Wherefore alfo it is contained in the Scripture, Behold I lay

in Zion a chief Corner Stone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on Him fhall not be confounded (or deceived.) 1Pet. ii. 6. The Faith which never deceives is not fuch as is barren and without Works, but a practical Faith, which fubjects the Heart to the Gofpel, and to the Ways of Jefus Chrift, and makes us obedient to all his Commandments.

Lord, doft thou fhew a corner Stone
For us to build our Hopes upon,
That the fair Edifice may rife
Sublime in Light beyond the Skies?
We own the Work of fov'reign Love,
Nor Death, nor Hell, thofe Hopes fhall

move,

Which fix'd on this Foundation stand,
Laid by thine own Almighty Hand.

Thy People long this Stone hath try'd,
And all the Pow'rs of Hell defy'd;

Floods of Temptation beat in vain,
Well doth this Rock the House fuftain.
Whirlwind and Thunder, Fire and Hail,
WhenStorms of Wrath around prevail,
'Tis here our trembling Souls shall hide,
And here fecurely they abide.

While they that fcorn this precious
Stone,

Fond of fome Quickfand of their own,
Borne down by weighty Vengeance die,
And buried deep in Ruin lie.

CH

'HRIST is a Rock of Offence to them which ftumble at the Word, being difobedient, 1 Pet. ii. 8.

What Advantage is it to a Chriftian to distinguish himself from the Jews, by Faith in Chrift, if the Humility of his Gofpel, and the falutary Rigors of the Christian Truths, become to him, thro' the Hardness of his own Heart, no other than Occafions of Sin? It is an Inftance of Mercy, not to be abandoned to fuch an Hardness, wherein God might juftly leave us. Break in Pieces, Lord, all the Remainders of it in me.

Go worship at Immanuel's Feet,
See in his Face what Wonders meet,
Earth is too narrow to express
His Worth, his Glory, or his Grace.
The whole Creation can afford,
But fome faint Shadows of my Lord,
Nature, to make His Beauties known,
Maft mingle Colours not her own.

He is a Rock: How firm he proves?
The Rock of Ages never moves :
Yet the fweet Streams that from him
Attend us all the Defert thro'. [flow
O foolish and unwise of Men,
Who flight the LAMB for Sinners flain,
And all that disobedient prove,
To fcorn fuch gracious tender Love.

Conv. St. Paul, AND he (Paul) fell to the Earth, and heard a Voice, faying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perfecuteft thou me?--- And he faid, who art thou, Lord? And the Lord faid, I am Jefus whom thou perfecutest: It is hard for thee to kick against the Pricks, Acts ix. 4. 5.

Obferve here feveral Degrees in the Converfion of a Sinner. 1. He begins, by not being deaf to the Reproaches of his own Conscience, and to the Strokes of the divine Rod. 2. He feeks to know Jefus Chrift the true Mediator. 3. He becomes fenfible of his own Sin. 4. He begins to be afraid; for fince it is God himself who is offended, fince it is his Saviour who is perfecuted, what ought he not to fear? 5. But then, fince the Mercy of that God is infinite, and the Grace of that Saviour almighty, what may he not justly hope.

To the World and Satan fold,
Sinner what is Chrift to Thee?
Pleasure is thy God, or Gold:
Bondflave of Iniquity,

Canft Thou feel an heavier Chain,
Panting for the Praise of Man?

Then behold the heavenly Lamb,
Pouring out his Blood divine:
On the Brink of Tophet, claim

CHRIST,the Sinner's Friend, for thine,
Find, with all his Saints, thy Part,
Find thy Saviour in thy Heart.

HAving your Conversation honest among the Gentiles. That whereas (or wherein) they speak against you as Evil Doers, they may, by your good Works, which they fhall behold, glorify God in the Day of Vifitation, 1 Pet. ii. 12.

Let us with fo much the more Care avoid giving Offence to worldly. Men: the more they are difpofed to believe Ill, the lefs they are apt to excufe it, and the more inclined they are to turn the Vices of particular Men against Religion in general. Evil-fpeaking is the Life of the World: Piety is the moft expofed thereto, because it most condemns its Maxims Where God vifits an Heart by his Grace, what Changes does he make in it? perhaps the Moment of this Vifitation is juft approaching for this Libertine; and thy good Example ought to be fubfervient thereto. Those Eyes which it fhall enlighten, will then behold, with Joy and Admiration, that which they before looked upon with Abhorrence. Where Satan reign'd inShades of night, While the wide World effeems it ftrange, The Gospel strikes a heavenly Light, Gaze and admire, and hate the Change. OurLufts its wond'rousPower controuls May but this Grace my Soul renew, And calms the Rage of angry Souls. Let Sinners gaze and hate me too; Lions, and Beafts of favage Name, The Word that faves me does engage Put on the Nature of the Lamb, A fure Defence from all their Rage.

YE were as Sheep going aftray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls. 1 Pet. ii. 25.

O thou good Shepherd, who deliveredft up thy felf to Wolves, for the Salvation of thy Sheep, feek me, carry me, fave me by thy Grace, O Shepherd and Bishop of my Soul, who haft facrificed thy felf for me, fhed abroad in me thy divine Unction, feed me with thy Word, thy Example, thy Truth, thy Body, thy Blood, and with thy whole Self; prefent my Prayers, Defires, and all my Actions to thy Father, inlighten, guide, and fupport my Steps: render me attentive, and obedient to thy Voice, and grant that I may be kept with Fidelity, Submiffion, and Perfeverance under thy Eyes, and thy Hand; and that I may follow Thee in walking exactly, humbly, and courageoufly in thy Ways, till thou haft conducted me into the eternal Paftures.

Return, ye wand'ring Souls return,

And seek his tender Breast;
Call back the Mem'ry of the Days,
When there you found your Reft.

Behold, O Lord, we fly to Thee,

Tho' Blushes veil our Face, Conftrain'd our laft Retreat to seek In thy much-injur'd Grace.