like Christ's glorious body, and made spiritual, incorruptible, and immortal; no matter how dim this eye grow, that is soon to see God in mine own nature, and, thus strengthened, gaze with growing wonder, and unabating vigour, on all the glories of the higher house; no matter how these limbs totter, that are to stand eternally before the throne. O how I triumph in the decline of nature, and, amidst the storms of winter, sing of eternal summer from the smile of God! The horrors of the grave, the pangs of my last sickness, and the groans of death, are all but shadowy, imaginary evils, compared with those substantial glories that wait to be revealed on the back of them. No matter, though troubles and trials, though men and devils, though earth and hell, like an army of enraged enemies, attend me to the very gate of glory. Omnipotence shall defend me while in the enemy's country; and, when admitted into bliss, over the wall of heaven, I shall bid defiance to all the furies of hell, and, entering into the joy of my Lord, I shall join in the endless hallelujahs of the hosts of the redeemed.

But when the sinner's sight begins to fail, what can he expect? when his eyes are shut in death, what can he hope for, but to see all the horrors of the pit, all the sad spectacles of damnation, and all the storms and tempests of God's wrath, pouring upon him through an endless evermore?

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MEDITATION CXXXVIII.

ON CASTING OUR CARE ON GOD.

April 16, 1780.

DAILY, by my anxious cares, how do I discredit

these soul-comforting, soul-composing truths, that God cares for his people, that their concerns are his, and that he keeps them as the apple of his eye? Did a kind-hearted Samson go along the way with me, and take my burden from my back, and bear it on his robust shoulders, would it not be impertinent to run up every now and then, to bear up the burden, though forbidden, and convinced that he could carry me above my burden? Just so, God has commanded me to cast all my care on him, with this sweet assurance, that he careth for me. And he has no more need of my care joined to his care, than he has need of my assistance to support the pillars of the world. Though rolling my burden on the Lord doth not supersede a moderate care, and the use of lawful means, yet I am so to cast my cares on God, as if I had no more concern with them. O how unlike a child of God, an expectant of glory, to have so many anxious cares, and disquieting forebodings, about the things of time, under the pleasing hopes of a happy eternity! My cares may multiply, my concerns may grow, but can never be too many for God. He has borne the cares of his church and people through many generations, and well may I cast all mine on him. God's care of me is always productive of good; but my distrust avails nothing, but gives present pain, and future disappointment. When God kindly claims it as his pro

vince to care for me, why should I encroach on his province, by caring for myself? He is a Rock, and his work is perfect, without my anxiety. The stronger my faith is in God, I will have the less care about myself. When I care for myself, I am distracted with doubts and unbelief; but, when I cast my care on God, in the actings of a vigorous faith, I have peace and composure of soul.

Did the king of Great-Britain send me a message, Make yourself happy, for I will provide for you and your's,' should not I rely on the royal promise, and think myself secure? Then, is the promise, the compassion, the treasure, and the faithfulness, of the King of heaven, less to be depended on than of any earthly king? His care has been extended to a numerous race of my ancestors, since Japheth left the ark, and through Pagan darkness, and Popish delusion, has brought me to the clear light of the gospel; and to this unerring care, both with respect to soul and body, I may well commit my posterity to the end of time. His care fashioned me in my mother's womb, and will not forsake me, now that am near to be laid in the bowels of the earth.

I know not how far I should extend my care, beeause I know not how long I shall live. Now, my cares are mostly for events and times to come, and yet I cannot boast of to-morrow; therefore, as no time is mine but the present, so I should have no anxieties for the future.

If I should eat the flesh off my bones with care, it would not alter the plan of providence towards me; therefore, strong faith, and entire resignation to the disposal of heaven, are both my indispensable duty, and will be my best wisdom.

"Be careful for nothing," is a command as large and extensive, as it is kind and gracious; that is, have no anxious concern about future period, or apparent losses, about friends and relations, about wife or children, widow or orphan, house or home, food or raiment, poverty or reproach, sickness or death.

So often has mine own care produced nothing but pain and disquiet, that it is high time for me to be ashamed of it, and to give entirely up with it. And so often has the heavenly care done wonders for me, watched over me for good, and done all things well, that on him I may cast my every care with confidence and joy.

MEDITATION CXXXIX.

THE AFFECTION OF A PARENT.

Aug. 17, 1780. Now that I am a father, and know the affection of a parent, would I not defend from every danger, would I not bestow every good thing, would I not implore every blessing, on my tender offspring? Would I not rear and cherish their infant state, correct and educate their childhood, inspect, reprove, admonish their manhood? Would I allow the dear little creatures to play with sharp pointed knives, to sport on the brink of a rapid stream, or dance about a pit's mouth? Would I permit them to hold in their hand the berries of the deadly night-shade, or to put a cup of poison to their tender lips? However indulgent, would I suffer them to refuse my commands, or spit in my face? And, if they laboured under any disease

If as

that threatened their precious life, what pains or expenses would I spare to procure them relief? sured that a physician lived somewhere, that could heal them without fail, would I not send to the utmost corner of the land? would I not travel to the ends of the earth?

But, hear me, O parents! and let me hear myself; if our affection end here, we are monsters of cruelty. Would we pluck them from fire and water, and yet permit them to plunge into the fire of hell, and lie under the billows of Jehovah's wrath? Will we snatch from them sword, pistol, or knife, and allow them to wound themselves to the very soul with sin? Will we chastise their impertinence to us, and wink at their spitting in the very face of God, by open acts of sin? Are we fond to have them early well bred to men, and yet let them live in the neglect of prayer, which is the highest disrespect that can be put on the Author of our being? In a word, is this the sum of our kindness, is this the height of our ambition for our dear children, to see them happy in time, flourishing in the affairs of this life, though they should be miserable beyond description through eternity itself? Will their bodily pain excite our sympathy, and we will do all in our power to have their diseases healed, and yet feel nothing, though their souls pine under sin, and they suffer all the pangs of the second death, nor bring them in our prayers to the Physician of souls, to the Saviour of sinners?

Then, were my children ever so many, I have but one request for them all, and that is, that they may fear and serve God here, and enjoy him for ever. No matter though they sweat for their daily bread (this is entailed on all mankind) but let them feed on