Though they are exposed to many temptations and dangers, and are beset round with many enemies, yet divine grace will' establish their hearts; and they shall be kept through the mighty power of God through faith to salvation. Their God will make them temptation-proof. They shall be as rocks in the midst of waves, that can neither be moved nor undermined. Their armour is impenetrable; their breastplate may be shot at, but never shot through.-What God plants no man shall pluck up. There is a constant and full supply to recruit all decays, and repair the strength and comfort of the new creature from time to time. There is a new heart, a new spirit, and new seed put within him. He is blessed with a new name, new relations, new treasures. The mercies of the new covenant, the new wine of consolation, and the inheritance of the new Jerusalem are all his. And for all this he may well fill his heart and mouth with a new song of praise to him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever. No state on earth so safe, so sweet and comfortable; and when we come to finish our course here below, it will open an entrance into an infinitely more blessed and glorious state above, and carry the soul with joyful light through the gloomy shades of death into an endless possession of it.

XXXIV.

The privilege of serving God-Self-renunciation.

1736, JAN. 9.-The time we spend in employments tending to the honour of the great God and our own happiness in another world, is the only time of all our days that will bear a comfortable reflection. And finding now some

comfort in my soul from both public and private employments of this kind, of which you only, next to Divine Providence, favoured me lately with an opportunity, I am bound to make you, good Madam, an humble tender of the; best thanks in my power, and take leave to trust, nay, beg, that your prayers may assist not only in the success of all the good that has been attempted, but also that I may obtain grace to devote my life, with the utmost entireness and sincerity, to the service of God; for I am more and more convinced, that the highest wisdom, and the greatest happiness, of which any creature is capable, is to withdraw all fond regard from the vain and visible things of this life, to live and act in every thing with a view to the real invisibilities of another life. So desirable a thing I apprehend a life so devoted to be, and so accompanied it is with inward peace and pleasure, that of all things I ever yet saw or heard of, I know of nothing that is worth a wish in comparison of it. Help me, dear Madam, in this thing, in this only thing, that my soul desires, and you will do me a greater kindness than if it was in your power and will too, to make me master of both the Indies. Ah! how my Christian friends would oblige me in using their endeavours for me in this thing. And methinks, it is a particular incitement of our love to Jesus Christ, that through his intercession, our prayers for ourselves and for one another, will surely prevail at last for the blessings desired, if we be not wanting in the use of this and other means.

It is not only much to be desired, but absolutely necessary for every one that engages in religion, to set out with a steady resolution to practise the baptismal vow of renouncing the

flesh and the world, as well as the devil; that is, in other words, and which is comprehensive of the whole, to deny self-self-seeking-and self-opinion and self-will; so that they may readily submit to be determined and governed in every thing by the revealed will of God, and to keep their ears and their hearts open to hear, to receive and consider impartially all such godly counsels as appear to be agreeable to the holy scriptures.

To bring ourselves to a willing subjection in all things to the will of God, is the end of fasting, and all other mortifying duties. These are intended to help bringing the flesh into subjection to the spirit. And without this inward resigned submission to the Divine will, all outward austerities will avail us nothing. For want of this, we often find it too difficult to dissuade some professors of religion from some things their affections have embraced, or from some things their own understandings have espoused, or to heal up and compose matter of contest where variance and quarrels have happened.—

XXXV.

The pleasure and benefit of communion with God.

1736, JAN. 14.-A frequent bending of the mind to consider the concerns of our souls, will, with other means and the divine blessing, help to bring us to the most desirable state of peace and communion with God-a high privilege, even the highest of which men are capable on earth, and the fulness and perfection of which is the highest, that the saints can enjoy in heaven. It is the root that produces, or

the fund from whence we derive, every thing else that is truly desirable, or that is necessary to a spiritual and blessed life.

The atheists, and all such as are strangers to godliness as it is in Jesus, being alienatedfrom the life of God throught the ignorance and blindness of their hearts, may scoff at and ridicule this communion as enthusiastical or fantastic; but such as improve their minds in the real, spiritual, and internal parts of religion, find that reality and incomparable sweetness in it, which they would not part with for ten thousands of worlds; nay, they could part with their lives in the enjoyment of this, with vastly more delight, than they would enjoy the richest life without it.

Their own experience bears witness to the saints, that there is a real and delightful intercourse between God and their souls. Do they not feel the secret suggestion of the Spirit calling upon them to practise religious duties, and to endeavour after a nearer approach unto God? Do they not feel an inward impulse, calling to repentance, influencing them with grief and humiliation, shame and sorrrow for their sins? Does not an invisible power work in them a crying desire for deliverance from corruption and sinful infirmities, and also a most intense and insatiable thirst for greater growth in grace and holiness? Are they not sometimes mounted up as it were upon eagles' wings, that they might have their conversation in heaven and about heavenly things? And have they not many groans and wishes that they might be so always, and never return to the vexation and vanity of this earth again? Do they not sometimes hear the joyful sound speaking peace to their minds, and assuring their hearts that God is well pleased with

them? And then they walk under the bright shining light of his countenance, and under the manifesations of his loving kindness with great consolation, which cannot fail to make them exceedingly more glad, than the mere men of the world can ever be by the increase of their oil and wine.

This communion with God that is to be aimed at, and endeavoured to be carried on in religious exercises, is of great efficacy to serve all the best and greatest purposes of our holy religion. Nothing can be more effectual in deadening all our inordinate love and affection for the ways of the world and the desires of our flesh. If we walk in the spirit, we shall not fulfil these lusts. Nothing else can set a keener edge upon our zeal against sin, or give us a more sensible longing for improvement in purity;-it darkens the glory and lustre of all earthly things by giving to the soul a view and taste of a glory which far excelleth, it mightily endears us to the love of God, and has an astonishing virtue to transform the soul to a likeness to his image,-it opens the understanding to see the beauty of holiness in a new and ravishing light,—and it affords also such a heavenly relish and savour in God's ways, that they who are experienced and conversant in them, cannot (except they suffer their taste to be vitiated again by vain conversation) but be as eager in their pursuit of heavenly things, as other men are in their pursuit of earthly or sensual enjoyments. So that in all respects, this divine communion marvellously improves and strongly establishes the life of holiness in the souls of men; and therefore the diligent use of all the helps, which may assist to bring us on into this state