In such seasons of weakness and sorrow, it is necessary for thee to be the more earnest in external exercises, and seek relief in the diligent practice of common duties; with assured confidence expecting my return, and with meek patience bearing this state of banishment to darkness and desolation, till I visit thee again, and deliver thee from all thy distress. Then I will make thee forget past sufferings, in the enjoyment of profound peace; I will so fully open to thy mind the divine truths contained in my written word, that thou shalt begin with " enlarged heart to run the way of my commandments ;" and in the joyful anticipation of the heavenly life, thou shalt feel and confess, that "the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in thee."

DISCIPLE.

an

Lord, I am unworthy, not only of the superior comforts, but of the least visitations of thy Spirit ; and, therefore, thou dealest righteously with me, when thou leavest me to my own poverty and wretchedness. Though, from the anguish of my soul, "rivers of tears" were to "flow day and night," still thou wouldst deal righteously with me, if thou still shouldst withdraw thy consolations: for I am worthy only of stripes and afflictions, because I have frequently and obstinately resisted thy will, and in many things have heinously offended. From a faithful retrospect of my past life, I cannot plead the least title to thy smallest favors, but "thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and plenteous in mercy."

What am I, O Lord! and what have I done, that thou shouldst bestow upon me any consolation? So far from being able to recollect the least goodness proceeding from myself, I have been always prone to evil, and insensible and sluggish under the sanctifying influences of thy grace. Should I say otherwise, thou wouldst stand in judgment against me, and there is none that would be able to support my cause. My sins are so numerous and aggravated, that they have exposed me to everlasting wrath; much more have they rendered me unworthy of the society of thy faithful servants, from which I deserve to be driven, as an object of universal scorn and contempt.

But, oppressed with guilt, and filled with confusion as I am, what shall I say? I have no power to utter more than this:-I have sinned, O Lord, "against thee only have I sinned. Have mercy upon me, according to thy loving kindness; and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out all my transgressions." Bear with me a little while, that I may truly bewail my corruption and misery, "before I go to the land of darkness," that is covered with the shadow of death. And from a sinner, laden with such aggravated guilt, what other reparation dost thou desire for his transgressions, and what other is he capable of, but a heart broken with holy sorrow, and humbled to the dust?

In true contrition and humiliation, the hope of pardon hath its birth: there the troubled conscience is set at rest: man is delivered from the wrath to come; and God and the penitent soul meet together with a holy kiss. The humble sorrow of a broken

and a contrite heart is thy chosen sacrifice, O Lord! infinitely more fragrant than clouds of burning incense it is the precious ointment, with which thou desirest to have thy holy feet anointed. A broken and a contrite heart, thou never didst, nor ever will despise.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

The Grace of God comports not with Love of the World.

CHRIST.

SON, my grace, which is infinitely pure, like the fountain from whence it flows, cannot unite with the love of sensual pleasure, and worldly enjoyment. If, therefore, thou desirest to receive this heavenly gift, thou must banish from thy heart every affection that obstructs its entrance. Choose a place of undisturbed privacy for thy resort; delight in retirement and solitude; and, instead of wasting thy invaluable moments in the vain and unprofitable conversations of men, devote them to prayer and holy intercourse with God, which will increase compunction, and purify thy conscience. Thou must wean thy heart from all human consolation and dependence; and be able to forsake even thy most intimate associate and dearest friend. This duty, and the ground of it, I have already taught thee by my apostle Peter, who earnestly beseeches my faithful fol

lowers to consider themselves, as they truly are"strangers and pilgrims " in the world; and, in that character, to abstain from the indulgence of earthly and carnal affections, "which war against

the soul."

With what confidence and peace shall that man, in the hour of his dissolution, look on death, whom no personal affection or worldly interest binds down to the present life! When self is once overcome, the conquest of every other evil will be easy. This is the true victory; this the glorious triumph of the new man! And he, whose sensual appetite is kept in continual subjection to his spirit, and his spirit in continual subjection to my will, he is this mighty conqueror of himself, and the Lord of the whole world.

If, with holy ambition, thou desirest to ascend this height of perfection, thou must set out with a resolved will, and first lay the axe to the root, that self may be cut off. From self-love, as the corrupt stock, are derived the numerous branches of that evil which forms the trials of man in his struggles for redemption; and when this stock is plucked up by the roots, holiness and peace will be implanted in its room, and flourish for ever with unfading verdure. But how few labor for this extirpation! How few seek to obtain the divine life, which can only rise from the death of self! And thus men lie bound in the complicated chains of animal passions, unwilling, and, therefore, unable, to rise above the selfish enjoyments of flesh and blood.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

The different Operations of Nature and Grace.

CHRIST.

My son, observe, with watchful attention, the motions of nature and grace; for though infinitely different, they are yet so subtle and intricate, as not always to be distinguished, but by an illuminated and sanctified spirit. Men invariably desire the possession of good; and some good is always pretended, as the constant motive of their words and actions; and, therefore, many are deluded by an appearance of good, when the reality is wholly wanting.

Nature is crafty: she allures, ensnares, and deceives; and continually designs her own gratification, as her ultimate end. But grace walks in simplicity and truth; "abstains from all appearance of evil;" pretends no fallacious views; but acteth from the pure love of God, in whom she rests as her

and final good.

supreme

Nature abhors the death of self; will not be restrained, will not be conquered, will not be subordinate, but reluctantly obeys when obedience is unavoidable Grace, on the contrary, is bent on self-mortification; continually resists the sensual appetite; seeks occasion of subjection; longs to be subdued, and even uses not the liberty she possesses: loves to be restrained by the rules of strict discipline; and has no desire for the exercise of authority and dominion.