who do not want this divine treatment of being exercised with afflictions, at least at times, in order to bring their thoughts still nearer to God, and to a greater distance from the withering comforts of the present world, so that no idols may engross their love from him, who is the Christian's all in all. And though this discipline be not joyous but grievous for the present, yet it is most certainly designed for our advantage; that is, for the increase of our grace now, and of our glory hereafter. The tribulation of the godly, as the Apostle affirms, worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and another Apostle adds, that, when it is needful, we should for a season be in heaviness through manifold temptations, it is, that the trial of our faith, may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ. And therefore good men do always endeavour to attain a religious calmness and composure of mind, to approve themselves resigned and submissive to the will and appointment of God in every state and circumstance of life through which they pass. It is and should be their concern to comfort themselves with the several dispensations of divine providence, leaving it with God to dispose of their wordly affairs as he pleases, without any anxious solicitude on their part, and indeed with a firm belief, that it is God (all whose paths are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant) who measures out all their afflictions.

When Shimei cursed David, he considered it as coming from the Lord. Of whom it becomes us to learn, whatever we suffer, to become dumb and open not our mouth, because it is God's doing. For however second causes may concur, and whatever guilt may be in the

instruments of our trouble, religion teaches us to look above to the Supreme Ruler of all things.

It is well that the mixing of our cup belongs to God; if we had ourselves the tempering of it, we should soon destroy ourselves by taking out all the bitter ingredients; and so by making it more pleasant, we should render it very unwholesome. We would have the thorn in the flesh removed from us; and if our petition was granted, it would ruin, or at least endanger our souls. It is therefore our happiness and safety that the management of us is in better hands than our own. Oh! for a more improved degree of faith. According to our measure of it will be our strength in the day of trial. This is the grace that crowns our heads with victory in the day of battle. It is true, the assistance of every other grace will be wanted here, but above all the shield of faith, which conquers all difficulties, and which hath obtained so many victories over the severest trials. It purges the soul from sin and guilt, which is to the spirit of man like a wound upon the bearing shoulder, which weakens and destroys our strength; the removal of which enables the soul to bear other burdens cheerfully. And faith will enable us to bear afflictions and hardships, not only by purging out our weakening distempers, but by turning also the soul to Christ in all distresses and dangers, that we may derive help and comfort from him, suitable to the several exigences we are exercised with, and commit ourselves to him, leaving our affairs with him, and so easing ourselves of these anxieties and perturbations of mind, which are the greatest burden and weight of all afflictions. For certainly that which causes us to sink in times of trouble, is rather from within, from our

unsubdued and clamorous thoughts, than from the troubles themselves. But by committing the whole affair to our dear Lord, the soul is quickly brought to rest.

I am very sorry for our friend's afflictions, and sympathize with him; but I trust it will not be very long before he finds his account in them, and that in the mean time he is well stored with grace and knowledge to support him under them, till the desired fruit, for which the providence of God designs them, is produced, to his unspeakable and endless comfort.

XXI.

Death a gain to the godly.

1734, AUG 1.-You have heard of our friend's death. Such tidings should always remind us of what we must expect will be reported of us in a little time. How little should be our concern for the enjoyments of the present life, and how diligent should be our preparation for eternity, since our time for both is so short. Happy is the man that can say, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." To him it will be gain indeed. It will be the end of all his miseries, the perfection of all his comforts, and the accomplishment of all his desires. If 'we live that life which is taught by Christ, derived from him, and directed to him,-if the glory and grace and word of Christ, be the principle rule, and end of our life, we shall gain exceedingly by it at last, and we shall be able to desire instead of dreading to depart, to be with him, which is far better. The Lord God bless us, poor sinners, with more of his grace, before we go hence and be no more seen. When the unavoidable fatal hour is come, the truly

pious will see the wisdom of their choice in having made the service of God their chief concern. They will then reap the fruit of all their pains and labour of love.

Oh we are miserably blind and stupid, else we could not but see how little worth minding every thing else is, in comparison to a sound preparation for our exit into eternity. The neglect of this will be bitterness in the latter end. The death of others do cry aloud in our ears, 'get you also ready, for you must die and not live.' If we strive and study to die unto sin, and live unto God, our labour will not be in vain; we shall pass through temporal death unto eternal life, and live with God in blessedness for ever

more.

XXII.

The pleasure of being employed for God.

1734, DEC. 4.-I owe more thanks than I can express to my constant Benefactor for the uninterrupted streams of his mercies to me. Though I went from home with a cold, and returned with a hoarseness, yet I have been carried through the duties of the day with some strength and cheerfulness. My Sundays are always my best days with regard to the health of my soul and body too. I wish I was employed in the same manner every day, and that all my days were holy-days. I think I have tasted all the pleasures and comforts that this world can possibly afford, and they are no more than midnight darkness to the brightest noon-light, quite trifling to be compared with the inward joy and consolation that attend our approving ourselves faithful unto God. But I, a vile worm, am too unfaithful as well as too incapable for the calling that I am in,

to dare to apply this comfort much to myself; and yet sometimes I am made to feel some degrees of it.

My thoughts do often congratulate your happiness, for the joy and divine approbation that you must feel in your mind from the works of love that you abound in. For how can you possibly more resemble the God of love in any other way? I am obliged to you for all the instances of your favour to me and to my poor ministry; which, I am assured, will have a good influence upon the minds of some, I hope, of many. And these your regards for the interest of our blessed Jesus, will certainly turn to a good account in the day of our reckoning. But what I was going to say, is, that all my friends on earth cannot do me a greater kindness, than by their begging more grace for me; and to speak my mind freely, my thoughts are, that heaven itself cannot oblige me more than by granting me these two things,-to make me an Israelite indeed, and to assist and prosper me in the work of the ministry.—

XXIII.

Selfishness in ministers lamented.

1735, JAN. 2.-My friend thankfully embraces the kind offer of your interest for him, but with entire resignation, I hope, to divine: disposal whether it will succeed or not. It is fit we should do so in every thing; but more especially should ministers stay for providence to open their way, that the Master of the vineyard may place them at work where he pleases. We see that those who run before they are sent, do commonly make more haste than good speed. If men did not consult their ease and,