wind of doctrine," but studies and desires only, that everything, both within and without him, may be directed and accomplished according to thy will!

It is of great importance, Lord, for the preservation and improvement of thy heavenly gift, to shun the notice of the world; and, instead of cultivating attainments that attract admiration and applause, to aspire, with continual ardor, after inward purity, and a perfect elevation of the heart to thee. How often has the growth of holiness been checked, by its being too hastily made known, and too highly commended!" And how greatly hath it flourished, in that humble state of silence and obscurity, so desirable in the present life, which is one scene of temptation, one continual warfare!

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CHAPTER XXXII.

Confidence in the righteous Judgment of God.

CHRIST.

PLACE all thy hope, my son, in my mercy, and stand firm against false accusations: For what are words, but puffs of air, that are of short continuance, and leave no impression? If thou art guilty, resolve to make the accusation an occasion of amendment ; if thou art innocent, submit to it willingly, and bear it patiently, for my sake. It is surely a little matter for thee, who hast not endured the lasting pain of cruel stripes, sometimes to bear the light buffeting

of transient words. Could affliction make so deep an impression upon thy heart, if thou wert not still carnal, and didst not set too high a value upon the favor of men? Thou art afraid of being despised; and, therefore, canst not bear reprehension, but laborest to conceal thy iniquities, or palliate them by excuses. Examine now the state of thy heart, and confess, that a vain desire of pleasing men is the governing principle, of thy actions: for whilst thou refusest to be brought to shame, and be buffeted for thy faults, it is evident, that thou art not truly humbled, not yet" crucified to the world, nor the world to thee."

Give ear to my word, and thou wilt not be moved by ten thousand opprobrious words of men. Consider, if everything was said against thee that the most extravagant malignity can suggest, what hurt could it possibly do thee, if thou only lettest it pass without resentment? Could it pluck from thy head a single hair? He that liveth not in my presence manifested in his heart, is disturbed by the lightest breath of human censure; but he that referreth his cause to me shall be free from the fear of man. I am the sole judge of man's actions, and the discerner of his most secret thoughts: I know the nature, the cause, and the effect of every injury; and make a just estimate of the wrong that is done by the injurious, and sustained by the sufferer. The word of reproach came forth from me; it was uttered by my permission," that the thoughts of many hearts might be revealed :" for though the innocent and the guilty shall be judged in the face of the whole world,

at the last day, yet it is my will to try both beforehand, by a secret judgment, unknown to all but myself.

The testimony of man is fallible, partial, and changeable; my judgment is true, righteous, and permanent as my own being. To me, therefore, thou must refer thy cause in all human accusation, and not trust to the blind and partial determinations of thy own mind. The righteous, should never be moved by whatever befalls him, knowing that it comes from the hand of God. Therefore, if thou art falsely accused, be not cast down; or if justly defended, do not triumph: for consider that "I, the Lord, search the heart and try the reins;" that I judge not, as man judgeth, by deceitful appearances; and that, therefore, what is highly esteemed by him, is often abomination in my sight

DISCIPLE.

O Lord God, the consciousness of innocence is not sufficient to sustain me under the pressure of false accusation: be thou, therefore, O most righteous and most merciful Judge, the Omniscient and Almighty, my confidence and my strength !

Thou knowest what I know not; thou knowest my secret faults, and how justly I deserve continual reprehension. I ought, therefore, whether I think I deserve it or not, to humble myself under every reproof of man, and bear it with meekness. O pardon me, as often as I have not done this; and mercifully bestow upon me the grace of more perfect submission!

It is surely much safer for me to depend for de

liverance from all my evil, upon the free and boundless mercy manifested in thy sacred humanity; than presuming upon particular instances of imperfect righteousness, to justify myself before men, when there is so much evil in me that escapes the notice of my own mind. And though in many instances my conscience condemns me not, yet am I not therefore justified; because, without the merciful gifts of righteousness which is in thee, no man living can be justified in thy sight.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

The Hope of Eternal Life.

CHRIST.

My son, neither let the labors which thou hast voluntarily undertaken for my sake, break thy spirit, nor the afflictions that come upon thee in the course of my providence, utterly cast thee down. I am an abundant recompense, above all comprehension and all hope. Thou shalt not long labor here, nor groan under the pressure of continual trouble. Wait patiently the accomplishment of my will, and thou shalt see a speedy end of all evil: the hour will quickly come, when labor and sorrow shall cease; for everything is inconsiderable and short that passeth away in the current of time.

What thou hast to do, therefore, do with thy might. Labor faithfully in my vineyard; I myself

will be thy reward. Write, read, sing my praises, bewail thy own sins, pray in the spirit, and with patient resolution bear all afflictions: eternal life is worthy not only of such watchful diligence, but of the severest conflicts.

The day is coming, fixed by my unalterable decree, when, instead of the vicissitudes of day and night, and joy and sorrow, there shall be uninterrupted light, infinite splendor, unchangeable peace, and everlasting rest. Then thou wilt no longer say, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" nor exclaim, “Wo is me, that my pilgrimage is prolonged !" for "death shall be swallowed up in victory," and "the corruptible will have put on incorruption." Then "all tears shall be wiped away from thy eyes," and all sorrow taken from thy heart; and thou shalt enjoy perpetual delight in the lovely society of angels, and "the spirits of the just made perfect."

O, was it possible for thee to behold the unfading brightness of those crowns which the blessed wear in heaven; and with what triumphant glory, they, whom the world once despised, and thought unworthy even of life itself, are now invested; verily, thou wouldst humble thyself to the dust, and be resigned to thy inferiority. Instead of sighing for the perpetual enjoyment of the pleasures of this life, thou wouldst rejoice in suffering all its afflictions for the sake of God; and wouldst count it great gain, to be despised and rejected as nothing among men.

If a true sense of these astonishing glories, which re offered thee as the object of thy faith and hope, had entered into the depths of thy heart, couldst