion, said, “I thank God most heartily, that he hath prolonged my life to this end; that I may, in this case, glorify him by this kind of death." Fox's Acts and Mon. 936.

William Dewsbury, who had suffered much for his religion, in his last sickness, encouraging his friends to faithfulness, made mention like good old Jacob, of the loving kindness of God to him in the course of his life, and that through the power of Divine love, he, for Christ's sake, had joyfully entered prisons. See introduction to his works.

I mention these, as a few examples out of many, of the powerful operation of the spirit of Christ, when people are fully devoted to it, and of the ardent longings in their minds for the spreading of his kingdom among mankind. Now to those in the present age, who truly know Christ, and who feel the nature of his peaceable government opened in their understandings, how loudly is the call to faithfulness; that in following this pure Light of life, "we, as workers together with Him," may labour in that great work for which He was offered as a sacrifice on the cross; and that His peaceable doctrines may shine through us in their real harmony, at a time when the name of Christianity is become hateful to many of the heathens.

When Gehazi had obtained treasures, which the prophet, under Divine direction, had refused, and was returned from the business; the prophet troubled at his conduct, queried if it was a time thus to prepare for a specious living. "Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, men servants and maid servants? the leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee and unto thy seed for ever." 2 Kings v. 26. O that we may lay to heart the condition of the present time; and humbly follow His counsel, who alone is able to prepare the way for a true harmonious walking among mankind !

CHAP. IV.

On Divine Admonitions.

Such are the perfections of our Heavenly Father, that in all the dispensations of his providence, it is our duty "in every thing to give thanks." Though from the first settlement of this part of America, He hath not extended his judgments so as to produce famine, yet worms at times have come forth beyond numbering, and have laid waste fields of grain and grass; another kind also in great multitudes, working out of sight in grass ground, have so eaten the roots, that the surface, being loosened from the soil beneath, might be taken off in great sheets.

These devouring creatures appearing seldom, and in such multitudes, their generation appears different from most other reptiles, and they were called by the prophet "God's army sent among the people." Joel ii. 25.

There have been tempests of hail, which have very much destroyed the grain where they extended. Through long drought in summer, grain in some places hath been less than half the usual quantity; ** and I have beheld with attention, from week to week, how dryness from the top of the earth hath extended deeper and deeper, while the corn and plants have languished; and, with reverence, my mind hath been turned towards HIM, who being perfect in goodness, wisdom

* When crops fail, I often feel a tender care that the case of poor tenants may be mercifully considered.