Page images
PDF
EPUB

death: but reject, with a becoming mixture of solicitude and abhorrence, the very first insinuations of iniquity, as cautiously as the smarting sore shrinks even from the softest hand, as constantly as this jealous plant recoils at the approaching touch.

Not long ago, these curious productions of the spring were coarse and mis-shapen roots. Had we opened the earth and beheld them in their seed, how uncouth and contemptible had their appearance been!-But, now, they are the boast of nature, the delight of the sons of men, finished patterns for enamelling and embroidery, outshining even the happiest strokes of the pencil. They are taught to bloom, but with a very infe rior lustret, in the richest tapestries and most magnificent silks. Art never attempts to equal their incomparable elegancies, but places all her

The Prophet Isaiah, in an elegant and lively description of the upright man, says, He shaketh his hands from holding of bribes; and, I may add, from practising any kind of iniquity. The image, exceedingly beautiful, and equally expressive, both illustrates and enforces the doc trine of this whole section.-Shaketh his hands; just as a person would do, who happens to have burning coals fall into his lap, or some venomous creature fastening upon his flesh. In such a case, none would stand a moment to consider, or to debate with himself the expediency of the thing; he would instantly fling off the pernicious incumbrance, instantly endeavour to disengage himself from the clinging mischief. Isa. xxxii. 15.

I have represented the danger of not extinguishing immediately the very first sparks of temptation, in a variety of views: because a proper behaviour, in this conjuncture, is of such vast importance to the purity, the safety, and the comfort of our minds :--because I had the royal moralist in my eye; who, deterring his pupils from the path of the wicked, cries--with an air of deep concern, and in the language of vehement importunity, cries-Avoid it; pass not by it; turn from it, and pass away. How strongly is the counsel urged, by being so frequently repeated, in such a remarkable diversity of concise and abrupt, consequently forcible and pressing admonitions! Prov. iv. 15. + The cowslip smile: in brighter yellow drest Than that which veils the nubile virgin's breast; A fairer red stands blushing in the rose

Than that which on the bridegroom's vestments flows.

Prior's Sel

merit in copying after these delicate originals.. Even those who glitter in silver, or whose clothing is of wrought gold, are desirous to borrow additional ornaments from a sprig of jessamine, or a little assemblage of pinks.

What a fine idea may we form from hence of the resurrection of the just, and the state of their re-animated bodies! As the roots even of our choicest flowers, when deposited in the ground, are rude and ungraceful, but, when they spring up into blooming life, are most elegant and splendid; so the flesh of a saint, when committed to the dust, alas! what is it? a heap of corruption, a mass of putrefying clay! But, when it obeys the great archangel's call, and starts into a new existence, what an astonishing change ensues! what a most ennobling improvement takes place! -That which was sown in weakness is raised in all the vivacity of power; that which was sown in deformity, is raised in the bloom of celestial beauty. Exalted, refined, and glorified, it will shine" as the brightness of the firmament," when it darts the inimitable blue through the fleecesthe snowy fleeces-of some cleaving cloud.

Fear not, then, thou faithful Christian, fear not, at the appointed time, to descend into the tomb. Thy soul. thou mayst trust with thy omnipotent Redeemer, who is Lord of the unseen world, "who has the keys of hell and of death." Most safely mayst thou trust thy better part in those beneficent hands, which were pierced with nails, and fastened to the ignominious tree for thy salvation.-With regard to thy earthly tabernacle, be not dismayed; it is taken down only to be rebuilt, upon a diviner plan, and in a more heavenly form. If it retires into the shadow of death, and lies immured in the gloom of the grave, it is only to return from a short confinement to endless liberty. If it falls into dissolution, it is in order to rise more illustrious from

its ruins, and wear an infinitely brighter face of perfection and of glory.

Having now made my panegyric, let me next take up a lamentation for these loveliest produc tions of the vegetable world:-for I foresee their approaching doom. Yet a little while, and all these pleasing scenes vanish; yet a little while, and all the sweets of the breathing, all the beauties of the blooming spring are no more! Every one of these amiable forms must be shrivelled into deformity, and trodden to the earth.-Significant resemblance this of all created beauty. All flesh is grass, like the green herbage, liable and prone to fade. Nay, all the goodliness thereof, its finest accomplishments, and what the world universally admires, is as the flower of the field, which loses its gloss, decays and perishes more speedily than the grass itself.-Behold then, ye brightest among the daughters of Eve; behold yourselves in this glass. See the charms of your person eclipsed by the lustre of these little flowers; and the frailty of your state represented † by their transient glo

Isa. xl. 6.

* Και το ρόδον καλόν εςι, και ο χρόνος αυτό μαραίνει
Και το τον καλόν κι αν ειαρι, και ταχυ γρα
Λευκον το κρινον εςι, μαραινείται ανικά πίπλη
Α δε χιων λευκα, και τάκεαι ανικα παχθή
Και κάλλος καλόν εςι το παιδικον, αλλ λοιγον ζη

The reader will excuse me, if I imitate, rather than translate, these lines from Theocritus; if I vary one image, add another, and give a new turn to the whole:

When snows descend, and robe the fields

In Winter's bright array;

Tonch'd by the sun, the fustre fades,

And weeps itself away.

When Spring appears, when violets blow,
And shed a rich perfume;

How soon the fragrance breathes its last!
How short-liv'd is the bloom!

Fresh in the morn the Summer rose
Hangs withering ere 'tis noon;
We scarce enjoy the balmy gift,
But mourn the pleasure gone.

ries. A fever may scorch these polished veins; a consumption may emaciate the dimpling cheeks; and a load of unexpected sorrows depress those lively spirits. Or should these disasters, in pity, spare the tender frame; yet age, inexorable age and wrinkles, will assuredly come at last; will wither all the fine features, and blast every sprightly grace.

Then, ye fair, when those sparkling eyes are darkened, and sink in their orbs; when they are rolling in agonies, or swimming in death; how will you sustain the affliction? How will you re pair the loss?-Apply your thoughts to religion: attend to the one thing needful: believe in, and imitate the blessed Jesus. Then shall your souls. mount up to the realms of happiness, when the well-proportioned clay is mingling with its mean original. The light of God's countenance will irradiate, with matchless and consummate perfection, all their exalted faculties. Cleansed entirely from every dreg of corruption, like some unsullied mirror, they will reflect the complete image of their Creator's holiness.-O! that you would thus dress your minds, and prepare for the immortal state! Then, from shining among your fellow-creatures on earth, you shall be translated, to shine around the throne of God. Then, from being the sweeteners of our life, and the delight of our eyes, here below; you shall pass, by an

With gliding fire an evening star
Streaks the Autumnal skies;

Shook from the sphere, it darts away,
And, in an instant, dies.

Such are the charms that flush the cheek,
And sparkle in the eye;.

So, from the lovely finish'd form,
The transient graces fly.

To this the Seasons, as they roll,
Their attestation bring;

They warn the fair; their ev'ry round
- Confirms the truth I sing.

easy transition, into angels of light; and become an everlasting excellency, the joy of all gene. "rations."

Yes, ye flowery nations, ye must all decay.-Yonder lily, that looks like the queen of the gay creation -see, how gracefully it erects its majestic head! What an air of dignity and grandeur ennobles its aspect! For elevated mien, as well as for incomparable lustre, justly may it be preferred to the magnificent monarch of the east. But, all stately and charming as it is, it will hardly survive a few more days: that unspotted whiteness must quickly be tarnished, and the snowy form defiled in the dust.

As the lily pleases with the noble simplicity of its appearance, the tulip is admired for the gaiety and multiplicity of its colours. Never was cup, either painted or enamelled, with such a profu sion of dyes: its tinges are so glowing; its cou trasts so strong; and the arrangement of them both so elegant and artful!-'Twas lately the pride of the border, and the reigning beauty of the delightful season. As exquisitely fine as the rainbow, and almost as extremely transient; it spread, for a little moment, its glittering plumage; but has now laid all its variegated and superior honours down: those radiant stripes are blended, alas! rudely blended, with common mold.

To a graceful shape, and blooming complexion, the rose adds the most agreeable perfume. Our nostrils make it repeated visits, and are never weary of drinking in its sweets. A fragrance so peculiarly rich and reviving, transpires from its opening tufts, that every one covets its acquaint ance. How have I seen even the accomplished Clarissa, for whom so many votaries languish, fondly caressing this little flower! That lovely bosom, which is the seat of innocence and virtue;

• Matt, vi. 99.

« PreviousContinue »