Prov. i.

the Effects of it may be lefs vifible. For I, who taught them then, continue teaching ftill; Nay, I direct my Speech to All, but All will not hear it. For there are many deaf to all my Charms; and therefore deaf, because they stop their Ears; hate my Inftructions, and will none of my Reproofs. They liften to the World much rather than to God, and are more difpofed to obey their own Corrupt and Senfual, than his Pure and Heavenly Will. The World invites them with fhort and tranfitory, trifling and empty Joys, and they greedily engage in its Service I covenant for Eternal and Excellent Rewards; and the infenfible Wretches will not confider, or think them worth their Acceptance. This Folly is univerfal; For who among the Sons of Men, expreffes half that Zeal and Earneftnefs, that folicitous Defire to please, and dutiful Fear to offend, in his Deportment towards me, which he does in Matters relating to this World, or in Obedience to Mafters upon Earth? Confider this, and blush for Shame; for What, but Shame and Confufion of Face, can be the Effect of thy Reflection upon this unworthy Ufage, this moft abfurd Folly ?

A fmall Preferment is efteem'd a valuable Confideration for long and painful Jourrieys. Men fly for it eagerly, and haften all they can to get ground of their Competitors; This is every one's Care, and it is accounted a Reproach to be negligent in fuch Pursuits. But, when Advancement to Heaven and Eternal Happiness is offer'd, they are flothful and unactive, and scarce a Man is to be found, who thinks it worth the while to mend his Pace, or fets one Step forward to meet, or to fecure, fo glorious an Advantage. A little fordid Gain engages all Mens Industry; a trifling Sum embroils them in tedious and expenfive Suits; AndPromises of Things fcarce worth their having, they are content to drudge for; to lofe the Eafe of their Days, and the Sleep of their Nights, and think their

Toil and Anxious Care well paid, if they can compafs them at laft: But a fubftantial and unchangeable Good, a Recompence greater than they knew how to value juftly, Immortal Glory, and the Honours of the Saints, are funk fo low in wretched Mens Efteem, that the least Pains and Hardship are thought too much for them.

A

And art thou not afhamed, lazy, infenfible, grumbling Wretch, that the Children of this World should pursue Death and Ruin, with a more vigorous Indutry and Zeal, than thou canft find in thy Heart to beftow upon Life and Happiness? Shall Toys and Vanities win more upon their Affections, than folid and true Good can upon thine? Nay, even thofe Vanities, whofe very Enjoyments are empty, do often mock their Hopes, and are never enjoyed at all: Their Friends promise and deceive; They labour but cannot attain: But my promises are without Repentance; None taxeth me with Breach of Faith, or can complain, that his Dependance upon my Word hath at any Time disappointed him. For I require only Love and Perfeverance; And, if thefe be not wanting, I anfwer to the full, nay, I far exceed, my Servants largest Wishes and longing Expectations. Yet falfe and fickle Men can eafily perfuade, and the God, who cannot lye, calls and promises in vain! I am the fure Rewarder of all that diligently feek me; and if such meet with Sufferings and fharp Temptations, thefe are not Marks of my Difpleafure, but wifely order'd, and kindly intended, to prove the Sincerity of my Servants Zeal, and to illuftrate their Virtues.

Write then my Words in thy Heart; Grave them in deep and lafting Characters; Ponder them diligently, for thou fhalt find them a feasonable Relief and neceffary Support in the Day of Tryal and Adverfity. What Reading only hath not taught thee, Affli ction will interpret and make plain. For I do not

always

always vifit my Chofen alike. Sometimes the Comforts of my Grace are proper; at others, the withdrawing thofe Comforts, and bringing their Patience and Conftancy to the Touch, by Outward Calamities, and Inward Anguifh of Spirit. Thus I daily train them up in Goodnefs, by chastising and making them hate their Sins, and cultivating and encouraging their -Advancement in Virtue. The One Difpenfation engages their Love of me, the Other abates their Fondnefs for the World. But loft and wretched is that ftupid Creature, upon whom these Methods make no Impreffion; For He that rejetteth Me, John xii. 46. and receiveth not my Words, bath One that judgeth him in the last Day.

Difciple.]

Lord, my God, Thou art my All, my only Good; but Who, alas! am I, that I should take upon me to speak to fo Great, fó Glorious a Majefty? Poor finful Duft and Afhes; a wretched Worm; lefs than the leaft of all thy Servants; much lefs, much viler, and more defpicable, than I dare to think, or am able to exprefs or conceive. And this very Vilenefs, Lord, I beg thou wouldft confider, that fo my helpless defolate Condition may move thy tender Pity, to a miferable Creature, who neither is, nor hath, nor can do any thing, without thee. For Thou only art Good, and Holy, and Powerful; and that of Power fo boundlefs, of Mercy fo diffufive, that thou filleft all things with thy Goodness; and none but thofe guilty Souls, who refufe to partake of thy Grace, are fhut out from its kindly

Influences. Behold me then hungring and thirsting after thy Righteoufnefs, and let me not be fent empty away. Call up thy Bowels, and remember thy Compaffions and old Loving-kindneffes; and fill my Soul with thy Grace and Heavenly Difpofitions, that it may be a Dwelling fit to entertain that bleffed Inhabitant, who will not take up his Abode in defiled and defolate Places...

But how can I furnifh a Houfe for my Lord, except he vouchsafe to affift and supply my Wants? How can I fuftain the Miferies and Temptations of a Troublesome Dangerous World, except thou graciously interpose and support my Weaknefs? Turn not then thy Face away from me; neither delay thy Fatherly Care; for if thou grant not refreshing Dews, and water not my Heart with thy Grace, it will remain a dry and barren Ground. Teach me, dear God, to know and do thy Will; and with fincere Humility, and indefatigable Zeal, enable me to perfevere in my Obedience. For Thou art my Wifdom, and my Righteoufnefs; my Infirmities are not hid from Thee; Thou knoweft me perfectly, and understoodest all my Defects, not only before I was born, but even long before the World it felf was made.

CHA P. V.

Walk humbly with thy God, and worship (Him in

Chrift.]

I

Truth.

Do indeed, my Son, know thy Frailties, and thy Dangers, but let not these discourage thy Endeavours. Seek and love the Truth, and let thy Heart be right with me, and all shall be well at laft. For Truth and Sincerity will be thy Prote

ction, and defend thee from the Affaults of the Devil, and the Attempts of wicked and deceitful Men. Thofe who are thus fet free, fhall be free indeed; nor fhall the Seducements or the Difcouragements of Enemies to the Truth, be able to enfnare or divert them from their Duty.

John viii.

Difciple.] True, Lord. And this Perfuafion makes me more earnestly implore thy Affiftance. That thou, who art Truth it felf, wouldft in much Mercy condefcend to inftruct, and direct me to preferve and protect me; to break the Snares of the Ungodly to pieces; to deliver my Soul, and establish me unto the End; To purge me from all corrupt and inordinate Affections, that my own happy Experience may convince me of what I already believe, and render thy Service perfect Freedom...

Chrift.] My Children cannot be more zealously difpofed to ask thefe Bleffings, than I am ready and pleased to grant them. Hear therefore the Truth, and how thou mayeft recommend thy felf to my Favour and Acceptance. Reflect with fad Remorfe upon thy paft Offences; let the Remembrance of these render thee vile in thy own Eyes; and take heed, that no Confidence in thy beft Actions, fwell thee with vain Conceits of thy own Deferts. For fure it is, thou art a Sinner, laden with Guilt and many grievous-Infirmities; prone in thy own Nature to Vanity, easily feduced, quickly diverted from good Refolutions, and overcome by very flight Temptations. In fhort; No į. Excellence belongs to thee, which can in any degree justify thy Pride or Boafting; but infinite Occafions there are to exercife thy Humility and Lamentation, infinitely more in truth, than thou canst be duly fenfible of.

Let not then the mistaken Value of any thing thou art, or doeft, delude thee with falfe Appearances of Worth and Perfectien; Let not thy Affections be fe

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