spirit watereth, and in which God's own Son is continually walking: where he meeteth those that seek him, and revealeth to them the glories of his person, and the riches of his goodness. Thus would I finish the remainder of my days! Having just tasted (what they call) the politer studies, I would now devote my whole applica tion to the lively oracles. From other pursuits, I might glean, perhaps, a few scattered fragments of low, of lean, of unsatisfactory instruction. From this, I trust to reap a harvest of the sublimest truths, the noblest improvements, and the purest joys*.-Waft me then, O! waft my mind to Sion's consecrated bowers. Let my thoughts perpe. tually rove through the awfully-pleasing walks of inspiration. Here grow those heaven-born plants, the trees of life and knowledge, whose ambrosial fruits we now may "take, and eat, " and live for ever." Here flow those precious streams of grace and righteousness, whose living waters "whosoever drinks shall thirst no more." And what can the fables of Grecian song, or the finest pages of Roman eloquence-what can they exhibit in any degree comparable to these matchless prerogatives of revelation ?-Therefore, though I should not dislike to pay a visit now and then to my heathen masters, I would live with the prophets and apostles. With those I would carry on some occasional correspondence; but these should be my bosom friends, my inseparable companions, my delight, and my counsellors." What sweets are these, which so agreeably salute my nostrils? They are the breath of the flowers, the incense of the garden.-How liberally does the jessamine dispense her odoriferous riches? How deliciously has the woodbine embalmed this morning walk? The air is all perfume.-And is * Quicquid docetur, veritas; quicquid præcipitur, bonitas; quicquid promittitur, felicitas, not this another most engaging argument to for sake the bed of sloth? Who would lie dissolved in senseless slumbers, while so many breathing sweets invite him to a feast of fragrancy? Especially considering, that the advancing day will exhale the volatile dainties. A fugitive treat they are, prepared only for the wakeful and industrious. Whereas, when the sluggard lifts his heavy eyes, the flowers will droop, their fine scents be dissipated; and, instead of this refreshing humidity, the air will become a kind of liquid fire. With this very motive, heightened by a representation of the most charming pieces of morning scenery, the parent of mankind awakes his lovely consort. There is such a delicacy in the choice, and so much life in the description of these rural images, that I cannot excuse myself without repeating the whole passage.-Whisper it, some friendly genius, in the ear of every one, who is now sunk in sleep, and lost to all these refined gratifications: Awake! the morning shines, and the fresh field How delightful is this fragrance! It is distributed in the nicest proportion; neither so strong as to oppress the organs, nor so faint as to elude them. We are soon cloyed at a sumptuous banquet; but this pleasure never loses its poignancy, never palls the appetite.-Here luxury itself is innocent; or rather, in this case, indulgence is incapable of excess.-This balmy entertainment not only regales the sense, but t cheers the very soul, and, instead of clogging, elates its powers. Milt. Par. Lost, b. v. 1. 20. t Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart. Prov. xxvii. 9. It puts me in mind of that ever-memorable sacrifice, which was once made in behalf of offending mortals: I mean the sacrifice of the blessed Jesus, when he offered up himself to God," for a sweet"smelling savour." Such the Holy Spirit styles that wonderful oblation: as if no image in the whole sensible creation was so proper to give us an idea of the ineffable satisfaction which the Father of mercies conceived from that unparalleled atonement, as the pleasing sensations which such rich perfumes are capable of raising. "Thousands "of rams, and ten thousands of rivers of oil," from an apostate world; the most submissive ac knowledgments, added to the most costly offer. ings, from men of defiled hands and unclean lips, what could they have effected? A prophet represents the "high and lofty one, that inhabiteth "eternity," turning himself away from such filthy rags; turning himself away, with a disdainful abhorrence, as from the noisome steams of a dunghill. But in Christ's immaculate holiness, in Christ's consummate obedience, in Christ's most precious blood-shedding, with what unimaginable complacency does justice rest satisfied, and vengeance acquiesce -All thy works, O thou Surety for ruined sinners! all thy sufferings, O thou slaughtered Lamb of God! as well as all thy gar ments, O thou Bridegroom of thy church! smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassiat. They are infinitely more grateful to the eternal Godhead, than the choicest exhalations of the garden, than all the odours of the spicy east can be to the human nostrils. As the altar of old sanctified the gift, so this is the great propitiation which recommends the obnoxious persons and unprofitable services of the believing world. In this may my soul be interested! By this may it be reconciled to the Father!-There is such a leprous depravity cleav + Psalm xlv, 8. * Amos v, 21, 22. ing to my nature, as pollutes whatever I perform. My most profound adorations, and sincerest acts of religion, must not presume to challenge a reward, but humbly implore forgiveness". Renouncing, therefore, myself in every instance of duty, disclaiming all shadow of confidence † in any deeds of my own; may I now, and evermore, be accepted through the Beloved. What colours, what charming colours, are here! these so nobly bold, and those so delicately languid! What a glow is enkindled in some! what a gloss shines upon others! In one, methinks, I see the ruby with her bleeding radiance; in another, the sapphire with her sky-tinctured blue; in all, such an exquisite richness of dyes, as no other set of paintings in the universe can boast.-With what a masterly skill is every one of the varying A writer of distinguished superiority thus addresses the great Observer of actions, and Searcher of hearts; and vindicates my sentiments, while he so justly and beautifully utters his own: Look down, great God, with pity's softest eye, His crimes forgive; forgive his virtues too, Night Thoughts, No. ix. + See page 44 and 45, in the second edition of a most candid and evangelical little treatise, called Christianity the great Ornament of Human Life." If Christians hap pily avoid the dangerous extreme, and too often fatal #rock, of a dead fruitless faith on the one hand, he "[. e. Satan] will endeavour by all kind of plausible insinuations, to split them on the opposite, viz. spiritual "pride, ostentation, and dependence on their works, as if these were the meritorious or procuring cause of all "true peace, hope, consolation, and divine acceptance.Now this self-dependence may be ranked among the "most dangerous of the infernal politics, because the "fatal poison lies deep, and too often undiscerned." --- Who can paint Like Nature? can imagination boast, And can he mix them with that matchless skill, And lose them in each other, as appears In ev'ry bud that blows - Thoms, Spring. tints disposed! Here they seem to be thrown on with an easy dash of security and freedom, there they are adjusted by the nicest touches of art and accuracy. Those which form the ground are always so judiciously chosen as to heighten the lustre of the superadded figures; while the ver dure of the impalement, or the shadings of the foliage impart new liveliness to the whole. Indeed, whether they are blended or arranged, softened or contrasted, they are manifestly under the conduct of a taste that never mistakes; a felicity that never falls short of it; the very perfection of elegance.-Fine, inimitably fine, is the texture of the web on which these shining treasures are displayed. What are the labours of the Persian looms, or the boasted commodities of Brussels, compared with these curious manufactures of nature? Compared with these, the most admired chintzes lose their reputation; even superfine cam. brics appear coarse as canvas in their presence. What a cheering argument does our Saviour derive from hence, to strengthen our affiance in God! He directs us to learn a lesson of heavendepending faith, from every bird that wings the air, and from every flower that blossoms in the field. If Providence, with unremitted care, sup ports those inferior creatures, and arrays these insensible beings with so much splendor; surely he will in no wise withhold, from his elect children, "bread to eat, and raiment to put on."-Ye faithful followers of the Lamb, dismiss every low anxiety relating to the needful sustenance of life. He that feeds the ravens from an inexhaustible magazine; he that paints the plants with such surpassing elegance; in short, he that provides so liberally, both for the animal and vegetable parts of his creation, will not, cannot, neglect his own people.-Fear not, little flock, ye peculiar objects of almighty love! it is your Father's good pleasure to |