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•  M^H  # 


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PRESENTED  TO  THE  LIBRARY 


PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


Ppofessott  |-lenpy  van  Dyke,  D.D.,  LiLt.D. 

/^  ■  / 


// 


r     /-J^     t^-'  y  ,//^i.:-  i^    4^A2^" 


^5^^ 

-/*^ll 


Jctm  JOeft ' HtOuei 


£rufruvecl  by  .Joiiph  -Ba/ur . 


THE 

V 

WORKS 


OF 


JAMES  HERVEY,   M.A 

iATE  RECTOR  OF  WESTOX  FAVELL, 
IN  NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, 


A  NEW  AND  COMPLETE  EDITION, 
IN    SEVEN    VOLUMES. 


VOL.    I. 

HIS  LIFE— MEDITATIONS  AND  CONTEMPLATIONS. 


LONDOX: 


PRINTED  FOR  F.   C.   AND  J.   RIVINGTONj 

NO.  62,   ST.  Paul's  church-yard; 

HY    BYE    AND    LAW,    ST.    JOHN's    SQUARE,    CJ  ERKENWELL. 

1804. 


MEMOIRS 


OF    THE 


LIFE    AND    WRITINGS 


OF    THE 


Rev.  JAMES  HERVEY,  a.m, 


XXf  HE  NEVER  we  meet  with  an  intelligent 
or  fuperior  Charadler,  we  naturally  feel  a 
Wifli  again  to  fall  into  his  Company,  to  liften  to 
his  Converfation,  to  obferve  his  Manners,  and  to 
improve  our  Acquaintance  with  him  ;  yet  this 
natural  Curiofity  is  feldom  gratified  to  the  Extent 
of  our  Wiflies.  The  Differences  of  Ages,  of 
Places,  aiud  of  Ranks,  muft  hmit  the  Acquaintance 
of  Man.  Every  Situation  has  its  Duties  to  be 
performed.  This  rational  Curiofity,  which  per- 
fonal  Intimacy  cannot  often  gratify.  Biography 
may  fupply  in  a  Degree  ;  and  it  is  one  of  the 
moft  pleafing  and  ufeful  Labours  of  a  Biographer 
to  trace  the  Opening  of  Genius,  to  purfue  the 
Progrefs  of  Learning,  to  obferve  the  Formation 
of  fuperior  Habits  of  Piety  and  Benevoknce. 
Vol.  I.  a  Perhaps 


ii  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

Perhaps  few  Men  were  ever  better  known  by 
their  Writings,  or  lefs  known  in  the  common 
Circles  of  Society,  than  the  Rev.  fames  Hervey^ 
the  Subjeft  of  thefe  Memoirs :  at  all  Times  he 
was  ftudious  and  contemplative  ;  generally  he  was 
fequeftered  in  a  Country  Village,  and  often  he 
was  confined  by  Slcknefs  and  great  Languor.  He 
had  no  Tafte  for  the  Amufement,  or  the  Converfe 
of  the  Generality  of  the  World.  The  particular 
Events  of  his  Life  were  not  diverfified  with  much 
Variety  of  Circumflances,  but  the  Temper  of  the 
Man,  the  Courfe  of  his  Studies,  the  Bent  of  his 
Mind,  and  the  Benevolence  of  his  Heart,  exhibit 
a  moft  ufeful  Leffon,  and  may  be  partly  difcovered 
in  his  various  Works. 

He  was  born  February  14,  171 4,  at  Hardhtg- 
Jlone^  a  Village  near  Northampton^  where  the 
Family  had  refided  fome  Time.  His  Father  was 
Reftor  of  Wejion  Favell  and  CoUingtree^  both  in 
that  Neighbourhood.  The  Herveys  were  an  antient 
and  opulent  Family  in  that  County ;  '  formerly 
having  large  Poffeffions  at  Hard'mgjione  and  at 
WeJlon  :  an  Anceftor  of  their's  had  been  a  Judge, 
and  Mr.  Hervey^s  Great  Grandfather  reprefented 
the  Town  of  Northampton  in  Parliament.  Mr. 
7.  Hervey  had  the  peculiar  Advantage,  which 
never  can  be  too  much  valued,  of  being  defcended 
from  a  pious  and  refpedable  Family. 

He 


of  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.         iii 

He  had  two  Brothers  and  three  Sifters.  His 
Brothers  fettled  in  London^  and  deferved  the  Cha- 
raflers  of  refpeftable  Tradefmen :  one  was  a  Packer, 
whom  he  attended  in  his  laft  Illnefs ;  the  other 
was  a  Wine  Merchant,  who  furvived  him  many 
Years.  His  Mother  .  fuperintended  the  firft  Part 
of  his  Education,  and  taught  him  to  read.  At 
fevcn  Years  of  Age  he  was  fent  with  his  Brother 
to  the  Free  Grammar  School  at  Northampton^  of 
which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke,  Vicar  oi St, Sepulchre  s^ 
in  that  Town,  was  the  Mafter. 

In  the  common  Routine  of  a  School  Education 
the  Marks  of  future  Genius  may  be  entirely  over- 
looked ;  or  moft  probably  they  have  no  Ways  dif- 
covered  themfelves ;  like  beautiful  Flowers  which 
do  not  open  till  late  in  the  Spring  or  Summer. 
Boys  are  more  like  to  each  other  than  Men.  A 
Lad  may  be  thoughtlefs  or  idle,  who  hereafter 
fliall  appear  in  a  very  different  Light.  The  fu- 
perior  Mind  may  not  be  difcovered,  without  im- 
peaching the  Mafter's  Judgment,  or  imputing  it 
to  the  mean  Motives  of  Jeaioufy  and  Envy. 

With  a  common  Share  of  School  Learning, 
with  but  little  Knowledge  of  the  World,  and 
with  general  Impreffions  of  Piety,  young  Mr. 
Hervey  was  entered  2it  Lincoln-College ,  Oxford',  the 
Joint-Tutors  at  that  Time  were  the  Rev.  Richard 
Hutchinsy  afterwards  Redor  of  that  College ;  a 
Man  of  Abilities,  Integrity  and  Piety,  referved  in . 

a  2  his 


iv  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

his  Manners,  but  who  perplexed  the  Refinements 
of  a  ftrong  but  not  a  brilliant  Mind  with  philo- 
fophical  Neceflity ;  and  called  the  Attention  of . 
the  Public  to  the  fuppofed  Fate  of  Children  dying 
in  their  Infancy,  from  the  Good  or  the  Evil  which 
God  knew  or  foreknew  they  would  have  done,  had 
they  been  permitted  to  live.  A  long  Life  and  a 
placid  old  Age  \Vas  the  Reward  of  his  Temperance 
and  Regularity. 

For  fome  Time  Mr.  Hervey  lived  like  the  Ge- 
neraUty  of  the  young  Men  who  come  to  College  ; 
releafed  from  the  Confinement  and  Difcipline  of 
School,  they  are  pleafed  with  a  Liberty  which 
they  know  not  how  to  enjoy,  and  are  entrufted 
with  Opportunities  which  they  are  not  eager  to 
improve.  Without  a  direft  Objedl  before  it  to 
engage  and  concentrate  its  Powers,  the  youthful 
Mind  wanders  in  the  Fields  of  Fancy,  or  finks  in 
the  Slumbers  of  Indolence  ;  the  Example  and  the 
Converfation  of  the  Qenerality  of  their  Superiors 
is  not  calculated  to  excite  the  Spirit  of  Emulation, 
to  difFufe  the  Charms  of  Knowledge,  or  to  ad- 
vance the  Caufe  of  genuine  Piety. 

His  other  Tutor  was  the  Rev.  J.  Wefley.  Few 
Men  have  ever  lived  who  have  caufed  more  Con- 
verfation or  excited  more  Cenfure  or  Applaufe : 
but  now  the  Subjeft  is  removed,  and  the  Miftr 
of  Prejudice  and  the  Glare  of  Partiality  are  gra- 
dually dying  away.     Whatever  Irregularities  or 

Excen- 


of  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.  V 

Excentricities  might  at  one  Time  have  marked 
the  Condu£l  or  the  Writings  of  Mr.  Wejley^  yet 
it  muft  be  allowed,  that  he  poflefied  a  flrong 
Underftanding,  acute  reafoning  Powers,  a  clear 
and  fimple  Style,  a  ready  Elocution,  lively  Con- 
verfation,  combined  with  great  Adlivity  of  Mind 
and  remarkable  Strength  of  Conftitution.  la 
Love  with  a  College  Life,  it  is  no  Wonder  that 
heattradled  the  Notice  and  encouraged  the  hterary 
Purfuits  of  young  Hervey  ;  he  frequently  read  and 
converfed  with  him  out  of  the  cuflomary  Hours 
of  Ledure  ;  he  prefcribed  to.  him  a  Plan  of  very 
early  rifing  and  of  ftrifl:  Difcipline,  which  would 
not  agree  with  every  Conftitution. 

Without  defending  every  Sentiment  v>^hich  Mr. 
Wefley  adopted,  or  vindicating  every  Meafure 
which  he  purfued,  yet  it  muft  be  allowed  that 
few  Men  ever  colledled  together  more  Knowledge 
or  difplayed  more  Zeal. 

With  fuch  a  Charader  it  is  no  Wonder  that 
Mr.  Hervey  "w^iS  much  pleafed  ;  whole  Converfa- 
tion  was  calculated  to  improve  and  enlarge  his 
Mind,  whofe  Time  was  carefully  employed,  whofe 
Temperance  was  exa£l,  if  not  fevere  ;  and  whole 
Piety  was  uniform  and  exemplary. — A  Member 
of  the  College  at  that  Time  has  informed  me, 
that  often  when  he  retired  from  the  Common 
Room  at  four  o'CIock  in  the  Morning,  Mr.  Wejley 
and  Mr.  Hervey  were  up  and  ftudying  together, 
a  3  To 


Vi  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

To  a  young  Mind  the  Contrail:  niuft  have  been 
crreat  between  the  fmoaky  Atmofphere  of  a  com- 
mon Room,  and  the  quiet  Apartments  of  a  Tutor, 
which  were  marked  by  Devotion,  AppHcation, 
Temperance  and  Heahh. 

At  College,  Mr.  Hervey  became  particularly 
attached  to  KecPs  Anatomy,  to  Durhanis  Aftro 
and  Phyfico  Theology,  and  to  the  Spe^lacle  de  la 
Nature.  He  acknowledged  much  Obligation  in 
the  Improvement  of  his  Style  to  Spence\  Eflay  on 
Vope"^  OdyfTey.  By  thele  Means  he  laid  that 
Foundation  for  a  general  Knov/ledge  in  the  vari- 
ous and  wonderful  Works  of  Nature,  which  he 
afterwards  was  fo  fuccefsful  to-  apply  in  difplay- 
ine  the  Greatnefs  of  the  Author  of  Nature,  and 
in  illuftrating  the  Wifdom  of  his  facred  Word. 

About  this  Time,  he  attempted  to  learn  the 
Hebrew  Language,  without  any  other  Help  than 
the  Weftmifijier  Grammar ;  but  the  unexpefted 
Difficulties  difcouraged  him,  and,  for  a  Time,  he 
relinquiflied  the  Attempt  rather  than  the  Inten- 
tion: afterwards  he  became  a  Proficient  in  that 
antient,  if  not  moft  antient  Language,  that  he 
might  thus  be  better  enabled  to  teach  others,  and 
to  draw  purer  Water  from  the  Wells  of  Salva- 
tion. 

The  Period  of  Ordination,  when  a  new  and 
important  Charafter  is  afTumed,  was  a  Seafon  of 
much  Thought  and  Reflection,    of  Prayer  and 

folema 


of  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.  m.        vii 

Iblemn  Refolutions,  to  fulfil  the  intereftiug  Obli- 
gations which  he  was  entering  into.  Mr.  Hervey 
was  ordained  the  19th  of  September^  1736,  by  Dr. 
Potter^  then  Bifhop  of  Oxford^  when  he  volun- 
tarily relinquiflied  an  Exhibition  of  f^, 20 per  Ann. 
which  he  received  from  College,  thinkino-  that 
it  would  be  unjuft  to  detain  that  neceflary  Help 
to  defray  the  academical  Expences,  which  another 
inight  ftand  in  greater  Need  of. 

At  the  firft,  he  affifted  his  Father,  but  after- 
wards ferved  the  Curacy  of  Dummer^  in  the 
County  of  Hampjhirey  which  he  continued  about 
twelve  Months.  Ke  then  paid  a  Vifit  to  a  Col- 
lege Acquaintance,  Paul  Orchard^  Efq,  of  Stoke 
Abbey ^  in  Devon/hire,  a  Gentleman  of  eminent 
Worth  and  Piety  *,  to  whofe  Son  he  flood  God- 
father, and  for  whofe  particular  Imitation  he  has 
drawn  the  Charader  of  his  excellent  Parent. 
While  on  a  Vifit  with  Mr.  Orchard^  he  was  in- 
duced, for  the  Enjoyment  of  fuch  Society,  at  the 
Requeft  of  the  Parifhioners,  who  approved  his 
Preaching,  and  at  the  Appointment  of  the  aged 
and  infirm  RecStor,  to  undertake  the  Curacy  of 
Biddeford  in  that  County,  at  the  yearly  Salary  of 
jC.40.  As  a  Mark  of  their  AfFeftion  and  Efteem, 
the  Congregation  of  themfelves  added  ^.zo  per 

*  See  his  Chw^jader  drawn  by  Mr.  Herveyy  Vol.  I.  p.  cciii 
-— ccvii. 

a  4  Annum^ 


Vili  Memoirs  of  the  Ltje  and  Writings 

Annum.  Yet  this,  with  fome  fmall  Allowance 
from  Home,  was  often  inadequate  to  the  various 
Claims  on  his  Benevolence ;  and  although  he  was 
exceedingly  temperate  and  frugal  in  all  his  Ex- 
pences,  yet  he  was  often  obUged  to  ftraighten 
himfelf  to  fupply  the  more  preffing  Wants  of 
others. 

In  this  pleafing  Retreat  he  faithfully  and  chear- 
fuUy  difcharged  his  parochial  Duties,  preaching 
two  or  three  Times  on  a  Sunday ;  and  on  the 
Wednefday  and  Friday  expounding  the  Epifde  and 
Gofpel  of  that  Week ;  the  Remainder  of  his 
Time  was  fpent  in  enriching  his  Mind,  in  im- 
proving his  Heart,  and  in  partaking  the  Pleafure 
of  Chriftian  and  focial  Converfition,  which  Mr. 
Hervey  was  well  calculated  to  improve  and  to 
enjoy. 

Hjs  Charafber  was  now  forming,  and  the  Impulfe 
of  indignant  Zeal  was  fometimes  fupprefled,  by 
the  Timidity  or  Modefty  of  Youth,  when  he  was 
offended,  if  not  direftly  infulted,  by  profane  or 
obfcene  Converfation  in  his  Prefence.  He  enter- 
tained a  moft  tender  Senfe  of  the  Intereft  of  Re- 
ligion, and  a  deep  Concern  for  Men's  fpiritual 
Welfare ;  therefore  he  was  grieved  and  dejeded 
whenever  the  Hours  of  focial  Intercourfe  were 
polluted  by  obfcene  Mirth,  or  degraded  by  far- 
caftic  Ridicule  on  Religion.  When  a  grand 
Charadleriftic  and  Excellency  of  Man  is  abufed  to 

infult 


cf  f be  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.         ix 

infult  the  modeft  Ear,  and  to  confufe  the  timid 
and  unfufpicious  Female,  fuch  Condudt  can  never 
be  too  feverely  condemned ;  but  it  demands  the 
fevereft  poffible  Reprehenfion  when  proceeding 
from  Characters  whofe  Age,  Learning  and  Pro- 
feffion,  (hould  be  a  Prote6lion  to  Modefty,  and 
might  reafonably.  excite  Hopes  of  Improvement. 
A  wife  Man  will  prefer  the  completeft  Solitude 
before  Society  fo  degraded ;  a  Society  from  which 
he  is  glad  to  efcape,  although  amidft  the  Sneers 
of  the  Scoffers ;  and  he  reproaches  himfelf  for 
more  than  Time  loft ;  he  finks  in  his  own  Efteem*. 
Mr.  Herveys  Chara£ler  was  foon  fo  eftabliflied  for 
Piety,  and  his  Condud  animated  with  fuch  be- 
coming Zeal,  that  he  was  not  again  likely  to  be 
offended  by  meeting  with  fuch  Converfation. 

Mr.  Hervey  cultivated  Friendfhip  as  the  Means 
of  promoting  Religion.  One  of  his  choiceft 
Friends  at  Biddeford  was  Mifs  Jane  Burnard,  a 
pious  and  diftinguifhed  Chriftian,  who  died  in  the 
Flower  of  her  Age,  of  a  lingering  Confumption. 
Mr.  H.  paid  the  laft  Refped  to  her  amiable  and 
excellent  Character,  by  preaching  her  Funeral 
Sermon  j. 

Whilft  refiding  at  this  Place,  he  contraded  the 
too  feducing  Habit  of  fitting  up  late  to  purfue  his 
beloved  Studies;  late  Hours  at  Night  muft  in- 

*  See  Vol.  I.  Page  404,  405.     t  See  Vol.  IV.  Page  200—204, 

trudc 


X  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

trudc  on  the  Morning  ;  and  the  bright  and  fre(h 
Hours  of  the  opening  Day  are  more  favourable  to 
Health  of  Body,  and  to  the  Exertions  of  Mind, 
Knowledge  may  be  purchafed  at  too  high  a  Price ; 
and,  furely,  to  endanger  Health,  and  to  under- 
mine a  tender  Conftitution,  is  to  forget  the  great 
Purpofe  of  Life,  while  indulging  in  a  mental  In- 
temperance. This  Habit  was  afterwards  cor- 
refted. 

On  the  Death  of  his  Redlor  in  1742,  he  left 
the  Curacy  of  Biddeford\  and  on  a  final  Separa- 
tion from  fuch  a  Paftor,  it  is  but  natural  to  expecl, 
that  the  Regret  fhould  be  mutual ;  particularly 
when  he  delivered  his  farewell  Sermon.  He  was 
fo  much  approved  by  the  Congregation,  that  they 
not  only  requefted  the  Reftor  to  permit  him  to 
continue  the  Curacy,  but  they  offered  to  pay  the 
Whole  of  his  Salary  by  voluntary  Contribution. 

In  this  Place  he  formed  the  Plan  of  his  Medi- 
tations *.  From  Biddeford  he  removed  to  Wejlon- 
Fcwell^  where  he  officiated  as  his  Father's  Curate. 

In  the  Year  1 746,  he  attrafted  much  general 
Attention  by  the  Publication  of  his  Meditations 
among  the  'tombs^  Reflexions  on  a  Flower  Garden^ 
and  a  Defiant  on-  Creation.  The  Year  following 
produced  the  fecond  Volume,  containing  Contem- 

*  The  Scene  of  them  is  laid  at  Kilkhamptoriy  in  Cornivall  \ 
and  in  a  ride  to  that  Place  he  firft  entertained  the  Idea  of  fuch 
a  Work. 

flations 


of  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.         xi 

plafions  on  the  Night  and  the  Starry  Heavens^  and 
a  Winter  Piece.  A  particular  Acco\int  can  fcarce 
be  neceffary  of  a  Work  fo  generally  read  and  ad- 
mired. Mr.  Hervey  difplays  great  and  general 
Knowledge,  which  he  always  ufefully  applies  to 
enlarge  the  Mind,  to  elevate  the  Heart,  and  to 
promote  the  pu reft.  Morality  and  Devotion.  In 
many  of  his  Writings  he  combines  the  defcrip-* 
tive  Powers  of  T'homfon  with  the  kiblime  Reflec* 
tions  and  moral  Energies  of  Young. 

About  the  Year  1750,  he  occafionally  refided 
in  London^  at  his  Brother's,  to  try  the  Benefit  of 
Change  of  Air,  to  be  relieved  from  too  fcdentary 
a  Life,  and  to  enjoy  the  Converfe  of  religious 
Friends.  Here  he  was  attacked  by  a  violent 
Fever,  and  once  efcaped  the  Calamity  of  Fire, 
which  deftroyed  the  adjoining  Houfe. 

On  the  Death  of  his  aged  Father  in  May^  ^lS'^-> 
he  fucceeded  him  at  length  in  the  two  Family 
Livings  of  Wejion-Fa^ell  and  Collingtree,  about 
five  Miles  Diftance  from  one  another,  which  did 
not  produce  above  £.160  per  Annum  together. 
He  had  fome  Scruples  at  the  firft  on  acceptino-  the 
latter  Living ;  and  it  was  fome  Time  before  he 
took  it ;  but  every  Scruple  of  the  moft  uprio-ht 
Mind  may  not  be  realonably  formed,  and  ouo-ht 
not  to  be  pertinacioufly  adhered  to.  The  Livin^^s 
were  near  each  other ;  and,  if  Mr„  Hervey  was 
compelled  to  keep  a  Curate,    which  was  more 

than 


xii  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  PFrltings 

than  probable,  from  his  increafing  Infirmities,  and 
the  precarious  State  of  his  Health,  one  Living 
would  not  have  fupplied  his  neceffary  Expences, 
on  the  moft  frugal  Plan.  On  this  Account  he 
complied  with  the  repeated  Wifhes  of  his  Mother 
and  Friends ;  took  his  Degree  of  Mafter  of  Arts 
at  Cambridge^  having  been  admitted  of  Clare  Hall^ 
and  was  prefentcd  with  the  Living  of  Collingtree, 
An  Apology  to  the  Bifhop,  on  Liftitution  to  the 
fecond  Living,  feems  to  have  been  needlefs,  only 
for  doing  what  the  Law  of  the  Realm  allows, 
and  the  inadequate  Provifion  of  the  Church  in 
general  renders  abfolutely  neceflary.  Mr.  Hervey 
had  no  Reafon  afterwards  to  blame  himfelf  for 
this  Line  of  Conduct,  but  faw  fafficient  Reafon 
to  approve  the  Step  which  he  had  confented  to 
take. 

He  next  publifhed  his  Remarks  on  Lord  Boling- 
brokers  Letters  on  the  Study  and  Ufe  of  Hijiory^  fo 
far  as  they  relate  to  the  Hijlory  of  the  Old  'Tejia- 
menty  and  efpecially  to  the  Cafe  of  Noah  denouncing 
a  Curfe  upon  Canaan,  in  a  Letter  to  a  Lady  of 
^ality. 

In  1753?  he  preached  the  Sermon  at  the  Arch- 
deacon's Vifitation  at  Northampton^  and  publiflied 
it  for  the  Benefit  of  a  poor  afflidled  Child,  under 
the  Title  of,  The  Crofs  of  Chriji  the  Chri/lian's 
Glory, 

In 


of  the  Rev.  Jam£s  Hervey,  a.m.       xiii 

In  the  fame  Year  he  wrote  a  recommendatory 
Epiftle  to  BurnhanHs  pious  Memorials ^  or  the  Power 
of  Religion  on  the  Mind  in  Sicknefs  and  Death^ 
exemplified  in  the  Experience  of  many  eminent 
Perfons  at  thofe  important  Seafons. 

But  his  moll:  favourite  Work,  and  on  which 
he  beftowed  uncommon  Pains  and  Attention, 
were  the  Diahgues^  and  the  Letters  ofT'hercn  and 
Afpafto^  on  moft  of  the  leading  Subjedls  of  the 
Gofpel,  but  particularly  on  the  Mode  of  Salva- 
tion by  the  Imputation  of  the  Righteoufnefs  of 
the  Saviour.  This  Subje6l  Mr.  Hervey  labours  to 
prove  by  Argument,  to  fupport  by  Authority,  and 
to  illuftrate  by  various  Figures  and  Modes,  He 
difplays  great  Ingenuity,  Learning  and  Induftry, 
much  critical  Acumen,  and  a  great  Extent  of 
Reading ;  and  yet  many  wife  and  good  Men  have 
doubted  whether  this  is  the  exaft  Method  of  Sal- 
vation which  the  Gofpel  holds  forth,  without 
either  attempting  to  diminifli  from  the  Glory  of 
the  Saviour,  or  to  afcribe  any  Merit  to  the  Works 
of  Man. 

Mr.  Hervey  abundantly  fucceeded  in  his  Plan  of 
writing  a  popular  Book ;  on  which  Account  it 
abounds  with  varied  Defcriptions.  He  ranges 
through  the  Works  of  Nature  and  the  Pages  of 
Hiftory,  to  colleft  ufeful  Information,  to  charm 
the  juvenile  Reader,  to  lead  him  infenfibly  to 
high  and  heavenly  Things.     His  Language,  like 

his 


xiV  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  IVritings 

his  Imasfination  was  rich  and  kixuriant  ;  like  a 
well  cultivated  Garden  in  Summer.  It  was  pro- 
fufe  in  Flov/ers  and  Fragrance. 
^^This  Work  met  with  great  and  deferved  Ap- 
plaufe,  and  fome  Oppofition  :  three  Editions  were 
fold  in  the  firft  Year.  It  wa.  attacked  by  Mr. 
yohn  Wejley^  his  former  Tutor,  and  by  Mr.  Robert 
Sandeinan^  hy  ^\r,  Bellamy^  oi  New  England  \  but 
it  was  defended  by  Mr.  Cudworth  and  Mr,  David 
Wilfon  :  a  rafli  and  injudicious  Defence  is  worfe 
than  a  violent  Attack ;  but  the  Warmth  of  Con- 
troverfy  foon  cools,  the  Attention  of  the  Public 
IS  engaged  with  other  Subjefts,  and  a  Debate  once 
highly  interefting,  is  foon  forgotten. 

The  next  Year  he  enlarged  on  the  Commenda- 
tion he  had  paffed  on  MarJhaU\  Golpel  Myftery  of 
Sanfliification,  which  was  publilhed  as  a  Preface 
to  it. 

The  fame  Year  he  alfo  publifhed  a  new  Edition 
of  his  favourite  Author,  fenks\  Meditations,  with 
a  Preface,  in  which  he  ftrongly  recommends  them. 

This  Year  he  printed  his  three  Sermons  on  the 
General  Fafl.  As  a  Preacher,  Mr.  Hervey  was 
eloquent,  energetic  and  animated ;  his  Manner 
was  ftriking,  but  never  vulgar  and  low  ;  he  feemed 
to  forget  his  feeble  Frame  and  his  delicate  Con- 
ftitution,  whilft  more  immediately  engaged  in  his 
Matter's  Service,  and  labouring  for  the  beft  In- 
terefts  of  Men, 

4  Of 


of  tfje  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.        xv 

Of  Mr.  Hervey  %  Piety,  Devotion,  Zeal,  Cha- 
rity, and  Knowledge,  there  will  be  but  one  Opi- 
nion;  yet  it  will  not  thence  follow  that  every 
Sentiment  which  he  entertained  Was  equally  true 
and  important :  a  Diftinftion  muft  always  be  made 
between  the  Integrity  of  a  Man's  Life  and  the 
Truth  of  his  Opinions ;  here  we  are  more  imme- 
diaiely  and  pleafingly  concerned  with  the  former.- 

His  more  particular  Friends  were  Ibme  of  the 
firft  religious  Charadters  of  the  Time  ;  in  which 
Clafs  are  to  be  reckoned  Lady  Frances  Shirley^  the 
Rev.  George  WhitefiehU  Rev.  IVillmm  Romaine^ 
Rev.  Phiiip  Doddf  idge^  Rev.  J,  RyJand^  and  Dr* 
Stonhoufey  his  Phyfician,  who  afterwards  entered 
into  Holy  Orders,  by  his  particular  Advice. 

True  Piety  is  of  no  Party,  it  can  embrace  an3 
honour  whatever  Excellencies  it  difcovers  in  others-. 
On  this  Principle  Mr.  Hervey  entertained  a  high 
Opinion,  and  cultivated  a  cordial  Friendihip  with 
feveral  who  were  not  Members  of  the  National 
Eftablilhed  Church  ;  if  they  did  but  acknowledge 
the  Divine  Saviour,  and  walk  in  Holinefs  of  Life, 
he  was  ever  ready  to  honour  them  with  his  Efteem, 
and  to  allow  them  the  right  Hand  of  Fellowfhip. 
"Mr.  Hervey  himfelf  was  perfe6lly  regular  in  his 
Condudl  as  a  Member  of  the  Eftablifhment; 

He  fhone  as  a  Correfpondent  and  as  a  Com- 
panion. His  Letters  and  his  Converfation  ^vere 
remarkable  for  Eafe  and  Elegance,  for  Extent  of 

Knowledge, 


xvi         Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  IVritings 

Knowledge,  and  Fervour  of  Devotion.  He  always 
wiflied  to  be  ufeful,  and  ever  conduced  himfelf 
as  {landing  In  the  Divine  Prefence,  and  employed 
in  his  Mafter's  Service.  It  is  almoft  needlefs  to 
(ay,  that  his  Converfe  was  free  from  any  Thing 
which  could  tend  to  depreciate  the  Charafter  of 
another :  he  was  as  ready  to  conceal  their  Faults, 
as  to  publifli  their  Excellencies. 

His  Life  was  a  pradical  Comment  on  his 
Writings  :  an  Example  of  what  a  Chriflian  ought 
to  be  ;  marked  by  the  fincereft  Devotion  to  God ; 
the  moft  facred  Regard  to  his  holy  Word,  and  a 
confcientious  Attention  to  all  his  various  Duties 
as  a  Paftor,  a  Son,  a  Brother,  and  a  Friend. 

With  ftrong  natural  Powers  and  much  acquired 
Learning,  he  was  yet  modeft,  humble,  and  diffi- 
dent ;  lowly  in  his  own  Eyes,  and  making  much 
of  thofe  who  feared  the  Lord.  He  was  particu- 
larly folicitous  for  the  fpiritual  Improvement  of 
the  Patients  in  the  Northaryipton  Infirmary,  and 
frequently  vifited  them,  when  his  declining  Health 
would  permit  him. 

In  the  Caufe  of  Truth  he  was  firm  and  zealous ; 
he  was  juftly  offended  at  the  Treatment  which 
his  Writings  received,  particularly  from  the  Cri- 
tical Reviewers  ;  perhaps  Languor  and  Pain  might 
contribute  their  Share,  and  render  him  more 
quickly  irritable,  and  he  warmly  expreffed  the  In- 
dignation which  he  felt  :  he  prepared  to  attack 

them 


bj  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.       xvii 

them  with  Sarcaftn  and  Ridicule  ;  but  moft  pro- 
bably he  was  handling  Weapons  in  which  he  could 
not  excel,  and  might  only  have  expofed  himfelf 
and  his  Writings  to  his  unknown  Antagonifts, 
who  might  have  been  more  than  equal  to  him  at 
fuch  a  Conteft ;  but  happily  the  Calm  of  Rc- 
fleftion  interpofed,  the  earneft  Entreaties  of  his 
Friends  prevailed,  and  theDefign  was  relinquifhed. 

Another  Work,  of  a  different  Kind,  in  which 
he  was  engaged^  was  rebuilding  the  Parfonage  at 
Wejlon^  on  a  neat  and  proper  Size,  fuitable  to  the 
Living.  The  Perfon  he  employed  difappointed, 
if  he  did  not  deceive  him  ;  and  it  feemed  as  if  he 
muft  have  Recourfe  to  the  difagreeable  Expedient 
of  a  Law-fuit,  to  fettle  the  Affair  :  but  one 
builds  and  another  inhabits  ;  before  Mr.  Hervey 
occupied  his  new  Houfe  he  was  removed  to  his 
Houfe  not  made  with  Hands,  The  rebuilding  the 
Parfonage  cofl  him  four  hundred  Pounds,  befides 
the  old  Materials.  This  Sum  he  was  enabled  to 
fijpply  by  letting  out  fome  of  his  Land  for  the 
Cultivation  of  Woad,  which  always  produces  an 
extraordinary  Rent  for  a  Time. 

Mr.  Hervey  was  both  exceeding  liberal  and  ju- 
dicious in  the  Diftribution  of  Relief  to  the  Poor, 
the  Aged,  and  the  Sick  :  giving  them  Clothes 
and  proper  Food  rather  than  Money  ;  yet  this  was 
never  withheld  when  the  neceffity  of  the  Cafe 
required  it ;  as  to  a  prudent  Houfekeeper,  reduced 

Vol.  L  b  by 


xvni        Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

by  Sicknefs  or  Misfortune,   to  whom  he  would 
give  leveral  Guineas  at  a  Time. 

He  often  would  procure  the  Advice  of  Phyfi- 
cians,  and  Medicine  from  Apothecaries,  for  the 
Benefit  of  the  fick  Poor:  this  was  a  favourite 
Method  with  him  of  doing  good,  and  often  his 
kind  Attention  to  the  Sicknefs  of  the  Body  pre- 
parec^the  Way  to  reUeve  the  greater  Maladies  of 
the  Soul.  He  alfo  gave  away  great  Numbers  of 
fmall  religious  Books,  but  particularly  Bibles. 

Mr.  Hervey  was  extremely  temperate  and  frugal 
;n  his  Diet ;  plain  in  his  Drefs,  if  not  inattentive 
to  his  Perfon.  A  fuitable  Appearance  has  its  Ufe. 
The  Young,  the  Thoughtlefs,  and  the  Stranger, 
may  not  know  the  real  Worth  of  the  Man  ;  or 
refled  that  he  may  eafily  become  inattentive  to 
Drefs,  while  the  Mind  is  intenfely  engaged  in  the 
Purfuit  of  Knowledge  or  the  Exercifes  of  Devo- 
tion ;  or  while  the  Body  is  languifhing  under  In- 
firmity and  Sicknefs. 

Mr.  Hervey  for  many  Years  had  flruggled  with 
much  Weaknefs  and  Languor,  was  frequently- 
confined  by  fevere  Fits  of  Sicknefs  :  but  in  the 
latter  End  of  the  Year  1758,  he  grew  worfe.  On 
the  firft  Sunday  in  December,  after  Family  Prayer 
in  the  Evening,  he  was  feized  fo  extrem.ely  ill 
that  his  Diflblution  was  apprehended  to  be  very 
near :  with  great  Difficulty  he  Vv'as  got  up  Stairs, 
and  after  that  never  left  his  Room.     The  Cramp 

returned 


of  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.        xix 

returned  with  Violence.  He  was  grievoufly  afRi£led 
with  a  he£lic  Cough  in  the  Night,  that  obHged 
him  to  rife  very  early.  He  was  fenlible  of  his 
Danger,  yet  was  willing  to  ufe  proper  Means  to 
mitigate  the  Pain  and  to  prolong  Life.  On  the 
15th  o( December^  he  complained  of  a  Pain  in  his 
Side,  for  which,  at  his  own  Defire,  he  was  blooded, 
but  the  Surgeon,  perceiving  his  Weaknefs  and 
Danger,  took  but  a  fmall  Quantity  of  Blood.  Mr. 
Ma.fdock,  his  Curate^  was  much  with  him,  to 
whom  he  pathetically  fpoke  of  his  AlTurance  of 
Faith  and  of  the  great  Love  of  God  in  Chrift. 
"  How  much,"  lays  he,  ''  has  Chrift  done  for 
*'  me,  and  how  little  have  I  done  for  fo  loving 
*'  a  Saviour  !  If  I  preached  even  once  a  Week,  it 
"  v/as  at  laft  a  Burden  to  me.  I  have  not  vifited 
*'  the  People  of  my  Parifh  as  I  ought  to  have 
'*  done ;  and  thus  have  preached  from  Houfe  to 
"  Houfe.  I  have  not  taken  every  Opportunity 
'"-  of  fpeaking  for  Chrift." 

Thefe  Exprefiions  were  accompanied  w^itli 
Tears  :  "  but,"  fays  he,  ''  do  not  think  that  I  am 
*'  afraid  to  die,  I  aiTure  you  I  am  not.  I  know 
"  what  my  Saviour  hath  done  for  me,  and  I  want 
"  to  be  gone.  But  I  wonder  and  lament  to  think 
''  of  the  Love, of  Chrift  in  doing  fo  much  for 
''  me,  and  how  little  I  have  done  for  Him.'* 
And  in  another  Converfation,  calmly  fpeaking  of 
his  approaching  Diffolution,  and  our  Ignorance  of 
b  2  the 


XX  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  IVritings 

the  facred  Word,  he  obferved,  *'  How  many  pre- 
"  cious  Texts  are  there  big  with  the  richeft 
*^  Truths  of  Chrift,  which  we  cannot  compre- 
''  hend,  of  which  we  know  nothing ;  and  of 
*'  thofe  we  do  know,  how  few  do  we  remember. 
"  A  good  Textuary  is  a  good  Divine  :  that  is  the 
"  Armour ;  the  Word  of  God  is  the  Sword. 
"  They  are  the  Weapons  I  muft  ufe  when  that 
''  fubtle  Spirit  the  arch  Adverfary  of  Mankind 
"  comes  to  tempt  and  fift  me  in  my  laft  Conflidl. 
*'  Surely  I  had  need  be  well  provided  with  thefe 
'^  Weapons :  I  had  need  have  my  Quiver  full  of 
*'  them,  to  anfwer  Satan  with  Texts  out  of  the 
*'  Word  of  God  when  he  afTaults  me.'* 

On  the  19th  the  Pains  of  his  Body  abated,  but 
he  grew  drowfy  and  lethargick  :  and  in  the  Night 
his  Diffolution  was  expefted. 

The  next  Day  he  was  vifited  by  his  worthy 
Friend  Dr*  Stonhoufe^  who  declared  his  Opinioiji 
that  Mr.  Hervey  could  not  furvive  above  two  or 
three  Days :  and  fpeaking  of  the  Confolations 
which  a  good  Man  enjoys  in  the  Profpedi:  of  Death, 
Mr.  Hervey  replied,  "  True,  DocSlor,  true :  the 
**  only  valuable  Treafures  are  in  Heaven.  What 
*'  would  it  avail  me  now  to  be  Archbifliop  of 
*'  Can  erbury  ?  Difeafe  would  fhew  no  Refpe£t  to 
*'  my  Mitre.  That  Prelate  (Dr.  Seeker^  is  not 
*'  only  very  great,  but  I  am  told  he  has  Religion 
'*  really  at  Heart :  yet  it  is  Godlinefs  and  not 
2  "  Grandeur 


of  the  Rev,  James  Hervey,  a.m.         xxi 

Grandeur  that  will  avail  him  hereafter.  The 
Gofpel  is  offered  to  me,  a  poor  Country  Parfon, 
the  lame  as  to  his  Grace.  Chrift  makes  no 
Difference  between  us.  Oh  !  why  then  do 
Minifters  thus  negled  the  Charge  of  fo  kind  a 
Saviour,  fawn  upon  the  Great,  and  hunt  after 
worldly  Preferments  with  fo  much  Eagernefs, 
to  the  Difgrace  of  our  Orders  :  Thefe,  thefe 
are  the  Things,  Doftor,  and  not  our  Poverty 
or  Obicurity,  which  render  the  Clergy  fo  juftly 
contemptible  to  the  Worldlings.  No  Wonder 
the  Service  of  our  Church,  grieved  I  am  to 
fay  it,  is  become  fuch  a  formal  lifelefs  Thing, 
fince  it  is  alas  too  generally  executed  by  Per- 
fons  dead  to  Godlinefs  in  all  their  Converfation, 
whofe  Indifference  to  Religion,  and  worldly- 
minded  Behaviour,  proclaims  the  little  Regard 
they  pay  to  the  Dodrines  of  the  Lord  who 
*'  bought  them.'* 

When  the  Do£lor  was  going  away,  Mr.  Hervey 
reminded  him  o£  a  dangerous  Fall  from  his  Horfe 
which  he  had  met  with  not  long  before,  by  which 
he  had  been  much  bruifed,  and  obferving  that  he 
looked  pale,  he  hoped  he  would  think  on  fuch 
narrow  Efcapes,  fo  often  fatal  to  others,  as  a 
Warning  to  him  from  God,  and  remember  them 
as  fuch,  adding,  **  How  careful  ought  we  to  be 
**  to  improve  thefe  Years  which  remain,    at  a 

h  2  *'  Time 


xxli         Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

"'Time  of  Life  when  but  few  can  remain  to  us." 
At  that  Time  both  were  turned  of  forty. 

The  Day  before  his  Death,  Mr.  Hervey  at- 
tempting to  walk  a  few  Steps  in  his  Room,  his 
Strength  failing  him,  he  muft  have  fallen  if  not 
fupported,  a  fainting  Fit  enfued,  and  it  was  fome 
Time  before  he  recovered.  When  he  came  to 
himfclf,  his  Brother  Wiiliam^  who  was  come  from 
London  to  fee  him,  faid,  "  We  were  afraid  you 
*'  were  gone."     He  anfwered,  "  I  wifh  I  had." 

On  the  25th,  his  Curate  paying  him  his  Morn- 
ing Vifit,  Mr.  Hervey^  fitting  in  an  eafy  Chair, 
for  he  was  unable  to  lie  in  Bed,  faid,  "  Sir,  I 
**  cannot  talk  with  you  to-day."  He  complained 
much  of  a  great  inward  Confli£l  which  he  had, 
and  laying  his  Hand  on  his  Breaft,  faid,  "  Oh 
*'  you  know  not  how  great  a  Conflift  I  have." 
During  this  Time  his  Eyes  v^ere  almoft  conftantly 
elevated  to  Heaven,  and  his  Hands  clafped  in 
Prayer,  he  frequently  faid,  ''  When  this  great 
**  Conflid  is  over,  then'* — but  added  no  more. 

Dr.  Stonhoufe  came  to  him  about  three  Hours 
before  he  expired  ;  to  whom  he  ftrongly  urged 
the  Importance  of  his  everlafting  Concerns,  as 
here  is  no  abiding  Place  ;  and  entreated  him  not 
to  be  overcharged  vv^ith  the  Cares  of  this  Life  ; 
but  in  the  Multiplicky  of  his  Eufinefs  to  attend  to 
the  one  Thing  needful : 

c  *'  Which 


of  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.      xxiii 

*<  Which  done,  the  pooreft  can  no  Wants  endure, 
•*  And  which  not  done,  the  richeft  mud  be  poor." 

The  Do(9:or  obferving  the  Difficulty  with  which 
he  Ipoke,  from  the  Phlegm  which  opprefTed  him, 
and  finding  by  his  languid  Pulle  that  his  Difiblu- 
tion  was  near,  defired  that  he  would  fpare  himfelf. 
*'  No,  Doflor,  no,"  was  his  Reply,  "  you  tell 
"  me  that  I  have  but  a  few  Moments  to  live  : 
"  Oh  let  me  fpend  them  in  adoring  our  great 
**  Redeemer."  He  then  faid,  "  Though  my 
''  Heart  and  my  Flefli  fail  me,  yet  God  is  the 
"  Strength  of  my  Heart  and  my  Portion  for  ever." 
He  expatiated  alfo  on  thofe  Words,  All  TChrngs  are 
your  Sy  Life  and  Death,/  rye  are  Chrijl^s.  '*  Here," 
fays  he,  "  is  the  Treafure  of  a  Chriftian.  Death 
"  is  reckoned  among  this  Inventory,  and  a  noble 
*'  Treafure  it  is.  How  thankful  am  I  for  Death, 
*'  as  it  is  the  Paffage  through  which  I  pafs  to  the 
**  Lord  and  Giver  of  eternal  Life  ;  and  as  it  frees 
''  me  from  all  this  Mifery  you  now  fee  me  en- 
'*  dure,  and  which  I  am  willing  to  endure,  as 
''  long  as  God  thinks  fit ;  for  1  know  He  will  in 
**  his  own  good  Time,  difmifs  me  from  the  Body. 
**  Thefe  light  Afflidlions  are  but  for  a  Moment : 
*'  and  then  comes  an  eternal  Weight  of  Glorv. — 
*'  Oh  welcome,  welcome  Death, — Thou  mayfl 
**  well  be  reckoned  among  the  Treafures  of  the 
"  Chriftian.  To*  live  is  Chrifly  but  to  die  is 
«  Gain:\ 

h  4  When 


XXIV        Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

When  the  Do6lor  was  taking  his  final  Leave, 
Mr.  Hervey  exprefled  great  Gratitude  for  his  Vifits, 
though  Medicine  had  been  unable  to  relieve  him. 
He  then  paufed  a  little,  and  with  great  Compo- 
fure,  although  the  Pangs  of  Death  were  upon 
him,  faid,  Lord^  now  lettejl  thou  thy  Servant  de- 
part in  Peace^  according  to  thy  moft  holy  and  com- 
fortable Word,  for  mine  Eyes  have  feen  thy  precious 
Salvation,  "  Here,  Do£lor,  is  my  Cordial :  what 
*'  are  all  the  Cordials  given  to  fupport  the  dying, 
*^  in  Comparifon  of  that  which  arifes  from  the 
''  Promifes  of  Salvation  by  Chrift  ?  This,  this 
"  fupports  me."  About  three  o'Clock  he  faid, 
^'  The  great  Conflict  is  over.  Now  all  is  done." 
After  which  he  fcarce  fpoke  any  Words  intelli- 
gibly, except  now  and  then,  precious  Salvation. 
During  the  laft  Hour  he  faid  nothing,  but  leaned 
his  Head  againft  the  Side  of  an  cafy  Chair,  and, 
without  the  leaft  Struggle,  expired  between  four 
and  five  o'Clock  in  the  Afternoon  on  Chrijimas- 
Day,  17585  iu  the  forty-fifth  Year  of  his  Age, 
on  that  Day  when  he  had  fo  often  difplayed  the 
Mercy  and  Dignity  of  his  Redeemer. 

He  was  interred  three  Days  afterwards,  under 
the  Middle  of  the  Communion  Table,  in  the 
'  Chancel  of  JVeJlon  FavelL  His  Funeral  was 
exceeding  plain,  according  to  his  particular  Re- 
queft,  but  numeroufly  attended  by  his  pious  and 
aftedtionate  Relations ;  by  a  grateful  and  forrowful 

Congre- 


of  the  Rev,  James  Hervey,  a.m.      xxv 

Congregation,  deeply  lamenting  the  Lofs  they 
had  iuftained.  This  was  the  only  Monument 
which  he  defired ;  and,  indeed,  for  many  Years, 
there  was  no  Memorial  of  the  Place  of  his  Sepul- 
ture, until  his  excellent  and  only  furviving  Sifter 
caufed  the  following  to  be  infcribed  on  the  Place 
where  his  Body  was  depofited  : 

Here  lie  the  Remains 

pf  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m, 

(late  Reftor  of  this  Parifli) 

That  very  pious  Man, 

And  much-adrnired  Author, 

Who  died  Dec.  25th,   1758, 

In  the  45  th  Year  of  his  Age. 

Reader,  expeft  no  more  to  make  him  known. 
Vain  the  fond  Elegy  and  figured  Stone ; 
A  Name  more  lafting  fhall  his  Writings  give  ; 
There  view  difplay'd  his  heav'niy  Soul,  and  live* 

The  Mind  finds  a  melancholy  but  pleafing  Satis- 
faftion,  in  contemplating  the  latter  End  of  the 
righteous :  th„e  Death-Bed  of  the  good  Man  is  a 
privileged  Spot  ;  we  dwell  with  Attention  on  his 
Jaft  Moments,  and  are  pleafed  with  every  new 
Proof  of  the  Sincerity  of  his  Devotion,  and  the 
Confidence  of  his  Hopes. 

A$  a  Clergyman,  Mr.  Hervey  performed  all  the 
JDuties  of  his  Station  in  the  beft  and  ftrifteft 

!^Ianner, 


xxvi       Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  PFritings 

Manner.  Not  content  with  the  pubhc  Duty  on 
a  Sunday^  he  eftabliihed  a  Leclure  on  Wednefday 
Evening,  except  during  Hay-time  and  Harveft  : 
the  Expence  of  lighting  the  Church  during  the 
Winter  Months  he  paid  out  of  his  ov/n  Pocket, 
that  he  might  not  put  the  Parifli  to  any  Expence; 
but,  for  fome  Time  before  his  Death,  he  was 
unable  to  make  the  ufual  Change  with  his  Curate 
at  ColUngtree^  to  vifit  his  Parifhioners  from  Houfe 
to  •  Houfe,  or  to  continue  his  Weekly  Leflure. 
Perhaps  this  might  give  him  too  much  Concern  ; 
but  it  is  a  difficult  Talk,  with  the  Defire  of  being 
ufeful,  quietly  to  fubmit  to  be  laid  afide. 

He  preached  on  Sundays  to  numerous  and 
very  attentive  Congregations ;  many  of  whom 
came  from  very  diftant  Parts.  His  voice  was 
clear  and  harmonious,  though  not  ftrong  ;  and 
he  was  a  very  excellent  Reader  as  well  as  Preacher. 
He  always  preached  without  Notes,  or  thofe  very 
ihort  ones,  except  on  fome  particular  Occafions. 
When  his  Strength  would  permit  him,  he  gene- 
rally preached  about  an  Haur ;  and  his  Difcourfes 
were  judicious,  '  clear,  and  free  from  any  vain 
Repetitions.  In  his  public  Addreffes,  he  ftudied 
Simplicity  and  Plainnefs  :  he  did  not  wifh  to  cap- 
tivate by  the  Elegance  of  his  Language,  or  the 
Difplay  of  the  Variety  and  Extent  of  his  Learning, 
but  to  inform  the  moft  ignorant,  to  intereft  the 
carelefs,  and  to  do  good  to  all. 

In 


of  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.     xxvii 

In  catechizing  the  Children,  he  was  afFeflionate, 
famiUar,  and  engaging ;  leading  them  by  fhort 
and  pertinent  Queftions  to  think  for  themfelves, 
and  to  underftand  what  they  faid.  Obferving 
fbme  of  his  Parifhioners  indolent  on  a  Simday 
Morning,  or  engaged  in  fecular  Concerns,  he  thus 
catechiled  the  Children  on  the  fourth  Command- 
ment :  **  Do  they  keep  holy  the  Sabbath-Day 
"  who  lie  in  Bed  till  eight  or  nine  o'clock  m  the 
*'  Morning,  inftead  of  riling  to  fay  their  Prayers, 
*'  and  read  the  Bible  ?"  "  No,  Sir."—'-  Do  thofe 
**  keep  the  Sabbath  who  fodder  their  Cattle  when 
*'  other  People  are  going  to  Church  ?''  "  No, 
^'  Sir."—''  Does  God  Almighty  blefs  fuch  People 
**  who  go  to  Alehoufes,  and  do  not  mind  the  In- 
*'  ftruaion  of  their  Minifter  ?"  "  No,  Sir." — 
*'  Don't  thofe  who  love  God  read  the  Bible  in 
**  their  Families,  particularly  on  Sunday  Evenino-s^ 
*'  and  have  every  Day  Family  Prayers,  Morning 
*'  and  Evening,  in  their  Houfes  ?"  "  Yes,  Sir." 
In  this  eafy  and  fimple  Manner  did  he  lead  the 
young  Mind,  and  guard  them  againft  the  Condudl 
of  Parentsor  Mafters  who  ought  to  have  fet  them 
a  better  Example. 

Mr.  Hervey's  deep  Humility  was  a  conftant 
Protection  to  him  :  he  was  always  watchful  over 
himfelf,  and  was  never  known  to  be  in  a  Paffion. 
When  he  was  unjuftly  afperfed,  he  would  fay; 
**  Our  Enemies  are  fometimes  our  beft  Friends, 

•*  and 


xxviii     Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

*^  and  tell  us  Truths ;  and  then  we  fhould  anicnd 
"  our  Faults,  and  be  thankful  for  fach  Informa- 
**  tion :  and  if  what  they  fay  be  not  true,  and 
**  only  fpoke  through  Malice,  then  fuch  Perfons 
*'  are  to  be  confidered  as  difeafed  in  Mind,  and 
*'  that  he  would  pray  for  them.  They  arc  to  be 
*'  pitied ;  and  1  might  as  juftly  be  angry  with  a 
*•  Man  who  is  difeafed  \\\  Body." 

His  Gratitude  to  God  and  Man  was  very  great 
and  uniform  :  the  leaft  Ads  of  Kindnefs  called  forth 
the  moft  lively  Exprcfiions  of  Thankfulnefs  from 
him. 

Although  he  had  coUefted  much  Knowledge, 
and  was  able  to  fhine  with  Scholars,  yet  he  often 
fubmitted  his  Writings  to  be  corre£led  by  thofe 
who  were  far  inferior  to  himfelf;  and  he  was 
never  better  pleafed  than  when  feveral  Alterations 
were  made.  His  Induftry  and  Application  will 
appear  the  more  extraordinary,  when  it  is  confi- 
dered, that  in  the  latter  Years  of  his  fhort  Life 
he  was  feldom  free  from  Languor  and  Pain  ;  his 
Conftitution  being  very  delicate,  and  fuffering  from 
every  Cold  and  Exertion.  In  thefe  States  he 
exhibited  the  ufeful  Example  of  Meeknefs  and 
Refignation,  patiently  fubmitting  himfelf  to  the 
divine  Difpofal. 

His  numerous  Writings,  and  the  Succefs  which 
they  met  with,  formed  a  Source  of  Charity  which 
was  entirely  appropriated  to  the  poor  and  needy : 

and 


of  tie  Rev.  J AME%  Hervey,  a.m.     XXIX 

and  yet  this  was  not  equal  to  the  Extent  of  his 
Benevolence.  He  was  literally  his  own  Executor ; 
and,  at  the  laft,  defired,  if  therc^was  any  Money 
remaining,  it  might  be  diftributed  in  warm 
Clothing  to  the  Poor  at  that  inclement  Seafon. 

Mr.  Hervey  was  never  married,  although  he 
highly  approved  of  that  Eftate ;  and  often  faid, 
that  he  fliould  certainly  have  married,  but  from 
his  continued  ill  Health  and  Infirmity. 

He  was  fond  of  the  Exercile  of  riding  on 
Horfeback,  as  favourable  to  Meditation  and  Health, 
which  he  partook  when  the  Weather  and  his 
Strength  would  permit  him. 

With  every  Part  of  Learning,  either  orna- 
mental or  ufeful,  he  was  well  acquainted.  He 
made  no  fmall  Proficiency  in  Hebreiv^  Greeks  and 
Latm ;  and,  indeed,  compofed  with  Eafe  in  the 
laft  :  but  all  his  Attainments  were  devoted  to  the 
Service  of  Religion ;  and  he  regarded  no  Book, 
and  no  Subjefl:,  but  as  it  might  advance  the  great 
Objeft  which  he  had  conftantly  in  view. 

With  his  Genius  and  Variety  of  Powers,  he 
might  eafily  have  (hone  as  a  Poet ;  but  he  had  no 
Ambition  of  this  Kind  :  fome  fev/  Poems,  which 
he  wrote  when  young,  he  was  careful  to  deftroy. 
Moft  of  his  Works,  particularly  the  Meditations 
and  the  Dialogues,  would  eafily  aflume  a  poetical 
Form :  the  former  of  them  have  been  turned  into 
Blank  Verfe,  by  Mr.  New  comb  of  Hackney^  after 

.     the 


XXX         Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings 

the  Manner  of  Toungh  Night  Thoughts.  Mr. 
Hervey  faw  Part  of  this  Verfification,  and  it  met 
with  his  warmeft  Approbation.   (Vol.  V.  p.  388.) 

In  the  recommending  of  Books,  and  the  Cha- 
rafters  which  Mr.  Hervey  gave  of  them,  you  may 
fometimes  difcover,  that  the  Benevolence  of  his 
Temper  warped  his  critical  Judgment ;  and  being 
well  pleafed  himfelf,  he  has,  at  Times,  rather 
been  profufe  in  his  Praifes,' 

His  Family-Worfhip  was  regular  and  exem- 
plary :  he  made  the  Servants  read  a  Portion  of 
the  Scripture,  on  which  he  occafionally  made 
fhort,  pertinent,  and  ufeful  Remarks,  which  he 
expedled  they  fhould  recolle£l  when  he  queftioned 
them  again  :  this  v/as  followed  by  earnefl:  and 
humble  Prayer.  In  the  Charafter  of  Camillus 
(Vol.  IV.  p.  274,  275)  he  has  drawn  the  Pidlure 
of  his  own  Family-Worfhip  ;  and  had  Mr.  Hervey 
been  a  Father,  there  can  be  no  Doubi:  but  he 
Would  have  proved  fuch  an  exemplary  Parent  as 
he  has  defcribed  Camillus  to  be. 

Some  Obfervations  may  naturally  be  expeded 
concerning  his  numerous  pofthumous  Letters,  and 
efpecially  the  Eleven  to  Mr.  John  Wefley^  which 
have  caufed  fo  much  Converfation.  In  the  eager 
Defire  to  publifli  all  the  literary  Remains  of  a 
great  or  good  Man,  there  is  often  difplayed  more 
warm  and  indifcreet  Friendfhip  than  cool  and 
accurate  Judgment,  and  a  ilrift  Regard  to  what 

he 


of  the  Rev.  James  Hervey,  a.m.      xxxi 

he  himfelf  would  have  done.  The  eafy  Confi- 
dence of  free  and  familiar  Intercourfe  is  too  often 
violated ;  and  Secrets  are  betrayed,  or  unfavour- 
able Conjeftures  indulged,  which  can  gratify  no 
ufeful  Purpofe.  No  Man  is  equally  wife  ;  and 
although  exemplary  in  hisCoadufr,  he  does  not 
%vi{h  to  appear  before  the  Public  in  every  little 
Note  which  he  has  written,  or  in  every  Opinion 
which  he  may  advance.  As  a  confidential  Coa- 
verfation  is  not  to  be  divulged,  fo  the  epiftolary 
Intercourfe  of  Friends  in  general  fliould  be  equally 
referved.  What  is  not  originally  intended  for  the 
Public,  is  feldom  fit  to  appear  before  them.  This 
was  clearly  Mr.  Hervey' s>  own  Opinion  and  Con- 
duci:.  (Vol.  V.  p.  436.)  Thefe  Remarks  may  be 
faid  fcarce  to  apply  to  the  Eleven  Letters  to  Mr. 
Wejley^  which  were  certainly  written  by  Mr. 
Herveyy  and  intended  for  the  Prefs.  Had  his 
Life  been  fpared,  it  is  well  known  that  he  intended 
to  have  foftened  the  Afperity  of  fome  Exprefiions; 
and,  I  believe,  there  is  not  a  Doubt  but  that 
fome  Friends,  more  zealous  than  judicious,  added 
to  this  Acrimony,  and  were  glad  to  attack  their 
Opponent  with  Severity,  under  the  Shelter  of  ,1b 
exemplary  a  Man,  and  io  dijftinguiihed  a  Writer ; 
on  this  Account  I  conceive  that  thofe  Letters 
muft  be  read  with  fome  Grain  of  Allowance  ;  and 
if  they  contain  his  Sentiments,  they  do  not  alto- 
gether breathe  his  Spirit :  fome  Indulgence  muft 

be 


xxxii  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings ^  ^c. 

be  made  for  a  fufFering  and  languid  Mind,  irritated 
by  Controverfy;  and  fome  Cenlure  may  defer- 
vedly  be  pad  on  the  Confidence  of  Friendship 
abufed,  and  the  Sandlion  of  his  extenfive  Repu- 
tation given  to  the  Severity,  which  was  not  his 
own. 

Few  Characters  in  antient  or  modern  Times 
have  combined  more  Excellencies,  or  dilplayed 
more  Virtues,  than  Mr.  J.  Hervey,  whether  we 
confider  his  Sincerity  as  a  Friend,  his  Zeal  as  a 
Divine,  his  Knowledge  as  a  Scholar,  his  Mildnels 
and  Patience,  his  Charity  and  Love,  as  a  Man 
and  a  Chriftian. 


THE 


7HE  KNOTVLEBGE  OF  SALVATION  PRECIOUS 
IN  THE  HOUR  OF  DEATH; 

PROVED    IN    A 

SERMON 

Preached  JANUARY  4,    1759, 

UPON    THE 

D  E  J  T  H 

OF    THE 

Rev.  Mr.  JAMES  H  E  R  V  E  Y, 
By  W.  RO  MAINE,  m.a. 


^ightecufnefs  dellverelh  from  Death.     PrOV,  x.  2. 


A 

SERMON 


ON 


Mr.    HERVEY's    DEATH, 


Luke  ii.  29,  30.     . 

JLORDy  now  letteft  thou  thy  Servant  depart  in  Peace^ 
accordiyig  to  thy  Word:  for  rdne  Eyes  have  feen  thy 
Salvation, 

ACCORDING  to  the  ancient  Prophecies^  in  the  Ful- 
nefs  of  Time,  God  fent  forth  his  Son.  He  came 
to  his  own,  when  there  was  a  general  Expedlation  of 
his  Birth.  Many  juft  and  devout  Perfons  in  Jeriijalem 
were  then  looking  out  for  the  Redeemer's  coming  in 
the  Flefh ;  and  among  them  good  old  Simeon^  and  Ahnci 
a  Prophetefs,  are  particularly  mentioned.  St.  Luke 
fays.  There  was  a  Man  in  Jerufalem,  whoje  Name  was 
Simeon,  and  the  fame  Man  was  juft  ^  a  juilified  Perlbn, 
and  devout y  fearing  to  offend  GOD,  as  the  Greek  Word 
lignifies,  waiting  for  the  Confolaticn  of  Ifrael ;  he  was 
waiting  for  the  Incarnation  of  the  divine  Comforter,  by 
whofe  Birth  all  the  Promifes  of  Comfort  were  to  be 
ratified  and  fulfilled,  and  the  Ifrael  of  God  was  to  re- 
ceive everlafting  Confolation.  The  Lord  was  pleafed 
to  vouchfafe  a  particular  Revelation  of  his  Will  in  this 
Matter  to  Simeon :  For  the  Holy  Spirit  was  upon  him^  and 

c  %  it 


xxxvi       A  Sermon  en  Mr,  Hervet's  Death, 

it  was  revealed  unto  him  hy  the  Holy  Sprite  that  hejhould 
not  Jee  Death  before  he  hadjeen  the  Lord's  Chrift  incarnate. 
And  he  came  by  Diredtion  of  the  Spirit  into  the' Temple; 
and  when  the  Parents  brought  in  rlae  holy  Child  JefuSy 
to  do  for  him  after  the  Cuftom  of  the  Law,  then  took 
he  him  up  in  his  Arms,  and  blelTed  God  that  he  had 
lived  to  this  happy  Hour,  when  he  could  take  up  the 
Prophet's  Words,  and  lay,  Lo  this  is  our  God^  ive  have 
waited  for  him  y  andhewillfave-us-,  this  is  the  Lor  d^  we 
have  waited  for  him  ;  we  zvill  be  ^hd  and  rejoice-  in  his 
Salvation,  Simeon  waited  to  fee  God  incarnate  -,  and 
having  feen  him,  he  wanted  to  live  no  longer.  .He 
de fired  his  Difmiffion.  All  the  Ends  of  living  were 
anfwered  -,  and  therefore  he  put  up  this  fweet  Prayer  ; — 
Lordj  now  letteji  thou  thy  Servant  depart  in  Peace ,  according 
to  thy  Word :  for  mine  Eyes  have  Jeen  thy  Salvation, 

With  thefe  fame  Words  one  of  our  dear  Brethren, 
now  with  the  Lord,  finifhed  his  Courfe.  They  were 
the  dying  Words  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jaraes  Hervey,  He 
had  long  defired  to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Chrift,  which 
he  knew  was  far  better  than  to  abide  in  the  Flefh  ;  but 
he  waited  patiently  for  the  Lord's  Time  ;  and  when  it 
was  come,  he  thus  exprelTed  the  Thankfulnefs  of  his 
Heart,  Lord,  now  lettefi  thou  thy  Servant  depart  in  Peace^ 
according  to  thy  moft  holy  and  comfortable  JVord:  for 
mine  Lyes  have  feen  thy  precious  Salvation,  The  Lor4 
heard  him,  and  gave  him  a  gentle  Difm.ifTion.  He  died, 
as  he  had  lived,  in  a  perfe6liy  even  and  calm  Com^- 
pofure  of  Mind.  Death  fliewed  that  he  came  to  him  a3 
^  friendly  Meflenger  to  call  him  to  Glory,  for  he  chear- 
fully  obeyed  the  Summons.  There  was  no  Fear,  no 
Struggle,  not  a  Sigh  or  Groan,  but  he  departed  in 
Peace,  and  in  full  Afliirance  of  Faith.  Oh  that  you 
and  I,  my  Brethren,  may  fo  live  by  the  Faith  of  the 
Son  of  God^  that  when  we  come  to  die^,  v/e  may  be 

^ble 


A  Sermon  en  Mr,  Herfet's  Death.        xxxvii 

Tible   to  life  this  fame  Prayer,  and  may  receive  of  the 
Lord  a  like  graciolis  Anfs^cr. 

Thefe  fweet  dying  Words  of  our  de;ir  Brother  have 
made  a  great  Impreflion  upon  feveral  of  his  Acquaint- 
ance :.  for  they  hav^  been  led  to  confider  them  more 
clofeiy  than  perhaps  they  ever  did  before,  and  feveral 
Iiave  meditated  upon  them  with  great  Comfort.  In. 
order  that  others  might  do  the  fame,  and  that  his  happy 
Death  might  be  the  Means  of  flirring  up  many  to  feek 
to  die  the  Death  of  the  Righteous,  and  that  their  latter 
End  might  be  like  his,  I  have  determined  to  fpeak  upon 
the  Words  this  Day.  May  the  fame  Spirit  by  which 
Smeon  fpake  them  be  in  all  your  Hearts  !  may  he  teach 
you  their  true  and  full  Meaning,  and  in  God's  due  Time 
may  he  give  you  the  comfortable  Experience  of  them ! 
Under  his  Guidance  let  us  confider, 

Firft^  That  when  Simeon  had  {tt]\  the  Salvation  of 
God,  he  was  prepared  to  depart : 

Secondly y  He  therefore  de fired  it,  and  prayed  for  It  j 

and. 

Thirdly^  He  expedted  he  fliould  depart  in  Peace  ac- 
cording to  God's  Word,  which  was  fulfilled  to  hum. 
And,  under  each  of  thefe  Particulars,  I  fliall  fpeak  of 
the  Experience  of  our  deceafed  Brother. 

Firft^  Simeon  had  it  revealed  to  him  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  that  he  fhould  not  die  until  he  had  feen  the 
Lord's  Chrift ;  and  when  Jefus  was  brought  into  the 
Temple,  he  was  dire61:ed  to  go  and  receive  him  for  the 
promifed  MefTiah ;  and  taking  him  up  in  his  Arms,  he 
bleffed  God,  and  faid,  Lordy  now  letteft  thou  thy  Servant 
depart  in  Peace,  according  to  thy  Word:  for  mine  Eyes 
have  feen  thy  Salvation.  It  is  evident  he  fpoke  thefe 
W^ords  in  their  primary  Senfe,  of  his  feeing  JESUS 
wida  the  Eyes  of  his  Body  -,  but  this  could  have  been  no 

c  3  great 


XXXV ill      J  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervey's  Death. 

great  Caufe  of  Joy  to  him,  unlefs  he  had  before  fee0 
Chrift  fome  other  Way ;  for  Multitudes  faw  him  with 
their  bodily  Eyes,  while  he  was  upon  Earth,  who  were 
no  better  for  the  Sight ;  and  Multitudes  will  hereafter 
fee  him  in  his  glorified  Body,  but  it  will  be  to  their 
everlafting  Confufion.  There  is  another  Kind  of  Sight 
to  which  our  Church  referred  you  this  Afternoon,  when 
each  of  you  took  up  thefe  Words  and  faid.  For  mine 
Eyes  have  feen  thy  Salvation.  If  you  knew  what  you 
faid,  and  fjpoke  the  Truth  as  you  had  experienced  it, 
you  meant  that  you  had  feen  the  Salvation  of  God  with 
the  Eye  of  Faith ;  according  to  what  is  faid  of  MoJeSy 
That  by  Faith  he  Jaw  hm  who  is  invtfihle,  {Heb,  xi.  27.) 
He  faw  him  by  the  Eyes  of  his  Soul,,  who  was  invifible 
to  the  Eyes  of  his  Body :  for  the  Soul  has  its  Eyes  as 
well  as  the  Body ;  but  Sin  darkened  them ;  it  put  them 
into  the  State  in  which  the  Eyes  of  the  Body  are  wher^ 
they  have  no  Light :  then  the/  can  fee  nothing.  So  the 
Soul  is  faid,  in  Scripture,  to  be  in  Darknefs  and  Blind- 
nefs  until  the  Eyes  of  the  Underftanding  be  enhghtened. 
They  cannot  fee  any  fpiritual  Objeds  until  the  Sun  of 
Righteouihefs  fhine  upon  them  -,  nor,  when  he  does 
fhine,  can  they  fee  any  Lovelinefs  in  thofe  Objefts, 
until  they  be  able  to  ad;  Faith  upon  them ;  for  the  Eye 
of  Faith  not  only  beholds  the  Obje6t,  but  alfo  dif- 
tinguiHies  its  own  Interefl  in  it.  Faith  keeps  all  the 
Senfes  of  the  Soul  in  A6t  and  Exercjfe  upon  the  proper 
Obje6b,  which  each  apprehends  ;  here  the  Eye  of  Faith 
is  fixed  upon  Salvation,  not  only  viewing  it  as  a  BlefTing 
belonging  to  others,  but  alfo  appropriating  it  to  itfelf. 
Mine  Eyes  have  feen  thy  Salvation  :  here  Simeon,  fpeak- 
incr  of  our  Saviour,  calls  him  Salvation,  becaufe  all  Sal- 
vation is  in  and  from  him.  He  is  the  Autlior,  and  he 
is  the  Finiiher  of  it.  The  great  Plan  of  it  was  laid  by 
the  co-equal  and  co-eternal  Perfons  of  the  ever-blefTed 
Trinity,  before  the  Foundation  of  the  World;  it  was 

carried 


A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervzy's  Death.       xxxiK 

carried  into  Execution  by  our  divine  Saviour  in  the 
Fulnefs  of  Time  -,  and  he  is  an  eternal  Salvation,  an 
eternal  Deliverance  from  all  Evil,  and  an  eternal  Pof- 
ielTion  of  all  Good.  Upon  the  Entrance  of  Sin  into 
the  World,  this  great  Salvation  of  our  God  was  revealed, 
and  by  Faith  Believers  under  the  Old-Teftament  Dif- 
penfation  enjoyed  the  Benefits  of  it.  At  the  appointed 
Time  Jehovah  took  a  Body  of  Flefh,  and  our  divine 
Immanuel  frood  up  to  fave  his-  People  from  their  Sins. 
He  undertook  to  fatisfy  all  the  Demands  of  Law  and 
Juilice.  The  Law  he  fatisfied,  by  paying  it  a  perfect 
uniinning  Obedience;  which  being  a  divine,  as  well  as 
a  human  Obedience,  did  therefore  magnify  the  Law, 
and  make  it  more  honourable,  than  if  all  the  Creatures 
in  Heaven  and  Earth  had  never  offended  againfl  it. 
Juflice  he  fatisfied,  by  enduring  the  threatened  Punifli- 
ment  -,  and  after  his  Sufferings  and  Death,  Juilice  had 
no  more  Demands  upon  him  ;  for  he  came  out  of  the 
Prifon  of  the  Grave  with  a  full  Difcharge.  This  Satis- 
fadtion,  made  to  Law  and  Juflice  by  the  Obedience  and 
Sufferings  of  the  Lord  JeJuSy  is  what  the  Scripture  calls 
the  Righteoufnejs  of  God,  becaiife  it  is  a  divine  and  in- 
finitely-perfed  Righteoufnefs,  a  divine  Righteoufnefs 
wrought  out  by  Jehovah  himfelf,  and  as  infinitely  per- 
fe6t  a  Righteoufnefs  as  Jehovah  could  make  it.  In  this 
all-glorious  Righteoufnefs  of  the  God-man,  Chrifl  Jefus, 
confifls  the  Sinner's  Salvation:  for  he  is  accepted  and 
juflified  by  it  -,  the  Fruits  of  this  Righteoufnefs  are  his 
Sandification,  and  the  Robe  of  this  Righteoufnefs  is  his 
Glorification.  So  that  Salvation  in  Time  and  in  Eter- 
nity depends  upon  the  Righteoufnefs  of  the  incarnate 
God.  This  is  die  fundamental  Dodrine  of  the  Chrif- 
tian  Religion,  for  which  our  dear  Brother  was  a  noble 
Champion.  He  faw,  he  experienced  the  Importance  of 
it,  and  therefore  in  his  Converfation  and  in  his  Preach- 
ing it  was  his  favourite  Topic,     How  fweedy,  how 

c  4  profitably 


xl  A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervey^s  Death, 

profitably  have  I  heard  him  dwell  upon  it !  and  how 
excelkndy  has  he  defended  it  in  his  Writings  ?  Read  his 
Theron  and  AJpafio  \  and  when  you  are  thoroughly  con- 
vinced that  Chfiil  is  the  End  of  the  Law  for  Righteouf- 
nefs  to  every  one  who  believeth,  and  can  fay  with  Faith, 
In  the  Lord  have  I Rtghteoujnejs  and  Salvation^  then  your 
Mind  will  be  fettled  in  Peace  and  Comfort,  and  you 
will  be  delivered  from  thofe  dangerous  Errors  which  are 
now  propagated  concerning  the  Righteoufnefs  of  the 
Lord  Jefus.  Thank  God  for  the  mafterly  Defence  of 
it  in  thefe  Dialogues  *.  In  them  Mr.  Hervey  being 
dead,  yet  fpeaketh  the  Praifes  of  his  adorable  Redeemer, 
and  'clearly  proves  that  we  have  our  Salvation  through 
his  Righteoufnefs.  Immanuel  the  Saviour  is  the  Juflifier, 
as  he  fays  himfelf.  If.  xlv.  21,  22.  There  h  no  God  elfe 
hefide  iney  a  God  that  gives  Righteoufnefs ^  and  a  Saviour y 
there  is  none  hefide  me.  Look  unto  me  and  beyefavedy  all 
the  Ends  of  the  Earth  y  for  I  am  Gody  and  there  is  none 

^  About  a  Week  before  Mr.  Her^vey  was  taken  ill,  I  mentioned  to 
)um  a  Report  that  was  fpread  about,  concerning  Mr.  Sandetnan's  Letters 
bti  theron  and  Jfpafloy  to  this  Effed :  That  he  (Mr.  Her^oey)  had, 
written  a  Letter  to  Mrs.  Cooke,  and  therein  had  faid,  that  Mr.  Sande- 
man  was  in  the  Right,  and  had  convinced  him  of  his  Error ;  or 
Words  to  that  Purpofe.  To  which  be  anfwered.  That  he  had  written 
a  Letter  to  Mrs.  Ccokei  and  therein  he  had  acknowledged,  that  many 
o^M.T.  Sandefuan^z  Remarks  were  judicious,  and  that  he  had  correfted 
fome  of  his  Exprefiions  and  Inaccuracies.  But  he  faid,  that  he  was 
\'ery  far  from  having  changed  his  Opinion  as  to  the  Subllance  and 
Matter  of  the  Argument ;  for  therein  he  thought  Mr.  S-ande^nan  was 
entirely  wrong.  Whereupon  I  defired  lie  would  infert  an  Advertife- 
ment  in  fome  of  the  London  Papers,  figned  by  himfelf,  to  fet  this 
Miftake  right,  lefl  it  might  hinder  the  Sale  and  Reading  of  his  Books, 
and  thereby  prevent  much  Good.  To  which  he  agreed ;  and  added, 
that  he  would  let  that  Paragraph  (land  in  his  Anfvjer  to  Mr.  Wejley^ 
relating  to  Mr.  Sandeman,  Qnly  foftening  the  ExprefTion  a  little  :  But 
all  this  was  prevented  by  his  Illnefs  and  Death.  The  Truth  of  thifr 
I  am  ready  to  attell. 

Abraham  Maddocx, 
Curate  of  Wedon-Fa^elL 


A  Sermon  on  Mr,  IIervet's  Death,  xli 

fife.  How  could  they  be  favecl  by  looking  unto  ChrlR-  ? 
Certainly  not  by  a  Look  of  their  bodily  Eyes.  Simeon\ 
JOy  did  not  arife  from  having  Ch rift  in  his  Arms,  and 
looking  upon  him  ;  but  from  being  able  to  look  upon 
him  by  an  Ad  of  Faith.  He  knew  him  to  be  his  Sa- 
viour. Thence  arofe  his  Joy,  and  from  thence  mufi: 
5''our's  arife.  h  is  the  Look  of  Faith  which  faves  3  the 
Eye  of  Faith  kept  in  Exercife  upon  its  proper  Objed, 
even  upon  Jefus,  the  Author  and  Finiiher  of  Faith.  ,  Ic 
is  this  A6t;  of  Faith  which  our  Lord  requires  : — Lock 
unto  me,  with  this  Promife  annexed,  and  be  ye  JaveL 
There  is  Salvation  in  the  Look  of  Faith  :  for  it  fees  and 
receives  Jefus,  as  he  i-s  offered  in  Scripture,  for  a  free, 
full,  and  complete  Saviour.  And  whoever  keeps  the 
Eye  of  Faith  in  conftant  Exercife,  is  prepared,  with 
good  old  Simeon^,  to  depart  in  Peace  :  becaufe,  by  having 
an  Intereft  and  Property  in  the  Salvation  of  our  God, 
he  is  thereby  delivered  from  every  Thing  that  can  make 
Death  dreadful,  and  is  in  Pofleflion  of  every  Thing  that 
can  make  Death  defirable. 

What  is  it  that  makes  Death  dreadful  ?  Is  it  not  Q\\\\t 
in  the  Confclence,  accufmg  the  Sinner  for  the  Breach 
of  the  holy  Law,  and  alarming  him  with  Fear  of  the 
threatened  Puniihment,  which  the  Juftice,  andHolinefs, 
and  Truth  of  God,  are  concerned  to  fee  inflidted,  in 
Time  and  in  Eternity  ?  Thus  we  read.  The  Sting  of 
Death  is  Sin,  and  the  Strength  of  Sin  is  the  La'uj.  Death 
has  Power  to  fting,  fo  long  as  the  broken  Law  gives 
Sin  a  Right  to  accufe  and  condemn :  all  unpardoned 
Sinners  therefore  are  afraid  of  Death.  From  this  State 
of  Fear  and  Bondage  our  Lord  canie  to  fave  his  People  ; 
He  came  to  deliver  them,  who  through  Fear  of  Death  were 
dl  their  Life-time  fiihje^  to  Bondage  j  and  he  does  deliver 
them,  when  their  Sins  are  forgiven,  and  his  Righteouf- 
ncfs  is  imputed  to  them  :  for  then  the  broken  Lav/  can- 
not condemn^  nor  Juftice  puniHi,  there  being  no  Con- 
demnation 


xlii  A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervey's  Death, 

demnatlon  to  them  that  are  in  Chrlfl  Jefus.  Upoii 
which  Death  lofes  its  Sting ;  and  when  the  pardoned 
Sinner  looks  upon  it,  he  fees  nothing  terrible  in  ks  Ap- 
pearance, but  can  boldly  and  without  Prefumption  fay, 
Teay  ivhen  I  walk  through  the  Valley  of  the  Shadow  of 
Death y  Iivill  fear  no  Evil:  for  thou  my  God  art  with  me. 
And  he  is  not  only  prepared  to  die  becaufe  he  is  de- 
livered from  every  Thing  that  could  make  Death  dread- 
ful, but  alfo  becaufe  he  is  in  the  Poffeffion  of  every 
Thino-  that  can  make  Death  de-firable.     He  knows  he 

o 

has  an  Intereft:  in  Chrift,  and  Chrift  is  the  PofTefTor  of 
Heaven  and  Earth.  He  has  all  Things  in  his  Hands, 
and  has  promifed  to  make  them  all  v/ork  together  for 
the  Good  of  his  redeemed  People  :  fo  that  whoever  has 
Chrift  has  all  Things.  All  Things^  fays  the  Apoftle, 
ere  yoursy  whether  Life  or  Deaths  or  Things  frefent  or 
Things  to  cor/iey.  all  are  yours.  And  the  Reafon  follows, 
and  ye  are  Chrift' Sy  and  Chrift  is  God's,  As  all  that 
Chrift  has  is  yours,  and  all  that  God  has  is  Chrift's, 
confequendy  all  is  yours.  And  Death  by  Name  is  yours : 
no  longer  a  Curfe  and  a  Punifhment,  but  turned  into  a 
real  BieiTing ;  for  it  is  the  Gate  and  Entrance  through 
which  you  pafs  into  endlefs  Life  and  never-fading  Glory. 
Thus  he  is  prepared  to  depart,  who  has  feen  with  the 
Eye  of  Faith  the  Salvation  of  God.  The  do6lrine  is 
clear  from  Scripture;  but  how  is  it,  my  Brethren,  in 
your  Experience  ?  Are  you  prepared  to  depart  ?  and  on 
what  do  ye  build  your  Preparation  ?  en  the  Lord  Jefusy 
or  on  what  ?  Search  and  fee  ;  for  nothing  can  comfort 
you  in  the  Hour  of  Death,  but  having  received  him  into 
your  Hearts  by  Faith  and  Love.  You  muft  fee  his  Sal- 
vation, and  be  able  to  keep  the  Eye  of  Faith  intent 
upon  it,  before  you  Can  be  prepared  to  depart  j  but 
when  this  is  your  happy  Cafe,  then  in  whatever  Shape 
Death  comes^  you  will  be  able  to  fay  with  our  dear 

Brotker^j 


A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Herfet's  Death,  xJiii 

Brother,  Lord,  now  lettefi  thou  thy  Servant  depart  in 
Peace ^  according  to  thy  Word :  for  mine  Eyes  havejeen  thy 
Salvation,  He  might  well  fa^,  Mine  Eyes  have  ieen  thy 
Salvation :  for  all  that  came  near  him  were  convinced 
that  he  had  feen  it.  The  Effefts  lliewed  it.  He  had 
put  off  the  old  Man,  and  had  put  on  the  new  :  and  was 
under  the  Influence  of  divine  Love  to  his  adorable  Sa- 
viour. The  Love  of  Jefus  ruled  in  his  Heart  -,  and  was 
therefore  conftantly  uppermoll  in  his  Mouth.  He  loved 
to  be  telling  of  his  Salvadon  all  the  Day  long.  And  he 
did  not  talk  like  a  ProfefTor  full  of  mere  Head-Know- 
ledge ;  but  what  he  fpake  had  a  Warmth,  and  Life,  and 
Power  in  it,  which  ihewed  that  it  came  from  his  Heart. 
He  was  perfectly  inflamed  with  the  Love  of  his  divine 
Lord  and  Maflier;  and  if  you  fat  any  Time  in  liis 
Company,  you  could  not  help  catching  fome  of  the  holy 
Flame.  So  that  if  Strangers  to  his  Perfon  may  doubc 
of  his  Experience  of  a  Saviour's  Love,  we  who  have 
Gonv-erfed  with  him  cannot.  We  are  fure  from  what 
we  faw  and  heard,  that  he  had  ittn  the  Salvation  of 
God,  and  therefore  was  prepared  to  depart.  He  knew 
in  whom  he  had  believed,  and  was  certain  the  Powei 
and  the  Love  of  the  dear  Ir/imanuel  were  in  his  Intereil  -, 
io  that  neither  Death,  nor  he  that  had  the  Power  of 
Death,  could  hurt  him. 

A  Friend  of  mine  was  mAich  with  him  on  the  15th  of 
December,  and  the  Difcourfe  turned  upon  what  Chriit 
had  done  for  his  Soul.  Mr.  Hervey  fpake  ftrongly  and 
earneftly  of  the  Afllirance  of  his  Faith,  and  of  the  great 
Love  of  God  in  Chrift  to  him.  He  declared,  that  the 
Fear  of  Death  was  taken  from  him ;  and  it  afterwards 
appeared^  that  Death  had  no  Sting  to  hurt;  nor  the 
Grave  any  Power  to  get  Vidlory  over  him  :  for  when 
Death  came,  it  found  his  Mind  in  perfect  Peace.  He 
had  no  uneafy  Apprehenfions  of  dying,  but  had  Hopes 
full  of  Glory  and  Immortality.     Doub defs  then  he  hd..d 

fee  a 


xllv  A  Sermon  on  Mk*  Bervjs^t's  'Death. 

feen  die  Salvation  of  God.  The  Knowledge  of  Salva- 
tion had  been  precious  to  him  in  Life,  and  therefore  he 
experienced  the  Precioiifnefs  of  it  in  Death :  for  then 
he  could  give  Thanks  to  God  for  giving  him  the  Vidcory 
through  Jefus  Chrift  his  Lord.  Happy  are  they  to 
whom  God  has  given  the  Knowledge  of  their  Salvation  ; 
they  believe  on  good  Grounds,  that  their  Saviour  has 
brouo-ht  them  into  a  State  of  Salvation  ;  and  therefore 
they  are  prepared  to  meet  Death,  yea  they  can  defire 
and  pray  for  it,  as  Simeon  did  3  whicli  is  the  fecond  Par- 
ticular I  was  to  confider. 

ShneGU  knovv'ing  that  he  was  prepared,  therefore  de- 
fn-ed'  to  depart.  And  this  is  the  Believer's  Cafe.  He 
longs  for  Death,  not  cut  of  an  impatient  difcon tented 
Temper,  but  out  of  a  real  holy  Affedion.  When 
worldly  Men  are  opprelTed  with  Troubles  on  all  Sides, 
and  fee  no  Way  to  efcape,  they  are  apt  to  defire  Death, 
that  it  may  bring  their  Mifery  to  an  End,  and  put  them 
out  of  their  Pain.  And  there  are  fome  moil  miferable 
and  abje61:  Cowards,  who  murder  themselves  to  get  rid 
of  the  Troubles  of  Life.  Thefe  Men  court  Deatli  as  a 
lefs  Evil,  but  the  Believer  defires  it  as  a  real  Blefling. 
He  knows  that  his  Death  will  be  to  the  Glory  of  his 
Saviour  5  for  it  grieves  him  to  the  Heart  that  he  fliould 
ever  do  any  Thing  difpleafmg  to  fuch  a  kind  Benefa6lor. 
After  receiving  fo  many  Tokens  of  Chrifl's  Love,  Oh 
it  is  indeed  afflicting  to  give  him  the  leaft  Offence.  I 
appeal  to  yourfelves.  You  that  have  the  Love  of  Jefus 
in  your  Hearts,  are  not  you  forry  that  you  love  him  fo 
little  ?  Have  not  you  Reafon  daily  to  mourn  for  your 
Ingratitude  to  him.  ?  and  what  will  fuch  Thoughts 
fuggeft,  but  a  Defire  to  be  where  the  very  Occafion  of 
Offence  will  be  removed  ?  It  was  on  this  Account  that 
Mr.  Hervey  defired  Death  :  for  the  laft  Morning  of  his 
Life,  when  his  Brother  came  ta  enquire  after  his  Wel- 
fare, he  faid,  ''  I  have  been  thinking  of  my  great  In- 
gratitude 


A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Herfet's  Death.  xlv 

gratitude  to  my  God."  And  thefe  Thoughts  made  him 
willi  to  be  delivered  from  the  Bondage  of  Corruption, 
into  the  glorious  Liberty  of  the  Children  of  God. 

And  he  defired  it  as  Simeon  did,  and  all  Believers  do, 
upon  another  Motive,  niimeiy,  becanfe  the  Lard  will 
get  himfelf  Honour,  by  the  Honour  which  he  will  give 
to  his  People  in  his  Kingdom.  He  will  he  glorified,  fays 
the  Apoftle,  in  his  Saints  y  he  will  get  liimfelf  Glory  W 
the  great  Glory  which  he  will  beilov/  upon  them.  And 
as  the  Believer  has,  in  all  Things,  an  Eye  to  God's 
Glory,  fo  has  he  efpecially  in  his  Defires  to  be  difTolved 
and  to  be  with  Chrift.  He  knows  that  God  is  glorified 
in  him,  and  by  him  at  prefent ;  but  then  it  is  imper- 
fedlly,  and  that  grieves  him.  Self,  or  the  Creature,  WAX 
be  trying  to  fhare  the  Heart  with  God,  and  thereby  to 
rob  him  of  his  Glory.  A  bare  Thought  of  this,  when 
only  rifing  in  the  Mind,  hurts  the  Believer.  He  would 
have  every  Thought  brought  into  Subje61-ion  to  Chrifi; 
and  that  makes  him  defire  to  be  where  Temptation  and 
Sin  fhall  be  no  more,  and  where  he  lliall  glorify  God, 
and  God  fhall  be  glorified  in  him  for  ever  and  ever. 
With  this  View  Mr.  Hervey  defired  to  depart.  His 
great  Love  to  his  Saviour's  Glory  made  him  wifli  tor 
Death.  He  longed  to  be  difTolved,  that  he  might  be 
freed  from  the  Frailties  and  Infirmities  of  this  mortal 
Life,  under  which  he  laboured,  and  could  not  always, 
nor  in  a  perfect  Degree,  promote  the  Glory  of  kis  re- 
deeming God  ',  therefore  he  defired  to  be  with  them 
who  follow  the  Lamb  whitherfoever  he  goeth,  and  are 
ever  receiving  Glory  from  him,  and  ever  giving  Glory 
to  him.  And  the  Lord  granted  his  Defire  ;  he  literally 
anfwered  his  Prayer ;  for  he  departed  in  Peace,  accord- 
ing to  the  Word  of  God,  as  I  purpofed  to  fliew  under 
my  third  Head, 

What  it  is  to  be  at  Peace  with  God,  and  to  depart 
wi;h  a  Senfe  pf  this  Peace  upon  our  Minds,  I  cannot 

bctta' 


sItt:  j^  Sermon  on  Mr,  Herfet's  Death. 

better  cxprefs,  than  in  the  excellent  Words  of  the  pre-, 
fent  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury^  in  his  Nine  Sermons, 
p.  132.  "  The  Peace  of  God  is  that  Senfe  of  being  in 
Friendfhip  witli  him,  that  feeHng  of  Comfort  and  Joy 
Hewing  from  him,  zvhich  pajfetb  all  Underftandingy  ex- 
ceeds the  Conceptions  of  thofe  who  have  not  experienced 
it,  and  will  exceed  hereafter  the  prefent  Conceptions  of 
thole  who  have."  And  the  Believer,  even  when  he  is 
departing  this  Life,  has  a  Senfe  of  his  being  in  Friend- 
iLip  with  God,  and  has  a  Feeling  of  Comfort  and  Joy 
Sowing  from  him.  This  is  promifed  in  Scripture,  and 
this  is  fulfilled  to  them  who,  being  juftined  by  Faith, 
have  Peace  with  God  :  being  reconciled  to  the  Father 
through  the  Son  of  his  Love,  they  live,  and  they  die 
in  Peace. 

I  fuppofe  fome  weak  in  the  Faith  are  thinking  thus 
within  themfelves :  ''  Well,  is  it  fo,  that  true  Believers 
die  in  Peace  and  Joy  ?  I  am  fure  I  could  not  at  prefent; 
for  I  am  dreadfully  afraid  of  Death ;  and  what  would 
not  I  give  to  be  delivered  from  thefe  Fears  ?  for  they 
make  my  Life  miferable."  My  Brethren,  why  are  you 
ja  Bondage  to  them  ?  God  offers  you  Deliverance. 
There  are  many  general  Promifes  in  his  Word,  that  let 
what  will  happen  to  Behevers,  the  Peace  of  God  fhall 
rule  in  their  Hearts.  Thus,  IJ.  xxvi.  3.  Thou  wilt  keep 
him  in  ferfeul  Peace^  whofe  Mind  is  ftaid  upon  thee. 
And  as  it  is  a  perfect,  fo  it  is  a  continual  Peace.  The 
Lord  of  Peace  hinifelf  fays  the  Apoflle,  2  Thejf.  iii.  16, 
give  you  Peace  ahvays  by  all  Means ;  for  after  he  has 
once  given  this  Peace,  he  makes  all  Means,  even  the 
moft  unhkely,  tend  to  the  promoting  ot  it  5  therefore 
Death  can  by  no  Means  weaken,  and  much  lefs  deftroy, 
fhis  Peace  of  God.  Thefe  general  Promifes  he  fulfilled 
to  the  Patriarchs  : — for  St.  Paul  fays,  Heb.  xi.  13.  That 
they  all  died  in  Faith  : — they  adled  Faith  in  their  Death, 
and'confequently  had  a  fweet  Senfe  of  the  Peace  of  God 


A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervey's  Death,  xlvii 

m  their  Hearts  when  they  died.  David  fliews  us  the 
Reafon  of  their  dying  in  Faith,  PJal.  xlviii.  14.  This 
God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever,  be  (Idall  he  our  Guide 
even  unto  Death.  They  knew  that  their  God  would  be 
with  them  to  guide  and  keep  them,  when  the  Body  re- 
turned to  Duflj  and  the  Spirit  returned  to  God  who 
gave  it :  and  therefore  David  fpoke  for  himfelf  w^hat 
^ach  of  them  alfo  could  fay, — V/hen  I  walk  through  th? 
Valley  of  the  Shadow  of  Death,  I  will  fear  no  Evil,  be- 
caufe  thou  my  God  art  then  with  me  :  thy  Rod  and  thy 
Staff  comfort  me  twtn  then.  Ffal.  xxiii.  3.  With  this 
Faith  they  looked  upon  Death  as  difarmed  of  its  Sting 
and  Power  to  hurt ;  and  therefore  they  laid  dov/n  their 
Heads,  and  fell  afleep  in  the  Arms  of  Death,  with  as 
much  Compofure  as  any  weary  Traveller  ever  longed 
for  Reft.  They  fell  afleep.  The  Scripture  fpeaks  of 
their  Death  under  this  beautiful  Image,  to  teach  us  that 
Death  v/as  as  fweet  to  them  as  ever  Sleep  was  to  a  hard- 
labouring  Man.  The  Faithful  fell  afleep  quietly  and 
compofedly.  And  how  fhould  it  be  other  wife  ?  They 
had  no  Evil  to  fear ;  for  they  were  at  Peace  with  God. 
And  what  could  Death  do  to  hurt  that  Peace  ?  It  does 
indeed  diflblve  all  other  Bonds,  but  it  ftrengthens  this. 
It  is  the  happy  Inftrument  of  fattening  the  Bond  of  Peace 
with  a  Tie  which  never,  never  can  be  diflblved.  And 
when  the  Faithful  look  upon  Death  in  this  Light,  what 
is  there  in  it  but  Joy  and  Peace,  even  a  Joy  unlpeak- 
able,  and  a  Peace  that  furpaflTeth  all  Underftanding  ? 

Perhaps  fome  of  you  think  this  is  not  always  the 
Cafe  i  becaufe  there  are  very  good  Men  who  have  had 
llrong  Confli6ls  and  Struggles  before  Death.  Nay,  my 
Brethren,  think  not  fo  wickedly  of  God.  Is  it  accord- 
ing to  his  Word  that  the  Faithful  fliall  depart  in  Peace, 
and  do  they  not  ?  What !  can  the  Word  of  God  be 
broken  ?  No  ;  it  fliall  ftand  faft  for  ever  and  ever.  And 
in  the  Cafe  which  you  ftate,  it  does  not  follow  that  this 

Peace 


>:lvui         A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervey's  Death. 

Peace  Is  weakened  or  deftroyed,  becaufe  it  is  tempted ; 
by  no  Means.  The  Senfe  of  this  Peace  may  remain 
when  it  is  mofl  furioufly  attacked ;  for  it  is  the  Peace  of 
God.  God  gave  it,  and  God  keeps  it  j  and  he  may 
fulFer  the  Devil  to  tempt,  but  not  to  deflroy  it.  The 
more  it  is  tempted,  the  more  Honour  redounds  to  God 
for  preferving  it  in  the  fiery  Trial.  It  v/as  more  to 
God's  Glory  to  preferve  his  Children  in  the  fiery  Furnace, 
than  to  have  kept  them  out  of  it.  Doubtlefs  he  that 
has  the  Power  of  Deadi,  will  make  his  lall  Efforts,  and 
try  to  fhake  the  Faith  of  a  dying  Believer.  The  Devil 
will  then  fet  upon  him  with  all  his  Fury.  B,ut  though 
he  be  a  roaring  Lion,  yet  he  is  chained ;  and  the  AU 
mighty  Saviour  fo  over-rules  his  Malice  and  Rage,  that 
he  makes  them  work  together  for  his  Glory  and  his 
People's  Good ;  as  he  did  remarkably  in  the  laft  Efforts 
which  the  Enemy  made  againfl  our  dear  Brother.  He 
faw  him  in  great  Weaknefs  of  Body,  and  then  made  a 
furious  Onfet  againfl  his  Faith ;  but  the  dear  Immanuel 
was  with  him,  and  would  not  give  him  over  into'  the 
Enemy's  Hands.  His  Faith  was  tried,  and  it  came 
like  Gold  out  of  the  Fire.  He  knew  that  it  would  be 
tried,  and  had  therefore  prepared  himfelf  for  the  fiery 
Trial.  Speaking  of  it  to  a  faithful  Minifler  of  Chrift, 
who  was  often  with  him  in  his  lafl  Sicknefs,  he  faid, — 
*'  How  many  precious  Texts  are  there,  big  with  the 
rich  Truths  of  Chrifl,  which  we  do  not  comprehend, 
which  we  know  nothing  of  s  and  of  thofe  which  we  do 
know,  hovv^  few  do  we  remember  ?  Bonus  Textuarius  eft 
bonus  Jheologusy  and  that  is  the  Armour.  The  Word 
of  God  is  the  Sword  3  thefe  Texts  are  the  Weapons^ 
which  I  mufl  ufe  when  diat  fub'de  Spirit,  that  arch  Ad- 
verfary  of  Mankind,  comes  to  tempt  and  fift  me  in  my 
lafl  Conflia.  Surely  I  had  need  be  well  provided  with 
thefe  Weapons,  I  had  need  have  my  Quiver  full  of 
them,  to  anfwer  Satan  with  Te^ts  out  Qf  the  Word  of 
I  God 


.    A  Sermon  an  Mr.  Herfey's  Death,  xlix 

God  when  he  affaults  me."  Satan  did  afifault  him,  but 
found  him  prepared  and  armed.  Mr.  Hervey  faid  to  his 
Friends  the  Day  that  he  died,  "  Oh  you  know  not  how 
great  a  Conflict  I  have."  And  after  he  had  fat  for  fomc 
Time  with  his  Eyes  conilantly  lift  up  towards  lieaven, 
and  his  Hands  clafped  together  in  a  praying  Form,  he 
faid,  "  Now  this  great  Conflict  is  over."  Jefus  made 
him  Conqueror  over  all  the  Powers  of  Darknefs  ;  having 
endeavoured  to  rob  him  of  his  Peace  j  but  in  vain,  they 
left  him  in  the  Saviour's  Arms,  never  more  to  be 
tempted ;  and  he  watched  over  him  with  the  tendereft 
Love,  until  he  took  him  Home.  And  when  he  went, 
he  indeed  departed  in  Peace.  His  Body  feemed  to  be 
ready  as  well  as  his  Soul.  When  Death  came,  he  had 
not  one  Struggle  with  it.  There  was  not  a  fmgle  Groan 
or  Sigh,  or  any  Thing  that  could  fhew  the  leaft  unwil- 
lingnefs  to  depart.  He  had  fuch  a  gentle  DifmifTion  as 
he  had  prayed  for  in  Simeon's  Words.  He  departed  in 
Peace,  and  fell  afleep. 

I  have  now  finifhed  what  I  had  to  offer  upon  the  three 
Particulars  mentioned  in  my  Text ;  and  it  appears,  that 
when  a  Sinner  is  convinced  of  his  Want  of  a  Saviour, 
and  is  convinced  that  Jefjs  is  fuch  a  Saviour  as  he 
wants,  able  and  willing  to  fave  to  the  uttermofl,  and 
when  he  is  made  to  fee  his  Intereft  in  the  perfedl  com- 
plete Righteoufnefs  of  this  adorable  Saviour,  and  is 
allured  of  it  from  the  Word  and  Spirit  of  God,  and 
from  the  Fruits  of  Righteoufnefs  produced  in  his  Life 
and  Converfation,  then  lie  is  prepared  to  die  ,  then  he 
may  defire  it  with  Submiflion  to  God's  Will  -,  and  when- 
ever Death  comes,  he  may  exped  to  depart  in  Peace, 
according  to  the  Word  of  God.  Thefe  great  Truths 
I  have  illuftrated  from  Scripture  and  from  Experience, 
more  efpecially  from  the  Experience  of  our  dear  Brother, 
now  with  the  Lord, »  of  whom  I  have  fpoken  nothing 
more  than  what  the  Words  of  my  Text  naturally  led 

Vol.  I.  d  me 


I  A  Sermon  on  Mr.  Uervet^s  Beafh^ 

me  to  fay.  If  I  were  to  attempt  to  draw  the  Chara6ler 
of  this  excellent  Man,  I  would  confider  him  in  the 
feveral  Relations  in  which  he  flood  to  God  and  Man, 
and  tvould  exhort  you  to  follow  him,  fo  far  as  he  fol- 
lowed Chrifl.  But  the  Compafs  of  this  Difcourle  will 
not  fuifer  me  to  enlarge.  I  can  only  jufl  obferve  fome 
particular  In  fiances,  from  whence  it  will  evidently  ap- 
pear that  he  had  feen  the  Salvation  of  God.  He  had  a 
clear  View  of  it  by  the  Eye  of  Faith,  and  was  able  to 
afl  Faith  upon  it,  for  his  was  a  Faith  working  by  Love. 
We  love  Gody  fays  the  beloved  Apoflle,  becaufe  he  fir  ft 
loved  us ;  becaufe  we  know  by  Faith  that  he  firfl  loved 
us  :  fo  that  our  Love  is  the  reflex  A61  of  his  Love  to  us. 
And  Mr.  Hervey  had  great  Experience  of  God's  Love 
t©  hJm,  and  therefore  his  Heart  was  full  of  Love  to 
God ;  and  out  of  the  Abundance  of  his  Heart  his  Mouth 
fpakc.  There  was  fuch  a  Sweetnefs  of  Heart-Love 
upon  his  Tongue,  that  he  ufed  to  fpeak  of  the  Love  of 
the  adorable  Redeemer,  like  one  who  had  ittn  him  Face 
to  Face  in  the  Fulnefs  of  his  Glory.  He  would,  with 
all  the  Power  of  Language  and  Dignity  of  Sentiment, 
fpeak  for  a  long  Time  together  in  Praife  of  the  ever- 
bleiTed  Saviour.  But  you  might  plainly  fee,  though 
every  Body  elfe  was  pleafed,  yet  he  was  not  fatisfied  with 
what  he  had  faid.  He  thought  he  had  not  faid  enough, 
and  what  he  had  faid  fell  far  belaw  his  Lord's  Merit. 
But  flill  he  would  try  again,  and  indeed  was  never  weary. 
You  could  not  hear  him  fpeak  for  any  Time  upon  this 
his  favourite  Subjed,  without  being  convinced  that  he 
felt  what  he  faid;  and  if  you  had  any  Love  of  God, 
when  you  went  into  his  Company,  his  Converfation 
would  inflame  it.  He  had  an  Excellency,  which  I  never 
faw  to  fo  great  a  Degree  in  any  other  Perfon.  He  never 
let  an  Opportunity  flip  of  fpeaking  of  the  Love  ot 
Chrifl.  He  would  take  Occafion  from  the  mofl  com- 
mon Incident,  and  yet  it  would  not  appear  forced :  for 

he 


A  Sermon  on  Mr,  UEkVEr's  Death.  li 

lie  had  a  wonderful  Talent  at  fpiritualizing  and  Improving 
whatever  happened  about  himj  by  which  Means  he 
hindered  the.  Converfation  from  turning  upon  trifling 
Matters,  and,  at  the  fame  Time,  kept  it  up  with  Spirit 
and  Ufefulnefs.  Having  fet  the  Lord  always  before 
him,  he  faw  the  Love  of  God  in  every  Thing,  and 
therefore  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  that  all  Objedts  and 
Events  fhould  give  him  Occafion  to  fpeak  of  it.  In  his 
laft  Sicknefs  it  continued  flill  to  be  his  favourite  Theme  ; 
for  whenever  my  Friend,  who  was  much  with  him, 
came  into  the  Room,  he  would  begin  to  talk  of  the 
Love  of  Chrift,  and  of  the  great  Things  which  Chrift 
had  done  for  him,  until  his  Breath  failed  him  ;  and  as 
foon  as  he  had  recovered  himfelf  a  little,  he  would  pro- 
ceed upon  the  fame  fweet  Subjed: ;  fo  that  he  might 
have  truly  applied  to  himfelf  the  Words  of  the  Prophet, 
— My  Mouth  floall  he  telling  of  thy  Righteoujnejs  and  of 
thy  Salvation  all  the  Day  long  \  for  I  knciv  no  End  thereof^ 
This  Heart-Love  to  God  appeared  evidently  in  every 
Part  of  his  Characler.  As  a  Minifler,  his  P'aith  wrought 
by  Love  to  the  Souls  of  Men  in  all  the  Offices  of  his 
Fun(ftion.  While  his  Health  permitted  him,  he  watched 
like  a  faithful  Shepherd  over  his  Flock.  He  ufed  to 
vifit  them  from  Houfe  to  Houfe,  and  to  fpeak  freely  to 
them  of  the  State  of  their  Souls  5  and  when  the  Weak- 
nefs  of  his  Body  obliged  him  to  drop  thefe  religious 
Vifits,  he  would  often  grieve,  that  he  could  not  be  more 
ufeful,  and  would  fpeak  with  great  Concern  and  Un- 
eafmefs  of  his  not  being  able  to  preach  oftener,  and  to 
do  more  for  Chrift.  In  the  Pulpit  he  was  fervent  and 
earneft  with  his  People,  and  would  often  exert  himfelf 
beyond  his  Strength :  for  he  preached  the  great  Doc- 
trines of  Salvation,  as  one  who  had  experienced  the 
Power  of  them.  It  was  manifeft  to  all  who  heard  him, 
that  he  felt  what  he  Ipake.  And  when  we  Ipeak  what 
we  know,   and  teftify  what  we  have  feen,  then  God 

d  %  bleiTes 


lii  A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervet's  Death, 

bleiTcs  this  experimental  Preaching.  He  puts  a  divme 
Power  and  Energy  into  it,  and  renders  it  effedlual  to 
awaken  Sinners,  to  comfort  them  that  mourn  for  Sin, 
and  to  edify  and  build  up  the  Faithful.  Mr.  Hervey  had 
many  happy  Proofs  of  the  Ufefulnefs  of  his  preaching 
for  each  of  thefe  Purpofes  -,  and  therefore  he  did  not 
think  it  enough  to  preach  once  a  Week  on  the  Lord's- 
Day,  but  he  fet  up  a  weekly  Ledure  at  Wefton-Favelly 
which  was  very  well  attended,  and  was  blefled  to  many 
of  his  Neighbours,  who  will  be  his  Glory  and  Crown 
of  rejoicing  in  the  Prefence  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl> 
at  his  commg. 

He  did  not  forget  that  he  was  a  Minifter  in  his  own 
Houfe  3  for  he  called  his  Family  together  t\\  ice  a  Day 
to  ferve  God.  It  was  his  Cullom  in  the  Evening,  after 
the  Servants  had  read  the  TJalms  and  the  Second  LelTon, 
to  explain  fome  Part  of  what  had  been  read.  In  this 
Exercife  he  would  fometimes  dwell  for  half  an  Hour  ; 
and  when  he  met  with  a  fweet  Paffage  upon  the  Love  of 
Chrift,  I  have  heard  him  fpeak  for  three  Quarters  of  an 
Hour,  and  then  he  concluded  with  Prayer. 

In  the  Morning,  when  the  Family  were  met  together, 
he  ufed  to  afk  the  Servants, — "  V/ell !  where  was-  ouv 
Text  laft  Night  V  And  after  they  had  repeated  it,  he 
made  them  give  an  Account  of  what  had  been  faid  upon 
it ;  and  then  he  would  repeat  and  enforce  his  laft  Night's 
Difcourfe,  concluding  with  Prayer. 

In  the  Afternoon,  when  he  was  called  down  to  Tea, 
he  ufed  to  bring  his  Hebrew  Bible  or  Greek  Teftament 
with  him,  and  would  either  fpeak  upon  one  Verfe  or 
upon  feveral  Verfes,  as  Occafion  offered.  This  was 
generally  an  improving  Seafon.  The  Glory  of  God  is 
very  feldom  promoted  at  the  Tea-Table  ;  but  it  was  at 
Mr.  Hervey's,  Drinking  Tea  with  him  was  like  being 
at  an  Ordinance  5  for  it  was  fandified  by  the  Word  of 
God  and  Prayer. 

As 


A  Sermon  en  Mr.  HERVEr's  Death,  liii 

As  a  Member  of  Society,  his  Faith  wrought  abun- 
dantly by  Love  to  his  Neighbour :  for  he  was  full  of 
good  Works.  His  Charities  to  the  Poor  were  very 
large  ;  and  that  he  might  be  liberal  to  them,  he  was 
very  frugal  in  his  own  Expenres.  He  chofe  rather  to 
clothe  the  Poor,  than  to  give  them  Money.  He  ufed 
to  get  fome  judicious  Perfon  to  buy  Linen,  coarfe  Cloth^ 
Stockings,  Shoes,  ^c,  for  them  at  the  bell  Hand, 
alledging  that  the  Poor  could  not  buy  fo  good  a  Com- 
modity at  the  little  Shops,  and  with  Driblets  of  Money. 
*^  I  am  God's  Steward,*'  fays  he,  "  for  his  Poor,  and 
I  muft  hufband  the  little  Pittance  I  have  to  bellow  upon 
them,  and  make  it  go  as  far  as  polTible."  But  where 
Money  would  be  particularly  ferviceable  to  a  Family 
long  afHitled  with  Sicknefs,  or  to  a  prudent  Houfe- 
keeper  who  had  met  with  great  Lofles  in  Trade,  he 
would  give  five,  ten,  or  fifteen  Guineas  at  a  Time, 
taking  Care  it  ftiould  not  be  known  from  whence  the 
Money  came. 

He  gave  away  a  great  Number  of  good  Books,  with 
fuitable  Inftru6lions  for  their  Ufe,  and  elpecially  Bibles, 
In  the  blank  Leaf  he  frequently  wrote  fomething  ilriking, 
or  elfe  ftuck  in  a  printed  Paper,  relating  to  the  Promifes 
of  God  in  and  through  Jefus  Chrift. 

Mr.  Hervey's  Income  was  but  frnall,  and  it  may  be 
wondered  how  he  managed  it  fo  well  as  to  have  fuch 
Sums  to  fpare  for  charitable  Ufes?  but  what  Money 
was  left,  after  the  Family  Expences  were  paid,  and  all 
the  Profits  arifing  from  the  Sale  of  his  Books,  which 
was  a  very  confiderable  Sum,  he  gave  away  in  Charity. 
He  made  of  it  a  Bank  for  the  Poor.  "  And  this,'*  fays 
he,  "  I  have  devoted  to  God.  I  will  on  no  Account 
apply  it  to  any  worldly  Ufes.  I  write  not  for  Profit  or 
for  Fame,  but  to  ferve  the  Caufe  of  God ;  and  as  he  has 
blefled  my  Attempt,  I  think  myfelf  bound  to  relieve 
the  DiftrefTes  of  my  Fellow-Creatures  with  the  Profit 

d  3  that 


Iiv  A  Sermon  en  Mr.  Hervkt's  Death, 

that  comes  from  this  Quarter.'*  And  he  is  ftill  relieving 
them.  He  was  not  willing  that  his  Charities  Ihould  die 
with  him  ;  for  he  ordered  all  the  Profit  arifmg  from  the 
future  Sale  of  his  Books  to  be  conftantly  applied  to 
charitable  Ufes.  Thus,  having  believed  in  God,  he  was 
careful  to  maintain  good  Works,  knowing  that  thefe 
Things  are  good  and  profitable  unto  Men. 

In  his  private  Life  he  was  under  the  Influence  of  the 
fame  Faith,  working  by  Love  to  the  Will  and  Com- 
mandments of  God.  His  holy  walking  was  very  ex* 
emplary.  What  he  faid,  in  Words,  concerning  his  In- 
tereft  in  the  Redeemer's  Righteoufnefs,  he  proved  by 
his  A6lions  j  for  he  was  very  fenfible  of  xht  Importance 
of  this  Scripture,  He  that  faith  he  ahideth  in  him,  ought 
himjelf  aljo  to  walk,  even  as  he  ivalked,  (i  John  ii.  6.) 
Mr.  Hervey  walked  very  clofe  after  Chrift  ;  and  found 
that  the  Belief  of  Chrifl's  Righteoufnefs  being  imputed 
to  him  for  his  J  unification,  was  fo  far  from  being  a 
licentious  Dodrine,  that  it  infpired  him  with  the  noblefl 
Motives  to  a  grateful  Obedience.  His  holy  Life  was 
an  excellent  Recommendation  of  his  Principles :  for  I 
never  faw  one  who  came  up  fo  near  to  the  Scripture- 
Chara6ler  of  a  Chriftian.  God  had  enriched  him  with 
oreat  Gifts,  and  with  great  Graces,  and  had  made  him 
humble  :  for  he  was  humbled  by  the  Power  of  Grace. 
He  had  been  a  very  vain  proud  young  Man  ;  but  the 
Grace  of  God  emptied  him  of  Pride  and  Self,  and 
clothed  him  with  Humility.  Having  put  on  Chrift,  he 
had  put  on  \^ith  him  the  Ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet 
Spirit ;  which  appeared  in  his  great  Patience  and  Re- 
fignation  to  the  Will  of  God.  He  had  fome  very  iharp 
Trials  of  his  Faith  and  Patience,  both  from  God  and 
from  Men,  and  he  learned  Obedience  by  the  Things 
which  he  fuflTered.  It  was  very  remarkable,  that  in  his 
long  lUnefs  he  was  never  known  to  fret  or  be  uneafy ; 


A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervey's  Death.  ly 

nor  did  the  Perfons  about  him  ever  hear  one  angry,  or 
one  hafly  Word  come  out  of  his  Mouth. 

The  fame  Principle  of  Faith  working  by  Love  was 
manifefl  in  his  Studies,  which  he  diredled  to  the  Glory 
of  God.  He  was  once  a  great  Reader  of  the  Greek 
and  Roman  Authors,  and  his  Writings  fliew  that  he  had 
a  good  Tafte  for  clafllcal  Learning  ;  but  for  fome  Years 
paft  he  chiefly  applied  himfelf  to  the  Study  of  the  Sa- 
cred Scriptures.  God  had  blefled  him  with  a  fine  Under- 
ftanding,  and  a  great  Memory,  which  he  exercifed  in 
reading  the  Bible  in  the  original  Languages.  He  was 
very  well  (killed  in  the  HehreWy  and  was  an  excellent 
Critic  in  the  Greeks  and  was  a  Scribe  inftru6ted  unto 
the  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  who,  like  unto  a  Man  that  is 
an  Houfeholder,  bringeth  forth  out  of  his  Treafure 
Things  new  and  old.  He  had  a  great  Veneration  for 
this  Treafure  of  the  Old  and  New  Teftaments.  He 
ufed  to  talk  of  them  in  the  higheft  Terms,  next  to  that 
adorable  Perfon  of  whom  they  treat.  They  were  fweeter 
to  him  than  Honey  and  the  Honey- comb ;  and  (o  they 
will  be  to  every  one  who  reads  them,  as  he  did,  with 
Faith.  Whoever  can  ad  Faith  upon  the  exceeding 
great  and  precious  Promifes  contained  in  the  facred 
Volume,  will  find  fo  much  Sweetnefs  in  it,  that  he  will 
have  but  little  Relifh  left  for  other  Books. 

As  to  his  Writings,  I  leave  them  to  fpeak  for  them- 
selves. They  ftand  in  no  Need  of  my  Praifes.  They 
are  in  the  Hands  of  the  Public,  and  every  Reader  will 
form  his  own  Judgment.  Oh  that  the  Spirit  of  the 
living  God  may  diredl  it,  that  whoever  reads  his  Writings 
may  learn  to  have  no  Confidence  in  the  Flefli,  but  to 
make  Mention  of  Jehovah's  Righteoufnefs,  even  of  his 
only. 

The  Time  would  fail  me,  if  I  was  to  enlarge  upon 
all  the  Particulars  of  his  Life  and  Death.  That  was 
not  my  Defign.     I  only  intended  briefly  to  relate  fomc 

d  4  Things^ 


Ivi  A  Sermon  on  Mr.  Hervey's  Deaths 

Things,  from  whence  a  tolerable  Judgment  might  be 
formed  of  Mr.  Hervey's  Chara6ler.  But  I  cannot  finifh 
without  taking  Notice  of  the  laft  Scene  of  his  Life> 
which  was  very  triumphant  and  glorious.  The  laft  and 
great  Trial  of  his  Faith  was  more  precious  than  that 
of  Gold  which  perillieth.  Its  Precioufnefs  never  ap- 
peared more  than  in  the  Hour  of  Death ;  for  then  he 
evidently  faw  by  Faith,  and  apprehended  the  Salvation 
of  God,  and  could  rejoice  in  a  clear  View  of  his  own 
Intcreft  in  it.  When  Dr.  Stonhouje  faw  him  for  the  laft 
Time,  namely,  on  Chriftmas-Day^  about  two  Hours 
before  he  expired,  Mr.  Hervey  pre  fled  Home  upon  him 
his  everlafting  Concerns,  in  the  moft  afledtionate  Man- 
ner/ telling  him  that  here  is  no  abiding  Place,  and 
begging  of  him  to  attend,  amidft  the  Multiplicity  of 
his  Bufinefs,  to  the  one  Thing  needful. 

The  Doftor,  feeing  the  great  Difficulty  and  Pain  with 
which  he  fpoke,  (for  he  was  almoft  fulFocated  with 
Phlegm  and  frequent  Vomitings),  and  finding,  by  his 
Pulfe,  that  the  Pangs  of  Death  were  then  coming  on, 
defired  that  he  would  fpare  himfelf.  "  No,"  fays  he, 
*'  Dodor,  no.  You  tell  me  I  have  but  a  few  Moments 
to  live ;  Oh,  let  me  fpend  them  in  adoring  our  great 
Redeemer.  Though  my  Flefti  and  my  Heart  fail  me, 
yet  God  is  the  Strength  of  my  Heart  and  my  Portion 
for  ever.'*  He  then  expatiated  in  the  moft  ftriking 
Manner  upon  thefe  Words  of  St.  Pauly  i  Cor,  iii.  22,  23. 
All  Things  are  yours,  Life  and  Death  :  for  ye  are  Chrifi's, 
*^  Here,"  fays  he,  "  is  the  Treafure  of  a  Chriftian. 
Death  is  reckoned  amongft  this  Inventory ;— and  a  noble 
Treafure  it  is.  How  thankful  am  I  for  Death,  as  it  is 
the  Paflage  through  which  I  pafs  to  the  Lord  and  Giver 
of  eternal  Life,  and  as  it  frees  me  from  all  this  Mifery 
you  now  fee  me  endure,  and  which  lam  willing  to  en- 
dure, as  long  as  God  thinks  fit ;  for  I  know  he  will,  by 
and  by,  in  his  own  good  Time,  difmifs  me  from  the 

Body, 


^Sermon  on  Mr.  Hervey's  Death,  Ivii 

Body.  Thcfe  light  Affli(5lions  are  but  for  a  Moment, 
and  then  comes  an  eternal  Weight  of  Glory.  Oh  wel- 
come, welcome  Death  ! — Thou  mayll  well  be  reckoned 
among  the  Treafures  of  the  Chriftian. — To  live  is  Chriji, 
^iut  to  die  is  Gain  J' 
ojAfter  which,  as  the  Do6lor  was  taking  his  final  Leave 
of  him,  Mr.  Hervey  exprefled  great  Gratitude  for  his 
Vifits,  though  it  had  been  long  out  of  the  Power  of 
Medicine  to  cure  him. — He  then  paufed  a  little,  and, 
with  great  Serenity  and  Sv/eetnefs  in  his  Countenance, 
though  the  Pangs  of  Death  were  then  on  him,  repeated 
t\\t{t  triumphant  Words — 

**  Lord,  now  letteft  thou  thy  Servant  depart  in  Peace, 
according  to  thy  moft  holy  and  comfortable  Word :  for 
mine  Eyes  have  feen  thy  precious  Salvation.  Here, 
Dod:or,  is  my  Cordial.  What  are  all  Cordials  to  the 
dying,  compared  to  the  Salvation  of  Chrifl?  This, 
this  fupports  me." — He  found  this  fupporting  him  in 
his  laft  Moments,  and  declared  it,  by  faying,  twice  or 
thrice^  Precious  Salvation !  and  then  leaning  his  Head 
againft  the  Side  of  the  eafy  Chair  in  which  he  fat,  he 
fhut  his  Eyes,  and  fell  afleep.  Oh  precious  Salvation ! 
HowjDrecious  muft  it  be  to  the  dying  Man,  who,  in- 
terefted  in  it,  can  thank  God  for  Death,  and  reckon  it 
among  his  Riches;  who,  fupported  by  Faith  in  the 
Salvation  of  God,  can  account  it  his  gain  to  die ;  and 
can  gladly  fay,  Oh  welcome,  welcome  Death  !  May 
this  Faith  iupport  you,  my  Brethren,  when  all  other 
Supports  fail,  and  make  Salvation  as  precious  to  you  as 
it  was  to  Mr.  Hervey  I  and  of  this  you  may  be  alTured, 
that  what  the  Lord  did  for  him  he  is  able  alfo  to  do  for 
you.  He  was  indeed  a  glorious  Inftance  of  the  Power 
of  Grace ;  for  by  the  Grace  of  God  he  was  what  he 
was.  And  Grace  is  free ;  as  free  for  you  as  it  was  for 
him  ;  able  alfo  to  make  you  live  and  die  as  much  to  the 
Glory  of  God  as  he  did.     He  was  truly  a  burning  and 

fhining 


Iviii  A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervey's  Death. 

ihining  Light  j  but  the  Lord's  Hand  Is  not  fhortened. 
It  can  make  your  Light  fhine  alfo  before  Men,  and 
enable  you  to  adorn  the  Doclrine  of  God  your  Saviour 
as  much  as  Mr.  Hervey  did.  And  the  great  Ufe  to  be 
made  of  his  Example  is,  to  ftir  you  up  to  glorify  God-- 
for  the  Gifts  and  Graces  beftowed  upon  him,  and'  -to 
defire  the  fame  may  be  bellowed  upon  you.  With  thls^ 
View  I  fhall  apply  it, 

Firfii  To  thofe  Perfons  who  have  never  feen  the  Sal- 
vation of  God,  and,  confequently,  are  not  prepared  to 
depart  in  Peace  (  and  thefe  are  all  carelefs  Sinners,  who 
live  fecure  in  the  wilful  CommifTion  of  Sin.  Mr.  Hervey 
knew,  that  whenever  the  Lord  fhould  call  him  out  of 
this  Life,  he  fhould  be  found  in  Chrift,  not  having  his 
own  Righteoufnefs,  which  is  of  the  Law,  but  that  which 
is  through  the  Faith  of  Chrift,  the  Righteoufnefs  which 
is  of  God  by  Faith ;  and,  clothed  in  this  Righteouf- 
nefs, he  was  certain  that  he  fhould  appear  at  the  Bar 
of  Juftice  without  Spot  of  Sin,  unto  eternal  Salvation, 
But  this  is  not  your  Experience,  Nay,  you  have  never 
been  av/akened  to  defire  it.  You  have  never  been 
humbled  under  a  Senfe  of  your  loft  Condition,  nor 
broken  down  under  a  Convidion  of  your  HelplelT- 
nefs :  fo  that  you  have  never  feen  your  Want  of  a  Sa- 
viour, and,  confequently,  have  never  ^ttn  the  Salva- 
tion of  our  God.  If  you  entertain  any  Hopes  of  de- 
parting in  Peace,  while  you  are  in  this  State,  you  are 
of  all  Men  the  moft  deceived ;  for  when  Death  comes, 
it  will  find  you  in  your  Sins  unpardoned,  without  any 
Faith  in  the  Redeemer's  Righteoufnefs  to  make  Death 
defirable,  but  with  every  Thing  that  can  make  it  ter- 
rible. The  holy,  juft,  and  good  Law  of  the  moft  high 
God  will  accufe,  Confcience  will  plead  guilty,  Juftice 
will  condemn  and  punifti,  and  the  Wrath  of  God  will 
abide  upon  you  for  ever  and  ever.  How  is  it  pofTible 
you  fhould  depart  in  Peace,  unlefs  you  die  infenfible  ? 
^nd  that  would  be  dreadful  indeed.    If  Sin  fhould  fo 

far 


\A  Sermon  on  Mr,  Hervey's  Death.  lix 

far  infatuate  you,  that  you  never  awake  out  of  its  de- 
lufive  Slumbers  until  you  are  called  to  receive  the  Wages 
of  Sin,  Oh  think  what  Sort  of  a  Peace  you  fpeak  to 
yourfelves !  fince  it  leaves  you  in  the  greateft  Danger, 
and,  at  the  fame  Time,  infenfible  of  it.  To  depart  in 
fuch  a  falfe  Peace,  would  be  your  everlafling  Dellruc- 
tion.  Oh  Sirs,  cc»nfider  then  what  a  Delufion  you  are 
under  !  The  Wrath  of  an  offended  God  abideth  on  you, 
the  Curfes  of  his  broken  Law  hang  over  your  guilty 
Heads,  and  you  are  liable  to  the  Vengeance  of  his 
almighty  Juftice  -,  and  yet  you  think  yourfelves  fafe. 
You  are  faying.  Peace,  Peace,  while  all  the  Powers  in 
Heaven  and  Earth  are  at  War  with  you,  and  in  a  Mo- 
ment you  may  be  cut  off,  and  delivered  over  to  the 
Tormentors ,  and  then  you  will  have  a  fad  and  eternal 
Experience  of  that  awful  Threatening,  There  is  no  Peace^ 
Jaith  my  Gody  to  the  wicked. 

Men  and  Brethren,  what  do  you  fay  to  thefe  Things  ? 
Are  they  true,  or  are  they  not  ?  If  they  be  true,  why 
are  you  not  influenced  by  them  ?  And  if  you  think 
them  not  true,  why  do  you  make  any  Profeffion  of 
the  Chriftian  Religion  ?  Why  do  you  come  to  the 
Houfe  of  God  to  attend  upon  his  Ordinances  ?  Your 
Appearance  here  ranks  )ou  among  Pro feffors ;  and  if 
you  keep  up  .the  Form  without  the  Power  of  Godli- 
nefs,  I  Iiave  for  you,  in  the  Second  Place,  a  Word  of 
Reproof. 

There  have  arifen,  in  the  latter  Days,  Mockers,  who 
pretend  to  ridicule  the  feeing  of  the  Salvation  of  God, 
and  the  being  thereby  prepared  to  depart  in  Peace. 
Poffibly  there  may  be  fome  fuch  amongfl  us  To-day, 
who  laugh  at  all  vital  and  experimental  Religion.  If 
there  be,  I  would  afk  them,  whether  the  Scripture  has 
not  promifed  Deliverance  from  the  Fear  of  Death  ?  Is 
it  not  written,  {Heb,  xi.  15.)  That  Chrifi  came  to  deliver 
fhem  who  through  Fear  of  Death  were  all  their  Life-Time 

JuhieSi 


Ix  A  Sermon  on  Mr.  Hervey's  Death. 

juhjeEt  to  Bondage  ?    Obferve,  they  were  in  Bondage  to 
the  Fear  of  Death,  but  Chrift  came  to  deliver  them. 
And  did  not  he  attain  the  End   for  which  he  came  ? 
Moft  certainly  he  did.     /  have  finijhedy  fays  he  to  his 
Father,  the  JVork  which  thou  gaveft  me  to  do.     Now,  it 
was  Part  of  the  Work  to  deliver  his  People  from  the 
Fear  of  Death ;  and  as  the  Work  >Tas  finilhed,  confe- 
quently  they  are  delivered.     And  they  fay  they  are. 
They  atteft  it,  and  they  have  given  the  moft  convincing 
Proofs  of  their  having  conquered  all  Fear  of  Death : 
they  have   been    afflicted,    tormented,    ftoned,    fawn 
afunder,  put  on  the  Rack  ;    and  yet  they  would  not 
accept  Deliverance,  becaufe  they  were  fure  of  obtaining 
a  better  Refurre6tion.     And  of  thefe  there  have  not 
been  two  or  thee  only,  but  a  noble  and  numerous  Army, 
yea  a  great  Multitude,  whom  no  Man  could  number ; 
and.  Glory  be  to  God,  it  is  an  increafing  Multitude  : 
there  are  fome  who  daily  depart  in  Peace,  and  there  are 
Hundreds,  Thoufands,  now  alive,  who  are  waiting  for 
their  Departure  with  Hopes  full  of  Immortality  j  and 
why  fhould  you  think  they  will  be  difappointed  of  their 
Hope  ?  Will  Chrift  break  his  Word  ?  Can  his  Promife 
fail  ?  No  :  his  Word  and  his  Promife  ftiall  be  eftablilhed, 
when  Heaven  and  Earth  fhall  be  no  more ;  and  until 
the  Place  of  them  fhall  not  be  found,  the  Lord  will 
always  have  fuch  WitnefTes  of  the  Truth  of  the  Do6i:rine 
in  my  Text,  as  Mr.  Uervey^  who  will  depart  this  Life 
in  the  Triumph  of  Faith. 

Againft  thefe  plain  Fafts  what  can  you  objed  ?  They 
ar^  founded  upon  the  clear  Promifes  of  Scripture,  which 
are  literally  fulfilled  at  this  very  Day  j  and  you  can  have 
no  Pretence  to  reject  their  Authority,  unlefs  you  run 
into  downright  Scepticifm,  and  deny  the  Authority  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures.  If  any  of  you  have  arrived  at 
this  Pitch  of  Ridicuk,  I  fhall  not  reafon  with  you  at 
prefent.    Let  the  Day  decide  the  Point.    If  Death  does 

not. 


A  Sermon  on  Mr,  HERyzr's  Death,  1x5 

not,  Judgment  will.  You  will  be  forced  to  be  tried  by 
that  Book  which  you  rejed,  and  by  that  Judge  whom 
you  have  infulted  and  vilified.  O  thac  you  may  be 
convinced  of  your  Error  before  it  be  too  late  !  May 
God  open  your  Eyes  to  fee  your  Guilt  and  your  Danger, 
that  you  may  fue  for  Mercy  along  with  them  who  are 
feeking  the  Experience  of  the  Do6lrine  in  m.y  Text  j  to 
whom  I  have,  in  the  Third  Place,  a  Word  of  Comfort. 

I  luppofe  there  are  many  Perfons  here,  who  find  the 
Sting  of  Death  in  their  guilty  Confciences,  and  who 
therefore  defire^.o  be  delivered  from  the  Fear  and  from 
the  Power  of  Death.  My  Brethren,  there  is  a  glorious 
Deliverer,  who  has,  in  his  own  Perfon,  conquere4 
Death,  and  him  that  had  the  Power  of  Death ;  and  he 
is  able  to  make  you  Conquerors.  His  Power  is  Al- 
mighty :  for  he  is  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent ;  and  he 
is  an  all-loving  Saviour,  who  is  more  ready  to  give, 
than  you  are  to  afk,  his  promifed  Help.  Since  he  has 
ihewn  you  your  Want  of  it,  afk  and  you  fhall  have,  feek 
and  you  fliall  find. 

You  do  feek,  you  fay,  but  it  is  with  many  Doubts 
and  Fears.  Of  what  do  you  doubt .?  of  Chrift's  Power 
or  of  Chrift's  Love  ?  Fie  can  deliver  you.  Ail  Things 
are  pofiible  to  him,  becaufe  all  Pov/er  in  Fleaven  and 
Earth  is  in  his  Hands.  And  he  is  a  God  of  Love  ;  he 
has  ihewed  Mercy  to  the  greatefi:  of  Sinners,  and  has 
Ihed  his  Love  abroad  in  their  Flearts.  He  has  given 
them  Faith  to  lee  their  Interefb  in  him,  and  then  they 
were  happy  living  or  dying :  for  whether  they  lived, 
they  lived  unto  the  Lord  -,  or  whether  they  died,  they 
died  unto  the  Lord :  fo  that  living  and  dying  they  were 
the  Lord's. 

True,  fay  you,  I  believe  this  was  the  happy  Cafe  of 
Mr.  Herveyy  and  of  many  others;  but  I  am  full  of 
Doubts  and  Fears,  becaufe  I  am  fuch  an  unworthy 
Creature,  that  I  do.  not  deferve  any  Mercy.     Nor  did 

they  : 


Ixii  A  Sermon  on  Mr.  Hervey's  Death. 

they:  God  did  not  treat  them  upon  the  Footing  of 
Defert ;  what  he  gave  them  was  mere  Bounty,  flowing 
from  the  Riches  of  his  unmerited  Love.  That  is  the 
Way  in  which  he  bellows  his  great  Salvation.  All  the 
BlefTings  of  it  are  free,  as  free  for  one  Sinner  as  for 
another.  None  are  excluded,  becaufe  they  are  great 
Sinners ,  Paul  found  Mercy :  and  none  are  rejedled, 
becaufe  of  their  Unworthinefs ;  Mary  Magdalen  was 
pardoned ;  and  why  may  not  you  ?  For  all  the  Gifts  of 
God  flow  from  his  free  Grace,  and  are  beflowed  upon 
unworthy  Sinners ;  and  if  you  are  ore  of  them,  you 
are  a  proper  Object  to  receive  the  Bleflings  of  free 
Grace ;  and  the  Senfe  of  your  Unworthinefs  fhould 
make  you  more  earneil  in  afking,  but  it  is  no  Bar  to 
your  receiving,  all  the  BlefTings  of  Salvation;  for  Jefus 
Chrift  afTures  us  in  his  Word,  that  he  came  to  Jeek  and 
tojave  that  which  was  loft ;  fuch  loft  Sinners  as  you  are. 
Thus  you  fee  what  Encouragement  you  have  to  be- 
lieve in  God.  You  have  his  Word  and  his  Promife  to 
rely  upon ;  you  have  the  Teftimony  of  God's  People, 
declaring  that  they  were  once,  as  you  are,  afraid  of 
Death,  but  how  Chrift  has  taken  away  the  Fear  of  it. 
They  have  feen  the  Salvation  of  God,  and  know  by 
Faith,  that  all  the  BlefTmgs  of  it  are  freely  given  them 
in  Chrift  Jefus ;  therefore  they  are  ready,  they  defire  to 
depart.  May  the  tender  Mercies  of  our  God  bring 
every  one  of  you  into  this  happy  State  !  And  to  thole 
who  are  already  in  it,  I  make  my  fourth  Remark. 

My  Chriftian  Friends  and  Brethren,  you  have  k^i\ 
the  Salvation  of  God,  and  are  delivered  from  the  Fear 
of  Death :  what  Return  will  you  make  unto  the  Lord 
for  all  the  Benefits  which  he  hath  done  unto  you  ?  Cer- 
tainly you  will  not  forget  the  great  Things  which  he 
has  already  given  you,  and  the  greater  Things  for  which 
you  are  waiting  i  and  let  thefe  Confide  rations  conftrain 
you  to  love  this  divine  Benefador,  and  to  ferve  him 

without 


A  Sermon  on  Mr.  Heri^et's  Death*  Ixiii 

without  Fear,  In  an  holy  Obedience,  all  the  Days  of 
your  Lives.     Give  Evidence  of  the  Sincerity  of  your 
Love,  as  your  Lord  requires  ;    If  ye  love  me^  keep  my 
Commandments : — Keep  near  to  me  in  my  Ways,  and 
walk  clofe  with  me   in  mine  Ordinances,  and  you  will 
not  only  thereby  give  Proof  of  your  Love,  but  it  will 
alio  grow  exceedingly  j  and  as  it  grows,  your  Defire  to 
depart  will  grow  with  it  j  for  when  the  Love  of  Chrift 
rules  in  the  Heart,  you  will  be  ready,  yea,  you  will 
defire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with  him.     This  was  the 
happy  Experience  of  our  deceafed  Brother ;  and  let  his 
Example  flir  you  up  to  great  Care  and  Watchfulnefs 
in   your  holy  walking  heavenwards,    that  your  Faith 
may  be  always  working  by  Love,  as  his  did.     Confider 
the  Graces  of  his  Life,  and  feek  the  fame.     Stop  not 
iliort,  but  try  to  get  beyond  him.     Confider  his  Death. 
Remember  with  what  perfedt  Afllirance  he  fpake  of  his 
Intereft  in  Chrift,  and  what  ftrong  Proofs  he  gave  of 
it ;  and  then  pray  that  your  Faith  m.ay  ftand  as  un- 
fhaken  as  his  was  in  that  great  Time  of  Trial.     And, 
above  all,  forget  not  what  fupported  him  in  his  laft 
Moments  ;  it  was  the  clear  View  he  had  of  his  Intereft 
in  the  great  Salvation  of  God  :  "  This,  this,'*  fays  he, 
*^  fupports  me," — now  at  the  Approach  of  Death.     OIi 
how  precious  did  Salvation  then  appear  to  him,  when 
he  found  Death  coming  dilarmed,  and  without  a  Sdng  ! 
and  it  grew  ftill  more  precious,  when,   with  his  laft 
Breath,  he  declared,  that  Death  had  no  Power  to  hurt 
the  Peace  of  God,  which  ruled  in  his  Heart  i  for  even 
then  he  found  Salvation  precious.     You  need  not  fear, 
my  Brethren,  but  this  will  be  your  happy  Experience. 
God  has  given  you  the  Knowledge  of  Salvation  by  the 
Remiftion  of  your  Sins ;  and  as  your  Faith  grows  ex- 
ceedingly.   Salvation  will  grow  exceedingly  precious. 
The  greater  Experience  you  hereby  get  of  the  Love  of 
Chrift,  the  more  will  you  be  fupported  under  the  Trials 

of 


Ixiv  A  Sermon  m  Air.  HsuyBr's  Deaths 

of  Life,  and  the  better  prepared  for  the  Trials  of  Death, 
You  will  find,  that  the  fweet  Senfe  of  Chrift's  Love  in 
the  Heart  will  enable  you  to  rejoice  in  Suffering,  and 
then  you  need  not  fear  but  it  will  enable  you  to  rejoice 
in  the  Sufferings  of  Death.  For  who  or  what  Ihall 
fcparate  Believers  from  the  Love  of  Chrifl  ?  Shall  the 
Troubles  of  Life,  or  the  Pains  of  Death  ?  Shall  Tribu- 
lation, or  Diftrefs,  or  Pei  fecution,  or  Famine,  or  Naked- 
nefs,  or  Peril,  or  Sword  ?  No ;  in  all  thefe  Things  we 
are  more  than  Conquerors  through  him  that  loved  us. 
More  than  Conquerors !  Oh  glorious  Warfare,  in  which 
Believers  not  only  conquer  their  Enemies,  but  alfo  reap 
innumerable  and  endlefs  BlefTmgs  to  themfelves.  Even 
Death  is  to  them  a  real  BlefTing ;  they  exped  it,  they 
find  it  fo,  and  they  are  more  than  Conquerors  over  it> 
through  him  that  loved  them. 

In  the  laft  Place,  I  mufl  put  you  all  in  Remembrance, 
that  neither  the  Words  of  my  Text,  nor  what  has  been 
faid  upon  them,  will  be  of  any  Benefit  without  a  Blef- 
fmg  from  God.  We  cannot  fee  his  Salvation  with  the 
Eye  of  Faith,  nor  Experience  the  Power  of  it,  without 
the  Help  of  his  Grace.  It  is  from  him,  who  has  done 
all  for  us,  that  all  mufl  be  done  in  us ;  and  if  fome 
good  ImprelTions  have  been  made  this  Day  upon  any  of 
your  Hearts,  they  will  foon  wear  away,  unlefs  he  pre- 
ferve  and  flrengthen  them.  If  you  defire,  at  prefent, 
to  live  Mr.  Hervey's  Life,  and  to  die  his  Death,  this 
Defire  will  be  ineffedual,  unlefs  it  be  carried  into  A6t 
by  the  mighty  working  of  God's  Spirit :  he  is  all  in  all. 
For  which  Reafon  we  always  begin  and  always  end  the 
hearing  of  the  Word  with  Prayer  -,  being  affured,  that 
if  Paul  fhould  plant,  and  Af olios  fhould  water,  yet  it 
would  be  to  no  Purpofe,  unlefs  God  fhould  give  the 
Increafe.  Oh  that  it  may  be  abundant  this  Day  to  his 
Glory,  and  to  the  Good  of  your  Souls.  To  that  End 
let  us  pray— 

A  "  O  al- 


A  Sermon  on  Mr.  Hervet's  Death,  Ixv 

^^  O  almighty  and  moil  merciful  God,  we  humbly 
befeech  thee  to  look  down  with  Mercy  upon  this  Con- 
gregation,  and  to  blefs  rhe  Words  which  v/e  have  heard 
this  Day  with  our  outward  Ears.  Make  them  the 
Means  of  opening  the  blind  Eyes  which  have  never  ktn 
their  Want  of  thy  Salvation.  Lord,  enlighten  them, 
and  help  them  to  feek,  until  they  find  Pardon  and  Peace 
in  thee.  Be  gracious  to  thofe  who  are  now  waiting 
upon  thee,  believing,  that  after  they  have  feen  thy  Sal-, 
vation,  they  fhall  be  able  to  depart  in  Peace.  O  Lord 
God,  manifeft  it  unto  them,  and  add  this  Day  to  the 
Number  of  thofe  who  have  feen  and  experienced  it. 
We  defire  to  glorify  thee  for  every  living  Chriflian  who 
knows  in  whom  he  has  believed,  and  is  ready  and  pre- 
pared to  depart  in  Peace.  We  give  all  the  Praife  to 
the  Riches  of  thy  free  Grace.  And  we  alfo  blefs  thy 
holy  Name  for  all  thy  Servants  departed  this  Life  in  thy 
Faith  and  Love,  befeeching  thee  to  give  us  Grace  fo 
to  follow  their  good  Examples,  as  they  followed  Chrift; 
that  with  them  we  may  be  Partakers  of  thy  heavenly 
Kingdom.  Grant  this,  O  Father,  for  Jefus  Chrift's 
Sake,  our  only  Mediator  and  Advocate;  to  whom, 
with  thee,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  three  co-equal  Perfons 
in  one  Jehovah,  be  Honour,  and  Glory,  and  Blefling, 
and  Praife,  for  ever  and  ever.    Amen,'' 


Vol,  L  $  THE 


MEDITATIONS 

AND 

CONTEMPLATIONS. 

CONTAINING 

MEDITATIONS    AMONG   THE   TOMBS; 
REFLECTIONS  ON  A   FLOWER-GARDEN; 

AND, 

A   DESCANT   ON   CREATION. 

CONTEMPLATIONS    ON    THE    NIGHT; 
CONTEMPLATIONS  ON  THE  STARRY  HEAVENS; 

AND, 

A    WINTER-PIECE. 


By    JAMES     H  E  R  V  E  Y,     M.  A, 

Late  Redlor  of  Wejim-Fa'vdl,  in  Northamptonjhire, 


T  a 


Mifs  R- 


Madam, 

THESE  Reflexions,  the  One  on  the  ^eepefl,  the 
Other  on  the  gayeft  Scenes  of  Nature  ;  when  they 
proceeded  privately  from  the  P^;/,  were  addrefled  to  a 
Lady  of  the  mod  vakiable  Endowments.  Who  crowned 
all  her  other  endearing  Qualities,  by  a  fervent  Love  of 
Christ,  and  an  exemplary  Conformity  to  his  Divine 
Pattern.  She,  alas  !  lives  no  longer  on  Earth  j  unlefs 
it  be  in  the  Honours  of  a  diftinguifhed  Charadter,  and 
in  the  bleeding  Remembrance  of  her  Acquaintance. 

It  is  impoffible.  Madam,  to  wifh  You  a  richer  BlefT- 
ing,  or  a  more  fubftantial  Happinefs,  than  that  the  fame 
Spirit  of  unfeigned  Faub^  the  fame  Courfe  of  undefiled 
Religieny  which  have  enabled  Her  to  triumph  over  Death, 
may  both  animate  and  adorn  your  Life.  And  you  \vill 
permit  m.e  to  declare,  that  my  chief  Inducement  in  re- 
quefting  your  Acceptance  of  the  following  Meditations, 
now  they  make  a  public  Appearance  from  the  Prefs^  is, 
that  they  are  defigned  to  cultivate  the  lame  facred  Prin- 
cipky  and  to  promote  the  fame  excellent  Pra£fice. 

Long,  Madam,  may  you  hloovi  in  all  the  Vivacity 
and  Amiiablenefs  of  Youth,  like  the  chaj-ming  Subjed: 
of  one  of  thefe  Contemplations.  But  at  the  fame  Time 
remember,  that,  with  regard  to  fuch  inferior  Accom- 
plijlim^nts.  You  mull  ©ne  Day/i7^f,  (may  it  prove  fome 

A  2  Ycrf 


XV  DEDICATION. 

very  remote  Period !)  like  the  mournful  Objects  of  the 
other.  This  Confideration  will  prompt  You  to  go  on, 
as  you  have  begun,  in  adding  the  Meeknefs  of  JVifdoMy 
and  all  the  Beauties  of  Holinefs^  to  the  Graces  of  an  en- 
gaging Perfon,  and  the  Refinements  of  a  polite  Edu- 
cation. 

And  might — O  !  might  the  enfuing  Hints  furnilli 
You  with  the  leafl  Affiftance,  in  profecuting  fo  defirablc 
an  End ;  might  they  contribute,  in  any  Degree,  to  efta- 
blifh  your  Faith,  or  elevate  your  Devotion;  they  would, 
then,  adminifter  to  the  Author  fuch  a  Satisfa6i:ion,  as 
Applaufe  cannot  give,  nor  Cenfure  take  away  :  A  Satis- 
faction, which  I  fhall  be  able  to  enjoy,  even  in  thofe 
awful  Moments,  when  all  that  captivates  the  Eye  is  fmk- 
ing  in  Darknefs,  and  every  Glory  of  this  lower  World 
difappearing  for  ever. 

These  Wiilies,  Madam,  as  they  are  a  moft  agreeable 
Employ  of  my  Thoughts,  fo  they  come  attended  with 
this  additional  Circumftance  of  Pleafure,  that  they  are 
alfo  the  fmcereft  ExprefTions  of  that  very  great  Efteem, 
with  which  I  am. 

Madam, 

Tour  moft  Obedient y 

Mofi  Humble  Servant ^ 

Wefton-Favell,  near  ^  -.- 

Northampton,  J  A  M  E  S  H  E  R  V  E  Y , 

May  20,  1746. 


PRE- 


PREFACE, 


n^HE  fir  ft  of  theje  occafional  Meditations  y  begs  leave  to 
remind  my  Readers  of  their  latter  End  -,  and  woidd 
invite  them  to  Jet,  not  their  Houfes  only,  hut,  which  is  in- 
expreftibly  more  needful,  their  Souls,  in  Order  :  That  they 
may  be  able,  through  all  the  intermediate  Stages,  to  look 
forward  upon  their  approaching  Exit,  without  any  anxious 
Apprehenfions  :  And,  when  the  great  Change  commencesy 
may  bid  Adieu  to  terreftrial  Things,  zvith  all  the  Calmnefs 
of  a  chearful  Refignation,  with  all  the  Comforts  of  a  welU 
grounded  Faith, 

The  other  attempts  to  fketch  out  fome  little  Traces  of  the 
All-fufficiency  ^/02/r  Redeemer,/<?r  the  grand  and  gracious 
Purpofes  of  everlafting  Salvation.  That  a  Senfe  of  his  un- 
utter  able  Dignity,  and  infinite  PerfeElions,  may  incite  us  to 
regard  Him,  with  Sentiments  of  the  moft  profound  Venera- 
tion ;  to  long  for  an  ajfured  hitereft  in  his  Merits,  with  all 
the  Ardency  of 'Dc^iYt',  and  to  trufl  in  his  powerful  Me- 
diation,  with  an  Affiance  not  to  be  fhaken  by  apy  Tempta- 
tions,  not  to  be  fhared  with  any  Performances  of  our  own, 

1  flatter  my f elf,  that  the  Thoughts  conceived  among  the 
Tombs,  may  be  welcome  to  the  ferious  ^;/^  humane  Mind. 
Becaufe,  as  there  are  few,  who  have  not  configned  the  Re- 
mains of  fome  dear  Relations,  or  honoured  Friends,  to  thcje 
filent  Repofitcries  ;  fo  there  are  none,  but  muft  befenfibky 
that  this  is  the  Houfe  appointed  for  all  Living  \  and  that 

A3  they 


VI 


PREFACE. 


they  them/elves,  are  Jhortly  to  remove  into  the  fame  fekmn 
Man/tons .^- And  ivho  would  not  turn  aftde,  for  a  while, 
from  the  moft  favourite  Amufements^  to  view  the  Place, 
where  his  once-loved  Companions  lie  ?  Who  would  not 
fometimes  furvey  thofe  Apartments,  where  he  himfelf /j  to 
take  up  an  Abode,  //"//  Time  fh all  he  no  more  ? 

As  to  the  other  little  Effay^  may  I  not  humbly  prefumey 
that  the  very  Subje^  itfelf  will  recommend  the  Remarks  ? 
For,  who  is  not  delighted  with  the  Profpe5f  of  the  blooming 
Creation,   and  even  charmed  with  the  delicate  Attradlions 
ef  Flowers  ?   Who  does  not  covet  to  affemble  them  in  the 
Garden,  or  wear  them  in  a  Nofegay  ?  Since  this  is  a  Paffion 
fo  univerfaly  who  would  not  be  willing  to  render  it  produSfive 
ofthefublimeft  Improvement  ? — This  Piece  ^holy  Frugality, 
I  have  ventured  to  fuggeji,  and  endeavoured  to  exemplify ,  in 
thefecond  Letter ;    that,  while  the  Hand  is  cropping  the 
iranftent  Beauties  of  a  Flower,  the  attentive  Mind  may  be 
enriching  itfelf  with  f olid  and  lajling  Good, — And  I  cannot 
hut  entertain  fome  pleaftng  Hopes,  that  the  niceji  Tafle  may 
receive  and  relijh  religious  Imprefiions,  zvhen  they  are  con- 
veyed byfuch  lovely  Monitors ;  when  the  infiru5live  Leffons 
ere  found,  not  on  the  heaves  of fome  formidable  Folio,  hut 
Jland  legible  on  the  fine  Sarcenet  of  a  NarcilTus  -„  when  th«y 
favour  not  of  the  Lamp  and  Reclufe,  hut  come  breathing 
from  the  fragrant  Bofom  of  a  Jonquil. 


A  D  V  E  R- 


C     vli     ] 


ADVERTISEMENT 


TO       THE 


THIRD      EDITION, 


J  MUS  T  entreat  the  Ptir chafers  of  the  former  Editions^ 
to  excufe  the  Freedom  I  have  takeriy  in  making  feveral 
confider able  Additions  to  this.     //  has  been  done  at  the  Per- 
fuajion  of  fome  judicious  Friends ^  who  apprehendedy  the 
Piece  might  be  more  ufefuly  and  lefs  unworthy  of  the  public 
PatronagCy  if  it  touched  upon  fome  very  inter  ejiing  Subject Sy 
hitherto  omitted.     As  I  had  no  Views ^  but  to  render  the 
Performance  more  pleafmg  and  ferviceable  ;  no  Reader y  I 
hopCy  will  be  offended  at  my  Pra^fice,  or  complain  of  it  as 
injurious.    Never thelefsy  as  I  would  willingly  avoid,  what" 
ever  might  feem  to  Jiand  in  Need  of  an  Apology  j  /  de- 
fire  Leave  to  declare.  That  no  future  Inlargements,  or  Al- 
terations, fhall  be  fuffered  to  depreciate  whaty  with  the 
deep  eft  Gratitude  for  their  paft  Encouragement,  /now  com^ 
mit  to  the  Candour  of  the  Public. 


VERSES 


[    viii    J 


VERSES     TO    Mr.    H  E  R  V  E  Y, 


ON       HIS 


MEDITATIONS, 


TN  thefe  lov'd  Scenes,  what  raptVous  Graces  fhinc, 
-■-  Live  in  each  Leaf,  and  breathe  in  ev'ry  Line  ! 
What  facred  Beauties  beam  throughout  the  Whole, 
To  charm  the  Senfe,  and  fteal  upon  the  Soul ! 
In  claflic  Elegance,  and  Thoughts — his  own, 
We  fee  our  Faults  as  in  a  Mirror,  fhown  : 
Each  Truth,  in  glaring  Charaders  expreft. 
All  own  the  Twin  Refemblance  in  their  Breaft  : 
His  eafy  Periods,  and  perfuafive  Page, 
At  once  amend,  and  entertain  the  Age  : 
Nature's  wide  Fields  all  open  to  his  View, 
He  charms  the  Mind  with  fomething  ever  New  : 
On  Fancy's  Pinions,  his  advent'rous  Soul 
Wantons  unbounded,  and  pervades  the  Whole  : 
From  Death's  dark  Caverns  in  the  Earth  below. 
To  Spheres,  where  Planets  roll,  or  Comets  glow. 

See  him  explore,  with  more  than  human  Eyes, 
The  dreary  Sepulchre,  where  GranvUk  lies. 
Converfe  with  Stones,  or  monumental  Brafs, 
The  rude  Infcriptions, — or  the  painted  Glafs  : 
To  gloomy  Vaults  defcend  with  awful  Tread, 
And  view  the  filent  Manfions  of  the  Dead. 

To  gayer  Scenes  he  next  adapts  his  Lines, 
Where  lavilh  Nature  in  Embroid'ry  fhines ; 


The 


[    ix     ] 

The  Jeff'mine  Groves,  the  Woodbine's  fragrant  Bow'rs, 
With  all  the  painted  Family  of  Flow'rs  : 
There,  SachariJJa!  in  each  fleeting  Grace, 
Read  all  the  tranfient  Honours  of  thy  Face. 

With  equal  Dignity,  now  fte  Him  rife 
To  paint  the  fable  Horrors  of  the  Skies : 
When  all  the  wide  Horizon  lies  in  Shade  ; 
And  Midnight  Phantoms  fweep  along  the  Glade  : 
All  Nature  hufh'd — a  folemn  Silence  reigns. 
And  fcarce  a  Breeze  difturbs  the  fleeping  Plains. 

Laft,  yet  not  lefs,  in  Majefty  of  Phrafe, 
He  draws  the  full-orb'd  Moon's  expanfive  Blaze  ; 
The  waving  Meteors,  trembling  from  on  high, 
With  all  the  mute  Artill'ry  of  the  Sky  : 
Syflems  on  Syftems,  which  in  Order  roll, 
And  dart  their  lambent  Beams  from  Pole  to  Pole. 

Hail,  mighty  Genius!  whofe  excurfive  Soul 
No  Bounds  confine,  no  Limits  can  controul: 

Whofc  Eye  expatiates,  and  whofe  Mind  can  rove, 
■  Through  Earth,  through  ^ther,  and  the  Realms  above: 
,  From  Things  inanimate  can  dire6l*the  Rod, 

In  jull  Gradation,  to  afcend  to  God. 

Taught  by  thy  Lines,  fee  hoary  Age  grows  wife. 

And  all  the  Rebel  in  his  Bofom  dies ; 

E'en  thoughtlefs  Youth,  in  Luxury  of  Blood, 

Fly  the  infectious  World,  and  dare — be  Good: 

Thy  facred  Truths  fhall  reach  th'impervious  Heart  ; 

Difcord  Ihall  ceafe,  Difeafe  forget  to  fmart : 

E'en  Malice  love,  and  Calumny  com.mend  ; 

Pride  beg  an  Alms,  and  Av'rice  turn  a  Friend. 
Centred  in  Christ,  who  fires  the  Soul  within, 

The  Fleih  lliall  know  no  Pain;  the  Soul,  no  Sin: 

E'en  in  the  Terrors  of  expiring  Breath, 

We  blefs  the  friendly  Stroke,  and  live — in  Death. 

Oxford,  April  2^,  1 748. 

*  An  Allufion  to  the  Cufiom,  of  fhewing  curious  Oyccl5,   and  partlcu' 
larifing  their  refpective  Delicacies,  by  die  pointina  of  the  Rod. 


By 


C  X  3 


By  a  Physician. 

CELESTIAL  Meditant  \  Whofe  Ardors  rife 
Deep  from  the  Tombs,  and  kindle  to  the  Jkles  ; 
How  (hall  an  earthly  Bard's  profaner  String 
Refound  the  Flights  of  thy  Seraphic  Wing? 
When  great  Elijah,  in  the  fiery  Car, 
Flam'd  vifible  to  Heav'n,  a  living  Star, 
A  Seer  remained  to  thunder  what  he  knew. 
And  with  his  Mantle  caught  his  Spirit  too. 

Wit,  Fancy,  Fire,  and  Elegance,  have  long 
Been  lofl  in  vicious  or  ignoble  Song  : 
Sunk  from  the  chaftely  Grand,  the  pure  Sublime, 
They  flatter 'd  Wealth  and  Pow'r,  or  murder'd  Time, 
'Tis  Thine  their  devious  Luftre  to  reduce. 
To  prove  their  nobleft  Pow'r,  their  genuine  \J(e  ; 
From  Earth-born  Fumes  to  clear  their  tainted  Flame, 
And  point  their  Flight  to  Heav'n — from  whence  they  came* 

O  more  than  Bard  in  Profe!  to  whom  belong 
Harmonious  Stile  and  Thought,  in  rhymelefs  Song ; 
Oft,  by  thy  friendly  Conduct,  let  me  tread 
The  foftly  whifpering  Manfions  of  the  Dead: 
Where  the  grim  Form,  calcining  Hinds  and  Lords, 
Grins  at  each  fond  Diftin6lion  Pride  records. 
Duinb,  with  immortal  Energy  they  teach; 
Lifelefs,  they  threaten  ;  mould'ring  as  they  preach 
To  each  fuccceding  Age,  thro'  ev'ry  Clime, 
The  Span  of  Life,  and  endlefs  Round  of  Time  : 
Hence  may  propitious  Melancholy  flow. 
And  Safety  find  me  in  the  Vaults  of  Woe. 

While  ev'ry  Virtue  forms  thy  mental  Feafl, 
I  glow  with  fair  Sincerity  at  leaft: 
I  feel  [thy  Face  unknown)  thy  Heart  refin'd. 
And  tallc,  with  Blifs,  the  Beauties  of  thy  Mindf= 
CoileCling  clearly,  thro'  thy  facrcd  Plan, 
What  Reverence  of  God!  w^hat  Love  to  Man! 
— O  [  when  at  laft  our  deathlefs  Forms  fhall  rife;, 
And  Flow'rs  and  Stars  defift  to  moralize ; 

Shall 


[     xi     ] 

Shall  then  my  Soul,  by  thine  inform'd,  furvey, 

And  bear  the  Splendors  of  elTential  Day  ? 

But  while  my  Thoughts  indulge  the  glorious  Scope, 

(My  utmoft  Worth  beneath  my  humbled  Hope) 

Confcience,  or  fome  exhorting  Angel,  cries, 

"  No  lazy  Wiflics  reach  above  the  Skies. 

**  Would  you  indeed  the  perfe6l  Scenes  furvey, 

**  And  fhare  the  Triumphs  of  unbounded  Day  ; 

**  His  Love-difFufive  Life  with  Ardor  live  ; 

**  And  die  like  this  divine  Contemplative.'* 

Londcriy   July  9,  1 748. 


By  a  Physician. 

TO  form  the  Tafte,  and  raife  the  nobler  Part, 
To  mend  the  Morals,  and  to  warm  the  Heart; 
To  trace  the  genial  Source,  we  Nature  call. 
And  prove  the  God  of  Nature  Friend  of  all ; 
Her VEY  for  this  his  mental  Landfcape  drew, 
And  fketch'd  the  whole  Creation  out  to  View. 

Th'enamel'd  Bloom,  and  variegated  Flow'r, 
Whofe  Crimfon  changes  with  the  changing  Hour  ; 
The  humble  Shrub,  whofe  Fragrance  fcents  the  Morrr, 
With  Buds  difclofmg  to  the  early  Dawn  : 
TL'he  Oaks  that  grace  Britannia  s  Mountains  Side, 
And  fpicy  Lebanon's  fuperior  *  Pride  ; 
All  loudly  Sov'reign  Excellence  proclaim. 
And  animated  Worlds  confefs  the  fame. 

The  azure  Fields  that  form  th'extended  Sky, 
The  planetary  Globes  that  roll  on  high, 
And  folar  Orbs,  of  proudcft  Blaze,  combine. 
To  a£l  fubfervient  to  the  great  Defign. 
Men,  Angels,  Seraphs,  join  the  gen'ral  Voice  : 
And  in  the  Lord  of  Nature,  ALL  rejoice. 

«  The  Cellar. 


[    xii     ] 

His,  the  grey  Winter's  venerable  Guife, 
Its  fhrowded  Glories,  and  inflrudlive  Skies  ^ ; 
His,  the  Snow's  Plumes,  that  brood  the  fick'ning  Blade ; 
His,  the  bright  Pendant  that  impearls  the  Glade  ; 
The  waving  Foreft,  or  the  whifp'ring  Brake  ; 
The  furging  Billow,  or  the  fleeping  Lake. 
The  Same,  who  pours  the  Beauties  of  the  Spring, 
Or  mounts  the  Whirlwind's  defolating  Wing. 
The  Same,  who  fmiles  in  Nature's  peaceful  Form, 
Frowns  in  the  Tempeft,  and  diredls  the  Storm. 

Tis  thine,  bright  Teacher,  to  improve  the  Age  ; 
'Tis  thine,  whofe  Life's  a  Comment  on  thy  Page. 
Thy  happy  Page  !  whofe  Periods  fweetly  flow, 
Whofe  Figures  charm  us,  and  whofe  Colours  glow. 
Where  artlefs  Piety  pervades  the  Whole, 
Refines  the  Genius,  and  exalts  the  Soul. 
For  let  the  Witling  argue  all  he  can. 
It  is  Religion  flill  that  makes  the  Man. 
'Tis  Thisy  my  Friend,  that  ftreaks  our  Morning  bright ; 
'Tis  Thisy  that  gilds  the  Horrors  of  our  Night. 
When  Wealth  forfakes  us,  and  when  Friends  are  few  5 
When  Friends  arc  faithlefs,  oi  when  Foes  purfue ; 
'Tis  Thisy  that  wards  the  Blow,  or  Itills  the  Smart ; 
Difarms  Affli6lion,  or  repels  its  Dart ; 
Within  the  Breaft  bids  purefl  Rapture  rife  ; 
Bids  fmiling  Confcience  fpread  her  cloudlefs  Skies. 

When  the  Storm  thickens  and  the  Thunder  rolls, 
When  the  Earth  trembles  to  th'  affrighted  Poles  ; 
The  virtuous  Mind,  nor  Doubts  nor  Fears  affail ; 
For  Storms  are  Zephyrs,  or  a  gentler  Gale. 

And  when  Difeafe  obftruds  the  lab'ring  Breath, 
When  the  Heart  fickens,  and  each  Pulfe  is  Death  j 
E'en  then  Religion  fhall  fuftain  the  Juft, 
Grace  their  laft  Moments,  nor  defert  their  Dull, 

*  Referring  to  the  JVinier-Piece. 


AS 


[     x^ii     J 


AS  fome  77ew  Star  attrads  th'  admiring  Sight, 
His  Splendors  pouring  through  the  Fields  of  Light, 
Whole  Nights,  delighted  with  th'  unufual  Rays, 
On  the  fair  heav'nly  Vifitant  we  gaze  : 
So  thy  fam'd  Volumes  fweet  Surprize  impart, 
Mark'd  by  all  Eyes,  and  felt  in  ev'ry  Heart. 
Nature,  inform 'd  by  Thee,  new  Paths  has  trod. 
And  rifes,  hercy  a  Preacher  for  her  God  ; 
By  Fancy's  Aids  myfterious  Heights  fhe  tries. 
And  lures  us  by  our  S -nfes,  to  the  Skies. 
To  deck  thy  Stile  colle6led  Graces  throng. 
Bold  as  the  Pencil's  Tints,  yet  foft  as  Song, 
In  Themes,  how  rich  thy  Vein!  how  pure  thy  Choice! 
Tranfcripts  of  Truths,  own'd  clear  from  Scripture's  Voice: 
Thy  Judgment  thefe,  and  Piety  atteft, 
Tranfcripts — read  only  fairer  in  thy  Breaft. 
nere,  what  thy  Works  would  fhew,  we  beft  may  fee. 
And  all  they  teach  in  Dodlrine,  lives  in  Thee. 

Oh! — might  they  live! — Our  Prayers  their  Strife  engage; 
But  thy  fix'd  Languors  yield  us  fad  Prefage. 

In  vain  fkill'd  Medicine  tries  her  healing  Art : 

Difeafe,  long  Foe,  entrenches  at  thy  Heart. 

Yet  on  new  Labours  ftill  thy  Mind  is  prone. 

For  a  World's  Good  too  thoughtlefs  of  thy  own. 

Active,  like  Day's  kind  Orb,  Life's  Courfe  you  run. 

Its  Sphere  dill  glorious,  tho'  2i  Jetting  Sun. 

Redeynption  opes  Thee  wide  her  healing  Plan, 

Health's  only  Balm  ;  her  fov'reign'ft  Gift  to  Man. 

Themes  fweet  like  thefe  thy  Ardors,  frefh,  excite  : 

Warm  at  the  Soul,  they  nerve  thy  Hand  to  write  ; 

Make  thy  try'd  Virtues  in  their  Charms  appear. 

Patience,  rais'd  Hop^,  firm  Faith,  and  Love  iincere  ; 

Like  a  big  Conftellation,  bright  they  glow. 

And  beam  out  lovelier  by  thy  Night  of  Woe. 
Known  were  thy  Merits  to  the  Public  long. 

Ere  own'd  thus  feebly  in  my  humble  Song. 

Damp'd  are  my  Fires ;  my  Heart  dark  Cares  deprefs  ; 

A  Heart,  too  feeling  from  it's  own  Diftrefs. 

4  Proud 


[     xiv    ] 

Proud  on  thy  Friendfhip,  yet  to  build  my  Fame, 
I  gai n'd  my  Page  *  a  San6lion  from  thy  Name. 
Weak  thefe  Returns  (by  Gratitude  tho'  ledj 
Where  mine  fhall  in  thy  fav'rite  Leaves  be  read. 
Yet,  o'er  my  confcious  Meannefs  Hope  prevails  ; 
Love  gives  me  Merit,  where  my  Genius  fails. 
On  it's  flrong  Bafe  my  fmall  Defcrt  I  raife, 
Averfe  to  Flatt'ry,  as  unfkill'd  to  praife. 

Moses  Btjowne, 
Mile- End-Green,  Feb.  23,  1749. 


WHENCE  flow  thefe   folemn  Sounds?    this  raptured 
Strain  ? 
Cherubic  Notes  my  wond'ring  Ear  detain  ! 
Yet  'tis*  a  Mortal's  Voice  :  'Tis  Her  vey  fings  : 
Sublime  he  foars  on  Contemplation's  Wings  : 
In  ev'ry  Period  breathes  ecftatic  Thought, 
Her  VEY,  Was  Heav'n  thy  facred  Lellbns  taught,' 
Celeftial  Vifions  blefs  thy  fiudious  Hours, 
Thy  lonely  Walks,  and  thy  fequeftred  Bow'rs. 
What  favoring  Pov^rV,  difpenfing  fecret  Aids, 
Thy  cavern'd  Cell,  thy  curtain'd  Couch,  pervades? 
Still  hov'ring  near,  obfervant  of  thy  Themes, 
In  Whifpers  prompts  thee,  or  infpires  thy  Dreams? 
Jesus!  Effulgence  of  paternal  Light! 
Ineffably  divine  !   fupremely  bright! 
Whofe  Energy  according  Worlds  atteft. 
Kindled  thefe  Ardors  in  thy  glowing  Breafl. 
We  catch  thy  Flame,  as  we  thy  Page  perufe  ; 
And  Faith  in  every  Object  Jesus  views. 
We  in  the  bloomy  breathing  Garden  trace 
Somewhat — like  Emanations  of  his  Grace: 
Yet  mufl  all  Sweetnefs  and  all  Beauty  yield, 
Iduines  Grove,  and  Sharon  s  flow'ry  Field, 

•  Sunday  Thoughts. 

Compar'd 


[      XT      ] 

ComparM  with  Je^us:  Meanly,  meanly  fhows 
The  brightefl  Lily,  faint  the  lovelieft  Rofe. 

Divine  Inftru6lor!  lead  thro'  midnight  Glooms, 
To  moralizing  Stars,  and  preaching  Tombs  : 
Thro'  the  ftill  Void  a  Saviour's  Voice  fhall  break, 
A  Ray  from  Jacob's  Star  the  Daj-knefs  flreak : 
To  Him  the  faireft  Scenes  their  Luftre  owe; 
His  Cov'nant  brightens  the  celeftial  Bow  ; 
His  vaft  Benevolence  profufely  fpreads 
The  yellow  Harvefts,  and  the  verdant  Meads, 

Thy  Pupil,  Hervey,  a  Redeemer  finds 
In  boundlefs  Oceans,  and  in  viewlefs  Winds : 
He  reins  at  Will  the  furious  Blaft,  and  guides 
The  rending  Tempefts,  and  the  roaring  Tides. 
O  give,  my  Soul,  thy  Welfare  to  his  Truft  : 
Who  rais'd  the  World,  can  raife  thy  ileeping  Dull', 
He  will,  he  will,  when  Nature's  Courfe  is  run, 
Midft  falling  Stars,  and  an  extinguiih'd  Sun  : 
He  will  with  Myriads  of  his  Saints  appear. 
O  may  I  join  them,  tho'  the  meaneft  there! 

Tho'  nearer  to  the  Throne  my  Hervey  fings; 
Tho'  I  at  humbler  Dillancc  ftrike  the  Strings ; 
Yet  both  fhall  mingle  in  the  fame  Employ, 
Both  drink  the  Fulnefs  of  eternal  Joy. 


Clerhnwell-  Green  ^ 
F^h,  24p  1749-50. 


John  Duick, 


WHAT  Numbers  of  our  Race  furvey 
The  Monarch  of  the  golden  Day, 
Night's  ample  Conopy  unfurl'd. 
In  gloomy  Grandeur  round  the  World, 
The  Earth  in  Spring's  Embroidery  dreil. 
And  Ocean's  ever-working  Breaftl 
And  ftill  no  grateful  Honours  rife 
To  Him  who  fpreads  the  fpacious  Skies, 
^^  3  Who 


L    XVI    J 

Who  hung  this  Alr-fufpended  Ball, 
And  lives,  and  reigns,  and  fhines,  in  AlH 

To  chafe  our  fenfual  Fogs  away, 
And  bright  to  pour  th'  eternal  Ray 
Of  Deity  infcrib'd  around 
Wide  Nature  to  her  utmoft  Bound, 
IsHERVEY'sTafk:  And  well  his  Skill 
Celeftial  can  the  Tafk  fulfil : 
Afcending  from  thefe  Scenes  below. 
Ardent  the  Maker's  Praife  to  fhow. 
His  facred  Contemplations  foar. 
And  teach  our  Wonder  to  adore. 

Now  he  furveys  the  Realms  beneath. 
The  Realms  of  Horror,  and  of  Death ; 
Now  entertains  his  vernal  Hours 
In  flow'ry  Walks,  and  blooming  Bow'rs  ; 
Now  hails  the  black-brow'd  Night,  that  brings 
Ethereal  Dews  upon  her  Wings  ; 
Now  marks  the  Planets,  as  they  roll 
On  burning  Axles  round  the  Pole  : 
While  Tombs,  and  Flow'rs,  and  Shades,  and  Stars, 
Unveil  their  facred  Charaflers 
Of  Juftice,  Wifdom,  Pow'r,  and  Love ; 
And  lifts  the  Soul  to  Realms  above, 
Where  dwells  the  God,  in  Glory  crown 'd, 
Who  fends  his  boundlefs  Influence  round. 

So  Jacoh,  in  his  blifsful  Dreams, 
Array 'd  in  Heav'n's  refulgent  Beams, 
Saw  from  the  Ground  a  Scale  arife, 
Whofe  Summit  mingled  Vv^ith  the  Skies  : 
Angels  were  pleas'd  to  pafs  the  Road, 
The  Stage  to  Earth,  and  Path  to  God. 

Her VEY,  proceed!  For  Nature  yields 
Frefh  Treafure  in  her  ample  Fields  ; 
And  in  feraphic  Ecftafy 
Still  bear  us  to  the  Throne  on  high. 
Oceans  wild  Wonders  next  explore, 
His  changing  Scenes,  and  fecret  Store  ; 
Or  let  dire  Earthquake  claim  thy  Toil, 
Earthquake,  that  fhakes  a  guilty  Ifle. 


So 


[     xvil     ] 

So,  If  fmall  Things  may  fliadow  forth, 
Dear  Man,  thy  Labours,  and  thy  Worth, 
'i'he  Bee  upon  the  flow'ry  Lawn 
Imbibes  the  lucid  Drops  of  Dawn, 
Works  them  in  his  myllerious  Mould, 
And  turns  the  common  Dew  to  Gold. 

Thomas  Giebc>3s, 

London,   May  26,   1 750. 


T^Elighiful  Author  !  whom  the  Saints  infpire  ! 

-*-^   And  whifp'ring  Angels  with  their  Ardors  fire  \ 

From  ToiUh  like  mine,  wilt  thou  accept  of  Praife  ! 

Or  fmile  with  Candor  on  a  Stripling's  Lays  } 

My  little  Laurel  (but  a  Shoot  at  moft) 

Has  hardly  more  than  one  fmall  Wreath  to  boad. 

Such  as  it  is — (Ah  !   might  it  worthier  be  !J 

Its  fcanty  Foliage  all  is  due  to  Thee. 

Oh  !   if,  amongll:  the  Honours  of  thy  Brow, 

This  flender  Circlet  may  but  humbly  grow  : 

If  its  faint  Verdure  haply  may  find  Place — - 

A  Foil  to  others  , — Tho'  its  own  Difgrace  ; 

Accept  it,  Hervey,  from  a  Heart  fmcere, 

And  for  the  Giver's  Sake, — the  Tribute  wear. 

Thy  Soul-improving  Works  perus'd,  what  Tongue 
Can  hold  from  Praife,  or  check  th'  applaufive  Song? 
But  ah  !   from  whence  fhall  Gratitude  obtain  ^ 

Language  that  may  its  glowing  Zeal  explain  ?  S. 

How  to  fuch  wond'rous  Worth  adapt  a  Strain  ?  3 

Defcrib'd  by  Thee,  cold  Sepulchres  can  charm  j 
Stonns,  calm  the  Soul ;  and  freezing  Winter,  warm. 
Clcar'd  from  her  gloomy  Shades,  we  view  pale  Night 
Surrounded  with  a  Blaze  of  mental  Light. 
Lo  !   where  fhe  comes  !  all  filent !  penfive  !  flow  ! 
On  her  dark  Robe  unnumber'd  Meteors  glow] 
How  on  her  Head  a  flarry  Cro\A'n  fhe  wears  I 
Bright  in  her  Hand  the  Lamp  of  Reafoa  bears ! 

a  Smiling, 


XVIU 


] 


Smiling, — behold !  She  points  the  Soul  to  Heav*n, 
And  bids  the  weeping  Sinner  be  torgiv'n  ! 

But  when  thy  Fancy  fliifts  this  folemn  Scene, 
And  ruddy  Morning  gilds  the  chearful  Green  ; 
With  fudden  Joy  we  vie-v  the  Profpedl  chang'd, 
And  blufhing  Sweets  in  beauteous  Order  rang'd. 
We  fee  the  Violets  ;   fmell  the  dewy  Rofe, 
And  each  Perfume  that  from  the  Woodbine  flows  ; 
A  boundlefs  Perfpe6live  there  greets  our  Eyes  : 
Rich  Vales  defcend,  and  verdant  Mountains  rife. 
The  Shepherds  Cottages,  the  rural  Folds  : 
All,  that  thy  Art  defcribes,  the  Eye  beholds  ! 

Amazing  Limner  !  whence  this  matchlefs  Pow'r  ? 
Thy  Work's  a  Garden  ! — ev'ry  Word,  a  Flow'r  ! 
Thy  lovely  Tints  almofi:  the  Bloom  excel. 
And  none  but  Nature's  Self  can  paint  fo  well ! 

Hail,  holy  Man  ! — henceforth  thy  Work  fhall  ftand 
(Like  fome  fair  Column  by  a  Mafler-Hand, 
Which,  w^hilft  it  props,  adorns  the  tow'ring  Pile) 
At  once  to  grace,   and  elevate  our  Ifle. 
Tho'  fimple,  lofty  ;  tho'  majeftic,  plain  ; 
Whofe  bold  Defign  the  Rules  of  Art  reftrain. 
In  which  the  niceft  Eye  fees  nothing  wrong ; 
Tho'  polifti'd,  jull;  and  elegant,  tho' ftrong. 

St.  George  Molesworth, 
June  24,  1750. 


T  N  Pleafure's  Lap  the  Mufes  long  have  lain, 

-*-  And  hung,  attentive,  on  her  Si*en  Strain  : 

Still  toils  the  Bard  beneatli  fome  weak  Defign, 

And  puny  Thought  but  halts  along  the  Line : 

Or  tuneful  Nothings,  ftealing  on  the  Mind, 

Melt  into  Air,  nor  leave  a  Trace  behind. 

While  to  thy  rapt'rous  Profe,  we  feel,  belong 

The  Strength  of  Wifdom,  and  the  Voice  of  Song  : 

This  lifts  the  Torch  of  facred  Truth  on  high, 

And  points  the  Captives  to  their  native  Sky. 

How 


C     xix     ] 

How  falfe  the  Joys,  which  Earth  or  Senfe  infpires. 
That  clog  the  Soul,  and  damp  her  purer  Fires  ! 
Truths,  which  thy  folemn  Scenes,  my  Friend,  d^plare, 
Whofe  glowing  Colours  paint  us  as  we  are. 
Yet  not  morofely  ftern,  nor  idly  gay, 
Dull  Melancholy  reigns,  or  Trifles  fway  ; 
111  would  the  Strains  of  Levity  befit, 
And  fullen  Gloom  but  fadden  all  thy  Wit : 
Truth,  Judgment,  Senfe,  Imagination  join  ; 
And  ev'ry  Mufe,  and  ev'ry  Grace  is  thine. 
Religion  prompting  the  true  End  of  Man, 
Confpiring  Genius  executes  the  Plan  ; 
Strong  to  convince,  and  elegant  to  charm, 
Pkintive  to  melt,  or  paflionate  to  warm. 
Rais'd  by  Degrees,  we  elevate  our  Aim  ; 
And  grow  immortal  as  we  catch  thy  Flame ; 
True  Piety  informs  our  languid  Hearts, 
And  all  the  Vicious,  and  the  Vain,  departs. 
So,  when  foul  fpreading  Fogs  creep  flowly  on, 
Blot  the  fair  Morn,  and  hide  the  golden  Sun ; 
Ardent  he  pours  the  boundlefs  Blaze  of  Day, 
Rides  thro'  the  Sky,  and  fhines  the  Mift  away. 
O,  had  it  b^n  th'  Almighty's  gracious  Will, 
That  I  had  fliar'd  a  Portion  of  thy  Skill  ; 
Had  this  proor  Breaft  receiv'd  the  tieav'nly  Beam, 
Which  fpreads  its  Luflre  thro'  thy  various  Theme  ; 
That  fpeaks  deep  Lelfons  from  the  fdent  Toml^, 
And  crowns  thy  Garden  with  frefh-fpringing  Bloom  j 
Or,  piercing  thro'  Cr^^/Z^w's  ample  Whole, 
Now  fooths  the  Night,  or  gilds  xhejiarry  Pole  ; 
Or  marks  how  JVinter  calls  her  howling  Train, 
Her  Snows  and  Storms,  that  defolate  the  Plain  ; 
With  Thee  the  Mufe  fhould  trace  the  pleafmg  Road, 
Thatleads  from  Nature  up  to  Nature's  God  ; 
Humble  to  learn,  and,  as  fhe  knows  the  more. 
Glad  to  obey,  and  happy  to  adore. 

Peter  Whalley. 

Northampton,  25  Aug.   1 750. 

2  2  CON. 


CONTENTS 

Meditations  among  the  Tomes. 

QCCASION  cf  the  Meditations-,  Solitary  Walk  in  & 
Churchy  I  —  Handjome  Altar -pece,  2 — Gratitude  cele- 
brated, 3 — Solomon V  Temple ;  his  yioble  Sentiments  at  the 
Dedication ;  the  Taffage  illuftrated,  3 — The  Holy  Ghoft  diJo el- 
ling  in  our  Hearts;  a  rich  Privilege-,  an  Obligation  ts  Hcli- 
nejsy  5 — The  Floor  covered  with  funeral  Injcriptions,  7 — 
IViJdom  of  meditating  on  cur  latter  End,   8 — Promifcucus 
Lodgment,  and  amicable  Agreement  of  Corpfes ,fuggefi  Humi- 
lity, and  Concord,  8 — Monument  of  an  Infant-,  its  fortunate 
Circumflances  -,  fuperior  Felicity  of  Survivors,  10 — Monu- 
ment of  a  T'outh  \  Grief  of  the  Parents-,  mitigated  or  aggra- 
vated by  the  Prof  peel  of  the  inviftble  State  -,  Exhortation  to 
educate  Children  religioufly,  1 2 — Monument  of  a  young  Man ; 
cut  off  in  his  Prime  -,    how  unexpected  and  affiiCiive  the 
Stroke  -,  the  frailty  of  allfublunary  Happinefs,   1 5 — Reflec- 
tion on  the  three  preceding  Exits  ;  the  Uncertainty  of  Life ; 
Call  to  be  always  ready,  17 — This  farther  urged  from  the 
Inflance  of  a  Perfon  killed  by  a  Misfortune  ;  nothing  cafual, 
but  all  ordered  by  Providence,  1 9 — Cafe  of  a  Lady,  who  died 
in  Childbed;  her  Character :  with  regard  to  earthly  Things, 
-we  knozv  not  what  is  really  defirable,  or  truly  good  -,  Re- 
marks   on    Mrs.  StonhouseV  Monument,  in  the  great 
Church  at  Northampton,  22 — A  religious  Father  taken 
from  his  young  Family ;  his  Behaviour  on  a  dying  Bed-,  their 
Support  in  a  father lefs  State,  28  —Monument  of  aw.iddle- 
aged  Perfon  ;   immerjed  in  Bufinefs  ;  Dijappointment  of  his 
Schemes;  his  dying  Acknowledgements ;  the  Folly  ofV/orldly- 
mindednejs ;  very  Bittern efs  in  the  End,  23 — '^^^^  Graves 
of  the  Aged ;  the  Difficulties  and  Hazard  of  a  late  Repent- 
ance ;  Tcuth  intreated  to  enter  upon  a  Courje  of  Holinejs 
tsjithout  Delay,  ^S — Thefingidar  JVifdom  and  Felicity  of  the 
Righteous  3  the  Reft  of  their  Bodies  -,  the  Calmnefs  of  their 
\  Depart 


CONTENTS.  xxi 

Departure  ;  the  Safety  of  their  difeyy^h'cdied  Souls  ;  their  de- 
lightful Situation  till  the  Judgraent-day^  38 — Monument  cf 
a  IVarriory  flain  in  Battle  \  Reflexions  on  the  Death  of 
Christ,  that  it  ivas  z'cluuiary,  forefen,  undergone  for' 
Enemies  \  the  mcft  torturous^  lingering^  and  ignominious ^  43 
— The  Meannefs  of  being  obliged  to  a  Monument  for  perpe- 
tuating our  Names  ^  Author's  PJ/lflj  for  himfelf  \  true  Me- 
thod cf  eternvT^ing  cur  Characters^  46 — Ihe  Vaidt ;  its  aw- 
ful Af  peel  ;  Grandeur  in  Abafement ;  The  Vanity  of  Plea - 
furcsy  Honours^  and  Riches,  49 — The  Clockfirikes\^  a  Warn- 
ing to  redeem  the  'Time,  52 — The  ivonderful  Change  which 
takes  place  in  the  Tomb,  difplayedrinfeveral  Particulars,  ^2 
— Soliloquy  of  a  Lover  ;  Admonition  to  the  Ladies  ;  True 
Beauty  of  the  Fair  Sex,  55 — Sin  the  Caitfe  of  our  Dijfo- 
hit  ion,  58 — Subject  of  Mortality  brought  home  to  our  ozvn 
Cafe;  Incitement  to  improve  Life  ;  this  the  beft  Embalming, 
^8 — View  of  our  S  aviour"  s  Sepulchre ;  his  lying  in  the  Grave 
has  foftened  it  for  his  People  \  Faith  in  his  dying  Love  dij- 
arms  Death,  6 1 — The  Refurre5lion  of  the  Righteous  ;  their 
meeting  the  Judge ;  their  Acceptance  at  the  great  Tribunal ^ 
64 — Sicknefs,  Sin,  and  Death  deftrcyed  -,  Blifs  cr  Mifeyy 
unchangeable;  Obfervations  on  Eternity,  66 — The  Wicked; 
the  Anguijh  of  their  laft  Sickncjs,  No  Hope  but  from  the 
Religion  they  defpijed ;  that  very  precarious  ;  the  Horror  of 
their  Diffolution;  this  the  Beginning  of  Sorrows ;  their  Treat - 
ment  in  the  invifible  World;  referved  to  the  Judgment  of  the 
great  Day,  6'^  — They  rife,  though  reluctant ;  are  diftraMed 
with  Terror ;  covered  with  Contempt ;  condemned  to  endlefs 
Woe,  71 — To  be  inftrumental  injaving  our  Fellow -Creatures 
from  this  Mifery,  the  trueft  Exercife  of  Benevolence,  73 — A 
Refle5lion  on  the  vaft  hnportance  of  thefe  Truths  ;  a  Per- 
fuafive  to  a5t  under  the  believing  Confideration  of  them  ;  en- 
forced by  the  inexpreffible  Neceffity  of  preparing  for  them,  74 
— The  whole  clofes  with  a  View  of  the  prefent  Security^ 
and  future  Glory  y  cf  the  Righteous,  75. 


a  3 


Reflec- 


xxil  CONTENTS. 


Reflections  on  a  Flower-Garde-n. 


TJ/'^  L  K  in  the  Garden  \   Summer  Morning  ;  A  fearing 
Lark,  Invitation  to  early  Rifing^  80 — Vcftnejs  of  the 
Heavens y  greater  Extent  of  Divine  Mercy ^  ^i—The  Sun  -, 
its  rifing  Glories  ;  Emblem  <?/"  Christ,  in  its  enlighteningy 
fru5lifyingy  chearing,  and  extenfive  Influences ^  8  2 — Tiews  \ 
their  tranfient  Brightnefs  ;  their  refrefoing  Nature  -,  their 
irnmenfe  Number  :  difficult  Paffage  in  the  Pfahns  cleared  up^ 
89 — The  various,  but  harmonious.  Procedure  of  Providence 
and  Grace,  94  —  Vi6w  of  the  Country,  and  its  principal 
Productions;  particularly  of  an  Orchard,  and  Kitchen  Gar- 
den-, chiefly  characterized  as  ufeful,   95 — Christ  made 
and  recovered,  upholds,  and  actuates  All  -,  Addrefs  to  Man- 
kind on  this  Occaflon,  102 — Ohfervations  ccntraCled  to  the 
Garden  ;  Fields  of  Literature  left  for  the  Study  of  the  Bible, , 
116 — Fragrance  of  Flowers  ;  its  fugitive  Nature,  another 
Motive  tofiake  off  Sloth  j  the  delightful  Senfation  it  creates, 
faint  Reprefentation  of  Ci^rist's  Sacrifice  -,  all  cur  Perfor- 
mances polluted,  this  the  Caufe  of  our  Acceptance,  1 1 8 — Co- 
lours of  Flowers,  how  perfeCl  in  every  Kind ;  with  what 
Skill  difp of ed  \  Finenefs  of  the  Flowery  Texture:  Inducement 
to  truft  in  Providence,  iii  -  The  Felly  of  Pride  in  Drefs ; 
our  true  Ornaments  difplayed,  1 13 — Flowers  naturally  in- 
Jpire  Delight  -,  what  Pleafure  muft  arife  from  the  beatific 
Vifion,  115 — So\oiXiO\\  piCiures  out  the  bleffed  ]lsvs  by  the 
moft  delicate  Flowers  ;  Beauties  in  the  Creature  lead  us  to 
the  Creator,  1 1  -j—Biverfity  of  Flowers,  in  their  Airs,  Ha- 
bits, Attitudes,  and  Liyieammts  ;   Wifdo'm  of  the  Almighty 
Maker  \  the  Perfection  and  Simplicity  of  his  Operations,  1 1 8 
'—-Difference  between  Individuals  of  the  fame  Species  ;  Em- 
blem 


CONTENTS.  xxiii 

blem  of  the  f  mailer  Differences  amcng  Trcteftants^  1 22 — Re- 
gular Succeffion  of  Flcivers  ;  feme  cf  the  chcicef  Sets  de- 
fcribed',  f  leafing  Effeofs produced  by  this  Oecchcmy  ;  a  bene- 
volent Providence  apparent  in  conducing  it,  1 24 — This  beau- 
tiful Difpofition,  and  all  that  is  admirable  in  the  Qreation^ 
referred  to  Christ  as  the  Author  ;  to  corfider  the  Things 
that  are  made,  in  this  View,  has  excelle^^t  Influence  on  our 
Faith  and  Love,  1 28 — The  SiruBure  of  Flowers  fo  corre^y 
could  not  be  altered,  but  to  their  Prejudice  ;  the  Time  of  their 
appearing,  chofen  with  the  nicefl  Precaution  :  thefe  Circum^ 
Jlances,  a  flriking  Argument  for  Refignaticn  to  the  Difpofals 
of  Heaven,  132 — Rotations  from  Cafimir  and  Juvenal 
tranflated,   \yy\^c^— -A  favourite 'Tenet  of  Mr,  Volt's 
rightly  fiated,   136 — The  brute  Creatures  unaffe5led  with 
Flowers  :    Their  fine  ^alities  peculiarly  intended  to  delight 
Mankind :  All  Things  conftituted  with  a  particular  Regard 
to  our  Advantage  -,  this,  an  endearing  Obligation  to  Grati- 
tude ;  but  a  more  engaging  Motive,  is  the  Gift  of  an  im- 
mortal Soul,  136 — Remark  on  the  Notion  cf  a  great  Poety 
1 40  —  The  cultivated  Garden,  an  Image  of  a  well-nurtured 
Mind',  Addrefs  to  Perfons  concerned  in  the  Education  of 
Youth,  144 — Flowers  in  the  Bud,  figurative  of  a  Niggard  \ 
Flowers  in  full  Expanfton,  expreffive  of  a  benevolent  Bifpo- 
fition,  146 — Sun-Flower  ;  its  remarkable  Attachment  to  the 
Sun  ;  fuch  fhoidd  be  our  Adherence  to  the  Saviour,   148— 
Paffion-Flower  -,  its  Defcription  ;  with  a  religious  Improve- 
ment, 150 — Senfitive  Plant-,  fljr  inks  from  every  Touch;  fuch 
fhould  be  our  foUcitous  Care  to  avoid  Sin,   1 54 —  The  Deli- 
cacy of  Flowers  y  and  Ccarfenefs  of  their  Roots;  the  ennobling 
Change  of  our  Bodies  at  the  Refnrre^ion ;  this  fhould  recon- 
cile us  to  the  Thoughts  of  Diffolution,    156 — Paffage from 
Theocritus  ;  ^e  Perfeutions  of  Flowers  foon  decay ;    the 
Char-ms  of  Compkxicn  fcarce  more  lafting,    158  —  Inftances 
oftranfitory  Continuance  in  the  noblefi  Flowers ;  the  Honours 

a  4  of 


xxiv  CONTENTS. 

of  the  future.  State  unfading,  i6o — All  the  D-e lights  cf  the 
flowery  Seajon pafs  aivny  \  the  celejli'al  Entertainments  know 
fioEytd,  162 — Not  Flowers  only,  but  the  mofl  durable  Things 
in  Nature,  are  ferifJnng  ;  their  Felicity  ft  able,  who  have 
God  for  their  Portion,  163 — Retreat  into  an  Arbour  y 
Pra^ice  of  St.  Auguftinc,  Pattern  for  our  hnitailon,  164 
'—Coolnefs  of  this  fhady  Situation;  the  injufferable  Heat,  that 
rages  abroad  -,  cur  Safety  in  all  the  Bangers  of  Life,  and 
amidft  the  Terrors  of  eternal  Judgment,  if  fheltered  by  the 
Redeemer's  ProteElion,  and  intereftedin  his  Merits,  165 — 
The  Bees  ;  their  Ingenuity ;  their  Induftry  -,  Jet  an  Example 
for  the  Author,  167 — A  diftant  ProJpe5i  of  the  whole  Scene y 
with  its  various  Decorations,  reminds  the  Beholder  of  Hea^ 
ven ;  its  Glories  not  to  be  defer ibed,  but  moft  pajfionately  de- 
fired)  168. 


A    Descant    upon    Creation. 

J^ESIGN  of  thelFhole^-'Angels-^The  vifible  Heave): s  - 
Stars — Comets — -Planets — Sun—Mocn  —  Thunders — - 
Lightnings — Clouds, wintry  and  vernal — Rainbow  — t  terms 
and  Te^npefts — P  eft  Hen  ce^— Heat  and  Ccld — Ocean —  JVocds 
and  Shrubs  — Vine  and  Fruit-trees — Meadows  and  Fields 
— Mines  and  Jewels — Fountains  and  Rivers— Birds -^~' 
Bees — Silkworm — Cattle,  and  Creatures  in  every  Element— ^ 
General  Chorus  cf  Praife,  171— ico. 


Con- 


CONTENTS.  XXV 


Contemplations    on    the    Night, 


A  Delightful  Evening  Walk ;  the  tinmclefted  Enjoyment  of 
Jiich  Pleaftires^  owing  to  cur  late  Viulory  over  the  Re- 
bels^ 212  ^(^  216 — The  Jetting  Sun^  216 — Twilight  i  its 
UJefulneJs  \  Jerious  Confideration^  ^  1 7 — The  dewy  Coolnefs ; 
its  beneficial  Influence  on  Nature  \  Returns  of  Solitude  equally 
ujeful  to  Many  219 — Angels  our  Sfe^ators-,  GOD  ever 
'prejent  \  comfortable  Improvement  of  this  Truth -^  222 — The 
Day  ended ;.  the  Swiftnejs^  the  Shortnejs  of  Time;  the  Work 
to  be  done  while  it  lajls  \  tofquander  it  away,  the  moft  de- 
Jiru5five  Extravagance,  224 — The  profound  Silence,  229 — 
Univerfal  Cejfaticn  of  Bufinefs,  ii^—TJoe  Variations  of  Na- 
ture,   pleafing   and  advantageous,    233 — Darknejs\    the 
obliging  Manner  of  its  taking  Place  -,  wild  Beafts  of  the  De- 
Jar  t,  and  Savages  in  human  Shape,  make  UJe  of  this  Oppor- 
tunity, 235 — Darknefs  renders  the  leaft  Spark  vijible\  yet 
Jiealsfrom  our  Sight  all  the  lovely  Diftin^ions  of  Things,  23  8 
— Sleep  \  its  ch  earing  Nature-,  the  Gift  of  Heaven-,  fine  Pre- 
paratives for  its  Approach  ;  the  Kindnejs  of  Providence  in 
guarding  our  Slumbers,  241 — Dreams ;  their  unaccountable 
Oddnejs  ;  many  Peoples  waking  Thoughts,  no  lejs  chimerical 
243 — Avery  Jingular,  and  very  happy  Circumftance,  attend- 
ing Sleep  and  Dreams,  ia^'I  —  Ghofts ;  our  unreajonable  Timor - 
oujnejs  on  thisOccaJton-,  the  true  Ohje^  of  Fear-,  the  Reality 
andDefign  of  Apparitions,  deduced  from  a  Parage  in  Job, 
249 — The  Owl;  its  gloomy  Dijpojition  \  unholy  Perjons  in- 
capable ofrclifhing  the  Delights  of  Heaven,  254 — Owljcr  earn- 
ing, Juppojed  to  be  a  Token  of  Death-,  the  many  realPreJages 
of  this  great  Change  -,  due  Preparations  pointed  cut,  and 

prejfed. 


XXVI  CONTENTS. 

prejfed^  2^6 — The  Nightingale -,  her  charming  Song;  enter- 
tains the  Lovers  of  Retirement ;  hovj  to  have  ajweefer  Me- 
lody in  our  own  Breafts,  259 — The  very  different  Circum- 
fiances  of  Mankindy  particularly  the  Gay,  and  the  Jfflicfed  -, 
Addrefs  to  the  Devotees  of  Mirth  andSenJuaUty^  260 — The 
Glow -w  or  m^  and  Ignis  fat  uus  ;  the  Pleafures  of  the  JVcrld, 
and  Powers  of  unenlightened  Reafon,  16  2 — A  Comet ;  ima- 
gined to  he  the  Forerunner  of  Judgments ;  IJcentioufnefs 
abounding  in  a  Nation^  a  much  'more  formidable  Onien ;  the 
Diftemper  among  the  Cattle y  265 — Northern  Lights;  the 
Panic  they  occafion-,  the  general  Conflagration^  26  S — The 
Moon  rifing ;  brightens  as  froe  advances  \  Juch  fhould  be  our 
moral  Conduoly  271 — Moon  opens  a  majeflic  Scene;  how 
worthy  our  Admiration^  272 — Moon^  a  moji ferviceable  Ap- 
pendage to  our  Globe y  273 — Moon^  fhines  with  derivative 
Light;  Chriftians  receive  their  All  from  their  Saviour  ^  275 
'—Moon  always  varying ;  the  things  of  this  World  liable  to 
perpetual  Viciffitudes  ;  our  own  Righteoufnejs  unequal  and 
hnperfe5fy  our  Redeemefs  complete^  and  always  the  fame, 
277 — Moon  under  an  Eclipje ;  gazed  at  by  Multitudes;  the 
Faults  of  eminent  Perjons  Jeldom  efcape  Obfervationy  281 — 
Moon  refle5led  by  the  Ocean ;  the  Virtues  of  Perjons y,  in 
diftinguijhed  Stations y  influential  on  others^,  282 — Moon  ac- 
tuates the  Sea ;  the  everlafting  Joys  of  Heaven  attratl  and 
refine  the  Affections y  2813 — P^^^y^fi  a  reajcnable  Service; 
Praijey  a  delightful  Buty  ;  with  devout  Recclle5ficns  proper 
for  the  Nighty  284. 


Con- 


CONTENTS.  xxvii 


Contemplations  on  the. Starry  Heavens. 


TV"ALK  on  the  Summit  of  a  Hill. — The  advancing  Night 
withdraws  the  rural  ProfpeSl ;  opens  the  Beauties  of 
the  Sky^  293 — Fragrance  of  the  blooming  Beans y  294 — The 
Heavens,  a  noble  Field  for  the  Difplay  of  the  Divine  Perfec^ 
^ionsy  1^^ —Folly  of  Judicial  Afirology  ;  right  life  of  con- 
templating the  Stars,  296  —A  Sketch  of  the  mofl  remarkable 
Difcoveries  of  our  modern  Aflronomy,  298  — Religion ,  andne- 
cejfary  Bufinejs ;  Religion  and  innocent  Pleafure-,  as  confijlenty 
as  the  amiual  and  diurnal  Motions  of  the  Earth,  299 — The 
Sun,  its  enormous  Size,  301 — Stars,  the  Centers  ofSyflems*, 
their  inconceivableDiJiance,202-^Other  Skies furnijhed  with 
ether  Stars,  303 — The  Greatnefs  of  the  Creator,  303 — The 
preceding  Objervations  inculcate  Humility,  304 — Shew  the 
Littlenefs  of  terreflrial  Things,  305  — The  jiupendous  Con- 
defcenficn  of  GOD,  in  his  gracious  Regards  to  the  Children  of 
Men,  306 — The  prodigious  Heinoujnefs  of  human  Guilt,  309 
— The  Richnefs  of  CHRIST s  Atonement,  and  its  complete 
Sufficiency  for  the  mofl  deplorable  Cafes  of  Sin  andMifery,^  1 2 
—  The  Power  of  GOD  manifefled  in  the  Starry  Heavens  ; 
this  the  Chrifiian's  confl ant  Safeguard,  andfureReJource,  315 
— The  miferable  Condition  of  the  Ungodly,  who  have  Omni- 
potence  for  their  Enemy,  319 — The  unwearied  Patience  of 
this  all-mighty  Belyig,  321 — TheWiJdom  of  GOD,  difplay  ed 
in  the  Skies ;  Submiffion  to  his  Difpenfations,  even  when  they 
Jeem  mofi  frowning  and Jevere ;  all  fpring  from  Love,  and 
will  terminate  in  Good,  3  22 — The  Goodnejs  of  GOD,  diffujed 
through  the  vaji  Syftem  of  created  Things  j  but  far  7nore  il- 
luftrioufly  exemplified  in  theJVork  of  Redemption ;  the  former 
View  gives  a  mofl  amiable,  the  latter  a  perfe^ly  ravifhing. 
Idea  of  the  Divine  Beneficence,  325 — The  Purity  of  GOD, 
^  faintly 


xxviii  CONTENTS. 

faintly  reprefented  by  the  tin/potted  Firmament ;  the  Defile- 
ment offinful  Man^  the  immaculate  Excellence  of  his  Surety, 
222 — The  umneafurahle  Dimenfions  of  the  Sky  ;  the  greater 
Extent  of  the  Divine  Bounty  and  Mercy  ;  the  lafl  ofthefe  Suh- 
jeEls,  being fo  peculiarly  comfort  able  to  Sinners  ^  confideredfojne- 
what  copioufly,  338 — Whatfuflains  the  Arch  of  Heaven,  and 
Jupports  the  Globe  sit  contains-,  the  fame  invifible  Hand  upholds 
the  Chrijiian  in  his^Courfe,  344 — The  Faithfulncfs  of  GOD 
pourtrayed,  in  the  Stability  of  the  heavenly  Bodies,  and  Per- 
petuity of  their  Motions  j  the  Unreafonahlenefs  of  our  Unbelief-, 
Motives  to  an  affured Faith,  348, — Various  Attributes  of  the 
Divine  Nature  appear,  with  a  glimmering  Light,  in  the  celeftial 
hiiminaries ',  all fljine forth, with  theftillefEuftrein  CHRIST 
JESUS,  2  S^' — The  Dignity  of  Prayer,  and  Happinefs  of  ha- 
ving GOD  for  cur  Portion,  2  SI — The  horrible  higratitudc,  '^ 
end  definitive  Perverfenefs,  of  living  without  GQD  in  the 
World,  2S9  — ^^^  ^^^  rolling  JVorlds  on  high,puntlually  obe- 
dient to  their  Maker's  Orders ;  are  a  Pattern,  in  thisRefpe&, 
and  a  Provocative  to  the  rational  Creation,  ^62  —  The  gradual 
Appearance  of  Stars;  and  progreffive  State  of  a  trueConver- 
fion,  2^^  —The  Multitude  of  Stars-,  efpe  daily  in  t  he  Galaxy  ^ 
the  more  attentively  furveyed,  the  greater  Number  difcovered -, 
this  applied  to  the  imfearchable  Treafures  cf  JVifdom  in  the 
Scriptures,  of  Merit  in  CHRIST,  ofBlifs  in  Heaven,  367 — 
The  celeftial  Bodies  difpcfed  infuch  a  Manner,  as  to  be  delight- 
ful andferviceable  to  Man  ;  adorn  his  Abode,  and  meafure 
his  Time;  afilent  Admonition  this,  to  improve  the  Talent, 
370 — Bright nefs  of  the  Stars ;  Encouragement  to  Fidelity  in 
the  Minifterial  Office,  21^— Polar  Star  j  its  invariable  Si- 
tuation -y  Guide  to  the  ancient  Mariners  ;  fuch  the  Word  of 
GOD  to  our  Souls ;  Perfuafive  to  follow  its  unerring  Dic- 
tates, 213 — Variety  in  the  Magnitude,  and  Splendor  cf  the 
Stars  -y  different  Degrees  in  the  World  of  Glory ;  yet  all  the 
Bleffed  completely  happy,  375— Pr/?y6'^/r?«  and  Attraction , 

the 


C  O  N  T  E  N  T  S.  xxix 

the  grand  Principles  that  aciuafe  the  Planetary  Syjlem;  Faitb 
and  Love  hear  much  the  fame  Proportion^  in  the  0  economy  of 
Chrijlianity  ^  21  ^ — The  admirable  Effect s^  and extenfive  Influ- 
ences, cfAttra5iion  i  the  Agency  of  the  HOLT  GHOST  en  ths 
human  Mind ^21'^ — ^'^^-ft  Gradation  in  the  Scale  of  Beings ;  all 
are  Ohje^s  of  the  Divine  Care^  and  full  of  the  Divine  Pre- 
fence,  382 — The Jur faff ng  Worth  of  an  immortal  Soul  -,  a 
Solicitude  for  its  final  V/elfare  urged,  387 — An  unthinking 
Vie-vj  of  the  Skies  is  affe^ing  -,  fnuch  more  a  rational  and  de- 
vout one,  3  8  9  —  The  Scantinejs  of  our  Knowledge,  with  Re- 
gard to  the  celeftial  Bodies ;  after  all  our  Search  they  areOb- 
jeEfs  of  Admiration,  rather  than  cf  Science  \  Exhortation  tojuch 
Purjuits,  as  are  of  eajy  Attainment,  and  will  he  of  everlafl- 
ing  Advantage,  2<^o — Short  Recaptulaticn  of  the  Whole-, 
end  an  Hymn  of  Praije,fuited  to  the  Occafion,  392. 

N.  B.    It  may  feem  unaccountable  to  an  unlearned 

Reader,  that  Aftronomers  lliould  fpeak  fuch  amazing 
Things  ;  and  fpeak  them  with  fuch  an  Air  oi AJfurance\ 
concerning  the  Diftances  and  Magnitudes;  the  Motions 
and  Relations,  of  the  heavenly  Bodies.  I  would  defire 
fuch  a  Perfon  to  confider  x}cit  Cafe  of  Eclipses,  and  with 
what  ExaSneJs  they  are  calculated.  They  are  not  only 
foretold,  but  the  very  Inftant  of  tlieir  Beginning  h  deter- 
mined. The  precifc  Time  of  their  Continuance  is  afTigned; 
a/Tigned,  almoil  to  the  Nicety  oi  d.  MomcHt;  and  what  is 
ftill  more  farprifmg,  for  the  Space  of  Hundreds  or  Thcti" 
fands  of  Years  to  come. — As  this  is  a  Matter  of  Fa^,  ab- 
folutely  indifputable ;  it  is  alfo  a  very  obvious,  -^tt  foiid 
Demonfcration,  that  the  Prmciples  of  Science,  on  which 
thofe. Calculations  proceed,  are  not  mere  Conjedure,  or 
precarious  Suppofidon;  but  have  a  real,  a  certain  Forni"^ 
dation,  in  the  Nature  and  Conftitution  of  Things. 


A  Win-- 


XXX  CONTENTS. 


A     Winter-piece. 


'J Ntrodu5fion — Shortnefs  of  the  Winter^ s  Day — Incejfant 
Rain,  producing  a  Flood — Tempejt ;  its  Effe^fs ;  at  Land, 
hy  Sea — Pitchy  Darknefsi  riding  in  it — Thick  Rhime — 
Keen  Froji,  and  Serenity  of  Weather — Severe  Cold,  and 
piercing  Winds — Beep  Snow — General  Thaw — Evergreens 
— Storm  of  Hail — Rainbow,  395 — 402. 


MEDI- 


MEDITATIONS 


AMONG     THE 


M         B 


Every  Stone  that  we  look  upon,  in  this  Repofitory  of  paji 
Ages,  is  both  an  Entertainment,  and  a  Monitore 

Plain-Dealer,  Vol  I.  N*'42. 


MEDITATIONS 


AMONG      THE 


In     a     letter     to     a     LADY, 


Madam, 

TRAVELLING  htdy  into  Cornwall,  I  happened 
to  alight  at  a  confiderable  Village,  in  that  County  : 
Where,  finding  myfelf  under  an  unexpedled  Neceflity 
of  flaying  a  little,  I  took  a  Walk  to  the  Church  *.  The 
Doors,  like  the  Heaven  to  which  they  lead,  were  wide 
open ;  and  readily  admitted  an  unworthy  Stranger. 
Pleafed  with  the  Opportunity,  I  refolved  to  fpend  a  few 
Minutes  under  the  lacred  Roof. 

*  I  had  named.  In  fome  former  Editions,  a  particular  Church,  <vix. 
KiLKH  A.MPTON  ;  where  feveral  of  the  Monuments,  defcribed  in  the 
following  Pages,  really  exift.  But  as  I  thought  it  convenient,  to 
mention  fome  Cafes  /jere,  which  are  not,  according  to  the  beft  of  my 
Remembrance,  referred  to  in  any  Infcriptions  there ;  I  have  now 
omitted  the  Name.  That  Imagination  might  operate  more  freely,  and 
the  Improvement  of  the  Reader  be  confulted,  without  any  Thing  that 
ihould  look  like  a  Variation  from  Truth  and  Faft, 

B  In 


%  M  £  D  I  t  A  T  I  O  N  5 

In  a  Situation  fo  retired  and  awful,  I  could  not  avoic! 
falling  into  a  Train  of  Meditations^y^T/^^/zj'  and  77iournfidlf 
pleafing.  Which,  I  trufl,  w^e  in  fome  Degree  profit- 
able to  ;;^^,  while  they  polTe  fled  and  warmed  my  Thoughts; 
^nd,  if  they  may  adminiller  any  Satisfa6lion  to  you ^  Ma- 
dam, now  they  are  recolledled,  and  committed  to  Writ- 
ing, I  fhall  receive  a  frefh  Pleafure  from  them. 

It  was  an  ancient  Pile  \  reared  by  Hands,  that,  Ages 
ago,  were  mouldered  into  Duft. — Situate  in  the  Centre 
of  a  large  Burial-Ground  -,  remote  from  all  the  Noife  and 
Hurry  of  tumultuous  Life. — The  Body  fpacious ;  the 
Stru6lure  lofty;  the  Whole  magnificently  plain.  A  Row 
of  regular  Pillars  extended  themfelves  through  the 
Midil ',  fupporting  the  Roof  with  Simplicity,  and  with 
Dignity. — The  Light,  that  pafl^ed  through  the  Win- 
dows, feemed  to  ihed  a  Kind  of  luminous  Objcunty ; 
which  gave  every  Obje6l;  a  grave  and  venerable  Air— 
The  deep  Silence,  added  to  the  gloomy  Aipedl,  and 
both  heightened  by  the  Lonelinefs  of  the  Place,  greatly 
increafed  the  Solemnity  of  the  Scene. — A  Sort  of  religi- 
ous Bread  ftole  infenfibly  on  my  Mind^  ^  while  I  ad-^ 
vanced,  all  penfive  and  thoughtful,  along  the  inmof!: 
Aifle.  Such  a  Dread,  as  liuflied  every  ruder  PalHon, 
and  diflipated  all  the  gay  Images  of  an  alluring  World. 

Having  adored  that  Eternal  Majelty,  who,  far  from 
being,  confined  to  Temples  made  with  Hands,  has  Hea- 
ven for  his  Throne^  and  the  Eardi  for  his  Footftool-— I 
took  particular  Notice  of  a  haiidfome  Alter-piece  ;  pre- 
fented,.  as  I  was  afterwards  informed,  by  the  Mafler- 
Builders  of  Stow  *  ;  out  of  Gratitude,  I  prefume,  to 
that  gracious  God,    who  carried  them  tlirough  their 

Work,. 

,  =*  The  Name  &f  a  grand  Seat,  belonging  to  the  late  EartofBatlr .» 
remarkable  formerly  for  its  excellent  Workmanfliip,  and  elegant  Furni- 
ture ;  once  the  principal  Refort  of  the  Quality  and  Gentry  &f  the  Weft  ;- 


AMONG    THE    tOM:&S.  ^ 

Work,  and  enabled  them  to  *^  bring  forth  their  Top- 
"  flone  widi  Joy." 

O  !  HOW 'amiable  is  Gratitude!  efpecially  wheii  it  has 
the  fupreme  Benefactor  for  it's  Objedl.  I  have  always 
looked  upon  Gratitude,  as  the  moft  exalted  Principle 
that  can  adluate  the  Heart  of  Man.  It  has  fomething 
noble,  difmterefled,  and  (if  I  may  be  allowed  the  Term) 
generoufly  devout.  Repentance  indicates  our  Nature 
fallen,  and  Prayer  turns  chiefly  upon  a  Regard  to  one's 
felf.  But  the  Exercifes  of  Gratitude  fubfifled  in  Paradife, 
when  there  was  no  Fault  to  deplore  ;  and  will  be  perpe- 
tuated in  Heaven,  when  "  God  fhall  be  Ail  in  all." 

The  Language  of  this  fweet  Temper  is,  "  I  am  un- 
fpeakably  obliged  :  What  Return  fhall  I  make  ?" — And, 
furely,  it  is  no  im.proper  Exprefllon  of  an  unfeigned 
Thankfulnefs,  to  decorate  our  Creator's  Courts,  and  beau- 
tify "  the  Place  where  his  Honour  dwelleth."  Of  old, 
the  Habitation  of  his  Feet  was  glorious  :  let  it  not,  now, 
be  fordid  or  contemptible.  It  mull  grieve  an  ingenu- 
ous Mind,  and  be  a  Reproach  to  any  People,  to  have 
their  own  Houfes  wainfcotted  with  Cedar,  and  painted 
with  Vermilion;  while  the  Temple  of  the  Lord  of  Hofts 
is  deftitute  of  every  decent  Ornament. 

Here  I  recolledled,  and  v/as  charmed  with,  Sclo- 
mon's,  fine  Addrefs  to  the  Almiglity,  at  the  Dedication  of 
his  famous  Temple.  With  immenfe  Charge,  and  ex-  \ 
quifite  Skill,  he  had  ereded  the  moft  rich  and  finifhed 
Stru6lure,  that  the  Sun  ever  faw.  Yet,  upon  a  Review 
of  his  Work,  and  a  Refiediion  on  the  tranicendent  Per- 
fections of  the  Godhead,  how  he  exalts  the  one,  and 
abafes  the  odier  ! — The  Building  v/as  too  glorious,  for 

hut  now  demolilhed,  kid  even  with  the  Ground,  and  fcnrcc  one  Stone 
left  upon  anothet-.— So  that  Corn  may  grow,  or  Nettles  fpring,  wheref 
Stow  lately  flood. 

B  2  the 


4  MEDITATIONS 

the  mightieft  Monarch  to  inhabit ;  too  /acred,  for  un- 
hallowed Feet  even  to  enter ;  yet  infinitely  too  mean,  for 
the  Deity  to  refide  in.  It  was,  and  the  Royal  Worfhip- 
per  acknowledged  it  to  be,  a  mofl  marvellous  Vouch- 
fafement  in  uncreated  Excellency,  to  "  put  his  Name 
*'^  there."  The  whole  PafTage  breathes  fuch  a  Delicacy, 
and  is  animated  with  luch  a  Sublimity  of  Sentiment, 
that  I  cannot  perfuade  myfelf  to  pafs  on  without  re- 
peating it.  *  But  will  G  OD  indeed  dwell  on  Earth  ?  Be- 
hold !  The  Heaven,  and  Heaven  of  Heavens,  cannot  contain 
thee  I  how  much  lejs  this  Hcuje  that  I  have  huilded  ! — In- 
comparable Saying  !  Worthy  the  wifeft  of  Men.  Who 
would  not  choofe  to  poiTefs  fuch  an  elevated  Devotion, 
rather  than  to  own  all  the  glittering  Materials  of  that 
fumptuous  Edifice  ? 

*  I  Kings  v'm.  27.  Bui  nvill — A  fine  abrupt  Beginning,  moft  fig- 
nificantly  dcfcribing  the  Amazement  and  Rapture  of  the  Royal  Pro- 
phet's Mind  ! — GOD:  He  ulcs  no  Epithet,  where  Writers  of  inferior 
Difcernment  would  have  been  fond  to  ;;::.iltlply  them  :  But  fpeaks  of 
the  Deity  as  an  incomprehenfible  Be;|r ,  vvhofe  Perfeftions  and  Glories 
are  exalted  above  all  Praife. — D^vell :  To  beftow  on  finful  Creatures 
a  propitious  Look ;  to  favour  them  with  a  tranfient  Vifit  of  Kindnefs ; 
even  this  were  an  'itterable  Obligation.  Will  he  then  vouchfafe  to 
Ex  his  Abode  among  them,  and  take  up  his  Hated  Refidence  with 
them  ? — Indeed  !  A  Word,  in  this  Connexion,  peculiarly  emphatical; 
expreffive  of  a  Condefcenfion,  wonderful  and  extraordinary  almoft  be- 
yond all  Credibility.  Behold:  Intimating  the  continued,  or  rather  the 
increafmg  Surprife  of  the  Speaker,  and  awakening  the  Attention  of 
the  Hearer.  Behold!  the  Heaven  :  The  fpacious  Concave  of  the  Fir- 
mament ;  that  wide-extended  Azure  Circumference,  in  which  Worlds 
unnumbered  perform  their  Revolutions,  is  too  fcanty  an  Apartment 
for  the  Godhead. — Nay,  TheHea<ven  of  Heavens  :  Thofe  vaflly  higher 
Trafts,  which  lie  far  beyond  the  Limits  of  human  Survey ;  to 
which  our  very  Thoughts  can  hardly  foar ;  even  Thefe  (unbounded 
as  they  are)  cannot  afford  an  adequate  Habitation  for  Jehovah  : 
even  thefe  dwindle  into  a  Point,  when  compared  with  the  Infinitude 
of  his  Efience ;  even  Thefe  "  are  as  nothiag  before  him." — Ho^ 
much  lefs  proportionate  is  this  poor  diminutive  Speck  (which  I  have 
been  ereding  and  erabellifhing)  to  fo  augull,a  Prefence,  fo  immenfe  a 
Majelly ! 

We 


AM0NGTHET0MB8.  j 

We  are  apt  to  be  fbruck  with  Admiration,  at  the 
Statehnefs  and  Grandeur  of  a  mailerly  Performance  in 
Archite6lure.  And,  perhaps,  on  a  Sight  of  the  ancient 
San(5li!ar)%  flioukl  have  made  i\\t  fuperficial  Obfcrvation 
of  the  Difciples,  "  What  Manner  of  Stones,  and  what 
*^  Buildings  are  herei" — But  what  a  nobler  Turn  of 
Thought,  and  juj^er  Talle  of  Things,  does  it  difcover ; 
to  join  with  IJraers,  King,  in  celebrating  the  Condefcen- 
fion  of  the  divine  Inhabitant !  That  the  High  and  Lofty 
One,  who  fills  Immenfity  with  his  Glory,  fhould,  in  a 
peculiar  Manner,  fix  his  Abode  there  !  Should  there 
manifeft  an  extraordinary  Degree  of  his  benedidive  Pre- 
fence  -,  permit  fmful  Mortals  to  approach  his  Majelly ; 
and  promife  "  to .  make  them  joyful  in  his  Houie  of 
Prayer  !" — This  fhould  more  fenfibly  affed:  our  Hearts, 
than  the  moft  curious  Arrangement  of  Stones  can  de^ 
light  our  pyes. 

Nay,  the  everlafting  God  does  not  difdain  to  dwell 
in  our  Souls  by  his  Holy  Spirit ;  and  to  make  even  our 
Bodies  his  Temple. — Tell  ijie,  ye  that  frame  critical 
Judgments,  and  balance  nicely  the  Diflindlion  of 
Things  ;  '^  Is  this  moft  aftonifhing,  or  moft  rejoicing  ?*' 
—He  humbleth  himfelf,  the  Scripture  afTures  us,  even 
to  behold  the  Things  that  are  in  Heaven  *.  'Tis  a 
moft  condefcending  Favour,  if  HE  pleafes  to  take  the 
leaft  approving  Nodce  of  Angels  and  Arch-angels,  when 
they  bow  down  in  Homage  from  their  celeftial  Thrones. 
Will  He  then  gracioufly  regard,  will  He  be  united,  moft 
iniimately  united  to  poor,  polluted,  breathing  Duft  ? — ? 
Unparallel'd  Honour  !  Invaluable  Privilege  !  Be  this 
my  Portion,  and  I  fliall  not  covet  Crowns,  nor  envy 
Conquerors. 

*  Pfal.cxiii.  6, 

B  J  In? 


^  MEDITATIONS 

But  let  me  remember,  what  a  San^ity  of  Difpofition, 
and  Uprightnefs  of  Converfation,  fo  exalted  a  Relation 
demands :  Remember  this,  "  and  rejoice  with  trem- 
bling."— Durfl:  I  commit  any  Iniquity,  while  I  tread 
thefe  hallowed  Courts  ?  Could  the  JewiJJj  High-Prieft: 
allow  Himfelf  in  any  known  Tranfgreffion,  while  he 
made  that  folemn  yearly  Entrance  *  into  the  Holy  of 
Holies,  and  ilood  before  the  imm^ediate  prefence  of 
JEHOVAH?  No,  truly.  In  Juch  Circumftances,  a 
thinkino;  Perfon  mull  ihudder  at  the  moft  remote  Soli- 
citation,  to  any  wilful  Offence.  I  fhould  now  be  fhock- 
ed  at  the  leafl  Indecency  of  Behaviour,  and  am  appre- 
hehfive  of  every  Appearance  of  Evil. — And  why  do  we 
not  carry  this  holy  Jealoufy,  into  all  our  ordinary  Life  ? 
Why  do  we  not,  in  ^very  Place  j-,  reverence  ourfelves; 
as  Pcrfons  dedicated  to  the  Divinity,  as  living  Temples  of 
the  Godhead  ?  For,  if  v/e  are  real,  and  not  merely 
nominal  Chriftians,  the  God  of  Glory,  according  to  his 
own  Promife,  J  dzpells  in  us,  and  walks  in  us, — -O  !  that 
this  one  Do6trine  of  our  Religion  might  operate,  with  an 
abiding  Efficacy,  upon  our  Confciences !  It  would  be 
inftead  of  a  thoujand  Laws,  to  regulate  our  Condud ; 
inflead  of  2,  thoujand  Motives  to  quicken  us  in  Holinefs. 
ynder  the  Influence  oi Juch  a  Convi6lion,  we  fhould 
iftudy  to  maintain  a  Purity  of  Intention  ^  a  Dignity  of 
Adion ;  and  to  walk  worthy  of  that  tranfcendently  ma- 

*  Heb.  ix.  7. 

''a:ot.v\m  \  ^cth^r  a^.a-yyvio  a  av%Vy  was  the  favourite 


Maxim  o£  Pythagoras,  and  fuppofed  to  be  one  of  the  beft  moral  Pre- 
cepts, ever  given  to  the  heathen  World.  With  what  fuperior  Force, 
and  very  flngular  Advantage,  does  the  Argument  take  Place  in  the 
ehriftian  Scheme  ?  Where  we  are  taught  to  regard  ourfelves,  not 
merely  as  intelledual  Beings,  who  h^ve  Rcafon  for  our  Monitor;  but  as 
confecrated Creatures ,  who  have  a  God  of  the  moft  confummate  Perfec- 
tion, ever  ^-xiih  us,  ever  in  us. 

X  z  Cor.  vi.  16, 

jeftic 


AMONG    THE    fO  MBS.  7 

leftlc  Being,  wlio  admits  us  to  a  Fellowlliip  with  Ilim^ 
fclf,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ. 

The  next  Thing,  which  engaged  my  Attention,  was 
the  Lettered  Floor,  The  Pavement,  fomewhat  lik^ 
Ezekiel's  Roll,  was  written  over  from  one  End  to  the 
otlier.  I  ibon  perceived  the  Compariibn  to  hold  good, 
in  another  Relpedl ;  and  the  Infcriptlons  to  be  Matter 
oi  Mourning,  Lamentation,  zridPFoe"^.*'  They  feemed 
to  court  my  Obfervation  ;  filently  inviting  me  to  read 
them.  And  what  would  thefe  dumb  Monitors  inform 
me  of? — ''  That  beneath  their  little  Circumferences, 
^'  were  depofited  fuch  and  fuch  Pieces  of  Clay,  which 
^^  once  livedy  and  moved,  and  talked:  That  they  had 
*^  received  a  Charge  to  preferve  their  Names,  and  were 
^^  the  remaining  Truftees  of  their  Memory." 

Ah  1  fajd  I,  Is  fuch  my  Situation  !  The  adorabk 
Creator  around  me,  and  the  Bones  of  my  Fellow- 
Creatures  under  me  !  Surely,  then,  I  have  great  Rea- 
fon  to  cry  out,  with  die  revering  Patriarch,  How  dreads 
ful  is  this  place  ■\  I  Serioufnefs  and  Devodon  become  diis 
Houfe  for  ever.  May  I  never  enter  it  lightly  or  irreve- 
rently ;  but  with  a  profound  Awe„  and  godly  Fear  [ 

O  .'  that  they  were  "jcije  \  I  faid  the  infpired  Penman^ 
It  was  his  laft  Willi  for  his  dear  People.  He  breathed 
it  out,  and  gave  up  the  Ghoft. — But  what  is  Wifdom  \ 
It  confifts  not  in  refined  Speculations;  accurate  Re- 
fearches  into  Nature  ;  or  an  univerfal  Acquaintance  with 
Hiftory.  The  divine  Lawgiver  fettles  this  im^^ortant 
Point  in  his  next  Afpiration  :  O  !■  that  they  underftood 
this  !  That  diey  had  right  Apprehenfions  of  their  fpiri- 
tual  Interefts,  and  eternal  Conceims  !•  That  they  had 
Eyes  to  difcern,  and  Inclijiations  to  purfue^  the  Thyigs 
which  belong  to  their  Peace  ! — But  how  fnall  they  at- 

*  Ezek.  ii.  io»         f  Gen.  xxviii.  17.         t  Deut».xxxii-  29. 

B  4.  ^m 


«  MEDITATIONS 

tain  this  valuable  Knowledge  ?  I  fend  them  not,  adds 
the  illuftrious  Teacher,  to  turn  over  all  the  Volumes  of 
Literature :  They  may  acquire,  and  much  more  expe- 
ditioufly,  this  Science  of  Life,  hy  conftdering  their  latter 
End,  This  Spark  of  Heaven  is  often  loft  under  the 
Glitter  of  pompous  Erudition;  but  fhines  clearly,  in 
the  gloomy  Manfions  of  the  Tomb.  Drowned  is  this 
gentle  Whifper,  amidft  the  Noife  of  fecular  Affairs  ;  but 
Ipeaks  diflindtly,  in  the  Retirements  of  ferious  Contem- 
plation.— Behold  !  how  providentally  I  am  brought  to 
the  School  of  Wifdom  1  *  The  Grave,  is  the  moft  faith- 
ful I  Mafter  ;  and  thefe  Inftances  of  MortaHty,  the  moft 
inftrudlive  LefTons. — Come  then,  calm  Attention,  and 
compofe  my  Thoughts  ;  Come,  thou  celeftial  Sprit,  and 
enlighten  my  Mind  \  that  I  may  fo  perufe  thefe  awful 
Pages,  as  to  become  "  wife  unto  Salvation." 

Examining  the  Records  of  Mortality,  I  found  the 
Memorials  of  a  J  promijcuous  Multitude.  They  were 
huddled,  at  leaft  they  refted  together,  without  any  Re- 
gard to  Rank  or  Seniority.  None  were  ambitious  of  the 
uppermoft  Rooms,  or  chief  Seats,  in  this  Houfe  of 
Mourning ;  none  entertained  fond  and  eager  Expec- 
tations of  being  honourably  greeted,  in  their  dark- 
fome  Cells.  The  Man  of  Years  and  Experience,  re- 
puted as  an  Oracle  in  his  Generation,  was  content  to  lie 
down  at  the  Feet  of  a  Babe.  In  this  Houfe,  appointed 
for  all  Living,  the  Servant  was  equally  accommodated^ 

*  The  Man  how  wife,  who  fick  of  gaudy  Scenes, 
Is  led  by  Choice  to  take  his  fav'rite  Walk 
Beneath  Death's  gloomy,  filent,  Cyprefs  Shades, 

-  UnpiercM  by  Vanity's  fantaftic  Ray? 
To  read  his  Monuments,  to  weigh  his  Dull, 
Vifit  his  Vaults,  and  dwell  among  the  Tombs  \ 

Ni^ht  Thoughts, 

f  Wait  the  great  Teacher  Death.  Po?e. 

%  Mifta  Senum  ac  Jwvenum  denfantur  Funera.  HoR. 

6  and 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  ^ 

and  lodged  in  the  fame  Story,  with  his  Mafter.  The 
poor  Indigent  lay  as  foftly,  and  flept  as  foundly^,  as  the 
moft  opulent  Pojfejfor.  All  the  Diftinclion  that  fubfifled, 
was  a  grafTy  Hillock,  bound  with  Qfiers  j  or  a  fepulchral 
Stone,  ornamented  with  Imagery. 

Why  then,  faid  my  working  Thou^ts,  O  \  why 
fhould  we  raife  fuch  a  mighty  Sdr,  about  Superiority  and 
Precedence ;  when  the  next  Remove,  will  reduce  us  all 
to  a  State  of  equal  Meannefs  ?  Why  fhould  we  exalt 
ourfelyes,  or  debafe  others  ?  fince  we  muft  all,  one  Day, 
be  upon  a  common  Level,  and  blended  together  in  the 
fame  undiftinguifhed  Duft  ?  O  !  diat  this  Confideratioa 
might  humble  my  own,  and  others  Pride  ;  and  fink  our 
Imaginations  as  low,  as  our  Habitation  will  fhortly  be  ! 

Among  thefe  confufed  Relics  of  Humanity,  there  are, 
without  Doubt,  Perfons  of  contrary  Interefts,  and  con^ 
tradtciing  Sentiments.  But  Death,  like  fome  able  Days- 
man, has  laid  his  Hand  on  the  contending  Parties  3  and 
brought  all  their  Differences  to  an  *  amicable  Conclu- 
fion.  Here  Enemies,  fworn  Enemies,  dwell  together 
in  Unity.  They  drop  every  imbittered  Thought,  and 
forget  that  they  once  were  Foes.  Perhaps,  their  cmmb- 
ling  Bones  w/>,  zs  thty  moulder :  And  thofe  who,  while 
they  lived,  flood  aloof  in  irreconcileable  Variance;  here 
fall  into  mutual  Embraces,  and  even  incorporate  with 
each  other  in  the  Grave. — O !  that  we  might  learn  from 
thefe  friendly  Afhes,  not  to  perpetuate  the  Memory  of 
Injuries  -,  not  to  foment  the  Fever  of  Rejentment  3  nor 
cheriih  the  Turbulence  of  Paffion.  That  there  may  be 
as  little  Animofity  and  Difagreement  in  the  Land  of  the 
Living,  as  there  is  in  the  Congregation  of  the  Dead  !— 

*  Hi  Motus  Animoriim,  atque  hac  Certamina  tanta, 

Ful'veris  etcigui  Jadu  corner ejfa  quiffcent.  Virg. 

But 


lo 


MEDITATIONS 


But  I  fufpend  for  a  while  fuch  general  Obfervations,  and 
addrefs  myfelf  to  a  more  particular  Inquiry. 

YoNpiR  white  Stone,  Emblem  of  die  Innocence  it 
covers,  informs  the  Beholder  of  One,  who  breathed  out 
its  tender  Soul,  almoft  in  the  Inftanc  of  receiving  it. — 
There,  the  peaceful  Infant,  v/ithout  fo  much  as  know-, 
ing  what  Labour  and  Vexation  mean,  "  *  lies  fliil  and 
"  is  quiet ;  it  fieeps  and  is  at  Reil.'*  Staying  only  to 
wafli  away  its  native  Impurity  in  the  Laver  of  Regene^ 
ration,  it  bid  a  fpeedy  Adieu  to  Time,  and  terreftrial 
Things. — Whatv  did  the  litde  hafty  Sojourner  find,  fo 
forbidding  and  difguflful  in  our  upper  World,  to  occa- 
fion  its  precipitate  Exit.?  'Tis  written,  indeed,  of  its 
fiiffering  Saviour,  that  when  he  had  tailed  the  Vinegar 
mingled  with  Gall,  He  would  not  drink  f .  And  did 
Qur  new-come  Stranger,  begin  to  J.p  the  Cup  of  Life  : 
but,  perceiving  the  Bitternefs,  turn  away  its  Head,  and 
refufe  the  Draught  ?  Was  this  the  Caufe  why  the  wary 
Babe  only  opened  its  Eyes  i  jufl  looked  (j|j  the  Light,. 
and  then  withdrew,  into  the  more  inviting  Regions  of 
undifturbed  Repofe  ? 

HAPPy  Voyager  !  No  fooner  launched  than  arrived' 
at  the  Haven  t ! — But  more  eminendy  happy  they,  who 
have  palTed  the  Waves,  and  weathered  all  the  Storms,  of 
a  troublefome  and  dangerous  World  1  Who,  "  through 
*'  many  Tribulations,  have  entered  into  the  Kingdom 
"  of  Heaven;"  and  thereby  brought  Honour  to  their 
divine  Convoy,  adminiftered  Comfort  to  the  Companions, 
of  their  Toil,  and  left  an  inftrudive  Example  to  fucceed- 
ing  Pilgrims. 

*  Jobiii.  13.  f  Matt,  xxvii.  34. 

X  Happy  the  Babe,  who  prlvile-g'd  by  Fate 
To  fhorter  Labour,  and  a  lighter  Weight, 
Received  but  Yefterday  the  Gift  of  Breath, 
Order 'd  To-morrow  to  return  to  Death .  Pr  1 0  r  's  Soh 

HlGHl,Y 


AMONG     THE    TOMBS.  it 

Highly  favoured  Probationer !  accepted,  wltJiout 
being  exercifed ! — It  was  diy  peculiar  Privilege,  not  to 
feel  the  flighted  of  thofe  Evils,  which  opprefs  thy  furviv- 
ing  Kindred  i  which  frequently  fetch  Groans,  from  the 
moft  manly  Fordtude,  or  moft  elevated  Faith.  The 
Arrows  of  Calamity,  barbed  with  Anguiih,  are  often 
fixed  deep  in  our  choiceft  Comforts.  The  fiery  Darts 
of  Temptation,  fhot  from  the  Hand  of  Hell,  are  always 
flying  in  Showers  around  our  Integrity.  To  thee, 
fweet  Babe,  both  thefe  DiftrefTes  and  Dangers  were  alike 
unknown. 

Consider  this,  ye  mourning  Pare?2tSy  and  dry  up  your 
Tears.  Why  fhould  you  lament^  that  your  little  ones 
are  crowned  with  Vidlory,  before  the  Svvord  was  drawn, 
or  the  Coi^id  begun? — Perhaps,  the  fupreme  Diipofer 
of  Events,  forefav/  fome  inevitable  Snare  of  Tempta- 
tion forming,  or  fome  dreadful  Storm,  of  Adverfity  im- 
pending. And  why  iliould  you  be  ib  dilTatisfied,  with 
that  kind  Precaution-,  which  houfed  your  pleafant  Plant, 
and  removed  into  Shelter  a  tender  Flov/er,  before  the 
Thunders  roared:  before  the  Lightnings  flew:  before 
the  Tempeft  poured  its  Rage  ?— O  remember !  they  arc 
not  loft,  but  taken  away  from  the  Evil  to  come  *. 

At  the  fame  Time,  let  Survivors y  doomed  to  hear  the 
Heat  and  Burden  of  the  Bay^  for  their  Encouragement 
reflect — That  it  is  more  honourable  to  have  entered  the 
Lifts,  and  to  have  fought  the  good  Fight,  before  they 
come  off  Conquerors.  TJiey  who  have  bore  the  Crofs, 
and  fubmitted  to  affli6]:ive  Providences,  with  a  chearful 
Refignation;  have  girded  up  the  Loins  of  their  Mind, 
and  performed  their  Mailer's  Will,  with  an  honeft  and 
perfevering  Fidelity:^ — Thefe,  having  glorified  their  Re- 
^eerner  on  Earth,  will,  probably,  be  as  Stars  of  thtfrft 

Jfa.  Ivii.  I. 

^lagnltude 


j2  MEDITATIONS 

Magnitude  in  Heaven.  They  will  fhine  with  brighter 
Beams,  be  replenifhed  with  ftronger  Joys,  in  their  Lord's 
eyerlafling  Kingdom. 

Here  lies  the  Grief  of  a  fond  Mother,  and  the  blafted 
Expedation  of  an  indulgent  Father. — The  Touth  grew 
up,  like  a  well- watered  Plants  he  fhot  deep,  rofe  high, 
and  bid  fair  for  Manhood.  But  juft  as  the  Cedar  began 
to  tower;  and  promifed,  ere  long,  to  be  the  Pride  of 
the  Wood,  and  Prince  among  the  neighbouring  Trees 
— Behold!  the  Ax  is  laid  unto  the  Root;  the  fatal  Blow 
llruck ;  and  all  its  branching  Honours  tumbled  to  the 
Duft. — And  did  he  fall  alone  ?  No;  The  Hopes  of  his 
Father  that  begat  him,  and  the  pleafing  Profpedls  of 
her  that  bare  him,  fell,  and  were  crpflied  together  widi 

him, 

> 

Doubtless,  It  would  have  pierced  one's  Heart,  to 
have  beheld  the  tender  Parents,  following  the  breathlefs 
Youth,  to  his  long  Home.  Perhaps,  drowned  in  Tears, 
and  all  over-whelmed  with  Sorrows,  they  ftood,  like 
weeping  ftatues,  on  this  very  Spot. — Methinks,  I  fee 
the  deeply-diftrelTcd  Mourners  attending  the  fad  Solem- 
nity. How  they  wring  their  Hands,  and  pour  Floods 
from  their  Eyes  1 — Is  it  Fancy?  or  do  I  really  hear  the 
palfionate  Mother^  in  an  Agony  of  Affliclion,  taking  her 
final  Leave  of  the  Darling  of  her  Soul?  Dumb  flie  re- 
mained, while  the  awful  Qbfequies  were  performing; 
dumb  with  Grief,  and  leaning  upon  the  Partner  of  her 
"Woes.  But  now  the  inward  Anguifh  ftruggles  far  Vent 5 
it  grows  too  big  to  be  reprefled.  She  advances  to  the 
Brink  Qf  the  Grave,  All  her  Soul  is  in  her  Eyes.  She 
faftens  one  more  Look  upon  the  dear  doleful  Objedl^ 
before  the  Pit  fhuts  its  Mouth  upon  him.  And  as  fhe 
looks,  fhe  cries;— in  broken  Accents,  interrupted  by 
many  a  rifing  Sob,  Ihe  cries — "  Farewel;^  my  Son !  my 

?«  Son! 


AMONG    THE    TOMS  S.  13, 

**  Son!  my  only  Beloved!  Would  to  God  I  had  died 
*'  for  thee! — Far^wel,  fny  Child;  and  farewel  all  my 
^^  earthly  Happinefs; — I  fhall  never  more  fee  Good,  m 
"  the  Land  of  the  Living;— Attempt  not  to  comfort 
«  me.— I  will  go  mourning,  all  my  Days,  till  my  grey 
**■  Hairs  come  down,  with  Sorrow,  to  the  Grave." 

From  this  affedling  Reprelentation,  let  Parents  be 
convinced,  how  highly  it  concerns  them  to  cultivate  the 
Morals,  and  fecure  the  immortal  Interefts  of  their  Chil- 
dren.— If  you  really  love  the  Offspring  of  your  ov/n  Bo- 
dies; if  your  Bowels  yearn  over  thofe  amiable  Pledges 
of  conjugal  Endearment;  fpare  no  Pains;  give  all  Di- 
ligence, I  entreat  you,  to  "  bring  them  up  in  the  Nur- 
'^  ture  and  Admonition  of  the  Lord."  Then,  may  you 
have  Joy  in  their  Life,  or  Confolation  in  their  Death, 
If  their  Span  is  prolonged ;  their  unblameable  and  ufeful 
Condud,  will  be  the  Staff  of  your  Age,  and  a  Balm  for 
declining  Nature.  Or,  if  the  Number  of  their  Years 
be  cut  off  in  the  midfi  ;  you  may  commit  their  Remains 
to  the  Duft,  with  much  the  fame  comfortable  Expedla- 
tions,  as  you  fend  the  Survivors  to  Places  of  genteel 
Education.  You  may  commit  them  to  the  Dufb,  witii 
chearing  Hopes  of  receiving  them  again  to  your  Arms, 
inexprejfihly  i?nproved  in  every  noble  and  endearing  Ac- 
complifhment. 

'Tis  certainly  a  fevere  Trial ;  and  much  m.ore  afRlc- 
tive,  than  I  am  able  to  imagine ;  to  refign  a  lovely  bloom- 
ing Creature,  fprung  from  your  own  Loins,  to  die  gloomy 
Recedes  of  Corruption,  llous  to  refign  Him,  after  hav- 
ing been  long  dandled  upon  your  Knees ;  united  to  your 
AfFedlions  by  a  thoufand  Ties  of  Tendernefs;  and  now 
become  both  the  Delight  of  your  Eyes,  and  the  Sup- 
port of  your  Family! — To  have  fuch  a  one  torn  from 
your  Bofom,  and  thrown  into  Darknefs;  doubtlefs,  it 

muiT: 


14  Meditations 

xnufl  be  like  a  Dagger  in  your  Hearts. — But  .O  !  how^ 
much  more  cutting  to  you,  andtronfoimding  to  theChi]d> 
to  have  the  Soul  feparated  fiom  God;  and,  ioxjhameful 
Ignorance y  or  early  Impiety,  tranfrriitted  to  Places  of  eter- 
nal Torment !  How  woui(^  it  aggravate  your  JDifl-refs, 
and  add  a  diflradling  Einphafis  to  all  your  Sighs,  if  yoii 
jQiould  follow  the  pale  Corpfe  with  thefe  bitter  Reflec- 
tions ; — ^^  This  dear  Cr<^^iture,  though  long  ago  capa- 
"  ble  of  knowing  Good  li'om  Evil,  is  gone  out  of  the 
*^  World,  before  it  had  learned  the  great  Defign  of  com- 
"  ing  into  it.  A  ftiort-lived  momentary  Exiilence,  it 
*^  received  from  mej  but  no  good  Inftru6lions,  no  holy 
*^  Admonitions,  nothing  to  further  its  Well-being  in 
*^  that  everlafling  State,  upon  w^hich  it  is  now  entered. 
"  Thtpcor  Bcdy  Is  configned  to  the  Coffin,  and  carried 
*^  out  to  confume  away,  in  the  cold  and  filent  Grave. 
*^  And  what  Realbn  have  I  to  fuppofe,  that  the  precious 
*^  Soulis  in  a  better  Condition?  May  I  not  juftly  fear^ 
*^  that,  fentenced  by  the  righteous  Judge,  it  is  going, 
*^  or  gone  away,  into  the  Pains  of  endlefs  Punifliment  ? 
*^  — Perhaps,  while  I  am  bewailing  its  untimely  Depar- 
*^  ture;  it  maybe  curfing^  in  outer Darknefsj  that  ever 
"  to  be  deplored,  that  mofb  calamitous  Day,  when  it 
"  was  born  of  fuch  a  careiefs,  ungodly  Parent^  as  I  have 
«  been." 

Nothing,  I  think,  but  the  Gnawings  of  that  Worm 
which  never  dies,  can  equal  the  Ariguifh  of  thefe  felf- 
condemnino;  Thou^-hts.  The  Tortures  of  a  Rack  mult 
be  an  eafy  Suifering,  compar'^^d  with  the  Stings  arid 
Horror  of  fach  a  Remorfe. — ^Hov/  earneflly  do  1  wifh^ 
that  as  many  as  are  entrufted  vvith  the  Manag^ent  of 
Children,  v/ould  take  timely  Care  to  prevent  thefe 
Scourges  of  Confcience  -,  by  endeavouring  to  condu6b 

4  their 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  15 

their  Minds  into  ah  early  Knowledge  of  Chrift,  and  a  cor- 
dial Love  of  his  Truth.  ' 

On  this  Hand  is  lodged  One,  whofe  Sepulchral  Stone, 
tells  a  moft  pitiable  Tale  indeed  !  Well  may  the  little 
Images,  recHned  over  the  fleeping  Afhes,  hang  down 
their  Heads  with  that  penfive  Air!  None  can  confider 
fo  mournful  a  Story,  without  feeling  fome  Touches  of 
fympathizing  Concern. — His  Age  Twenty-eight;  his 
Death  Judden  \  himfelf  cut  down  in  the  Prime  of  Life^ 
amidft  all  the  Vivacity  and  Vigour  of  Manhood;  while 
*^  his  Breafts  were  full  of  Milk,  and  his  Bones  moiftened 
"  with  Marrow. "-^Probably,  he  entertained  no  Appre- 
henfions  of  the  evil  Houn  And  indeed,  who  could 
have  fufpeded,  that  fo  bright  a  Sun  fhouid  go  down  at 
Noon?  To  human  Appearance,  his  Hill  flood  ftrong. 
Length  of  Days  feemed  written  in  his  fanguine  Coun- 
tenance. He  folaced  himfelf  with  the  Profpediof  a  long, 
long  Series  of  eartlily  Satisfa6lions. — Vv^hen,  lo.!  an  un- 
expeded  Stroke  defcends !  defcends  from  that  mighty 
Arm,  which  '*  overturneth  the  Mountains  by  their  Roots; 
•^  and  crufhes  die  imaginary  Hero,  *  hejore  the  ^loth  ;" 

*  Johiv.  19.  trjr-'isV — Ad  infiar^  ad  ?nodum,  Tinea- — I  retain  this 
Interpretation,  both  as  it  is  moft  fuitable  to  my  Purpbfe,  and  as  it  is 
patronized  by  fome  eminent  Comment?. 'cors  ;  efpecially  the  celebrated 
Scki'Ue7is^  Though  I  cannot  but  give  the  Preference  to  the  Opinion  of 
a  judicious  Friend,  5li?^o  would  ren  ler  the  Paiiage  more  literally.  Before 
the  Face  cf  a  Moth:  Making  it  to  reprefent  a  Creature  fo  exceedingly- 
frail,  that  even  a  Moth,  flying  againil  it,  m.ay  dafh  it  to  Pieces. — ■ 
Whicii,  beudes  itsclofer  Ccrrefpondence  with  the  exaft  Import  of  the 
Hehre^cUy  prefentsus  with  a  much  finer  Image  of  the  m.oH  extreme  Im- 
becility. For  it  certainly  implies,  a  far  greater  Degree  of  Weaknefs, 
to  be  crufhed  by  the  feeble  Flutter  of  the  feebleil  Creature,  than  only 
to  be  cruflied  as  eafily  as  that  Creature,  by  the  Hand  of  Man. — The 
French  Verfion  is  very  expreihve  and  beautiful ;  a  la  Rejicontre  d'un 
VfnniJJeau, 

as 


a  MEDITATIONS 

as  quickly,  and  more  eafily,  than  oiir  Fingers  prefs  fuch 
a  feeble  fluttering  Infed  to  Death. 

Perhaps,  the  nuptial  Joys  were  all  he  thought  6n. — 
Were  not  fuch  the  Breathings  of  his  enamoured  Soul  ? 
*^  Yet  a  very  little  while,  and  I  fhall  poiTefs  the  utrhoft 
"  of  my  Wiflies.  I  fhall  call  my  Charmer  mine ;  and, 
*^  in  her,  enjoy  whatever  my  Heart  can  crave." — In  the 
Midft  of  fuch  enchanting  Views,  had  fome  faithful  Friend 
but  foftly  reminded  him  of  an  opening  Grave,  and  the 
End  of  all  Things ;  how  unjeajonahle  would  he  have 
reckoned  the  Admonition !  Yet,  though  all  warm  with 
Life,  and  rich  in  vifionary  Blifs,  he  was  even  then  tot- 
tering upon  the  Brink  of  both. — Dreadful  VicifTitude  1 
to  have  the  hridal  *  Feflivity  turned  into  th.t  funeral  So- 
lemnity !  Deplorable  Misfortune !  to  be  fhipwrecked  in 
the  very  Haven!  and  to  perifh  even  in  Sight  of  Hap- 
pincfs-^What  a  memorable  Proof  is  here  of  the  Frailty 
of  Man,  in  his  beft  Eftate !  Look,  O  !  look  on  this 
Monument,  ye  Gay  and  Carelejs !  Attend  to  this  Date ; 
and  boafl  no  more  of  To-morrow. 

Who  can  tell,  but  the  Bride-maids,  girded  with  Glad- 
nefs,  had  prepared  the  Marriage-Bed  ?  Had  decked  it 
widi  the  richefc  Covers,  and  drefled  it  in  Pillows  of 
Down?  When — Oh!  truH:  not  in  Youth,  or  Strength, 
or  in  any  thing  mortal;  for  there  is  nothing  certain, 
nothing  to  be  depended  on,  beneath  the  unchangeable 

*  A  Dlftrefs  of  this  Kind  is  painted  in  very  afFe£ling  Colours  by 

Plhiy,  in  an  Epiftle  to  Marcellinus  \  Q  trifie  plane  acerbumque  Funus  ! 
O  Morte  ipfa  Mortis  Tempus  indignius  !  Jam  dejlinata  erat  egregiojwveni ; 
jam  eJeSIiis  Nuptiarum  Dies ;  jam  nos  ad~occati.  ^lod  Gaudiiim  quo  Mae- 
rcn-e  mutatum  ejl  I  Non  pojfum  exprimere  Verbis,  quantum  J?iimo  'vulnus 
ficceperimy  quum  audi'vi  Fundanurn  ipftim  {ut  multa  lu6luofa  Dolor  iti'venit) 
fracipientemi  quod  in  Feftes,  Margaritas  Getnmasyfuerat  erogaturus,  hoc 
in  Thura,  ^  Unguenia,  ^  Odoresj  impenderetur. 

Plin.  Lib.  V.  Epift.  26. 

God—* 


AMOl^G    THE    TOMBS.  17 

Gop — Death,  relentlefs  Death,  is  making  him  another 
Kind  of  Bed  in  the  Duft  of  the  Earth.  Unto  this  he 
muft  be  conveyed,  not  with  a  fplendid  ProcefTion  of 
joyous  Attendants  ;  but  ftretched  in  the  gloomy  Hearfe,  and 
followed  by  a  Train  of  Mourners.  On  this  he  muft  take^. 
up  a  lonely  Lodging,  nor  ever  be  releafed,  "  till  the 
"  Heavens  are  no  more." — In  vain  does  the  confenting 
Fair-one  put  on  her  Ornaments,  and  exped  her  Spoufe. 
Did  (he  not,  like  Sifera's  Mother,  look  out  of  the  Lat- 
tice i  chide  the  Delays  of  her  Beloved ;  and  wonder 
''  why  his  Chariot  was  fo  long  in  coming?"  Little  think- 
ing, that  the  intended  Bridegroom  had  for  ever  done  v/ith 
tranfitory  Things  !  That  now  everlafting  Cares  employ 
his  Mind,  v/ithout  one  fingle  P.emembrance  of  his  lovely 
Lucinda ! — Go,  difappointed  Virgin  !  Go,  mourn  the 
Uncertainty  of  all  created  Blifs  !  Teach  thy  Soul  to  af- 
pire  after  a  fure  and  immutable  Felicity  I  For  the  once 
gay  and  gallant  Fidelia  fleeps  in  other  Embraces ;  even 
in  the  icy  Arms  of  Death  !  Forgetful,  eternally  forget- 
ful, of  the  World — and  thee. 

Hitherto,  one  is  tempted  to  exclaim  againft  the 
King  of  Terrors,  and  call  him  capricioujly  cruel.  He 
ieems,  by  beginning  at  the  wrong  End  of  the  Regifter, 
to  have  inverted  the  Laws  of  Nature.  PafTing  over  the 
Couch  of  decrepid  Age^  he  has  nipped  Infancy  in  its 
Bud ',  blafted  Youth  in  its  Bloom  ;  and  torn  up  Manhood 
in  its  full  Maturity. — Terrible  indeed  are  thefe  Provi- 
dences, yet  not  unfearchable  the  Counfels  : 

For  us  they  ficken,  and  for  us  they  die  *. 

Such  Strokes,  muft  not  on!}'  grieve  the  Relatives,  but 
furprije  the  whole  Neighbourhood.     They  found  a  pow- 
erful Alarm  to  lieedlels  dreaming  Mortals,  and  are  in- 

*  Kight  Thoughts. 

C  tended 


It  Meditations 

tended  as  t  Remedy  for  our  carnal  Security.  Such 
falTing-Bells,  inculcate  loudly  our  Lord's  Admonidon  ; 
'*'  Take  ye  Heed,  Watch,  and  Pray :  for  ye  know  not 
*^  when  the  Time  is." — We  nod,  like  intoxicated  Crea- 
tures, upon  the  very  Verge  of  a  tremendous  Precipice. 
Thefe  alloniiliing  Dilpenfations,  are  the  kind  Meflengers 
of  Heaven;  to  roufe  us  from  om  SupinenefSy  and  quicken 
us  into  timely  Circumfpedion.  I  need  not,  furely,  ac- 
commodate them  with  Language,  nor  ad  as  their  In- 
terpreter, Let^very  one's  Conicience  be  awake,  and 
this  will  appear  their  awful  Meaning—"  O  f  ye  Sons  of 
*^  Men,  in  the  Midft  of  Life  you  are  in  Deathr  No  State, 
^^  no  Circumftance,  can  afcertain  your  Prefervation  a 
*' fmgle  Moment,  ^ojlrcng  is  the  Tyrant*s  Arm,  that 
•*^  nothing  dan  refifl  its  Force  >  ib  true  his  Aim,  that  no- 
*  thing"  can  elude  the  Blov/.  Sudden  as  Lightning,  fome- 
*'  times,  is  his  Arrow  launched  ;  and  wounds,  and  kills,  in 
^^  the  Twinkhng  of  an  Eye.  Never  promife  yourfdves 
*'  Safety  in  any  Expedient,  but  conftant  Preparation. 
'^  The  fatal  Shafts  fly  fo  promifcuoufly,  that  none  can 
**'  guefs  the  next  Vidim.  Therefore,  ^e ye  akvays  ready  : 
*^  for  mjuch  an  Hour  as  ye  think  'not,  the  final  Swmmions 
*^  cometh.'*' 

Be  ye  always  ready  :  for  infuch  an  Hour  as  Te  think  not 
—Important  Admonition !  Methinks,  it  reverberates 
from  Sepulchre  to  Sepulchre;  and  addrciTcs  me  witlv 
Line  upon  Line,  Precept  upon  Precept. — The  reiterated^ 
Warning,  I  acknowledge,  is  too  needfld  ;  may  co-ope- 
ratino-  Grace,  render  it  effectual:  Tlie  momentous  Truth,- 
though  worthy  to  be  engraved,  on  the  Tables  of  a  mod 
tenacious  Memory;  is  but  Cit^\i\y fietched^  on  the  tran- 
fient  Flow  of  Pafilon.  We  fee  our  Neighbours  fall ; 
we  turn  pale  at  the  Shock  ;  and  feel,  perhaps,^  a  tremb- 
ling Dread.     No  fooner  are  they  removed  from  cur 

Sights 


Sight ;  but,  driven  in  the  Whirl  of  Bufinefs,  or  lulled 
in  the  Languors  of  Pleafure,  we  forget  the  Providence 
and  neglect  its  Errand.  The  Impreffion  made  on  our 
iinllable  Minds,  is  hke  the  Trace  of  an  Arrow,  through 
the  penetrated  Air  j  or  the  Path  of  a  Keel,  in  the  fur- 
roKved  Wave. — Strange  Stupidity!  To  cure  it,  another 
Monitor  befpeaks  me,  from  ^  neighbouring  Stone.  Ic 
contains  the  Narrative  of  an  unhappy  Mortal,  fnatched 
from  his  Friends,'  and  hurried  to  the  awful  Bar ;  without 
Leifure,  either  to  take  a  lajl  Farewel  of  the  One,  or  to 
put  up  fo  much  as  a  fingk  Prayer  preparatory  for  the 
other :  killed,  according  to'  the  ufual  E",xpfeffion,  by  a 
fudden  Stroke  of  Gafualty. 

Was  it  then  a  random  Stroke  ?  JDoubtlefs;  the  Blow 
came  from  an  aiming,  though  invifible  Hand.  Goi>' 
prefideth  over  the  Armies  of  Heaven;  God  ruleth  among 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  Earth  j  and  God  eondufteth^  what 
Men  call  Chance,  Nothing,  nothing  comes  to  pafs 
through  a  blind  and  undifceming  Fatality.  Jf  Acci- 
dents happen  ;  they  happen  according  to  the  exact  Fore- 
knowledge^  and  conformably  to  the  determined  Coun- 
feis,  of  eternal  Wifdom.  The  Lord,  w-ith  whom  are 
the  IfTues  of  Deadly  figns  the  Warrant,  and  gives  the 
high  CommifTion.  The  feemingly  fortuitous  Blfafter 
is  only  the  Agent,  or  the  Inprument,  appointed  to  execute 
the  fupreme  Decree.  When  the  King  of  Ifrael  was 
mortally  wounded,  it  feemed  to  be  a  cafual  Shot:  A 
certain  Man  drev)  a  Bg'ijo  at  a  Venture  *. — At  a  Venture;  as 
he  thought.  But  hrs  Hand  was  flrengthened  by  an  om- 
nipotent Aid;  and  tlie  Shaft  levelled,  by  an  unerring 
Eye.  So  that,  when  we  term  Cajualty,  is  really  Provi- 
dence  i  acco^pliihing  deliberate  Defigns,  but  conceal-. 

*   I  Kings  xxil.  J4., 

C  2  kg 


s>  MEDITATIONS 

mg  Its  0"W7i  t::erpo!idon.-^How  ccmiomng  liiis  R-ztCt* 
ti(Hi :  Adminbly  nd^-pted,  to  focth  the  throbbing  Ar- 
guiih  cf  the  Mourners,  ani  compole  their  Spirits  into 
a  quiei  SubmifTTon  !  ExceEently  fiiited,  to  dilijpate  the 

Fears  of  gc^uly  Survivors,  ar.d  create  a  calm  Intrepidity 
even  amidir  innumerable  Perils ! 

How  tkhi  is  the  Partition,  between  this  World  and 
anodier!  Uawjbcri  the  Tr^niition,  from  Time  to  E:er- 
Dity !  The  Partition,  nothing  more  than  the  Breath  in 
our  Noftrib ;  2Jid  the  Tranfition  may  be  made,  in  the 
Twi-Viing  of  an  Eye. — Poor  ChrfTKjIus,  I  remember, 
aro^e  from  the  Diverfion  of  a  Card-Table,  and  dropt 
into  the  Dwefiings  of  Darknefs. — One  Nigh:,  Corifma 
"was  all  Gaiety  in  her  Spirits,  all  Finery  in  her  Apoarel, 
at  a  magniScent  Ball  The  next  Ni^"it  fhe  lay  pale  and 
fcS",  an  extended  Corpie,  and  ready  to  be  mingled  with 
the  mouldering  Dead*  — Young  ^ittkus  lived  to  fee  his 
ample  and  commcKlious  Seat  completed;  but  not  to 
ipcnd  one  joyous  Hour,  under  the  ffcately  Roof.  The 
Safhes  were  hur^g,  to  admit  the  Day ;  but  the  Mailer's 
Eyes  were  clofed  in  endlcis  Night.  The  Apartments 
were  flimiiiied,  to  invite  Society,  or  adminiiler  Repofe ; 
but  their  Lord  refls  in  the  lower  Parts  of  die  Earth,  in 
die  foEtary,  {ilen:  Chambers  of  the  Tomb.  The  Gar- 
dtes  were  planned,  and  a  thoudand  elegant  Decorarions 
defigned ;  but  alas  !  their  intended  PoiTellbr,  is  gone 
ck)iwn  to  '^  the  Place  of  SkuUsi"  is  gcxie  down  to  the 
Villey  of  die  Shadow  of  Deadi. 

While  I  am  recoilecthig,  m^ny,  I  queiiion  not,  are 
experiencing  the  fame  tragical  V'icifiTJ'de.  The  Eyes 
qC  ihaz  tliblime  BeiTig— who  fis  upon  the  Circle  of  the 
Earth,  and  views  all  its  Inhabitants  with  one  comiprehenj 
live  Glance — even  now  behold  many  Tents  in  Aitiiction, 

-  '       -  •  Such 


AMOXG    THE    TOMBS.  2, 

Sizr.  AjEifnon,  as  cverir^^droed  tise  Egypiams  in  ibiz 
zizii  Nlzhr,  when  ih^  Citfzrcjing  Angd  ibcaiiked  his  Ar- 
ro-^Ti  in  afl  the  Pnde  oftiieir  Srrei^di. — Some^  finlriM 
::  :he  Floor  £-C':2i  ihcir  /.rjr  CZ»ii»- ;  and  deaf  eren  amir^ 
:>.7 1  iercing  Shr'tks  of"  their  ^Iraogd  Rdztions. — Some^ 
giviiig  i^  tBc  Ghof!:,  zs  thfy  fit  retired,  or  fie  reclined, 
iinier  die  ji^ATr  ^irkicr,  ro  i^ife  the  S-sreets  05  tlic  &y«>ex^ 
Scent. — Some,  23  tiiey  id],  siTodaitd  wiin  a  Pcrr^  of 
P,:s/krf,  zk>ng  the  dancing  Seram,  and  dauug^  tte 
h-:gk;ng  Meads.  Nor  is  the  gnm  Lrrodcr  twiili^n!^ 
tboi^Wioc  andMi^  fiowaiocMid. — SoaxiaUmfUd, 
asthevzrrretnniii^HoniCi  and  ibmc  n&m^ptf^  as  d^ 
c-:r:  -JEpoTEantNcgociatioo. — Sameanrftpd^wit^ 

^  if  in  thdr  Hands;  and  ibfnc  ^spdzxd, 
L   Lit      -  : :    :'  Li^iatjsy  or  tbc  Arrprnpr  of  Cn£:y. 

Li:  ~         --^ -ry>      -..-.^  fijdi  as  no  Pn^fcacc 

::         :    :  :.  He  in  wak  ID  accoro- 

r..."  :_:^     :~  y  lisov  Ins  Riders 

mav  Z  _:  iiie  Stones,  and  fli^ 

h     -  :  A      ^af  a^»cr 

Street,:  "  f  onwaiy  PaA 

fcnger  ir  Rmns.     E  TJe^   djou|M^ 

f  be  ^  1.1:::^  ^  liic  i^^  of  the  i^iofe 

S:  -    -^;.— -  ^   *^  -"---ed  is  the  Thread cf 

lire,  that  it  r  Stsrm^  bar  breaks 

even  at  a  BriTzs.  Tne  mair  cooisiiaQ  Octrwreaocs, 
thofe,  tpom  whicr  ~  "  -  ~:  --:  -"-  kalt  Hirir-,  r:aT 
proTc  the  We^z  7  :       /don.      A   Grar^- 

flone,  2.  d£-pic3.blc  Fiv,   ::  7   .~   re  n::-^^  ihiii  G^ 

^4  -    J.   :'  _r. — ^Xi-y,  if  God 

giveC:::  ^-;oagr>e  rzvzp£.     The 

A^  \r^  I:  the  Focii  ^c  ci^,  die 

Vehide  oi  Death. — That  ia^  Eoeniy  has^urmimbcred 
AvsR3C5  for  bis  Approach.     Yc2  ;  fc  inrnencbcd  in  oar 

C   7  Tcr? 


22  MEDITATIONS 

veiy  Bofbnij  and  holds  his  Fortrefs  in  the  Seat  of  our 
'Liic%  The  crimfon  Fluid.,  which  diftributes  Healthy  is 
impregnated  with  the  Seeds  of  Peath.  Heat  may  in- 
iiame  it,  or  Toil  opprefs  it  j  and  make  it  defbroy  the 
Parts,  it  was  defigned  to  cheriih.  Some  unfeen  Impe- 
diment may  obftrud:  its  PalTage,  or  fome  unknown  Vio- 
lence may  divert  its  Courfej  in  either  of  which  Cafes,  it 
acts  the  Part  of  a  poifonous  praught  or  a  deadly  Stab. 

Ah  I  in  xvhat  Perils  is  vain  Life  engaged! 
Whatjlight  Negk5fSy  what  trivial  Faults  dejlroy 
The  hear dieft  Frame  I  Of  Indolence,  of  Toil 
.   We  die-y  of  Want,  of  Superfluity, 
The  all-fur  rounding  Heav'ny  the  vital  Air, 
Is  big  with  Deaths 

Since  then  we  are  fo  liable  to  be  dlfpofleljed  of  this 
earth -y  Tabernacle,  let  Us  look  upon  Ourfelves  only  as 
Tenants  at  Will:  ajid  hold  Ourfelves  in  perpetual  Rea- 
dincfs,  to  depart  at  a  Moment's  Warning.  Without 
fugh  an  habiiual  Readinels,  we  are  like  Wretches,  that 
Heep  on  the  Top  of  a  IVJaft,  while  a  horrid  Gulph  yawns, 
or  furious  Waves  rage,  below.  And  where  can  be  the 
Peace^  what  the  Satisfadion,  of  fuch  a  State  ? — Whereas, 
a  prepared  Condition  will  inlpire  a  Chearfulnefs  of  Tem- 
per, not  to  be  difmayed  t>y  any  alarming  Accident  j  and 
create  a  Firmnefs  of  Mind,  not  to  be  overthrown  by  the 
moij  threatening  Dangers.  When  the  City  is  fortified 
with  Walls,  furnifhed  with  Provifion,  guarded  by  able 
and  rc'folute  Troops  ;  what  have  the  Inhabitants  to  fear  ? 
what  may  they  not  enjoy  ?  So,  juft  fo,  or  rather  by  d, 
much  furer  Band,  are  connected  the  real  1" aftp  of  Life, 
and  the  conflant  Thought  of  p.eath, 

J  SAID,  Our  very  Comforts  may  become  killing,-rAnd  fee 
the'  Truth  infcribcd  by  the  Hand^,  fealed  with  the  Signet, 

of 


AMONG     THE    TOMBS.  2^ 

of  Fate.  The  Marble,  which  graces  yonder  Pillar,  in- 
forms me,  that,  near  it,  are  depofited  the  Remains  at 
Sophronia ;  the  much  lamented  Sophronia,  who  died  in 
Child-bed. — How  often  does  this  Calamity  happen!  The 
Branch  jQioots;  but  the  Stem  widiers.  The  Babe  fprings 
to  Light i  but  She  that  bare  Him,  breathes  her  laft.  She 
gives  Life,  but  gives  it  (O  pitiable  Confideration  !)  at 
t\\t  Expence  of  her  own  -,  and  becomes,  at  once,  a  Mo- 
thery  and  a  Ccrpfe. — Or  elfe,  perhaps.  She  expires  in  fc- 
yere  Pangs,  and  is  Herfelf  a  Tomb  for  her  Infant ; 
while  the  melancholy  Complaint  of  a  Monarch's  Woe> 
is  the  Epitaph  for  them  both  j  The  Children  are  csme  to 
the  Birth y  and  there  is  not  Strength  to  bring  forth  *.— Lef^ 
to  be  lamented,  in  my  Opinion,  /^/V  Misfortune  than  the 
other.  Better,  for  the  tender  Stranger,  to  be  flopped 
in  the  Porch ;  than  to  enter,  only  to  conyerfe  v/ith  Af- 
fliftion.  Better,  to  find  a  Grave  in  the  Womb ;  than 
to  be  expofed  on  a  hazardous  World,  without  the  Guar- 
dian of  its  infantile  Years,  without  the  faithful  Guide  of 
its  Youth. 

This  Monun^ent  is  diftingiiifhed  by  its  finer  Mate-^ 
rials,  and  more  deiicate  Appendages^,  It  feems  to  hav^ 
taken  its  Model  from  an  affluent  Hand  y  direded  b)''  a, 
generous  Heart;  which  thought  it  qould  never  do  enough 
for  the  Deceafed, — It  feems,  alfo,  to  exhibit  an  cmblf* 
matfcal  Pidlu^e  of  Sophrom^i's  Perfon  and  Accomplifli^ 
ments.  Js  her  Beauty,  or,  what  is  more  than  Beauty, 
her  white-rob'd  Innocence^  repreientcd  by  the  Inowy  Co- 
tour  ?  X^e  Surface y  fmoothly  polifhed,,  like  her  amiable 
Temper,  and  engaging  Manners,  The  JVhok  adorned, 
in  a  well-judged  Medium,  between  extravagant  Pomp> 
and  fordid  Negligence;  like  her  undifTembled  Good- 

♦  Ila.  xxxvli.  3. 

C  4  nefs^. 


24  MEDITATIONS 

nefs,  remote  from  the  leaft  Oftentation,  yet  in  all  Points 
exemplary. — But  ah  !  how  vain,  were  all  thefe  endear- 
ing Charms !  How  vain,  the  Luftre  of  thy  fprightly  Eye ! 
How  vain,  the  Bloom  of  thy  bridal  Youth  !  How  vain, 
the  Honours  of  thy  fuperior  Birth !  How  unable  to  fe- 
cure  the  lovely  PoiTefTor,  from  the  Javage  Violence  of 
Death  ! — How  ineiTedual,  the  univerfal  Efleem  of  thy 
Acquaintance  i  the  Fondnefs  of  thy  tranfported  Huf- 
band ;  or  even  the  fpotlefs  Integrity  of  thy  Charadler  j 
to  prolong  thy  Span,  or  procure  Thee  a  fhort  Reprieve; 
■ — The  Concurrence  of  all  thefe  Circumfrances,  reminds 
me  of  thofe  beautiful  and  tender  Lines ; 

Ho^.v  lov'd^  how  valued  once^  avails  Thee  not^ 
To  whom  related^  or  by  whom  begot. 
A  Heap  of  Buft  alone  remains  of  Thee  : 
'TisallTUOU  artl^anddlthe  FROUD Jball be  ^ ! 

Fore's  MifcelL 
Yet, 

*  Thefe  Verfes  are  infcribed  On  a  fmall,  but  elegant  Monument, 
lately  ere  died  in  the  great  Church  at  Northampton.  Which,  in  the 
Mieroglyphical  Decorations,  correfponds  with  the  Defcripticn  intro- 
duced above.  In  this  Circumftance  particularly,  that  it  is  dedicated 
to  the  Memory  of  an  amiable  Woman,  Mrs.  ANNE  STONHOUSE ; 
the  excellent  Wife  of  my  worthy  Friend  Dr.  STONHOUSE.  Who 
has  feen  all  the  Powers  of  that  Healing  Art,  to  which  I,  and  fo  many 
others,  have  hzzv\.  greatly  indebted,  failing  in  their  Attempts  to  pre- 
ferve  a  Life  dearer  to  Him  tlian  his  own. 

Nee  profunt  DotninOy   qua  profunt  omnibus y  Artes. 

No  longer  his  all-healing  Art  avails  j 
But  ev'ry  Remedy  its  Mailer  fails. 

In  the  Midfl  of  this  tender  Dillrefs,  He  has  fought  feme  Kind  of 
Confolation,  even'from  the  fepulchral  Marble.  By  teaching  it  to  fpeak, 
at  once  his  Elleem  for  her  Mernory  ;  and  his  Veneration  for  that  Reli- 
giouy  which  She  fo  eminently  adorned.  Nor  could  this  be  more  fig- 
nificantly  done,  than  by  fumming  up  her  Charafter,  in  that  concife, 
but  comprchenfive  Sentence,  A  SINCERE  CHRISTIAN.  Concife 
enough,  to  be  the  Motto  for  a  mourning  Ring  ;  yet  as  cQinprehsnfinje, 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  25 

Yet,  though  unable  to  divert  the  Stro^re,  Chriftia^ 
nity  is  fovereigii  to  pluck  out  the  Sting  of  Death,  h 
not  this  the  filent  Language  of  thofe  Lamps,  which  burn 
and  of  thdit  Hearty  which  flames;  of  thofe  Palms,  which 
ftourilh  ;  and  of  that  Crown,  which  glitters,  in  thp  well- 
imitated 

as  the  moll  enlarged  Sphere  of  perfonal,  fecial,  and  religious  Worth. 
For,  whatfoever  Things  are  pure  ;  whatfoever  Things  are  lovely  ; 
whatfoever  Things  arp  of  good  Report;  are  they  not  all  included  iii 
that  grand  and  noble  Aggregate,   Afincere  Chrifiian  ? 

The  firft  Lines,  confidered  in  fuch  a  Connexion,  are  vvonderfally 
plaintive  and  pathetic ; 

Ho'w  lo'u'd,  honxj  valu'd  oncCy  avails  Thee  not ; 
To  nxjhom  relatedy  or  by  <vijhom  begot. 

They  found,  at  leaft  in  my  Ears,  like  the  Voice  of  Sorrow  mingled 
with  Admiration.  The  Speaker  feems  to  have  been  loft,  for  a  while, 
in  melancholy  Contemplation  ;  fuddenly  breaks  out  into  this  abrupt 
Encomium;  then  melts  into  Tears,  andean  proceed  no  farther.  Yet 
in  this  Cafe,  how  eloquent  is  Silence !  While  it  hints  the  univerfal 
Efteem  which  attended,  and  the  Superiority  of  Birth  which  diftin- 
guiftied,  the  deceafed  Wifs-,  it  exprelles,  beyond  all  the  Pomp  of 
Words,  the  yearning  AfFe6lion,  and  Heart-felt  Aiflidlion,  of  the  fur- 
viving  Hujband. — Amidft  the  Group  of  monumental  Marbles,  which 
are  lavifh  of  their  Panegyric  ;  this,  I  think,  refembles  the  incomparable 
Addrefs  of  the  Painter.  Who,  having  placed  round  a  beautiful  ex- 
piring Virgin,  her  Friends  in  all  the  Agonies  of  Grief;  reprefented 
the  unequalled  Anguifh  of  her  Fatherj  with  far  greater  Livelinefs  and 
Strength,  or  rather  with  an  inexpreiTible  Emphafts,  by  drawing  a  Veil 
over  his  Face. 

If  the  laft  Lines,  are  a  wide  Departure  frpm  the  beaten  Track 
of  our  Modern  Epitaphs,  and  the  very  Reyerfe  of  their  high-flown 
Compliments, 

A  Heap  of  Duji  alone  remains  of  Thee  ! 

>Tis  all  THOU  art  /  and  all  the  ?KO\JT)  Jhall  be  ! 

they  are  not  without  a  Precedent,  and  one  of  the  moft  confummate 
Kind.  Since  th^y  breathe  the  very  Spirit  o^that  facred  Elegy,  in  which 
ail  the  Heart  of  the  Hero  and  the  Friend,  feems  to  be  diflblved ;  Houu 
are  the  Mighty  fallen ,  and  the  Weapons  of  War  perifoed  !  2  Sam.  i.  27.-^ 
They  remind  the  Reader,  of  that  awful  LelTon,  which  was  originally 

didated 


26 


MEDITATIONS 


HTiitated  and  gilded  Marble  ?  Do  they  not^  to  the  dif- 
cerning  Eye,  defcribe  the  Vigilance  of  her  Faith  j  the 
Fervency  of  her  Devotion;  her  Victory  over  the  World; 
and  the  celeftial  Diadem,  -which  the  Lord,  the  righte^ 
ous  Judge,  fhall  give  her  at  that  Day  *  ? 

How  happy  the  Hiiiband,  in  fuch  a  Sharer  of  his 
Bed,  and  Partner  of  his  Fortunes !  Their  Inclinations 
were  nicely-turned  UniJonSy  and  all  their  Converfation 
was  Harmony,  How  filken  the  Yoke  to  fudi  a  Pair,  and 
what  Bleflings  were  twifted  with  fuch  Bands !  Every  Joy 
was  heightened,,  and  every  Care  alleviated.  Nothing 
feemed  wanting  to  confumniate  their  Blifs,  but  a  hope- 
ful Progeny,  rifing  around  them. — That  they  might  fee 
Themfelves,  multiplied  in  their  Litde  ones;  fee  their 
mingled  Graces,  transfufed  into  their  Offspring;  and  feel 

^dated  by  the  fapremp  Wifdom ;  Duft  thou  arty  and  unto  Dufi  thou  pah 
return.  Gen.  iii.  19- — They  inculcate,  with  all  the  Force  of  the  moft 
convincing  Evidence,  that  falemn  Admonition^  delivered  by  the  Pro- 
phet ;"  Ceofe  Tefroin  Man,  nsjhofe  Breath  is  in  his  Nojirils  ;  for  ^wherein 
is  HE  to.  he  accounted  of  ?  Ifa.  ii,  22. 

That  no  Reader,  however  inattentive,  might  miftake  thq  Senfeand, 
Deiign  oithis  Part  of  xh^  fourth  Line, 

'Tis  ALL  Thou  art  !^ 

at  is  guarded  above  and  beneath. — Jho^ce,  is  an  expanded  Book,  diat- 
feems  to  be  waved,  with  an  Air  of  Triumph,  over  the  Emblem  of 
Death.  Which  we  cannot  but  fuppofe  to  be  the  Volume  of  Infpira- 
tion,  as  it  exhibits  a  Sort  o^  Abridgment  of  its  whole  Contents,  ia 
thofe  animated  Words ;  Be  Ye  not  sLOTHFiJL,  but  Followers 
ofThem,  whothroughFaithandPatienceinheritthe 
Promises,  ifi/V-^.  vi.  12. — Beneath,  that  every  Part  might  be  preg^nant 
with  Inftruftion,  are  thofe  ftriking  Reflexions ;  worthy  the  Qonfide- 
ration  of  the  higheji  Proficient  in  Knowledge  and  Piety,  yet  ol>vious  to 
the  Underftanding  of  the  moft  ^^^/^yr/g-i*/ Reader;  Life,  how  short! 
Eternity,  HOW  long  ! — May  my  Soul  learn  the  forcible  Purport 
of  this  fhort  LelTon,  in  her  contra6ted  Span  of  Time !  and  all  Eternity 
will  not  be  too  long,  to  rejoice  in  having  learned  ii» 

*  2  Tim.  iv.  8. 

ijie 


A/MONG    THE    TOM-Bil.  ^7 

the  Glow  of  their  Affedlion  augmented^  by  being  reflecled 
from  their  Children.  "  Grant  Us  this  Gift,  faid  their 
'^  united  Prayers^  and  our  Satisfadlions  are  crowned: 
^^  Werequeilno  more/* 

Alas!  how  blind  are  Mortals  to  future  Events  1  How 
unable  to  difcern,  what  is  really  Good*!  Give  me  ChiU 
dren,  f^tid  Racbaely  or  elfe  I  die  f .  An  Ardor  of  Impa- 
tience, altogether  unbecoming;  and  as  miftaken,  as  it 
was  unbecoming.  She  dies,  not  by  the  Bifappoinhnent^ 
but  by  the  Accomplijhmenty  of  her  Defire.— If  Children 
are,  to  Parents,  like  a  flowery  Chaplet,  whofe  Beauties 
blolTom  with  Ornament,  and  whofe  Odours  bteathe  De- 
iighti  Death,  or  fome  fell  Misfortune,  may  find  Means 
tp  entwine  themfelves  with  the  lovely  Wreath.  When- 
ever our  Souls  are  poured  out,  with  paflion^te  Importu- 
nity, after  any  inferior  Acquifition:  it  may  be  truly  faid, 
in  the  Wojfds  of  our  Divine  Mailer,  Te  know  not  what 
Te  ajk. — Does  Providence  with-hold  the  Thing  that  we 
long  forP  It  denies  in  Mercy  ;  and  only  with-holds  the 
Dccafion  of  our  Mifery,  perhaps  the  Inflrument  of  our 
Ruin.  With  a  fickly  Appetite,  We  often  lothe  what  is 
wholefome,  and  hanker  after  our  Bane.  Where,  Ima- 
gination dxfxm^  of  unmingled  Sweets;  There,  Experience 
frequently  finds  the  Bitternefs  of  Woe. 

Therefore,  may  We  covet  immoderately,  neither 
this  nor  that  Form  of  earthly  Felicity;  but  refer  the 
Whole  of  our  Condition,  to  the  Choice  of  unerring 
Wifdom.  May  we  learn  to  renounce  our  own  Will ; 
^nd  be  ready  to  p:jake  a  Sacrifice  of  our  warmeft  Wiihes, 

*  Nefcia  Mens  Hominum  Fatty  Sortifque  futur^e  f 
Tumo  Tempus  erit,  magna  cum  opta^verit  emptum, 
IntaBum  Pallanta ;   ^  cum  Spolia  ijla  DUm^ue 
0derit,^ — -  Virgil. 

•\  Gen  XXX.  u 

whenever 


3p5  meditations 

whenever  they  run  counter  to  the  good  Pleafur^  of  God, 
For,  indeed,  as  to  obey  his  Laws,  is  to  be  perfedlly 
free ;  fo,  to  reftgn  Ourfelves  to  his  Difpofal,  is  to  ejla- 
hlifn  our  own  Happinefs,  and  to  be  fecure  from  Fear 
-of  EviL 

Here,  a  fmall  and  plain  Stone  is  placed  upon  the 
"Grou-nd.  Purchafed,  one  would  imagine,  from  the  lit- 
i:le  Fund,  and  formed  by  the  Hand,  of  Frugality  itfelf. 
Nothing  collly :  not  one  Decoration  added :  only  a  very 
ihort  Infcription  i  and  that  fo  effaced,  as  to  be  fcarcely 
intelligible.' — Was  the  Depofitary  unfaithful  to  its  Truft? 
Gr  were  the  Letters  worn,  by  the  frequent  Refort  of  the 
fLirvivrng  Family  \  to  m.ourn  over  the  Grave,  of  a  mofl 
valuable  and  beloved  Relative  ? — For  I  perceive,  upon 
"a  clofer  Infpe6Lion,  that  it  covers  the  Remains  of  a  Fa- 
ther. A  religious  Father ;  fnatched  from  his  growing 
Offspring,  before  they  v/ere  fettled  in  the  World,  or  fo 
much  as  their  Principles  fixed  by  a  thorough  Education, 

•  This,  fure,  is  the  moil  complicated  Dlfcrefs,  that  has 
hitherto  comx  under  our  Confideration.  The  Solemnities 
.of  fuch  a  dying  Chamber,  are  fome  of  the  moil  melting 
^d  melancholy  Scenes  imaginable. — There  lies,  the  af- 
fectionate Kuiband;  the  indulgent  Parent ;  the  faithful 
Friend;  and  the  generous  Mailer.  He  lies  in  the  lail 
Extremities,  and  on  the  very  Point  of  Diilblution.  Art 
has  done  its  All.  The  raging  Dileafe  mocks  the  Power 
of  Medicine.  It  hailens,  with  refiillefs  Impetuofity,  to 
execute  its  dreadful  Errand ;  to  rend  afunder  the  Silver 
Cord  of  Life,  and  the  more  delicate  Tie  of  focial  At- 
tachment, and  conjugal  A&edtion, 

A  Servant  or  two,  from  a  revering  Diilance,  cail 
many  a  wifhful  Look,  and  condole  their  honoured  Mailer 
in  the  Language  of  Sighs.  Thq  condefcending  Mild- 
nefs  of  his  Commands,  was  wont  to  produce  an  Ala- 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  19 

crity  of  Obedience,  and  render  their  Service  a  Pleafure. 
The  Remembrance  of  both  imbitters  their  Grief,  anil 
makes  it  trickle  plentifully  dov/n  their  iionefl  Cheeks. — 
His  Friends,  who  have  fo  often   fhared  his  Joys,  and 
gladdened   his  Mind  with   their  enlivening   Converfc, 
now  are   miferable  Comforters.     A  fympathizing  and 
mournful  Pity,  is  all  the  Relief,  they  are  able  to  con- 
tribute :  unlefs   it  be  augmented  by  their  filent  f  rayers 
for  the  Divine  Succour,  and  a  Word  of  Confolaticii 
fuggefted  from  the  Scriptures  *. — Thofe  poor  InnomiL^.' 
the  Children,  croud  around  "hz  Bed;  drowned  in  Tears; 
and  almoft  frantic  with  Grief,  they  fob   out  their  little 
Souls,    and  paiTionate]  ■  cry  j    "  Will   He  leave  us  ? 
"  Leave  Us  in  a  he]  :iefs  Condition  !  Leave  Us,  to  aji 
*^  injurious  World  V 

These  feparate  Streams  arc  all  united  in  the  diftrefTed 
^Spouje,  and  cverwhehn  her  Bread  with  an  impetuous 
Tide  of  Sorrows.  In  Her,  the  Lover  weeps;  the  Wire 
mourns;  and  all  the  Mother  yearns.  To  Her,  the  Lofs 
is  beyond  Meafure  aggravated,  by  Months  and  Years  of 
delightful  Society,  and  exalted Friendfhip. — Where,  alas! 
can  She  meet  wi:h  fuch  unfulpecled  Fidehty,  or  repofe 
fuch  unreferved  Confidence?  Where  find  fo  difcreet  a 
Counfellor  ;  fo  improving  an  Example ;  and  a  Guardian 
{o  feduloufly  attentive,  to  the  Interefts  of  herfelfj  aad 
her  Children? — See  !  how  fhe  hangs  over  the  languifn- 
ing  Bed;  moft  tenderly  folicitous  to  prolong  a  Life^ 
important  and  defirable  far  beyond  her  own.     Or,  if 

*  Texts  of  Scripture,  proper  for  fnchanOccafion;  containing  Pro^ 
mifes — of  Support  under  Affliction,  Z.i7OT.  iii.  32.  Hei>.xu.6.  zCcr^ 
iv.  17. — 'of  Pardon.  Ifai.  liii.  5.  Ijhi.  i.  18.  I  John  ii.  1,2.  ^IJIs 
X.  43, — of  JuflificatloB,  P^.o?n.  v.  9.  Rom.  viii.  33,  34-  zCor.W  21. 
•— of  Vidoi-y  over  Death,  Pfal.  xxiii.  4.  Pfal.  ixxiii.  26.  i  Cor.  xv. 
56,. 57. — of  a  happy  Refurredion,  John  vi.  46.  2  Cor.  v.  i.  R:v. 
^ii»  16,  iV-V  ' 

*"*' '   *^'  6  that 


36  MEDITATIONS 

that  be  impracticable,  no  lels  tenderly  officious  to  footh 
the  lafl  Agonies  of  her  dearer  Self.-^Htt  Hands,  trem- 
bling under  direful  Apprehenfions,  wipe  the  cold  Dews 
from  the  livid  Cheeks ;  and  fometimes  Hay  the  finking 
Head  on  her  gentle  Arms,  fometimes  reft  it  on  her 
companionate  Bofom.*— See  !  how  Ihf  gazes,  with  a 
ipeechlefs  Ardor,  on  the  pale  Countenance,  and  meagre 
^Peatures.  Speechlefs  her  Tongue;  but  She  looks  un- 
titterable  't'hings.  While  all  her  foft  FafTions  throb 
with  unavailing  Fondnefs,  and  her  very  Soul  bleeds  with 
cxquifite  Anguilh. 

•  The  Sufferer,  ailJ  patient  and  adoringy  fubmits  to  the 
divine  Will ;  and,  by  Submillion,  becomes  fuperior  to 
his  Afflidlion.  He  is  fenfibly  touched  with  the  difcon- 
iblate  State  of  his  Attendants ;  and  pierced  widi  an 
anxious  Concern,  for  his  Wife  and  his  Children.  His 
Wife,  who  willfoon  be  2i  deft  it  ute  Widow -,  his  Children, 
who  will  ioon  be  hel-plejs  Orphans,  "  Yet  though  caft 
*^  down,  not  in  defpair."  He  is  greatly  refreihed,  by 
his  Truft  in  the  everlafting  Covenant,  and  his  Hope  of 
approaching  Glory.  Religion  gives  a  Dignity  to  Diftreis, 
At  each  Interval  of  Eafe,  he  comforts  his  very  Com- 
forters; and  fuffers  with  all  the  Majefty  of  Woe. 

The  Soul,  juft  going  to  abandon  the  tottering  Clay, 
collects  all  her  Force,  and  exerts  her  Iqft  Efforts.  The 
good  Man  raifes  himfelf  on  his  Pillow;  Extends  a  kind 
Hand  to  his  Servants,  which  is  bathed  in  Tears;  takes 
sn  affe<^ing  Farewel  of  his  Friends ;  clafps  his  Wife  in 
a  feeble  Embrace;  kifles  the  dear  Pledges  of  their  mu* 
tual  Love  ;  and  then  pours  all  that  remains  of  Life  anii 
of  Strength,  in  the  following  Words ; — **''  I  die,  my 
*^  dear  Children:  but  God,  the  everlafting  God,'  will 
*^  be  with  You. — Though  You  lofe  an  earthly  Parentf 
*'  You  have  a  Father  in  Heaven,  who  lives  for  ever^ 

^^  lidore* 


AMONd    THE    TOMBS.  st 

^^  more. — Nothing,  nothing  but  an  unbelieving  Heart, 
**  and  irreligious  Life,  can  ever  feparate  You,  from  the 
^'  Regards  of  his  Providence^-from  the  Endearments  of 
"  his  Love,'* 

He  could  proceed  no  farther*  His  tleait  ^vas  full ; 
but  Utterance  failed. — After  a  fliort  Paufe,  with  Diffi- 
culty, great  Difficulty,  he  added ; — **  You,  the  dear 
"  Partner  of  my  Soul,  Yoli  are  now  the  only  Protedor 
"  of  our  Orphans. — I  leave  you  under  a  Weight  of 
^^  Cares. — But  God,  who  defendeth  the  Caufe  of  the 
*^  Widow — God,  whofe  Promife  is  Faithfulnefs  and 
"  Truth — God  hath  faid,  I  '■Jjill  never  ka-ve  Thee^  n9t 
"  forjake  Thee  *. — This  revives  my  drooping  Spirits-^* — 
**  Let  this  fupport  the  Wife  of  my  Bofom — -And  now, 
*^  O  Father  of  CompafTions,  into  thy  Hands  I  commend 
*'  my  Spirit — encouraged  by  diy  promifed  Goodnefs,  / 
^^  leanje  my  fatherlejs'' — 

HeIie,  He  fainted;  fell  back  upon  the  Bed;  and  lay, 
for  fome  Minutes,  bereft  of  his  Senfes.  As  a  Ttiper,, 
upon  the  very  Point  of  Extindlion,  is  fometimes  fudden- 
ly  rekindled,  and  leaps  into  a  quivering  Flame :  So 
Life,  before  it  totally  expired,  gave  a  parting  Struggle, 
and  once  more  looked  Abroad  from  the  opening  Eye- 
lids,— He  would  fain  have  fpoke;  fain  have  uttered  xY^ 
Sentence,  he  began.  More  th:in  once  he  afTayed  :  but 
the  Organs  of  Speech,  were  become  like  a  broken  Vef- 
fel;  and  nothing  but  the  obftrucling  Phlegm,  rattled  in 
his  Throat.  Flis  .-^f^,  however,  y^'^f^r  Affedlion  inex- 
preffible.  With  all  the  Father,  all  the  Hufband  ftill  living 
?n  his  Looks;  he  takes  one  more  ^^iew  of  thofe  dear  Cbil- 
_dren yV/hom  he  had  often  beheld  with  a  parental  Triumph- 
He  turns  his  dying  Eyes  on  that  heloVed  Woraan^  vrhom  he 

*  Hcb.  xiH.  5, 

never 


$i  MEDITATIONS 

never  beheld  but  with  a  Glow  of  Delight.  Fixed  in  this 
Pofture,  amidfl  Smiles  of  Love,  and  under  a  Gleam  of 
Heaven,  they  fhine  out  their  laft; 

Upon  this,  the  filent  Sorrow  burfls  into  loud  La- 
ments. They  weep,  and  refufe  to  be  comforted.  Till 
fome  Length  of  Time,  had  given  Vent  to  the  Excefs  of 
PafTion;  and  the  Confolations  of  Religion,  had  ftanched 
their  bleeding  Woes.  Then,  the  afflided  Family  fearch 
for  the  Sentence,  which  fell  Unfinijhed  from  thofe  loved, 
thofe  venerable,  and  pious  Lips.  They  find  it  recorded 
by  the  Prophet  Jeremiahy  containing  the  Diredion  of 
infinite  Wifdom,  and  the  Promife  of  unbounded  Good- 
nefs;  Leave  thy  father kfs  Childre7t\  I  will  prejerve  them 
dive  ;  and  let  thy  IVidows  truft  in  me  *.  This,  now,  is 
the  Comfort  of  their  Life,  and  the  Joy  of  their  Heart. 
They  treafure  it  up,  in  their  Memories.  It  is  the  befl 
of  Legacies^  and  an  inexhaufiihle  Fund.  A  Fund,  which 
v/ill  fupply  all  their  Wants,  by  entailing  the  Blef^ing  of 
Heaven,  on  all  their  honefl  Labours. — They  are  Rich; 
they  are  Happy ;  in  this  facred  Pledge  of  the  Divine 
Favour.  They  fear  no  Evil ;  they  want  no  Good  ;  be- 
caufe  God  is  their  Portion,  and  their  Guardian  God. 

No  fooner  turned  from  one  Memento  of  my  own>  and 
Memorial  of  another's  Deceafe,  but  a  fecond,  a  third, 
a  long  SuccefTion  of  thefe  rhelanchoiy  Monitors,  croud 
upon  my  Sight  j-. — Tliat  which  has  fixed  my  Obferva- 
tion,  is  one  of  a  more  grave  and  fable  AfpeEi  than  the 
former.  I  fuppofe,  it  preferves  the  Relics  of  a  more 
agejd  Perfon.  One  would  conjedlure,  that  he  made 
fomewhat  of  a  Figure,  in  his  Station  among  the  Livings 
as  his  Monument  does,  among  the  Funeral  Marbles, 
jlet  me  draw  near,  and  inquire  of  the  Stone ;  "  Who^ 

*  Jerem.  xlix.  li. 
^  __  Plurima  Mortif  Imago.  ViRG. 

:  ''  or 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  33 

*^  or  whaty  is  beneath  ins  Surface  ?'* — I  am  informed. 
He  was  once  the  Owner  of  a  confiderable  Eflate  ;  which 
was  much  improved,  by  his  own  AppUcation  and  Ma- 
nagement :  That,  he  left  the  World  in  the  bufy  Period 
of  Life  i  advanced  a  little  beyond  the  Meridian. 

Probably,  replied  my  mufing  Mind,  one  of  thofe 
indefatigable  Drudges,  who  rife  early ;  late  take  Reft ; 
and  eat  the  Bread  of  Carefulnefs;  not  to  fecure  the 
Loving-kindnefs  of  the  Lord  :  not  to  make  Provifion 
for  any  reafonable  Necelfity :  but  only  to  amafs  together 
ten  Thoufand  Times  more,  than  they  can  pofllbly  nfe, 
— Did  he  not  lay  Schemes  for  enlarging  his  Fortune, 
and  aggrandizing  his  Family  ?  Did  he  not  purpofe  to 
join  Field  to  Field,  and  add  Houfe  to  Houfe ;  till  his 
PolTeflions  were  almoft  as  vaft,  as  his  Defires  ?  That, 
then,  he  would  *  lit  down,  and  enjoy  what  he  had  ac- 
quired ;  breathe  a  while  from  his  toilibme  Purfuit  of 
Things  temporal,  a^d,  perhaps,  think  a  little  of  Things 
eternal. 

But  fee  the  Folly  o? worldly  Wijdom  I  How  filly,  how 
childifh,  is  the  Sagacity  of  (what  is  caUed)  manly  and 
mafterly  Prudence ;  when  it  contrives  more  fblicitoufly 
for  TIME,  then  it  provides  for  ETEftNITY  !  How 
ftrangely  infatuated  are  thofe  fubtll  Heads;  which  weary 
therrrfelves,  Jn  concerting  Meafures  for  Phantoms  of  a 
Day;  and  fcarcc  befto\^  a  Thought,  on  everlafling 
Realities ! — When  every  Wheel  moves  on  fmoothly ; 
when  all  the  well-difpofed  Defigns  are  ripening  apace  for 
Execution  j  and  the  long  expefted  Crifis  of  Enjoyment 
feems  to  approach;  behold!  God  from  on  high  laughs 
at  the  Bahel-huilder,     Death  touches  the  Bubbfc ;  and  it 


Hac  mente  lahcrem 


Sefeferre,  fenes  ut  in  otia  tuta  recedant, 

Aiunti  cum  Jibi  Jtnt  cxmgejla  ciharia.'^'-^*  HoR. 

D  breaks  5 


34  MEDITATIONS 

breaks;  it  drops  into  nothing.  The  Cobweb,  mol! 
finely  fpun  indeed,  but  more  eafily  diflodged,  is  Iwept 
away  in  an  Inflant ;  and  all  the  abortive  Projedls  are 
buried,  in  the  fame  Grave  with  their  Proje6lor.  So  true 
is  that  Verdi6l,  which  the  Wifdom  from  above  pafles^ 
on  thefe  Juccefsful  Unfortunates  :  "  They  walk  in  a  vair 
"  Shadow,  and  difquiet  themfelves  in  vain  */* 

Speak,  ye  that  attend  fuch  a  one  in  his  laft  Mi- 
nutes ;  ye  that  heard  his  expiring  Sentiments ;  did  he  nol 
cry  out,  in  the  Language  of  difappointed  Senfuality— 
^^  O  Death  !  how  terrible  is  thy  Approach,  to  a  Mar 
"  immerfed  in  fecular  Cares,  and  void  of  all  Concerr 
'*  for  the  never-ending  Hereafter  !  Where,  alas  !  is  the 
"  Profit,  where  the  Comfort,  of  entering  deep  into  the 
"  Knowledge,  and  of  being  dexterous  in  the  Difpatch,  o; 
**  earthly  Affairs ;  fince  I  have,  all  die  while,  negledec 
"  the  One  Thing  needful !  Deftru6i:ive  Miflake  !  I  havt 
"  been  attentive  to  every  inferior  Inte reft ;  I  have  laic 
''  myfelf  out  on  the  Trifles  of  a  Moment;  but  have  dif 
' ''  regarded  Heaven ;  have  forgot  eternal  Ages !  O  !  tha 
"  my  Days" — Here  He  was  going  on  to  breathe  rom( 
fruitlefs  Wiflies ;  or  to  form,  I  know  not  what,  ineffec- 
tual Reiblutions.  But  a  fudden  Convulfion  Hiook  hi 
Nerves  ;  difabled  his  Tongue  ;  and,  in  lefs  tha^i  ai 
Hour,  diffolved  his  Frame. 

May  the  Children  of  this  World  be  warned,  by  th( 
dying  Words  of  an  unhappy  Brother ;  and  gather  Ad 
vantage,  from  his  Misfortune. — Why  fhould  they  pant 
with  fuch  impatient  Ardor,  after  white  B.nd yellow  Earth 
as  if  the  Univerfe  did  not  afford  liifficient,  for  every  oni 
to  take  a  little  ?  Wliy  fnould  they  lade  themfelves  wit] 
thick  Clay ;   when  they  ai  e  to  **  run  for  an  incorrupti 

*  Pfal.  xxxix.  6,. 

^^  bl 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  35 

^'  ble  Crown,  and  prefs  towards  the  Prize  of  their  high 
*^  Calling  ?"  Why  fliould  they  overload  the  V'efTel  in 
which  their  everlaiting  ALL  is  embarked ;  or  fill  their 
Arms  with  Superfluities^  when  they  are  to  fwim  for  their 
Lives  ? — Yet,  fo  prepofterous  is  the  Condud:  of  thofe 
Perfons,  who  are  all  Induftry,  to  heap  up  an  Abundance 
of  the  Wealth  which  perilheth  ;  but  are  fcarce  fo  much 
zs  faintly  defirous,  of  being  rich  towards  God. 

O  !  THAT  we  may  walk,  dirough  all  thefe  glittering 
Toys,  at  leaft  with  a  wife  Indifference,  if  not  with  a 
fuperior  Difdain  1  Having  enough  for  the  Conveniencies 
of  Life,  let  us  only  accommodate  ourfelves  with  Things 
below,  and  lay  up  our  Treajures  in  the  Regions  above. 
— Whereas,  if  we  indulge  an  anxious  Concern,  or  lavifh 
an  inordinate  Care,  on  any  tranfitory  PoflelTions  ,•  we 
fhall  rivet  them  to  our  Affc6lions  with  fo  firm  an  Union, 
that  the  utmofl  Severity  of  Pain  muft  attend  the  fepa- 
radng  Stroke.  By  fuch  an  eager  Attachment,  to  what 
will  certainly  be  ravilhed  from  us ;  we  Ihall  only  infure 
to  ourfelves  accumulated  Anguifi,  againft  the  agonizing 
Hour.  We  fliall  plant,  atbrehand,  our  dying  Pillow 
with  Thorns  *. 

Some,  I  perceive,  arrived  at  Threefcore  Years  and 
Ten,  before  they  made  their  Exit  y  nay,  fome  few  re- 
figned  not  their  Breath,  till  they  had  numbered  Four- 
fcore  revolving  Harvefts.  Thefe,  I  would  hope,  "  re- 
"  membered  their  Creator  in  the  Days  of  their  Youth ," 
before  their  Strength  became  Labour  and  Sorrov/ : — 
Before  that  low  Ebb  of  languifhing  Nature,  wh^n  the 
Keepers  of  the  Houfe  irmhle^  and  thofe  that  lot>k  out  of  the 

*  Lean  not  on  Earth;  'twill  pierce  thee  to  the  Heart; 
A  broken  Reed  at  beft,  but  oft  a  Spear  : 
On  its  Iharp  Point  Peace  bleeds,  and  Hope  expi/'es. 

mght  Tpoughtsy  N°  III. 

D  1  Windows 


3^  MEDITATIONS 

fVindows  are  darkened  * ;  when  even  the  lighting  down 
oi  the  Gr a/shopper y  is^  Burden  on  the  bending  Shoulders; 
and  Beftre  \x.kVi  fails  in  the  liftlefs,  lethargic  Soul : — Be- 
ibre  thoie  heavy  Hours  come,  and  thofe  tirefome  Mo- 
ments draw  nigh  ;  in  which,  there  is  too  much  Reafon 
to  fay,  "  JVe  have  no  Pleajure  in  them;  no  Improvement 
"  from  them." 

•, .;  If  their  Lamps  were  unfurnifhed  with  Oil ;  how  un- 
fit muft  they  be,  in  llich  decrepid  Circumllances,  to  go 
to  the  Market,  and  buy  f  1  For,  befides  a  Variety  of 
Diforders,  arifing  from  the  enfeebled  Conftitution ;  their 
Corruptions  muft  be  furprizingly  flrengthened,  by  fuch 
a  long  Courfe  of  Irreligion.  Evil  Habits  muft  have  ftruck 
the  deepeft  Root ;  muft  have  twifted  themfelves  with 
every  Fibre  of  the  Heart;  and  be  as  thoroughly  ingrain- 
ed in  the  Difpofition,  as  the  Soot  in  the  Ethiopian's  Com* 
plexion,  or  the  Spots  in  the  Leopard's  Skin.  If  fuch  a 
One,  under  fuch  Difadvantages,  furmounts  all  the  Diffi- 
culties, which  lie  in  his  Way  to  Glory ;  it  muft  be  a 
great  and  mighty  Salvation  indeed.  If  fuch  a  One  ef- 
capes  Deftruction,  and  is  faved  at  laft,  it  muft,  without 
ill  peradventure,  be— ^  as  by  Fire  J. 

This  is  the  Seafon,  which  ftands  in  need  of  Comfort  f 
and  is  very  improper,  to  enter  upon  the  Cenfli^,  The 
Huft)andman  ihould  now  be  putting  in  his  Sickle,  or 
.♦rating  the  Fruit  of  his  Labpurs ;  not  beginning  to  break 
up  the  Ground,  or  fcatter  the  Seed. — Nothing,  'tis  true, 

*  Exclef.  xir,  3,5.  I  need  not  remind  my  Reader,  that,  by  the 
fjjrn^ei'  of  thefe  figurative  Expreffions,  is  fignifted  the  ener-vated,SiXzX.t 
Cliche  iXmJs  and  Arrru't  by  the  latter,  the  Dimnefs  of  the  Eyes,  or  the 
total  Loj^  of  Sight :  that,  taken  in  Connexion  with  other  Parts  of  the 
Chapter,  they  exhibit,  in  a  Series  of  bold  and  lively  Metaphors,  a 
Defcrij^tioi.v  of  the  'various  Infrtnities  attendant  on  Old  Age. 

f  Matt.  XXV.  9.  X  1  Cor.  iii.  15. 

is 


AMONG     THE    TOMBS. 


37 


is  impolTible  with  God  :  He  faid,  IM  there  he  Light, 
and  there  *ivas  Light :  Inflantaneous  Light,  diffufed,  as 
quick  as  Thought,  through  all  the  difmal  Dominion  of 
primeval  Darknefs.  At  his  Command,  a  Leprofy  of 
the  longed  Continuance,  and  of  the  utmofl  Inveteracyy 
departs  in  a  Moment.  He  can,  in  the  Greatnefs  of  has 
Strength,  quicken  the  Wretch,  who  has  lain  dead  in 
TrefpalTes  and  Sins,  not  Four  Days  only,  but  Fourfcore 
Years. — Yet  truft  not,  O  truft  not,  a  Point  of  fuch  in- 
expreffible  Importance,  to  fo  dreadful  an  Uncertainty, 
God  may  fufpend  his  Power  -,  may  withdraw  his  Help ; 
may  fwcar  in  his  Wrath,  that  fuch  Abufes  of  his  Long* 
fuffering  fhall  "  never  enter  into  his  Reft'." 

Ye  therefore,  that  are  vigorous  in  Health,  and  hloom^ 
ing  in  Years,  improve  the  precious  Opportunity.  Im- 
prove your  Golden  Hours,  to  the  nobleft  of  all  Pur- 
poles  :  fuch  as  may  render  You  meet,  for  the  Inherit- 
ance of  Saints  in  Light ;  and  afcertain  your  Title,  to  a 
State  of  immortal  Youth,  to  a  Crown  of  eternal  Glory  *» 
—Stand  not,  all  the  Prime  of  your  Day,  idle :  trifle  no 
longer  with  the  Offers  of  this  immenfe  Felicity,  but 
make  Hafte,  and  delay  not  the  Time,  to  keep  God*s 
Commandments.  While  you  are  loftering  in  a  gay  In^ 
Jenfibilityy  Death  may  be  bending  his  Bow,  and  markino- 

•  May  I  be  permitted  to  recommend,  as  a  Treafure  of  ineftlmable 
Value,  and  a  Treatife  particularly  appofite  to  my  Subjedl,  Dr.  LU* 
CAS's  Inqjjiry  after  Happiness?  That  Part  efpecially ,  which 
difplays  the  Method,  and  enumerates  the  Advantages,  of  Improi^in^ 
Lifet  or  linjing  much  in  a  little  Time.  Chap.  III.  p.  158.  of  the  6th 
Edit. — An  Author ;  in  whom  the  Gentleman,  the  Scholar,  and  the 
Chriflian,  are  mofl  happily  united.  A  Performance -y  which,  in  Poin( 
of  folid  Argument,  unafFedted  Piety,  and  a  Vein  of  Thought  ama2- 
ingly  fertile,  has,  perhaps,  no  Superior.i— Nor  can  I  wilh  my  Reader 
a  more  refined  Pleafuie,  or  a  more  fubftantial  Happinefs,  than  that  of 
having  the  Sentiments  of  this  entertaining  and  pathetic  Writer,  wove 
into  the  very  Texture  of  his  Heart. 


38  MEDITATIONS 

you  out  for  Ipeedy  Vi6lims. — Not  long  ago,  I  hap- 
pened to  *ipy  a  thoughtlefs  Jay,  The  poor  Bird  was 
idly  bufied,  in  drefTing  liis  pretty  Plumes ;  or  hopping 
carclefsly,  from  Spray  to  Spray.  A  Sportfman,  com- 
ing by,  obferves  the  feathered  Rover.  Immediately  he 
lifts  the  Tube,  and  levels  his  Blow.  Swifter  than  Whirl- 
wind, flies  die  leaden  De^th;  and,  in  a  Moment,  lays 
the  filly  Creature  breathlefs  on  the  Ground. — Such,///^^ 
may  be  the  Fate  of  the  Man,  who  has  a  fairOccafion  of 
obtain}  ig  Grace  to  To-day ;  and  wantonly  poftpones  the 
Improvement  of  it,  till  To-morrow.  He  may  be  cut 
off,  in  the  Midft  of  his  Folly;  and  mined /<?/-  ever^  while 
he  is  dreaming  of  being  wife  hereafter. 

Some,  no  doubt,  came  to  this  their  laft  Retreat,  full 
cf  Fiety^  and  full  of  Days  ;  "  as  a  Shock  of  Corn,  ripe 
"  widi  Age,  and  laden  with  Plenty,  cometh  in,  in  his 
*^  Seafon  *." — Thefe  were  Children  of  Light,  and  wife 
in  their  Generation.  Wife  with  that  exalted  Wifdom, 
which  coming  from  above ;  and  with  that  enduring 
Wifdom,  which  lafts  to  Eternity. — Rich  alfo  they  were, 
more  honourably  and  permanently  rich,  than  all  the 
Votaries  o(  Marnmon.  The  Weakh  of  the  One  has 
made  ixM.^  Wings,  and  is  irrecoverably  gone.  While 
the  wretched  Acqi^irers  are  tranfmitted,  to  diat  Place  of 
Penury  and  Pain ;  where,  not  fo  much  as  one  Drop  of 
Water  is  allowed,  to  cool  their  fcorching  Tongues. 
The  Stores  of  the  Other  ftill  abide  v/ith  them  ;  will 
never  depart  from  them  ;  but  make  them  glad,  for 
Ever  and  Ever,  in  the  City  of  their  God.  Their 
Treafures  were  fuch,  as  no  created  Power  could  take 
away ;  fuch  as  none  but  infinite  Beneficence  can  heflow ; 
and  (comfortable  to  confider!)  fjch  as  I,  and  every 
indigent  longing  Sinner,  may  obtain  \  Treafures  of  hea- 

»  Job  V.  26c 

venly 


AMONG    THE     TOMBS.  3^ 

venly  Knowledge,  and  laving  Faith;  Treafures  of  atoning 
Blood,  and  imputed  Righteoufnefs. 

Here  *  lie  their  Bodies  in  "  peaceable  Habitations, 
*^  and  quiet  Refting-places."     Here,  they  have  thrown 

off 


♦  Some,  I  know,  are  offended  at  our  bur^'lng;  Corpfes  within  the 
Church ;  and  exclaim  againft  it,  as  a  very  great  Impropriety  and  Inde- 
cency, But  this,  I  imagine,  proceed"?  from  an  excelfivc  and  miftaken 
Delicacy.  If  proper  Care  be  taken  to  fecure  from  Injury,  the  Foun- 
dations of  the  BuiLiing  ;  and  to  prevent  the  Exhalation  of  any  noxious 
Effiufiuy  from  the  putrefying  Fleih  ;  I  cannot  difcover  any  Inconve 
niencies,  attending  this  Pradice. 

The  Notion,  that  noifome  CarcafTes  (as  they  are  called)  are  very 
unbecoming  a  Place  confecrated  to  religious  Purpofes,  feems  to  be  de- 
rived from  the  antiquated  Jeivijh  Canon.  WJiereby  it  was  declared, 
that  a  dead  Body  imparted  Defilement  to  the  Perfon,  who  touched  it ; 
and  polluted  the  Spot,  where  it  was  lodged.  On  which  Account,  the 
Jeixjs  were  fcrupuloufly  careful,  to  have  their  Sepulchres  built  at  a 
Diflance  from  their  Houfes ;  and  made  it  a  Point  of  Confcience,  not 
to  fuffer  Burial  Places  to  fubfift  in  the  City.  But,  as  this  was  a  Rite 
purely  ceremonial -,  it  feems  to  be  entirely  fuperfeded  by  the  Gofpel  Dif- 
penfation. 

I  cannot  forbear  thinking,  that,  under  the  Chriftlan  Oeconomy, 
there  is  a  Propriety  and  Ufefulnefs  in  the  Curtom. — U/sfulnefs,  becaufe 
it  muft  render  our  folemn  AiTemblies  more  venerable  and  awful.  For, 
when  we  walk  over  the  Dull  of  our  Friends,  or  kneel  upon  the  Afhes 
of  our  Relations ;  this  awakening  Circumltance  mull  Itrike  a  lively 
Imprefhon  of  our  own  Mortality.  And  what  Confideration  can  be 
more  effedlual,  to  make  us  ferious  and  attentive  in  Hearing  j  earneil 
and  importunate  in  Praying  ? 

As  for  the  Fitnefs  of  the  Ufage,  it  feems  perfeftly  fultable  to  the 
Defign  of  thofe  facred  Edifices.  They  are  fet  apart  for  God  ;  not 
only  to  receive  his  Worfhippers,  but  to  preferve  the  Furniture  for  holy 
Miniftrations,  and  what  is,  in  a  peculiar  Manner,  appropriated  to  the 
Divine  Majefly.  Are  not  the  Bodies  of  the  Saints  the  Almighty's 
Property  ?  Were  they  not  once  the  Objeds  of  his  tender  Lo^ve  ?  Are 
they  not  flill  the  Subjc^fts  of  his J)>ecial  Care?  Has  he  not  given  Com- 
mandment concerning  the  Bones  of  his  Elect ;  and  charged  the  Ocean, 
and  enjoined  the  Grave,  to  keep  them  until  that  Day  ?  When  Rocks 
bright  with  Gems,  or  Mountains  rich  with  Mines,  arc  abandoned  to 

,    D  ^  th« 


40  MEDITATIONS 

off  every  Burden^  and  are  efcaped  from  every  Snare. 
The  {iead  aches  no  more  j  the  Eye  forgets  to  weep ; 
the  Flefh  is  no  longer  racked  with  acute,  nor  wafted 
with  lingering  Dillempers.  Here,  they  receive  a  final 
Releafe  from  Pain,  and  an  cverlafling  Difcharge  from 
Sorrow.  Here,  Danger  never  threatens  them,  with  her 
terrifying  Alarms ;  but  Tranquility  foftens  their  Couch, 
and  Safety  guards  their  Repofe. — Reft  then,  ye  precious 
Relics,  within  this  hofpitable  Gloom.  Reft  in  gentle 
Shimbers,  till  the  laft  Trumpet  ftiall  give  the  welcome 
Signal ;  and  found  aloud,  through  all  your  filent  Man- 
fions,  "  Arife  !  Ihiue ;  for  your  Light  is  come,  and  the 
Glory  of  the  Lord  is  rifen  upon  You  f." 

the  devouring  Flames ;  will  not  theje  be  refcucd  from  the  fiery  Ruin  ? 
Will  not  t/:'e/e  be  tranllated  into  Jehovah's  Kingdom,  and,  con- 
jointly with  the  Soul,  made  "  his  Jewels  ;'*  made  **  his  peculiar  Trea- 
sure;'* made  to  fhine  as  the  Brightnefs  of  the  Firmament,  and  as  the 
Stars  for  Ever  and  Ever  ? 

Is  not  Christ  the  LORD  of  our  Bodies  ?  Are  they  not  bought  with 
a  Price  ?  Bought,  not  with  corruptible  Things,  Silver  and  God,  but 
with  his  divinely  precious  Blood.  And,  if  the  blefled  Jesus  obtained 
the  Redemption  of  our  Bodies,  at  fo  infinitely  dear  a  Rate ;  can  it 
enter  into  our  Hearts  to  conceive,  that  he  fhould  diflike  to  have  them 
repofed  under  his  own  Habitation  ? — Once  more  ;  Are  not  the  Bodies 
of  the  Faithful,  Temples  of  the  Holy  Gkoji  ?  And  is  there  not,  upon 
this  Suppofition,  an  apparent  Propriety,  rather  than  the  leaft  Indeco^ 
rum ;  in  remitting  thefe  Temples  of  Flefh  to  the  Temples  made  with 
Hands?  They  are  Vefiels  of  Honour  ;  Inftruments  of  Righteoufnefs ; 
and,  even  when  broken  by  Death,  like  the  Fragments  of  a  golden 
Bowl,  are  valuable;  are  worthy  to  be  laid  up  in  the  fafeft,  moft  ho- 
xiourable  Repofitories. 

Upon  the  Whole,  fmce  the  Lord  Jesus  has  purchafed  them,  at 
the  Expence  of  his  Blood ;  and  the  blefTed  Spirit  has  honoured  thcjn, 
with  his  in-d  -  ing  Frefence  ;  fmce  they  are  right  dear  in  the  Sight 
of  the  adorable  4.  riri:y,  and  undoubted  Heirs  of  a  glorious  Immorta- 
lity :  Why  ihould  it  be  thought  a  Thing  improper,  to  admit  them  to  a 
tranfient'Reft,  in  their  Heavenly  Father's  Houfe  ?  Why  may  they  not 
lie  down  and  fleep,  in  the  outer  Courts  ;  fmce  they  are  foon  to  be  in- 
iroduced^  into  the  inmoj)  ilanfions  of  cverlafling  Honour  and  Joy  \ 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  41 

To  thefe,  how  calm  was  the  Evening  of  Li^r  !  la  v/hat 
a  fmiling  Serenity,  did  their  Sun.  go  down !  When  their 
Flefh  and  their  Heart  failed,  how  reviving  was  the  Re- 
nj^mbrance  of  an  all-fufFicient  Redeemer;  once  dying 
foT  their  Sins,  now  rifen  again  for  their  JuftiFiCanon! 
How  chearing  the  well-grounded  Hope  of  Pardon  for 
their  Tranfgrefiions,  and  Peace  with  God,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  LordI  How  did  this  ajfuage  the 
Agonies,  TiV^Jweeten  the  Bitternefs  of  Death  ? — Where 
now  is  Wealth,  with  all  her  golden  Mountains  ?  Where 
is  Honour,  with  her  proud  Trophies  of  Renown  ? 
Where  are  all  the  vain  Pomps  of  a  deluded  World  ? 
Can  they  m^^xxtjuch  Comfort^  can  they  adminifter  any 
Support  In  this  lafl  Extremity  ?  Can  they  compofe  thet 
affrighted  Thoughts ;  or  buoy  up  the  departing  Soul, 
amidfl  all  the  Pangs  of  Diflblution  ?  —The  Followers  of 
the  Lambfeem  pleafed  and  triumphant,  even  at  their  laft 
Gafp.  "  God"?  everlafting  Arms  are  underneath*" 
their  fainting  Heads.  His  Spirit  whifpers  Peace  and 
Confolation  to  their  Confciences.  In  the  Strength  of 
thefe  heavenly  Succours,  they  quit  the  Field,  not  Cap-> . 
tives,  but  Conquerersi  with  "Hopes  full  of  Immorta- 
lity/' 

An»  now  they  are  gone. — The  ftruggles  of  relu(5tant 
Nature  are  over.  Tlie  Body  fleeps  in  Deadi:  the  Soul 
launches  into  the  invifible  State.— But,  who  can  imagine 
the  delightful  Surprife,  when  they  find  themfelves  fur- 
rounded  by  guardian  Angels  inflead  of  weeping  Friends  ? 
How  fmcerely  do  they  wing  their  Way,  and  pafs  through 
unknown  Worlds,  under  the  Conduft  of  thofe  celellial 
Guides ! — The  Vale  of  Tears  is  quite  loft.  Farewel, 
for  Ever,  the  Realms  of  Woe,  and  Range  of  malignant 


♦  Deut.  xxxiU.  27. 


Beings  I 


42  MEDITATIONS 

Beings !  They  arrive  on  the  Frontiers  of  inexpreflfble 
Felicity.  They  ^'  are  come  to  the  City  of  the  Living 
*^  God  :*'  while  a  Voice,  fweeter  than  Mufic  in  her  fofteil 
Strains;  fvveet  as  the  Harmony  of  hymning  Seraphim ; 
congratulates  their  Arrival,  and  befpeaks  their  Admif- 
lion:  Lift  up  your  Heads i  0 ye  Gates -^  ajidheyeliftupy  ye 
everlajiing  Boors ;  that  the  Heirs  of  Glory  may  enter  in. 

Here,  then,  let  us  leave  the  Spirits  and  Souls  of  the 
Righteous;  efcaped  from  an  entangling  Wildernejsy  and 
received  into  a  Faradije  of  Delights!  Efcaped  from  the 
Territories  of  Difquietude,  and  fetded  in  Regions  of  un- 
molefted  Security !  Here,  they  fit  down  with  Ahraham^ 
IJaaCy  and  Jacob, 'm  die  Kingdom  of  their  Father.  Here, 
they  mingle  with  an  innumerable  Company  of  Angels, 
and  rejoice  around  the  Throne  of  the  Lamb :  rejoice  in. 
the  Fruition  of  prejent  Felicit}^,  and  in  the  ajfured  Expec- 
tation of  an  inconceivable  Addition  to  their  Blifs ;  when 
GOB  Jhall  call  the  Heavens  from  above ,  and  the  Earth, 
that  he  may  judge  his  People  *. 

Fools  accounted  their  Life  Madnefs,  and'  their  End  to 
he  without  Honour :  but,  they  are  numbered  among  the  Chil- 
dren of  GOB  \  and  their  Lot,  their  diflinguifhed  and 
eternal  Lot,  is  among  the  Saints  f  /  However,  therefore, 
an  undifcerning  World  may  defpije,  and  a  profane  World 

*  Seneca's  Refledllons  upon  the  State  of  holy  Souls,  delivered  from 
the  Burden  of  the  Flefh,  are  fparkling  and  fine ;  yet  very  indijiintl  and 
empty,  compared  with  the  Particulars  mentioned  above,  and  with  many 
others,  that  might  be  collefted  from  Scripture.  In  hoc  tarn  procellofo^ 
l^  in  (mines  Tempejiates  expojito  nwvigantibus  Mariy  nullus  Partus y  nift  Mortis 
ej}.  Ne  ita^ue  inuideris  Fratri  tuo;  quiefcit.  Tandem  liber,  tandem 
tutus y  tandem  ateriius  eji.  Fruiter  nunc  aperto  l^  liber o  Ccelo  ;  ex  humili 
l^  deprejfo,  in  eiim  emicuit  Locum,  quifolutas  Vinculis  Animas  beato  recipit 
Sinu  ;  ^  nunc  omnia  Rerum  Natura  Bona  cumfumma  Voluptate  fercipiu. 
Sen.  ad  Pol yb. 

f  Wifdom  V,  4,  5. 

vilify^ 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  43 

'Vilify,  the  truly  Religions;  be  this  the  Supreme,  the  in- 
variable Defire  of  my  Heart!  "  Let  me  live  the  Life, 
**  and  die  the  death,  of  the  Righteous.  Oh !  let  my 
*'  latter  End,  and  future  State,  belike  theirs!'* 

What  Figure  is  That,  which  ftrikes  my  Eye,  from 
an  eminent  Part  of  the  Wall  ?  It  is  not  only  placed  in 
a  more  elevated  Situation,  than  the  reft  3  but  carries  a  more 
fplendid  ^ndjumptuous  Airy  than  ordinary.  Swords  and 
Spears ;  murdering  Engines,  and  Inftruments  of  Slaugh- 
ter;  adorn  the  Stone  with  a  formidable  Magnificence.— 
It  proves  to  be  the  Monument  of  a  noble  Warrior. 

Is  fuch  Refpe6l,  thought  I,  paid  to  the  Memory  of 
this  brave  Soldier,  for  Hicrificing  his  Life  to  the  public 
Good? — Then,  what  Honours,  what  immortal  Honours, 
are  due  to  the  great  Captain  of  our  Salvation  ?  Who, 
though  Lord  of  the  Angelic  Legions ;  and  fupreme  Com- 
mander of  all  the  heavenly  Hods ;  willingly  offered  him- 
felf  a  bleeding  Propitiation  for  Sinners  I 

The  One  died,  being  a  Mortal-,  and  only  yielded  up 
a  Life,  which  was  long  before  forfeited  to  Divine  Jus- 
tice ;  which  muft  foon  have  been  fijrrendered  as  a  Debt 
to  Nature,  if  it  had  not  fallen  as  a  Prey  to  War. — But 
Christ  took  Flefh,  and  gave  up  the  Ghoft,  diough  he 
was  the  great  I  AM ;  the  Fountain  of  Exiftence ;  who 
calls  Happinefs  and  Immortality  all  his  own.  He,  who 
thought  it  no  Robbery  to  be  Equal  with  God-,  He, 
whofe  Outgoings  were  from  Everlafiing  -,  even  He,  was 
made  in  the  Likenefs  of  Man,  and  cut  off  out  of  the 
Land  of  the  Living.  Wonder,  O  Heavens!  Be  afto- 
nilhed,  O  Earth!  HE  died  the  Death,  of  whom  it  is 
witneffed,  that  HE  is  ^^  the  true  God,  and  eternal 
^'  Life*." 

*   I  John  V.  20. 

The 


44  MEDITATIONS 

The  One  expofed  HImfelf  to  Peril,  in  the  Service  of 
his  Sovereign  and  his  Country ;  which,  though  it  was  glo- 
rious to  do,  yet  would  have  been  ignominious,  in  fuch 
Circumflances,  to  have  declined.— But  Christ  took  the 
Field,  though  he  was  the  blejfed  and  only  Potentate  i  the 
King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords.  Christ  took 
the  Field,  though  He  was/z/r^  to  drop  in  the  Engage* 
ment  5  and  put  on  the  Harnefs,  though  He  knew  be- 
forehand, that  it  mull  reek  with  his  Blood.  That  Prince 
of  Heaven  refigned  his  Royal  Perfon,  not  barely  to  the 
Hazard,  but  to  the  inevitable  Stroke;  to  Death,  certain 
in  its  Approach,  and  armed  with  all  its  Horrors. — And 
for  whom  ?  Not  for  thofe  who  were  in  any  Degree  de- 
ferving  5  but  for  his  own  difohedient  Creatures ;  for  xh>t 
Pardon  of  condemned  Malefactors ;  for  a  Band  of  Re- 
bels, a  Race  of  Traitors,  the  moft  obnoxious  and  inex- 
cuf3.ble  of  all  Criminals.  Whom  he  might  have  left  to 
periih  in  their  Iniquities,  without  the  leafl  Impeachment 
of  his  Goodnefs,  and  to  the  Difplay  of  his  avenging 
Jullice, 

The  One,  'tis  probable,  died  expedittoujly ;  was  fud- 
denly  wounded,  and  foon  flain.  A  Bullet,  lodged  in 
his  Heart ;  a  Sword,  fheathed  in  his  Breafl ;  or  a  Bat- 
tle-ax, cleaving  the  Brain,  might  put  a  fpeedy  End  to 
his  Mifery ;  difpatch  him  "  as  in  a  Moment." — Whereas, 
the  divine  Redeemer  expired  in  tedious  and  protraded 
Torments.  His  Pangs  were  as  lingering^  as  they  were 
exquifite.  Even  in  the  Prelude  to  his  laft  Suffering,  what 
a  Load  of  Sorrows  overwhelmed  his  fa'cred  Humanity ! 
Till  the  intolerable  Preffure  wrung  Blood,  inftead  of 
Sweat,  from  every  Pore :  till  the  crimfon  Flood  ftained 
all  his  Raiment,  and  tinged  the  very  Stones : — But,  when 
the  laft  Scene  of  the  Tragedy  commenced ;  when  the 
Executioner's  Hammer,  had  nailed  him  to  the  Crofs ; 

01  how 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  45 

O !  how  many  difmal  Hours y  did  that  illuftrious  Sufferer 
hang ;  a  Spe6lacle  of  Woe  to  God,  to  Angels,  and  to 
Mcii !  His  Temples  mangled  with  the  thorny  Crown ! 
his  Hands  and  Feet  cleft  with  the  rugged  Irons ;  his 
whole  Body  covered  with  Wounds  and  Bruifes  !  and  his 
Sou),  his  very  Soul,  pierced  with  Pangs  of  unutterable 
Diftrefs ! 

So  long  he  hung,  tliat  Nature,  through  all  her  Do- 
minions, was  thrown  into  fympathizing  Commotions. 
The  Earth  could  no  longer  fuftain  fuch  barbarous  In- 
dignities, without  Trembling ;  nor  the  Sun  behold  them, 
without  Horror.  Nay,  fo  long  did  he  hang  in  this  Ex- 
tremity of  Agony  and  Torture,  that  the  Alarm  reached 
even  the  remote  Regions  of  the  Dead.— Never,  O  my 
Soul,  never  forget  the  amazing  Truth.  The  Lamb 
of  God  was  feized;  was  bound;  was  flaughtered  with 
the  utmoft  Inhumanity ;  and  endured  Death,  in  all  its 
Bitternefs,  for  thee.  His  murderers,  ftudioufly  cruel, 
fo  guided  the  fatal  Cup;  that  he  tafted  every  t)rop  of 
ns  Gall,  before  he  drank  it  off  to  the  very  Dregs. 

Once  again ;  The  Warrior  died  like  a  HerOy  and  fell 
gallantly  in  the  Field  of  Battle. — But,  died  not  Christ 
as  a  Fool  dieth  *  ?  Not  on  the  Bed  of  Honour,  with 
Scars  of  Glory  in  his  Breafl;  but,  like  fome  execrable 
Mifcreant,  on  a  Gibbet ;  with  Lafhes  of  the  vile  Scourge 
on  his  Back.  Yes,  the  blefled  Jesus  bowed  his  ex- 
piring Head  on  the  accurfed  Tree  ;  fufpended  between 
Heaven  and  Earth,  as  an  Outcaft  from  Both,  and  un- 
worthy of  Either. 

What  fuitable  Returns  of  Inflamed  and  adoring  De- 
votion, can  we  make  to  the  Holy  One  of  God  ;  thus 

•  2  Sam.  lii.  33.     Of  this  Indignity  our  Lord  complains  ;  Jreye 
come  out  at  againfi  a  Thief  ?  Matt,  xxvi,  55. 

dying, 


46  MEDITATIONS 

dying,  that  we  might  live  ?  Dying  in  Ignominy  and 
Anguifh ;  that  we  might  live  for  ever  in  the  Heights  of 
Joy,  and  fit  for  ever  on  Tlirones,  of  Glory. — Alas  1  it 
is  not  in  us,  impotent,  infenfible  Mortals,  to  be  duly 
thanlcful.  He  only,  who  confers  fuch  Inconceivably  rich 
Favours,  can  enkindle  a  proper  Warmth  of  grateful  Af- 
fections. Then  build  thyfeif  a  Mcimmenty  mofl  gracious 
Immanuel,  build  thyfeif  an  everlafting  Monument  of 
Gratitude  in  our  Souls.  Infcribe  the  Memory  of  thy 
matchlefs  Beneficence,  not  with  Ink  and  Pen ;  but  with 
that  precious  Bloody  which  gufhed  from  thy  wounded 
Veins.  Engrave  it,  not  with  the  Hammer  and  Chizel ; 
•but  with  that  iharpened  S-pear,  which  pierced  thy  facred 
Side.  Let  it  (land  confpicuous  and  indelible,  hot  on 
out\\^ard  Tables  of  Stone ;  but  on  the  very  inmoft  Tables 
of  our  Hearts. 

One  Thing  more  let  me  obferve,  before  I  bid  Adieu 
to  this  intombed  Warrior,  and  his  garnilhed  Sepulchre. 
How  mean  are  thele  oftentatious  Methods,  of  bribing 
the  Vote  of  Fame,  and  purchaiing  a  little  pofthumous 
Renown  !  What  a  poor  Subftitute  for  a  Set  of  memo- 
rable Ad:ions,  is  polifhed  Alabafier,  or  the  Mimicry  of 
fc'jiptured  Marble  1  The  real  Excellency  of  this  *  bleeding 

*  Sir  Be'vil  Gran<viUey  flam  in  the  Civil  Wars,  at  an  Engagement 
with  the  Rebels — It  may  polTibly  be  fome  Entertainment  to  the  Reader, 
if  I  fubjoin  Sir  Bevil's  Chara6i;er;  as  it  is  drawn  by  that  celebrated 
Pen,  which  wrote  the  Hiftory  of  thofe  calamitous  Times — "  That 
'*  which  would  have  clouded  any  Yi£lory,y2yj  the  noble  Hijloriany  and 
•'  made  the  Lofs  of  others  lefs  fpoken  of,  was  the  Death  of  Sir  Bevil 
"  Gran'ville,  He  was  indeed  an  excellent  Perfon,  whofe  Aclivity,  In- 
"  tereft,  and  Reputation,  were  the  Foundation  of  v/hat  had  been  done 
"  in  Cornnvall:  His  Temper  and  Affedions  fo  public,  that  no  Acci- 
*'  dent  which  happened,  could  make  any  ImprelTion  upon  him :  And 
"  his  Example  kept  others  from  taking  any  thing  ill,  or  at  leaft  feem- 
**  ing  to  do  fo.  In  a  Word,  a  brighter  Courage,  and  a  gentler  Dif- 
'*  pofition,  were  never  married  together,  to  make  the  moll  chearful 
"  and  innocent  Converfation."  Cl  a  r.  Hi/i.  Reb.  Vol.  II. 

Patriot,^ 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  47 

Patriot,  Is  written  on  the  Minds  of  his  Countrymen.  It 
would  be  remembered  with  Applaule,  fo  long  as  the 
Nation  fubfifls,  without  this  artificial  Expedient  to  per- 
petuate it. — And  fuch,  fach  is  the  Monument,  I  would 
wifh  for  myfclf.  Let  me  leave  a  Memorial,  in  the 
Breafts  of  my  Feilow-Crcatures.  Let  furviving  Friends 
bear  Witnefs ;  that  I  have  not  lived  to  myfelf  alone,  nor 
been  altogether  unferviceable  in  my  Generation.  O  !  let 
an  uninterrupted  Series  of  beneficent  OfHces,  be  the  In- 
Jcripioyi ;  and  the  belt  Interefls  of  my  Acquaintance,  the 
Plate  that  exhibits  it. 

Let  die  ?oor,  as  they  pafs  by  my  Grave,  point  at  the 
little  Spot,  and  thankfully  acknowledge — "  There  lies 
"  the  Man,  whofe  unv/earied  Kindnefs  was  the  conftant 
*'  Relief  of  my  various  DiilrelTes ;  who  tenderly  vifited 
*'  my  languifhing  Bed,  and  readily  fupplied  my  indigent 
'^  Circumftances.      How  often  were  his   Counfels,    a 
*'  Guide  to  my  perplexed  Thoughts,  and  a  Cordial  to 
"  my  deje6led  Spirits  I   'Tis  owing  to  God's  BlelTing, 
"  on  his  feafonable  Charities,  and  prudent  Confolations; 
'^  that  I  now  live,  and  live  in  Comfort." — Let  a  Per- 
fon,  once  ignorant  and  ungcily^  lift  up  his  Eyes  to  Hea- 
ven, and  fay  within  himfelf,  as  he  walks  over  my  Bones; 
"  Here  are  the  laft  Rem.ains  of  that  fincere  Friend, 
"  who  ivatchedfor  my  Soul.     I  can  never  forget,  with 
*'  what  heedlefs  Gaiet)'',  I  v/as  pofVing  on  in  the  Paths 
"  of  Perdition :  and  I  tremble  to  think,  into  what  ir* 
"  retrievable  Ruin  I  might  quickly  have  been  plunged; 
"  had  not  his  faithful  Admoritio.is  arrefbed  me  in  the 
"  wild  Career.     I  was  unacquainted  with  the  Gofpel  of 
"  Peace,  and  had  no  Concern  for  its  unfearchable  Trea- 
*'  fures ;  but  now  enlightened  by  his  inflrutlive  Ccnver- 
^^  Jation,  I  fee  the  All-fufTiciency  of  my  Saviour;  and, 
"  animated  by  his  repeated  Exhortations,    I    count  all 
"  Things  but  Lofs,  that  I  may  win  Christ.       Me- 

"  thinks. 


jfi  ^MEDITATIONS 

"  thinks,  his  Difcourfvjs,  feafoned  with  Religion,  and 
•*  let  Home  by  the  divine  Spirit,  ftill  tingle  in  my 
"  Ears ;  are  ftiil  warm  upon  rr.y  Heart ;  and,  I  trufl, 
"  will  be  more  and  more  operative,  till  we  meet  each 
"  other  in  the  Houfe  not  made  with  Hands,  eternal  in 
"  the  Heavens." 

The  only  infallible  Way  of  immortalizing  our  Cha- 
rafbers ;  a  Way  equally  open  to  the  meaneft  and  mofl 
exalted  Fortune;  i^:,  "  To  m^ke  our  Calling  and  Elec- 
<*  tion  fure ;"  to  gain  fome  fweet  Evidence,  that  our 
Names  are  written  in  Heaven,  Then,  however  they  may 
be  dilregarded  or  forgotten,  among  Men ;  they  will  not 
fail  to  be  had  in  everlafting  Remembrance,  before  the 
Lord. — This  is,  of  all  diftindtions,  far  the  nobleft* 
Jmbiticny  be  this  thy  Object,  and  every  Page  of  Scrip- 
ture will  fancfhify  thy  Pallion  ;  every  Grace  itfelf  will  fan 
thy  Flame.-— As  to  eartlily  Memorials,  yet  a  litde 
While,  and  they  are  all  obliterated.  The  Tongue  of 
thofe,,  whofe  Happinefs  we  have  zealoufly  promoted, 
mull  loon  be  filent  in  the  Coffin.  Characters  cut  with 
a  Pen  of  Iron,  and  committed  to  the  folid  Rock,  will 
ere  long  ceafe  to  be  legible  *.  But  as  many  as  are  in- 
rolled  "  in  the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life,"  He  himfelf  de- 
clares, ihall  never  be  blotted  out  from  thofe  Annals 
of  Eternity  f.  When  a  Flight  of  Years  has  mouldered 
the  triumphal  Column  into  Duft :  when  the  brazen 
Statue  perifhes,  under  the  corroding  Hand  of  Time : 
tJjoJe  Honours  ftill  continue  ;  ftill  are  blooming  and  in- 
corruptible, in  the  World  of  Glory. 

Make  the  extended  Skies  your  Tomb ; 
Let  Stars  record  your  Worth  : 

Yet  know,  vain  Mortals,  all  muft  die. 
As  Nature*s/^M^  Birth. 

m  »_  Datafunt  ipjis  qu&que  Fata  Sepukhris,  JuV. 

t  Rev.  iii.  5. 

Would 


AMONG     THE    TOMBS.  49 

Would  bounteous  Heav'n  indulge  my  PrayV, 

I  frame  a  nobkr  Choice ; 
Nor,  living,  wifh  die  pompous  Pile  -, 

Nor,  dead,  regret  the  Lois. 

In  tliy  fair  Bock  of  Life  divine. 

My  God,  inlcribe  my  Name  : 
There  let  it  fill  Ibme  humble  Place, 

Beneath  the  flaughtered  L.amb. 

Thy  Saints,  while  Ages  roll  away. 

In  endlefs  Fame  Ibrvive  ; 
Their  Glories,  o*er  the  Wrongs  of  TimiC 

Greatly  triumphant,  live. 

Yonder  Entrance  leads,  I  fuppofe,  to  the  Vault, 
Let  me  turn  afide,  and  take  one  View  of  the  Habita- 
tion, and  its  Tenants. — The  fallen  Doer  grates  upon  its 
Llinges :  Not  ufed  to  receive  many  Vifitants,  it  ad- 
mits me  with  Reluftance  and  Murmurs. — What  mean- 
cth  this  Judden  Trepidation ;  while  I  defcend  the  Steps, 
and  am  vifidng  the  pale  Nations  of  the  Dead  ? — Btr- 
compofed,  my  Spirits ;  there  is  nothing  to  fear,  in  thefe 
quiet  Chambers.  "  Here,  even  the  Wicked  ceafe  from 
**  troubhnor.'' 

Good  Heavens  !  v/hat  a  folemn  Scene  ! — How  dil- 
mal  the  Gloom !  Here  is  perpetual  Darknefs,  and  Night 
even  at  Noon-day. — Hov/  doleful  is  Solitude  I  Not  one 
Trace  of  chearful  Society;  but  forrow  and  Terror  feem 
to  have  made  This,  their  dreaced  Abode — Hark  f  hov/ 
the  hollow  Dony!  refounds,  at  every  Tread.  The,  Eches^ 
that  long  have'  flept,  are  av;akened  i  and  lament^  and 
ilgh,  along  the'  Walls. 

A  Beam,  or  tv/o,  finds  its  Way  through  the  Grates ; 
and  refledts  a  feeble  Glimmer,  from  the  Nails  of  the 
Co^ns,    So  many  of  thole  fad  Spectacle?,  half  conce.ile(l 

E  in 


5C  M  E  D  I  T  A  T  IONS 

in  Shades  j  half  fcen  dimly  by  die  bakfui  Twilight ; 
add  a  deeper  Horror  to  thefe  gloomy  Manfions. — I  pore 
upon  the  Infcriptions,  and  am  jufl:  able  to  pick  out; 
That  thefe  are  die  Remains  of  the  Rich  and  Renowned. 
No  vulgar  Dead  are  depofited  here.  The  Afojl  Ilhiftri-. 
cusy  and  Right  HGncurahle,  have  claimed  this  for  their 
lafd  Retreat.  And,  indeed,  they  retain  fomewhat  of  a 
fnadov.y  Pre-eminence.  They  lie,  ranged  in  mournful 
Order,  and  in  a  Sort  of  filent  Pomp,  under  the  Arches 
of  an  ample  Sepulchre  ;  while  meaner  Corpfes,  without 
mi!jh  Ceremony,  *''  go  down  to  the  Stones  of  the  Pit." 

My  Apprehenfions  recover  from  dieir  Surprife.  I 
iinJ,  here  are  no  Phantoms,  but  llich  as  Fear  raifcs. — 
However,  it  ftill  amazes  me,  to  oblerve  the  Wonders 
of  this  nether  World.  Thofe,  who  received  vaft  Re- 
venues, and  called  whole  Lordihips  their  own ;  are  here 
reduced  to  Half  a  Dozen  Feet  of  Earth,  or  confined 
in  a  fev/  Sheets  of  Lead.  Rooms  of  State,  and  fumptu- 
ous  Furniture,  are  refjgnedj  for  no  other  Ornament 
than  the  Shroud,  for  no  other  Apartment  than  the  dark- 
fome  Niche. — W^here  is  the  Star,  that  blazed  upon  the 
Bread  5  or  Coronet,  that  glittered  round  the  Temples  ? 
The  only  Remains  of  departed  Dignity  are,  the  Wea- 
ther-beaten Hatchment,  and  the  tattered  Efcutcheon.. 
I  fee  no  fplendid  Rednue,  furrounding  this  Iblitary 
Dwelling.  The  lordly  Equipage  hovers  no  longer  about 
the  lifelefs  Mafber.  He  has  no  other  Attendant,  than  a 
dufly  Statue;  which,  while  the  regardlefs  World  is  as  gay 
as  ever,  the  Sculptor's  Hand  has  taughxt  to  weep. 

Those,  who  gloried  in  high-born  Anceftors,  anduohle^ 
Pedigree 'y  here,  drop  their  lofcy  Pretenfions.  They  ac- 
knowledge Kindred  with  creepino;  Things,  r.nd  quarter 
ylrms  with  the  meaneft  Reptiles.  They  Jay  to  Ccrruptioi, 
Thou  art  my  Father  \  01  d  to  the  JVorra^  Then  art  my  Mo- 
ther 


AMONG     THE     TOMBS.  51 

ther  and  my  Sifter,— Or^  fhciild  they  Itill  afTin-ne  the  Stile 
of  Diflln(ftion,  ah  !  how  impotent  were  the  Claim  !  how 
apparent  the  Oftcntatlon  1  Is  it  faid  by  their  Monument, 
Here  lies  the  Great  ?  How  eafy  is  it  replied  by  the 
Spedlator ! 

Falfe  Marble!  Where? 

Nothing  hut  poor  and  fordid  Diift  lies  Here, 

Mortifying  Truth  !  SufRcient,  one  would  think,  to  wean 
the  mod  fanguine  Appetite,  from  this  tranfitory  State 
of  Things;  from  its  ficklySatisfactionSj  its  fading  Glories 
its  vanilhing  Treafures. 

For  nov/,  ye  lying  Vanities  of  Life  ! 

Ye  ever-tempting,  ever-cheating  Train  ! 

Where  are  ye  now  ?  And  v/hat  is  your  Amount  ? 

What  is  all  the  World,  to  tliefe  poor  breathlefs , 
Beings  ? — What  are  their  Pkajiires  ?  A  Bubble  broka. 
—What  their  Honciirs  ?  A  Dream  that  is  forgotten. — 
What  the  Sum-totrd  of  their  Enjoyments  below  ?  Once, 
perhaps,  it  appeared  to  inexperienced  and  fond  Defirr, 
fomething  confiderable.  But,  now  Death  has  m.eufured 
it  with  his  Line,  and  weigiied  it  in  his  Scale,  what  is 
the  Upfliot  ?  Alas  !  it  is  Ihorter  than  a  Span  ;  lighter 
than  the  dancing  Spark  3  and  driven  away  hke  the  dil- 
folving  Smoke. 

Indulge,  my  Soul,  a  ferious  Paufe.  Recolledl  all 
the  gay  Things,  that  were  wont  to  dazzle  thy  Eyes,  and 
inveigle  thy  Affedlions.  Here,  examine  thofe  Baits  of 
Senfe.  Here,  form  an  Eflim.ate  of  their  real  Value, 
Suppofe  thyfelf  firft,  among  the  Favourites  of  Fortune  ; 
who  revel  in  the  Lap  of  Pleafurc;  who  fhine  in  theP.obes 
of  Honour  j  and  fwim  in  Tides  of  inexliaufted  Riches, 
Yet,  how  foon  would  the  palling  Bell  proclaim  thy  Exit! 
And,  when  once  that  Iron  Call,  lias  fummoned  thee  tr> 

E  2  th.v 


5i  M  S  D  I  T  A  T  I  O  N  S 

thy  future  Reckoning;  where  v/ould  all  thefe  Gratlfica- 
tions  be  ?  At  that  Period,  hotv  will  all  the  Pageantry  of 
the  moft  afHuent,  fplendid,  or  luxurious  Circumflances, 
vanifli  into  empty  Air! — And  is  ibis  a  Happinefs  fo 
pallioriately  to  be  coveted  ? 

I  THANK  you,  ye  Relics  of  founding  Titles,  and 
magnificent  Names.  Ye  have  taught  me  more  of  the 
I.ittlenefs  of  the  World,  tlian  all  the  Volumes  of  my 
library.  Your  Nobility  arrayed  in  a  Winding-flieet ; 
your  Grandeur  mouldering  in  an  Urn  ;  are  the  moft  in- 
difputable  Proofs,  of  the  Nothingnejs  of  created  Things, 
Never,  furely,  did  Providence  write  this  important  Point, 
in  fiich  legible  Charafters ;  as  in  the  Allies  of  My  Lord, 
or  on  the  Corpfe  of  His  Grace  *. — Let  others,  if  they 
pleafe,  pay  their  obfequious  Court  to  your  wealthy  Sons; 
and  ignobly  fav/n,  or  anxioufly  fue,  for  Preferments. 
My  Thoughts  fhall  often  refort,  in  penfive  Contem- 
plation, to  the  Sepulchres  of  their  Sires ;  and  learn, 
from  their  fleeping  Dufc — to  moderate  my  Expe6lations 
from  Mortals — to  ftand  dif engaged  from  every  undue 
Attachment,  to  the  little  Interefts  of  Time — to  get 
above  the  dclufive  Amufements  of  Honour ;  the  gaudy 
Tinfels  of  Wealth ;  and  all  the  eir.pty  Shadow*  of  a 
perifhing  World. 

Hark  !  what  Sound  is  that ! — In  fuch  a  Situation, 
every  Noife  alarms. — Solemn  and  flow^  it  breaks  again 
upon  the  filent  Air. — 'Tis  the  Striking  of  the  Clock.— 
Defigned,  one  would  imagine,  to  rati'y  all  my  ferious 
Meditations.  Methinks,  it  fays  Amen,  and  fets  a  Seal, 
to  every  im.proving  Hint.  It  tells  me  ;  That  another 
Portion  of  my  appointed  Time,  is  elapfed.  One  calls 
it  ''  the  Knell  of  niy  departed  Hours."   "Tis  the  Watch- 


^■lors  fola  fate  fur 


'^io.iiiula jint  IJnT^innm  Co>'p:>fciila. — "—  Juv. 

word 


AMOx\G     THE     TOMBS.  53 

word  to  Vigilance  and  Aflivlty.  It  cries  in  the  Ear  of 
Reafon  j  "  Redeem  the  Time.  Catch  the  favourable 
"  Gales  of  Opportunity :  O  !  catch  them,  while  they 
<^  breathe;  before  they  are  irrecoverably  loll.  The  Span 
''  of  Life  fliortens  continually.  Thy  Minutes  are  all 
'^  upon  the  Wing,  and  hailening  to  be  gone,  Thou  arc 
"  a  Borderer  upon  Eternity  i  and  making  incefllint  Ad- 
*^  vances  to  the  State,  thou  art  contemplating,"  May 
the  Admonition  fmk  deep,  into  an  attentive  and  obedicnf 
Mind  !  May  it  teach  me  that  Heavenly  Arithiveticy  of 
"  numbering  my  Days,  and  ^ipplying  my  Heart  unto 
*<  Wifdom  !" 

I  HAVE  often  v/alked,  beneath  the  impending  Pro- 
montory's craggy  Cliff;  I  have  fometimes  trod  die  vail 
Spaces  of  the  lonely  Defart ;  and  penetrated  the  inmoft 
Receffes  of  the  dreary  Cavern ;  but  never,  never  be- 
held Nature  louring,  with  fo  tremendous  a  Form  ;  never 
felt  fuch  Imprefnons  o( A-juey  ftriking  cold  on  my  Heart; 
as  under  thefe  black-browed  Arches,  amidft  thefe  mouldy 
Walls,  and  furrounded  by  fuch  rueful  Objeds.  Where 
Melancholy,  deepell  Melancholy,  for  ever  fpreads  lier 
Raven  Wings. — Let  me  now  emerge  from  the  damp 
and  dreadful  Obfcurity.— Farewel,  ye  Seats  of  Defola- 
don,  and  Shades  of  Death  !  Gladly  I  revifit  the  Realms 
of  Day. 

Having  caft  a  Juperficid  View,  upon  thefe  Recep^ 
tacle  of  the  Dead;  Curiofity  prompts  my  Inquiry  to  a 
more  intimate  Survey.  Could  we  draw  back  the  Co- 
vering of  the  Tomb ;  could  we  difcern.  What  thofe  are 
now,  who  once  were  Mortals — O  !  how  would  it  fur- 
prife,  and  grieve  us  1  Surprife  us,  to  behold  the  prodigi- 
ous Transformation,  which  has  taken  place  on  every 
Individual ;  grieve  us,  to  obferve  the  Diihonour  done  to 

E  3  our 


54  MEDITATIONS 

our  Nature  in  general,  witliin  thefe  fubterranecus  Lodg- 
ments ! 

Here,  tlie  fwect  and  vvlnning  Jfpecf,  that  wore  per- 
petually an  attractive  Smile;  grins  horribly  a  naked,' 
ghaftly  Skull. — The  Eye^  that  outfiione  the  Diamond's 
Brilliancy;  and  glanced  its  lovely  Lightning,  into  the 
mod  guarded  Heart :  Alas  !  Where  is  it  ?  Vvhere  fhall 
we  find  &it  rolling  Sparkler  ?  How  are  all  its  fprightly 
Beams  eclipfed  !  totally  eclipfed  ! — The  Tongue y  that 
once  commanded  all  the  Pov/er  of  Eloquence,  in  this 
ftrans-e  Land  has  "  foro-ot  its  CunninQ-."  Where  are 
now  thofe  Strains  of  Harmony,  which  ravifhed  our  Ears  ? 
Where  is  that  Flow  of  Perfuafion,  which  carried  captive 
our  Judgments  ?  The  great  Mafter  of  Language  and  of 
Song,  is  become  filent  as  the  Night  that  furrounds  hin^. 
— The  pampered  Flejhy  fo  lately  cloathed  in  Purple 
and  fine  Linen,  hov/  is  it  covered  rudely  widi  Clods  of 
Clay !  There  was  a  Time,  when  the  timorouOy  nice 
Creature,  would  fcarce  ^'  *  adventure  to  fet  a  Foot 
''  upon  the  Ground,  for  Delicatenefs  and  Tendernefs  ;" 
but  is  now  enwrapped  in  clammy^  Earth,  and  fieeps  on 
no  fofter  a  Pillow  than  the  ragged  Gravel-flones.-^Here, 
"  x\\t  ftrcng  Men  bow  themfeives."  The  nervous  Arm 
is  unflrung ;  the  brawny  Sinews  are  relaxed ;  the  Limbs, 
not  long  ago  the  Seats  of  Vigou.r  and  Adivity,  lie  down 
motionlefs  ;  and  die  Bones,  which  were  as  Bars  of  Iron, 
are  crumbled  into  Dufc. 

Here,  die  Afan  of  Bufinejs  forgets  all  his  favourite 
Schemes,  and  difcontinues  the  Purluit  of  Gain.  Here, 
is  a  total  Stand  to  the  Circujation  of  Merchandize,  and 
the  Hurry  of  Trade.  In  thefe  folitary  ReceiTes,  as  in 
the  Building  of  Solomon"?,  Temple  ;  is  heard  no  Sound 

*  Deut.  xxviii.  56. 

of 


A  M  O  N  G     T  H  E     T  O  M  B  S,  55 

of  the  Hammer  and  Ax.  The  Winding-fheet  and  the 
Coffin,  are  the  iitmofl  Bound  of*  all  earthly  Devices. 
''  Hitherto  may  they  go,  but  no  farther." — Here,  tli« 
Sens  o{  Fleajure  take  a  final  Farewel,  of  their  dear  De- 
lights. No  more  is  the  Senfualift  anointed  with  Oil,  or 
crowned  with  Rofe-buds.  Fie  chaunts  no  m.ore,  to  the 
Melody  of  the  Viol ;  nor  revels  any  longer  at  the  Ban- 
quet of  Wine.  Inftead  of  liimptuous  Tables,  and  deli- 
cious Treats,  the  poor  Voluptuary  is  Himlclf  a  Fcaft 
for  fattened  Infects ;  the  Reptile  riots  in  his  Fiefli  ^ 
"  the  V\^orm  feeds  fweetly  on  him  *." — Here  alfo. 
Beauty  fails  ;  bright  Beauty  drops  her  Luflire  here.  O  ! 
how  her  Rofes  fade,  and  her  Lilies  languifh,  in  this 
bleak  Soil  !  How  does  the  grand  Leveller  pour  Con- 
tempt, upon  the  Charmer  of  our  Hearts  !  Hov/  turn  to 
Deformity, '  what  captivated  the  World  before  ! 

Could  the  hoz^er  have  a  Sight  of  his  once  inchanting 
Fair-one  ;  what  a  ftartling  A  flonifhraent  would  feize 
him  ! — *^  L  This  the  obje61-,  I  not  long  ago  fo  pafTion- 
^^  ately  admired  !  I  faid,  fhe  was  divinely  fair ;  and 
'^  thought  her,  fomewhat  more  than  mortal.  Her  Form, 
^^  was  Symmetry  itfelf ;  every  Elegance  breatlied  in  her 
'^  Air ;  and  all  the  Graces  v/aited  on  her  Motions,-^ 
**^  'Twas  Mufick,  w^hen  fhe  fpoke  :  but,  when  fhe  fpokc 
"  Encouragem.ent,  'twas  httle  lefs  than  Rapture.  How 
*•  my  Fleart  danced,  to  thofe  charming  Accents  1 — 
"  And  can  that,  which,  fome  Weeks  ago,  was  to  Ad^ 
"  miration  lovely^  be  now  fo  infufferably  loathfome  f — • 
*'  Where  are  thofe  blufliing  Cheeks  ?  Where  tlie  coral 
"  Lips?  Where  that  ivory  Neck,  on  which  the  curhng 
*^  Jet,  in  fuch  glolTy  Ringlets,  flowed  ?  With  a  thoufand 
*^  other  Beauties  of  Perfon,  and  ten  thoufand  Delicacies 

♦  Job  xxiv.  20. 

E  4  "  of 


56  MEDITATIONS 

"  of  Action  *  ? — Amazing  Alteratioii !  Deluior>'  Eiifs  ! 

"  — F'ondly  I  gazed  upon  the  glittering  Meteor.     It 

''  fnone  briglitly  ;  and  I  millook  it  for  a  Star^  for  a  per- 

"'  manent  and  fubflantial  Good.     But  ho#  is  it  fallen  ! 

''  fallen  from  an  Orb,  not  its  owni  !    And  all -that  I  can 

"  trace  on  Earth,  is  but  zpitrid  Majs:' 

Lie,  poor  Fhrella  !  lie  deep,  as  thou  doft,  in  obfcure 
Darknefs.  Let  Night,  with  her  impenetrable  Shades, 
always  conceal  Thee.  May  no  prying  Eye,  be  Wit- 
nefs  to  tliy  Difgrace  :  but  let  thy  fur^viving  Sifiers,  think 
upon  thy  State  ;  when  they  contemplate,  the  Idol  in  the 
Glafs.  When  the  pleafing  Image  rifes  gracefully  to 
View,  furrounded  with  a  World  of  Charms  ;  and  Piufh- 
ed  with  Joy,  at  the  Confcioufnefs  of  them  all— Then,  in 
thole  Minutes  of  Temptation  and  Danger,  when  Vanity 
ufes  to  ileal  into  the  Thoughts — Then,  let  them  re- 
member, what  a  Veil  of  Horror  is  drawn  over  a  Face  ; 
which  was  once  beviutiful  and  brilliant,  as  theirs.  Such 
a  feafonable  Refie6lion,   mioiht  re^-ulate  the  Labours  of 

-'DO 

t\\t  Toilet  J  and  create  a  more  earnefl:  Solicitude,  to 
poiifli  the  Jeivel^  than  to  varniHi  the  Cajket,  It  might 
then  becom.e  their  higheit  Ambition,  to  have  the  Mind 
decked  with  divine  Virtues ;  and  drcffed  after  the  amiable 
Pattern  of  their  Redeemer's  Holinefs. 

And  would  this  prejudice  th.eir  Perfons,  or  depreciate 
their  Charms  ? — (>uite  the  Reverfc  !  Ic  would  fpread  a 
fort  of  Heavenly  Gioiy,  over  the  finefb  Set  of  Features  -, 
and  heighten  the  Lovehnefs  of  every  other  engaging  Ac- 
complifhment. — What  is  yet  a  more  inviting  Confide- 

*  ^wfucrit  Venus  ?  Hcu  !  ^cve  Color  ?  decens 
^40  Maus  F  ,'^i'id  hahet  illius,  illius, 
'^un^  jYirahat  yhnores, 

^te  vicJurpuQrat  rndi  t  Ho  R  . 

ration ; 


AMONG     THE    TOMBS.  57 

ration  ;  thefc  Flowers  would  not  wither  with  Nature, 
nor  be  tarniihed  by  Time  ;  but  would  open  continually 
into  richer  Beauties,  and  flotrrijh  even  in  the  Winter  of 
Age, — Bur,  the  mod  incomparable  Recommendation  of 
thefe  noble  Qualities,  is :  That,  from  their  hallowed 
Relics,  as  from  the  fragrant  Afhes  of  the  Phccnixy  v/ill 
ere  long  arife  atn  illuflrious  Form  ;  bright,  as  the  Wings 
of  Angels  i  lailing,  as  the  Light  of  the  ntw  Jerujalcm, 

For  my  Part ;  the  Remembrance  of  this  fad  Revo- 
ludon,  lliall  make  me  ajhamed  to  pay  my  Devotion,  to 
a  Shrine  of  perifhing  Flefli  j  and  afraid^  to  expecl  all 
my  Happinefs,  from  fo  brittle  a  Joy.  It  fliall  teach  m^e, 
not  to  think  too  highly  of  v/ell-proportioned  Clay ; 
though  formed  in  the  moft  elegant  Mould,  and  ani- 
mated with  the  fweetefl  Soul.  'Tis  Heaven's  lafl:,  beft, 
and  crowning  Gift  -, — to  be  received  with  Gratitude^  and 
.cherifhed  with  Love,  as  a  moil  vahiable  Blefllng ;  not 
v/orfliipped,  with  the  Incenfe  of  Flattery,  and  Strains 
of  fulfome  Adoration,  as  a  Goddefs. — It  will  cure,  I 
trull,  the  'Dotage  of  my  Eyes :  and  incline  me  always 
to  prefer  the  fubilantial  "  Ornaments,  of  a  meek  and 
"  virtuous  Spirit ;"  before  the  tranficnt  Decorations,  of 
White  and  Red  on  the  Skin.. 

Here,  I  called  in  my  roving  iNIeditations,  from  their 
long  Excurfion  on  this  tender  Subje^l.  Fancy  liflened 
a  while,  to  the  Soliloquy  of  a  Lover.  Now  Judgment 
relumes  the  Reins,  and  guides  my  Thoughts  to  more 
near  and  felf-interefling  Inquiries. — However,  upon  a 
Review  of  the  whole  Scene  ;  crowded  with  Sfecfacks  of 
Mortality,  B,nd  Tropbies  o{  Death  y  I  could  not  forbear 
fmiting  my  Breafl,  and  fetching  a  Sigh,  and  lamenting 
over  the  noblcft  of  all  vifible  Beings,  laid  proftrate  under 

tiie 


j8  MEDITATIONS 

the  Feet  of  "  the  pale  Horfe,  and  his  Rider*."- I 
could  not  forbear  repeating  that  pathetic  Exclamation ; 
«  O  !  Thou  t  Adanty  what  haft  then  done  /"  What  De- 
folation  has  thy  Difobedience  wrought  in  the  Earth  ! — 
See  the  Malignity,  the  ruinous  Malignity/'  of  Sin  !  Sin, 
has  demohfhed  fo  many  {lately  Structures  of  Flefli  :  Sin, 
has  made  fuch  Havock,  among  the  mofl  excellent  Ranks 
of  God's  lower  Creation :  And  Sin  (that  deadly  Bane 
of  our  Nature)  would  have  plunged  our  better  Part, 
into  the  execrable  Horrors  of  the  nethermofl  Hell  -,  had 
not  our  merciful  Mediator  interpofed,  and  given  Him- 
fclf  for  our  Ranfom. — Therefore,  what  grateful  Acknov/- 
ledgments,  does  the  whole  World  of  penitent  Sinners 
owe  ;  what  ardent  Returns  of  Love,  will  a  whole  Hea- 
ven oi glorified  Believers  pay ;  to  fuch  a  Friend,  Bene- 
factor, and  Deliverer  ! 

Musing  upon  thefe  melancholy  Objeds,  a  faithfijl 
Remembrancer  fuggefls  from  within — "  Mull  this  fad 
"  Change  fucceed  in  7ne  alfo  ?  Am  I  to  draw  my  lafl 
*^  Gafp  ;  to  become  a  breathlefs  Corpfe  ;  and  he^  wliat 
"  I  deplore  J  ?  Is  there  a  Time  approaching,  when  this 
^'  Body  fhall  be  carried  out  upon  the  Bier,  and  con- 
"  figned  to  its  clay-cold  Bed?  While  fome  kind  Ac- 
*'  quaintance,  perhaps,  may  drop  one  parting  Tear;  and 
''  cry,  Alas!  my  Brother! — Is  the  Time  approaching?" 
—Nothing  is  more  certain.     A  Decree,  much  furer  than 

*  Rev.  VI.  i?*  f  2  Efdr.  vii.  41. 

X  I  pafs,  with  melancholy  State, 
By  all  thefe  folemn  Heaps  of  Fate  ; 
And  think,  as  Toft  and  fad  I  tread 
Above  the  venerable  Dead, 
**  Time  was,  like  me,  they  Life  pofTefs'd  ; 
**  And  Time  will  be,  when  I  fhall  refl."  Park  el. 

tht. 


AMONGTHETOMBS.  $^ 

the  Law  of  tlie  Medes  and  Verfians^  has  irrevocably  de- 
termined the  Doom. 

Should  one  of  thefe  ghaftly  Figures,  biirft  from  his 
Confinement;  and  flart  up,  in  frightful  Deformity,  be- 
fore me— fhould  the  haggard  Skeleton,  lift  a  clattering 
Hand;  and  point  it  full  in  my  View — Hiould  it  open  the 
ftiffened  Jaws ;  and,  with  a  hoarfe  tremendous  Murmur, 
break  this  profound  Silence — fhould  it  accoft  me,  as 
SamueVs  Apparition  addrefTed  the  trembling  King — 
"  The  Lord  Jloall  deliver  Thee  alfo  into  the  Hands  ef 
"  Death.  Tet  a  little  while,  andThowJImlt  he  with  me  ^:'' 
— Tht/clemn  PTarning,  delivered  in  fo  ftriking  a  Man- 
ner, muft  ftrongly  imprefs  m.y  Imagination.  A  Mef- 
fage  in  Thunder,  would  fcarce  fmk  deeper. — Yet,  there 
is  abundantly  greater  Reafon  to  be  alarmed,  by  that  ex- 
prefs  Declaration  of  the  Lord  God  Almighty,  "  Thou 
"-^ fnalt Jurely  die'' — ^Well  then,  fince  Sentence  ispafTed; 
jQnce  I  am  a  condem.ned  Man;  and  know  not,  when 
the  Dead  Warrant  may  arrive  :  let  me  die  to  Sin ;  and 
die  to  the  World-,  before  I  die  beneath  the  Stroke  of  a 
Righteous  God.  Let  me  employ  the  little  uncertain  In- 
tei*val  of  Refpite  from  Execution ;  in  preparing  for  a 
happier  State,  and  a  better  Life.  That,  when  the  fa/al 
Moment  comes,  and  I  am  commanded  to  fliut  my  Eyes, 

*  I  Sarn.  xxviii.  ig.  On  this  place,  the  Dutch  Tranflator  of  the 
Meditations  has  added  a  Note ;  to  corre.5l,  very  probably,  what  he 
fuppofes  a  Miiiake.  On  the  fame  Suppofition,  I  prefume,  the  Com- 
pilers of  our  Rubric  ordered  the  lall  Verfe  oi  Ecclus.y\.\\.  to  be  omit- 
ted, in  the  daily  Service  of  the  Church.  But  that  the  Sentiment, 
hinted  above,  is  UriiTtly  true,  that  it  was  «an  /«TOtrr  Smtmel  hitnfflf 
(not  an  infernal  Spirit,  pcrfonating  the  Prophet,)  who  appeared  to  the 
Female  Necromancer  at  'Endcr ;  appeared,  net  in  Compliance  with  any 
diabolical  Incantation,  bat  in  Purfuance  of  the  divine  Commiffion; 
this,  I  think,  is  fully  proved  in  the  IVJlcrical  Account  of  the  Life  of 
David.     Vol.  I.  Chap.  23. 

upon 


6o  MEDITATIONS 

upon  all  Things  here  below;  I  may  open  them  again, 
to  fee  my  Saviour  in  the  Manfions  above. 

Since  this  Body,  which  is  fo  fearfully  and  wonderfully 
made,  mult  fall  to  Pieces  in  the  Grave :  fince  I  muft 
foon  refign  all  my  bodily  Powers  to  Darknefs,  Inad:i- 
v'ltyj  and  Corruption :  let  it  be  my  conftant  Care  to  ufe 
them  well,  while  I  pofTefs  them ! — Let  my  Hands  be 
ftretched  forth  to  relieve  the  Needy;  and  always  be  more 
*f  ready  to  give,  than  to  receive." — Let  my  Kiieesbtndy 
in  deepefl  Humiliation,  before  the  Throne  of  Grace: 
while  my  Eyes  are  call  down  to  the  Earth,  in  penitential 
Confufion ;  or  devoutly  looking  up  to  Heaven,  for  par- 
doning Mercy! — In  every  friendly  Interview,  let  the 
*^  Law  of  Kindnefs  dwell  on  my  Lips-,'*  or  rather,  if 
the  Serioufnels  of  my  Acquaintance  permits,  let  the 
Gofpel  of  Peace  flow  from  my  Tongue.  O  !  that  I 
might  be  enabled,  in  every  public  Concourfe,  to  lift 
up  my  Voice  hke  a  Trumpet;  and  pour  abroad  a  more 
joyful  Sound,  than  its  mofl  melodious  Accents,  in  pro^ 
claiming  the  glad  Tidings  of  free  Salvation  ! — Be  Ihur, 
my  Ears,  refolutely  fhut,  againft  the  malevolent  Whif- 
pers  of  Slander,  and  the  contagious  Breath  of  filthy 
Talking.  But  be  fwift  to  hear  the  Inilru6lions  of  Wif- 
dom ;  be  all  Attention,  when  your  Redeemer  ipeaks ; 
imbibe  the  precious  Truths ;  and  convey  them  carefully 
to  the  Heart. — Cany  me,  my  Feet,  to  the  Temple  of 
the  Lord  ;  to  the  Beds  of  the  Sick ;  and  Houfes  of 
tlie  Poor. — May  all  my  Members,  devoted  intirely  to 
my  divine  Mafter,  be  the  willing  Iniiraments  of  pro- 
moting his  Glory. 

Then,  ye  Embalmers,  yau  may  fpare  your  Pains. 
Thefe  Works  of  Faith,  and  Labours  of  Love  ;  thefe 
lliall  be  my  Spices  and  Perfumes.  Env»Tapped  in  thefe,  I 
would  lay  me  gently  down,  and  fleep  fweetly  in  the  blefled 

Jesus ; 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  61 

Jesus  ;  hoping,  that  God  will  ^'  give  Commandment 
*'  concerning  my  Bones  j"  and  one  Day  fetch  them  up 
from  tlie  Duft^  as  Silver  from  the  Furnace,  purified, 
**  I  lay  not,  leven  times,  but  feventy  times  feven.*' 

Here,  my  Contemplation  took  Wing;  and,  in  an 
Inftant,  alighted  in  the  Garden,  adjoining  to  Mount 
Cahf.ry.  Having  viewed  the  Abode  of  my  deceafed 
Fellow-Creatures;  methought,  I  longed  to  fee  the  Place, 
where  our  Lord  lay. — And,  O  !  w^hat  a  marvellous 
Spectacle  was  once  exhibited,  in  this  memorable  Se- 
pulchre !  He,  *'  who  clothes  Himfelf  with  Light,  as 
"  with  a  Garment;  and  walks  upon  the  Wings  of  the 
"  Wind  '^  ;"  HE  w^as  pleafed  to  wear  the  Habiliments 
oi  Mortality y  ji\\d  dwell  among  the  froftrate  Dead. — 
Who  can  repeat  the  wondrous  Truth,  too  often  ?  Who 
can  dwell  upon  the  tranfporting Themie,  too  long  ?  HE, 
who  fits  inthroned  in  Glory,  and  diffufes  Blils  among 

*  The  Scriptures,  fpeaking  of  the  Supreme  Being,  (uy — Hi^valketh 
\ipon  the  JVa'ves  f)f  the  Sea  ;  to  denote  his  uncontroulable  Power,  Job  ix. 
%. — He  'vjalketh  in  the  Circuit  of  He  an.' en  ;  to  exprefs  the  Imraenfity  of 
his  Prefence,  Job  xxii.  14. — He  ivalkcth  upon  the  M'in^s  of  the  Wind', 
to  fignify  the  amazing  Swiftnefs  of  his  Operations,  Pfal.  civ.  3. — In 
which  laftPhrafe,  there  is,  Ithink,  an  Elegance  and  Emphafis,  nottaken 
Notice  of  by  our  Commentators,  yet  unequalled  in  any  Writer. — Not, 
}ric  fieth  ;  He  runneth  ;  but.  He  ivalketh  :  and  that,  on  the  'very  Wing^s 
of  the  Wind;  on  the  moft  impetuous  of  Elements,  roufed  into  its  ut- 
moft  Rage,  and  fweeping  along  with  inconceivable  Rapidity. — A  Tu- 
mult in  Nature,  not  to  be  defcribed,  i.s  the  compofed  zxiiS.  fedate  Work 
of  the  DEITY.  A  Speed,  not  to  be  meafured,  is  (with  Reverence 
I  ufc  the  Exprcffion,  and  to  comport  with  our  low  Methods  of  Con- 
ception) theyo/fw/?  and  majejiic  Foot-pace  of  JEHO^^AH — Woiw flat 
are  the  following  Lines,  Qven  in  the  great  Mafter  of  Lyric  Song, 

Ocjor  Cer-z'iSf  t^  agente  Nimbos 
Ocyor  Euro, 

when  compared  with  this  inimitable  Strok?*  of  divine  Poetry  I — Hr 
Kvatkcth  upon  the  //'/>/^.<  of  the  J  find, 

aU 


62  MEDITATIONS 

all  the  heavenly  Hoils;  He  was  once  a  pale  and  bloody 
Corpfe,  and  prefTed  this  little  Spot. 

O  Death  !  how  great  v/as  thy  Triumph  in  that  Hour! 
Never  did  thy  gloomy  Realms  contain  Juch  2l  Prifoner 
before. — Prifoner,  did  I  fay  ?  No ;   He  was  more  than 
Conqueror.     He  arofe,  far  more  mighty  than  Sampfony 
from  a  tranfient  Slumber ;  broke   dov/n  the  Gates,  and 
demoliHied  the  Strong-holds,  of  thofe  dark  Dominions. 
' — ^And  this,  O  Mortals,  This  is  your  only  Conjclation  and 
Security.  Jesus  has  trod  the  dreadful  Path,  and  fmooth- 
-ed  it  for  your  PafTage. — Jesus,  fleeping  in  the  Cham- 
bers of  the  Tomb,  has  brightened  the  difmal  Manfion  -, 
and  left  an  invidng  Odour,  in  thofe  Beds  of  Dufl.    The 
dying  Jesus  (Never  let  the  comfortable  Truth  depart 
from  your  Minds  !  The  dying  Jesus)  is  your  fure  Pro- 
teuliony  your  unqueftionable  Paffport,  through  the  Ter- 
ritories of  the  Grave.     Believe  in  Him  ;  and  they  fliall 
prove  a  "  Highway  to  Sion^'  Ihall  tranfmit  you  fafe  to 
Paradife.    Believe  in  Him  \  and  you  fhall  be  no  Lofers, 
but   unfpeakable  Gainers,    by  your  DifToiution.     For, 
hear  what  the  Oracle  of  Heaven  fays,  upon  this  imipor- 
tant  Point:  Whojo  believeth  in  Me^  fiall  never  die'^. — 
What  lliblime,   and   emphatical   Language,    is  This  ? 
Thus  much,  at  lead,   it  muil  import' — "  The  Nature 
"  of  that  laft  Change,  fhall  be  furprifmgly  altered,   for 
"  the  better.     It  fhall  no  longer  be  inflicfedj  as  a  Pu- 
"  nifliment ;    but  rather  be  vcuchjafedy    as  a  BleiTing. 
*^  To  fuch  Perfons,  it  fliall  come  attended,  with  fuch 
"  a  Train  of  Benefits ;  as  will  render  it  a  Kind  of  happy 
"Impropriety,  to    call   it  Dying.     Dying!    No!    'tis 
"  Then  they  truly  begin  to  live.     Their  Exit,  is  the  End 
"  of  their  Frailty,  and  Their  Entrance  upon  Perfedion. 

*  John  xi.  26. 

«  Their 


AMONG     THE    T  O  M  B>S.  6^ 

''  Their  laft  Groan  is  the  Prekide  to  Life  and  Immor- 
"  tality.'* 

O  VE  timorous  Souls,  that  are  terrified  at  the  Sound 
of  the  pafTing  Bell:  that  turn  pale,  at  the  Sight  of  an 
opened  Grave;  and  can  fcarce  behold  a  Coffin  or  a 
Skull,  without  a  fhuddering  Horror:  Ye  that  are  i?t 
Bondage  to  the  grilly  Tyrant,  and  tremble  at  the  Shak- 
ing of  his  iron  Rod ;  cry  mightily  to  the  Father  of  your 
Spirits,  for  Faith  in  his  dear  Son.  Faith,  will  free  you 
from  your  Slavery  *.  Faith,  v/ill  embolden  you  to  tread 
on  (this  fierceil  of)  Serpents  f . — Old  Simeon^  clafping 
the  Child  Jesus  in  the  Arms  of  his  Flefh,  and  the  glo- 
rious Mediator  in  the  Arms  of  his  Faith,  departs  with 
Tranquility  and  Peace.  That  bitter  Perfecutor  Saul^ 
having  v/on  Christ;  being  found  in  Christ;  long& 
to  be  difmiiTed  from  cumbrous  Clay,  and  kindles  into 
Rapture  at  tlic  Profpecl:  of  DiiTolution  {.     Methinks, 

*  Death's  Terror  Is  the  Mountain  Taith  removes : 
*Tis  Faith  difarmi  Deltrudlion. — 
Believe,  and  look  with  Triumph  on  the  Tomb. 

Thefe,  and  fome  other  Quotations,  I  am  proud  to  borrow  from  the 
Night  Thoughts^  efpecially  from  Night  the  Fourth.  In  which,  Energy 
of  Langu^igc,  Sublimity  of  Sentiment,  and  the  moft  exquifite  Beauties 
of  Poetry,  are  the  leaj}  Perfections  to  be  admired.  Almoll:  every  Line 
glow?  with  Devotion  ;  rifes  into  the  moft  exalted  Apprehenfions  of  the 
p.dorp.ble  Redeemer  ;  and  is  animated  with  the  moll  lively  Faith  in  His 
AU-fjiTicient  IVlcdi-ttlon.  The  Author  of  this  excellent  Performance 
kv^,  the  peculiar  Felicity,  of  ennobling  all  the  Strength  of  Stile,  and 
every  Delicacy  of  Imagination,  with  the  grand  and  diilinguifhing  Truths 
of  ChriiUanity.  Thefe  Thoughts  giv2  the  higheft  Entertainment  to 
the  Fancy;  and  impart  the  nobleft  Improvement  to  the  Mind.  They 
not  only  reiine  our  Tafte,  but  prepare  u's  for  Death,  and  ripen  us  for 
Glory.     I  never  take  up  this  admirable  Piece,  but  I  am  ready  to  cry 

out Tecum  in^vere  amem,   tecum  cbea.n  lihens',    i- e.  **  Inlpire  ine 

"  with  fuch  a  Spirit,  and  Life  ihall  be   delightful,  nor  Death  itfelf 
"  unwelcome." 

t   Luke  X..  19.  I  Phil.  i.  23.     2  Tim.  iv.  7,  8. 

I  fee 


64  MEDITATIONS 

I  fee  another  of  Imman-uel's  Follov/ers,  trufting  in  his 
Saviour;  leaning  on  his  Beloved;  go  down  to  the  filent 
Shades,  with  Compofure  and  Alacrity  *. — In  This  pow- 
erful Name,  an  innumerable  Company  of  finful  Crea- 
tures have  fetup  their  Banners;  and,  "overcome,  through 
"  the  Blood  of  the  Lamb."  Authorized  by  the  Cap- 
tain of  thy  Salvation,  Thou  alfo  mayfl  {tx.  thy  Feet,  upon 
the  Neck  of  this  King  of  Terrors.  Furnifhed  with  this 
Antidote,  Thou  alfo  may  ft  play  around  the  Hole  of  the 
Afp,  and  put  thy  undaunted  Hand  on  this  Cockatrice- 
Den  f .  Thou  mayft  |  feel  the  Viper  faftening  to  thy 
mortal  Part,  and  fear  no  Eznl :  Thou  fhalt  one  Day 
Ihake  it  off  by  a  joyful  Refurredion,  zn^^Ji'ffer  no  Ha-nn, 

Res-urrection  !  That  chearing  Word  eafes  my  Mind 
of  an  anxious  Thought,  and  folves  a  moft  momentous 
Queftion.  I  was  going  to  afk;  "  Wherefore  do  all 
''  thefe  Corpfes  lie  here,  in  this  abjcd:  Condition  ?  Is 
"  This  their  final  State  ?  Has  Death  conquered  ?  and 
*'  will  the  Tyrant  hold  Captivity  captive  ?  How  long 
*^  wilt  thou  forget  them,  O  Lord?  For  ever?" — No, 
faith  the  Voice  from  Heaven,  the  Word  of  divine  Re- 
velation; The  Righteous  are  ail  Prifoners  of  Hope  §. 
There  is  an  Hour  (an  awful  Secret  That,  and  known 
only  to  all-forefeeing  Wii'dom)  an  appointed  Hour  there 
is,  when  an  Ad  of  Grace  v/ill  pafs  the  Great  Seal  above, 
and  give  them  an  univerfal  Difcharge ;  a  general  Deli- 
very from  the  Abodes  of  Corruption. — Then,  fliall  the 
Lord  Jesus  defcend  from  Heaven,  with  the  Shout  of 
the  Arch^angel,  and  the  Trump  of  God.  DeJlru5fion 
itfelf  fhall  hear  his  Call,  and  the  obedient  Grave  ^\\c  up 
her  dead.     In  a  Moment;,  in  ti^e  Twinkling  of  an  Eye, 

*  2  Pet.  I.  14.  I  ifa.  Ku  8.  X  Aclsxxviii.  35.     §  Zech. 

tlicy 


AMONGTHE    TOMBS.  6 


they  Ihake  off  the  Sleep  of  Ten  thonfand  Years ;  and 
fpring  forth,  like  the  bounding  Roe,  to  "  meet  their 
*'  Lord  in  the  Air." 

And,  O!  with  what  cordial  Congratulations ;  what 
tranfporting  Endearments  •  do  the  Soul  and  Body,  tliofe 
affediohate  Companions,  reunite !  But,  with  how  much 
greater  Demonftrations  of  Kindncfsj  are  they  both  re- 
ceived, by  their  compafiionate  Redeemer  !  The  Antient 
of  Days^  who  comes  in  the  Clouds  of  Heaven,  is  their 
Friend;  their  Father;  their  Bridegroom.  He  comes 
with  irrefiflible  Power  and  infinite  Glory  -,  but  they  have 
nothing  to  fear  from  his  majeflic  Appearance.  Thofe 
tremendous  SolemnitieSy  which  fpread  DefoJation  and  Afto- 
nifhment  through  the  Univerfe ;  ferve  only  to  inflame 
their  Love,-  and  heighten  their  Hopes.  The  Judge,  the 
av/ful  Judge,  amidft  all  his  Magnificence  and  Splendor, 
vouchfafes  to  confcfs  their  Names ;  vouchfafes  to  com- 
memorate their  Fidelity^  before  all  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Skies^  and  the  whole  alTembled  World. 

Hark  !  the  Thunders  are  hiifhed.  See !  the  Light- 
nings ceafe  their  Rage.  The  Angelic  Armies  ftand'  in 
filent  Sufpence.  The  whole  Race  oi  Adam^  is  wrapped 
in  pleafmg,  or  anxious  Expe6lation. — And  now,  that 
adorable  Perfon,  whofc  Favour  is  better  than  Life; 
whofe  Acceptance  is  a  Crov/n  of  Glory;  lifts  up  the 
Light  of  his  Countenance  upon  the  Righteous.  He 
Ipeaks;  and  what  ravilhing  Words  proceed  from  his 
gracious  Lips  1  What  Ecftafies  of  Delight,  they  enkindle 
in  the  Breafbs  oi  the  Faithful  !-^"  I  accept  you,  O  my 
*'  People  !  Ye  are  they,  that  believed  in  my  Name.  Ye 
"  are  they,  that  renounced  Tourfehes,  and  are  complete 
*'  in  Me.  I  fee  no  Spot  or  Biemifh  in  you ;  for  ye  are 
"  wafi:-  d  in  my  Blood,  and  clodied  with  niy  Righte- 
**^  oufnek.     Renewed   by  my  Spirit,   ye  have  gloi;  ed 

F  '  ''  mc 


66  MEDITATIONS 

"  me  on  Earth,  and  have  been  faithful  unto  Death. 
"  Come,  then,  ye  Servants  of  Holinefs,  enter  into  the 
"  Joy  of  your  Lord;  Come,  ye  Children  of  Light ; 
"  yc  Blefied  of  my  Father  \  receive  the  Kingdom,  that 
''  Hiall  never  be  removed ;  wear  the  Crown y  which  fadeth 
"  not  away ;  and  enjoy  Pkajures  for  evermore  !'* 

Then,  it  will  be  one  of  the  fmalleft  Privileges  of  the 
Righteous,  that  they  fhall  languifh  no  more ;  tliat  Sick- 
nefs  will  never  again  fhew  her  pale  Countenance,  in 
their  Dwellings  *.  Death  itjelf  will  be  "  fwallowed  up 
*' in  Vidlory."  That  fatal  Javelin;  which  has  drank 
the  Blood  of  Monarchs,  and  finds  its  Way  to  the  Hearts 
of  all  the  Sons  o{  Adam:  fliall  be  utterly  broken.  That 
enormous  Scythe  -,  which  has  ftruck  Empires  from  their 
Roots,  and  fwept  Ages  and  Generations  into  Oblivion ; 
Ihall  lie  by  in  perpetual  Ufeleflhefs.  Sin  alfo,  w^liich 
filled  diy  Quiver,  thou  infatiate  Archer ! — Sin,  which 
flrung  thy  Arm  with  refiftlefs  Vigour — which  pointed 
all  thy  Shafts  with  inevitable  Deftrutlion — Sin,  will  then 
be  done  away.  Whatever  isfrail^  or  depraved,  will  be 
thrown  off  with  our  Grave -deaths.  All  to  come  is  per- 
fect Holinefs,  and  confam.mate  Happinefs ;  the  Term 
of  whofe  Continuance  is  Eternity. 

O  Eternity!  Eternity!  How  are  our  boldeft,  our 
flrongeil  Thoughts,  loil  and  overwhelmed  in  thee  !  Who 
can  fet  Landmarks,  to  limit  thy  Dimenfions ;  or  find 
Plumbets,  to  fathom  thy  Depths  ?  Arithneticians  have 
Figures,  to  compute  all  the  Progreflions  of  Time.  Aj- 
trommers  have  Inilrum.ents,  to  calculate  the  Dillances 

*  Ifaiahy  fpcaking  of  the  PxCW  Jernfalem,  mentions  this,  as  one  of 
Its  Immunities  :  The  hihahiiants  thereof  pall  no  more  favy  I  am  fick. 
Another  Claufe,  in  its  Royal  Charter,  runs  thus;  GO D  Jhalh-wips 
^,^L,vay  all  I'ears  from  th sir  Eyes  ;  a7id  there  Jh all  he  no  more  Death ,  neither 
Sorronjjy  nor  Crying;  neither  Jhall  there  he  any  rnore  Fain.  Ifa.  xxxiii. 
24.     Rev.  xxi.  4. 

7  of 


AMONGTHETOMBS.  e-j 

of  the  Planets.  But  what  Numbers  can  ftate,  what 
Lines  can  gauge,  the  Lengths  and  Breadths  of  Eternity? 
"  It  is  higher  than  Heaven ;  v/hat  canft  thou  do  ? 
*'  deeper  than  Hell  j  what  canft  thou  know  ?  The  Mea- 
*'  fure  thereof,  is  longer  than  the  Earth,  broader  than 
"  the  Sea  *.' 

Mysterious,  mighty  Exiftence !  A  Sum,  not  to 
be  lefiened  by  the  largeft  Bedu^ions  I  An  Extent,  not 
to  be  contracted  by  all  pofTible  Diminutions!  None  can 
truly  fay,  after  the  moft  prodigious  Wafte  of  Ages ; 
*^  So  much  of  Eternity  is  gone."  For,  when  Millions 
of  Centuries  are  elapfed,  it  is  but  juft  commencing; 
and,  when  Millions  more  have  run  their  ample  Round, 
it  will  be  no  nearer  ending.  Yea,  when  Ages,  nume- 
rous as  the  Bloom  of  Spring ;  increafed  by  the  Herbage 
of  Summicr;  both  augmented  by  the  Leaves  of  Au- 
tumn ;  and  all  multiplied  by  the  Drops  of  Rain,  which 
drown  the  Winter. — ^when  thefe,  and  ten  thoufand  times 
ten  thoufand  more — more  than  can  be  reprefented  by 
any  Similitude,  or  imagined  by  any  Conception — when 
all  thefe  are  revolved  and  finilhed;  Eternity,  vaft,  bound- 
Icfs,  amazing  Eternity,  will  o?ily  be  beginning  ! 

What  a  pleafmg,  yet  awful  Thought  is  this !  Full 
of  Delight,  and  full  of  Dread.  O  !  may  it  alarm  our 
Fears ;  quicken  our  Hopes ;  and  animate  all  our  Endea- 
vours !  Since  we  are  foon  to  launch  into  this  endlefs  and 
inconceivable  State ;  let  us  give  all  Diligence,  to  fecure 
our  Entrance  into  Bhfs. — Now,  let  us  give  all  Diligence; 
becaufe  there  is  no  Alteration,  in  the  Scenes  of  Futu- 
rity. The  Wheel  never  turns :  All  is  ftedfaft  and  im- 
moveable beyond  the  Grave.  Whether  we  are  then 
feated  on  the  Throne,  or  ftretched  on  the  Rack;  a  Seal 
will  be  fet  to  our  Condition,  by  the  Hand  of  everlaft- 

*  Job  xl.  8,  9* 

F  2  ing 


68  MEDITATIONS 

ing  Mercy,  or  inBexible  Jiiftice. — The  Samis  always  re- 
joice amidft  the  Smiles  of  Heaven;  their  Harps  are  pef- 
petualiy  tuned ;  their  Triumphs  admit  of  no  Intermp- 
tion. — The  Ruin  of  the  Wicked  is  irremediable.  Thie 
fatal  Sentence,  once  pafTed,  is  never  to  be  repealed.  No 
Hope  of  exclianging  their  doleful  Habitadons.  But  all 
Things  bear  the  fame  difmal  Afpedt,  for  ever  and  ever. 

The  Wicked — My  Mind  recoils*,  at  the  Apprehen- 
fion  of  their  Mifcry.  It  has  ftudioufly  v/aved  the  fear- 
ful Subjedt ;  and  feems  unwilling  to  purfue  it,  even  now. 
.  —But  'tis  better  to  re  fled  upon  it,  for  a  few  Minutes ; 
than  to  endure  it,  to  eternal  Ages.  Perhaps,  the  Con- 
fideration  of  their  aggravated  Mifery,  may  be  prqfitMy 
terrible:  may  teach  me  more  highly  to  prize  the  Savi- 
our, who  "  delivers  from  going  down  into  the  bottom- 
"  lefs  Pit:''  may  drive  me,  like  the  Avenger's  Sword^, 
to  this  only  City  of  Refuge,  for  obnoxious  Sinners. 

The  Wicked  feem  to  lie  here,  like  Malefadors,  in 
a  deep  and  Urong  Dungeon ;  referved  againft  the  Day  of 
TriaL-— ^*^  Their  Bepcrture  was  without  Peace."  Clouds 
of  Horror,  fat  louring  upon  their  clofing  Eye-lids  3  moft 
ladly  foreboding  the  '^  Blacknefs  of  Darknefs  for  ever." 
When  the  lafl  Sicknefs  kized  their  Frame,  and  the  in- 
evitable Change  advanced ;  when  they  faw  the  fatal  Ar- 
rov/,  fitting  to  the  Strings;  faw  the  deadly  Archer, 
aiming  at  dieir  Heart ;  and  felt  the  envenom'd  Shaft, 
faflened  in  their  Vitals — Good  God  !  what  Fearfulnefs 
came  upon  them !  What  horrible  Dread  ovenvhelmed 
them!  How  did  they  (land  fhuddcring  and  aghaft,  upon 
the  tremendous  Precipice!  ExcefTively  afraid  to  plunge 
into  the  Abyfs  of  Eternity,  yet  utterly  unable  to  rr^ain- 
tain  their  Standing;  on  the  Ver^e  of  Life. 

*• — Animus  mcminiJJ}  horret,  luJiuqiiS  rejugit.  ViRG. 

O  !    WHAT 


AMONG    THE     TOMBS.  69 

■  O  !  WHAT  pale  Reviews,  what  flartllng  Profpeds, 
confpire  to  augment  their  Sorrows  ! — They  look  back- 
'^ovard^  and  l)ehold  1  a  mod  melancholy  Scene  !  Sins  un- 
repented  of ;  Mercy  flighted;  and  the  Day  of  Grace 
ending  ! — They  Xookforivard,  and  nothing  prefents  it- 
ielf,  but  the  righteous  Judge;  the  dreadful  Tribunal; 
and  a  mofl  folemn  Reckoning. — They  roll  arciind  their 
affrighted  Eyes,  on  attending  Friends.  If  Accomplices 
in  Debauchery ;  it  fliarpens  their  Anguifh,  to  confider 
this  farther  Aggravation  of  their  Guilt ;  That  they  have 
not  finned  alone,  but  drawn  others  into  the  Snare.  If 
religious  Acquaintance  ;  it  ftrikes  a  frefli  Gafh  into  their 
Hearts,  to  think  of  never  feeing  them  any  more,  but 
only  at  an  unapproachable  Diftance,  feparated  by  the 
unpaiTable  Gulf. 

At  lafl,  perhaps,  they  begin  to  fray.  Finding  no 
other  pofTible  Way  of  Relief,  they  are  conftrained  to 
apply  unto  the  Almighty.  With  trembling  Lips,  and  a 
faltering  Tongue,  they  cry  unto  that  Sovereign  Being 
*^  wlio  kills  and  makes  alive." — But  why  have  they  de- 
ferred^ {o  long  deferred  their  AddrefTes  to  God  ?  Why 
have  ih^y.defpifed  all  his  Counfeis ;  and  fbood  incorrigi- 
ble, under  his  incelHint  reproofs  ?  Hov/  often  have  they 
been  forewarned  of  theie  Terrors ;  and  moft  importu- 
nately intreated,  X.ofeek  the  LORD,  ivhiie  he  might  he 
found  ? — I  wilh,  they  may  obtain  Mercy  at  the  eleventh, 
at  the  lall  Hour.  I  wifh,  they  may  be  Ihatched  from 
the  Jaws  ;  the  opened,  the  gaping,  the  almoft  clofmg 
Jaws  of  Damnation.  But,  alas !  Who  can  tell,  v/hether 
affronted  Majefty,  will  lend  an  Ear  to  their  Complaint  .'^ 
Whether  tlie  Holy  One' will  work  a  Miracle  of  Grace, 
in  Behalf  of  liich  TranfgrelTors  ?  He  may,  for  aught 
any  Mortal  knows,  "  laugh  at  their  Calamity,  and 
**  mock  when  their  Fear  cometh," 

F  3  Thus 


70  MEDITATIONS 

Thu3  they  lie,  groaning  out  the  poor  Remains  of 
Life  ;  their  Limbs  bathed  in  Sweat ;  their  Heart  ftrug- 
gling  with  convulfive  Throes ;  Pains  infupportable  throb- 
bing in  every  Pulfe  ;  and  innumerable  Darts  of  Agony 
transfixing  their  Confcience. 

1)1  that  dread  Moment^  how  the  frantic  Soul 
Raves  round  the  Walls  of  her  Clay  Teneynent ; 
Runs  to  each  Avenue  ;  and  Jhrieks  for  Help  ; 
But  forieks  in  vain  I  How  voifto fully  She  looks 
On  all  She's  leaving,  now  no  longer  her's  ! 
A  little  longer,  yet  a  little  longer, 
O  I  might  She  fay,  to  wafo  away  her  Crimes  y 
And  fit  her  for  her  Pqjfage !  Mournful  Sight  I 
Her  very  Eyes  weep  Blood  -,  and  every  Groan 
She  heaves,  is  big  with  Horror  :  But  the  Foe, 
Like  aflaunch  Murd'rer,  fteady  to  his  Purpofe, 
Furfues  her  clofe  thro'  ev'ry  Lane  of  Life, 
Nor  mijes  once  the  Track ;  hut  prcjfes  on  ; 
Till,  forc'd  at  laft  to  the  tremendous  Verge, 
At  once  foe  finks  *. — ■ 

If  this  be  the  End  of  the  Ungodly,  "  My  Soul,  come 
''  not  Thou  into  their  Secret !  Unto  their  AiTembly, 
"  mine  Honour,  be  not  Thou  united  !" — Hov/  awfully 
accomplifhed  is  that  Predi6lion  of  infpired  V/ifdom  ! 
Sin,  though  feemingly  fweet  in  the  CommiiTion  -,  ytx.  at 
the  laft,  it  hiteth  like  a  Sxrpent,  and  ftingeth  like  an  Adder, 
— Fly  therefore  from  the  Tents,  O  !  fiy  from  the  Ways, 
of  fuch  wretched  Men. 

FLIPPY  DiiTolution  !  were  this  the  Period  of  their 
Woes.  Bur,  alas !  all  thefe  Tribulations,  are  only  "  the 
"  Beginning  of  Sorrows-,''  a  fmall  Drop  only  from  that 
«'  Cup  of  Trembling,"  w^hich  is  mingled  for  their  future 

*  See  a  valuable  Poem,  intitled.  The  Gra^ue. 

Portion, 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  71 

Portion. — No  fooner  has  the  lafl:  Pang  dlflodged  their 
relu6t:ant  Souls,  but  they  are  hurried  into  the  Prefence 
of  an  injured  angry  God.  Not  under  the  conducting 
Care  of  beneficent  Angels,  but  expofed  to  the  Infiilts  of 
accurfed  Spirits  ;  who  lately  tempted  them,  now  upbraid 
them,  and  will  for  ever  torment  them. — Who  can  ima- 
gine their  Confufion  and  Diilrefs ;  when  they  fland, 
guilty  and  inexcufable,  before  their  incenfed  Creator  ? 
They  are  received  with  Frowns.  The  God  that  made 
them,  has  no  "  Mercy  on  them  *.'*  The  Prince  of 
Peace,  reje6ls  them  with  Abhorrence.  He  configns 
them  over  to  Chains  of  Barknefs^  and  Receptacles  of 
Defpair  \  againft  the  feverer  Doom,  and  more  public  In- 
famy of  the  Great  Day. — Then,  all  the  Vials  of  V/radi, 
will  be  empded  upon  thefe  wTetched  Creatures.  The 
Law  they  have  violated,  and  the  Gofpel  they  have  flight- 
ed ;  the  Power  they  have  defied,  and  the  Goodnefs  they 
have  abufed  \  v/ili  all  get  themfelves  Honour  in  their  ex- 
emplary Defrrudicn.  Then,  God,  the  God  to  whom 
Vengeance  belongeth,  will  draw  the  Arrow  to  the  very 
Head,  and  fet  them  as  the  Mark  of  his  inexorable  Dif- 
pleafure. 

Resurrection  will  be  no  Privilege  to  them  ;  but 
Immortality  itfelf,  dieir  everiafting  Curfe, — Would  they 
not  blefs  the  Grave,  "  that  Land  v/here  all  Things  are 
*^  forgotten  ;"  and  wifn  to  lie  etern-uly  hid,  in  its  deepefl 
Gloom  ?  But,  the  Dufb  refufes  to  ccnced  ^t\x  Perlbns  ; 
or  to  draw  a  Veil  over  their  Pra(fl:ice3.  They  alio  mufl 
awake  ;  mufl  arifc  ;  muft  appear  at  the  Bar  ;  and  meet 
the  Judge.  A  Judge,  before  whom  ''  the  Pillars  of 
"  Heaven  tremble,  and  the  Earth  melts  av/ay."  A 
Judge,  once  long- fuffe ring,  and  ver}^  compafTionate  i 
but  now  unalterably  determined,  to  teach  ftubborn  Of- 

*  Ifai.  xxvii.   11. 

F  ^  fenders. 


73  MEDITATIONS 

fenders — What  it  is,  to  provoke  the  Omnipotent  God-? 
head  :  what  it  is,  to  trample  upon  the  Blood  of  his  Son ; 
and  offer  Be/pit e  to  all  the  gracious  Overtures  of  his 
Spirit. 

O  !  THE  Pci*plexity  !  the  Diflradion  !  that  mull  feize 
the  impenitent  Rebels,  when  they  are  fummoned  to  the 
great  Tribunal ! — WTiat  will  they  do,  in  this  Day  of  fe- 
vere  Vifitation  ?  This  Day  of  final  Decifion  ? — ^Where  ? 
Hov/  ?  V\^hence,  can  they  find  Help  ? — To  which  of 
the  Saints  will  they  turn  ?  Whither  betake  themfelves, 
for  Shelter  or  for  Succour  ? — Alas  !  'tis  all  in  vain  ;  'tis 
all  too  late.— Friends  and  Acquaintance  know  them  no 
more.  Men  and  Angels  abandon  them^^  to  their  ap- 
proaching Doom.  Even  the  Mediator,  the  MEDIA- 
TOR himfelf^  deferts  them  in  this  dreadful  Hour. — • 
To  fly,  will  be  impracticable  :  x.o  juftify  themfelves,  flill 
more  impoffible  :  and  nowj  to  make  any  Supplications ^ 
utterly  unavailable. 

Behold  !  the  Books  are  opened.  The  Secrets  of 
all  Hearts  are  difclofed.  The  hidden  Things  of  Dark- 
nefs  are  brought  to  Light.  How  empty,  how  ineffec- 
tual//^-uy^  are  all  thofe  vcvintdi  Artifices  ^  with  which  Hypo- 
crites impofed  upon  their  Fellow-creatures,  and  pre- 
ferved  a  Charafter  in  the  Sight  of  Men! — The  jealous 
God,  who  has  been  about  their  Path,  and  about  their 
Bed,  and  'fpied  out  all  their  Ways,  fets  before  them  the 
Things  that  they  have  done.  They  cannot  anfwer  him 
one  in  a  Thoufand,  nor  fland  in  the  av/ful  Judgment, 
The  Heavens  reveal  their  Iniquities,  and  the  Earth  rijes  up 
againft  them  *.  They  2i\xjpee chiefs  with  Guilt,  and//|f- 
ptatized  with  Infamy,  before  all  the  Armies  of  the  Sky, 
and  all  the  Nations  of  the  Redeemed. — What  a  Favour 
wpiild  they  efreem  it  -,  to  hide  their  alliamed  Heads,  in 

*  Job  XX.  27. 

the 


AMONG     THE     TOMBS.  75 

the  Bottom  of  the  Ocean  ;   or  even  to  be  biiiied,  beneath 
the  Ruins  of  the  tottering  World  ! 

If  the  Contempt,  poured  upon  them,  be  tlius  infup- 
portable  ;  how  will  their  Hearts  endure,  when  the  S'ujord 
of  infinite  Indignation  is  unfheathed;  and  fiercely  v/aved, 
around  their  defencelefs*  Heads ;  or  pointed  diredtly,  at 
their  naked  Breaiis  ?  How  mufi:  the  Wretches  fcream 
with  wild  Amazement,  and  rend  the  very  Heavens  with 
their  Cries,  when  the  right -aimingThunder  bolts  go  abroad; 
Go  abroad,  with  a  dreadful  Commiflion,  to  drive  them 
from  the  Kingdoms  of  Glory ;  and  plunge  them — not 
into  the  Sorrows  of  a  Moment,  or  the  Tortures  of  an 
Hour— r-but  into  all  the  refllefs  Agonies,  of  unquenchable 
Fire,  and  everlafcing  Defpair  *. 

Misery  of  Miferies  !  too  fnocking  for  Reflexion  to 
dwell  upon.  But,  if  fo  difmal  to  forefee  -,  and  that  at 
a  Diilance;  together  with  feme  comfortable  Expe6tation 
of  efcaping  it — O  !  how  bitter,  inconceivably  bitter,  to 
hear  ,•  without  any  Intermiirion  3  or  any  Mitigation ; 
through  hopelefs  and  eternal  Ages  1 

Who  has  any  Bow^els  of  Pity  .?— Who  has  any  Senti- 
ments of  Companion  .^  Who  has  any  tender  Concern 
for  his  Fellow-creatures  ?  Who  r  —  In  God's  NamiC, 
and  for  Christ's  Sake,  let  Him  fhew  it  3  by  warning 
€very  Man,  and  befeeching  every  Man^  tojeek  the  Lord 
while  He  may  be  found:  To  throw  down  the  Arms  of 
Rebellion,  before  the  Acl  of  Indemnity  expires :  Sub- 
mifTively  to  adore  the  Lamb,  while  he  holds  out  the 
golden  Sceptre. — Here,  let  us  act  the  friendly  Part  tD 

*  Regions  of  Sorrow,  doleful  Shades,  where  Peace 
And  Reft  can  never  dwell ;  Hope  never  comes. 
That  comes  to  All :  but  Torture  without  End 
Still  urges,  and  a  fiery  Deluge,  fed 
With  ever-burning  Sulphur  unconfum'd.  Milt. 

'  Mankind. 


74  MEDITATIONS 

Mankind.  Here^  let  the  whole  Force  of  our  Benevo- 
lence  exert  itfelf:  in  exhorting  Relations,  Acquaintance, 
Neighbours,  whomfoever  we  may  probably  influence, 
to  take  the  Wings  o( Faith  unfeigned;  c{ Repentance  uu- 
delayed ;  and  flee  away  from  this  Wrath  to  come. 

Upon  the  Whole  ;  what  fl:upendous  Difcoveries  are 
thefe  !  Lay  them  up  in  a  faithful  Remembrance,  O  my 
Soul.  Recoiled  them,  with  the  mofl:  ferious  Attention  ; 
when  thou  liefl:  down,  and  when  thou  rifefl:  up.  When 
thou  walked,  receive  them  for  thy  Companions ;  when 
thou  talkefl:,  lifl:en  to  them  as  thy  Prompters  \  and 
whatever  thou  doefl:,  confult  them  as  thy  Directors. — 
"influenced  by  thefe  Confiderations,  thy  Views  will 
greaten  ;  thy  Affedions  be  exalted ;  and  thou  thyfelf 
raifed  above  the  tantalizing  Power  of  perifliing  Things. 
Duly  mindful  of  thefe,  it  will  be  the  Sum  of  thy  Deftres, 
and  the  Scope  of  thy  Endeavours^  to  gain  the  Approba- 
tion of  that  Sovereign  Being ;  who  will  then  fill  the 
Throne,  and  pronounce  the  decifive  Sentence.  Thou 
wilt  fee  nothing  worth  aWilh  *,  in  Comparifon  of  having 
his  Will  for  thy  Rule  ;  his  Glory  for  thy  Aim  ;  and  his 
Holy  Spirit  for  thy  ever  a6luating  Principle. 

Wonder,  O  Man  ;  be  loft  in  Admiration  ;  at  thofe 
prodigious  Events,  which  are  coming  upon  the  Univerfe. 
Events,  the  Greatnefs  of  which,  nothing  finite  can  mea- 
fure.  Such,  as  will  caufe  whatever  is  confiderable  or 
momentous  in  the  Annals  of  all  Generations,  to  fmk 
into  Littlenefs  and  Nothing.  Events  (Jesus  prepare 
us,  for  their  Approach ;  defend  us,  when  they  take 
Place  !)  big  with  the  everlafiing  Fates,  of  all  the  Liv- 

■*  Great  Day  of  Dread,  Declfion,  and  Defpair! 
At  Thought  of  Thee,  each  fiiblunary  Wifh 
Lets  go  its  eager  Grafp,  and  quits  the  World. 

Night  Thoughts. 

ing,. 


AMONG    THE    TOMBS.  75 

ingj  and  all  the  Dead. — I  muft  fee  the  Graves  cleaving ; 
the  Sea  teeming ,  and  Swarms  unfufpeded,  Crouds  un- 
numbered, yea.  Multitudes  of  thronging  Nations^  rifing 
from  both. — I  muft  fee  the  World  in  Flames  -,  muft 
ftand  at  the  DifTolution  of  all  terreftrial  Things ;  and 
be  an  Attendant  on  the  Burial  of  Nature. — I  muft  fee 
the  vaft  Expanfe  of  the  Sky,  wrapt  up  like  a  Scroll ; 
and  the  incarnate  God,  iftuing  forth  from  Light  in- 
accelTible,  with  ten  thoufand  times  ten  thoufand  Angels, 
to  judge  both  Men  and  Devils. — I  muft  fee  the  Curtain 
of  Time  drop  ;  fee  all  Eternity  difclcfed  to  View  3  and 
enter  upon  a  State  of  Being,  that  will  never,  never, 
have  an  End. 

And  ought  I  not  (let  the  vaineft  Imagination  deter- 
mine ;  oup-ht  I  not)  to  try  the  Sincerity  of  my  Faith, 
and  take  Heed  to  my  Ways  ?  Is  there  an  Inquiry ;  is 
there  a  Care  -,  of  greater,  of  equal,  of  comparable  Im- 
portance ? — Is  not  this  an  infinitely  prefTing  Call,  to  fee 
that  my  Loins  are  girded  about ;  my  Lamp  trimmed ; 
and  myfelf  dreflcd  for  the  Bridegroom's  Appearanee  ? 
That,  wafned  in  the  Fountain  opened  in  my  Saviour's 
Side,  and  clad  with  the  Marriage  Garment  wove  by  his 
Obedience  ;  I  may  be  found  in  Peace,  unbhmeable, 
and  unreproveable. — Otherwife,  how  ftiall  I  ftand  with 
Boldnefs  ;  when  the  Stars  of  Heaven  fall  from  their 
Orbs  ?  How  ftiall  I  come  forth  ere^  and  courageous  : 
when  the  Earth  itfelf  reels  to  and  fro  like  a  Drunkard  *  ? 
How  ftiall  I  look  up  v/ith  Joy,  and  fee  my  Salvation 
drawing  nigh  ;  when  the  Hearts  of  Millions  and  Mil- 
lions fail  for  Fear  ? 

Now,  Madam,  left  my  Meditations  kt  in  a  Cloud  ; 
and  leave  any  unpkaung  Gloom  upon  your  Mind ,  let 

*  Ifai.  xxlv.  20. 

me 


76  -MEDITATIO  N  S,  &c.- 

me  once  more  turn  to  the  brightening  Profpe^s  of  the 
Rigliteous.  A  View  of  Them,  and  their  deiightful 
Expectations,  may  fcrve  to  exhilarate  the  Thoughts  ; 
which  have  been  mufing  upon  melancholy  Subje6ls,  and 
hovermg  about  the  Edges  of  infernal  Darknefs.  Jufl 
as  a  fpacious  Field,  arrayed  in  chearfid  Green ^  relieves 
and  reinvigorates  the  Eye  ;  w^hich  has  fatigued  itfelf  by 
poring  upon  fo'me  minute>  or  gazing  upon  fome  glaring 
Objed. 

The  Righteous  feem  to  lie  by,  in  the  Bofom  of  the 
Earth,  as  a  'ivary  Pilot  in  fome  well-fneltered  Creek  ; 
till  all  the  Storms,  which  infeft  this  lower  World,  are 
bl  ^wn  over.  Here  tliey  enjoy  fafe  Anchorage  ;  are  in 
no  Danger  o\  foundering^  amidft  the-  Waves  of  prevail- 
ing Iniquity  ;  o'r  of  hcmg  Jbipzi^e eked y  on  the  Rocks  of 
any  powerful  Temptation.  But,  ere-long,  we  fhall  be- 
hold them  hoiiling  their  Flag  of  Hope  ;  riding  before  a 
fweet  Gale  of  atoning  Merit,  and  redeeming  Love  j  till 
they  miake,  with  all  the  Sails  of  an  aflured  Faith,  the 
bleiTed  Port  of  eternal  Life. 

Then,  may  the  honoured  Friend,  to  whom.  I  am 
writing  ;  rich  in  good  Works  -,  rich  in  Heavenly  Tem- 
pers ;  but  inexprelTibly  richer  in  her  Saviour's  Righte- 
oufnefi, — O  !  may  (he  enter  the  Harbour,  like  a  gallant 
fiately  Vcjjel  \  returned  fuccefsful  and  vidiorious  from 
fome  grand  Expedition ;  with  Acclamations,  Honour, 
and  Joy!  While  "my  little  Bark,  attendant  on  the  So- 
lemnity, and  a  Partaker  of  the  Triumph,  glides  huni- 
bly  after :  and  both  reft  together  in  the  Haven^ — -the 
wifn'd  for,  blifsful  Haven  of  perfcd  Security,  and  ever- 
lading  Repoie, 


R  E  F  L  E  C 


REFLECTIONS 


FLOWER-GARDEN, 


look  upon  the  Pleajure^  which  we  take  in  a  Garden,  as 
one  of  the  moft  innocent  Delights  in  human  Life.  A 
Garden  was  the  Habitation  of  our  firfi  'Parents  before 
the  Fall.  It  is  naturally  apt  to  fill  the  Mind  with  Calm- 
nefs  and  Tranquillity,  and  to  lay  all  its  turbulent  Paffions 
at  Reft.  It  gives  us  a  great  Infight  into  the  Contrivance 
and  IVifdom  of  Providence,  and  fuggefls  innumerable 
Subjeds  for  Meditation. 

Spect.  Vol.  VII.  N°  477. 


REFLEC- 


REFLECTIONS 


ON       A 


FLOWER-GARDEN, 


In     a     letter     to     a     LADY. 


Madam, 

SOME  Time  ago,  my  Meditations  took  a  Turn 
among  the  Tombs.  They  vifited  the  awful  and  me- 
lancholy Manfions  of  the  Dead  *  ;  and  you  was  pleafed 
to  favour  them  with  your  Attention. — May  I,  now,  beg 
the  Honour  of  your  Company,  in  a  more  inviting  and 
delightful  Excurfion  ?  In  a  beautiful  Flower -Gar  den ; 
where  I  lately  walked,  and  at  once  regaled  the  Senfc, 
and  indulged  the  Fancy. 

*  "  Difcourfes  on  the  Vanity  of  the  Creature,  which  reprefent  the 
*'  Barrennefs  of  every  Thing  in  this  World,  and  its  Incapacity  of  pro- 
'*  ducing  any  folid  or  fubftantial  Happinefs,  are  ufeful. — Thofe  Spe- 
**  culations  alfo,  which  Ihew  the  bright  Side  of  Things,  and  lay  forth 
**  thofe  innocent  Entertainments,  which  are  to  be  met  with  among  the 
**  feveral  Objedls  that  encompafr.  us,  are  no  lefs  beneficial."  Sped. 
Vol.  V.  N°  393.  Upon  the  Plav  of  thep  Obfsrvatlons ^  the prccedir.g  and 
follo-vjing  Refections  are  fcrmed. 

It 


8o  REFLECTIONS    ON     A 

It  was  early  in  a  Summer  Morning.  When  the  Air. 
was  cool ;  the  Earth  moift ;  the  whole  Face  of  the  Crea- 
tion frelh  and  gay.  The  noily  World  was  fcarce  awake. 
Btifinejs  had  not  quite  fhook  off  his  found  Sleep  ;  and 
Riot  had  but  juft  reclined  liis  giddy  Head.  All  was  fe- 
rene :  Ail  was  Hill :  Every  Thing  tended  to  infpire  Tran- 
quility of  Mind,  and  invite  to  ferious  Thought. 

Only  the  v\^akeful  Lark  had  left  her  Nefl,  and  was 
mounting  on  high,  to  falute  tlie  opening  Day.  Elevated 
in  Air,  Hie  feemed  to  call  the  laborious  Hufbandman  to' 
his  Toil,  and  all  her  Fellow- Songfters  to  their  Notes.-^ 
Earlieil  of  Birds,  f^id  I,  Companion  of  the  Dawn,  may 
I  always  rife  at  thy  Voice !  Rife,  to  offer  the  Matin-Song  j 
and  adore  that  beneficent  Being,  "  who  maketh  the 
'^  Out-goings  of  the  Morning  and  Evening  to  rejoice." 

How  charming  to  rove  abroad,  at  this  fweet  Hour  of 
Prtjne!  To  enjoy  the  Calm  of  Nature;  to  tread  the  dewy 
Lawns  -,  and  tafle  the  unrifled  Frefhnefs  of  the  Air  ! 
S'-^jeet  is  the  Breath  of  Morn,  her  Rifingfiveety 
V/ith  Charm  of  ear  Heft  Birds, 

What  a  Pleafure  do  the  Sons  of  Sloth  lofe  !  Little, 
ah  !  little  is  the  Sluggard  fenfible,  how  delicious  an  En- 
tertainment he  foregoes,  for  the  poorcft  of  all  animal 
Gratifications  *. 

*  Sec  :  how  Revelation  and  Reafon,  the  Scriptures  and  the  Clafficf?, 
unanimoufly  exhort  to  this  mod  beneficial  Praftice.  They  both  invito 
us  to  early  Rlfing,  by  the  moil  engaging  Motives,  and  the  moll  alluring 
Reprefentations. 

Ccme,  mj  Beh^jeJ,  let  us  go  forth  into  the  Field;   let  us  lodge  in  the 
Villages.     Let   us  get  up  early  to  the  Vine-yards  ;    lei  us  fee  if  the  Vine 
fourijh,   ^'h ether   the  tender   Grape  appear ^  and  the  Pomegranates   bud 
forth.     Cant.  vii.  ii,  12. 

Luciferi  p7-imo  cum  Sldere,  frigida  Rura 

Carpamus  :  dum  mave  no'vmny  durn  GranttJia  ca7iSnt, 

Et  Ros  in  tenera  Pccori  gratif/ijfrus  Herha  cf. 

YiRG.  Georg.  IIL 

6>  The 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  8i 

The  Greynefs  of  the  Dawn  decays  gradually.  Abun- 
dance of  ruddy  Sti-eaks  tinge  the  Fleeces  of  the  Firma- 
ment. Till,  at  length,  the  dappled  Afped  of  the  Eaft 
is  loll,  in  one  ardent  and  boundlefs  Blujl:). — Is  it  the 
Surmife  of  Imagination,  or  do  die  Skies  really  redden 
with  Shamie ;  to  fee  io  many  fupinely  Hretched,  on  their 
drowfy  Pillows  ? — Shall  Man  be  lofl,  in  hixurious  Eafc  ^ 
Shall  Man  wafte  thefe  precious  Hours,  in  idle  Slum*- 
bers  ?  While  the  vigorous  Sun  is  up,  and  going  on  his 
Mifker's  Errand?  While  all  the  feathered  Choir  are 
hymning  the  Creator,  and  paying  their  Homage  in  Har- 
mony?— No,  Let  Him  heighten  the  Melody  of  the 
tuneful  Tribes,  by  adding  the  rational  Strains  of  Devo- 
tion. Let  Him  improve  the  fragrant  Oblations  of  Na- 
ture, by  mingling,  with  the  rifing  Odours,  the  more 
refined  Breath  of  Praife, 

'Tis  natural  for  Man  to  look  upward  j  to  throw  his 
lirfl  Glance  upon  the  Objedls  that  are  above  Him. 

Strait  towards  Heaven  my  zvcnd'ring  Eyes  I  tuni'd^ 
And gaz'd  a  while  the  ample  Sky. 

Prodigious  Theatre !  Where  Lightnings  dart  their 
Fire,  and  Thunders  utter  their  Voice.  Where  Tem- 
pelts  Ipend  their  Rage,  and  Worlds  unnumbered  roll  at 
large  1 — O  the  Greatnejs  of  that  mighty  Hand  j  which 
meteth  out  this  amazing  Circumference,  with  a  Span ! 
O  the  Immenfity  of  that  wonderful  Being ;  before  whom 
this  unmeafurable  Extent,  is  no  more  than  a  Point ! — 
And  O  (thou  pleafing  Thought!)  the  unfearchable 
Riches  of  that  Mercy ^  which  is  greater  than  the  Heavens  *  / 
Js  more  enlarged  and  extenfive^  in  its  gracious  Exercif^ ; 
than  thefe  illimitable  Trads  of  Air,  and  Sea,  and  Fir- 
mament!  Which  pardons  Crimes  of  the  mod  enormous 

*-  Pfal.  cviii.  4. 

G  Size, 


tz  REFLECTIONSONA 

Size,  and  the  moll  horrid  Aggravations ;  pardons  diem, 
in  Confideradon  of  the  Redeemer*s  Atonement,  with 
perfed  Freenefs,  and  the  utmoft  Readinefs !  More 
readily,  if  it  were  polTible,  than  this  all-Jurrounding  Ex- 
fanfe  admits,  within  its  Circuit,  a  Ridge  of  Mountains, 
or  even  a  Grain  of  Sand. 

Come  hither,  then,  ye  awakened,  trembhng  Sinners. 
Come  *,  weary  and  heavy-laden  with  a  Senfe  of  your 
Iniquities.  Condemn  yourfelves.  Renounce  all  Re- 
liance on  any  Thing  of  your  own.  Let  your  Trufi  be  in 
the  tender  Mercy  of  God,  for  Ever  and  Ever, 

IN  them  hath  he  Jet  a  Tabernacle  for  the  Sun  j-. — Be- 
hold him  coming  forth,  from  the  Chambers  of  the  Eaft, 
See  1  the  Clouds,  like  floating  Curtains,  are  thrown 
back  at  his  Approach.  With  what  refulgent  Majefty  does 
he  walk  abroad;  How  tranfcendently  bright  is  his  Coun- 

*  The  Lines  which  follow,  are  admirably  defcrlptive  of  the  Spirit 
and  Praftice,  hinted  above.  In  them  Defire  pants ;  Prayer  ^rejiks ; 
and  Faith,  as  it  were,  grafps  the  Prize. — I  take  Leave  to  tranfplant 
them  into  this  Place;  and  I  could  wiih  them  a  better,  a  more  con- 
fpicuous  Situation,  than  either  their  ne^Aj  or  their  native  Soil.  Their 
native  Soil,,  is  no  other  than  ^ he  Lamentation  of  a  Sinner ^  written  by 
Mr.  SternhoU.  Notwithftanding  the  unpromifmg  Genius  of  the  Per- 
formance, I  think.  We  may  challenge  the  greateft  Mailers,  to  produce 
any  Thing  more  fpirited  and  importunate  i  more  full  of  Nature  For 
more  flulhed  with  Life. 

Mercy,  Good  LORD ,  Mercy  I  crai'e  ; 

T/jis  is  the  total  Sum  ; 
For  Mercy i  LORD,  is  all  my  Suit ; 

LORD,  let  thy  Mercy  conie. 

The  fhort  Sentences— Not  a  fmgle  Copulative—The  frequent  Repe- 
tition of  the  Divine  Name — ^l^he  almoll  inceflant  Reiteration  of  the 
Blefiing,  fo  padionately  defired,  and  inexprelTibly  needed.— This  is  the 
genuine  Language  of  Ardor :  thefe  are  Beauties  obvious  to  every  Eye  ; 
.  and  cannot  fail,  either  to  pleafe  the  judicious  Tafte,  or  to  edify  the 
gracious  Heart. 

f  Pfal.  xix.  4. 

tenance  j 


FLOWER-GARDEN*  83 

tenance ;  fhedding  Day,  and  inexhauftible  Light,  through 
the  Univerfe  ! — Is  there  a  Scene  though  finiflicd  by  the 
moft  elaborate  and  coftly  Refinements  of  Art,  ^*  com- 
*'  parable  to  thefe  illiifbrioiis  Solemnities  of  opening  Sun- 
*^  fhine  ?  Before  ibefey  all  the  ftudied  Pageantry  of  the 
"  Theatre;  the  glittering  Oeconomy  of  an  AfTembly; 
*^  or  even  the  heightened  Ornaments  of  a  Royal  Palace; 
*^  hide  their  diminilhed  Heads,  and  fhrink  into  nothing.'* 
—I  have  read  of  a  Perfon,  fo  flruck  with  the  Splendors 
of  this  noble  Luminary;  that  he  imagined  himfelf  made 
on  Purpofe  to  contemplate  its  Glories.     O  !  that  Chrif- 
tians  would  adopt  his  Perfuafion,  and  transfer  it  to  the 
Sun  of  Rightecujnefs  I  Thus  applied,  it  would  ceafe  to  be 
a  chimerical  Notion,    and  become  a  moft  impoitant 
Truth.     For  fure  1  am,  it  is  the  fupreme  Happinefs  of 
the  eternal  State  ;  and  therefore  may  well  be  the  ruling 
Concern  of  this  prefent  Life  ;  to  know  the  only  true  GODy 
end  JESUS  CHRIST,  whom  he  hath fent,— Nov  do  1 
Hand  alone  in  this  Opinion.     The  very  beft  Judge  of 
whatever  is  valuable  in  Science,  or  perfedlive  of  our 
Nature ;  a  Judge,  v/ho  formed  his  Tafte  on  the  Maxims 
of  Paradife,  and  received  the  Finifhings  of  his  Educa- 
tion in  the  third  Heavens ;  this  Judge,  determines  to 
know  nothing  but  JESUS  CHRISTy  and  him  crucified. 
He  pofTelled,  in  his  own  Perfon,  the  fineft,   the  mpfl 
admired  Accompli JJjments  -,  yet  pronounces  them  no  better 
than  Dungy  in  Comparifon  of  the  *  fupereminent  Excel- 
lency of  this  faving  Knowledge. 

Methinks,  I  difcern  a  thoufand  admirable  Proper- 
ties in  the  Sun.  'Tis,  certainly,  t!ie  beft  material  Em- 
blem of  the  Creator.  There  is  more  of  Gcd  in  its 
LuftrCy  Energy y  and  UJefulnrJsy  than  in  any  other  vifible 
Being.     To  worfhip  it  as  a  Deity,  was  tlie  lead  in- 

*  To  v'Ki^i'xjav  T>3?  yvuc-iox;.     Phil.  iii.  7, 

G  2  cxcufabic 


«4  R  E  F  L  E  C  T  I  O  N  S     O  N    A 

excufable  of  all  the  heathen  Idolatries.  One  fcarce  carl 
wonder,  that  fallen  Reafon  fhould  mifcake  fo  fair  a 
Copy,  for  the  adorable  Original.  No  Comparifon,  in 
the  whole  Book  of  facred  Wifdom,  pleafcs  me  more ; 
than  that  which  refembles  the  blelTed  Jesus,  to  yonder 
Regent  of  the  Day  *.  Who  now  advances  on  his  azure 
Road,  to  fcatter  Light  and  diipenfe  Gladnefs  through 
the  Nations. 

What  weje  all  the  Realms  of  the  World,  but  a 
Dungeon  of  Barknejs,  without  the  Beams  of  the  Sun? 
All  their  fine  Scenes,  hid  from  our  View;  loft  in  Ob- 
fcurity. — In  vain,  we  roll  around  our  Eyes  in  the  mid- 
night Gloom.  In  vain,  we  ftrive  to  behold  the  Features 
of  amiable  Nature.  Turn  whither  v/e  will,  no  Form  or 
Comelinefs  appears.  All  feems  a  dreary  Wafte ;  an  un- 
diftinguifhed  Chaos.  Till  the  returning  Hours,  have 
unbarred  the  Gates  of  Light,  and  let  forth  the  Morn. — 
Then,  what  a  Profped  opens !  The  Heavens  are  paved 
wrth  Azure,  and  ftrcwed  with  Rofes.  A  Variety  of  the 
iivelieft  Verdures  array  the  Plains.  The  Flowers  put  on 
a  Glow  of  the  richeft  Colours.  The  whole  Creation  ftandii 
forth  drefTed  in  all  the  Charms  of  Beauty.  The  ravilhed 
Eye  looks  round,  and  wonders. 

Akd  what  had  been  the  Condition  of  our  intellectual 
Nature,  v/ithout  the  great  Redeemer,  and  his  'Divine  Re- 
TelaticnP — Alas!  what  abiurd  and  unworthy  Apprehen- 
fionsj,  did  the  Fagan  Sages  form  of  God!  What  idle 
Dreams,  v/hat  childiHi  Conjedlures,  v/ere  their  Do6lrines 
of  a  fliture  State! — Hov^^  did  the  Bulk,  even  of  that  fa- 
voured Nation,  the  Jezas,  weary  themfelves  in  every 
Vanity,  to  obtain  Peace  and  Reconciliation  v/lth  dieir 
offended  Jehovah  !  Till  jEsua  arofe  upon  our  benighted 

*   Unto  you  y  that  fear  my  Isajjie,  Jball  the  Sun  of  Right  eoufnefs  arife, 
nvith  Healing  in  his  Wings,     Mai.  iv.  2. 

Minds^ 


.     FLOWER-GARDEN.  85 

Minds,  and  brought  Life  and  Immoruliry  to  light;  till 
HE  arofe,  io  enlighten  the  wretched  Gentiles^  and  to  he  the 
Glory  of  his  People  IfraeL 

Now  we  no  longer  cry  out,  with  a  reillefs  Impa- 
tience, Where  is  GOB  my  Maker  ?  For  we  are  allowed 
to  contemplate  the  Brightnefs  of  his  Glory,  and  the  ex- 
prefs  Image  of  his  Perfon,  in  the  Face  of  JESUS 
CHRIST, — Now,  we  no  longer  inquire,  with  an  un- 
fatisfied  Solicitude,^'  Which  is  the  Way  to  Blifs  ?'*  Be- 
caufe  Jesus  has  marked  the  Path,  by  his  Ihining  Exam- 
ple ;  and  left  us  an  unerring  Clue,  in  his  holy  Word. 
— Now,  we  have  no  more  Realbn  to  proceed  with  mil- 
giving  Hearts,  in  our  Journey  to  Eternity ;  or  to  afk 
anxioufly,  as  we  go ;  '*  Who  will  roil  away  the  Stone, 
"  and  open  the  evedafting  Doors  ?  Who  will  remove 
"  the  flaming  Sword,  and  give  us  Admiflion  into  the 
^'  Delights  of  Paradife  ?"  For  it  is  done.  All  done,  by 
the  Captain  of  our  Salvation.  Sin  he  has  expiated,  by 
the  unblemifhed  Sacrifice  of  Himlelf^  The  Law  he  has 
fulfilled,  by  his  perfe6l  Obedience.  The  Sinner  he  trans^ 
forms,  by  his  fandlifying  Spirit. — In  a  Word;  He  hath 
both  prefented  us  with  a  clear  Dlfcovcry,  of  good  Things 
to  come  \  and  adminiflered  to  ui>  an  abundant  Entrance^ 
into  the  final  Enjoyment  of  them. 

Whenever,  therefore,  we  blefs  God  for  the  circling 
Seafons,  and  revolving  Day;  let  us  adore,  thankfully 
adore  Him,  for  the  more  precious  Avi^tdiid^viQ^  of  the  Sun 
of  Righteoufncfs,  and  his  glorious  Gofpel.  Without 
which,  we  fhouid  liave  been  groping,  even  to  this  Hour, 
in  fpiritual  Darknefs,  and  the  Shadow  of  Death.  With- 
out which,  we  mufl  have  wandered  in  a  Maze  of  inex- 
tricable Uncertainties ;  and  have  "  flumbled  upon  the 
^'  dark  Mountains''  of  Error,  till  we  fcU  into  thQ  bot- 
tomlefs  Pit  of  Perdition. 

G  3  IVITH. 


S6  REFLECTIONSONA 

TV  I TH  OUT  that  grani  eiilhening '^rmd-plcy  What 
were  this  Earth,  but  a  hfelefL  ^Aa^l  ?  A  rude  Lump  of 
innSfive  Matter  ?  The  Trees  ccuid  never  break  forth  in- 
to Leaves,  nor  the  Piarits  fprmo;  up  int^  Flowers.  We 
ihiould  no  more  behold  trie  Meadows,  mantled  over 
with  Green;  nor  the  Valleys,  itanding  thick  with  Corn. 
Or,  to  fpeak  in  the  bea:?titrJ  Language  of  a  Prophet; 
*  No  longer  would  the  Fig  t^-ce  bkffom^  nor  Fruit  be  in 
the  Vine :  The  Labour  of  the  Olive  would  faily  and  the 
Fields  could  yield  no  Meat :  The  Flccks  mufi  be  cut  off  from 
the  Foldy  and  there  would  be  no  Herd  in  the  Stalls, — The 
Sun  darts  its  Beams  among  all  the  vegetable  Tribes; 
and  paints  the  Spring,  and  enriches  the  Autumn.  This 
pierces  to  the  Roots  of  the  Vineyard  and  the  Orchard; 
and  fets  afloat  thofe  fermenting  Juices,  which  at  length 
burft  into  Floods  of  Wine,  or  bend  the  Boughs  with  a 
mellow  Load. — Nor  are  its  Favours  confined  to  the 
Upfer  Regions ;  but  diilribured  into  the  deepeft  Receffes  of 
Creation.  It  penetrates  the  Beds  of  Metal,  and  finds 
its  Way  to  the  Place  of  the  Sapphires.  It  tin6i:ures  the 
Seeds  of  Gold,  that  are  ripening  into  Ore;  and  throws 
a  Brilliancy  into  the  Water  of  the  Diamond,  that  is 
hardening  on  its  Rock.- — In  fhort;  the  beneficial  Agency 
of  this  magnificent  Luminary,  is  inexprelTible.  It  beau- 
iifiesy  and  impregnates^  univerfal  Nature.  "  There  is  no^ 
*'  thing  hid  from  the  Heat  thereof/' 

Just  in  the  fame  Manner,  were  the  rational  World 
■dead  in  Trefpaffes  and  Sins,  without  the  reviving  Energy 
of  Jesus  Christ.  He  is  '^  the  Refurredion  and  the 
''  Life ;"  The  over-flowing  Fountain  of  the  one,  and 
the  all-powerful  Caufe  of  the  other.  The  fecond  Adam 
is  a  quickening  Sprite  and  all  his  Saints  live  through  Him, 

*  Hab.  iii.  17, 

He 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  87 

He  fliincs  upon  their  Affeclions ;  and  they  fhoot  forth 
into  Heavenly  Graces,  and  abound  in  the  Fmits  of 
Righteoiifnefs.  Faith  unfeigned,  and  Love  undiflem- 
bled,  thofe  noblefl  Produdtions  of  the  renewed  Nature, 
are  the  Effect  of  his  Operation  on  the  Mind.  Not  fo 
much  as  one  divine  Difpofition  could  fpread  itfelf,  not 
one  Chriilian  Habit  untold  and  flourifh,  without  the 
kindly  Influences  of /7/j  Grace. 

As  there  is  no  Fruitfulnefs,  fo  likewife  no  ChearfuU 
nejs  *,  without  the  Sun. — When  that  aulpicious  So- 
vereign of  the  Day,  diffufes  the  Mildnefs  of  his  Morn- 
ing Splendor,  He  creates  an  univerfal  Feflival.  Mil- 
lions of  glittering  Infects  awake  into  Exiftence,  and  baflc 
in  his  Rays.  The  Birds  fl:art  from  their  Slumbers,  and 
pour  their  deliglited  Souls,  m  Harmony.  The  Flocks, 
with  bleadng  Accents,  hail  the  welcome  Bleiring.  The 
Valleys  ring  with  rural  Mufic;  the  Hills  e^ho  back 
the  ardefs  Strains.  All  that  is  vocal,  joins  in  the  gene- 
ral Choir :  all  that  has  Breath,  exults  in  the  cheating 
Influence. — Whereas ;  was  that  radiant  Orb  extinguifli- 
ed,  a  trem.endous  Gloom  would  enfue,  and  Horror  fn- 
fupportable.  Nay;  let  it  only  be  edi-pjed  for  a  few 
Minutes  •  and  all  Nature  aflumes  an  Air  of  Sadnejs. 
The  Heavens  are  wrapt  in  Sables,  and  put  on  a  Kind 
ofMo,urning.  The  moll  fprightly  Animals  hang  down 
their  dejedbed  Heads.  The  Songfters  of  the  Grove  arc 
ftruck  dumb.  Howling  Beafrs  roam  abroad  for  Prey : 
Ominous  Birds  come  forth  and  fcreech  :  The  Heart  of 
Man  fdls,  or  a  fud  len  Pang  feizes  the  foreboding  Mind. 
—-So,  v/hen  Christ  hides  away  his  Face  j  when  Faith 

*  "  The  Sun,  which  is  as  the  j^reat  Soul  of  the  Univerfe,  and 
"  produces  all  the  Necefl-irics  of  Life,  has  a  particular  Influence 
*'  in  chearing  the  Min(4of  Man,  and  making  the  Heart  glad,^"*  Spc^. 
Vol.  V.  N°  387. 

G  4.  loles 


88  REFLECTION  SON    A 

lofes  Sight  of  tiiat  ConSohthn  of  Ifrael ;  how  gloomy  are 
the  Profpects  of  the  Soul  1  Our  Gop  feems  to  be  a 
ccniliming  Fire,  and  our  Sins  cry  loudly  for  Vengeance. 
The  Thoughts  bleed  inwardly  5  the  Chriftian  walks 
heavily.  All  without  is  irkfome  ;  all  within  is  difcon- 
folate.' — Lift  up  then,  moil  gracious  Jesus,  thou  noMer 
Day-Jpring  from  on  high  1  O  lift  up  the  Light  of  thy 
Countenance,  upon  thy  People  !  Reveal  the  Fulnefs  of 
thy  mediatorial  Suinciency  -,  make  clear  our  Title  to  this 
great  Salvation  ;  and  thereby  impart 

IVhat  nothing  earthly  gives ^  or  can  defiroyy 

The  SguVs  calm  Sunjhine,  and  the  Heart-felt  Joy  *. 

In  once  Inflance  more,  let  me  purfue  the  Similitude, 
The  Sun,  I  obferve,  pours  his  Luflre  all  around \  to. 
every  Diftance^  and  in  every  Dire5licn.  Profofely  libe- 
ral of  his  Gifts,  He  Illuminates  and  chears  all  the  Ends 
of  the  Earth,  and  the  whole  Compafs  of  the  Skies. 
Tlie  Eaft  reddens,  with  his  rifing  Radiance  ;  and  the 
weflern  Hills,  are  gilded  with  his  ftrcaming  Splepdors. 
Th^  chilly  Regions  of  the  North,  are  cherifhed  by  his 
genial  Warmth ;  Vv'hile  the  fcuthern  Tra^ls^  glow  with 
his  Fire.— Thus,  are  the  Influences  of  the  Sun  of  Righte- 
cufnefs,  diffufive  and  un.confmed.  The  Generations  of 
old  felt  them  -,  and  Generations  yet  unborn,  will  re- 
joice in  them.  The  Merits  of  his  precious  Death  ex- 
tended to  the  firik,  and  will  be  propagated  to  the  lail. 
Ages  of  Manlvind.— May  they,  ere  long,  vifit  the  re- 
motefl  Climates,  and  darkeft  Corners  of  the  Earth  I 
Command  thy  Golpel,  blefTed  Jesus,  thy  everlafting 
Gofpel,  to  take  the  Wings  of  the  Morning,  and  travel 
with  yonder  Sun.  Let  it  fly  upon  flrong  Pinions  among 
every  People,  Nation,  and  Language,     That,    where 

*  ^ope'o  Eth,  Ep. 

the 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  ^9 

the  Heat  fcorches,  and  the  Cold  freezes,  Thou  mayft 
be  known,  confefied,  and  adored  !  That  Strangers  to  thy 
Name,  and  Enmies  to  thy  Dodrine,  may  be  enlightened 
with  the  Knowledge,  and  won  to  the  Love,  of  thy  Truth! 
O !  may  that  befl  of  .^ras  come  ;  that  wiihed  for  Period 
advance  j  when  All  the  Ends  of  the  World  flo all  remember 
themjelvesy  and  he  turned  unto  the  LORD  -,  and  all  the 
Kindreds  of  the  Nations  worjhip  before  him  *  / 

From  the  Heavens,  v;e  retire  to  the  Earth, — Here, 
the  Drops  of  Dew,  Hke  fo  m.any  liquid  Cryftals  |,  Iparkle 
upon  the  Eye.  How  hriUiant,  and  unfullied,  is  their 
Luftre  !  How  litde  inferior  to  the  proud  Stone,  which 
irradiates  a  Monarch's  Crown  !  They  want  nodiing  but 
Sohdity  and  Permanency  ;  to  equal  them  with  the  fineft 
Treafures  of  the  Jeweler's  Caflcet. — Here^  it  mufl  be 
confefledj  they  are  greatly  deficient ;  fhorr-lived  Orna- 
nients  ^  pofleiTed  of  little  more,  than  a  momentary  Radi^ 
(ince.  The  Sun,  that  lights  them  up,  v/ill  foon  melt 
them  into  Air,  or  exhale  them  into  Vapours.  Within 
another  Hour,  we  may  '^  look  for  their  Place,  and  they 
^*  fhall  be  away.'' — O  !  may  every  good  Refolution  of 
inine,  and  of  my  Flock's  -,  may  our  united  Breathings 
after  Gop,  not  be  like  thefe  tranfient  Decorations  of  the 
Morning ;  but  like  the  fubflantial  Glory  of  the  grow- 
ing Day !  The  one  fhines  more  and  more,  with  aug- 
mented Splendors  y  while  the  other,  having  glitterecj 
gaily  for  a  few  Moments,  difappear  and  are  loft. 

How  fenfibly  has  this  Dew  refrefhed  the  vegetable 
JCingdoms  !  The  fervent  Heat  of  Y^fterday's  Sun,  had 

^  Pial.  xxli.  27. 

f  Now  Morn,  her  rofy  Steps  in  th'  Eaftern  CUme 
jVdvancingj  fow'f^  tl^  Earth  with  orient  Pearl. 

Milt. 

almofl 


so 


REFLECTIONS    ON    A 


almoft  parched  the  Face,  and  exhaufled  the  Sweets,  of 
Nature.  But  what  a  fovereign  Reftorative,  are  thefe  cool- 
ing Biftiildtions  of  the  Night !  How  they  gladden,  and 
invigorate,  the  languifliing  Herb:  !  Sprinkled  with  thefe 
reviving  Drops,  their  Verdure  deepens ;  their  Bloom 
is  new-flufhed  -,  their  Fragrance,  faint  or  intermitted, 
becomes  potent  and  copious. — Thus  does  the  ever- 
blelfed  Spirit  revive  the  drooping  troubled  Confcience 
of  a  Sinner.  When  that  Almighty  Comforter  fheds  his 
fweet  Influence  on  the  Soul;  difplays  the  all-fufficient 
Sacrifice  of  a  Divine  Redeemer ;  and  "  witnefies  with 
*^  our  Spirit,"  that  we  are  interefted  in  the  Saviour,  and, 
by.  this  Means,  are  Children  of  GOD;  then,  v/hat  a 
pleafing  Change  erifues  !  Former  Anxieties  are  remem- 
bered no  more.  Every  uneafy  Apprehenfion  vanifhes. 
Soothing  Hopes,  and  delightful  Expedations,  fucceed. 
The  Countenance  drops  its  deje61:ed  Mien ;  the  Eyes 
brighten  Vvidi  a  lively  Chearfulnefs ;  while  the  Lips  ex- 
prefs  the  Heart-felt  Satisfaction,  in  the  Language  of 
Thankfgiving,  and  the  Voice  of  Melody . — ^In  this  Senfe, 
merciful  God,  be  as  theDew  unto  Ij'rael !  **  Pour  upon 
*^  them  the  condnual  Dew  of  thy  BlefTmg/'  And  O  ! 
let  not  my  Fleece  be  dry,  while  heavenly  Benedidion 
defcends  upon  all  around. 

Who  can  number  thefe  pearly  Drops  ?  They  hang  on 
every  Hedge ;  they  twinkle  from  every  Spray;  and  adorn 
the  whole  Herbage  of  the  Field.  Not  a  Blade  of  Grafs, 
not  a  fingle  Leaf,  but  wears  the  watry  Pendants.  So 
v^fi  is  the  Profuficn,  that  it  baffles  the  Arithmetician's 
Art.  Here,  let  the  benevolent  Mind  contemplate  and 
admire  that  emphatical  Scripture  ;  v/hich,  from  this 
elegant  Simi]it;:de,  defcribes  the  Increafe  of  the  Mejfiah's 
Kingdom..  The  Royal  Prophet,  fpeaking  of  Christ, 
and  foretelling  the  Succefs  of  his  Religion,  has  this  re- 
markable 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  91 

markable  ExprefTion  *  ;  The  Dew  of  thy  Birth  is  of  the 
PFcmb  of  the  Morning,     (i.  e.)  As  the  Morning  is  the 

Mother 

*  Pfalm  ex.  3.  nn-)V»  ^tD  ^V  inii>D  irrmo.  The  moft  exaaTranfla- 
tion  of  this  difficult  PaiTage  is,  I  apprehf^nd,  as  follows ;  Pvif  rare  uteri 
aurora,  tilt  eji  ros  jwventutis,  'vel prolis  tua.  The  Dew  of  thy  Birth  is 
larger,  more  copious,  than  the  Dew  which  proceeds  fiom  the  Womb  of 
the  Morning. — I  cannot  acquiefce  in  the  new  Version  ;  becuufe  thatdif- 
joins  the  Wcmh  cfthc  Morring,  from  theDe^w  of  thy  Birth.  Whereas, 
they  feem  to  have  a  clear  Affinity,  and  a  clofe  Conneflioxi.  The 
Womb  of  the  Morning  is,  with  the  utmoft  Pertinency,  applied  to  the 
Conception  :ind  Froduclion  of  Dews  ;  agreeably  to  a  delicate  Line,  in. 
that  great  Mafter  of  jnft  Defcription,  and  lively  Painting,  Mr.  Thomfon: 

The  meek  ey^d  Morn  appears ,  Mother  of  Denvs,  Summer. 

We  meet  with  a  fine  Expreffion  in  the  Book  oijob,  which  may  ferre 
to  confirm  this  Remark ;  may  illuftrate  the  Propriety  of  the  Phrafe, 
ufed  in  this  Connexion.  "  Kath  the  Rain  a  Father,  or  who  hath  he-- 
"  gotten  the  Drops  of  Dew  .^"  It  feems,  the  Oriental  Wrilers  delighted 
to  reprefent  the  Dew,  as  a  kind  of  Birth,  as  the  Offspring  of  the 
iVIorning.  And  if  fo,  furely  there  could  be  no  Image  in  the  whole 
Compafs  of  the  Univerfe,  better  adapted  to  the  Pfalmift's  Purpofe  :  or 
more  flrcnglyfigniftcant  of  thofe  Multitudes  of  Profelytes,  vvhich  were 
horn,  not  of  Blood,  nor  of  the  Will  of  the  Flep,  nor  of  the  Will  of  Man ^ 
hut  of  GOD  \  by  the  powerful  Energy  of  nis  Word  and  Spirit.— 
Upon  this  Suppofition,  the  whole  Verfe  dcfcribes 
The  willing  Subjeftion,  "^ 

The  gracious  Accompliihments,    >  of  Chriil's  Converts. 
And  the  vaft  Number,  J 

q.  d.  In  the  Day  cf  thy  Poi^ver,  when  thy  glorious  Gofpel  Ihall  be  pub- 
Ijihedin  the  World,  and  accompanied  with  marvellous  Efficacy — In 
tjiat  memorable  Period,  Thy  People,  difcontinuing  the  former  Obla- 
tions, commanded  under  the  Mfaic  Law ;  fhall  devote  thcmfelves,  as 
fo  many  living  Sacrifices,  to  thy  Honour.  Not  conftrained  by  Force,, 
but  charmed  with  thy  Excellency,  they  fhall  come  in  P'ohviteers  to  thy 
Service,  and  hQ  free-will  Offerings  in  thy  Church. — Neither  fhall  the/ 
be  "  empty  Vines,"  or  bare  ProfefTors  ;  but  fhall  walk  in  all  the  Beau- 
ties ofplollnefs,  and  bring  forth  iuch  amiable  Fruit,  as  will  adorn  the 
Dodrinc  they  embrace. — What  is  f^ill  more  defirable,  they  fhaH  be  as 
numerous,  as  they  are  willing  and  holy.  Born  to  Thee  in  Numbers, 
iramenfe  and  inconceivable  \  exceeding  even  tl»;  countlefs  Myriads  of 

Dew« 


p«  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

Mother  of  Dews ;  produces  them,  as  it  were,  from  5 
prolific  Womb ;  and  fcatters  them,  with  the  moil  lavifla 

Abun- 

Bew-drcps,   which  are  begotten  by  the  Night,  and  ifTue  from  the 
Womb  of  the  recent  Morning. 

By  this  Interpretation,  the  Text,  I.  think,,  is  cleared  of  its  Obfcu- 
rity  ;  and  appears  both  truly  fublime,  and  perfeftly  jull. 

Mav  I  be  pardoned  the  Digrejfion,  and  acquitted  from  Prefumption  ; 
if  on  this  Gccafion,  I  take  leave  to  animadvert  upon,  what  feems  harlh 
and  unnatural,  in  the  common  Expofition  of  the  lafl  \tj{t  of  this 
Pfalm  I  All  the  Commentators  (as  many,  at  leaft,  as  1  have  confulted) 
inform  their  Readers  ;  that  to  drink  of  the  Brock  i?i  the  IVay,  figniiies /<? 
undergo  Sufferings  a?id  Death.  Which,  in  my  Opinion,  is  a  Conilruftion 
extremely  forced,  and  hardly  fupportable;  altogether  remote  from  the 
Import  of  fuch  poetical  Forms  of  Didion,  cuilomary  among  the  Eall:- 
crn  Nations.  In  thofe  faltry  Climes,  nothing  could  be  more  welcome 
to  the  Traveler  than  a  Brook  ftreaming  near  his  Paths.  To  quench 
his  Thirfc,  and  lave  his  Feet,  in  the  cooling  Current,  v/as  one  of  the 
greateil  Refrefhments  imaginable,  and  re-animated  him  topurfue  his 
Journey.  For  which  Reafon,  among  others.  Brooks  are  a  very  favou- 
rite Image  with  the  infpired  Penmen;  ufed  to  denote  a  Situation- 
fertile  and  delightful,  or  a  State  of  Plcafure  and  SatisfaSlicn ;  but  never, 
that  I  can  recoiled,  to  pidure  out  the  contrary  Condition  of  Tribu- 
lation and  Diilre fs. 

The  Water-floods,  indeed,  in  the  facred  Writings,  often  reprefent 
fome  imminent  Danger,  or  grievous  Affliflion.  But  then  they  are  not— » 
*j"ni  cp'VnJ — Streams  fo  calm,  that  they  keep  within  their  Banks,  and 
glide  quietly  by  the  Traveler's  Fcotfteps;  fo  clear,  that  they  are  fit  for 
the  wayfaring  Man's  Ufe,  and  invite  his  Lips  to  a  Draught ;  both 
which  Notions  are  plainly  implied  in  the  Text.-r-They  are  rather — • 
niti^D — hcijleroiis  Billonvs  ;  buriling  over  a  Ship,  or  dalhing  themfelves, 
with  dreadful  Impetuofity,  upon  the  Shore  :  Or — r\h'l^—f-vjeepi?tg  itz- 
undations ;  which  bear  down  all  before  them,  and  drown  the  neighbour- 
ing Country.— Befides,  in  thefe  Inftances  of  Horror,  we  never  find 
the  Word — nntr> — He  f? all  drink  ;  which  conveys  a  pleafmg  Idea  (un- 
Xtf^  when  it  relates  to  a  Cup,  filled  with  bitter,  intoxicating,  or  im- 
poifoned  Liquors  ;  a  Cafe  quite  different  from  that  under  Confidera- 
tion)  but  either — npi— which  imports  Terror  and  Afoni/J: merit.  Or 
^Ife — ^\Vj)1!  and  "i;i^ — which  fignify  to  riijh  ifpon  ;  to  o-vertuhelm ;  aii4 
even  to  hurj  under  the  Waves, 

Upon  the  Whole  :  May  not  the  Paflage  more  properly  allude  to  the 
Jnfne»ces  of  the  ticlj  Ghoft^  Which  wc.re  <;ommunicated,  in  unmeafu-? 

rable 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  ^3 

Abundance,  over  all  the  Sui-face  of  the  Earth  :  So  Jhall 
thy  Seed  he,  O  thou  everiafting  Father  !  By  the  Preach- 
ing of  thy  Word,  fhall  fuch  an  innumerable  Race  of  re- 
generate Children  be  born  unto  Thee  5  and  prove  an  Or- 
nament and  a  BleJTing  to  all  Ages.  Millions,  Milhons 
of  willing  Converts,  from  every  Nation  under  Heaven, 
ihall  croud  into  thy  Family,  and  repleniih  thy  Church, 
Till  they  become  like  the  Stars  of  the  Sky,  or  the  Sands 
of  the  Sea  for  Multitude ;  or  even  as  number lefs  as  thefe 
fine  Spangles,  which  now  cover  the  Face  of  Nature. — 
Behold  then,  ye  obflinately  Wicked,  though  you  "  arc 
"  not  gathered,  yet  will  the  Savioui*  be  glorious."  His 
Defign  fhall  not  mifcarry,  nor  his  Labour  prove  abor- 
tive ;  though  you  render  it  of  .none  Effed,  with  regard 
to  yourfeives.  Think  not,  that  Immanuel  v/ill  want 
Believers,  or  Heaven  Inhabitants,  becaule  Tou  continue 
incorrigible.  Noj  the  Lamb  that  was  flain,  wiU  "  fee 
^'  of  t\it  Travail  of  his  Soul,  and  be  fatisfiedi'*  in  a 


rabie  Degrees,  to  our  great  High-Prieft  ;  and  were,  in  faifl,  the  Caufe 
of  his  furmounting  all  Difficulties. — Thefe  are  frequently  reprefented 
hy  PFaters}  "  Whofo  bclieveth  on  Me,  out  of  his  Belly  ihall  liow  Ri- 
*'  vers  of  lining  Waters.''  The  Enjoyment  of  them  is  defcribed  by 
drinking  ;  **  He  that  drinketh  of  the  Water  that  1  fhall  give  him,  Ihall 
*'  never  thirfL" — Then,  the  Senfe  may  run  in  this  well-conne£lcd  and 
pcrfpicuous  Manner.  \s  it  aflccd.  How  fhall  the  Redeemer  be  able  to 
execute  the  various  and  important  Offices,  foretold  in  the  preceding 
Parts  of  the  Pfalm  .^  The  Prophet  replies  He  fhall  drink  of  the  Break  in 
the  IVay.  He  ihall  not  be  left  barely  to  his  hum.an  Nature,  which  muft 
unavoidably  fmk  under  the  tremendous  Work  of  recovering  a  loft 
World.  Bat,  thro'  the  whole  Courfe  of  his  incarnate  ^tate,  tliro*  the 
whole  Adminiftration  of  his  Mediatorial  Kingdom,  fhall  be  fupported 
-with  omnipotent  Succours.  He  ihall  drink  at  the  Brook  of  Almighty 
Power,  and  travel  on  in  the  Greatnefs  of  an  uncreated  Strength. — 
Therefore  Jh all  he  lift  up  his  Head.  By  this  Means,  fhall  he  be  equal  to 
the  prodigious  Talk,  ar>d  fuperior  to  all  Oppofuion.  By  this  Means, 
fhall  he  be  thoroughly  fuccefiful,  in  whatever  he  undertakes :  and 
greatly  triumphant,  over  all  his  Enemies. 

6  never- 


54  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

never-falling  Series  of  faithful  People  below,  and  an  im- 
menfe  Choir  of  glorified  Saints  above.  Who  fhall  form 
his  Retinue,  and  furround  his  Throne,  in  fhining  and 
triumphant  Armies,  fuch  as  no  Man  can  number. 

Here,  I  was  reminded  of  the  various  Expedients 
which  Providence,  unfearchably  wife,  ufes,  to  frucfify 
both  the  material  and  intelle6lual  World. — Sometimes, 
you  fliall  have  impetuous  and  heavy  Showers,  burfting 
from  the  angry  Clouds.  They  lafh  the  Plains,  and  make 
the  Rivers  foam.  A  Storm  brings  them,  and  a  Deluge 
follows  them. — At  other  times,  thefe  gentle  Dews  are 
formed,  in  the  ferene  Evening  Air.  They  fleal  down 
by  (low  Degrees,  and  with  infenfible  Stillnefs.  So  fub- 
tle,  that  they  deceive  the  nicell  Eye  ;  fo  filent,  that  they 
cfcape  the  moft  delicate  Ear :  and,  when  fallen,  fo  very 
light,  that  they  neither  bruife  the  tendereft,  nor  opprefs 
the  weakeft  Flower. — Very  different  Operations !  Yet 
each  concurs  in  the  fame  beneficial  End,  and  both  im*- 
part  Fertility  to  the  Lap  of  Nature. 

So,  fome  Perfons  have  I  known,  reclaimed  from  the 
unfruitful  Works  of  Darknefs,  by  violent  and  fevere 
Means.  "The  Almighty  addrefled  their  ftubborn  Hearts, 
as  he  addrefied  the  IJraelites  at  Sinai,  with  Lightning  in 
his  Eyes,  and  Thunder  in  his  Voiqe.  The  Confcience, 
fmit  with  a  Senfe  of  Guilt,  and  apprehenfive  of  eternal 
Vengeance,  trembled  through  all  her  Powers  ;  juil  as 
that  ftrong  Mountain  tottered  to  its  Centre.  Pano-s  of 
Remorfe,  and  Agonies  of  Fear,  preceded  their  new  Birth, 
They  were  reduced  to  the  laft  Extremities,  alraoil  over- 
whelmed with  Delpair,  before  they  found  Reft  in  Jesus 
Christ. — Others  have  been  recovered  from  a  vain  Con- 
verfation,  by  Methods  more  mild  and  attractive.  The 
Father  of  Spirits  applied  hlmfelf  to  their  teachable  Minds, 
'   8  in 


FLOWER-GARGEN.  95 

in  "  a  ftill  and  Imall  Voice/*  His  Grace  came-, down, 
as  the  Rain  into  a  Fleece  of  Wool ;  or  as  thefe  icftcD- 
ing  Drops,  which  now  water  the  Earth.  The  Kingdom 
ot  God  took  place  in  their  Souls,  without  Noife  or  Ob- 
fervation.  They  pafTcd  from  Death  unto  Life,  from  a 
carnal  to  a  regenerate  State,  by  almoil  im.perceptible 
Advances.  The  Tranfition  refembled  the  Growth  of 
Corn :  was  very  vifible,  v/hen  effected ;  though  fcarce 
fenfible,  while  accomplifhing. — O  Thou  Author  and 
Finilher  of  our  Faith,  recal  us  from  our  Wanderings, 
and  re-unite  us  to  Tliyfelf !  Whether  thou  alarm  us  with 
thy  Terrors,  or  allure  us  with  thy  Smiles  :  whether  thou 
drive  us  v/ith  the  Scourge  of  Convidion,  or  draw  us  with 
the  Cords  of  Love  :  let  us,  in  anywife,  return  to  Thee. 
For  Thou  art  our  fiiprcmc  Good  3  Thou  art  our  only 
Happinefs. 

Before  I  proceed  firther,  let  me  afcend  the  TerracCy 
and  take  one  Survey  of  the  neighbouring  Country. — 
What  a  Proipe6t  ruflies  upon  my  Sight  ?  How  vaft ; 
how  various ;  how  "  full  and  plenteous  with  all  Manner 
"  of  Store  1"  Nature's  whole  Wealth  1 — What  a  rich 
and  inexhauflible  Magazine  is  here :  furnifhing  Sub- 
fiflence  for  every  Creature  !  Methinks,  I  read,  in  thele 
fpacious  Volumes,  a  moll  lively  Comment,  upon  that 
noble  Celebration  of  the  Divine  Beneficence  -,  He  openeth 
his  Hand^  andjilkth  all  Things  living  with  Plenteoujnejs. 

Thefe  are  thy  glorious  Works ^  Parent  of  Goody 
Almighty  I  Thine  this  univerfal  Frame, 
Thus  wond'rous  fairl  Tmfelf  how  wcnd'rous  then! 

Milt. 

The  Fields  are  covered  deep,  and  ftand  thick,  with 
Corn.  They  expand  the  milky  Grain  to  the  Sun  ;  while 
the  Gales^  now  inclining,  nov/  ralifmgeach  flexile  Stem, 

open 


^6  feEFLECtlONSONA 

open  all  their  Ranks  to  the  Agency  of  his  Beams.  Which 
will  foon  impart  a  firm  Confiftence  to  the  Grain,  and  a 
glofly  golden  Hue  to  the  Ear.  That  they  may  be  qua- 
lified, to  fill  the  Barns  of  the  Hufbandman  with  Plenty, 
and  his  Heart  with  Gladnefs. 

Yonder  lies  the  Meadows^  fmoothed  into  a  perfe61: 
Level;  decorated  with  an  Embroidery  of  the  gayeft 
Flowers  ;  and  loaded  with  *  fpontaneous  Crops  of  Her^ 
hage.  Which,  converted  into  Hay,  will  prove  a  moft 
commodious  Provifion  for  the  Barrennefs  of  Winter; 
will  fupply  with  Fodder  our  ferviceable  Animals,  when 
ail  the  Verdure  of  the  Plain  is  killed  by  Frofl,  or  buried 
in  Snows. — A  winding  Stream^  glides  along  the  flowery 
Margin;  and  receives  the  Image  of  the  bending  Skies, 
and  waters  the  Roots  of  many  a  branching  Willow. 
'Tis  fbocked,  no  doubt,  widi  Variety  of  Fijh ;  which 
afford  a  foHtary  Diverfion  to  the  Angler,  and  nourilh 
for  his  Table  a  delicious  Treat.  Nor  is  it  the  only 
Merit  of  this  hquid  Element,  to  maintain  the  finny  Na- 
tions; it  alfo  carries  Ckanlinefs^  and  dilpenfes  Fruitful- 
nefs,  where-ever  it  rolls  the  cryflal  Current. 

The  Paftures,  with  their  verdant  Mounds,  chequer 
the  Profped ;  and  prepare  a  fbanding  Repafi:  for  our 
Cattle.  There,  "  our  Oxen  are  made  itrong  to  labour ; 
**  and  our  Sheep  bring  forth  Thoufands  and  ten  Thou- 
*^  fands."  There,  the  Horfe  acquires  Vigour,  for  the 
Difpatch  of  our  Bufinefs ;  and  Speed,  to  expedite  our 
Journeys,  From  thence,  the  Kine  bring  home  their 
Udders,  diflended  with  one  of  the  richeft,  and  healdnefl 
Liquors,  in  the  World. 

On  fcveral  Spots,  a  Grove  of  Trees,  like  fome  gi'and 
Colonnade,  erecls  its  tow'ring  Head.     Every  one  pro- 


*  .—  .1—  hijujja  virefcunt 

Cramina  -f-  -<—  Vir 


jefts 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  97 

jefls  a  friendly  Shade,  for  the  Beads ;  and  creates  a  hof- 
pitable  Lodging,  for  the  Birds.  Every  one  ftands  ready, 
to  furniih  Timber  for  a  Palace ;  Mafts  for  a  Navy ;  or, 
with  a  more  condefcending  Courtefy,  Fuel  for  our 
Hearths. — One  of  them  fcems  fkirted  with  a  wild  un- 
cultivated Heath ;  which,  like  well-difpofed  Shades  in 
Painting,  throws  an  additional  Luftre  on  the  more  orna- 
mented Parts  of  the  Landfcape.  Nor  is  its  Ufefulnefs, 
like  that  of  a  Foil,  relative  only,  but  real.  There,  fe- 
verai  valuable  Creatures  are  produced,  and  accomrno- 
dated ;  without  any  Expence,  or  Care  of  ours.  There 
likewife,  fpring  Abundance  of  thofe  Herhsy  which  aflwage 
the  Smart  of  our  Wounds,  and  allay  the  fiery  Tumults 
of  the  Fever.  Which  impart  Floridity  to  our  circulat- 
ing Fluids ;  add  a  more  vigorous  Tone  to  our  adlive 
Solids;  and,  thereby,  repair  the  Decays  of  our  enfeebled 
Conftitutions. 

Nearer  the  Houfes,  We  perceive  an  ample  Spread 
of  Branches ;  not  fo  ilately  as  the  Oaks,  but  more  ami- 
able for  their  annual  Services.  A  little  while  ago,  I  be- 
held them ;  and  all  was  one  beauteous,  boundlels  Wafle 
of  Bloffoms.  The  Eye  marvelled,  at  the  lovely  Sight ; 
and  the  Heart  rejoiced,  in  the  Profpect  of  autumnal 
Plenty.  But  now,  the  blooming  Maid  is  refigned,  for 
the  ufcful  Matron.  The  Flower  is  fallen,  and  the  Fruit 
Iwells  out  on  every  Twig. — Breathe  foft,  ye  Winds  !  O, 
fpare  the  tender  Fruitage,  ye  furly  Blafts !  Let  the  Pear- 
tree  fuckle  her  juicy  Progeny ;  till  they  drop  into  our 
Hands,  and  diflblve  in  our  Mouths.  Let  the  Phm  hang 
unmoleiled  upon  her  Boughs  ;  till  Ihe  fatten  her  deli- 
cious Flelh,  and  cloud  her  polifhed  Skin  with  Blue. 
And  as  for  the  Apples,  that  ftaple  Commodity  of  our  Or^ 
chardsy  let  no  injurious  Shocks  precipitate  them  imma- 
turely  to  the  Ground ;  till  revoking  Suns,  have  tinged 

H  them 


98  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

them  with  a  ruddy  Complexion,  and  conceded  them  into 
an  exquifite  Flavour.  Then,  v/hat  copious  Hoards,  of 
what  btirniil-jed  Rinds,  and  what  delightful  Reliilies, 
will  replenifh  the  Store-room  !  Som.e,  to  prefent  us  with 
^n  early  Entertainment,  and  refrefli  our  Palates  amidfl 
the  fultry  Heats.  Some,  to  borrow  Ripenefs  from  the 
falling  Snows,  and  carry  Autumn  into  the  Depths  of 
"Winter.  Some,  to  adorn  the  Salver,  make  a  Part  of 
the  DelTert,  and  give  an  agreeable  *  Clofe  to  our  Feafts. 
Odiers,  to  fill  our  Vats  with  a  foaming  Flood ;  which, 
mellowed  by  Age,  may  fparkle  in  the  Glafs,  with  a  Live- 
linefs  and  Delicacy,  little  inferior  to  the  Blood  of  the 
Grape. 

.1  OBSERVE  feveral  fmall  Inckjures,  v/hich  feem  to  be 
apprehenfive  of  fome  hoftile  Vifit  from  the  North  i  and, 
therefore,  are  defended,  on  that  Quarter,  by  a  thick 
Wood,  or  a  lofty  Wall.  At  the  fame  time,  they  cuU 
tivate  an  uninterrupted  Correlpondence  with  the  South ; 
and  throw  open  their  whole  Dimienfions,  to  its  friendly 
Warmth.  One,  in  particular,  lies  within  the  Reach  of 
a  diflinguifning  View ;  and  proves  to  be  a  Kitchen-Gar- 
den, It  looks,  methinks,  like  a  plain  and  frugal  Re- 
public :  Whatever  may  refemble  the  Pomp  of  Courts, 
or  the  Enfigns  of  Royalty,  is  banifhed  from  this  humble 
Community.  None  of  the  Produ6lions  of  the  OHtory 
afFedl  Finery ;  but  all  are  habited  with  the  very  Perfec- 
tion of  Decency.  Here,  thofe  celebrated  Qualities  are 
eminently  united,  the  utmoft  Simplicity  with  the  exadeft 
Neatnefs  t-— A  fkilful  Hand  has  parcelled  out  the  whole 
Ground,  into  narrow  Beds,  and  intervening  Alleys. 
The  fame  difcreet  Management  has  afligned  to  each 

* Ab  Ovo 

U/que  ad  Mala  —  —  HoR. 

f  Simplex  Munditiis,  HoR. 

I  vc.dant 


FLOWER-GARDEN. 


99 


verdant  Family,  a  peculiar  and  diftlnct  Abode.  So  that 
there  is  no  Confufion,  amidil  the  greatefl  Multiplicity ; 
becaufe  every  Individual  knows  its  proper  Home,  and 
all  the  Tribes  are  ranged  with  perfect  Regularity. — If 
it  be  pleafmg  to  behold  their  orderly  Situation,  and  their 
modeft  Beauties ;  how  much  more  delightful,  to  conii- 
der  the  Advantages,  they  yield  !  What  a  Fund  of  choice 
Accommodations  is  Here  !  What  a  Source  of  wholefome 
Dainties  !  And  all,  for  the  Enjoyment  of  Man.  Why 
does  the  Parjley^  with  her  frizzled  Locks,  lliag  the  Bor- 
der y  or  why  the  Celery^  with  her  whitening  Arms,  per- 
forate the  Mould  j  but  to  render  his  Soops  favoury  ? 
Tht  A/par agus  ^oots  its  tapering  Stems,  to  offer  him 
the  Firil-fruits  of  the  Seafon  ;  and  the  Artichoke  fprcads 
its  turgid  Top,  to  give  him  a  Treat  of  vegetable  Mar- 
row. The  Tendrils  of  the  *  Cucumber  creep  into  the 
Sun  :  and,  though  baflcing  in  its  hotteil  Rays,  they  fe- 
crete  for  their  Mafter,  and  barrel  up  for  his  Ufe,  the 
mofl  cooling  Juices  of  the  Soil.  '  The  Bsr.ns  fcand  firm, 
like  Files  of  embattled  Troops  ;  the  Peas  reil  upon  their 
Props,  nice  fo  many  Companies  of  Invalids ;  while  both 
repleni fh  their  Pods  with  the  Fatnefs  of  the  Earth,  on 
purpofe  to  pour  it  on  their  Owner's  Table. — Not  one 
Species,  among  all  this  Variety  of  Elerbs,  is  a  Cum.- 
berer  of  the  Ground.  Not  a  iino-je  Plant,  but  is  pood 
for  Food,  or  fome  way  falutary.     With  fo  beneficent 

*  Virgil,  with  great  Conciienef^^  and  equal  Propriety,  defcribes 
the  Cucumber 

— Tortnfjue  per  herham 

Crefceret  in  Ve/itrern  Cucumis. —  Geor<^,  I\'. 

Milton  has  (if  We  admit  Dr.  Bentley^s  A]tci\ition,  which  is,  I 
think,  in  this  Place,  unqucdionab'y  juH)  almofl  traolkted  the  Luin 
Poet, 

Forth  crept 

The/-^.W//.^^  Gourd .  Per.  Loft,  B.  VII.  J.  320. 

H  2  an 


loo  REFLECTIONS     ON     A 

an  Oeconomy,  are  the  fevcral  Periods  of  their  Miniftra- 
tion  fettled  j  that  no  Portion  of  the  Year  is  left  deflitute 
of  nourilhing  Efculents.     What  is  ftill  more  obliging, 
every  Portion  of  the  Year  alfords//^^:^  Efculents,  as  are 
beft  fuited  to  the  Temperature  of  the  Air,  and  the  State 
of  our  Bodies. — Why  then  fliould  the  Pojfejfor  of  fo  va- 
luable a  Spot,  envy  the  Condition  of  Kings  *  ?  Since 
He  may  daily  walk  amidfl  Rows  of  peaceable  and  ob- 
fequious,  though  mute  Subjedls.     Every  One  of  which 
tenders  him  ibme  agreeable  Prefent,  and  pays  him  a 
willing  Tribute.     Such  as  is  moil  happily  adapted,  both 
to  fupply  his  Wants,  and  to  regale  his  Tafle  :  to  furnilh 
Him,  at  once,  with  Plenty  and  v/ith  Pleafure. 

At  a  Diftance,  one  defcries  the  mighty /7/7/j-.  They 
heave  their  huge  Ridges  among  the  Clouds ;  and  look 
like  the  Barriers  of  Kingdoms,  or  the  Boundaries  of 
Nature.  Bare  and  deformed  as  their  Surface  may  ap- 
pear, their  Bowels  are  fraught  with  inward  Treafures  \ 
Treafures,  lodged  fafl  in  the  ^arrieSy  or  funk  deep  in 
die  Mines.  From  thence,  Induftry  may  draw  her  Im- 
plements, to  plow  the  Soil ;  to  reap  the  Grain ;  and 
procure  every  neceflary  Convenience.  From  thence. 
Art  may  fetch  her  Materials,  to  rear  the  Dome  ;  to 
fwell  the  Organ ;  and  form  the  nobleft  Ornaments  of 
politer  Life. 

On  another  Side,  the  great  Deep  terminates  the  View. 
There  go  the  Ships  j  There  is  that  Leviathan  :  And  there, 
in  that  World  of  Waters,  an  inconceivable  Number  of 
Animals  have  their  Habitation. — This  is  the  capacious 


Hie  rarwn  tamen  in  Dtmiis  Olus,  alhaque  circttm 
Lilia,  Verhenafque  premens,  njefcumque  Papa^cer, 
Regum  aequabat  Opes  Animis  :  feraqiie  re-vertens 
Node  domum,   Dapibus  Menfas  onerahat  inemptts. 

ViRG.  Georg.  IV. 

2  •         '  Ciftern 


FLO  WE  R-G  A  R  D  E  NT.  loi 

Ciflern  of  the  Univerfe  -y  which  admits,  as  into  a  Recep- 
tacle ;  and  difbribiites,  as  from  a  Refervoir ;  whatever 
waters  the  whole  Globe.  There's  not  a  Fountain,  that 
giifhes  in  the  unfrequented  Defart ;  or  a  Rivulet,  that 
flows  in  the  remotefl:  Continent;  nor  a  Cloud,  thatfwims 
in  the  highefl  Regions  of  the  Firmament ;  but  is  fed 
by  this  all-repleniihiing  Source. — The  Ocean  is  the 
grand  Vehicle  of  Trade,  and  the  Uniter  of  difrant  Na- 
tions. To  us  it  is  peculiarly  kind,  not  only  as  it  wafts 
into  our  Ports,  the  Harvell  of  every  Climate  3  and  ren- 
ders our  Ifland  the  Centre  of  Traffic  ;  but  alfo  as  it  fe- 
cures  us  from  foreign  Invafions,  by  a  Ibrt  of  impreg- 
nable Entrenchment  *. 

Methinks,  the  View  of  this  profufe  Munificence  in- 
fpires  2ifecret  Delight,  and  kindles  a  difinterefted  GoodscoilU 
— While  the  "  little  Hills  clap  their  Hands,*'  and  the 
luxuriant  "  Valleys  laugh  and  fing  \'  who  can  forbear 
catching  the  general  Joy  ?  Who  is  not  touched,  with 
lively  Senfations  of  Pleafure  ? — ^While  the  everlafling 
Father,  is  Icattcring  Bleffings  through  his  whole  Family, 
and  crowning  the  Year  with  his  Goodnefs  \  wiio  does 

♦   Whofe  Rampart  ivas  the  Sea.     Nahum  iii.  8. 

I  hope,  this  little  Excurfion  into  the  Country,  will  not  be  looked 
upon  as  -^.Departure  from  my  Subjedl.  Becaufe,  a  rural  View,  though 
no  efiential  Part  of  a  Garden,  is  yet  a  defirable  Appendage,  and  ne- 
ceflary  to  complete  its  Beauty. — As  Ufefulnds  is  the  moil  valuable  Pro- 
perty, which  can  attend  any  Produdion ;  this  is  tiie  Circumilance, 
chiefly  touched  upon  in  the  Survey  of  the  Landfcape.  Though  every 
Piece  of  this  extenfive  and  diverfified  Scene,  iscaftinthe  moft  elegant 
Mould  ;  yet  nothing  is  calculated  merely  for  Shew  and  Parade.  You 
fee  nothing  formed  in  the  Tafte  of  the  oftentations  Obclifk,  or  infig- 
nificant  Pomp  of  the  Pyramid.  No  fuch  idle  Expcnces  v.ere  admitted 
into  that  confummate  Plan,  which  regulated  the  Structure  oftheUni- 
verfc.  All  the  Decorations  of  Nature  are  no  lefs  aii-vantageoiis^  than 
ornamental',  fuch  as  fpcak  the  MAKKR  infinitely  beneficent,  as  well  as 
incomparably  magniScent. 

H  3  not 


102  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

not  feel  his  Breaft  overflowing,  with  a  difFufive  Benevo- 
lence ? — My  Heart,  I  muil  confefs,  beats  high  with  Sa- 
tisfadion  -,  and  breathes  out  congratulatory  JViJhes,  upon 
all  the  Tenants  of  thefe  rural  Abodes  :  "  Peace  be 
''  within  your  Walls,  as  well  as  Plenteoufnefs  around 
''  your  Dwelhngs."  Live,  ye  highly  favoured;  hve 
feiirible  of  your  Benefits,  and  thankful  to  your  Bene- 
factor. Look  round  upon  thefe  prodigioufiy  large  In- 
conies  of  the  fruitful  Soil,  and  call  them  (for  you  have 
free  Leave)  all  your  own. — Only  let  me  remind  you  of 
one  very  important  Truth.  Let  me  fjggefl,  and  may 
you  never  forget  -,  That  you  are  obliged  to  Christ  Jesus, 
for  every  one  of  thefe  Accommodations,  which  fpring 
from  the  teeming  Earth,  and  the  fmiling  Skies. 

I.  Christ  *  made  tliem,  when  they  were  not. — He 
fe;tched  them  up  from  utter  Darknefs ;  and  gave  them 
both  their  Being  and  their  Beauty.  He  created  the  Ma- 
terials, of  which  they  are  compofed;  and  moulded  them 
into  this  endlefs  Multiplicity,  of  amiable  Forms,  and 
ufeful  Subflances.     He  arrayed  the  Heavens,  with  a 

Velhire 

*  When  I  afcribe  the  Work  of  Creation  to  the  Son,  I  would  by  no 
Means  be  fuppofed,  to  withhold  the  fame  Honour,  from  the  Eternal 
Father,  and  Ever-blefied  Spirit.  The  Afts  of  thofe  inconceivably 
glorious  Perfons  are,  like  their  Efiencc,  undivided  and  one.  But  I 
choofe  to  ftate  the  Point  in  tVis  P'.linner,  becaufe  this  is  the  manifeft 
Doftrine  of  the  New  Teftament ;  is  the  exprefs  Belief  of  our  Church  ; 
and  a  moft  noble  Peculiarity  of  the  Gofpel  Revelation. — I  choofe  it 
alfo,  becaufe  I  would  take  every  Opportunity  of  inculcating,  and  ce- 
lebrating, the  Divi72ity  of  the  R  E  D  E  E  M  E  r  .  A  Truth,  which  imparts 
an  unutterable  Dignity,  to  Chriilianity  :  A  Truth,  wliich  lays  an  im- 
moveable Foundation,  for  all  the  comfortable  Hopes  of  a  Chrillian  : 
A  Truth,  which  will  render  the  Myftery  of  our  Redemption,  the 
Wonder  and  Delight  of  Eternity :  And  with  this  Truth,  every  one 
will  obferve,  my  Aflertion  is  infeparahly  connc^ed. 

If  any  One  queHions,  whether  this  be  the  Doclrine  of  our  Church  ; 
let  the  Creed,  which  we  repeat  in  our  moil  foiemn  Devotions,  deter- 
mine 


F  L  O  W  E  R-G  A  R  D  EN.  103 

Veflure  of  the  mlldeil  Blue ,  and  clothed  the  Earth,  in 
a  Livery  of  the  gayeft  Green.  His  Pencil  ftreaked,  and 
his  Breath  perfumed,  whatever  is  beautiful  or  fragrant 
in  the  Univerfe.  His  Strength  fet  fafr  the  Mountains; 
His  Goodnefs  garnifhed  the  Vales ;  an.d  the  fame  llucb 
which  healed  the  Leper,  wrought  the  whole  vifible  <S;»/- 
tem  into  this  complete  Perfedion. 

2.  Christ  recovered  them,  when  they  were  forfeited. 
•—By  Adani%  Sin,  we  loft  our  Right  to  the  Comforts 
of  Life,  and  Fruits  of  the  Ground.  His  Difobedience 
was  the  mofl  impious  and  horrid  Treafon,  againft  tlic 
King  of  Kings.  Confequently,  his  v/hole  Patrimony 
became  confijcated :  as  well  the  Portion  of  temporal  good 
Things,  fettled  upon  the  human  Race  during  their  Mi- 
nority j  as  that  everlafting  Heritage  referved  for  their 
Enjoyment,  when  they  fliould  come  to  full  Age.  But 
the  *^  Seed  of  the  Woman,"  inftantly  interpofing,  took 
off  the  Attainder,  and  redeemed  the  alienated  Inherit- 
ance. The  firfl:  j^dam  being  dlfmherited,  the  fecond 
y^dam  *  was  appointed  Heir  of  all  Things ,  vifible  as  well  as 

invifible. 

mine  his  Doubt:  "  I  believe,"  fays  that  Form  of  found  Words,  "  in 
"  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  very  God  of  very  God,  by  =who?n  all 
'*  Things  m:c"e  7?ia(fe.'" — If  it  be  farther  inquired.  From  whence  the 
Nicene  Fathers  derived  this  Article  of  their  Faith  r  I  anfwer,  Fromtlie 
Writings  of  the  beloved  Difciple,  who  lay  on  the  Saviour's  Bofom  ; 
and  of  that  great  Apoftle,  who  had  been  caught  up  into  the  Third 
Heaven.     John  i.  3.     ColoJJ'.  i.  16. 

*  Heh.  I.  2. — In  this  Senfe  at  lead,  Cvlkist  \s  the  Sa-'oiour  of  all 
Men.  The  former  and  latter  Rain  ;  the  precious  Fruits  of  the  Earth ; 
Food  to  eat,  and  Raiment  to  put  on  ; — all  thefe  he  purchafed,  even 
for  his  irreclaimable  Enemies,  The-y  eat  of  iiis  Bread,  who  lift  up 
their  Heel  againft  Him. 

We  learn  from  hence,  in  what  a  peculiar  and  endearing  Light,  the 
Chrifiian  is  to  contemplate  the  Things  that  are  feen.  Heathens  might 
difcover  an  eternal  Power,  and  infinite  W  ifdom,  in  the  Strufture  of  the 
Univerfe  5  Heathens  might  acknowledge  a  moil  ilupendous  Liberality, 

H  4  i« 


104  R  E  F  LECT  ION  S    ON     A 

invlfible.  And  we  hold  our  PofTc^flion  of  the  former; 
we  expecl  an  Inilatement  in  the  latter  j  purely  by  virtue 
of  our  Alliance  to  Him,  and  our  Union  with  Him. 

3 .  C  HRisT  upholds  them,  which  would  otherwife  tumble 
into  Ruin. — By  Him,  fays  the  Oracle  of  Infpiration,  all 
Things  confift  ^.  His  Finger  rolls  the  Seafons  round, 
and  prefides  over  all  the  celeilial  Revolutions.  His 
Finger  winds  up  the  Wheels,  and  impels  every  Spring, 
of  vegetative  Nature.  In  a  Word,  the  whole  Weight 
of  the  Creation,  refls  upon  his  mighty  Arm  j  and  re- 
ceives the  whole  Harmony  of  its  Motion,  from  his  un- 
erring Eye. — This  habitable  Globe,  with  all  its  rich  Ap- 
pendages, and  fine  Machinery,  could  no  more  continue, 
than  they  could  create  themfelves.  Start  they  would 
into  inftant  Confufion  \  or  drop  into  their  primitive  No- 
thing ;  did  not  his  Power  fupport,  and  his  Wifdom  re- 
gulate them,  every  Moment.  In  Conformity  to  his  Will, 
they  fubfifl  ftedfaft  and  invariable  in  their  Orders ;  and 
wait  only  for  his  fovereign  Nod,  to  "  fall  away  like 
"  Water,  that  runneth  apace,'* 

in  the  unreferved  Grant  of  the  whole  Fabric,  with  all  Its  Furniture,  to 
the  Service  of  Man.  But  the  Chriftian  Ihould  ever  keep  in  Mind  his 
Forfeiture  of  them,  and  the  Price  paid  to  redeem  them.  He  fhould 
receive  the  Gifts  of  indulgent  Providence,  as  the  Ifraelites  received 
their  Law,  from  the  Hand  of  a  Mediator.  Or  rather.  To  him  they 
fhould  come,  not  only  ifluing  from  the  Stores  of  an  unbounded  Boun- 
ty, but  fwimming  (as  it  were)  in  that  Crimfon  Tide,  which  flreamed 
from  I M  Manuel's  Veins. 

*  Col.  i.  17.  I  beg  leave  to  fubjoln  St.  Chryfo/i&m''s  pertinent  and 
beautiful  Note,  upon  the  Pafllige  ;  by  which  it  will  appear,  that  the 
Sentiment  of  thefe  SeiSlions,  is  not  merely  a  private  Opinion,  but  the 
avowedBelief  of  the  primitive  Church.  Talsrii',  fays  the  eloquent  Fa- 
ther, £»c  a'Jlov  y.f-u.alai  v)  'n:ci,v^.:-:v,  VTrofacrK;'  »  ;(/,oiov  ae,v%c  ocvla,  m  la  f^n 
ovio;    eig  to    nvxi  's:x^r,\'a\'tv,    ocWae.   >t)  ccv\oc  ccvla.  crilx^c^iH  vvv'  u^i    av  aTroc- 


TiXC^ 


4.  Christ 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  105 

4.  Christ  *  acluates  them,  which  would  otherwifc 
be  litcleis  and  infignilicant, — Pcnfioners  they  are,  con- 
flant  Penfioners  on  his  Bounty  ;  and  borrow  their  All 
from  liis  Fulnefs.  lie  only  has  Life-,  and  whatever  ope- 
rates, operates  by  an  Emanation  from  his  All-fufficiency. 
Does  the  Grape  refrefn  you,  with  its  enlivening  Juices  ? 
It  is  by  a  Warrant  received,  and  Virtue  derived,  from 
the  Redeemer.  Does  Bread  flrengthen  your  Heart, 
and  prove  the  Staff  of  your  Life  ?  Remember,  that  it 
is  by  the  Saviour's  Appointment,  and  through  the  Ef- 
ficacy of  his  Operation.  You  are  charmed  with  his  Me- 
lody, when  the  "  Time  of  the  Singing  of  Birds  is  come, 
"  and  the  Voice  of  the  Nightingale  is  heard  in  your 
"  Land."  You  tafle  his  Goodnefs  in  the  lufcious  Fig,  the 
melting  Peach,  and  the  mufky  Flavour  of  the  Apricot. 
You  fmell  his  Sweetnefs  in  the  opening  Honeyfuckle, 
and  every  odoriferous  Shrub. 

Could  thefe  Creatures  fpeak  for  themfelves,  they 
would,  doubtlefs,  difclaim  all  Sufficiency  of  their  own, 
and  afcribe  the  whole  Honour  to  their  Maker. — "  Wc 
**  are  Servants,"  would  they  fay,  '^  of  Him,  who  died 
"  for  you.  Gift  ems  only,  dry  Ciflerns  in  ourfelves,  we 
'^  tranfinit  to  Mortals  no  more,  than  the  uncreated  Foun-» 
''  tain  transfufes  into  us.  Think  not,  that,  from  any 
*'  Ability  of  our  own,  we  furnifh  you  with  Afiiilance, 
"  or  adminifter  to  your  Comfort.  'Tis  the  Divine 
<^  Energy,  the  Divine  Energy  alone,  that  works  in  us, 
"  and  does  you  Good. — V^tferve  you,  O  ye  Sons  of 

*  Johnv.  17.  My  Father  nxjorketh  hitherto y  and  I nvork-^  or,  I  exert 
that  unremitting  and  unwearied  Energy,  which  is  the  Life  of  the  Cre- 
ation.— Thus  the  Words  are  paraphrafed  by  a  mafterly  Expofitor,  who 
has  iilullrated  the  Life  of  our  blefTed  Lord,  in  the  moil  elegant  Tafte 
of  Criiicifm  ;  with  the  moft  amiable  Spirit  of  Devotion;  and  without 
any  Mixture  of  the  malignant  Leaven,  or  low  Singularities,  ofaParty. 
See  the  Fatniiy  Ex^-ofaor,  Vol.  L  Seft.  47, 

"  Men, 


io6  REFLECTIONS     ON    A 

*'  Men,  that  you  may  Icve  Him,  who  placed  us  in  thcfe 
«  Stations.  O  !  love  the  Lord,  therefore,  all  ye  who 
*^  are  fupported  by  our  Minillry ;  or  elfe  we  jfhall  *  groan, 
*'  with  Indignation  and  Regret,  at  your  Abufe  of  our 
"  Services. — Ufe  us,  and  welcome  -,  for  v/e  are  yours, 
"  if  ye  are  Christ's.  Crop  our  choicefl  Beauties ; 
*^  rifle  all  our  Treafures ;  accommodate  yourfelves  with 
*^  our  mofl  valuable  Qualities ;  only  let  us  be  Incentives 
"  to  your  Gratitude y  and  Motives  to  your  Obedience,'* 

Having  furveyed  the  fpacious  Sky;  and  fent  a  Glance 
round  the  inferior  Creation  ;  'tis  Time  to  defcend  from 
this  Eminence,  and  confine  my  Attention  to  the  beauti- 
ful Spot  below — Here  Nature,  always  pleafing,  every- 
where lovely,  appears  widi  peculiar  Attradlions.  Yon- 
der, fhe  feems  dreffed  in  her  Defhabille ;  grand,  but 
irregular.  Here,  fhe  calls  in  her  Hand-maid  Art ;  and 
fhines  in  all  the  delicate  Ornaments,  which  the  nicefl 
Cultivation  is  able  to  convey.  Thofe,  are  her  common 
Apartments,  where  fhe  lodges  her  ordinary  Guells ; 
Thisy  is  her  Cabinet  of  Curiofities,  where  fhe  entertains 
her  indmate  Acquaintance. — My  Eye  Ihall  often  expa- 
tiate, over  thofe  Scenes  of  univerfal  Fertility :  My  Feet 
Ihail  fometimes  brufh  through  the  Thicket,  or  traverfe 
the  Lawn,  or  fcroll  along  the  Foreil  Glade  :  But  to  this 
delightful  Retreat,  iliail  be  my  chief  Refort.  Thither^ 
will  I  make  Excurftons  ;   but  Here,  will  I  dwell. 

If,  from  my  low  Procedure,  I  may  form  an  Allufion 
to  die  mofl  exalted  Pra61:ices ;  I  would  obferve,  upon 
this  Occafion ;  That  the  celebrated  Erajmus^  and  our 
judicious  Locke,  having  trod  the  Circle  of  the  Sciences, 
and  ranged  through  the  v/hole  Extent  of  human  Litera- 
ture, at  length  betook  themfelves  folely  to  the  Bible, 
Leaving  the  Sages  of  Antiquity,  they  flu  inceflandy  at 

*  Rom.  viii.  22. 

thq 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  107 

the  Feet  of  Jesus.  Wifely  they  wuhdrew,  from  tliat- 
immenfe  Multiplicity  of  Learning ;  from  thofe  endle-fs 
r rafts  of  amufmg  Erudition  j  Avhere,  noxious  Weed* 
are  mixed  with  wholefomt  Kerbs  -,  where^  is  generally 
1  much  larger  Growth  of  prickly  Shrubs,  than  of  fruit- 
ful Boughs.  They  fpent  their  moil  mature  Hours,  in 
:hole  hailov/ed  Gardens,  "ixich  God's  own  Wifdom 
Dlanted;  which  God's  own  Spirit  waterethj  and  in 
ivhich  God's  own  Son  is  continually  v/alking.  Where, 
He  meeteth  thcfe  that  feek  Him  i  and  revealeth  to  them 
:he  Glories  of  his  Perf  jn,  and  the  Riclies  of  his  Good- 
lefs. 

Thus  would  I  finlixx  t\\t  Remainder  of  my  Days  ! 
Fiaving  iuil  tafted  (what  they  call)  the  politer  Saidies  ; 
[  w^Gu' ..  now  devote  my  v,  hole  Application  to  the  lively' 
Dracies.  From  other  Purfuits,  I  might  glean,  perhaps, 
I  few  fcattered  Fragments  of  low,  of  lean,  of  unfadf- 
^adlory  Inflrucilon.  From  this,  I  truft  to  reap  a  Har- 
well of  the  il]blimefl Truths;  the  noble fllmprovements; 
md  the  purcll  Joys  *. — Waft  m,e  then,  O  !  waft  my 
Mind  to  Sicn'h  confecrated  Bowers.  Let  my  Tlioughts 
Derpetually  rove,  through  the  awfully  pleafmg  Walks  of 
[nipiration.  Here,  grov/  thofe  Heaven-born  Plants, 
:he  Trees  of  Life  and  Knc'xledge ;  whofe  ambrofial  Fruits 
^'c  now  may  "  take,  and  eat,  and  live  for  ever."  Here, 
low  thofe  precious  Streams  of  Grace  and  Right eoiijnejs  ; 
^'hofe  living  Waters  "  whofoever  drinks,  fhall  third  no 
'^  more."  And,  what  can  the  Fables  oi  Grecian  Song, 
)r  the  fineft  Pages  of  Roman  Eloquence — what  caa 
:hey  exhibit,  in  any  Degree  comparable  to  thefe 
natchlefs  Prerogatives  of  Revelation  ?  —  Therefore, 
:hough  r  fhould  not  diflike  to  pay  a  Vifit  ncw-and-thea 

*  ^icquid  docetuvy  Veritas  j   Qtikquid  pracipiturt  Bonitas ',  quicquid 
remittitur,  F  elicit  as, 

to 


io8  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

to  my  Heathen  Mailers,  I  would  live  with  the  Prophets 
and  Apoftles.  With  thofe,  I  would  carry  on  fome  oc- 
cafional  Correfpondence :  but  thele  fliould  be  my  Bo- 
fom-Friends ;  my  infepar^ble  Companions  3  "  my  De- 
"  light,  and  my  Counfellors." 

What  Sweets  are  thefe,  which  fo  agreeably  falute  my 
Nollrils  ?  They  are  the  Breath  of  the  Flowers  ;  the  In- 
cenfe  of  the  Garden. — How  liberally  does  the  Jeflamine 
difpenfe  her  odoriferous  Riches  ?  How  delicioufly  has 
the  Woodbine  embalmed  this  Morning  Walk  ?  Tlie 
Air  is  all  Perfume. — And  is  not  this,  another  mofl  en- 
•  gaging  Argument,  to  forfake  the  Bed  of  Sloth  ?  Who 
v/ould  lie  difiblved  in  fenfclefs  Slumbers  -,  while  lb  many 
breathing  Sweety,  invite  him  to  a  Feall  of  Fragrancy  ? 
Efpecially  confidering.  That  xht  advancing  Day  will 
exhale  the  volatile  Dainties.  A  fugitive  Treat  they  are, 
prepared  only  for  the  Wakeful  and  Induftrious.  Whereas, 
when  the  Sluggard  lifts  his  heavy  Eyes,  the  Flowers 
will  droop  ;  their  fine  Scents  be  diffipated ;  and,  in- 
flead  of  this  refrefliing  Humidity,  the  Air  will  become 
a  Kind  of  liquid  Fire. 

With  this  very  Motive ^  heightened  by  a  Reprefen- 
tation  of  the  mofl:  charming  Pieces  of  Morning  Scenery, 
the  Parent  of  Mankind  awakes  his  lovely  Confort.  There 
is  fuch  a  Delicacy  in  the  Choice,  and  fo  much  Life  in 
the  Defcription,  of  thefe  rural  Images ;  that  I  cannot 
excufe  myfelf,  without  repeating  the  whole  PalTage. — 
Whifper  it,  fome  friendly  Genius^  in  the  Ear  of  every 
One,  who  is  now  funk  in  Sleep,  and  loft  to  all  thefe  re- 
fined Gratifications ! 

Awake :  the  Morning  Jhines^  end  the  frejh  Field 
Calls  you  :  7'e  loje  the  Prime ^  to  mark  how  Jf  ring 
The  tended  Plants :,  how  blows  the  Citron  Grove  j 
What  drofs  the  Myrrh ^  and  what  the  balmy  Reed ; 

llotv 


F  L  O  W  E  R-G  A  R  D  E  N.  109 

How  Nature  paints  her  Colours  ;  how  the  Bee 
Sits  on  the  Bloomy  ex  tracing  liquid  Sweets  *. 

How  delightful  is  tliis  Fragrance  !  It  is  diflributed 
ill  the  niceft  Proportion  ;  neither  fo  ilrong,  as  to  opprefs 
the  Organs ;  nor  lb   faint,  as  to  elude  them.     We  are 
foon  cloyed  at  a  fumptuous  Banquet ;  but  this  Pleafure 
never  loles  its  Poignancy^  never  palls  the  Appetite. — Here, 
Luxury  itfelf  is  innocent ;  or  rather,  in  this  Cafe,  In- 
dulgence is  incapable  of  Excefs. — This  balmy  Enter- 
tainment, not  only  regales  the  Senfe,  but  f  cheats  the 
very  Scul  -,  and,  inftead  of  clogging,  elates  its  Powers. 
— It  puts  me  in  Mind  of  that  ever  memorable  Sacri- 
fice, which  was  once  made  in  Behalf  of  offending  Mor- 
tals.    I  mean  the  Sacrifice  of  the  blejfed  Jesus  ;  when 
He  offered  up  Himfelf  to  God  ;  "  for  a  fv/eet-fmelling 
*'  Savour.'*     Such  the  Holy  Spirit  ftiles  that  wonderful 
Oblation :  as  if  no  Image,  in  the  whole  fenfible  Crea- 
tion, was  fo  proper  to  give  us  an  Idea  of  the  ineffable 
Satisfaction  ;  wliich  the  Father  of  Mercies  conceived, 
from  that  unparalleled  Atonement ;  as  the  pleafing  Sen- 
JationSy  which  fuch  rich  Perfumes  are  capable  of  raifmg. 
"  Thoufands  of  Rams,  and  Ten  Thoufands  of  Rivers 
"  of  Oil,"   from  an  apollate  World;   the  mofl  fubmif- 
five  Acknowledgments,   added  to  the  moft  coftly  Offer- 
ings, from  Men  of  defiled  Hands,  and  unclean  Lips ; 
what  could  they  have  effeded  ?  A  Prophet  reprefents 
the  "  High  and  Lofty  One,  that  inhabiteth  Eternity," 
turning  Himfelf  away  from  fuch  filthy  Rags ;   turning 
Himfelf  away,  with  a  dilHainful  Abhorrence  |,   as  from 
the  noifome  Steams  of  a  Dunghill. — But  in  Christ's 

*  Milt.  Par.  Loft.  B.  V.  1.  20. 

f  Ointment  And  Perfume  rejoice  the  Heart.  Frov,  xxvil.  9. 

X  Amos  V.  21,  22. 

'imma- 


,jo  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

immaculate  Kollnefs ;  in  Christ's  confummate  Obe- 
dience; in  Cp[p>.iST's  moil  precious  Blood-jfhedding ; 
with  what  unimaginable  Complacency,  does  Juftice  reft 
fatis^.e;!,  and  Vengeance  acquiefce  ! — Ail  thy  JVcrksy 
O  Thou  Surety  for  ruined  Sinners !  all  thy  Suferings, 
O  Tliou  flaughtered  I.amb  of  God  !  as  well  as  all  thy 
Gannents^  O  Thou  Bridegroom  of  thy  Church  !  fmell 
ef  Myrrh ^  AkeSy  andCaJfta^l  They  are  infinitely  more 
grateful  to  the  etcms4  Godhead,  than  the  choiceft  Exha- 
iauons  of  the  /Jarden,  than  ail  the  Odours  of  the  Ipicy 
Eail,   can  b^  to  xh&  human  Nof^rib. 

As  the  Altar  of  old  fandified  the  G*:ft ;  fo  this  is  the 
great  Propitiation,  which  recommends  the  obnoxious 
Perfons,  and  unprofitable  Services  of  the  believing  World. 
In  thisy  may  my  Soul  be  interefted  !  by  this,  may  it  be 
reconciled  to  the  Father  ! — There  is  fuch  a  leprous  De- 
pravity cleaving  to  my  Nature,  as  pollutes  whatever  I 
perform.  My  moft  profound  Adorztlons,  and  fmcereft 
A6ls  of  Religion,  muft  not  prefume  to  challenge  a  Re- 
ward, but  humbly  implore  Forgivenefs  f .  Renouncing, 
therefore,  myfelf  in  every  Inilance  of  Duty ;  difclaim- 
ing  all  Shadow  of  Confidence  '^  in  any  Deeds  of  my 

owni 

*  Pfalm  xlv-.  8. 

f  A  Writer  of  dlftinguifhed  Superiority,  thus  addreiTes  the  great 
Gbferver  of  Aftions,  and  Searcher  of  Hearts ;  and  vindicates  i7ty  Sen- 
timents, while  he  fo  juftly  and  beautifully  utters  his  own ; 

Look  down,  great  God,  with  Pity's  foftell  Eye, 
On  a  poor  breathing  Particle  in  Duft. 
Kis  Crimes  forgive  ;  forgive  his  Virtues  too, 
Thofe/;;«//^r  FauItSy  half  Conn; erts  to  the  Right. 

Night-Thoughts,  N°  IX. 

X  See  Page  44  and  45,  in  \kitfecond  Edition  of  a  moll  candid  and 
fa-^^.-MV.-^/ little  Treatife,  called  CHRISTIANITY  the  Great 
(;r5\'AM£NT  of  Human  Life.—"  If  Chriftians   happily   avoid 

"  tha 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  in 

own  :   may  I  now,  and  evermore,  he  accepted  through  the 
Beloved  ! 

What  Colours,  what  charming  Colours,  are  here  ! 
Thefe,  fo  nobly  bold  ;  and  Thofe,  fo  delicately  languid. 
What  a  Glow  is  enkindled  in  fome  !  what  a  Glois  Hiines 
upon  others !  In  one,  methinks,  I  fee  the  Ruby  with 
her  bleeding  Radiance  ;  in  another,  the  Sapphire  with 
her  Sky-tin6lured  Blue  ;  in  all,  fuch  an  exquifite  Rich- 
nefs  of  Dyes ;  as  no  other  Set  of  Paintings  in  the  Unl- 
verfe  can  boail  *. — With  what  a  maflerly  Ski/Iy  is  every 
one  of  the  varying  Tints "(5^i./^c/?i/  Here,  they  fee m  to 
be  thrown  on  with  an  eafy  Dafh,  of  Security  and  Free- 
dom ;  there,  they  are  adjufted  by  the  niceft  Touches, 
o;f  Art  and  Accuracy.  Thofe  which  form  the  Ground, 
are  ahvays  fo  judicioufiy  chofen,  as  to  heighten  the 
Luflre  of  the  fuperadded  Figures ;  while  the  Verdure  of 
the  Impalement,  or  the  Shadings  of  the  Foliage,  impart 
new  Livelinefs  to  the  Whole.  Indeed ;  whether  they 
are  blended,  or  arranged ;  foftened,  or  contrafled  ;  they 
are  manifeilly  under  the  Conduci:  of  a  Tafte,  that  never 

''  the  ^anverous 'Extreme,  and  too  often  fata/  Kgck,  of  a  decid/ruule/} 
*'  Faith  on  the  one  hand.  He  [/.  ^.  Satan]  will  endeavour,  by  all 
"  kind  of  plaufible  Infinuations,  to  fplit  them  on  the  oppofite,  'viz. 
"  Spiritual  Pride,  Oftentation,  and  Dependence  on  their  Works,  as  if 
**  THESE  were  the  fneriuriousy  or /ror«W«§- Caufe  of  all  true  Peace, 
*'  Hope,  Confolation,  and  Divine  Acceptance. — Now  this  Self  Depen- 
**  dence  may  be  ranked  among  the  mofi  dangerous  of  the  infernal  Foli- 
"  tics,  becaufe  the  fatal  Poifon  lies  deep,  and  too  often  undifccrned'^ 

*^  — Who  can  pahtt 

Like  Nature  ?  Can  Imagination  boajly 

Amid  his  gay  Creation y  Hues  like  thefe  ? 

And  can  he  mix  them  'with  that  mat  chiefs  Skill, 

And  lay  them  on  fo  delicately  fine ^ 

And  lofe  them  in  each  other ^  as  appears 

In  ev'ry  Bud  that  llczvs  /  T  H  o  m  s  .  Spring. 

n'liflakes ; 


112  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

miftakes  ;  a  Felicity,  that  never  falls  Ihort  of;  the  very 
Perfeftion  of  Elegance. — Fine,  inimitably  fine,  is  the 
Texture  of  the  Web ;  on  which  thefe  fhining  Treafures 
are  difplayed.  What  are  the  Labours  of  the  Per/tart 
Looms,  or  the  boafted  Commodities  of  Brujfehy  com- 
pared with  thefe  curious  Manufadlures  of  Nature  ?  Com- 
pared with  thefe,  the  mofl  admired  Chintfes  lofe  their 
Reputation  ;  even  fuperfine  Cambrics,  appear  coarfe  as 
Canvafs  in  their  Prefence. 

What  a  cheering  Argument  does  our  Saviour  derive 
from  hence,  to  flrengthen  our  Affiance  in  God  !  He  di- 
re6ls  us  to  learn  a  LefTon  of  Heaven-depending  Faith, 
from  every  Bird,  that  wings  the  Air ;  and  from  every 
Flower,  that  bloflbms  in  the  Field.  If  Providence,  with 
unremitted  Care,  fupports  thofe  inferior  Creatures ;  and 
arrays  thefe  infenfible  Beings,  with  fo  much  Splendor ; 
furely.  He  will  in  no-wife  with-hold,  from  his  eledl  Chil- 
dren, ^^  Bread  to  eat,  and  Raiment  to  put  on." — Ye 
faithful  Followers  of  the  Lamb,,  difmifs  every  low  Anxi- 
etyy  relating  to  the  needful  Suftenance  of  Life.  He  that 
feeds  the  Ravens,  from  an  inexhauftible  Magazine  ;  He 
that  paints  the  Plants,  with  fuch  furpafTmg  Elegance  y 
in  fhort.  He  that  provides  fo  liberally,  both  for  the  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  Parts  of  His  Creadon  ;  v/ill  not,  can- 
not, neglect  His  own  People. — Fear  7wt,  little  Flock,  ye 
pecuhar  Obje6ts  of  Almighty  Love  !  it  is  your  Father's 
good  Pleajure^  to  gi*veyou  a  Kingdom  *.  And  If  He  freely 
gives  you,  an  everlafting  Kingdom  hereafter ;  is  it  pof- 
fible  to  fuppofe,  that  he  will  deny  you  any  necefiary  Con- 
veniencies  here  ? 

One  cannot  forbear  reRe6ting,   in  this  Place,  on  the 
too  prevailing  Humour,  of  being  fond  and  oflentatious 

*  Luke  xii.  32. 

of 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  113 

o(  Drejs  *.  What  an  abjed  and  miflaken  Ambition  is 
this  !  How  unworthy  the  Dignity  of  hmnortal,  and  the 
Wifdom  o{ rational  Beings  !  Efpecially,  fince  thefe  little 
Produ6lions  of  the  Earth,  have  indifputably  the  Pre- 
eminence, in  fuch  outward EmbelliUm^.ents. — Go :  clothe 

*  Mr.  Jd^ijon  has  a  fine  Remark  rn  a  female  Warrior,,  celebrated 
by  Virgil.  He  obferves,  that  with  all  her  other  great  Qualities,  this 
little  Foible  mingled  itfelf.  Becaufe,  as  the  Poet  relate?^,  an  intempe- 
rate Fondnefs  for  a  rich  and  fplendid  Suit  of  Armour,  betrayed  her 
into  Ruin.  In  this  Circumllance,  our  Critic  dlfcovers  a  Moral  con- 
cealed ;  this  He  admires,  as  a  neat,  though  oblique  Satire^  on  that 
trifling  Pafiion.     Sped.  Vol.  I.  N^  15. 

I  v,'ould  refer  it  to  the  judicious  Reader,  whether  there  is  not  a 
Beauty  of  the  y^w*?  Kind,  but  touched  with  a  ;7zcrf  marieriy  Hand,  in 
the  Song  o^  Deborah — Speaking  of  Si/era's  Mother,  the  facred  eucha- 
riftic  Ode  reprefents  Her,  as  anticipating,  in  her  fond  Fancy,  the 
Vidlory  of  her  Son ;  and  indulging  the  following  Soliloquy — Haa;e  they 
not  fpcd?  Have  they  7iot  di^ciJcd  the  Prey?  To  Sifera  a  Prey  of  divers 
Colours  \  a.  Prey  of  divers  Colours  of  Needle-nx>Qrk  ;  of  divers  Colours  of 
Needle-njuork  on  both  Sides  ;  meet  for  the  Necks  of  them  that  take  the  Spoil? 
— She  takes  no  Notice  of  the  Signal  Service,  which  her  Hero  would  do 
to  his  Country,  by  quelling  fo  dangerous  an  InfurrCiStion.  She  never 
refieds  on  the /r^^rw/"  Acclamations,  the ////■//jv  Advancement,  and  the 
eternal  Renown,  which  are  the  Tribute  ufuaily  paid  to  a  Conqueror's 
Merit.  She  can  conceive,  it  fecms,  nothing  greater,  than  to  be  clad 
in  an  embroidered  Vellure  ;  and  to  trail  along  the  Ground,  a  P^obe  of 
the  richeft  Dyes.  This  is,  in  her  Imagination,  the  moll  lordly  Spoil, 
He  can  win  ;  the  moll  {lately  Trophy,  He  can  ered. — It  is  alfo  ob- 
fervable,  how  She  dvcells  upon  tlie  trivial  Circumftance  ;  reiterating  it 
again  and  again.  It  has  fo  charmed  her  ignoble  Heart ;  ii:)  intirely 
engroiTed  her  little  Views ;  that  She  c;m  think  of  nothing  clfe';  fpzak  of 
nothing  elfe  ;  and  can  hardly  ever  dcfji  from  the  darling  Topic. — Is 
not  this  a  keen,  tho'  delicately  couched  Cenfare,  on  that  poor,  con- 
temptible, groveling  Talie ;  which  is  enamoured  with  filken  Finery, 
and  makes  ihc  Attributes  of  a  ButterHy,  the  Idol  of  its  AtFeftions  ? 

How  confpicuous,  is  the  elevated  and  magnificent  Spirit  of  Ihat  ve- 
nerable M«?/.^^r  in  7/7  W ;  when  viewed  in  comparifon  with  the  low, 
the  defpicable  Turn  of  this  Canaanitifo  Lady  ! — Such  (Irong  and  beau- 
tiful Contrafis  arc,  I  think,  fomc  of  tlie  moil  flriking  Excellencies  of 
poetic  Painting  :  and  in  no  Book  are  they  m.ore  frequently  ufed,  or 
exprefTed  with  greater  Lil'e,  than  in  tliey^u.  fi\'oiumcs  of  Infpiration. 

I  thyfelf 


114 


R?:  FLECTIONS    ON     A 


thyfelf  with  Purple,  and  fine  Linen  ;  trick  thyfelf  up  in 
all  the  gay  Attire,  which  the  Shuttle  or  the  Needle  can 
fumifli.  Yet  know,  to  the  Mortification  of  thy  Vanity,, 
that  the  native  Elegance  of  a  common  Daify  *,  eclipfes 
all  this  elaborate  Finery. — Nay,  wert  thou  decked  like 
fome  illuflirious  Princefs,  on  her  Coronation-day,  in  all 
the  Splendor  of  royal  Apparel ;  couklil  thou  equal  even 
Sokmcn,  in  the  Height  of  his  Magnificence  and  Glory  ; 
yet,  would  the  meaned:  among  the  flo-zvery  Pcptdace  out- 
fhine  thee.  Every  difcerning  Eye,  would  give  the  Pre- 
ference, to  thefe  Beauties  of  the  -\  Ground. — Scorn  then 
to  borrcv/  thy  Recommendations,  from  a  neat  Difpofi- 
tion  of  Threads,  and  a  curious  Arrangement  of  Co- 
lours. APiume  a  becomiing  Greatnefs  of  Temper.  Let 
thy  Endowments  be  of  the  immortal  Kind.  Study  to 
be  all-glorious  withiii.  Be  clothed  with  Humility.  Wear 
the  Ornam.ent  of  a  meek  and  quiet  Spirit  t.  To  fay  all 
in  a  Word;  Put  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  §  :  Let 
His  Blood  be  fprinkled  upon  thy  Confcience,  and  it  fnall 
be  whiter  than  the  Virgin  Snows.  Let  His  RighteouJ- 
vejSj  like  a  fpotlcfs  Robe,  adorn  thy  inner  Man ;  and 

*  Peaceful  and  lowly  In  their  native  Soil, 

They  neither  know  to  fpln,  v.ot  care  to  toil ; 

Yet  with'coufefs'dMa^riihcence  deride 

Our  mean  Attire,  and  Impotence  of  Pride.  Prior. 

f  Mr.  Coivley,  v/ith  his  ufual  BrillianGv  of  Imagination,  fliles  them 
■Slats  of  Earth. 

X  How  beautifully  does  the  Prophet  defcribc  the  Furniture  of  a  re- 
newed and  heavenly  Miitd  \  under  the  Similitude  of  a  rich  and  com- 
plete Suit  oi  Apparel!  I  'vo  ill  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord  ;  /«)>  Soul  Jh  all 
he  joyful  in  my  God;  for  he  hath  cloathed  me  nx:ith  the  Garments  of  Sal- 
'vation  ;  He  hath  cohered  ?ne  ivith  a  Robe  of  Righteonfnefs,  as  a  Bride- 
groom decketh  himjelf  ivith  Ornaments,  and  as  a  Bride  adornsih  hirjVlf 
n^jith  her  feivels,     Ifa.  Ixi.  lo. 

§  Rom.  xiii.  1.4.. 

tllOU 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  nj 

thou  flialt  be  amiable,  even  in  the  moiL  diflinguifliing 
Eye  of  God.  Let  His  bklled  Spirit  dwell  in  thy  Heart ; 
and,  under  His  fan(51:if}'ing  Operations,  thou  fhak  be 
made  Partaker  of  a  Divine  Nature. 

These  are  real  Excellencies ,  truly  noble  Accom- 
plifhrnicnts  thefe.  In  this  Manner  be  arrayed,  be  beau- 
tified ;  and  thou  wilt  ijot  find  a  Rival,  in  the  Feathers 
of  a  Peacock,  or  the  Foliation  of  a  Tulip.  Thefe  will 
exalt  thee,  far  above  the  lew  Pretenfans.  of  Lace  and 
Embroidery.  Th.efe  will  prepare  thee  to  ftand  in  the 
beatific  Prefence,  and  to  take  thy  Seat  amorxg  the  An- 
gels of  Light. 

What  an  inchanting  Situation  is  this !  One  can  fcarce 
be  melancholy  within  the  Atmcf'phere  of  Flowers.  Such 
lively  Hues,  and  delicious  Odours,  not  only  addrefs 
themfelves  agreeably  to  the  Senfes  -,  but  touch,  v/ith  a 
furprifing  Delicacy,  the  fwectefc  Movements  of  the 
Mind. 

To  the  Heart  infpirirtg 

Vernal  *  Delight  and  Joy,  Milt.  B.  IV. 

How  often  have  I  felt  them  diiTipate  the  Clean  of 
Thought,  and  transfufe  a  fudden  Gaiety  diro'  the  de- 

*  "  I  would  have  my  Pvcader  endeavour  to  MORALIZE  thh  nata- 
'*  ral  Pleafure  of  the  Soul,  and  to  improve  l\\is -'vernal Deljg/jt  Vi%  Milton 
"  calls  k,  into  a  Chrijlian  Virtue.  When  we  find  ourfelve':  infpired 
*'  with  this  pleafing  Imlinft,  this  fecretSatisfaddon  and  Complacency, 
*'  arifmg  from  the  Beauties  of  the  Creation,  let  us  confxder,  to  Who7n 
*'  we  fland  iidebted  for  all  thefe  Entertainments  of  Senfe  ;  and  Ji'ljo 
"  it  is,  that  thus  opens  his  Hand,  and  fills  the  World  with  Good. — 
*'  Such  an  habituad  Difj^ofitlon  of  ?v-Fiod  ccnfccrtUes  every  Field  and 
"  Wood  ;  turns  an  ordinary  Walk  into  a  Morning  or  Evening  Sr.crliice  ; 
"  and  will  improve  thofe  tranficnt  Gleams,  which  naturally  brighten 
"  up  and  refresh  the  Soul  on  fuch  Occaiions,  into  an  inviolable  and 
"  perpetual  State  of  Blifs  and  Kappinefs." 

Spea,  Vol.  V.  N"  394. 

I  2  jecled 


u6  REFLECTIONS     ON     A 

jeded  Spirk  !  I  cannot  wonder,  diftt  Kings  defcend  from 
their  Tbrcnesy  to  walk  amidfl  blooming  I^ory  and  Gold  ; 
or  retire  from  the  moll  fumptuoiis  Feall^  to  be  recreated 
with  the  m.ore  refined  Sweets  of  die  Garden.  I  cannot 
wonder,  that  Queens  forego,  for  a  while,  die  Compli- 
ments of  a  Nation,  to  receive  the  Tribute  of  the  Par- 
terre ;  or  withdraw  from  all  the  Glitter  of  a  Courlj  to  be 
attended  with  the  more  fplendid  Equipage  of  a  Bed  of 
Flowers. —But,  if  this  be  lb  pleating ;  what  tranfporr- 
ing  Pleafure  mull  arife,  from  the  Fruition  of  uncreated 
Excellency !  O  !  what  unknown  Delight,  to  enter  into 
thy  immediate  Prejence,  moil  ble lied  Lord  God  \  To  fee 
Thee  *,  Thou  King  of  Heaven,  and  Lord  of  Glory, 
no  longer  *'  through  a  Giafs  darkly,  but  Face  to  Face  1'* 
To  have  all  thy  Goodnefs,  all  thy  Greatnefs,  fliine  be- 
fore us ;  and  be  made  glad  for  ever  with  the  brighteft 
Difcovcry  of  thy  Perfe6lions,  Vvith  die  ineffable  Joy  of 
tliy  Countenance  ! 

This  we  cannot  bear,  in  our  prefent  imperfe6l  State. 
The  Effulgence  of  unveiled  Divinity  would  dazzle  a 
mortal  Sight.  Our  feeble  Faculties,  would  be  over- 
.  ivhehiied  with  fuch  a  Fulnejs  of  fuperabundant  Blif^ ;  and 
mufh  lie  opprejfed^  under  'iuoh  an  exceeding  great,  eter- 
nal IVeight  of  Glory. — But,  wlijen  this  Corruptible  hath 
put  on  Incorruption,  the  Powers  of  the  Soul  will  be 
greatly  invigorated s  and  thefe  eartlily  Tabernacles,  will 

♦  Ifaiah  reprefents  the  Felicity  of  the  Righteous,  in  the  everlafting 
V/orld,  by  this  elegant  and  amiable  Image  ;  Tbi/ie  Eyes J?:>all fee  the  King 
in  lis  Beauty.  Ifa.  xxxiii.  I  7. — Milton  touches  the  fame  Sabje*^,  vvitii 
wonderful  Elevation  and  Majefty  of  Thought: 

Tkcy  <iva}k  nvith  GOD, 

High  in  Salvation y  and  the  Clij7ies  of  Blifs. 

Milt.  B.  XI.  v.  yof. 

Word?,  \vhich,  like  the  fiery  Car,  almoll  traiifport  our  Affefiions  to 
thofe  glorious  Abodes. 

be 


F  L  O  W  R  R  -  G  A  R  D  E  N.  ii; 

be  transformed  into  the  Ukenefs  of  Christ's  glorious 
Body.  Then,  though  "  the  Moon  fhall  be  conroiind- 
"  ed,  and  the  Sun  afhamcd  *,"  when  the  Lord  of 
Hods  is  revealed  from  Heaven  j  yet,  fliall  liis  faithful 
People  be  enabled  to  fee  Him  as  He  is  f . 

Here  then,  my  Willies,  here  be  fixed.  Be  this  your 
determined  and  invariable  Aim. — Here  my  Affeftions, 
here  give  a  Looie  to  your  whole  Ardour.  Cry  out,  in 
the  Language  of  Infpiration  j  This  cue  Thing  have  I  de- 
ftred  of  the  Lord,  zvhich^  with  incefTant  Earneilnefs,  / 
will  require ;  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  ccleftial  Hoife  of  the 
Lord,  all  the  Days  of  my  future  Life  ;  to  behold  the  fair 
Beauty  of  the  Lord  J,  and  to  contemplate,  with  Won^ 
der  and  Adoration^ — with  unfpeakable  and  everlafting 
Rapture— all  the  Attributes  of  the  incomprelienfible 
Godhead. 

SOLOMON^  a  moll  penetrating  Judge  of  human 
Nature,  knowing  how  highly  Mankind  is  charmed,  with 
t'nt  fine  Qualities  of  Flowers;  has  figured  out  the  blcfied 
Jesus,  that  "  faireft  among  ten  thoufand,"  bythele 
lovely  Reprefentatives.  He  ftiles  him  §  The  Rcfe  of 
Sharon,  and  The  Lily  of  the  ValUes  \  ;  like  the  firft,  full 

*  Ifai.  xxlv.  23.      f    r  Johniii.  2.     X  Pfal.  xxvii.  ^..      §  Cant.  ii.  i. 

Matus  ut  arherihus  decori  ejl^  ut  t'itibiis  irccCy 
XJtque  Rofce  campis,  ut  liliu  'vallibus  alba. 
Sic  Ch  RiSTUS  iiecus  omnefuis. : 

II  By  the  Lily  of  the  Tallies y  I  apprehend,  is  meant,  not  the  Flower 
which  commonly  pafTes  under  that  Denomination,  and  is,  comparatively 
mean  ;  but  the  grand,  majeftic,  Garden  Lily  ;  growing  in  a  rich  irri- 
guous  Soil,  where  it  flouriihes  in  the  mail  ample  Manner,  andarriv^es 
at  the  highell  Perfedion.  The  Circumftance  of  the  V'allies,  added  by 
the  facred  Writer,  is  lignificant  not  of  the  Species y  but  oi  i\\q  Place. — 
This  is  by  far  the  noble  ft  Interpretation,  and  moll  exactly  fuitable  to 
the  fpiritual  Senfe  ;  which  intimates.  That  the  blelTcd  Jes  us  delights 
to  (Jwell,  by  the  Communications  of  his  Spirit,  in  himbk  Hearts. — 
^:^'''^ri'^:r\  nJH-nil^  Lilmm  ValUbus  gaudens. 

1 3  of 


ii8  REFLECTIONS     ON     A 

of  Delights  and  communicable  Graces;  like  the  laflr, 
exalted  in  Majefliy,  and  complete  in  Beauty. — In  that 
iacred  Paftoral,  he  ranges  the  Creation;  borrows  its  moft 
finiilied  Forms  3  and  dips  his  Pencil  in  its  choiceil  Dyes, 
to  prefent  us  with  a  Sketch  of  the  Amiablenefs  of  his 
Perfon.  His  Amiablenefs,  who  is  the  Light  of  the 
World ;  the  Glory  of  his  Church ;  die  only  Plope,  the 
fovereign  Confolation  of  Sinners  y  and  exalted,  infinitely 
exalted,  not  only  above  the  fublimeft  Comparifon, 
but  even  *^  above  all  BlefTing  and  Praife." — Maylalfo 
make  the  fame  heavenly  Ufe,  of  all  fublunary  Enjoy- 
ments !  Whatever  is  pleafurable,  or  charming  hlow ; 
let 'it  raife  my  Defire  to  thofe  delegable  Objeds,  which 
are  ahve.  Which  will  yield,  not  partial,  but  perfedl 
Felicity ;  not  tranfient,  but  never  ending,  Satisfadion 
and  Joy. — Yes,  my  Soul,  let  thefe  Beauties  in  Mima- 
tiire,  always  remind  thee  of  that  glorious  Perfon ;  in 
whom  "  dwells  all  the  Fulnejs  of  the  Godhead  bodily." 
Let  thefe  little  Emanations,  teach  thee  to  thirfl  after  the 
eternal  Fountain.  O  !  may  the  Creatures,  be  thy  con- 
llant  Clue  to  the  Creator !  For  this  is  a  certain  Truth, 
and  deferves  thy  frequent  Recolle6Lion,  demands  thy 
moft  attentive  Confideration  ;  That  the  whole  Compafs 
of  finite  PerftLlion,  is  only  a  faint  Ray  *,  fhot.  from  that 
immenfe  Source  — is  only  a  fmall  Drop^  derived  from 
that  inexliauflible  Ocean — of  all  Good. 

What  a  furprifing  Variety  is  obfervable,  among  the 
flowery  Tribes  !  How  has  the  bountiful  Hand  of  Pro- 
vidence, divcrfiiied  thefe  niceft  Pieces  of  his  Workman- 


— Thou  fitt'd  above  all  Heav'ns, 

To  Us  invifible,  or  dimly  feen 

In  thefe  thy  lowcft  Works  ;  yet  thefe  declare 

Thy  Goodnefs  beyond  Thought,  and  Pow'r  divine. 

Milt.  Book  V. 

lliip  ! 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  119 

ihip  !  added  die  Clurms  of  an  endlefs  Novelty,  to  all 
cheir  other  Perfe-flions  ! — A  confbant  Uniformity  would 
foon  render  the  Entertainment  tirefome,  or  inHpid  i 
therefore,  every  Species  is  formed  on  a  feparate  Plan, 
and  exhibits  lomething  entirely  7U'-zv.  The  Fafhion 
Ipreads  not  from  Family  to  Family ;  but  every  one  has 
a  Mode  of  its  ov/n,  which  is  truly  original.  The  moil 
curlbry  Glance,  perceives  an  apparent  Difference,  as  well 
as  a  peculiar  Delicacy,  in  the  Airs  and  Habits,  the  Atti- 
tude and  Lineaments,  of  every  dillindt  Clafs. 

Some  rear  their  Heads,  with  a  majeflic  Mien  ;  and 
overlook,  like  Sovereigns  or  Nobles,  the  whole  Parterre. 
Odiers  feem  more  moderate  in  their  Aims,  and  advance 
only  to  the  middle  Stadons ;  a  Genius  turned  for  He- 
raldry, might  term  them,   the   Gentry  of  the  Border. 
While  others,  free  fi*om  all  alpiring  Views,  creep  un- 
ambitioufiy  on  the  Ground,  and  look  like  the  Commo- 
jialty  of  the   Kind. — Some  are  inrerfeded  with  elegant 
Stripes,  or  ftudded  v/ith  radiant  Sfots.     Some  affe(51:  to 
be  genteelly  ^(^-re?^-?/-^^,  or  neatly/;-/;/^^?^/ ;  while  others  are 
plain  in  their  Afpexft,   unaffected   in  their  Drefsj  and 
content  to  pleafe  v/ith  a  naked  Simplicity,     Some  affume 
the  Monarch's  Purple  -,  fome  look  mofl  becoming  in  the 
Virgin's  IVhite ,  but  Black,  doleful  Black,  has  no  Ad- 
mittance into  the  Wardrobe  of  Spring.     The  Weeds  of 
Mourning  would  be  a  manifefl  Indecorum,  when  Na- 
ture holds  an  univerfal  Feflival.     She  would,  now,  in- 
fpire   none   but  delightful  Ideas :  and  therefore  always 
makes  her  Appearance,  in  fome  *  amiiable  Suit. — Here, 
Jiands  a  Warrior,  clad  with  Crimfon  \  there,  fits  a  Ma- 
giftrate,  robed  in  Scarlet;  and  yonder,  Jlruts  a  pretty 
Fellov/,  that  feems  to  have  dipped  his  Plumes  in  the 
Rainbow,  and  gHtters  in  all  the  gay  Colours  of  that  re- 

*  "^Nunc formofjjimiis  annus.  Viro. 

I  4  fplen* 


12Q  REFLECTIONS     ON     A 

fplendent  Arch.  Some  rife  into  a  curious  Cup,  or  fail 
into  a  fet  of  beautiful  Bells.  Some  fpread  themfelves  in 
a  fwelling  Tuft,  or  croud  into  a  delicious  Clufter. — In 
fome,  the  predominant  Stain,  foftens  by  the  gentkil 
Dhninuticns ;  till  it  has  even  ftole  away  from  itfelf.  The 
Eye  is  amufed  at  the  agreeable  Delufion ;  and  we  won- 
der to  find  ourfelves  infenfibly  decoyed,  into  a  quite  dif- 
ferent Luftre.  In  others,  you  would  think,  the  fine 
Tinges  were  emulous  of  Pre-eminence.  Difdaining  to 
mingle,  they  confrcnt  one  another,  with  the  Refolution 
of  Rivals,  determ.ined  to  difpute  the  Prize  of  Beauty ; 
v/hile  each  is  im.p roved,  by  the  Oppofition,  into  the 
higheft  Vivacity  of  Complexion. 

How  mayiifcld  are  thy  V/orks  *,  O  Lord  !  Multiplied 
even  to  a  Prodigy.     Yet  in  V/iJdcm^  co^ifummate  Wif- 
dom,  hafi  thou  made  them  all. — How  I  admire  the  Vafi- 
r.cjs  of  the  Contrivance,  and  the  Exa^nejs  of  the  Execu- 
tion !  Man,  feeble  Man,  with  Difficulty  accomplifhes  a 
fingle  Work.     Plardly,  and  after  many  Efibrts,  does 
He  arrive  at  a  tolerable  Imitation,  of  fome  one  Pro- 
dudion  of  Nature.     But  die  Almighty   Arnfl   fpoke 
Millions  of  Subfcances,  into  inftantaneous  Being ;  the 
whole  Colkdlion  wonderfully  various,  and  each  Indivi- 
dual completely  perfect. — Repeated  Expcnments  gene-r 
rally,  I  might  fay,  always  difcover  Errors  or  Defeds,  in 
cur  happleft  Inventions.     Nay,  what  wins  our  Approba- 
tion, at  the  prcfent  Hour,  or  in  this  particular  Place,  is 
very  probably,  in  fome  remote  Period  or  feme  difiant 
Clime,    treated  v/ith  Contempt.     Whereas,  theje  fine 
Strudlures  have  pleafed  every  Tafle,  in  every  Country, 
for  almofl  fix  thoufand  Years.     Nor  has  any  ■)-  Fault 

*  Pfal.  civ.  24. 

•)-   Ecclef.  ill.  14.      I knc^,  that  tvhaffc ever  Go v>  doth,  it  Jhall  le 
fi>r  e^vci' ;  Nothing  can  be  put  to  it,  nor  anj  thiii^  taken  from  it. 

been 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  121 

been  dete6led  in  the  original  Plan,  nor  any  Room  left 
for  the  leafi  Improvement  upon  the  hrfl  Model. — All 
our  Performances,  the  more  minutely  they  are  fcanned, 
the  more  imferfe^l  they  appear.  With  regard  to  thefe 
delicate  Objeds,  the  more  we  learch  into  their  Proper- 
ties, the  more  we  are  ravifVied  v^ith  their  Graces.  They 
^re  fure  to  difclofe  frefh  Strokes  of  the  moft  mafterly 
Skill  i  in  Proportion  to  the  Attention,  with  whicli  they 
are  examined. 

Nor  is  the  Simplicity  of  the  Operation  lefs  allonilh- 
ing,  than  the  Accuracy  of  the  Workmanihip,  or  the 
Infinitude  of  the  Effeds.  Should  you  afk  ;  "  Where, 
"  and  what  are  the  Materials,  which  beautify  the  bloom- 
"  ing  World  ?  What  rich  Tints ;  what  fplendid  Dyes  ; 
"  what  Stores  of  fhining  Crayons ;  ftand  by  the  Heaven- 
"  ly  Limner,  when  he  paints  the  Robe  of  Nature  V* 
'Tis  anfwered.  His  powerful  Pencil  needs  no  fuch  coflly 
Apparatus.  A  fmgle  Principle,  under  His  conducing 
Hand,  branches  out  into  an  Immenfity  of  the  moft 
varied,  and  moft  finiftied  Forms.  The  Moifiure  of  the 
Earth,  and  of  the  circumambient  Air,  pafTed  through 
proper  Strainers,  and  difpofed  in  a  Range  of  pellucid 
Tubes  :  This  performs  all  the  Wonders,  and  produces 
all  the  Beauties,  of  Vegetation.  This  cree'ps  along  the 
Fibres  of  the  low-fpread  Mofs  ;  and  climhs  to  the  very 
Tops  of  the  lofty-waving  Cedars.  This,  attraded  by 
the  Root,  and  circulating  through  invifible  Canals  \  this 
burfts  into  Gems  j  expands  itfelf  into  Leaves ;  and 
cloaths  the  Foreft,  with  all  its  verdant  Honours. — This 
one  *,  plain  and  ftmple,  Caule  gives  Birth  to  all  the 
Charms  ;  which  deck  the  Youth,  and  Maturity,  of  the 

Year. 

*  "  When  every  feveral  Effed  has  a  particular  feparate  Caufe,  this 
"  gives  no  Pleafure  to  the  Spedator,  as  not  dircovering  Contrivance. 

«  But 


122  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

Year.  This  hlujheSy  in  the  early  Hepatlca  -,  2ixAflameSy 
in  the  late  advancing  Poppy.  This  reddens  into  Blood, 
in  the  Veins  of  the  Mulberry  \  and  attenuates  itfelf  into 
leafen  Gold,  to  create  a  Covering  for  the  Quince.  This 
breathes,  in  all  the  fragrant  Gales  of  our  Garden  j  and 
weeps  odorous  Gum,  in  the  Groves  of  Arabia. — So^ 
wonderful  is  our  Creator  in  Counjely  and  fo  excellent  in 
Working  I 

In  a  Grove  of  Tulips,  or  a  Knot  of  Pinks,  one  per- 
ceives a  Difference  in  almofl  every  Individual.  Scarce 
any  two,  are  turned,  and  tindured,  exadly  alike.  Each 
allows  himfelf  a  little  Particularity  in  his  Brefs^  though 
air  belong  to  one  Family :  fo  that  they  are  various,  and 
yet  the  fame.* — A  pretty  Emblem  this,  of  the  Jmaller 
Differences  between  Proteflant  Chriftians.  There  are 
Modes  in  Religion,  which  admit  of  Variation,  without 
Prejudice  to  found  Faith,  or  real  Holinefs.  Jufb  as  the 
Drapery,  on  thefe  Pidures  of  the  Spring,  may  be 
formed  after  a  Variety  of  Patterns,  without  blemifhing 
their  Beauty,  or  altering  their  Natui-e. — Be  it  fo  then, 
that,  in  fome  Points  of  inconfiderable  Confequence, 
feveral  of  our  Brethren  diflent :  yet,  let  Us  all  live 
amicably  and  fociably  together ;  for  we  harmonize  in 
Principals,  though  we  vary  in  Punciilios,  Let  us  join  in 
Converfation,  and  intermingle  Interefls ;  difcover  no 
Ellrangement  of  Behaviour,  and  cherifh  no  Alienation 
of  Affedion.  If  any  Strife  fubfifts,  let  it  be  to  follow 
cur  Divine  Mafber  moll  clofely,  in  Humility  of  Heart, 

"  But  that  Work  is  beheld  with  Admiration  and  Delight,  as  the  Re- 
"  full  of  deep  Counfel,  which  is  co-mpUcated  in  its  Parts,  and  yetjtmph 
"  in  its  Operations,  Where  a  great  Variety  of  Effedls  are  feen  to  arife 
''from  one  Principle  operating  uniformly.*'  Abernethy  on  the 
Attributes. 

f  Ifa.  xxviii.  29. 

and 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  123 

and  Unblameablenefs  of  Life.  Let  It  be  to  ferve  one 
another  mod  readily,  in  all  the  kind  Offices  of  a  cordial 
Friendfliip.  Thus  fhall  we  be  unitedy  diough  dijlinguijh- 
ed'y  united  in  the  fame  grand  Fundamentals,  though 
diftinguifhed  by  fome  fmall  Circumflandals ;  united  in 
one  important  Bond  of  brotherly  Love,  though  diftin- 
guiflied  by  fome  flighter  Peculiarides  of  Sentiment. 

Between  Chriftians,  whofe  Judgments  difagree  only 
about  a  Form  of  Prayer,  or  Manner  of  Worfhip,  I  ap- 
prehend, there  is  no  more  ejfential  Difference  ;  than  be- 
tween Flowers  which  bloom  from  the  fame  Kind  of 
Seed,  but  happen  to  be  fomewhat  diverfified  in  the 
Mixture  of  their  Colours, — Whereas,  if  one  denies  the 
Divinity  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  degrades  the 
incarnate  God  to  the  Meannefs  of  a  mere  Creature  ,•  if 
another  cries  up  the  Worthinefs  of  human  Works,  and 
depreciates  the  alone-meritorious  Righteoufnefs  of  the 
glorious  Mediator ;  if  a  third  addreifes  the  incommu- 
nicable Honours  to  a  finite  Being,  and  bov/s  to  the 
Image,  or  prays  to  the  Saint — Thefe  are  Errors,  ex- 
tremely derogatory  to  the  Redeemer's  Dignity,  and 
not  a  little  prejudicial  to  the  Comfort  of  his  People. 
Againft  thefe  to  remonftrate  ;  againft  thefe  to  urge  every 
Argument,  and  ufe  eveiy  DiiTuafive  ;  befpeaks  not  the 
cenlbrious  Bigot,  but  the  Friend  of  Truth,  and  the 
Lover  of  Mankind. — Whereas,  to  ftand  neuter  and 
filent,  while  fuch  Principles  are  propagated,  would  be 
an  Inllance  of  criminal  Remilfnefs,  rather  than  of  Chrif- 
tian  Moderation. — For  die  Perfons,  we  will  not  fail  to 
maintain  a  tender  Compafiion  :  we  will  not  ceafe  to  put 
up  earned  Interceffions :  we  will  alfo  acknowledge  and 
)ove,  whatever  is  excellent  and  amiable  in  their  Cha- 
racter. Yet,  we  dare  not  fubfcribe  their  Creed  -,  we  can- 
not remit  our  afilduous^  but  kind  Endeavours  j  if  by 
I  any 


124  REFLECTIONS     ON    A 

any  Means  we  may  reconcile  them  to  a  more  Jcripural 
Belief,  and  a  furer  Worfhip  *. 

Another  Circumftance,  recommending  and  endear- 
ing the  flowery  Creation,  is  the  regular  Sue cejjlon.  They 
make  not  their  Appearance  all  at  once,  but  in  an  order- 
ly Rotation.  While  a  proper  Number  of  thefe  obliging 
Retainers  are  in  waiting,  the  others  abfcond ;  but  hold 
themfelves  in  a  Poflure  of  Service,  ready  to  take  their 
Turn,  and  fill  each  his  refpedive  Stadon,  the  Inftant  it 
becomes  vacant. — The  Snowdrops  foremoft  of  the  lovely 
Train,  breaks  her  Way  through  the  frozen  Soil,  in 
order  to  pre  lent  her  early  Complimxcnts  to  her  Lord. 
DrefTed  in  the  Robe  of  Innocency,  fhe  fteps  forth,  fear- 
lefs  of  Danger  ;  long  before  the  Trees  have  ventured  to 
unfold  their  Leaves,  even  while  the  Icicles  are  pendent 
on  our  Houfes.— Next,  peeps  out  the  Crocus  \  but  cau- 
tioufly,  and  with  an  Air  of  Timidity.  She  hears  the 
howling  Biafls,  and  fkulks  clofe  to  her  low  Situation. 
Afraid  Ihe  feems,  to  make  large  Excurfions  from  her 
Root ;  while  fo  many  ruffian  V/inds  are  abroad,  and 
fcouring  along  the  iEther. — Nor  is  the  Violet  lafl,  in 
this  fliining  EmbafTy  of  the  Year.  Which,  with  all  the 
Embellilhments,  that  would  grace  a  Royal  Garden, 
condefcends  to  line  our  Hedges,  and  grow  at  the  Feet 
of  Briars.     Freely,    and  without  any  Solicitadon,  flie 

*  In  fome  former  Editions,  I  exprefled  myfelf,  on  this  Point,  zz;;- 
'warily  and  harjhly.  But  my  Meaning,  and  real  Sentiments,  were  np 
other  than  thofe  reprefented  above. — The  Reader,  from  fuch  unguard- 
ed Intimations,  might  too  naturally  be  led  to  conclude.  That  the  Au- 
thor avows,  and  would  ftir  up,  a  Spirit  of  Perfecution,  But  this  is  a 
Method  of  dealing  with  Opponents  in  religious  Dodrines  which  He 
difclaims,  as  abfurd  ;  and  abhors,  as  iniquitous.  He  is  for  no  Force, 
but  that  of  rational  Conviaion  ;  for  no  Conftraint,  but  that  of  affec- 
tionate Perfuafion.  Thus,  If  You  pleafe,  corned  them  to  c<ime  /;;,  Lake 
4v.  23, 

diftributea 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  I25 

dlilrlbutes  the  Bounty  of  her  emiirive  Sweets :  while  her- 
felf,  with  an  exemplary  Humility,  retires  from  Sight ; 
feeking  rather  to  adminifler  Pleafure,  than  to  win  Ad- 
miration *.     Emblem,    cxprefTive    Emblem,    of   thofc 
m'odejl;  ^^irtues,  which  delight  to  bloom  in  Obfcurity : 
which  extend  a  chearing  Influence  to  Multitudes,  who 
are  fcarce  acquainted  with  the  Source  of  their  Com- 
forts !  Motive,    engaging  Motive,    to  that  ever-a5fivc 
Beneficence  ;  which  ftays  not  for  the  Importunity  of  the 
DiflrelTed,  but  anticipates  their  Suit,  and  prevents  them 
with  the  BlefTings  of  its  Goodnefs  ! — The  poor  Polyan- 
thusy  tliat  lately  adorned  the  Border  with  her  fparkling 
Beauties  -,  and,  tranfplante'd  into  our  Windows,  gave  us 
a  frefh  Entertainment ;   is  nov/  no  miore.     I  faw  her 
Complexion  fade  ;  I  perceived  her  Breath  decay ;  till  at 
length  fhe  expired,  and  dropt  into  her  Grave. — Scarce 
have  we  liiftained  this  Lofs,   but  in  comes  the  Auricula ^ 
and  more  than  retrieves  it.     Arrayed  flie   comes,    in  a 
fplendid  Variety  of  amiable   Form.s ;   with  an  Eye  of 
Cryftal,   and  Garments  of  the  mo?c  glofly  Sattin ;  ex- 
haling Perfume,   and  powdered  with  Silver.     A  very 
diftinguifhed  ProcefTion  x\\\z !  The  favourite  Care  of  the 
Florift  !   Scarce  one  among  them,  but  is  dignified  with 
a  Character  of  Renown  ;  or  has  the  Honour  to  repre- 
.fent,   fome  celebrated  Toafb.     But  thefe  alfo,  not^vith- 
ilanding  their   illuftrious  Titles,  have  exhaufted  their 
whole  Stock  of  Fragrance,   and  are  mingled  with  the 
meaneft  Duft. — Who  could  forbear  'grieving  at  their 
Departure,   did  not  the  Tulips  begin  to  raife  themfelves 
on  their  fine  Wands,  or  {lately  Stalks  ?    They  flufh  the 
Parterre  with  one  of  the  gayeft  Drefies,  that  blooming 
Nature  wears.     Did  ever  Beau  or  Belle  make  lb  gaudy 
an  Appearance,  in  a  Birth-night  Suit  ?  Here,  one  may 

♦  Pvodejje  quam  confpki. 

behold 


ia6         -         REFLECTIONS     ON    A 

behold  the  innocent  Wantonnefs  of  Beauty.  Here^,  {[\c 
indulges  a  Thoufand  Freaks,  and  fports  herfelf  in  the 
mofl  charming  Diverfity  of  Colours.  Yet,  I  jfhould 
wrong  her^  were  I  to  call  her  a  Coquet  -,  becaufe,  fbe 
plays  her"  lovely  Changes,  not  to  enkindle  diflblute  Af- 
fections, but  to  difplay  her  Creator's  Glory. — Soon  arifes 
the  Anemcne  -,  incircled  at  the  Bottom,  with  a  fpreading 
Robe ;  and  rounded,  at  the  Top,  into  a  beautiful  Dome. 
In  its  loofely-flowing  Mantle,  you  may  obferve  a  noble 
Negligence;  in  its  gently-bending  Tufts,  the  nicell 
Symmetry.  I  would  term  it,  the  fine  Gentleman  of  the 
Garden ;  becaufe,  it  feems  to  have  learnt  the  fingular 
Addrefs,  of  uniting  Simplicity  with  Refinement,  of  re- 
conciling Art  and  Eafe. — The  fame  Month  has  the 
Merit  of  producing  the  Ranunculus,  All  bold  and  grace- 
ful, it  expands  the  Riches  of  its  Foliage  ;  and  acquires, 
by  Degrees,  the  lovelieil  Enamel  in  the  World.  As 
Perfons  of  intrinfic  Worth,  difdain  the  fuperficial  Arts 
of  Recommendation,  pra(5lifed  by  Fops  -,  fo,  this  lordly 
Flower  fcorns  to  borrow  any  of  its  Excellence,  from 
Powders  and  EfTences.  It  needs  no  fuch  Attra6lives, 
to  render  it  die  Darling  o{  the  Curious ;  being  fuffi- 
ciently  engaging  from  the  Elegance  of  its  Figure,  the 
radiant  Variety  of  its  Tinges,  and  a  certain  fuperior 
Dignity  of  AljpeCl. — Methinks,  Nature  improves  in  her 
Operations.  Her  latefl  Strokes  are  moil  mafterly.  To. 
crown  the  Collection,  Ihe  introduces  the  Carnation, 
Wl-uch  captivates  every  Eye,  with  a  noble  Spread  of 
Graces ;  and  charmes  another  Senfe,  with  a  Profjfion 
of  exquifite  Odours.  This  fmgle  Flower  has  centred 
in  itfclf,  the  Perfe6lions  of  all  the  precediJig.  The 
Moment  it  appears,  it  fo  commands  our  Attention,  that 
we  fcarce  regret  the  Abfence  of  the  reft. — The  Gilly- 
floweVy  like  a  real  Friend,  attends  you  through  all  the 
VicifTitudes  and  Alterations  of  the  Seafon.     While  others 

make 


FLOWER-GARDE  N.  127 

make  a  tranficnt  Vific  only,  this  is  rather  an  Inhabi- 
tajit,  than  a  Gucft  in  your  Garden  ;  adds  Fidelity  to 
Complaifance. 

It  is  in  vain  to  attempt  a  Catalogue  of  thcfe  amiable 
Gifts.  There  is  an  eixikfs  Midtiplicity,  in  their  Charac- 
ters; yet  an  invariable  Or^^fr,  in  their  Approaches.  Every 
Month,  almoft  every  Week,  has  its  peculiar  Ornaments  ; 
not  fervileiy  copying  the  Works  of  its  Predeceflbr,  but 
forming,  ftill  forming,  and  ftill  executing  fome  new  De- 
fign.  So  lavifh  is  the  Fancy,  yet  fo  exad  is  the  Pro- 
cefs,  of  Nature  ! 

Here,  let  me  iland  awhile,  to  contemplate  this  Bif- 
trihiition  o{  Flowers,  through  the  feveral  Periods  of  the 
Year. — Were  they  all  to  bloflbm  togethjer  -,  there  -would 
be  at  once  a  promifcuous  Throngs  and  at  once  a  total 
Privatioi.  We  fhould  fcarce  have  an  Opportunity,  of 
adverting,  to  the  dainty  Qualities  of  Half;  and  muft  foon 
lofe  the  agreeable  Company  of  them  All.  Bnt  now, 
fmce  every  Species  has  a  feparate  PofI:  to  occupy ;  and 
a  diilincl  Interval  for  appearing ;  we  can  take  a  leifurely 
and  mJnute  Survey  of  each  fucceeding  Set.  We  can 
view  and  reviev/  their  Forms ;  enter  into  a  more  inti- 
mate Acquaintance  with  tlieir  charming  Accomplifh- 
ments ;  and  receive  all  thofe  pleafing  Services,  v/hich 
they  are  commiflioned  to  yield. — This  remarkable  Piece 
of  Oeconomy,  is  produ6live  of  another  very  valuable 
Effed.  It  not  only  places,  in  a  mod  advantageous 
Light,  every  particular  Community  :  but  is  alfo  a  fure 
provifionary  Refource,  againfl  the  Frailty  ©f  the  whole 
Nation.  Or,  to  fpeak  more  truly,  it  genders  the  flov/ery 
Tribes  a  Sort  of  *  Immortal  Corps.     For,  though  ibine 

are 

*  In  Allufiou  to  the  celebrated  Pradlice  of  the  Verjian  Kings ;  "  who 
"  maintained,  for  their  Lifeguard,  a  Body  of  Troops,  called  Imtnor- 

**  tali 


118  REFLECTIONS     ON    A 

are  continually  dropping ;  yet,  by  diis  Expedient,  others 
are  as  continually  rifing,  to  beautify  our  Borders,  and 
prolong  the  Entertainment. 

What  Goodnejs  is  this,  to  provide  iuch  a  Series  of 
Gratifications  for  Mankind  !  Both  to  diverfify,  and  per- 
petuate, the  fine  Collation!  To  take  care,  that  our  Paths 
Ihould  be,  in  a  Manner,  inceflantly  ftrewed  with  Flowers ! 
— And  what  Wljdcm^  to  bid  every  one  of  th^fe  infenfible 
Beings,  know  the  precife  Jundlure  for  their  corning 
forth  !  Infomuch  that  no  Aclor  on  a  Stage,  can  be  more 
exa6l  in  performing  his  Part ;  can  make  a  more  regular 
Entry,  or  a  more  pun6lual  Exit. 

•  Who  imboldens  the  Daffodil^  to  venture  abroad  in 
February  ;  and  to  truft  her  flowering  Gold,  with  incle- 
ment and  treacherous  Skies  ?  Who  informs  the  various 
Tribes  of  Fruit-bearing  Blcjfoins  \  that  vernal  Suns,  and 
a  more  genial  Warmth,  are  fitted  for  their  delicate 
Texture  ?  Who  teaches  the  Clcve  to  ftay  j  till  hotter 
Beams  are  prepared,  to  infufe  a  fpicy  Richnefs  into  her 
Odours,  and  tindlure  her  Complexion  with  the  deepeil 
Crimfon  ? — ^Who  dilpofes  thefc  beautiful  Troops,  into 
fuch  orderly  Bodies ;  retarding  Ibme  and  accelerating 
others  ?  Who  has  inflruded  them  to  file  offy  Vv^ith  fuch 
perfedl  Regularity  ;  as  foon  as  the  Duty  of  their  refpec- 
tive  Station  is  over  ?  And,  when  one  Detachment  retires. 
Who  gives  the  Signal,  for  another  immediately  to  ad- 
nuance  ?  Who,  but  that  unerring  Providence,  which, 
from  the  highefl  Thrones  of  Angels,  to  the  very  lov/efl 
Degrees  of  Exigence,  orders  all  Things  in  "  Number, 
"  Weidit  and  Meafure  !" 

"  tal  i  becaufe  it  perpetually  fubfifted :  For  as  foon  as  any  of  the  Men 
*•  died,  another  was  immediately  put  in  hiis  Place ."  R o  l'''l  i  n  *s  Ancient 
mprjy  Vol.  II. 

These, 


F  L  O  W  E  R-G  A  R  D  E  N.  129 

These,  O  my  Soul,  are  the  Regulations  of  that  moft 
adorable,  that  moft  beneficent  Beir.c,  who  bowed  the 
Heavehs ;  came  down  to  dwell  on  Earth  \  and  united 
the  Frailty  of  thy  mortal  Nature,  to  all  the  Glories  of 
His  Godhead.  All  the  Honour  of  this  admirable  Efta- 
bhfhment,  belongs  to  thy  Ranfom,  thy  Surety,  thy  Sa- 
viour. To  HIM  it  belongs,  who  fuftained  the  Ven- 
geanccy  which  thou  haft  deferved,  and  waft  doomed  to 
fufFer ;  who  fulfilled  the  Obedience,  which  thou  waft 
obliged,  but  unable^  to  perform ;  and  who  humbled 
himfelf  (ftupertdous,  ineffable  Loving-Kindnefs  !)  hum^ 
bled  Himfelf  to  Death,  even  the  Death  of  the  Grofs. — 
He  forrtied  this  vaft  Machine,  and  adjufted  its  nice 
Dependencies;  The  Pillars^  that  fupport  it ;  the  Em- 
bellilliments,  that  adorn  it  -,  and  the  Laws,  that  govern 
it ;  are  the  Refult  of  his  unfearchable  Counfels.  O  ! 
the  Heights  of  his  Majefty,  and  the  Depths  of  his  Abafe- 
ments  1 

Which  ftiall  we  admire  moft.  His  cf^aithl  Greatne/s, 
or  His  free  Grace  F  He  created  the  exalted  Seraph,  that 
fmgs  in  Glory  5  and  every  the  minuteft  Infecl,  that  flut^ 
ters  in  Ain  or  crawls  in  Duft.  He  marks  out  a  Path, 
for  all  thofe  Globes  of  Light,  which  travel  the  Circuit 
of  the  Skies  j  and  difdains  not  to  rear  the  Violet  from 
its  lowly  Bed,  or  to  plait  the  Daify  which  dreftes  our 
Plains.  So  grand  are  his  operations  ;  yet  fo  condejcend- 
ing  his  Regards  ! — If  Summer,  like  a  fpafkling  Bride,  is 
brilliant  and  glorious  m  her  Apparel ;  what  is  this,  but 
a  feeble  Refle6lion  of  his  uncreated  Effulgence?  If  Au- 
tumn, like  a  munificent  Hoft,-  opens  her  Stores,  and 
gives  us  all  Things  richly  to  enjoy  ;  what  is  this  but  a 
little  Tafte  of  his  inexhauftible  i/^^r^%  ?  If  Thunders- 
roar,  you  hear  the  Sound  of  his  Trumpet :  If  Light- 
nings glare,  you  fee  the  Launching  of  his  glittering 
Spear :  If  "  the  perpetual  Hills  be  fcattered,  and  the 

K  ''  evcrlaft- 


130  REFLECTI  ONS    ON    A 

*^  everlafimg  Mountains  bowed,"  you  behold  a  Bifplay 
•—No,  fays  the  Prophet,  you  have  rather  *  The  Hiding 
cf  his  Power.  So  immcnle  is  His  Power;  fo  uncon- 
troulable  and  inconceivable ;  that  all  thefe  mighty  Works 
are  but  a  Sketch,  in  which  more  is  concealed  than  dil- 
covered. 

Thus,  I  think,  we   fhould  always  view  the  vifible 
Syflem  ;  with  an  Evangelical  Tele/cope   (if  I  may  be  al- 
lowed the  Expreflion,)  and  with  an  Evangelical  Micro- 
Jcope.     Regarding  Christ  Jesus,  as  the  great  Projec- 
tor and  Architedj    who   planned^  and  executed,  the 


,*  Hab.  iii.  4.  Nothing  can  be  more  magnlEcently  conceived>  than 
the  Imagery  cf  this  whole  Chapter  ;  and  upon  the  Foot  of  our  Interpre- 
tation, nothing  was  ever  more  delicately  and  nobly  turned,  than  the 
Ser.tt?nei2t  of  this  Claufe.  Other  Senfes  of  the  Paflage,  I  acknowledge, 
may  be  affigned  with  equal  Propriety.  But  none,  I  think,  can  be 
imagined  fo  majejiic  2sAfubli7ne.  As  the  Original  will  fairly  admit  of 
it ;  as  it  carries  no  Diiagreement  with  the  Context ;  and  exprefles  a 
moft  important,  as  well  as  undoubted  Truth  ;  I  hope,  I  may  be  per- 
mitted to  ufe  it,  at  leaft  by  way  of  Accommodation. — Efpecially,  as  it 
fuggeils  one  of  the  fineft  Mottcs  imaginable  ;  wherewith  to  infcribe  all 
the  vifible  Productions  of  the  Creator's  Hand.  When,  ftruck  with 
Alloniihment,  we  confider  their  Grandeur,  Beauty,  and  confummate 
Perfedions  ;  let  us,  in  Juftice  to  their  Author,  apply  the  exalted  Re- 
fieftion  of  this  facred  Ode  :  **  In  all  thei^  is  the  Hiding,  rather  than  an 
"  adequate  Difplay,  cf  his  matchlefs  Po-cver.  Tho'  they  challenge  cur 
"  Praife,  and  furpafs  our  Comprehenfion ;  yet  are  they  by  no  m.eans  the 
*•*  utmoll  Exertions,  but  rather  fome  {lighter  Effays,  of  omnipotent 
"  Skill," — Milton,  relating  the  Overthrow  of  the  fallen  Angels,  intro- 
duces a  grand  Circumllance,  not  m.uch  unlike  the  preceding.  MeJJiah, 
unaided  and  alone,  had  routed  an  innumerable  Hoft  of  aportate  Spirits, 
This  was  great  and  marvellous.  But  to  create  a  juRer  Idea  of  the 
illuftrioHs  Conqueror,   our  Poet  beautifully  adds ; 

Tet  half  his  Strength  he  put  not  forth, 

if  we  forget  to  make  the  fame  Remark,  when  we  contemplate  Go  d  in 
hi^  Works  ;  we  mull  neceiTarily  foim  very  fcanty  Conceptions  of  that 
Supreme  Being,  before  whom  all  Nations  are  as  a  "■  Drop  of  a 
"  Bucket,  and  are  counted  as  the  fmall  Dull  of  the  Balance." 

amazing 


FLO  WER-G  A  R  D  E  N.  131 

amazing  Scheme.  Whatever  is  magnificent  or  valu- 
able i  tremendous  or  amiable  ;  fhould  ever  be  afcribed 
to  the  Redeemer.  This,  is  the  Chriftian's  Natural  Phi- 
Icfo-phy.  With  Regard  to  this  Method  of  confidering 
the  Things  that  are  feen  ;  we  have  an  infpired  Apoftle, 
for  our  Preceptor  and  Precedent.  Speaking  of  Christ, 
He  fays  3  "  Thou,  Lord,  in  the  Beginning,  haft  laid 
"  the  Foundation  of  the  Earth  j  and  the  Heavens  are 
*'  the  Work  of  thy  Hands." — Did  we  carefully  attend 
to  this  leading  Principle,  in  all  our  Examinations  of 
Nature  ;  it  would,  doubtlefs,  be  a  moft  powerful  Means 
of  enkindling  our  Love,  and  '^  ftrengthening  our  Faith. 
When  I  look  round  upon  Millions  of  noble  Subftances, 
and  carry  v/ith  me  this  tranfporting  Refle6lion,  "  The 
'*  Maker  of  them  all,  expired  on  a  Crofs  for  me ;"  how 

can 

*  The  Apoflles,  I  obferve,  delight  to  ufe  this  Method,  of  difplay- 
ing  the  Hoticurs  of  the  Redeemer,  and  eftablidiing  tlie  Faith  of  his 
People. — The  beloved  Dilciple,  teaching  that  moft  precious  Doflrine, 
"  of  a  Lamb  fiain  to  take  away  the  Sins  of  the  World  ;"  in  order  to 
evince  the  Sufficiency  of  Christ's  Sacrifice  for  this  bleffed  Purpofe, 
affirms.  That  ^4//  Things  'ivere  piade  by  Him  :  And  ivithouf  Him  <vjas  not 
any  thing,  no,  not  fo  much  as  one  fmgle  being,  madcy  John  i.  3. — St. 
Pauly  preaching  the  fame  glad  Tidings  to  the  ColoJJians,  and  exprefsly 
maintaining.  That  we  have  Redemption  through  his  Blood;  feems  toi^ 
forcfee  an  Objedlioj^  of  this  Kind.  **  To  expiate  Tranfgreffions  againft 
"  an  infinite  Majefty,  is  a  moft  prodigious  x'\6l.  It  muft  coft  vaftly 
**  more  than  any  common  Surety  can  pay,  to  redeem  a  fmful  World, 
*'  What  Reafon  have  we  to  believe,  that  Jesus  is  equal  to  this  mighty 
'*  Undertaking  ?"  All  poflible  Reafon,  replies  the  Apoftle,  from  the 
Dignity  of  his  Perfon,  For  He  is  the  Image  of  the  in-vifihle  God  ;  and 
from  the  Greatnefs  of  his  Works,  For  by  Him  allThings  iva-^  made, 
Confider  the  Operations  of  his  Hands,  and  you  cannot  doubt  the 
atoning  Eincacy  of  his  Death,  Col.'i.  15,  16. — The  Author  of  the 
Epiftle  to  the  Hebrezvs,  falls  exaftly  into  the  fame  Train  of  arguing. 
Declaring,  that  Christ  Jesus  has  purged  our  Sins,  by  the  Sacrifice 
of  Himfelf;  he  proves  His  ample  Ability  for  this  tremendous  Office, 
from  His  eflential  Excellence,  becaufe  He  is  the  Brigktnefs  of  his  Fa- 
tk-er's  Glory  ;  and  from   His  admirable    \yorks,  becaufe  Hg  made  the 

K  2  H'Qrldh 


132  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

can  I  remain  any  longer  indifFerent  ?  Mufl  not  the 
coldeft  Heart,  begin  to  glow  with  Gratitude  ?-^When  1 
furvey  an  Immenfity  of  the  fineft  Produftions  imagina- 
ble ;  and  remember.  That  the  Author  of  them  all,  is 
tny  "  Righteoufnefs  and  my  Redemption  \'  how  can  I 
choofe  but  repofe  the  moil  chearful  Confidence,  m  fuch 
a  Mediator ! 

Let  me  add  one  more  Remark,  upon  the  admirable 
Adjuftment  of  every  Particular,  relating  to  thefe  fine 
Colonies  planted  in  the  Parterre. — ^With  fuch  Accu- 
racy and  Corredlnefs,  is  their  Strudlure  finilhed ;  that 
any  the  leall  conceivable  Alteration,  would  very  much 
im.pair  their  Perfe6tion.  Should  you  fee,  for  Inflance, 
the  nice  Dilpofition  of  the  Tulifs  Attire  fly  abroad, 
diforderly  and  irregular,  like  the  flaunting  Woodbine : 
Should  the  JeJJ amine  rear  her  diminutive  Head,  on  thofe 
grand  Columns  which  fupport  the  Hollihock :  Should 
the  ere6b  and.  manly  Alped:  of  the  Piony,  hang  down 
wtth  a  penfive  Air,  like  the  flexile  Bells  of  the  Hya- 
dnth :  Should  that  noble  Plainnefs,  which  diflinguifhes 
the  Li/)',  be  exchanged  for  the  glittering  Fringes,  which 
edge  the  Pink  \  or  the  gaudy  Stains,  which  bedrop  the 
Iris :  Should  thofe  tapering  Pillars,  which  arUe  in  the 
Middle  of  its  Vaft^,  and;,  tipt  v/ith  golden  Pendants> 
give  fuch  a  Luftre  to  the  furrounding  Panels  of  Ala^-* 
bailer. — Should  thofe  fmk  and  difappear,  like  the  Chives- 
which  cover  the  Heart  of  the  Anemone  : — In  many  of 
thefe  Cafes,  would  not  the  Tranfpofition  be  fantailical 


WorUs,  avdupholJcth  all  Things  by  the  WordofhisPo-cvery  Hcb.  i.  2,  3. 
-—Which  Truth,  as  it  is  fo  important  in  itfelf ;  of  fuch  fignal  Comtbrs 
TO  Chriftians ;  and  fo  particularly  infilled  on,  by  the  infpired  Writers; 
I  hope,  I  fhall  need  no  Apology,  for  an  Attempt  to  illuftrate  and  en- 
force it,  in  a  Kind  of  evangelical  Defcani  upon  Creation,  annexed  to 
thefe  Reflei^ions, 

and 


Flower-garden.  133 

and  aukward  ?  In  all,  to  the  apparent  Prejudice  of  every 
Individual  ? 

Again  ;  with  regard  to  the  Time  of  their  appearing ; 
this  Circumftance  is  fettled,  by  a  remarkable  Forefight 
and  Precaution.  What  would  become  of  the  *S'^;7^r ;  if, 
in  very  flormy  Weather,  he  fhould  raife  a  lofty  Maft, 
and  croud  it  with  all  his  Canvafs  !  Such  would  be  the 
ill  Effedl;  if  the  moflftately  Species  of  Flowers,  fhould 
prefume  to  come  abroad,  in  the  bluflering  Months. 
Ah  !  how  would  they  rue  the  imprudent  Boldnefs  ! 
Therefore,  thofe  only  that  fhoot  the  fliortefl  Stems,  and 
difplay  the  fmallefl  Spread  of  Leaves,  or  (if  you  pleafe) 
carry  the  leaft  Sail,  are  launched  amidft  the  blowing 
Seafons. — How  injudicioufly  would  the  Ferfumer  ad;  if 
he  fhould  unfeal  his  finefl  EfTences  and  expofe  them  to 
the  Northern  Winds,  or  Wintry  Rains  !  Our  blooming 
Artills  of  the  aromatic  ProfefTion,  at  leafl  the  moft  de- 
licate among  them,  feem  perfectly  aware  of  the  Con- 
fequences  of  fuch  a  Procedure.  Accordingly,  they 
poflpone  the  Opening  of  their  odoriferous  Treafures ; 
till  a  ferener  Air,  and  more  *  unclouded  Skies,  grant 

a  Pro^ 

*  Cafinir,  in  a  very  poetical  Manner,  addrefTes  himfelf  to  the  dor- 
mant Rofe ;  and  moll  prettily  invites  her  to  <venture  abroad,  hy  the 
Mention  of  thefe  two  Circumflances  : 

Siderum  facros  imitata  'vultuSy 
^id  lates  dudum,  Rofa  ?  Delicatum 
Effer  e  terris  caput.     O  tepentis 

Filia  ccolL 
Jam  tibi  nMhcs/ugiunf  aquofse, 

^as  fugant  albis  Zephyri  quadrigis ; 
Jam  tibi  mulcet  ^OTCt^m  Jocantis 

Aura  Favoni. 
Child  of  the  Summer,  charming  Rofe, 

No  longer  in  Confinement  lie  ; 

Arife  to  Light ;  thy  Form  difclofc  5 

{^ival  the  Spangles  of  the  Sky, 

J^  3  T¥- 


154  REFLECTIONS     ON    A 

a  Protection  to  their  amiable  Traffic  :  tiil  they  are  under 
no  more  Apprehenfions,  of  having  their  fpicy  Cells  rifled 
by  rude  Blafls,  or  drowned  in  incefiant  Showers ! 

What  a  ftriking  Argument  is  here  for  Refignaticn ; 
unfeigned  Refignation,  to  all  the  Difpofals  of  Pr evi- 
dence !  Too  often  are  our  diffatislied  Thoughts  apt  to 
find  Fault  with  Divine  Difpenfations.  We  tacitly  ar- 
raign our  Maker's  Conduct,  or  queflion  his  Kindnefs 
with  regard  to  ourfelvcs.  We  fancy  our  Lot,  not  fo 
commodioufly  fituated ;  or  our  Condition,  not  fo  hap- 
pily circumftanced ;  as  if  we  had  been  placed  in  fome 
other  Station  of  Life. — But,  let  us  behold  this  exqui- 
fitely  nice  Regulation  of  the  minntejl  Plants ;  and  be 
afhamed  of  our  repining  Folly.  Could  any  Fibre  in 
their  Compofition,  be  altered ;  or  one  Line  in  their 
Features  be  tranfpofed  j  without  clouding  fome  of  their 
Beauties  ?  Could  any  Fold  in  their  Veftments,  be 
varied  s  or  any  Link  in  their  orderly  Succeffion,  be 
broken  -,  without  injuring  fome  delicate  Property  ?  And 
does  not  diat  All-feeing  Eye,  which  preferves  fo  exa6l 
a  Harmony,  among  thefe  pretty  Toys !  maintain  as 
watchful  a  Care,  over  Llis  rational  Creatures  ?  Does  He 
choofe  the  properefl  Seafon,  for  the  Cowfiip  to  arife, 
and  drink  the  Dews  ?  And  can  He  negled  the  Con- 
cerns, or  misjudge  the  Conveniences,  of  His  Sons  and 
Daughters  ?  He,  vv^ho  has  fo  completely  difpofed,  what- 
ever pertains    to   the  vegetable  Oeconomy ;   that  the 

The  Rains  are  gone  ;  the  Storms  are  o'er ; 

Winter  retires  to  make  thee  Way  : 
Come  then,  thou  fweetly  blufliing  Flow'r  ;  ' 

Come,  lovely  Stranger,  come  away. 

The  Sun  is  drefs'd  in  beaming  Smiles^ 

To  give  thy  Beauties  to  the  Day  : 
Young  Zephyrs  wait,  wiih  gentleit  Gales ^ 

To  fan  thy  Borom,  as  they  play. 

leall 


FLO  WE  R-G  A  R  D  E  N.  135 

lead  Diminution  or  Addition,  would  certainly  hurt  tlie 
finilhed  Scheme  ;  does,  without  all  Peradventure,  pre- 
fide,  with  equal  Attention,  over  the  Interelts  of  his  own 
People. 

Be  ftill,  then,  thou  uneafy  Mortal  *  ;  know,  that 
God  is  unerringly  wife  ;  and  be  afllired,  that,  amidil 
the  greateft  Multiplicity  of  Beings,  He  does  not  over- 
look thee.  Thy  Savioiir  has  given  me  Authority  to 
aflert.  That  thou  art  of  far  fuperior  Value,  in  the  Efti- 
mate  of  Omnipotence,  than  all  the  Herbage  of  the  Field. 
— If  Plis  facred  Will,  ordains  Skknejs  for  thy  Portion  ; 
never  dare  to  imagine.  That  uninterrupted  Health  would 
be  more  adrantageous.  If  He  pleafes  to  with-hold,  or 
take  away,  Children ;  never  prefume  to  conclude.  That  , 
thy  Happinefs  is  blafled,  becaufe  thy  Hopes  of  an  in- 
creafmg  Family  are  difappointed.  He,  that  marihals  all 
the  Starry  Hoft,  and  fo  accurately  arranges  every  the 
meaneft  Species  of  Herbs ;  HE  orders  all  the  Feculiari" 
tifSy  cill  the  Changes  of  thy  State,  with  a  Vigilance,  that; 

*   Permittas  ipf.s  expendere  numlnihusy   quid 
Crm^ueniat  nobis y  rehufqv.e  Jit  utile  nojirisy 
Nam  pro  j  iicimdis  aptifiima  quteque  dabunt  dii : 
Carior  ejl  illis  homo,  quamjibi. Juy. 

Since  all  the  downward  Trafts  of  Tim? 

God's  watchful  Eye  furveys ; 
O  !  who  fo  wife  to  choofe  our  Lot, 
.    And  regulate  our  Ways  ? 

Since  none  can  doubt  his  equal  LovCj, 

Unmeafurably  kind  ; 
To  his  unerring^  gracious  Will, 

Be  ev'ry  Wifh  refign'd. 

Good  when  He  gives,  fupremely  Goo4; 

Nor  lefs,  when  he  denies ; 
Ev'n  CrofTes,  from  his  fov'reign  Hand, 

Are  BleiTings  in  Difguife. 

K  4  nothing 


1^6  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

nothing  can  elude  ;  with  a  Goodnefs,  that  endure  th  fop 
ever. — Bow  thy  Head,  therefore,  in  humble  Acquie- 
fcence.  Reft  fatisfied.  That  whatever  is,  by  the  Ap- 
pointment of  Heaven  ^,  is  rights  is  beft. 

Among  all  the  Produiftions  of  the  Third  Creating- 
Day,  this  of  Flowers  feems  to  be  peculiarly  defigned 
for  Man.  Man  has  the  Monopoly  of  this  Favour  :  it  is 
conferred  on  Him,  by  a  Sort  of  exclufive  Charter.  See 
the  Imperial  Crown ^  fplendid  and  beautifully  grand  ! 
See  the  Tuherofe^  delicate  and  languifhingly  fair  !  See 
all  the  Pomp  and  Glory  of  the  Parterre  ;  where  Paint 
and  Perfume  do  Wonders.  Yet  the  inferior  Animals 
are  neither  fmit  with  their  Beauties,  nor  regaled  with 
their  Odours.  The  Horfe  never  ftands  ftill^  to  gaze 
upon  their  Charms ;  nor  does  the  Ox  turn  alide,  to 
browfe  upon  their  Sweets.     Senfes  they  have,  to  dilcern 

*  Whatever  is,  is  right— If  Mr.  Pope  underftands  tlie  Maxim,  ac- 
cording to  the  Limitation  fuggefted  above,  he  fpeaks  a  mofl  undeniably 
and  glorious  Truth.  But  if  that  gr^at  Poet  includes  whatever  comes 
to  pafs,  through  the  wild  and  extravagant  PalTions  of  Men  ;  furely  no 
thinking  Perfon,  at  leaft  no  Chriftian,  can  accede  to  his  Opinion.— 
What  God  orders,  is  ivife,  beyond  all  PoHlbillty  of  Correfticn  ;  and 
good,  above  all  that  we  can  afk  or  think.  His  Decrees,  are  the  Refult 
of  infinite  DiicernmenL ;  and  his  Difpenfations,  ihe  IfluQs  of  unbound- 
ed Benevolence. — But  Man,  fallen  Man,  is  hurried  away,  by  his  Lulls, 
into  a  thoufand  Irregularities;  which  arc  deplorably  evil  in  thc7njel'ves, 
and  attended  with  Coji/eqiiancesy  manifellly  pernicious  to  Society ^^— Let 
the  Sentiment,  therefore,  be  rcitrained  to  the  Difpofals  of  Heaven, 
and  I  moft  readily  fubfcribe  it.  But,  if  it  be  extended  to  the  Condudl 
of  Men,  and  the  EfFedls  of  their  Folly ;  I  think  myfelf  obliged,  to 
enter  my  Proceft  againll  it.  For,  whatever  kindles  the  Divine  Indig- 
nation— ris  Caufe  of  final  Ruin  to  the  Author — is  ftridly  forbidden  by 
God's  holy  Word— is  contrary  to  the  whole  Defign  of  his  revealed 
Will,  and  the  very  Reverfe  of  his  eflential  Attributes — This,  cannot 
poflibly  be  right.  This,  is  moft  undoubtedly  wrong.  Omnipotence, 
indeed,  can  over-rule  it,  and  educe  Good  frpm  it.  But  the  very  No- 
tion of  over-rulhg,  fiippofes  it  to  be  abfolutely  ^vrong  in  itfelf. 

thefc 


F  L  O  W  E  R-G  A  R  D  E  N.  137 

ihefe  curious  Objeds  in  their  I'r^^  but  no  Talle,  to^^- 
tinguijh  or  relifh  their  fine  Accomplilhments. — Juft  fo, 
carnal  and  unenlightened  Men^  may  underfland  the  literal 
Meaning  of  Scripture  j  may  comprehend  the  Evidences 
of  its  Divine  Infpiration.  Yet  have  no  ardent  Longing 
for  the  ipiritual  Bleffings,  it  offers ;  fee  *'  no  Form  or 
"  Comelinefs"  in  the  Saviour  it  defcribes,  fo  as  to  ren- 
der Him  th^/upreme  Defire  of  their  Souls. 

The  cbid/Er.d  of  thefe  beautiful  Appearances,  Phi- 
iofophers  fay,  is  to  enfold  and  cherifh  the  Embryo  Seed  5 
or  to  fwathe  the  tender  Body,  during  its  Infant  State.— ^ 
But,  whatever  is  the  chief  End  of  Nature  5  'tis  certain 
ihe  never  departs  from  the  Defign,  of  adminiflering 
Delight  to  Mankind  *.  This  is  infeparably  conneded 
^ith  her  other  Views. — ^Were  it  only  to  fecure  a  re -pro- 
du6live  Principle,  what  need  oi(uc\\  elegant  Complications? 
Why  fo  much  Art  employed,  and  fo  many  Decorations 
added  ?  Why  Hioiild  Veflments  be  prepared,  richer  thar^ 
Brocades  -,  more  delicate  than  Lawns  j  and  of  a  finer 
Glow,  than  the  mofl  admired  Velvets  ?-— If  the  great 
Mother  had  no  other  Aim.,  than  barely  to  accommodate 
her  little  Offspring;  warm.  Flannel,  or  homely  JFuflian, 
would  have  ferved  her  Turn.  Served  it,  full  as  well  as 
the  moll  fumptuous  Tiffues,  or  all  the  Furniture  of  the 
Mercer's  Shop. 

EvipENT  then  it  is,  that  Flowers  were  endued  with 
fuch  enchanting  Graces,  for  the  Pleafure  of  Man.     In 

*  "  We  find  that  the  moft  important  Parts  in  the  Vegetable  World, 
**  are  thofe  which  are  the  moft  beautiful.  Thefe  are  the  Seeds  by 
*'  which  the  feveral  Races  of  Plants  are  propagated  and  Continued, 
*'  and  which  are  ahvays  lodged  in  Flowers  or  BlofToms.  Nature 
"  feems  to  hide  her  principal  Defign,  and  to  be  induflrious  in 
"  making  the  Earth  gay  and  delightful,  while  fhe  is  carrying  on  her 
**  ^reat  Work,  ^nd  indent  upon  her  ownPrefervation." 

^/^^.Vol,V.N'»387. 

Purfuance 


135  REFLECTIONS    GN    A 

Purfuance  of  this  original  Intention,  they  have  always 
paid  their  Court  to  the  Human  Race  -,  they  ftill  feem 
particularly  felicitous  of  recommending  themfelves  to 
our  Regard.  The  finell:  of  each  Species  croud  about 
our  Habitadons  ;  and  are  rarely  to  be  feen,  at  a  Dif- 
tance  from  our  Abodes.  They  thrive  under  our  culti- 
vating Hand,  and  obferving  Eye  ;  but  degenerate,  and 
fine  away,  if  unregarded  by  their  Lord. — To  win  his 
Attention,  and  deck  his  Retreats,  diey  hide  their  De- 
formities under  Ground ;  and  difplay  nothing  but  the 
moll  graceful  Forms  and  engaging  Colours,  to  his  Sight, 
— To  merit  a  farther  Degree  of  his  Eileem,  the  Gene- 
rality of  them  difpenfe  a  delightful  Perfume.  What  is 
flill  more  obliging,  they  *referve  their  richejl  Exhala- 
tions, to  embalm  his  Morning  and  Evening  Walks -j-, 
Becaufe  He  ufually  choofes  thofe  cool  Hours,  to  recreate 
himfelf  among  their  blooming  Ranks ;  therefore,  at  thofe 
Hours,  they  are  mofl  lavifli  of  their  Fragrance,  and 
breathe  out  their  choiceft  Spirits. 

O  Man,  greatly  beloved  by  thy  Creator  I  The  Dar- 
ling of  Providence  1  Thou  art  diflinguijfhed  by  bis 
Goodnejs ;  diftinguilh  thyfelf  alfo  by  thy  Gratitude.  Be 
it  thy  one  undivided  Aim,  to  glorify  him;  who  has  been 
at  fo  much  Expence,  to  gratify  thee  '.-—While  all  thefe 
inferior  Creatures,  infilent  Eloquence,  declare  the  Glory 
of  God ;  do  thou  lend  them  thy  Tongue,  Be  thou  the 
Jiigh-Priefl  of  the  mute  Creation.     Let  their  Praifes 


* The  Flow'rs, 

That  open  now  their  choicefl  bofom'd  Smells, 

Referv'd  from  Night,  zn^  kept  for  thee  in  Store,  Milt. 

f  The  twining  Jafmine,  and  the  blufhing  Rofe, 
WithlaviHi  Grace  their  Morning  Scents  difclofe  ; 
The  fmelling  Tiib'rofe  and  Jonquil  declare 
The  J^.ronger  Impulfe  of  an  Evning  Air.  Prior'j  Sal. 

becoine 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  J39 

become  vocal  in  thy  Songs. — ^Adore  the  fupreme  Bene- 
fa6lor,  for  the  BlefTings  He  fhowers  down,  upon  every 
Order  of  Beings.  Adore  him  for  numberlefs  Mercies, 
which  are  appropriated  to  thyfelf.  But,  above  all,  adore 
Him,  for  that  noble  Gift  of  a  rational  and  immortal 
Soul. — This  conftitutes  us  Mafters  of  the  Globe,  and 
gives  us  the  real  Enjoyment  of  its  Riches.  This  difco- 
vers  ten  thoufand  Beauties,  which  otherwife  had  been 
loft ;  and  renders  them  both  a  Source  of  Delights,  and 
a  Nurfery  of  Devotion. — By  Virtue  of  this  exalted  Prin- 
ciple, we  are  qualified  to  admire  our  Maker's  Works, 
and  capable  of  hearing  his  illuftrious  Image :  bearing  his 
illuftrious  Image,  not  only  when  thefe  Ornaments  of  the 
Ground,  have  refigned  their  Honours ;  but,  when  the 
great  Origin  of  Day,  is  extinguifhed  in  the  Skies ;  and 
all  the  flaming  Orbs  on  high,  are  put  out  in  obfcurc 
Darknefs. — Then  to  liarvive  ;  to  furvive  the  Ruins  of  one 
World,  and  to  enjoy  God — to  refemble   God — to  be 

*^  filled  v/ith  all   the  Fulnels   of  God,"  in    another 

What  a  Happinefs,  v/hat  an  ineftimable  Happinefs,  is 
this !  Yet,  this  is  thy  Privilege,  (barter  it  not,  for 
Trifles  of  an  Hour!)  this  thy  glorious  Prerogative,  O 
Man ! 

O  !  THE  Goodnefs,  the  exuberant  Gcodnefs,  of  our 
God  !  I  cannot  forbear  celebrating  it  once  more,  before 
I  pafs  to  another  Confideration. — How  much  fhould  wc 
think  ourfelves  obliged,  to  a  generous  Friend  j  who  (hould 
build  a  ftately  Edifice  *,  purely  for  our  Abode !   But, 

hoy/ 


*  I  cannot  perfuade  vpMqIi,  that  the  Comparifon  Is  ftretched  be- 
yond proper  Bounds,  when  carried  to  this  Pitch.  It  is  my  lledfaft 
Opinion,  That  the  World,  at  leaft  this  lower  World,  with  its  various 
Appurtenances,  was  intended ////-f/y  for  Man ;  that  it  is  apprcpriuted  10 
him;  and  that  he  (in  Subordination  to  G®d's  Glory)  is  the  End  of  its 
Creation. — Other  Animals,  'tis  true,  parta.ke  of  the  Creator's  Bene- 

iits; 


,46  REFLECTIONS    OK    A 

how  greatly  would  the  Obligation  be  encreafed  ^  if  the 
Hand  that  built,  fhould  alfo  furnijh  it !  And  not  only 
flirnifh  it,  with  all  that  is  commodious  and  comfortable '; 
but  ornament  it  alfo,  with  whatever  is  fplendid  and  de- 
lightful! 

fits :  but  then,  they  partake  under  the  Notion  of  Man's  Domefticks, 
or  on  the  Foot  of  Retainers  to  Him;  as  Creatures,  which  bear  fome 
Relation  to  his  Service,  and  fome  Way  or  other  contribute  to  his  Good. 
So  that  Hill  He  is  the  Centre  of  the  Whole  ;  or,  as  our  incomparable 
Milton,  equally  Mafter  of  Poetry  and  Divinity,  exprefles  Mmfelf,  Ali 
mngslinjeforUan.     Par.  Loji.   B.  XI.  l6l3 

Mr.  Pope)  in  his  Ethic  Epiflles,  is  pleaded  to  explode  this  Tenet,  as 
the  Height  of  Pride,  and  a  grofs  Abfiirdity. — -For  my  Fart,  I  fee  no 
Reafon  for  fuch  a  Charge.  With  all  SubmifTion  to  fo  a  fuperior  Ge- 
nius, it  feems  very  remote  from  Pride,  to  be  duly  fenfible  of  Favours 
vouchfafed :  to  contemplate  them  in  ali  the  Extent  of  their  Munifi- 
cence, and  acknowledge  ihem  accordingly.  I  fhould  rather  injagine. 
That  to  contradl  their  Size,  when  they  are  immenfely  large :  to  flint 
their  Number,  when  they  are  altogether  innumerable :  that  fuch  a  Pro- 
cedure favours  more  of  hifer^hility,  than  our  Htypothefis  of  Prefump- 
tion  ;  and  has  more  in  it  o^  Ingratituda,  than  that  of  Arrogance. 

And  how  can  it  be  deemed  an  Abfurdity,  To  maintain  that  Gai> 
gave  us  a  World,  for  our  PofTeflion ;  when  it  is  our  Duty  to  believe. 
That  he  gave  us  his  only.  Ssn,  for  our  Propitiation  ?  Sure,  it  can  be  nei- 
ther difficult,  nor  extravagant  to  fuppofe.  That  he  deflgned  Hie  habi- 
table Globe,  with  its  whole  Furniture,  for  our  prefent  Ufe  ;  finee  he 
with-held  not  his  holy  Child  Jesus,  but  freely  deliyered  him  up,  for 
our  final  Salvation. 

Upon  the  Whole ;  I  cannot  but  conclade.  That  the  Attempt  of  our 
famous  Poet  is  neither  kind,  with  regard  to  his  Fellow-creatures — nor 
grateful,  with  regard  to  his  Creator — neither  is  his  Schem.e,  in  Faft, 
true.  The  Attempt  not  kind,  with  regard  to  Man ;  becaufe,  "St  robs 
him  of  one  of  the  mofr  delightful  and  ravifiiing  Contemplations  ima- 
ginable. To  confider  the  great  Author  of  Exiftence  as  having  mi  m. 
his  Eye,  when  he  formed  univerfal  Nature  ;  as  contriving  all  ThingSj, 
with  an  immediate  View,  to  the  Exigencies  of  my  particular  State; 
and  making  them  all  in  fucJi  a  Manner,  as  might  bae  moft  conducive  t€fc 
my  particular  Advantage ;  this  mufl  occafion  the  flrosgefl  Satisfedions, 
whenever  I  cafl  a  Glance  on  the  Objefts  that  furround  me — Not gratefult: 
with  regard  to  Go  d  ;  becaufe  it  has  the  moft  dired  Tendency  to  di- 
miiiifh  our  Senfe  of  his  Kindnefs,  and  by  that  Meai^s,  tothrow  aDampi 

upoA 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  141 

iigktful !  ThiSi  has  our  moft  indulgent  Creator  done  ; 
in  a  Manner  infinitely  lurpafiing,  all  we  could  wifh,  or 
imagine. 

The  Earth  is  afTigned  us  for  a  Dwelling. — The  Skies 
are  ftretched  over  us>  like  a  magnificent  Canopy,  dyed 
in  the  pureft  Azure  ;  and  beautiiied,  now  with  Pictures 
of  floating  Silver,  now  with  Colourings  of  re  fleded  Crim- 
fon. — The  Grafs  is  fpread  under  us,  as  a  fpacious  Car- 
pet ;  wove  with  fiiken  Threads  of  Greenj  and  damafked 
with  Flowers  of  every  Hue.— The  Sioiy  like  a  golden 
Lamp,  is  hung  out  in  the  ethereal  Vault ;  and  pours  his 

upon  our  Gratitude.  It  teaches  us  to  look  upon  ourfelves,  as  almofl: 
loft  among  a  Croud  of  ether  Beings,  or  regarded  only  with  an  occa- 
fional  and  incidental  Beneficence.  Which  muft  certainly  weaken  the 
Difpofttion,  and  indeed  flacken  the  Ties,  to  the  moft  adoring  Thank- 
fulnefs. — To  which,  I  apprehend,  wc  mayjuftly  add;  Neither  is  ther 
Scheme,  in  Faft,  true.  For,  not  to  mention  what  might:  be  urged 
from  the  fure  Word  of  Revelation,  this  one  Argument  appears  fuffici- 
ently  conclufive.  The  World  began  with  Man ;  the  World  muft  c'eafff 
with  Man ;  coufequently,  the  grand  Ufe,  the  principal  End  of  the 
World,  \s,  to  fubferve  the  Intereft  of  Man.  It  is  on  all  Sides  agreed* 
That  the  Edi*'ice  was  ereded,  when  Man  was  to  be  furnifhed  with  an 
Habitation ;  and  that  it  will  be  demolifhed,  when  Man  has  no  farther 
Need  of  its  Accommodations.  When  he  enters  into  the  Houfe  nor 
made  with  Hands,  eternal  in  the  Heavens,  "  the  Earth,  and  all  the 
**  Works  that  are  therein,  fliall  be  burnt  up.'*  From  which  it  feems  a 
very  obvious  and  fair  Deduction,  That  Man  is  xlicfnal  Caufe  ol  this 
inferior  Creation. 

So  that  I  think  my  Readers  and  myfelf,  prvvikged  (not  to  fay,  on 
the  Priiiciples  of  Gratitude,  obliged)  to  ufe  thofe  lovely  Lines  of  our 
Author,  with,  a  Propriety  and  Truth,  equal  to  their  Elegance  and 
Beauty ; 

For  me  kind  Nature  nvckes  her  genial  Po-iv^rt 
Suckles  each  Herby  and Jpreads  out  e~jry  Flo-j/r  ! 
Annual,  for  me,  the  Grape,  the  Rofe  renezu 
The  'Juice  neElareous,  and  the  balmy  Dc-jj  ; 
For  me,  the  Mine  a  thoufand  Treafures  brings  ; 
For  me.  Health  gujhes  from  a  thoufand  Springs, 

Eth.  Ep.  I.  wr.  izg. 

Efful- 


142  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

EfTuIgence,  all  the  Day,  to  lighten  our  Paths. — Whtn 
Night  approaches,  the  Moon  takes  up  the  friendly  Of- 
fice ;  and  the  Stars  are  kindled  in  tv/inl<:ling  Myriads, 
to  chear  the  Darknefs  with  their  milder  Luftre,  not  dif- 
turb  our  Repofe  by  too  intenfe  a  Glare. — The  Clouds y 
be  fides  the  rich  Paintings  they  hang  around  the  Heavens, 
aCi  the  Part  of  a  fliifting  Screen  -,  and  defend  us,  by 
their  feafonable  Interpofition,  from  the  fcorching  Beams 
of  Summer.  May  we  not  alfo  regard  them,  as  the 
great  Watering-pots  of  the  Globe  ?  Which,  v/afted  on 
the  Wings  of  the  Wind,  difpenfe  their  Moifture  *  evenly 
through  the  univerfal  Garden ;  and  fru6lify,  with  their 
Showers,  whatever  our  Hand  plants.— 'The  Fields  are 
our  exhaufllefs  Granary. — The  Ocean  is  our  vafh  Refer- 
voir. — T\\t  Animals  fpend  their  Strength,  to  difpatchour 
Bufinefs ;  refign  their  Cloathing,  to  replenifh  our  Ward- 
robe ;  and  furrender  their  very  Lives,  to  provide  for  our 

*  This  CircumHance,  amidil  Abundance  of  other  delicate  and  edi- 
fying Remarks  upon  the  Wonders  of  Nature,  is  finely  touched  in  the 
Philcfophkal  Tranfaciions  recorded  in  the  Book  of  Job,  Chap,  xxxviii. 
ver.  25. — n^vn  BtOO^V  :iVb"»D  W1.w  hath  di^jided  a  Water-courfa  for  the 
Overjlo^Ming  of  Waters  ? — The  Hebrew  is  fo  pregnant  and  rich  with 
Senfe,  that  no  Tranflation  can  do  it  Juftice.  The  following  Paraphrafe 
perhaps,  may  reprefent  the  principal  Ideas  comprehended  in  the  expref- 
five  Original, — Who  has  branched  outy  and  with  admirable  Judgment, 
difpofed  a  Variety  of  AquedvMs  ;  for  that  im.menfe  Collection  of  Waters, 
which  Boat  in  the  Sky  ?  Who  diftributes  thofe  pendulous  Floods,  through 
all  the  Borders  of  the  Earth  ?  Diftributes  them,  not  in  dreadful  Cata- 
racts, ox  promifcuous  Gluts  of  Rain  ;  but  in  kindly  Drops,  and  refrelh- 
ir;o-  Showers;  with  as  much  Regularity  and  Oeconomy,  as  if  they  were 
conveyed  by  Pipes  from  a  Conduit  ? — To  whom  ftiall  we  afcribe  that 
Nicenefs  of  Contrivance,  which  now  emits,  now  retrains  them: 
fometimcs  drives  their  humid  Train  to  one  Place,  foraetimes  to  ano- 
ther :  difpenfes  them  to  this  Soil  in  larger,  to  that  in  fmailer  Commu- 
nications :  and,  in  a  Word,  fo  manages  the  mighty  Fluid,  that  every 
Spot  is  fupplied,  in  cxa£t  Proportion  to  its  Wants ;  none  defrayed  by 
aa  undilHnguilhing  Deluge  ? 

Tables. 


FLOWER-GARDEN. 


H3 


Tables. — In  fhort,  every  Element  is  a  Storehoufe  of  Con- 
veniencies;  every  Seafon  brings  us  the  choiceft  Produc- 
tions ;  all  Nature  is  our  Caterer. — And,  which  is  a  moll 
endearing  Recommendation  of  thefe  Favours,  they  are 
all  as  lovely,  as  they  are  ufeful.  You  obferve  nothino- 
mean  or  inelegant.  All  is  clad  in  Beauty's  fairefl  Robe*, 
and  regulated  by  Proportion's  nicefl  Rule.  The  whole 
Scene,  exhibits  a  Fund  of  Pleafures  to  the  Imagina- 
tion, at  the  fame  Time,  that  it  more  than  fupplies  all 
our  Wants  f . 

Therefore  thou  art  inexcujahle^  O  Man,  v/hofoever 
thou  art,  that  rehelleft  againft  thy  Maker.  He  furrounds 
thee,  with  unnumbered  Benefits ;  and  follows  thee,  with 
an  Effufion  of  the  richeft,  nobleft  Gifts,  He  courts  thy 
AfFedions ;  He  folicits  thy  Gratitude ;  by  Liberalities 
which  are  never  intermitted,  by  a  Bounty  which  knows 
no  Limits — Mofl  BlelTed  Lord,  let  this  thy  Goodnefs, 
tliy  unwearied  Goodnefs,  lead  us  to  Repentance.  JVin 
us  to  thyfelf.  Thou  Fountain  of  Felicity,  by  thefe  fweet 
Inducements.  Draw  us  to  our  Duty,  Thou  God  of 
our  Salvation,  by  thefe  "  Cords  of  Love." 

What  a  living  Pi6lure  is  Here,  of  the  beneficial  Ef- 
fects ol  Induftry  I  By  Induflry  and  Cultivation,  this  neat 
Spot  is  an  Image  of  Eden.  Here,  is  all  that  can  enter- 
tain the  Eye,  or  \  regale  the  Smell.     Whereas,  with- 

*  Perhaps,  it  was  from  fuch  an  Obfervatlon,  that  the  Greeh',  thofe 
critical  and  refined  Judges  of  Things,  expreffedthe  Mundane  Syfiem  tjy 
a  Word,  which  fignifies  Beauty — xocr/xo?.     .     . 

f  "  Thofe  feveral  living  Creatures,  wJ^ich  are  made  for  our  Ser- 
*'  vice  o.-  Suftenance,  at  the  ilime  Time  either  fill  the  Woods  with  their 
**  Mufic,  furnilh  us  with  Game,  or  raife  pleafing  Ideas  in  us  by  the 
**  Delightfulnefs  of  their  Appearance.  Fountains,  Lakes, -and  Rivers, 
"  are  as  refrefliing  to  the  Imagination,  as  to  the  Soil  through  which 
\*  they  pafs."  ,  ^^eci,  \kA.  V.  N^  387. 

X   Qmnis  copra  tiariu?fi,  HoR. 

out 


144  REFLEGTIONS    ON    A 


out  Cultivation,  this  Iweet  Garden  had  been  a  defolac^^^ 
Wildernefs.  Vile  Thiilles  had  made  it  loathfomey  and' 
tangling  Briars  inacceffible.  Without  Gukivation/.  it 
might  haye  been  a  Nefl  for  Serpents,  and  the  horrid 
Haunt  of  venomous  Creatures.  But,  the  Spade  and^ 
Pruning-knife  in  die  Hand  of  Indullryy  have  improved 
it  into  a  Sort  of  Terreftrial  Paradife. 

How  natur^Uy  does  this  lead  our  Coritemplatloriy  to' 
the  Advantages  which  flow  from  a  virtuous  Education ; 
and  the  Miferies^  which  enfue  from  the  *  Negle5f  of  it  f 
-—The  Mind,  without  early  Inftru6lion,  will,  in  all  Pro- 
bability, become  like  the  "  Vineyard  of  the  Sluggard/' 
If  left  to  the  JPropenfitieS  of  its  own  depraved  Will; 
what  can  we  exped^  but  the  moft  luxuriant  Growth  of 
unruly  Appetites ;  which)  in  Time,  will  break  forth  into 
all  Manner  of  fcandalous  Irregularities  ?  What  ?— but 
that  Anger y  like  a  prickly  Thorn,  arm  tlie  Temper  with 
an  untracbable  Morofenefs :  Peevijhnefsy  like  a  flinging 
Nettle,  render  the  Converfation  irkfome  and  forbidding  r 
iAvarice^Y)kt  fome  choaking  Weed,  teach  the  Fingers 
to  gripe,  arid  the  Hands  to  opprefs  :  Revenge ^  like  fome' 
poifonous  Plant,  replete  with  baneful  Juices,  rankle  in 
the  Breaft,  and  meditate  Mifchief  to  its  Neighbour: 
While  unbridled  LuftSy  like  Swarms  of  noifome  Infedls^ 
taint  each  rifing  Thought ;  and  render  "  every  Imagi- 
*^  nation  of  the  Heart,  only  evij  continually."— Such/ 
arc  the  ufual  Produfe  of  favage  Nature ! — Such,  the 
Furniture  of  the  uncultivated  Soul ! 

Whereas,  le;  the  Mind  be  put  under  the  "  Nur- 
«  ture  and  Admonition  of  the  Lord:*'  Let  holy  Dif- 
eipline  clear  die  Soil :  Let  facred  Inflrudtions  fow  it  v/ith- 
tiie  beft  Seed  :•  Let  Skill  and  Vigilance  drefs  the  rifing: 

*  Neih&is  urmdafiix  innafcituf  agrlu  fid R. 

Shoots 


FLOWER-GARDEN. 


'4> 


Slioots ;  dirccl  the  young  Ideas,  how  to  fpread;  the  way- 
ward PafTions,  how  to  move. — Then,  what  a  different 
State  of  the  inner  Man,  will  qiiick]y  take  place  !  Cha- 
rity will  breathe  her  Sweets,  and  Hope  expand  her  Blof- 
ioms  :  The  perjo^ial  Virtues  difplay  their  Graces,  and 
the /octal  onts  their  Fruits*:  The  Sentiments  become 
generous;  the  Carnage  endearing;  the  Life  honourable 
and  ufeful  j-. 

O !  THAT  Governors  of  Families,  and  Mafters  of 
■Schools,  would  watch,  with  a  confcientious  Solitude, 
over  the  Morals  of  their  tender  Charge  !  What  Pity  it 
is,  that  the  advancing  Generation  fhould  lofe  thefe  in- 
valuable Endowments,  through  any  Supinenefs  in  their 
Inllrudors  ! — See  !  with  what  Affiduity,  the  curious  Flo- 
rifl  attends  his  little  Nurfery  !  He  vifits  them  early  and 
late^  furnifhes  them  with  the  properefb  Mould;  fup- 
plies  them  with  fealbnable  Moifture;  guards  them  from 
the  Ravages  of  Infe6ls ;  fcreens  them  from  the  Injuries 
of  the  Weather;  marks  their  fpringing  Buds;  obferves 
them   attentively,   through  their  whole   Progrefs;    and 

*  This  Transformation  of  the  Heart,  and  Renewal  of  the  Life,  are 
-reprefented  in  Scripture,  by  Similitudes  very  nearly  allied  to  the  Images 
•ufed  above. — Goi?,  by  his  fandiifying  Spirit,  nxj ill  make  the  Sculas  a 
^watered  Garden.  Under  the  Operation  of  this  divine  Principle,  The 
Defert  [ball  rejoice y  and  blojfom  as  a  Rofe.  Wherever  it  exerts  the  re- 
fining and  ennobling  Energy,  Infiead  of  the  Thorn,  pall  co??ie  up  the 
Fir-tree  y  and,  injlead  of  the  Briar,  the  Myrtle-tree,  Jerem.  xxxi.  12. 
Ifa.  XXXV.  1.  Iv.  13. 

f  « "A  tenens  affuefcere  tanti  eft  !  V  i  R  G . 

"—  —  —  tf  ya,^  fxiy.pov  oia-^Epi,  to  iP,a:  vj  iPicji;  ti^v;  i/.  v-uv  B^i^-a-^'ai, 

^\7\a  'CTxixTTo'Av,  fAu'KKo'j  h  ro  'Zirccv.  ArisTOT. 

The  Principles  we  imbibe,  and  the  Habits  we  contraft,  in  our  early 
Years,  are  not  Matters  oi  fnail Moment ,  hut  oi X.\\q  utmoft  Confciuence 
imaginable.  They  net  only  give  a  tranfient  or  (uperficial  Tindlurc,  to 
o-'arfrft  Appearance  in  Life  ;  but  moft  commonly  ftamp  the  Form,  of 
QMT  vjhok  future  Condii<^t,  and  even  gf  our  etmnal  State. 

L  never 


J46  REFLECTIONS     ON    A 

never  Intermits  his  Anxiety,  till  he  beholds  them  blown 
into  full  Perfedtion. — And  fhall  a  Range  of  fainted 
LeaveSy  v/hich  flourifli  To-day,  and  To-morrow  fall  to 
the  Ground — Shall  thefe  be  tended,  with  more  zealous 
Application,  than  the  exalted  Faculties  of  an  immortal 
Soul! 

Yet  trull  not  in  Cultivation  alone.  It  is  the  BlefTing 
of  the  Almiglity  Hufbandman,  which  imparts  Succejs  to 
iiich  Labours  of  Love.  IF  God  "  feal  up  the  Bottles 
^^  of  Heaven,"  and  command  the  Clouds  to  with-hold 
their  Fatnefs,  the  beft  manured  Plot  becomes  a  barren 
Defart.  And  if  HE  reilrain  the  Dew  of  his  Heavenly 
Benediction,  all  human  Endeavours  mifcarry ;  the  ra-^ 
tional  Plantation  languillies  ;  our  mod  pregnant  Hopes, 
from  Youths  of  the  moil  promifing  Genius,  prove  abor- 
tive. Their  Root  "jfill  be  as  Rottennejs,  and  their  Blojfom 
will  go  up  as  Dujl  *. — Therefore,  let  Parents  plant;  let 
Tutors  water;  but  let  both  look  up  to  the  Father  ofSpi- 
ritSy  for  die  defired  Increafe. 

On  eveiy  Side,  I  efpy  feveral  budding  Flowers.  As 
yet,  they  are  like  Bales  of  Cloth  from  the  Packer's 
Warehoufe.  Each  is  wrapt  within  a  llrong  Enclofure, 
and  its  Contents  are  tied  together  by  the  firmed  Ban- 
dages* So  that  all  their  Beauties  lie  concealed,  and  all 
their  Sweets  are  locked  up. — Juil  fuch  is  the  niggardly 
Wretch  ;  whofe  Aims  are  all  turned  inward,  and  meanly 
terminated  upon  Himjelf,  Who  makes  his  own  private 
Interefls,  or  perfonal  Pleafures,  the  fole  Centre  of  his 
Defigns,  and  the  fcanty  Circumference  of  his  Adlions. 

Ere  long,  the  fearching  Beams  will  open  thefe  filken 
Folds,  and  draw  tliem  into  a  graceful  Expanfion,  Then, 
what  a  lovely  Blufli  will  glow  in  their  Cheeks;  and  what 

*  Ifa.  V.  24. 

A  balmy 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  147 

a  balmy  Odour  exhale  from  their  Bofoms! — So,  when 
Divine  Grace  fhines  upon  the  Mind,  even  the  Churl  be- 
comes bountiful.  The  Heart  of  Stone  is  taken  away  j  and 
a  Heart  of  Flefli,  a  Heart  fjfceptible  of  the  fofcefl, 
mofl  compafTionate  Emotions,  is  introduced  in  its  Stead. 
O !  how  fweetly  do  the  focial  AfTcdions  dilate  theni- 
felves,  under  fo  benign  an  Influence  !  Jufl  like  thefe 
difclofing  Gems,  under  the  powerful  Eye  of  Day.  The 
tender  Regards,  are  no  longer  confined  to  a  fmgle  Ob- 
jecl ;  but  extend  themfelves  into  a  generous  Concern  for 
Mankind,  and  fhed  liberal  Refrefliments  on  all  within 
their  Reach  *. 

Arise  then.  Thou  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs ;  arife,  with 
Healing  under  thy  Wings ;  and  transfufe  thy  gentle, 
but  penetradng  Ray,  through  all  our  intelleftual  Powers. 
Inlarge  every  narrozv  Difpofition,  and  fill  us  with  a  dif~ 
fufive  Benevolence.  Make  Room  in  our  Breafls  for 
the  whole  human  Race ;  and  teach  us  to  love  all  our 
Fellow-creatures,  for  their  amxiable  Creator's  Sake.  May 
we  be  pleafed  with  their  Excellencies,  and  rejoice  in  their 
Happinefs;  but  feel  their  Miferies  as  our  own,  and,  with 
a  Brother's  Sympathy,  haften  to  relieve  them  ! 

Disposed  at  proper  Diilances,  I  obferve  a  Range  of 
ilrong  2J[Afiately  Stalks,  They  flandlike  Towers,  along 

*  Tlie  Prophet,  defcribing  the  charitable  Temper,  very  beautifally 
fays  ;  If  ihoti  dra-iv  out  thy  Soul  to  the  Hungry  ! — This,  I  think  may 
not  improperly  be  iiluHrated  by  the  Circumftances  obferved  above. 
The  opening  of  thofe  Buds  into  a  large  and  extenfive  Spread,  is  a  pretty 
Pourtrait  of  the  Amplitude  o^  2i  generous  Heart;  which  cannot  fhut  up  its 
CompaiTion,  or  remain  unconcerned  at  any  human  Calamity.  The 
Freenefs  and  Copioufnefs,  with  which  the  expanded  Flowers  are  con- 
tinually pouring  out  their  choiceft  Eflences,  may  reprefent  the  various 
Adts  of  an  unwearied  Liberality;  together  with  thofe  endearing  Words, 
and  that  cordial  Atfeftion.  which  cnibahn,  as  it  were,  a  Gift;  double 
its  Value  ;  and  conllitute  what  the  ficred  Penman  ililes,  Drazvi/.'g  out 
the  So. I.     Y^ysj  ^'tri  Deprompferis  AvAmamtuam.     Ifa.  Iviii.  10. 

L  2  the 


148'  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

the  Walls  of  a  fortified  City  ;  or  rife  like  lofty  Spires^ 
amidfl  the  Group  of  Houfes.  They  part,  at  the  Top, 
into  feveral  penfile  fpiky  Pods.  From  each  of  which. 
We  fhall  foon  fee  a  fine  Figure  difplaying  itfelf,  rounded 
into  a  Form,  which  conftitutes  a  perfe6l  Circle ;  fpread 
wide  open,  into  the  mofi:  frank  and  communicative 
Air  ',  and  tinged  with  the  Colour,  which  is  fo  peculiarly' 
captivating  to  the  Mifer's  Eye. 

But  the  Property  I  chiefly  admire,  is  its'  pafTionate 
■  Fondnejs  for  the  Smi.  When  the  Evening  Shades  take 
place,  the  poor  Flower  droops,  and  folds  up  its  Leaves*- 
It  mourns  all  the  long  Night,  and  pines  amidfl  the 
Gloom,  like  fomie  forlorn  Lover,  banifhed  from  the 
Objed  of  his  Afredlions,  No  fooner  does  Providence 
open  ^'^  the  Eyelids  of  the  Morning,"  but  it  meets  * 
and  welcomes  tlie  returning  Lfght ;  courts  and  carelTes 
it,  all  the  Day  ;  nor  ever  lofes  Sight  of  the  refulgent 
Charmer,  fo  long  as  he  continues  above  the  Horizon  \ 
— ^In  the  Morning,  you  may  perceive  it,  prcfenting  a 
golden  Bofom  to  the  Eaft ;  at  Noon  it  points  upward^, 
to  the  middle  Sky ;  in  the  Evening  foUows  the  fame 
attraftive  Influence  to  the  Weft. 

Surely,  Nature  is  a  Book,  and  every  Page  rich 
with  facred  Hints.  To  an  attentive  Mind,  the  Garden 
turns  Treacher  s  and  its  blooming  I'enants,  are  fo  many 
lively  Sermons.  What  an  engaging  Pattern,  and  what  an 
excellent  Leffon,  have  we  here ! — Soy  let  the  Redeem- 
ed of  the  Lord  look  unto  Jesus  f ,  and  be  conformed  to 
their  Beloved.  Let  us  all  be  Heliotrope  (if  I  may  ufe 
the  Expreffion)  to  the  Sun  of  Right eoujnejs.  Let  our 
PafTions  rife  and  fall  -,  take  this  Courfe  or  that;  as  hi^ 

*  —  IJlafuinny  quatn^vis  Radice  tenetur, 

t^nrtitiir  ad  So] cm . O  V I  d  . 

f  Heb.  xii.  2, 

6  Word 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  149 

Word  determines,  as  his  holy  Example  guides.  Lee 
us  be  fo  accommodated,  both  to  his  commanding  and 
providential  Will,  as  the  Wax  is  turned  to  the  imprinted 
Seal ;  or,  as  the  Afpedl  of  this  enamoured  Flower,  to 
the  Iplendid  Star,  which  creates  our  Day. 

In  every  Enjoyment,  O  thou  v/atchful  Chriftian,  look 
unto  Jesus  ;  receive  it  as  proceeding  from  his  Love,  and 
purchafed  by  his  Agonies  *. — In  every  Tribulaticn  look 
unto  Jesus  5  mark  his  gracious  Hand,  managing  the 
Scourge,  or  mingling  the  bitter  Cup;  attempering  it  to 
a  proper  Degree  of  Severity;  adjuiling  the  Time  of  its 
Continuance;  and  ready  to  make  thefe  feeming  Difaf- 
ters,  produdive  of  real  Good. — In  every  Infirmity  and 
Failing,  look  unto  Jesus,  thy  merciful  High-Priefl; 
pleading  his  atoning  Blood,  and  making  IntercelTion  for 
TranfgrefTors. — ^In  every  Prayer  look  unto  Jesus,  thy 
prevailing  Advocate  ;  recommending  thy  Devotions,  and 
*^  bearing  the  Iniquity  of  thy  holy  Things  f." — In  every 
Temptation  look  unto  Jesus,  the  Author  of  thy  Strength, 
and  Captain  of  thy  Salvation ;  who  alone  is  able  to  lift 
up  the  Hands  which  hang  down,  to  invigorate  the  en- 
feebled Knees,  and  make  thee  more  than  Conqueror 
over  all  thy  Enemies.^ — But  efpecially,  when  the  Houro( 
thy  Departure  approaches ;  when  ^'  thy  Flefh  and  thy 
^'  Heart  fail ;"  when  all  the  Springs  of  Life  are  irrepa- 
rably breaking ;  then  look  unto  Jesu^  with  a  believing 
Eye  J,     Like  expiring  Stephen,  behold  him,  ftanding  at 

*  He  funk  beneath  our  heavy  Woes, 
To  raife  us  to  his  Throne  ; 
Xhere*s  not  a  Gift  his  Hand  bejioiv;. 

But  coji  his  Heart  a  Groan ^  Wit T  T  s. 

f  Exod.  xxviii.  38. 

X  Look  unto  ME,  and  be  ye  fhved,  all  the  Ends  of,  the  Ear:.l\     Ifa, 
jdv.  22.  1 

L  J  the 


150  REFLECTIONSONA 

the  Right-hand  of  God,  on  purpofe  to  fuccour  his  Peo- 
ple, in  this  their- laft  Extremity.  Yes,  my  Chriftian 
Friend  j  when  thy  Journey  through  Life  is  finifned,  and 
thou  art  arrived  on  the  very  Verge  of  Mortahty ;  wherx 
thou  art  juil  launching  out  into  the  invifible  World,  and 
all  before  diee  is  vail  Eternity;  Then,  O  then,  be  fure 
to  look  fcedf?ady  unto  Jesus  !  "  See  by  Faith  the 
*^  Lord's  Christ."  View  hiiiij  as  the  only  Way^^  to 
the  everlailing  ManHons ;  as  the  only  Door  j,  to  the 
Abodes  of  Bhfs. 

Yonder  Tree,  which  faces  the  South,  has  fomething 
too  remarkable,  to  pafs  v/ithout  Obfervation. — Like  the 
fruitful,  through  feeble  Vine,  She  brings  forth  a  large 
Family  of  Branches :  but,  unable  to  fupport  them  her- 
felf,  commits  them  to  the  Tuition  of  a  funny  Walk 
As  yet  the  tender  Twigs  have  fcarce  gemmed  their  future 
BlolTomxS.  Hov/ever,  I  may  anticipate  the  v/ell-known 
Produdions  3  and  pictiire  to  myfelf  the  Paffion-Flower. 
Which  will,  in  due  Time,  with  a  long  and  copious  Suc^ 
cCiTion,  adorn  the  Boughs. 

I  HAVE  read,  in  a  Latin  Author,  of  Flowers  infcribed 
with,  the  Names  of  Kings  j :  but  here  is  One,  imblazon- 
ed  with  the  Marks  of  the  bleeding  Prince  of  Life.  \ 
read,  in  the  infpired  Writings,  of  Apoflolic  Men ;  who 
bore  about  in  their  Bodies,  the  Dying  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  §:  but,  here  is  a  blooming  E^eligiojo,  that  carries 
apparent  Memorials  of  the  fame  tremendous  and  fatal 
Cataftrophe. — Who  would  have  expe6ted  to  find  fuch  a 
Tragedy  of  Woe,  exhibited  in  a  Coile6lion  of  the  moft 
dehcate  Dehghts  ?    Or  to  fee  Cahary'^  horrid   Scene^ 

*  John  xiv.  6.  f  John  x.  9. 

X   Die,  qiiihus  in  ierris  injcripti  No?nina  Regunt 

Nafcantur  F lores  r——^  "VlR-G^ 

§  2  Cor.  iv.  10, 

pourtrayed 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  151 

poiirtrayed  on  the  foftefl  Ornaments  of  the  Garden  ? — 
Is  Nature  then  adluated  by  the  noble  Ambition,  of 
paying  commtmorathe  Honours,  to  her  agonizing  So- 
vereign ?  Is  She  kindly  ofFicious  to  remind  forgetful 
Mortals,  of  that  Miracle  of  Mercy ,  which  it  is  their 
Duty  to  contemplate,  and  their  Happinefs  to  believe  ? 
— Or,  is  a  fporthe  Imagination  my  Interpreter ;  and 
all  the  fuppofed  Refemblance,  no  more  than  the  preca- 
rious Glofs  of  Fancy?  Be  it  fo:  yet  even  Fancy  has 
her  Merit,  when  fhe  fets  forth,  in  fuch  pleafmg 
Imagery,  the  crucified  Jesus.  Nor  fhall  I  refufe  a 
willing  Regard,  to  Imagination  herfelf ;  when  fhe  em- 
ploys her  creative  Powers,  to  revive  the  Senfe  of  fuch 
unparalleled  Love,  and  prompt  my  Gratitude  to  fo  di- 
vine a  Friend. 

That  fpiral  Tendril,  arifmg  from  the  Bottom  of  the 
Stalk  J  is  it  a  Reprefentation  of  the  Scourge,  which 
lafhed  the  Redeemer's  unfpotted  Flefh ;  and  infii6l:ed 
thofe  Stripes,  by  which  our  Souls  are  healed?  Or,  is  it 
twifled  for  the  Cord,  which  bound  his  Hands  in  pain- 
ful and  ignominious  Confinement  -,  thofe  beneficent 
Hands,  which  v/ere  inceffantly  ilretched  out  to  unloofe 
the  heavy  Burdens,  and  to  impart  BlefTings  of  every 
choice  Kind  ? — Behold  the  Nails,  which  were  drenched 
in  his  facred  Veins,  and  riveted  his  Feet  to  the  accurfed 
Tree :  thole  beautiful  Feet  *,  which  always  went  about 
doing  Good  -,  and  travelled  far  and  near,  to  fpread  the 
glad  Tidings  of  everlafling  Salvation. — See  the  Hammer 
ponderous  and  maffy,  v/hich  drove  the  rugged  Irons 
through  the  fhivering  Nerves  ;  and  forced  a  Palfage  for 
thofe  "dreadful  Wedges,  between   the   diHocated  Bones. 


*  Ho^  beautiful  are  the  Feet  of  him  that  hringeth  good  Tidings ,  that 
puhUjheth  Peace i  that  hringeth  good  T^'idings  ofGcod-y  that  publijketh  Sal- 
I'ation!   Ifa.  lii.  7. 

L  4  ^View 


i52  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

— View  the  Thorns y  which  incircled  our  Royal  Mailer '^ 
BroWj  and  fhot  their  keen  afHi'flive  Points  into  his  blelTed 
Head.  O  the  Smart!  the  racking  Smart!  when,  in- 
ilead  of  the  triumphal  Laurel,  or  the  odoriferous  Gar- 
land, that  pungent  and  ragged  Wreath,  was  planted  on 
the  meek  MeHiah's  Forehead !  When  violent  and  bar-, 
barous  Blows  of  the  ilrong  Eailem  Cane  *,  ilruck  the. 
prickly  Crown,  and  fixed  every  Thorn  deep  in  his^ 
throbbing  Temples  f . — There  fland  the  D ifcipks y  r singed 
in  the  green  Impalement  -,  and  forming  a  Circle,  round 
the  liiftrumxnts  of  their  great  Commander's  Death., 
They  appear  like  fo  many  faithful  Adherents,,  v/ho, 
breathe  a  gallant  Reiolution,  either  of  defending  their 
Lord  to  the  iaft  Extremity,  or  of  dropping  honourably 
by  his  Side,  But  did  they  give  fuch  Proofs  of  Zeal 
and  Fidelity  in  their  Condudr,  as  their  ileady  Pofhire^ 
and  determined  Afpecl,  feem  to  promife  ?  Alas !  what 
is  all  human  Finiiiiefs,  when  deflitute  of  Succours  from 

*  Ti'ey  tcck  the  Reed,  fays  the  facred  HiHorian,  a-ndfraote  Htm  on  the 
Head:  '"  and  fo,  as  it  were,  nailed  down  the  Thorns  into  his  Fore-. 
*•'  head  and  Temple's,  and  occafioned  thereby  exquifi'te  Pain^  as  well 
"  as  a, great  Efrufion  of  Blood."  Family  Expofiior,  Vol.  II.  Seft.  188. 
— **  It  is  ifioil  rrobable,  a^^ds  the  fame  judicious  Critic,  this  was  a  Walk- 
**  ing-Staff,  which  they  put  into  his  Hand  as  a  Sceptre  ;  for  a  i>/czy 
"  with  2ifiight  Reed  would  fca^rce  have  been  felt,  or  have  deferved  a 
"  Mention  in  a  Detail  of  fuch  dreadful  Suuerings.'*' 

f  The  Smart,  attending  this  unparalleled  Piece  of  Contempt  and 
Barbarity,  mult  be  inepcprejp.hly  fe^vere ;  not  only,  on  account  of  the 
many  painful  Punfcures  made  in  the  Fleih ;  but  principally,  becaufe 
the  Perio/feumy3.n  exquifitely  fenfiUe  Tegument  of  the  Bones;  lying, 
in  thofe  Parts,  very  near  che  external  Skin  i  snuil  receive  a  Multitude- 
of  terrible  Wounds.  The  Anguiih  of  whic^  could  not  fail  of  being 
inflamed  to  an  Excefs  of  Px.age,  by  the  Continuance  of  fo  many  thorny 
Lancets,  in  that  extrem.ely  tender  Membrane  ;  which  in  fuch  a  Cafe, 


— tremblingly  ali've  all  d^er, 
Mujl/mart  and  agonize  at  ei/ry  Fore, 


above^ 


FLOWER-GARDEN. 


531 


^bove,  but  an  cxpmng  Fapour  F  What  is  every  Saint^ 
if  unfupported  by  powerful  Grace,  but  an  abandoned 
Traitor  r — Obferve  the  Glory ^  dehncated  in  double  Rays, 
grand  with  imperial  Purple,  and  rich  with  ethereal 
Blue.  But  ah  !  how  incapable  are  Threads,  though 
fpun  by  Summer's  fineft  Hand;  though  dyed  in  Snows, 
or  dipped  in  Heaven  i  to  difplay  the  immaculate  Excel- 
lency of  his  human,  or  the  ineffable  Majefty  of  his  Di- 
vine Nature  !  Compared,  with  thefe  fublime  Perfedions, 
the  moft  'z;/i;/^  AfTemblage  of  Colours,  fades  into  an  un- 
meaning Flatnefs  -,  the  moil  charming  Effcdls  of  Light 
and  Shade,  are  not  only  mere  Daubings,  but  an  abfo- 
lute  Blank. 

Among  all  the  Beauties,  which  fhine  in  funny  Robes, 
and  fip  the  Silver  Dews ;  this,  I  think,  has  the  nohleft 
Import y  if  not  xht  fineji  Prefence,  Were  they  all  in  Re- 
view, and  expe6l  the  Award  of  Superiority  from  my 
Decifion;  I  fhould  not  hefitate  a  Moment.  Be  the  Prize 
alTigned  to  this  amiable  Candidate  ;  which  has  fo  emi- 
nently diftinguifhed,  and  fo  highly  dignified  herfelf  by 
bearing  fuch  a  remarkable  Refemblance  to  "  The  righte- 
*^  ous  Branch;  The  Plant  of  Renown  *."  While  Others 
appoint  it  a  Place  in  the  Parterre  ;  I  would  tranlplant 
the  PafTion- Flower,  or  rather  transfer  its  facred  Signifi- 
cancy,  to  my  Heart.  There  \tt  it  bloom,  both  in  Sum- 
mer and  in  Winter  ;  bloom,  in  the  mofl  impreffive  Cha- 
racters, and  with  an  undecaying  Lullre.  That  I  alfo 
m.ay  wear— wear  on  my  very  Soul,  the  Traces  of  Im- 
MANUEL  ;  pierced  for  my  Sins,  and  bruifed  for  my 
TranfgrefTions.  That  I  alfo  may  he  crucified  with 
Christ  f  ;  at  lead  in  penitential  Remorfe,  and  affec- 
tionate Sympathy.     That  I  may  know  the  Fellowjhip  of 

*  So  the  blefled  Jesus  is  defcribed,  Jerem.  xxiii.  5.  Ezek.xxxiv.  29,' 

f  Gal.  ii.  20. 


i;4  REFLECTIONS     ON     A 

Ih  Siifferings  *  ;  and  feel  all  my  evil  Affedions,  wounded 
1)y  his  Agonies,  mortified  by  his  Death. 

There  is  another  Subjedl  of  tJie  verdant  Kingdom, 
which,  on  Account  of  its  very  uncommon  Qualities, 
demands  my  particular  Notice.  One,  fo  extremely 
diffident  in  her  Difpofidon,  and  delicate  in  her  Condi- 
lutioni  that  She  dares  not  venture  herfclf  abroad  in  the 
open  Air :  but  is  nurfed  up  in  die  Warmth  of  a  Hot-bed y 
and  lives  cioillered  in  the  Cells  of  a  Greeii^honfe.  But, 
the  mod  curious  Peculiarity  is,  That  of  all  her  kin- 
dred  Species,  flie  alone  partakes  of  ^perceptive  Life  ;  at 
leail:  advances  neareft  to  this  more  exalted  State  of  Be- 
ing ;  and  may  be  looked  upon  as  the  Link,  which  con- 
nedis  the  animal  and  the  vegetable  World.  A  Stranger^ 
obferving  her  Modons,  would  almoft  be  induced  to 
fufpe^l ;  that  flie  is  endi?ed  with  fomc  inferior  Degrees 
of  Confcioufnefs  and  Caution.  For,  if  You  offer  to 
Jiandle  diis  Senfitive  Planty  flie  immediately  takes  an 
^.larm  j  haftily  contrads  her  Fibres  ;  and,  like  a  Perfon 
mider  Apprehenfions  of  Violence,  'ivithdra-ws  from  your 
Fingev,  in  a  Kind  of  precipitate.  D//cr^d?r.  Perhaps,  dicr 
Beauty  of  her  Afpeft  might  be  fullied,  or  the  Nicenefs 
of  her  Texture  difcompofed,  by  the  human  Touch, 
Therefore,  like  a  coy  Virgin,  flie  recedes  from  all  un- 
becoming Familiarities  i  and  will  admit  no  fuch  impro- 
per, if  not  pernicious.  Freedoms. 

Whatever  be  the  Caufc  of  diis  unufual  Eifed: ; 
it  iiiggefts  an  infl:ru6live  Admonition  to  the  Chrillian. 
Such  ihouid  be  our  apprehenfive  timorous  Care,  with 
Jlegard  to  Sin  y  and  all,  even  the  mofl  diflant,  Ap- 
proaches of  Vice.  Sq  fliould  we  avoid  the  very  Ap- 
pcarance  of  Evil,  and  fland  aloof  from  every  Occafion 
pf  falling. — If  Sinners  entice  ;   if  forbidden  Pleafures 

*  Phil.  iii.  lb. 

tempt  i 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  155 

tempt;  or  if  Opportunity  beckon,  with  the  Gain  of  In- 
juflice  in  her  Hand :  O  !  turn  from  tlie  gilded  Snare  ; 
touch  not  the  beauteous  Bane ;  but  fly,  fiy  with  Hafle, 
fly  without  any  Delay,  from  the  bewitching  Ruin. — Does 
ylnger  draw  near  v/ith  her  lighted  Torch,  to  kindle  the 
Flame  of  Refentment  in  our  Breads  ?  Does  Flattery  ply 
our  Ears,  with  her  inchanting  and  intoxicating  Whif- 
pers  ?  Would  D'lf content  lay  her  leaden  Hand  upon  our 
Temper,  and  mould  into  our  Minds  her  four  Leaven  ; 
in  order  to  m.ake  Us  a  Burden  to  ourfelves,  and  un- 
amiable  to  Others  ?  Inflantly  let  us  divert  our  Attention 
from  the  dangerous  Objects  ;  and  not  fo  much  endeavour 
to  antidote,  as  to  Jhun,  the  moral  Contagion.  Let  us 
revolve  in  our  Meditations,  that  v/onderful  Meeknejs  of 
our  diftrefTed  Mafrer ;  which,  amidft  the  moft  abufive 
^nd  provoking  Infuks,  miaintained  an  uniform  Tenour 
of  unfhaken  Serenity.  Let  us  contemplate  that  prodi>- 
gious  Humiliation  ;  which  brought  Him,  from  an  infinite 
Height  above  all  Worlds,  to  make  liis  Bed  in  the  Dufl 
of  Death.  Let  us  footh  our  jarring,  our  uneafy  PafTions, 
with  the  Remembrance  of  tlmt  Chearfuinefs  and  Refigna- 
$ion  i  which  rendered  him,  in  the  deepeft  Poverty,  un- 
fcignedly  thankful;  and,  under  the  heaviefl  Tribulations, 
piofl  fubmiflively  patient. 

Harbour  not,  on  any  Confideratlon,  the  Betrayer 
of 'your  Virtue.  Be  deaf,  inflexibly  deaf,  to  every  be- 
guiling Solicitation.  If  it  obtrude  into  the  unguarded 
Heart ;  give  it  Entertainment,  no,  not  for  a  Moment. 
To  parley  with  the  Enemy,  is  to  open  a  Door  for 
Deftru(5tion.  Our  Safety  confifts  in  Flight:  and,  in 
this  Cafe,  Sufpicion  is  the  trued  Prudence ;  Fear,  the 
greated  Bravery. — Play  not  on  the  Brink  of  the  Pre- 
cipice. Flutter  not  round  the  Edges  of  the  Flame. 
Pally  not  with  the  Stings  of  Death.  But  rejedl,  with 
a  becoming  Mi};tLire  of  Solicitude  and  Abhorrence,  the 

very 


155'  REFLECTIONS    ON     A 

Ttry  nrCt  Lifiauadons  of  Liiquity  :  as  caudouily,  as  the 

^0sr:h:^  Sire  ihrinks  even  Irom  the  Icfteil  Hand ;  as 

conilrindyi  as  d::-  '":■'■' «  ^^*--/  recoils  at  die  approach-^- 

Eg  Touch  *. 

Not  lofig  ago,  ^tfc  curious  Prodisfdons  of  the 
Spring,  Were  cc^irj's  and  mil- ihapea  Rccts,  Had  we 
cpsned  d:^  Eardi,  and  beheld  diem  m  dieir  Seed,  how 
oictKidi  and  contempdble  had  dieir  Appearance  been  ! 
Bat  Dow^  d^y  are  die  Boail  of  Nanire  i  die  Delight 
c^*  the  Sons  of  Men ;  finilhed  Patterns  for  Enamelling 
ssi  Embfckiery ;  ontiiiinmg  even  d*\e  happieil  Strokes 
<£  die  Pencil.  Ther  are  taught  to  bloc-m,  but  with  a 
Tcry  inierior  LAiftre  j>  in  the  ncheft  Tapeibies,  and 

♦  TBe  Propbet  LhisB,  in  an  elegant  and  Ih-dy  Deicriptk>ii  of  tlie 
i^;^^*  }>Ia^,  Uys  Hch^'th  Hs  H^as /rtx  heidix^  cf  Bril^cT ;  and,  I 
•■ay  zdc,  frcEi  prttftinng  2Jir  Kind  of  Iniquky.  Tfig  laisge,  esceeii- 
i^fy  ^rifit^I,  iad  eq^-T  exprE£Y:2:,  both  iilnftraics  znd  eTifbrce> 
^  D;>irrrise  ©f  ihi?  \^hole  Sec^n. — Skskfih  his  Hcmds  ;  jmr  25  a  Per- 
ioc  \rc?BM  <^.,  wkD  happens  to  hzve  hztrxizr  Ccah  bIL  hso  im  Lap,  or 
fenc  -r/zrjefxj-  Cr^£r3j-s  ^eniag  cpcn  hjs  Fklb.  la  ibch  a  Cafe,  none 
w^e  f-2i:i  a  Moment  to  coTrfrrigr,  er  to  debate  with  HimiHf  the  Ex- 
fcdkacy  cf  tse  TkiB».  He  wsJ^d  infep-tly  Sfug^  or  the  pemkiocs 
facrmbrLr-ce  :  iniaiiily  eiideavcor  to  diizngiy^  Hisnelf,  tiom  the- 
<EzpTg  ML'dnef. — I/c.  xxjdii.  15. 

I  £<.Te  repreierited  the  Danger,  of  cot  extJEgciuiing  izniaedfgtrf^F 
t^  %; iTT  ^t-r?  Srarki  zy£ TemptarioH,  in  a  A'sjiet}'  cf  Views,  Becnnfe  a 
jrtiper  Behiric-zr,  in  this  CoDTJECture,  is  of  fuch  v^l  Importance  ta 
^  Pciin-,  the  Saferv,  tud  the  Comfort  cf  onr  ?Jinc.5. — Becaufs,  I 
kid  taei#^lfrr«^  m  my  Eye ;  who,  deterdr.g  h£^  PapiL^  frcm  the 
^^eftiic  Wicked,  cxies;  viih  an  Air  cf  dssp  Coecem,  and  in  the 
Laaf^^gc  of  T^hemeEtlmportanity,  cries;  J^vtidif ;  pcfs  rs.*  h  -.' ;  titm. 
frtx.  h  ;  mmdfafs  g^xaj,  Hov  ftrongly  is  the  Cocnfei  urged,  by  being' 
§D  'rr^mes*^  repeated ;  in  fsch  a  resnaik.ihle  Di-vrrJ^  of  conciie  z.ihi 
3^ccpt,coiiie^^e&^  of  forc2>leand  picfing  Admcniiions !  Prz-j.  iv.  15  » 

f   Tke  Covffip  fcn:e5  in  hrigl*fer  TeZ^^  ^:::^y 
Tkaa  tbati^ack  veils  the  cahil  Virgin's  Brea^ : 

■   Afcz^rr  Rid  ihnd>  blt^iing  in  rhe  Rofe, 
Tli£ii  th*:  "B^hich  ca  the  BrldegrcQ^i's  V^f^xent  Sows. 

moix 


# 


a  -  G  A  R  D  E  N*. 


»n 


% 


inoft  inagmnccn:  Art  ntver  atrempts   to  epi/J 

thnr  -—--'  '  '^<}  bic:  places  ail  her  JVkfiij 

In  r  t  CV!^?maI$.     Even  tiiK^ 

who  glitter  in  S:  '^^og  is  of  wiou^k. 

Geld;  arc  defir  al  Omaoiencs^ 

from  a   Spng  c:      ^^   ,    -.    _        .:  AStnAh^^f 

Pmkf. 

What  a  fine  Idea  may  we  »3nii,  nipin  hence,  rf 
the  Refwrrer:-,/*.  of  the  7»A  and  the  State  <rf  tiicir  i»- 
animated  Bcxiie:  !  As  the  Roots  e-i^en  cf  owr  rknioff- 
Fiowers,  when  depoiired  iri  the  Grcarxi,  are  nadc  and 
iingracefui  5  bur,  Ti-her*  thty  fpring  up  into  1^x>!IH]^ 
Life,  are  mcfc  elegant  and  fpleiidid ;  ic,  tfcc  Fkih  of  a 
Saint,  V.  hen  conunined  to  tne  Diiir,  alas !  what  is  k  ? 
A  Heap  or  CorrupiioG :  a  Mais  of  pjticft-ing  Ciar. 
But,  when  it  obeys  the  great  Ar:  ^  Cail,  and 

Harts  into  a  new  F.xiflenct  j  wLat  ar. :... ,.„.iiir.g  Cha:^ 
enfues !  AViiat  a  iroft  ennobiic^  InrproYemep-t  talies 
pkce  ! — That  wiiich  was  fown  in  Wetdaujs^  is  rai^  ia 
aE  the  Vi^-acity  of  Pcxer,  ThsLZ  wticli  was  fown  ia 
Dsfcrmltyj  is  railed  Li  die  Bloom  of  cekftial  Binuty, 
txaked,  refined,  and  glorined,  ;r  Tidll  fhine  ^^  as  ti^ 
'•  Erightnels  of  i£j:  Finranjem,"  when  it  daits  die  ini- 
!~  *  Blue,  tLnK^  die  Fkcccsp— the  fboirjr  Fkcccs 
;  leaving  Cloud. 

FzAR  not,  then,  thou  ^tfaful  Cfarifiian ;  fear  not,  ^ 
the  appointed  Time,  co  deicend  into  the  Tomb.  Tfcy 
Szul  thou  mayefl  trufb  Trith  tfaf  (Knnrooten:  Redeemer, 
who  is  Lord  of  the  ucieen  World ;  *^  Who  lias  the 
"  Keys  of  HeH,  and  cf  Death."  Mofl:  lafely  maydl 
thou  n-iiil  thy  better  Part,  b  ^-ofc  beocScent  Hands, 
which  were  pierced  wirh  Naiis,  and  h&Sii^A  to  the  ^;ao- 
minious  Tree,  ix)r  thy  Salvadcn. — With  regard  to  thy 
earthlj  Tahenuule^  'oe  not  dilhiayed.  It  is  taken  dofwn, 
only  to  be  rebuilt  upmi  a  divLier  Plan,  and  ia  a  mofe 

l^veniy 


158  REFLECTIONS     OK    A 

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  fliort  Confinement,  to  endlefs  Liberty. 
If  it  falls  into  DifTolution,  it  is  in  order  to  rife  more 
illuflrious  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  Lamentafmt,  for  thefe  lovelieft  Produ6tions  of 
the  vegetable  World. — For,  I  forefee  their  approaching 
Doom.  Yet  a  httle  while,  and  all  thefe  pleafmg  Scenes 
vanifh.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  all  the  Sweets  of  tHe 
breathing,  all  the  Beauties  of  the  blooming  Spring,  ar^ 
no  more.  Every  one  of  thefe  amiable  Forms,  mufl  be 
Ihriveled  to  Deformity,  and  trodden  to  the  Earth. — 
Significant  Refemblance  this,  of  all  created  Beauty.  ^11 
Flejh  is  Grafs ;  like  the  green  Herbage,  liable  and  prone 
to  fade.  Nay,  all  the  Goodlinefs  thereof y  its  fineft  Ac- 
complifhments  and  what  the  World  univerfally  admires, 
is  as  the  Flower  of  the  Field  * ;  which  lofes  its  Glofs, 
deca/s  and  perilhes,  more  fpeedily  than  the  Grafs  it^ 
felf.— -Behold  then,  ye  brighteft  among  the  Daughters  • 
of  Eve ',  behold  yourfelves,  in  this  Glafs.  See  the 
Charms  of  your  Perfon  eclipfcd,  by  the  Luilre  of  thefe 
little  Flowers ;  and  the  Frailty  of  your  State  reprefent- 
ed,  f  by  their  tranfient  Glories*     A  Fever  may  fcorch 

thofe 

*  Ha.  xl.  6. 

■f-   Kai  TO  ^ooov  xaXox  £rt»  i'-on  o  yjovo^  avla  [xafaifih* 
Koti  TO  jov  y.a,?\oy  £r<»  £"  aotff,   x^  Tap/y  7")p<Jt* 
Aeyxov  To  xpivov  Ef*,  fAaponvilui  aviKX  'sriTTl'/j* 
A  06  ;^tfc'v  Aeyxa,   y.at  Taazlcx.i  arsxa  «<ra;)/9r,* 
K«t  xaA^oj  xaXov  £r»  To  'SS'aiOiKOv,  a>^   aXtyov  Qr), 

The  Reader  will  excufe  me,  if  I  imitate,  rather  than  tra^ijlate,  thefe 
Lines  from  Theocritus.  If  I  vary  one  Image,  add  anotherj  and  give  a 
new  Turn  to  the  whole. 

Whai 


FLOWER-GARDEN. 


59 


thofe  polIfKed  Veins  ;  a  Confumption  may  emaciate  the 
dimpling  Cheeks  ;  and  a  Load  of  iinexpeded  Sorrows, 
deprefs  thofe  lively  Spirits.  Or  fhould  thefe  Difafters, 
in  Pity,  fpare  the  tender  Frame ;  yet  Age,  inexorable 
Age  and  Wrinkles,  will  alTuredly  come  at  lafl ;  will 
wither  all  the  fine  Features,  and  blafl  every  fprightly 
Grace. 

Then,  ye  Fah'^  when  thofe  fparkling  Eyes  are  dark- 
ened, and  fmlv  in  their  Orbs ;  when  they  are  rolling  In 
Agonies,  or  fwimming  in  Death  ;  How  will  you  fufbain 
the  Affli6tion  ?  How  will  you  repair  the  Lofs  ? — Apply 
your  Thoughts  to  Religion,  Attend  to  die  0)ie  IVtni 
needful.     Beheve  in,   and  imitate,    the    blefled  Jesus, 

When  Snows  defcend,  and  robe  the  Fields 

In  Winter'' s  bright  Array  ; 
Touch'd  by  the  Sun,  the  Luftre  fades. 

And  weeps  itfelf  away. 

When  Spring  appears ;  when  Violets  blow. 

And  fned  a  rich  Perfume  ;  ' 

How  foon  the  Fragrance  breathes  its  laft  ! 
How  (hort-liv'd  is  the  Bloom  1 

Frefh  in  the  Morn,  the  Summer  Rofe 

Hangs  withering  ere  'tis  Noon  ; 
We  fcarce  enjoy  the  balmy  Gift, 

But  mourn  the  Pleafure  gone. 

With  gliding  Fire,  an  Evening  Star 

Streaks  the  Autumnal  Skies ; 
Shook  from  the  Sphere,  it  darts  away^ 

And,  in  an  Inilant,  dies. 

Such  are  the  Charms,  that  flufh  the  CheeJc, 

And  iparkle  in  the  Eye  : 
So,  from  the  lovely  finiihed  Form 

The  tranfient  Graces  fly. 

To  this  the  Seafons,  as  they  roll. 

Their  Atteftation  bring  : 
They  warn  the  Fair ;  their  ev'ry  Round 

Confirms  tiie  Truth  I  fmg. 

Then 


l6(5  kEFLEGflONSdlSfA 

*rhen  fhall  your  Souls  mount  tip  to  the  Realms  of  Hap^ 
pinefs ;  when  the  well  proportioned  Clay,  is  mingling"^ 
v/ith  its  mean  Original-.  The  Light  of  God's  Counter 
nance  v/ill  irradiate,  with  matchlefs  and  confummate 
Perfeftion,  all  their  exalted  FaculdeSi  Cleanfed  intirely 
from  every  Dreg  of  Corruption^  like  fome  unfullied 
Mirror,  they  will  refledl  the  complete  Image  of  their 
Creator's  Holinefs.^ — O !  that  you  would  thus  drefs  your 
Minds,  and  prepare  for  the  immortal  State  !  Thcn^ 
from  iliining  among  your  Fellow-creatures  on  Earthy 
you  fliall  be  tranflated;i  to  fhine  around  the  Throne  of 
God.  Then,  from  being  the  Sweeteners  of  our  Lifei 
and  the  Delight  of  our  Eyes,  here  below ;  you  fliall 
pafs,  by  an  eafy  Tranfition,  into  Angels  of  Light ;  and 
become,  *'  an  everlafting  Excellency,  the  Joy  of  ali 
*'  Generations." 

TES ;  Te  flowery  NattGns^  Te  mufl;  all  ^^^^j.— Yon- 
der Lily,  that  looks  like  the  Queen  of  the  gay  Crea- 
tion— See,  how  grat:efully  it  erects  its  majeftic  Head  ! 
What  an  Air  of  Dignity  and  Grandeur  ennobles  its 
Afpecl !  For  elevated  Mien,  as  well  as  for  incompara^ 
ble  Luftre,  juilly  may  it  be  preferred  to  the  magnificent 
Monarch  of  the  Eaft  *.  But,  all  flately  and  charming 
as  it  is^  it  will  hardly  furvive,  a  few  more  Days.  That 
tinfpotted  Whitenefs,  mufl:  quickly  be  tarnifhed  -,  and 
the  fnowy  Form,  defiled  in  the  Dull. 

As  the  Lily  pleafes,  with  the  noble  Simplicity  of  its 
Appearance  j  the  Tulip  is  admired,  for  the  Gaiety  and 
Multiplicity  of  its  Colours.  Never  was  Cup,  eithef 
painted,  or  enamelled,  Avith  fuch  a  Profufion  of  Dyes. 
Its  Tinges  are  fo  glowing  5  its  Contrafts  fo  llrong  j  and 
'the  Arrangement  of  them  both,  fo  elegant  and  artfdl ! 
— Twas  lately  the  Pride  of  the  Border,  and  the  reign- 


*  Mat.  vi.  29, 


ing 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  461 

ing  Beauty  of  the  delightful  Seafun.  As  cxquifitely  fine 
as  the  Rainbow,  and  almofl  as  extremely  tranfient.  It 
fpread,  for  a  little  Moment,  its  glittering  Plumage  ;  buc 
has,  now,  laid  all  its  variegated  and  fuperior  Honours 
down.  Thole  radiant  Stripes  are  blended,  alas  !  rudely 
blended  with  common  Mould, 

To  a  gracefTil  Shape,  and  blooming  Complexion,  die 
Rofe  adds  the  moil  agreeable  Perfume.  Our  Noflrils 
make  it  repeated  Vifits,  and  are  never  woary  of  drink- 
ing in  its  Sweets.  A  Fragrance,  fo  peculiarly  rich  and 
reviving,  tranfpires  from  its  opening  Tufts;  that  every 
one  covets  its  Acquaintance.  How  have  I  feen  even 
the  accomplifhed  Charijfa,  for  whom  fo  many  Votaries 
languifh,  fondly  careiling  this  little  Flower  !  That  love- 
ly Bofom,  which  is  the  Seat  of  Innocence  and  Virtue  ; 
whofe  leaft  Excellency  it  is,  to  rival  the  Delicacy  of  the 
pureil  Snows  j  am.ong  a  thoufand  Charms  of  its  own, 
thinks  it  pofTible  to  adopt  another  from  the  Damafk 
Rofe-bud. — Yet,  even  this  univerfal  Favourite  mull  fail. 
Its  native  Balm  cannot  preferve  it  from  Putrefaction, 
Soon,  foon,  mull  it  refign  all  thofe  endearing  Qualities  ; 
and  hang  neglecled  on  its  Stem,  or  drop  defpiled  to  the 
Ground. 

One  could  wifh,  m.ethinks,  thefe  moil  amiable  of 
the  inanimate  Race,  a  longer  Exifrence  :  But  in  vain. 
They/^^d-,  almofl  as  foon  as  xYicy  flcurijh.  Witliin  lefs 
than  a  Month>  their  Glories  are  exdndl.  Let  the  Sun 
take  a  few  more  Journeys  through  the  Sky ;  then  vific 
this  inchanting  Walk  -,  and  you  v/ill  find  nothing,  but 
a  wretched  Wildernefs  of  ragged  or  naked  Stalks. — 
But  (my  Soul  exults  in  the  Thought)  the  Garni sr.t  of 
celeilial  Glcry^  which  fliall  ere  long  array  the  reanimated 
Body,  will  never  wax  old.  The  iiluftrious  Robes  of  a 
Saviour's  confiimmate  Rigbtcoufnefs,  which  even  now 
adorn  the  juftined  Spirit,  are  incorruptible  and  immor- 

M  taL 


i62  REFLECTIONS    ON    A 

tal.  No  Moth  can  corrode  their  Texture  -,  no  Num- 
ber of  Ages  fully  their  Brightnefs.  The  Light  of  Day 
mav  be  quenched^  and  all  the  Stars  fink  in  Obfcurity ; 
but,  the  Honours  of  "  Juft  Men  made  perfe6l,"  are 
iiibie6"t  to  no  Diminution.  Inextniguiiliable  and  un- 
fading, is  the  Luftre  of  tlieir  Crown. 

TES  ;  Te  Jloivery  Nations^  2>  miift  all  decay. — Win- 
ter, like  fome  enraged  and  irrcfiftible  Conqueror,  that 
carries  Fire  and  Sword,  where-ever  he  advances  :  that 
demolillies   Towns ;    depopulates    Countries ;    fpreads 
Slaughter  and  Defolation,  on  every  Side — So,  juft  fo, 
will  Winter^  with  his  favage  and  unrelenting  Blafts,  in- 
vade this  beautiful  Profpedl.    The  Storms  are  gathering, 
and  the  Tempells  muftcring  their  Rage,  to  tall  upon  the 
Vegetable  Kingdoms.     They  will  ravage  tlirough  th« 
Dominions  of  Nature  -,  and  plunder  her  Riches,  and  lay 
Avafte  her  Charms. — Then,  ye  Trees,  muft  ye  fland  flript 
of  your  verdant  Apparel  -,   and,  ye  Fields,  be  fpoiled  of 
vour  waving  Treafures.     Then  the  Earth,  difrobed   of 
all  her  gay  Attire,  mud  fit  in  Sables,  like  a  difconiblate 
Widow.     The   Sun  too,  who  now  rides  in   Triumph 
round  the  World,  and  fcatters   Gaiety  from  his  radiand 
Eye,  vAa\  then  look  faintly  from  the  Windov/s  of  the 
•  South  ;    and,   cafbing  a   iliort  Glance  on  our  deje^led 
Work],  will  leave  us  to  the  uncomfortable  Gloom  of  tedi- 
ous  Niglits. — Then,  tliefe  pretty  Chorifters  of  th^  Jir^ 
\\\]\  cliant  no  more  to  the  gentle  Gales,     The  Lark,  die 
Tinnet,  and  all  the  feathered  Songllers,  abandon  their 
Nott^s,   and  indulge  their  Woes.     T'he  Harmony  of  die 
Woods  is  at  an  End  i  and  Silence,   (unlels  it  be  ij?iter- 
•rupted  by  howling  Winds)  a   fjllen  Silence,  fits  brood- 
ing upon  the  Boughs ;  which  are  nov/  made  vocal,  by  a 
thcufand  warbling  Throats. 

.     Bt-T   (fwcet  Recollec?don !  ravifliing  Expectation  !) 
die  Scr.'^s  of  t-ainis  in  lio-lit,  jicvcr  ada^it  a  Paude  for 

Sadii^lii- 


FLOWER-GARDEN,  i6j 

Sadnefs.  All  Heaven  v/Ill  refound  with  the  Melody 
of  their  Gratitude  -,  and  aH  Eternity  echo  to  their  trium- 
phant Acclamations.  The  Hallelujahs  of  that  World  ; 
and  the  harmonious  Joy  of  its  Inhabitants ;  will  be  as 
lafling,  as  the  Divine  Perfeflions,  they  celebrate — Come 
tlien^  Holy  Love,  and  tuns  my  Hearty  defcend,  Ccleilial 
Fire,  and  touch  my  Tongue ;  that  I  may  fland  ready  to 
flrike  up,  and  bear  my  Part,  in  that  great  Hofanna,  that 
everlaiting  Hymn. 

TES',  yes,  Tejlozvery  Nations ,  Te  muft  all  decay. — 
And,  indeed,  could  you  add  the  Strength  of  an  Oak,  or 
the  Stability  of  a  Pyramid*,  to  all  theDehcacy  of  your 
Texture  ;  yet  fhort,  exceeding  fhort,  even  then,  would 
your  Duration  be.  For  IJee,  that  all  Things  come  to  an 
End.  The  Pillars  of  Nature  are  tottering.  The  Founda- 
tions of  the  round  World  are  falling  away.  ^'  The  Hea- 
*'^  vens  themfelves  wax  old  like  a  Garment." — But,  amidil 
thefe  Views  of  general  Ruin,  H^re  is  our  Refuge;  This 
is  our  Confolation ;  We  know,  that  our  Redeemer  liveth. 
Thy  Years,  blefled  Jesus,  fliall  not  fail.     From  Ever- 


*  I  know  not  any  Performance,  in  which  the  tranf.tcry  Nature,  of 
thefe  moil  diirable  Monuments  of  human  Grandeurj  is  liinted  with 
fuch  a  model!:  Air  of  Inftradlion  ;  or  their  hideous  Ruin  defcribedj  in 
<ucha  Pomp  of  pleafmg  Horror ;  as  in  a  fmall,  but  folemn,  picturefque, 
and  majeftic  Poem,  intitled — The  Ruiks  of  Rome,  written  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Dyer.  Whom  the  Reader  (if  he  has  the  Pleafure  of  peru- 
fmg  that  beautiful  Piece)  will  eafily  perceive,  to  have  taken  his 
Draughts  from  the  Originals  themfelves  ;  as  nothing  but  the  Sivht  of 
thofe  magnificent  Remains,  could  have  infpired  his  Lines  with  fuch 
Vivacity. — As  a  Specimen  of  the  Work,  and  a  Confirmation  of  the  Re- 
maik  fuggellcd  above,  I  take  Leave  to  tranfcribe  the  following  PalTage : 


'The  PiUri??f  oft. 


At  dead  of  Night ,  mid  his  Oraifon  hears 
Aghajl  the  Voice  of  Time,  difbarting  To'w^rs^ 
Tumhlpig  all  precipitate  dc-xvn  dajhed, 
Raiiling  around,  loud  thund''ring  ts  the  Mcor, 


M  2  lading 


164.  REFLECTIONS     O  N"   A 

lailing  to  Everlafllng,  Thou  art  ilill  the  fame  ;  the  fame 
moil  excellent  and  adorable  Perfon  >  the  fame  omnipo- 
tent and  faithful  Friend ;  the  fame  all-lufHcient  and  in- 
eflimable  Portion.  O  !  may  we  but  partake  of -thy  Me- 
rits ;  be  fandtified  by  thy  Grace ;  and  received  into  thy 
Glory  '.—Then  perilh,  if  ye  will,  all  inferior  Delights, 
Let  all  that  hjplendid  in  the  Skies,  expire  ;  and  all  that 
is  amiable  in  Nature,  be  expunged.  Let  the  whole  Ex- 
tent of  Creation,  be  turned  again  into  one  undiflinguifh- 
able  Voidi  one  univerfal  Blank. — Yet,  if  Goq  be  ours, 
we  fhail  have  enough.  If  God  be  ours,  we  Ihall  have  all, 
and  abound  *.  All  that  our  Circumftances  can  want,  or 
our,  Wilhes  crave,  to  make  us  inconceivably  blefled  and 
happy.  BleiTed  and  happy,  not  only  through  this  little 
Interval  of  Time,  but  through  the  unmeafureable  Revo- 
lutions of  Eternity. 

The  Sun  is,  now,  come  forth  in  his  Strength;  and 
beats  fitrcely,  upon  my  throbbing  Pulfe. — Let  me  re- 
tire to  yonder  inviting  Arhour,  There,  the  Woodbines 
retain  the  lucid  Drop  \  there,  the  J e {famines,  which  line 
the  verdant  Alcove,  are  ftill  impearled,  and  delicioufly 
^et  with  Dews. — ^\^'^elcome,  ye  refrejhing  Shades  !  1  feel, 
I  feel,  your  chearing  Influence.  My  languid  Spirits  re- 
vive ;  the  flackened  Sinews  are  new  llrung ;  and  Lif« 
bounds  brin<:er,  through  all  her  crimfon  Channela. 

Reclined  on  this  mofly  Couch;  and  furrounded  by 
Uiis  fragrant  Coldnefs  ;  let  me  renew  my  Afpirations,  to 
die  ever-prefent  Deity.  Here,  let  me  remember,  and 
imitate,  the  pious  Jugi(ftine,  and  his  Mother  Manka, 
Who,  being  engaged  in  Difcourfe  on  the  Beauties  of  the 
vllible  Creation;  rofe,  by  thefe  Ladders,  to  the  Glories 

*  Hie  Hand  the  gocd  Man  faftcns  on  the  Skie^, 

[le  Whirl 
N<ikt  noughts,  N^  IV, 

of 


FLOWER-G  ARDEN.  165 

of  the  invifible  State.  Till  they  were  Infpired  with  the 
moft  affe^ingSenfe,o{t\\t\r  lupereiriinent  Excellency;  and 
adtuated  with  the  moll  ardent  Breathings,  after  their  full 
Enjoyment.  Infomuch,  that  they  were  almoft  rapt  up 
into  the  BHfs  they  contemplated;  and  fcarce  "  knew  whe- 
"  ther  they  were  in  the  Body,  or  out  of  the  Body." 

When  Tempejls  tols  the  Ocean  :  when  plaintive  Sig- 
nals of  Diftrefs,  are  heard  from  the  bellowing  Deep  ; 
and  melancholy  Tokens  of  Shipwreck,  come  floating 
on  the  foaming  Surge  ;  then,  how  delightful  to  fland 
fafe  on  Shore,  and  hug  one's  felf  in  confcious  Security  *] 
— When  a  Glut  of  Waters,  burfls  from  fome  might)' 
Torrent;  ruflies  headlong  over  all  the  neio^hbourins: 
Plains;  fweeps  away  the  helplefs  Cattle  ;  and  drives  the 
affrighted  Shepherd  from  his  Hut :  then,  from  the  Top 
of  a  diftant  Eminence,  to  defcry  the  Danger,  we  need 
not  fear ;  how  pleafmg  ! — Such,  methinks,  is  my  -pre-^ 
Jent  Situation,  For,  now,  the  Sun  blazes  from  on  high  : 
The  Air  glows  with  his  Fire  :  The  Fields  are  rent  with 
Chinks  :  The  Roads  are  fcorched  to  Duft  :  The  Woods 
feem  to  contra6l  a  fickly  Afpedl,  and  a  rulTet  Hue  : 
The  Traveller,  broiled  as  he  rides,  hallens  to  his  Inn, 
and  intermits  his  Journey :  The  Labourer,  bathed  in 
Sweat,  drops  the  Scythe,  and  defiils  from  his  Work : 
The  Cattle  flee  to  fome  fhady  Covert,  or  elfe  pant  and 
tofs  under  the  burning  Noon.  Even  the  Ihibborn  Rock, 
fmit  with  the  piercing  Beams,  is  ready  to  cleave.  All 
Things  languijh,  beneath  the  dazzling  Deluge-^-While  I 

*  As  Lucretius  gave  \\\q  Hint  for  thefe  Ohfervations ;  fo  Ke  afljgns 
tKe  Reafon  of  the  Pleafure  fpeciiied.  It  arifes,  not  from  the  Confide- 
ration  of  Anoiker^s  Mif:ry  ;  this  would  argue  the  ranked  Malevolence  : 
but  from  the  agreeable  Contemplation  of  our  cnKin  perfonal  Safety. 
Which,  while  We  view  Circumftances,  that  are  pernicious  to  Others, 
but  harmlefs  to  Ourfelves,  is  not  a  little  heightened  by  the  Contrail. 
Stfa-vn  Mari  magna,  &c.  . 

M  3  ih;iU 


$66  REFLlECTtONS    ON    A 

fhall  enjoy  a  cool  Hour,  and  calm  Refledtion ;  amidft  the 
Gloom  of  this  bowery  Recefs,  which  fcarce  admits  one 
Speck  of  Sunfnine. 

Thus,  may  both  the  Flock,  and  their  Shepherd, 
dwell  beneath  the  Defence  of  the  Mcjf  Highy  a^id  abide  under 
the  Shadow  of  the  Almighty  *.  Then,  though  f  the  Pef- 
iilence  walketh  in  Darknefs,  and  the  Sicknefs  deftroyeth 
at  Noon-day  ;  though  Thoufands  fall  befide  us,  and  ten 
Thoufands  at  our  Right-hand;  we  need  fear  no  Evil, 
Either,  the  defbroying  Angel  Ihall  pafs  over  our  Houfes; 
or  elfe.  He  fnall  difpenfe  the  Corre6tions  of  a  Friend, 
not  the  Scourges  of  an  Enemy;  which,  inftead  of  hurt- 
ing'us,  ill  all  work  for  our  Good. — Then,  though  Pro^ 
fanenejs  and  Infidelity ^  far  more  malignant  Evils,  breathe 
deadly  Contagion,  and  taint  the  Morals  of  Multitudes 
around  us ;  yet,  if  the  great  Father  of  Spirjts  "  hide 
"  us  in  the  EIollow  of  his  Hand,"  we  fliall  hold  fail  our 
Integrity,  and  be  faithful  unto  Death. 

Let  then,  deareil  Lorp,  O  !  let  thy  Servant,  and 
the  People  committed  to  his  Care^  be  received  into  thy 
Protection.  Let  us  take  San6luary  under  that  Tree  of 
IJfey  erected  in  thy  ignominious  Crofs.  .  Let  us  fly  for 
Safety  to  that  City  of  P^efuge^  opened  in  thy  bleeding 
Wounds.  Thefe  fnall  be  a  facred  Hiding-place,  not 
to  be  pierced  by  the  Flames  of  Divine  Wrath,  or  the 
■fiery  Darts  of  Temptation.  Thy  dying  Merits,  and 
perfedl  Obedience,  fhall  be  to  our  Souls,  as  Rivers  cf 
Water  in  a  dry  Place y  or  as  the  Shadow  of  a  great  Rock  in 
a  weary  lLand-\, 

But  moft  of  all,  in  tliat  Irifi  tremendous  Day,  when 
the  Heavens  a^e  rent  afunder,  and  wrapped  up  like  a 

*  Pfalm  xci.  i . 
f  This  was  written,  when  a  very  infedlious  and  mortal  Dillemper, 
raged  ia  the  Neighbourhood. 

I  Ifa.  xxxii.  z,. 

Scroll: 


F  L  ©  W  E  R  -  G  A  R  D  E  N.  i6-; 

Scroll:  when  thy  Almighty  Arm  fhall  arrt^ft  the  Sun  in 
his  Career,  and  dafh  to  Pieces  the  Strudiire  of  the 
Univerfe  :  when  the  Deac],  both  Small  and  Great,  fl^iall 
be  gathered  before  the  Tlirone  of  thy  Glory  ;  and  the 
Fates  of  all  Mankind,  hang  on  the  very  Point  of  a 
final  irreverfible  Decifioii : — Then,  bleiled  Jesvs,  kt 
lis  be  owned  by  Thee,  and  v/c  fnall  not  ht  afrjiTdied  i 
defended  by  Tliee,  and  we  fliall  not  be  afraid.  O  ! 
may  we,  at  that  awful,  that  unutterably  important 
Jun6lure,  be  covered  with  die  Wings  of  thy  Redeem- 
ing Love  ;  and  we  fhall  behold  all  the  horrible  Con- 
vulfions  of  expiring  Nature,  with  Compofure,  with 
Comfort !  We  fhall  even  welcome  the  Diflbkition  of 
all  Things  as  the  Times  of  Refrejhingfrom  the  Prcfence  cf 
the  Lord  *. 

There  are,  I  perceive,  who  flill  attend  the  Fiovrers; 
and,  in  Defiance  of  the  Sun,  ply  their  Work  on  every 
expanded  BlolTom.  The  Bees  I  mean.  That  Nation 
of  Chymifls  !  To  whom  Nature  has  communicated  the 
rare  and  valuable  Secret,. of  enriching  themfelves,  with- 
out impoverifhing  others.  Who  extrafl  the  mofl  deli- 
cious Syrup,  from  every  fragrant  Flerb;  without  wound- 
ing its  SulDllance,  or  diminilhing  its  Odours. — I  take 
t\\t  more  Notice  of  tliefe  ingenious  Operators  -,  becaufe, 
I  would  willingly  make  them  my  Patt«rn  \,  While 
the  Butterfly,  flutters  her  painted  Wings  ;  and  fips  a 
little  fantaftic  Delight,  only  for  die  prefent  Moment, 
While  the  gloomy  Spider^  worfe  than  idly  bufied,  is 
preparing  his  jnfidious  Nets  for  Deftrudion ;  or  fuck- 
ing Vcnom^  even  from  the  mofl  wholefome  Plants-* 

»  Aftsiil.  19. 


— -T ^  Ego  apis  mating 

More  77iocloque 
Gv^ia  carpentis  thjina.  HOR. 

M  4  This 


lU  R  E  F  L  E  C  T  1  C  N  S     O  N     A 

This  frugal  Community,  are  wifely  employed  in  pro- 
viding for  Futurity ;  and  col]e6ting  a  copious  Stock  of 
die  moft  balmy  Treafures. — And  O  !  miight  thefe  Me- 
ditations fmk  into  my  Soul !  Would  the  God,  who 
fuggefted  each  heavenly  Thought ;  vouchfafe  to  con- 
vert it,  into  an  ejtablijioed  Princifle  ;  to  determine  all  my 
Inclinations,  and  regulate  my  whole  Conducfl: !  I  fhould, 
then,  gather  Advantages  frotn  the  fame  blooming  Ob- 
jects 5  m.ore  precious  than  your  golden  Stores,  ye  in- 
duftricus  Artifls,  I  alfo  fhould  go  home,  laden  with 
die  richeji  Sweets^  and  the  nobleft  Sfcils  ;  though  I  crop 
not  a  Leaf,  nor  call  a  fmgle  Flower  my  ov/n. 

Here  I  behold,  affembled  in  one  View,  almoil  all 
die  various  Beauties,  which  have  been  feverally  enter- 
taining my  Imagination.  The  Viftas,  frruck  through  an 
ancient  Wood,  or  formed  by  Rows  of  venerable  Elms ; 
conducing  the  Spe6lator's  Obfervadons,  to  fome  re- 
markable ObJeA  ;  or  leading  the  Traveller's  Footfleps, 
to  this  delightful  Seat: — The  JVallSy  enriched  with 
Fruit-trees,  and  faced  with  a  Covering  of  their  leafy 
Extenfions  ^  I  ihould  rather  have  faid,  hung  with  dif- 
ferent Pieces  of  Nature's  nobleft  Tapeflry : — ^The  PFalks, 
neatly  fnorn,  and  lined  v»'ith  Verdure;  or  finely  fmooth- 
ed,  and  coated  v/ith  Gravel : — The  Alley s^  arched  with 
Shades,  to  embower  our  Noon-nde  Repofe  i  or  thrown 
open  for  the  free  Accellion  of  Air,  to  invite  us  to  our 
Evening  Recreation  :-^The  decent  Edgings  of  Box, 
vv'hich  inclofe,  like  a  plain  Selvage,  each  beautiful  Com- 
partment, and  its  fplendid  Figures  : — The  fhapely  Ever- 
greens,^ 2indflcwermg  Shrubs  \  which  flrike  the  Eye,  and 
appear  with  peculiar  Dignity,  in  this  diflant  Situadon : — 
The  ^ajcn,  with  its  cryftal  Fount,  floating  in  the  Centre  \ 
^nd  diffufing  an  agreeable  Freflinefs,  through  the  Whole : 
w^fhe  Waters^   talhng  from  a  remote   Cnfcade -,  and 

gently 


FLOWER-GARDEN.  169 

gently  murmuring,  as  they  flow  along  the  Pebbles  j 
Thejcy  added  to  the  reft  ;  and  all  fo  difpofed,  that  each 
recommends,  and  endears  each ;  render  the  Whole^  a 
moft  fweet  ravifliing  Scene,  of  Order  and  Variety,  of 
Elegance  and  Magnificence. 

From  fo  many  lovely  Prolpe^ls,  cluftering  upon  the 
Sight,  it  is  impofTible  not  to  be  reminded  ^Heaven, 
That  World  of  Blifs ;  thofe  Regions  of  Light ;  where 
the  Lamb  that  was  flain  manifefbs  his  beatific  Prefence, 
and  his  Saints  live  for  evermore. — But  O  !  what  Pencil 
can  fketch  out  a  Draught  of  that  goodly  Land  !  What 
Colours,  or  what  Style,  can  exprefs  the  Splendors  of 
Im Manuel's  Kingdom !  Would  fome  celeftial  Hand 
draw  afide  the  Veil,  but  for  one  Moment ;  and  peraiic 
us  to  throw  a  fmgle  Glance,  on  thofe  Divine  Abodes  ; 
how  would  all  fublunary  Pofleflions,  become  tarnifhed 
in  our  Eyes,  and  grow  flat  upon  our  Tafbe  !  A  Glimpfe, 
a  tranfient  Glimpfe  of  thofe  unutterable  Beatitudes, 
would  captivate  our  Souls,  and  engrofs  all  their  Facul- 
ties. Eden  itfelf,  after  fuch  a  Vifion,  would  appear  a 
chearlefs  Dejart  5  and  all  eartlily  Charms,  intolerable 
Deformity, 

Very  excellent  Things  are  fpcken  of  Thee,  Thou  City 
cf  God*.  Volumes  have  been  v/ritten,  and  thofe  by 
infpired  Men,  to  difplay  the  Wonders  of  thy  Perfedlions. 
All  that  is  rich  and  relplendent  in  the  vifible  Creation, 
has  been  called  in  to  aid  our  Conceptions,  and  elevate 
our  Ideas.  But,  indeed,  no  Tongue  can  utter  -,  no  Pen 
cap  defcribe ;  no  Fancy  can  imagine  5  What  God,  of 
his  unbounded  Munificence,  has  prepared  for  them  that 
love  Him,  —  Seeing  then,  that  all  terreftrial  Things 
muft  come  to  a  fpeedy  End  ;  and  there  remaineth  a 
Reft,  a  blifsful  and  everlafling  Reft,  for  the  People  of 

*  Pfalm  Ixxxvii.  ?. 

Goa'i 


,7«  R  E  F  L  E  C  T  I  O  N  S,     A;c. 

God  ;  let  me  never  be  too  fondly  attached,  to  any  pre- 
fenLSatisfa6lions.  Weaned  from  whatever  is  temporal, 
may  I  maintain  a  fuperior  Indifference,  for  fuch  tranfi- 
toiy  Enjoyments ;  but  long,  long  earneflly,  for  the 
Manfions  that  are  above  ;  the  Paradife,  "  which  the 
"  Lord  hath  planted,  and  not  Man."  Thither,  may 
I  tranfmit  the  Chief  of  my  Converjation ,  and  from 
thence  expecl  the  Whole  of  my  Happinefs,  Be  that  die 
facred,  powerful  Magnet,  which  ever  influences  my 
Heart  -,  ever  attrads  my  Affections.  There,  arc  fuch 
tranfcendent  Glories,  as  Eye  has  not  feen :  There,  arc 
fuch  tranfporting  Pleafures,  as  Ear  has  not  heard : 
There,  is  fuch  a  Fulnefs  of  Joys,  as  the  Thought  of 
Man  cannot  conceive. 

Into  that  confummate  Felicity  ;  thofe  eternal  Frui- 
tions ;  permit  me,  Madam,  to  wifh  You,  in  due  Time, 
an  abundant  Entrance :  and  to  affure  You,  that  this  Wifh 
is  breathed,  with  the  fame  Sincerity  and  Ardor,  for  my 
honoured  Correfpondent,  as  it  is.  Madam,  for 


Tcur  mofi  Obedient,  Sec, 


J.     HfRVEt, 


p       E        S        C       A       N       T 


U    ?    O    N 


CREATION. 


IVith  Joyy  with  Grief,  that  Healing  Hand  I  fee ; 
l^he  Skies  it  form' dy  and  yet  it  bled/^r  me, 

Night-Thoughts,  N^R^ 


/ 


DESCANT 


UPON 


C      R       E      A      T      I      O      N. 


IF  the  Reader  pleafes  to  look  back  on  Page  132; 
He  will  find  me  engaged  by  a  promiffbry  Note,  to 
fubjoin  a  DESCJNT upon  CREAriON. 

To  know  the  Love  of  Christ  ;  to  have  fuch  a  deep 
Apprehenfion  of  his  unfpeakable  Kindnefs,  as  may  pro- 
duce in  our  Hearts  an  adoring  Gratitude,  and  an  un- 
feigned Faidi ;  this,  according  to  St.  Paul's  Eftimate, 
is  the  higheft  and  happiefl  Attainment  in  the  facred  Sci- 
ence of  Chriflianity  *.  What  follows,  is  an  Attempt 
to  a  (Tift  the  attentive  Mind,  in  learning  a  Line  or  two 
of  that  befl  and  greateft  LefTon.  It  introduces  the  moft 
confpicuous  Parts  of  the  vifible  Syftem,  as  fo  many 
Prompters  to  our  dull  AfFedlions  j  each  fuggefling  a  Hint, 
adapted  to  the  important  Occafion,  and  fuitable  to  its 
reipeclive  Chara6ler. 

Can  there  be  a  more  powerful  Incentive  to  devout 
Gratitude-,  than  tp  confider  the  magnificent  and  delicate 

*  Eph.  iii.  19. 

9  Scenes 


174       A    DESCANV    upon    creation. 

Scenes  of  tiie  Univerfc,  with  a  particular  Reference  td 
Christ,  as  the  Creator  ? — Every  Objed,  viewed  in  this 
Light,  will  furely  adminifher  inceflant  Recruits^  to  the 
languilhing  Lamp  of  Divine  Love.  Every  Produ6lion 
in  Nature,  will  ftrike  a  Spark  into  the  Soul  -,  and  the 
whole  Creation  concur,  to  raife  the  fmoaking  Flax  into 
a  Flame* 

Can  any  thing  impart  a  flronger  Joy  to  the  Believer  ; 
or  more  eifeclually  confirm  his  Faith  in  the  crucified 
Jesus  ;  thail  to  behold  the  Heavens  declaHng  liis  Glory^ 
and  the  Firmament  Ihewing  his  Handy-work  ?  Surely, 
It  mufh  be  Matter  of  inexprelTible  Confolation  to  the 
poor  Sinner ;  to  obferve  the  Honours  of  his  Redeemer^i 
written  with  Sun-beams,  over  all  the  Face  of  the  World, 

We  delight  to  read  an  Account  of  our  incarnate  Je- 
hovah -y  as  He  is  revealed  in  the  Books  of  Mcfes  and 
the  Prophets,  as  He  is  difplayed  in  the  Writings  of  the 
Evangelifbs  and  Apoftles*  Let  us  alfo  endeavour  to  fee 
a  Sketch  of  his  Perfedlions  j  as  they  ftand  delineated  in 
that  {lately  Volume^  where  every  Leaf,  is  a  fpacious 
Plain — every  LinCy  a  flowing  Brook — -every  Period^  a 
lofty  Mountain* 

Should  any  of  my  Readers  be  unexercifed  in  fuch 
Speculations,  1  beg  Leave  (in  purfuance  of  my  Pro^ 
mife)  to  prefent  them  with  a  Specimen :  or  to  offer  a  Clue, 
which  may  poffibly  lead  their  Minds,  into  this  moft  im- 
proving and  delightful  Train  of  Thinking. 

Should  any  be  inclined  to  fufped  the  Solidity  of  the 
following  Obfervations  j  or  to  condemn  them,  as  the 
Voice  of  Rant,  and  the  lawlefs  Flight  of  Fancy  s  I  mufl 
entreat  fuch  Perfons  to  recolle^l.  That  the  grand  Doc- 
trine, the  Hinge  on  which  they  all  turn,  is  warranted 
and  eflablifhed  by  the  unanimous  Tellimony  of  the  in- 
fpired  Penmen.  Who  frequently  celebrate  IMMA- 
NUEL,  or  CHRIST  JESUS,  as  the  great  Al- 

J  mighty 


A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION,        17^ 

mighty  Caiife  of  all ;  afiurlng  Us,  that  ^U  Things  were 
created  by  Himy  andfcr  Hun ,  and  that  in  Him  all  Thingi 
ccnfift  *. 

On  fuch  a  Subje(51:,  what  is  v/ondcrful,  is  tar  from 
ht'mg  extravagant.  To  be  wonderfiil,  is  the  inieparable 
Characlerifbic  of  God  and  his  Works ;  efpecially,  of 
that  moft  diltinguifhed  and  glorious  Event  of  the  Di- 
vine Works,  REDEMPTION.  So  glorious,  that 
*^  all  the  Miracles  in  Egypt^  and  die  marvellous  A(5ls  in 
"  the  Field  of  Zcan ;"  all  that  the  Jewijh  Annals  have 
recorded,  or  the  human  Ear  has  heard  3  all  dwindle  into 
trivial  Events^  are  fcarce  w^orthy  to  be  remembered  f ,  in 
comparifon  of  this  infinitely  grand  and  infinitely  gracious 
Tranfaftion. — Kindled,  therefore,  into  pleafing  Afto- 
nifhment,  by  fuch  a  Survey,  let  me  give  full  Scope  to 
my  Meditations.  Let  me  pour  out  my  whole  Soul  on 
the  boundlefs  Subiedl ;  not  much  regarding  the  Limits, 
<which  cold  Criticifm,  or  colder  Unbelief,  might  pre- 
fcribe. 

O  YE  Angels^  that  furround  the  Throne  5  ye  Princes 
of  Heaven,  "  that  excel  in  Strength,"  and  are  cloathed 
with  tranfcendant  Brightnefs  ;  He,  who  placed  You  in 
thoitr  Stations  of  exalted  Honour,  and  dignified  your 
Nature  with  fuch  illufiirious  Endowments  y  He,  whom 
You  all  obey,  and  all  adore  :  HE  took  not  on  Him 
the  Angelic  Form,  but  was  made  Flefli,  and  found  in. 
Fafliion  as  a  Man.  Like  us  wretched  Mortals,  He,  was 
fubjcdt  to  Wearinefs,  Pain,  and  every  Infirmity,  Sin 
only  excepted. — That  we  might,  one  Day,  be  raifed  to 
your  fublime  Abodes  j  be  adopted  into  your  bliisful  So- 

*■  CoL  i.  16,  17.     Before  my  Reader  enters  upon  the  follovvlng 
Pefcant,  he  iij  defi-red  to  perufe  the  Nwte,  pag.  102,   103. 

f  Ifa.  xliii.  18. 

ciet/i 


tyS        A    DESCANT    tPON    CREATION', 

ciety ;  and  Join  with  your  tranfported  Choir,  in  giving 
Glory  to  H I M  that  fitteth  upon  the  Throne,  and  to 
the  LAMB  for  ever  and  ever  *. 

O  YE  Heavens ;  whofe  azure  Arches  rife  immenfeljf 
high,  and  flretch  unmeafurablj^  wide.  Stupendous  Am- 
phitheatre I  amidil  whofe  vaft  expanfive  Circuit,  Orbs  of 
the  mofh  dreadful  Grandeur  are  perpetually  running  their 
amazing  Races.  Unfathomable  Depths  of ^Ether !  where 
Worlds  unnumbered  float ;  and,  to  our  iimited  Sight, 
Worlds  unnumbered  are  loft. — He,  who  adjufted  your 
Dimenfiorrs  with  his  Span,  and  formed  the  magnificent 
Stru6lure  with  his  Word ;  H  E  was  once  wrapt  in  Swad- 
dling-cloaths,  and  laid  in  a  Manger. — That  the  Benefits 
accruing  to  his  People,  through  his  mofl  meritorious 
Humiliation,  m>ight  have  no  other  Meafure  of  their  Va- 
lue than  Immenfity  j  might  run  parallel,  in  their  Dura- 
tion,, widi  Eternity. 

Ye  Stars ;  that  beam  with  inextinguifhable  Brilliancy, 
through  the  Midnight  Sky.  Oceans  of  Flame,  and 
Centres  of  Worlds,  though  feemingly  little  Points  of 
Light  1 — He,  v/ho  fhcne,  with  elTential  Effulgence,  in- 
numerable Ages,  before  your  twinkling  Tapers  were 
kindled  -,  and  will  fnine  with  everlafting  Majefty  and 
Beauty,  when  your  Places  in  the  Firmament  fliall  he 
known  no  more.  HE  was  involved,  for  many  Years,  in 
the  deepeft  Obfcurity ;  lay  concealed  in  the  contemp- 
tible City  Nazareth  y  lay  difguifed,  under  the  mean  Habit 
of  a  Carpenter's  Son. — That  he  might  plant  the  Hea- 
vens j-,  as  it  were,  with  new  Confbellations  ;  and  array 
thefe  Clods  of  Earth.,  thefe  Hcufes  of  Clay,  with  a  Ra- 
diancy, far  fuperior  to  yours.  A  Radiancy  which  will 
,^Orn  the  very  Heaven  of  Heavens,  when  you  fhall 

*  Rev.v.  15.  t  Ilai.  U.  1 6. 

vanilh 


A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION.         177 

vanlfh  away  Hl:e  Smoke*;  or  expire,  as  momentar)' 
Sparks  from  the  fmitten  Steel. 

COMETS;  that  fometimes  fhoot  into  the  illimi- 
table Tradls  of  ~7Ether,  farther  than  the  difccrnment  of 
our  Eyeis  able  to  follow;  fometimes,  return  ffom  the 
long,  long  Excurfion,  and  fweep  our  affrighted  Hemj- 
ijphere  with  your  enormous  fiery  Train.  That  fometimes 
make  near  Approaches  to  the  Sun,  and  burn  almoft  in 
his  immediate  Beams ;  fometimes,  retire  to  the  remotell 
Diflance,  and  freeze,  for  Ages,  in  the  excefTive  Rigours 
of  Winter. — He,  who  at  his  fovereign  Plealure,  with- 
draws the  blazing  Wonder :  or  leads  forth  the  portentous 
Stranger,  to  fhake  Terror  over  guilty  Kingdoms.  HE 
was  overwhelmed  with  the  mofc  lliocking  Amazement, 
and  plunged  into  the  deepeil  Anxiety;  was  chilled  with 
Apprehenfions  of  Fear,  and  fcorched  by  the  Flames  of 
avenging  Wrath. — That  I,  and  other  depraved  rebel- 
lious Creatures,  might  not  be  eternally  agitated,  with 
the  Extremes  of  jarring  PafTions;  oppof  te,  yet,  on  either 
Side,  tormenting.  Far  more  tormenting  to  the  Soul, 
than  the  fcvereft  Degrees  of  your  Heat  and  Cold  to  the 
human  Senfe. 

Ye  Planets  y  that,  winged  with  unimaginable  Speed, 
traverfe  the  Regions  of  the  Sky.  Sometimes  climbing 
Millions  and  Millions  of  Miles  above,  fometimes  defcend- 

.#      .  .     . 

*  Alluding  to  a  PaiTage  in  ifaiah,  which  is,  I  think,  grand  and  ele- 
vated beyond  all  Comparifon. — Lift  up  your  Eyes  to  the  Heavens,  and 
look  uprm  the  Earth  beneath  :  for  the  Heavens  f) all 'vanifh  a-M ay  like  Smoke, 
and  the  Earth  /hall  <ivax  old  like  a  Garment y  and  they  that  dwell  therein 
fhall  die  like  the  feeble  Iniecl  :  but  thy  Right  eoufi  efs  f?  all  be  for  ever, 
and  my  Salvation  fhall  not  he  aboliped,  Ifa.  li.  6. — With  the  great  /V- 
iringa,  I  tranflate  the  Words  p  i::d  not,  in  like  manner ,  but,  like  the 
fasble  InfeSL  Which,  renders  the  Period  more  complete;  the  Senfe 
more  emphatical ;  and  is  more  agreeable  to  the  Genius  of  the  facred 
Original. 

N  ing 


17^        A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION. 

ing  as  far  below,  the  great  Axle  of  your  Motions.  Ye, 
that  are  lb  minutely  faithful,  to  the  Viciffitudes  of  Day 
and  Night ;  fo  exadlly  pun6tual,  in  bringing  on  the 
Changes  of  your  relpe^live  Seafons. — -He,  who  launch- 
ed You,  at  firfl,  from  his  mighty  Arm ,  who  continually 
impels  you,  with  fuch  wonderful  Rapidity;  and  guides 
you,  with  fuch  perfe6t  Regularity.  Who  fixes  "  the 
"  Habitation  of  his  Hoiinels  and  his  Glory,"  infinite 
Heights  above  your  fcanty  Rounds.  HE  once  became 
a  helplefs  Infant;  fojourned  in  our  inferior  World;  fled 
from  the  Perfecutor's  Sword ;  and  wandered  as  a  Vaga- 
bond in  a  foreign  Land.- — That  He  might  lead  our  Feet 
into  the  Way  of  Peace ;  that  He  might  bring  us  Aliens 
near  to  God,  bring  Us  Exiles  home  to  Heaven. 

Thov Sun;  inexhauiled  Source  of  Light,  and  Heat,, 
and  Comfort  I  Who,  without  the  Afliflance  of  any  other 
Fire,  fheddefl  Day  through  a   thoufand  Realms;  and, 
not  confining  thy  Munificence  to  Realms  only,  extendeft 
thy  enlightening  Influences    to    furrounding    Vv'^orld^^ 
Prime  Chearer  of  the  Animal,  and  great  Enlivener  of 
the  Vegetable  Tribes  1  So  beautiful  in  thylelf,  fo  bene- 
ficial in  diy  Effeds,  that  erring  Heathens  addreiTed  thee 
with  Adorations,  and  mifbook  thee  for  their  Maker  ! — 
He,  who  filled  thy  Orb  with  a  Profufion  of  Luflre  !  be- 
fore whom  thy  meridian  Splendors  are  but  a  Shade. — • 
HE  divefled  Himfelf  of  his   all-tranfcending  Diftinc- 
tions,  and  drew  a  Veil  over  the  Effulgence  of  his  Divi- 
nity;  that,  by  Ipeaking  to  Us,  Fare  to  Face,  as  a  Man, 
fpeaketh  unto  his   Friend,  he  might  difpel  our  intel- 
kflual  Darknefs.     His   "  Vifage  was  marred  *,"  and 
He  became  the  Scorn  of  Men,  the  Outcaft  of  the  Peo- 
ple; that,  by  this  Manifeflation  of  his  unutterably  ten- 
^  dcr  Ri^gard  for  our  Welfare,  He  might  difFufe  many  a 

Gkai9 


A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION.         179 

Gleam  of  Joy  through  our  dejcdled  Minds.  That,  In 
another  State  of  Things,  lie  might  clothe  even  our  fallen 
Nature,  with  the  Honours  of  that  magnificent  Lumina- 
ry; and  give  all  the  Righteous  to  fliine  forth  as  the  Sun> 
in  the  Kingdom  of  their  Father* 

Thou  ?Acon  ;  that  walked  among  the  Hofl  of  Stars, 
and,  in  thy  lucid  Appearance,  art  fuperior  to  them  all. 
Fair  Ruler  of  the  Night !  Sometimes,  half-reftoring  the 
Day,  with  thy  waxing  Brightnefs ;  fometimes,  waning 
into  Dimnefs,  and  fcarcely  fcattering  the  no6lurnal 
Gloom  3  fometimes,  covered  v/ith  Sackcloth,  and  alarm- 
ing the  gazing  Nations. — He,  who  drefles  thy  opake 
Globe,  in  beaming,  but  borrowed  Silver ;  He,  whofe 
Dignity  is  unchangeable,  underived,  and  all  his  own ; 
He  vouchfafed  to  wear  a  Body  of  Clay.  H  £  was  con- 
tent to  appear  as  in  a  bloody  Eclipfe,  fliorn  of  his  re- 
Iplendent  Beams,  and  furrounded  with  a  Night  of  Hor- 
ror, which  knew  not  one  reviving  Ray. — ^^Thus,  has  Fie 
impowered  his  Church,  and  all  Believers,  to  tread  the 
Moon  under  their  Feet  *.  Hence,  infpired  with  the 
Hope  of  brighter  Glory,  and  of  more  enduring  Blifs, 
are  they  enabled  to  triumph  over  all  the  vain  Anxieties, 
and  vainer  Am.ufements,  of  this  fublunary,  precarious, 
mutable  World. 

Ye  Thunders  3  that,  awfully  grumbling  in  the  diflant 
Clouds,  feem  to  meditate  Indignation,  and  form  the  firfl 
Elfays  of  a  far  more  frightful  Peal ;  or,  fuddenly  burn- 
ing over  our  Heads,  rend  the  Vault  above,  and  fhake 
the  Ground  below,  with  the  hideous,  horrid  Crack.  Ye, 
that  fend  your  tremendous  VoUies  from  Pole  to  Pole, 
ftarding  the  favage  Herds  -f-,  anfl  aflonifhing  the  humaa 
Race. — He,  w^ho  permits  Terror  to  found  her  Trumpet, 
in  your  deep,   prolonged,   inlarging,  aggravated  Roar  : 

*  Rev.  xii.  i.  f  Pfal.  xxix.  8. 

N  2  HE 


i8o        A    DESCANT    UPON     CREATION:* 

HE  uttered  a  feeble  infantile  Cry  in  the  Stable,  and 
ftrong  expiring  Groans  on  the  accurfed  Tree. — That 
He  might,  in  the  gentlell  Accents,  whifper  Peace  to 
our  Souls ;  and,  at  length,  tune  our  Voices  to  the  Me- 
lody of  Heaven. 

O  YE  Lightnings  -,  that  brood,  and  lie-  couchant,  in 
the  fulphureous  Vapours ;  that  glance,with  forked  Fury,, 
fromdie  angry^-  Gloom,  fwifter  and  fiercer  than  the  Lion- 
rufhes  from  his  Den ;  or  open'  into  vail  expanfive  Sheets 
of  Flame,  fublimely  waved  over  the  proflrate  World,, 
and  fearfully  lingering  in  the  frighted  Skies.  Ye>  that 
formerly  laid  in  Afhes  the  licentious  Abodes  of  Luft  and- 
Violence  j  that  will,  ere  long,  fet  on  fire  the  Elements,, 
and  co-operate  in  the  Conflagration  of  the  Globe. — He^ 
who-  kiiidles  your  Flafh,«  and  dire6ls  You  when  to  fally,, 
and  w^here  to  ilrike  :  He,  who  commiilions  your  whir- 
ling Bolts,  whom  to  kill,  and  whom  to  fpare:  HE  re- 
fio-ned  his  facred  Perfon  to  the  moil  barbarous  Ihdi'o;ni- 
ties ;  fubmitted  his  beneficent  Hands  to  the  ponderous 
Hammer,  and  the  piercing  Nailj  yea,  with-held  not 
his  Heart,  his  very  Heart,  from  the  Stab  of  the  Exe- 
cutioner's Spear.  And,  inflead  of  flalhing  Confufion' 
on  his  outrageous  Tormentors;  inflead  of  plunging" 
them  to  the  Depths  of  Hell  with  his  Frown  j  He  cried^ 
— in  his  iail  Moments,  and  with  his  agonizing  Lips,  He 
cried;  Father,  forgive  them;  foiu they  know  >;ot 
WHAT  THEY  i>o  !^ — O!  what  a  Pattern  of  Patience  for 
his  Saints !  What  an  Objed  of  Admiration  for  Angels  \ 
What  a  Conflellation  of  every  mild,  amiable,  and  be- 
nign Virtue ;.  fhining,  in  this  Hour  of  Darknefs,  with 
ineffable  Splendor  and  Beauty*!— Hence,  hence  it  ky 

that,. 

*  One  can  hardly  forbear  animadverting  upon  the  dijingcnuous  Tem- 
per, and  perverib  Xaile  oiCclfus ;  who  attemj^ts  to  turR>  this  moft  dif- 

tinguilhing. 


'A    'DESCANT     UPON     CREATION.         iSt 

that  We  arc  not  trembling  under  the  Lightnings   of 
■^Mount  Simi ;  that  we  are  not  blafled  by  the  Flames  of 

tinguiniing  and  ornamental  Part  of  our  Lord's  Life,  into  Ridicule 
-and  Reproach. — Having  fpokcnofCH  rist,  as  defpitefully  ufed,  and 
arrayed  in  a  purple  Robe;  crowned  with  Thorns;  and  holding,  by 
Way  of  mock  Majelly,  a  Reed  infteadof  a  Sceptre  (for  he  enters  into 
all  thefe  Circumftances,  which  is  a  Teftimony  to  their  Truth  even  from 
the  Mouth  of  an  Enemy)  He  adds — T»kx.,  h  ur,  -nrpo-Scv,  a>^x  tv*  yeu 

Sfioy  T»  i'!r^dt^^vv]a,^ ',  y.ca  Tr,q  a.ia-yj.vr,'-,  Txvlriq  ixv:c\/  ^Uclai,  y.xi  r«?  Vcpitoilacq 
v;  euxjIov  th  y.cci  tov  -mxli^cc  ^iy.&Aoi ;  Grig,  contra  Ce  ls.  p.  8i.  i.  e.  Why, 
m  the  Name  of  Wonder  y  does  He  noty  en  trjis  Ocxajiony  at  lenjiy  aSl  the  Go  n  ? 
Why  does  He  not  deliver  himfelffrojn  this  Jhocking  Ignominy ;  or  execute fome 
Jtgnal Vengeance,  on  the  Authors  of  fuch  injjirious  and  abujive  hifults,  both 
of  Him/elf  and  his  Father?— ^^hy,  Celfus  ?  Becaufe,  HE  was  Meek- 
nefsand  Gentlenefs  itfelf :  Whereas jc^r  Deities  were  Slaves  to  their 
own  turbulent  and  refentful  PafTions.  Becaufe,  they  were  little  better 
than  Savages  in  human  Shape;  who  too  often  made  a  Merit  of  Slaugh- 
ter, and  took  a  horrid  Pride  in  fpilling  Blood.  While  Christ  was 
the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  oam^  not  to  deftroy  Mens  Lives,  but  to  fa ve, 
Becaufe,  any  Madman  on  Earth,  or  Fury  from  Hell,  is  capable  of 
venting  his  Rage.  But  Who,  amidft  fuch  unfufferable  Provocations 
and  Barbarities ;  Who,  having  in  his  own  Hand,  the  PowTr  to  refcue 
himfclf,  the  Power  to  avenge  himfelf ;  could  fubmit  to  all,  with  an 
unruffled  Serenity  of  Patience  ;  and  not  only  net  be  exafperated,  but 
overcome,  in  fo  triumphant  a  Manner,  Euil  =with  Good?  None  but 
.Christ!  None  butCn  rist!  This  was  CompafTion  worthy  ofa  God  ; 
Clemency  and  Charity  truly  di~jine. 

Therefore,  the  Calumny  raifed  by  the  fame  virulent  Objedlor,  in 
another  Place,  carries  its  own  Confutation :  or  rather,  falls  with  a 
Weight  of  Infamy  on  his  dunghill  Deities ;  while  it  bears  a  moll  ho- 
nourable Teftimony,  to  the  majellic  and  invincible  Meeknefs  of  our  Sa- 
viour.— Yv  fXBV,  fays  he  to  the  Chriflian,  ra  uy%K[/.oi\a  Ty/WJ-  Xoioofcof  xa- 
'\ctyi7\ot.Zy  0?  Oivlcv  yt  rov  Atovia-cv  £  Tcy  Hj)a>{^=•»  'BTx^oPicc  n  iXoi^opTcrctiy  ay.  av 
bffuq  ^aipuv  a^jjAXa^ac  rov  ys  aov  Quv  <aroifo»loi  xccloilnvo»~c^  xcn  xoAa^ol;;, 
a^iif  01  Totilx  opaa-:icile;  -crfTrovSajr*)',  ibid.  p.  4^4.  i.  e.  2''ou,  indeed,  ta/ce 
Upon  Vou,  to  deride  the  Images  of  cur  Deities ;  but  if  Bacchus  himfelf,  or 
Hercules  had  been  frcfenty  I'ou  nvculd  not  have  dared  to  offer  fuch  an  Af- 
front ;  or  if  you  had  been  fo  prejiimptuouSy  vjculd  han.<e  fevcrely  fmarfed  for 
your  h f deuce .  Whereas, they  ivho  tormented  the  'very  Perfon  of  your  God, 
and  e-ven  extended  him  I'^ith  mortal  Agony  on  the  Crofsy  fffcred  no  Effect^ 
^his  .Difpleafurc. 

N  3  Divine 


i82        A    DESCANT    UiPON    CREATION. 

Divine  Vengeance;  or  doomed  to  dwell  with  everlafiing 

Burnings. 

Ye  frowning  wintry  Clouds  ?  Oceans  pendent  in  the 
Air,  and  burdening  the  Winds.  He,  in  whofc  Hand, 
You  are  an  overflowing  Scourge;  or,  by  whofe  Appoint- 
ment, an  Arfenai  *  of  warlike  Stores.  He,  who  opens 
your  Sluices,  and  a  Flood  gufhes  forth ;  to  deftroy  the 
Fruits  of  the  Earth,  and  drown  the  Hufbandman's  Hopes : 
Who  moulds  you  into  frozen  Balls,  and  You  are  Ihot, 
linked  v/ith  Death  f,  on  the  Troops  of  his  Enemies. 
HE,  inftead  of  difcharging  the  Furioufnefs  of  his  Wrath 
upon  this  guilty  Head;  poured  outliis  Prayers;  poured 
out'  his  Sighs;  poured  out  his  very  Soul;  for  me  and 
my  Fellow- tranfgrelTors. — That,  by  virtue  of  his  inefli- 
mable  Propitiation,  the  Overflov/ings  of  Divine  Good- 
will might  be  extended  to  fmful  Men ;  that  the  Skies 
might  pour  down  Righteoufnefs ;  and  Peace  on  her 
downy  Wings,  Peace  with  her  balmy  BkfTings,  deicend 
to  dwell  on  Earth. 

Ye  vernal  Clouds,  Furls  of  finer  Air,  Fokls  of  fofter 
Moifture.     He,  who  draws  you  in  copious  Exhalations, 

*  Ju-JSfial  Teems  to  ccnfider  the  Clouds,  under  this  fame  Charafter, 
in  tiiat  beautiful  Line, 

^ict^u'd  halent  Telcru?n  Anna7nentaria  Call. 

f.  'Job  has  informed  Us,  for  what  Purpofe  the  Magazines  of  the  Fir- 
mament are  Hocked  with  Hail.  That  they  may  be  ready,  againfi  the 
Day  of  Battle  and  War.  Job  xxxviii.  23. — Jojhua  has  recorded,  what 
terrii3]e  Slaughter  has  been  made,  by  thofe  mijp-ve  Weapons  of  the  Al- 
mighty. J-fi'  >^«  I  J' — Modern  Hillorlans  relate,  that,  when  Ed-ivard 
III.  invaded  France ^  a  Shower  of  Hail-Hones  defcended,  of  fuch  a 
pr<xligious  Size  ;  that  fix  thoufand  Horfes,  and  one  thoufand  Meai, 
were  ftruck  dead  inftantaneoufly. — But,  the  moft  dreadful  Defcription 
of  this  great  Ordinance  of  the  Heavens,  is  given  us  in  Renj.  xvi.  21. 
There  fell  upon  Men  a  great  Hail  out  of  Hea-ven,  e'very  Stone  about  the 
Weight  of  a  Talent. 

"         ■  '  from 


A    DESCANT    UPON     CREATION.        185 

from  the  briny  Deep;  bids  you  leave  every  difbaftcful 
Quality  behind ;  and  become  floating  Fountains  of  1  weeteft 
Waters.  He,  who  dillblves  You  into  gentle  Rain,  and 
difmifles  You  in  fruitful  Showers  i  who  kindly  commif- 
fions  You,  to  drop  down  Fatnels,  as  Y'ou  fall,  and  to 
fcatter  Flowers  over  the  Fi^ld. — H  E,  in  the  unutterable 
Bitternefs  of  his  Spirit,  was  without  any  comforting 
Senfe  of  his  Almighty  Father's  Prefence.  He,  when 
his  Bones  were  burnt  up  like  a  Firebrand,  had  not  one 
Drop  of  that  facred  Confolation,  which,  on  many  of 
his  afflidied  Servants,  has  been  diftilled  as  the  Evening 
Dews,  and  has  "  given  Songs  in  the  Night"  of  Diftrefs. 
— That,  from  this  unallayed  and  inconlblable  Angulfh 
of  our  all-gracious  Mailer,  We,  as  from  a  Well  of  Sal- 
vation, might  derive  large  Draughts  of  Ipiritual  Re- 
frefhment. 

Thov  gr^nd  etkerial  Bow ;  whok  Beauties  flufh  the 
Firmament,  and  charm  every  Spedator.  He,  who  paints 
thee  on  the  fluid  Skirts  of  the  Sky ;  who  decks  thee  with 
all  the  Pride  of  Colours ;  and  bends  thee  into  that  grace- 
ful and  majeftic  Figure.  At  whofe  Command,  thy  vivid 
Streaks  fweetly  rife,  or  fwiftly  fade. — HE,  through  all, 
his  Life,  was  arrayed  in  the  humble  Garb  of  Poverty ; 
and,  at  his  Exit,  wore  the  gorgeous  Garment  of  Con* 
tempt.  Infomuch,  that  even  his  own  familiar  Friends, 
alhamed  or  afraid  to  own  Him,  "  hid  as  it  were  their 
"  Faces  from  Him  *." — To  teach  us  a  becoming  Dif- 
dain,  for  the  unfubfliantial  and  tranfitory  Glitter  of  all 
worldly  Vanities.  To  introduce  Us,  in  Robes  brighter 
than  the  Tinges  of  thy  refplendent  Arch 3  even  in  the 

*  I/a.  liii.  3.  UDD  CUD  nnODD  Fuit  tanqnGin  aliquis,  a  quo  qui/que 
faciem  occultorat.  He  Kvas  as  fome  flagitious  and  abandontd  Wretch,  from 
ixjhom  e-very  One,  difdaining  uich  a  Character,  and  diiclaiming  fuch  an 
A?(juaiiitdnce,  ftudiouily  hid  his  Face, 

N  4  Robes 


i84        A     DESCANT     UPON     CREATION. 

Hobes  of  his  own  immaculate  Rightcoiifjidfsj  to  intro- 
duce Us  before  that  augufi  and  venerable  Throne,  which 
the  peaceful  Rainbov/  furrounds.  Surrounds,  as  a  Pledge 
of  inviolable  Fidelit)^,  and  infinite  Mercy. 

Ye  Storms  and  Tempejls^  which  vex  the  Continent,  and 
tofs  the  Seasi  which  dafh  Navies  on  the  Rocks,  and 
drive  Forefls  from  their  Roots.  He,  whofe  Breatii  roufes 
You  into  fuch  refiillefs  Fury,  and  whofe  Nod  controuls 
You  in  your  wildeft  Career.  He,  who  holds  die  rapid 
and  raging  Hurricane  in  flreightened  Reins;  and  walks, 
dreadfully  ferene,  on  the  very  Wings  of  the  Wind.  HE 
went,  all  meek  and  gentle,  like  a  I.amb  to  the  Slaugh- 
ter for  Usi  and,  as  a  Sheep  before  her  Shearers  is 
dumb,  fo  he  opened  not  his  Mouth. — Thus,  are  we 
inftrufted  to  bear,  with  decent  Magnanimity,  the  va- 
rious A  {faults  of  Adverfity;  and  to  pafs,  with'  a  becom- 
ing Tranquillity  of  Temper,  through  all  the  rude  Blafls 
of  injurious  Treatment.  Thus,  are  we  delivered  from 
the  unutterably  fiercer  Storms,  of  incenfed  and  inexo- 
rable Juitice ;  from  the  "  Fire,  the  Brimftone,  and  the 
"  horrible  Temped,  which  will  be  the  final  Portion  of 
"  the  Ungodly."' 

Tkolt  Psfliknce,  that  fcattereft  ten  Thoufand  Poifons 
from  thy  baleful  V/ings ;  tainting  the  Air,  and  infe6ling 
the  Nations.  Under  whofe  malignant  Influence,  Joy  is 
blafled,  and  Nature  fickens  ;  mighty  Regions  are  depo- 
pulated, andonce  crowded  Cities  are  left  without  Inhabi- 
tants. He,  v/ho  arms  thee  with  inevitable  Deflrudlion, 
and  bids  thee  march  before  *  his  angiy  Countenance  ; 
to  fpread  Defolation  am.ong  the  Tents  of  the  Wicked, 
and  be  the  Forerunner  of  far  more  fearful  Indignation. 
HE,  in  his  holy  Humanity,  was  arraigned  as  a  Crimi- 

*  Before  hi?n<z'jent  the  Pcfi Hence i  Hab.  iii.  15. 

"'    '  z  nal ; 


A     DESCANT     UPON     CREATION.  185 

nal ;  and,  though  Innocence  itfelf,  yea,  the  very  Pat- 
tern of  Perfection,  was  condemned  to  die,  like  the  moft 
fxecrable  Mifcreant.  As  a  Nuifance  to  Society,  and 
the  very  Bane  of  the  public  Piappinef?,  He  was  hurried 
ov/ay  to  Execution,  and  hammered  to  the  Gibbet.-— 
That  by  his  Blood,  He  might  prepare  a  fovereign  Me- 
dicine, to  cure  Us  of  a  more  fatal  Difbemper,  than  the 
Pefhiieiice  which  walketh  in  Darknefs,  or  the  Sickneis 
which  deftroyeth  at  Noon-day.  That  he  might  himfeif 
fay  to  our  lall  Enemy,  "  O  Deatli,  I  will  be  thy  Plague  ! 
"  O  Grave,  I  will  be  thy  Deilrudiion  *." 

HEAT;  whofe  burning  Influence  parches  xht  Lihyan 
Wilds;  tans  into  Soot,  tli^  Ethicpian'%  Complexion; 
and  makes  every  Species  of  Life  pant,  and  droop,  and 
languifh.  Cold,  whofe  icy  Breath  glazes  yearly  the 
Riijfian  Seas  ;  often  glues  the  frozen  Sailor  to  the  Cord- 
age i  and  fliiftens  the  Traveller  into  a  Statue  of  rigid 
Flefh.' — HE,  who  fometimes  blends  You  both,  and 
produces  the  imoft  agreeable  Temperature  ;  fomenmes, 
lliffers  You  to  a6l  feparately,  and  rage  with  intolerable 
Severity.  That  King  of  Eleaven,  and  Controuler  of 
univerfal  Nature,  when  dwelling  in  a  Tabernacle  of 
Clay,  was  expofed  to  chilling  Damps,  and  fmitten  by 
fultry  Beams.  The  Stars,  in  their  iVIidnight  Watches, 
heard  him  pray ;  and  die  Sun,  in  his  meridian  Fervjiirs, 
i;iw  him  toil. — Hence  are  our  frozen  Hearts  ■  diiToIved, 
into  a  mingled  Flov/  of  Wonder,  Love,  and  Joy  :  being 
confcious  of  a  Deliverance  from  thofe  infuiferable  Flames, 
v/hich,  kindled  by  divine  Indignation,  burn  to  the  loweft 
Hell. 

Tkou  Ocean,  vail  World  of  Waters  !  He,  who  funk 
that  capacious  Bed  for  thy  Recepdon,  and  poured  the 

*  Hof.  xiii.  14. 

liquid 


,rg^         A     DESCANT    UPON    CREATION. 

liquid  Element  into  unfathomable  Channels ;  before 
Whom^  all  thy  foaming  Billows,  and  floating  Moun- 
tains, are  as  the  fmall  Drop  of  a  Bucket,  Who,  by  the 
ieafl  Intimation  of  his  Will,  fwells  thy  fluid  Kingdoms, 
in  wild  Confliflon,  to  mingle  with  the  Clouds  j  or  re- 
duces them,  in  calm  Compofure,  to  flumber  on  the 
Shores*  He,  who  once  gave  thee  a  Warrant  to  over- 
whelm the  whole  Earth,  and  bury  all  its  degenerate  In- 
habitants in  a  watry  Grave  ;  but  has,  now,  laid  an  ever- 
lafl:ing  Embargo  on  thy  boifl:erous  Waves ;  and  bound 
thee,  all  fierce  and  madding  as  thou  art,  in  Chains 
ftronger  than  Adamant,  yet  formed  of  defpicable  Sand. 
f-^All  the  Waves  of  Vengeance  and  Wrath,  of  Tribu- 
lation and  Anguifli,  paflTed  over  HIS  crucified  Body, 
and  HIS  agonizing  SouL  That  We  might  emerge 
from  thofe  Depths  of  Mifery,  from  that  Abyfs  of  Guilt, 
into  which  we  were  plunged  by  Adam's  Fall,  and  more 
irretrievably  lunk  by  our  own  TranfgreflTions.  That,  at 
the  lafl:,  we  might  be  refl:ored  to  that ,  happy  World, 
"which  is  reprefented,  in  the  Vifion  of  God,  as  having 
^^  no  Sea  *  5"  to  denote  its  perpetual  Stabihry,  and  un- 
(difturbed  Serenity. 

Ye  Mountains ;  that  overlook  the  Clouds,  and  pro- 
ject a  Shade  into  difliant  Provinces.  Everlafl:ing  Pyra- 
^^ids  of  Nature,  not  to  be  fliaken  by  confli<51:ing  Ele- 
ments ;  not  to  be  Ihattered  by  the  Bolts  of  Thunder ; 
nor  impaired  even  by  the  Ravages  of  Time.— He,  who 
tid  your  Ridges  rife  fo  high,  and  your  Foundations  fliand 
fo  faft.  He,  in  whofe  Scale,  You  arc  lighter  than  Dufl: ; 
in  whofe  Eye,  You  are  lefs  than  nothing.— HE  funk, 
beneath  a  Load  of  Woes  -,  Woes  infuppor table,  but  not 
liis  own  i  when  He  took  our  Iniquities  upon  Himfelf,. 

#  Rev.  xxi,  I. 

and 


A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION,         187 

and  heaved  the  more  than  mountainous  Burden  from  a 
guilty  World. 

Ye  verdant  Woods,  that  crown  our  Hills,  ajid  are 
crowned  yourfelves  with  leafy  Honours.  Ye  humble 
Shrubs,  adorned,  in  Spring,  with  opening  BloHToms ;  and 
fanned,  in  Summer,  by  gentle  Gales.  Ye,  that  in  dif-  ■ 
cant  Climes,  or  in  cultivated  Gardens,  breathe  out  fpicy 
Odours,  and  embalm  the  Air  with  delightful  Perfumes. 
- — Your  all-glorious  and  ever-blefftd  Creator's  Head, 
was  incircled  with  the  thorny  Wreath  -,  his  Face  was  de- 
filed with  contumelious  Spitting ;  and  his  Bcdy  bathed 
in  a  bloody  Sweat.  That  we  might  wear  the  Crown, 
the  Crown  of  Glor)^,  which  fadeth  not  away  ;  and  live 
for  evermore,  furrounded  with  Delights,  as  much  fur- 
pafTing  yours,  as  yours  exceed  the  rugged  Defolations 
of  Winter. 

Thou  miantling  Vine ;  He  who  hangs  on  thy  flender 
Shoots,  the  rich,  .tranfparent,  weighty  Ciufler.  Who, 
under  thy  unornamented  Foliage,  and  amidfl:  the  pores 
of  thy  otherwife  worthlefs  Boug^,  prepares  the  Liquor—, 
the  refined  and  exalted  Liquor,  v/hich  chears  the  Na- 
tions, and  fills  the  Cup  of  Joy.  Trees,  whofe  Branches  are 
.elevated  and  waving  in  Air  -,  or  diffufed,  in  eafy  Con- 
finement, along  a  funny  Wall.  He,  who  bends  You 
with  a  lovely  Burden  of  delicious  Fruits ;  whofe  genial 
Warmth  beaudhes  their  Rind,  and  mellows  their  Tafle. 
- — HE,  when  vohintary  fubjc6l  to  our  Wants,  inftead 
of  being  refrefhed  with  your  generous  Juices,  or  regaled 
with  your  lufcious  Pulp  ;  had  a  lor.thlbme  Podon  of  Vi- 
negar, mingled  with  Gall,  addrefTed  to  his  Lips. — That 
wx  might  fit  under  die  Shadow  of  his  Merits,  with  great 
Tranquility  and  the  utmofl  Complacency.  That,  ere 
long,  being  admitted  into  the  Paradife  of  God,  We 

might 


tm         A    DESCANT     UPON     CREATION. 

r.iight  eat  of  tlie  Tree  of  Life  *  ;  and  drink  new  Wine 
ivith  Him,  in  his  Father^s  Kingdom. 

Ye  kixuriant  Meadows ;  He  who^  without  the  Seedf- 
man's  Induilry,  replenifhes  your  irriguous  Lap,  -with 
jiever-failing  Crops  of  Herbage;  and  enamels  their  chear- 
ful  Green,  with  Flowers  of  every  Hue. — Ye  fertile 
Fklds  ',  He^  who  bleiTes  the  Labours  of  the  Hulband- 
man  -,  enriches  your  v/ell-tilled  Plains  v/ith  waving  Har- 
vefts^  and  calls  forth  the  Staff  of  Life  from  your  Fur- 
rows. He,  v/ho  caufes  both  Meadows  and  Fields  to 
laugh  and  fu^g>  for  the  Abundance  of  Plenty.- — HE 
was  no  Stranger  to  corroding  Hunger,  and  parcliing 
Thirfi.  He,  alas  !  eat  the  bitter  Bread  of  Woe,  and 
had  ^'  Plenteoufnefs  of  Tears  to  drink.'^'* — That  we  might 
partake  of  richer  Dainties,  than  thofe  which  are  pro- 
duced by  the  Dew  of  Heaven,  and  proceed  from  the 
Fatnefs  of  the  Earth.  That  we  might  feed  on  "  xhe. 
<^  hidden  Manna,''  and  eat  the  Bread  which  giveth  Life^ 
eternal  Life,  unto  the  World. 

Ye  "MineSy  rich  in  yellow  Ore,  or  bright  with  Veins 
of  Silver  :  that  diftribute  your  fhining  Treafures,  as  far 
as  W^inds  can  waft  the  VefTel  of  Commerce  -,  that  be- 
fcow  your  Alms  on  Monarchs,  and  have  Princes  for  your 
Penfioners. — Ye  Beds  of  GemSy  Toy-lliops  of  Nature  ! 
Which  form,  in  dark  Retirement,  the  glittering  Stone. 
Diamonds^  that  iparkle  with  a  brilliant  Water  ;  Rubies^ 
that  glov/  vv^ith  a  crimfon  Flame  ]  Efueraldsy  dipped  in 
the  frefnefl  Verdure  of  Spring  ;  Sapphires y  decked  with 
the  fairefl:  Drapery  of  the  Sky ;  TopaZy  emblazed  with 
a  golden  Gleam  ;  Amethyfty  impurpled  with  the  Blufhes 
of  the  Morning. — He,  who  tinctures  the  metallic  Dull, 
and  confolidates  the  lucid  Drop  3  HE^  when  fojourn- 


Rev.  ii.  7. 


mg 


A    D-E  SCANT    UPON    CREATION.  r^ 

ing  on  Earth,  had  no  Riches,  but  the  Riches  of  difin- 
terefted  Benevolence  ;  had  no  Ornament,  but  the  Orna- 
ment of  unfpotted  Purity.  Poor  he  was  in  his  Circum-- 
fiances,  and  mean  in  all  his  Accommodations ;  that. 
WE  might  be  rich  in  Grace,  and  "  obtain  Salvation- 
"  wkh  eternal  Glory/*  That  We  might  inhabit  the 
new  Jernjalem  :  that  fplendid  City  !  Whofe  Streets  are 
paved  with  Gold ;  whofe  Gates  are  formed  of  Pearl ; 
and  the  Walls  garnifhed  with  all  manner  of  precious, 
Stones  *. 

Ye  gufhrng  Fount ainsy  tliat  trickle  potable  Silver 
through  the  matted  Grafs.  Ye  fine  tranfparent^S'/r^^wr, 
that  glide,  in  cryftal  Waves  along  your  fringed  Banks. 
Ye  deep  and  ftately  Rivers ^  that  wind  and  wander  in 
your  Courfe^^  to  fpread  your  Favours  wider ;  that  glad- 
den Kingdoms  in  your  Progrefs^  and  augment  tlie  Sea 
with  your  Tribute. — rHe,  who  fupplies  all  your  Currents, 
from  his  own  ever- flowing  and  inexhauftible  Liberality  : 
HE,  when  his  Nerves  were  racked  with  exquifite  Pain, 
and  his  Blood  infiamed  by  a  raging  Fever,  cried,  I 
THIRST  j  and  was  denied  (unparalleled  Hardiliip !)  in 
tliis  his  great  Extremity,  was  denied  the  poor  Refrelh- 
ment  of  a  fingle  Drop  of  Water. — That  We,  having 
all  Sufficiency  in  all  Things,  might  abound  to  evcr)^ 
good  Work ;  might  be  filled  with  the  Fulnefs  of  Ipiri- 
tyal  BlefTings  Here,  and  Hereafter  be  fatisfied  with  that 
Fulnefs  of  Joy,  which  is  at  Good's  right  Hand  for  ever- 
more. 

Ye  Birdsy  chearful  Tenants  of  the  Bough,  gaily  drefTed 
in  gloily  Plumage  ;  who  wake  tlie  Morn,  and  folace  the 
Groves,  with  your  artlefs  Lays.  Inimitable  Architefts  ! 
Who,  vvithout  Rule  or  Line,  build  your  penfile  Struc- 

♦  Rev,  xxi.  19,  21. 

tures. 


190         A    DESCANT     UPON     CREATION. 

tures,  v/ith  all  the  Nicety  of  Proportion.  You  have  each 
his  comniodious  Nefl,  roofed  with  Shades,  and  lined 
with  Warmth,  to  protedl  and  cherifh  the  callow  Brood. 
— But  He,  who  tuned  your  Throats  to  Harmony,  and 
taught  You  that  curious  Skill  j  H  E  was  a  Man  of  Sor- 
rows, and  had  not  where  to  lay  his  Head.  H^ad  nos 
where  to  lay  his  Head,  till  he  felt  the  Pangs  of  Dillb- 
lution,  and  was  laid  in  the  filent  Grave. — That  We, 
dv/elling  under  the  Wings  of  Omnipotence,  and  refting 
in  the  Bofom  of  infinite  Love,  might  ipend  an  harmo- 
nious Eternity,  in  "  finging  the  Song  of  Mcfes^  and  of 
."  the  LAMB." 

•BEES,  induflrious  Workmen!  That  fweep,  v/ith 
bufy  Wing,  the  flowery  Garden ;  and  fe arch  the  bloom- 
ing Fleath  j  and  fip  the  m.ellipiuous  Dev/s.  Strangers  to 
Idleneis. !  That  ply,  with  incefiant  AfTiduity^  your  pleaf- 
ing  Talk ;  and  fuffer  no  opening  Blofibm  to  pafs  unex- 
j)lored;,  no  funny  Gleam  to  flip  av/ay  unimproved.  Moil 
ingenious  i^rtiftcers  1  That  cling  to  the  fragrant  Buds ; 
drain  them  of  their  trcafured  Sweets  5  and  extrad  (if  I 
may  lb  fpeak)  even  the  odoriferous  Souls  of  Herbs,  and 
Plants,  and  Flowers. — You,  when  you  have  compleated 
your  Work  j  have  cclle6led,  refined,  and  fecurely  lodg- 
ed the  ambro>ial  Stores  :  wiien  you  might  reafonably 
expcel  the  peaceflil  Fruition  of  your  Acquifitions ;  You 
alas  !  are  barbaroufly  deflroyed,  and  leave  your  hoarded 
Delicacies  to  others :  leave  them  to  be  enjoyed  by  your 
very  Murderers.  I  cannot  but  pity  your  hard  Deftiny  I 
- — How^  then  ihould  my  Bov/els  melt  with  Sympathy, 
and  my  Eyes  flov/  with  Tears  *  -,  when  I  remember, 
tliat  ibusj  thus  it  fared  with  your  and  our  incarnate  Maker  \ 

*  Can'ft  Thou,  ungrateful  Man,  his  Torments  fee, 
Nor  ctrop  a  Tti^^  for  II I  My  whij/oz^rV  his  Bloo^  for  Thee  I 

P I  T  T '  J  PoeTfU, 

Afper 


A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION;.        igv 

After  a  Life  of  the  moll  exemplary  and  exalted  Piety  j 
a  Life,  filled  with  Offices  of  Beneficence,  and  Labour^ 
of  Love;  HE  was,  by  wicked  Hands,  crucified  and 
llain.  He  left  the  Honey  of  his  Toil,  the  Balm  of  hia 
Blood,  and  the  Riches  of  his  Obedience,  to  be  fharecj 
among  others :  to  be  fhared  even  among  Thofe,  v/hc) 
too  often  crucify  Him  afreih,  and  put  him  to  open  Shame. 

Shall  I  mention  the  Animal  *,  which  fpins  her  fofr, 
her  Ihining,  her  exquifitely  fine  ftlken  Thread  ;  Whofe 
matchlefs  Manufadures  lend  an  Ornament  to  Grandeur, 
and  make  Royalty  itfelf  more  magnificent. — Shall  I  take 
Notice  of  the  Cell,  in  which,  when  the  Gaiety  and  Bu- 
fmefs  of  Life  are  over,  the  little  Reclufe  immures  her- 
felf,  and  fpends  the  Remainder  of  her  Days  in  Retire- 
ment ? — Shall  I  ratiier  obferve  the  Sepulchre,  which, 
when  cloyed  v/ith  Pleafure,  and  v/eary  of  the  World, 
Ihe  prepares  for  her  own  Intermxcnt  ?  Or  how,  when  4 
flated  Period  is  clapfed.  She  v/akes  from  a  death-like 
Inaftivipy  ;  breaks  the  Liclofure  of  her  Tomb  ;  throv/s 
off  the  dulky  Shroud  3  afTum.es  a  new  Form  ;  puts  on  ^ 

*  No  One,  I  hope^  will  be  oftended  at  my  introducing,  on/uc/j  an 
Occafion,  Creatures  of  To  low  a  Rank,  Since,  even  the  Volumes  of 
Infplration  feem  to  lend  me  the  Sanation  of  their  facred  Authority. 
As  they  difdain  not  to  compare  the  biefTed  Jesus  to  a  Dcor,  a  Ilig/j- 
n^ayy  &c.  And,  perhaps,  all  Comparifons,  which  refpe6l  a  Being  of 
infinite  Dignity,  are  not  only  mean,  hM\.  equally  mean  and  unworthy. 

I  am  fenfible,  likewife,  that  in  this  Paragraph,  and  Tome  other:,  all 
the  Circumftances  are  not  completely  correfpondenlt.  But  if,  \x\.fome 
grand  Particulars,  the  Reddition  aiifwers  to  the  Defcription ;  tiiis,  I 
trulf,  will  be  fufficient  for  my  Purpofe,  and  fetisfatStory  to  my  Plea- 
ders.— Perhaps,  it  would  be  no  miftaken  Caution,  to  apply  the  iame 
Obfervation  to  many  of  tlie  beautiful  Similitudes,  Parables,  and  Alle- 
gories, ufed  by  our  Lord  ;  fuch  as  the  brazen  Serpent,  the  unjuft  Stew- 
ard, the  Thief  m  the  Night,  cifr.  Which,  if  fcrupuloufiy  fifted,  op 
rigoroully  ftrained,  for  an  intire  Coincidence  in  every  Circumflance, 
mull  appear  to  great  Pifadvaotage,  and  lead  Lnto  palpable  Inconve- 
niences. 

Q  more 


tgz         A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION. 

more  fumptuous  Array ;  and,  from  an  Infecl  creeping 
on  the  Ground,  becomes  a  winged  Inhabitant  of  the  Air  ? 
— No  :  this  is  a  poor  Reptile  ;  and  therefore  unworthy 
to  ferve  as  an  Illufiraticn,  when  any  Charadler  of  the  Soa 
of  God  comes  under  Confideration.  But  let  mp  cor- 
red  myfelf  Was  not  Christ  (to  iiie  the  Language  of 
his  own  bieffed  Spirit)  a  Worm  and  no  Man  *  ?  In  Ap- 
pearance fuch,  and  treated  as  fuch.— Did  he  not  alfo 
bequeath  die  fine  Linen  of  his  own  mofl:  perfe6L  Righ- 
teoufnefs,  to  compofe  the  Marriage- Garment  j  for  our 

difarrayed 

*  Pfalm  xxii.  6. 

■  f  This, -and  feveral  other  Hints,  interfperfed  in  this  Work,  refer  to 
the  aSiue  and  pa^l-ve  Rightecufnefs  of  C  h  r  i  s  t  ,  imputed  to  Believers, 
for  their  Juftificaticn.  Which,  in  the  Opinion  of  many  great  Expofi- 
tors,  is  the  myflical  and  the  moil  fublime  Meaning  of  the  Wedding- 
Gannenty  fo  emphatically  and  forcibly  recommended  by  the  Teacher 
fent  from  God,  Mait.  xxii.  ii.  A  Doctrine,  which  fome  of  Thofe 
who  honour  my  Meditations  with  a  Perufal,  probably  may  not  receive 
with  much,  if  any.  Approbation.  I  hope,  the  WW^  Performance 
\*.'in  notbe  cafhiered,  for  c/7f  Difference  in  Sentiment.  And  I  beg, 
that  the  Sentiment  itfelf  may  not  hafrily  be  rejecled,  without  a  ferious 
Hearing.  For,  I  have  the  Pleafure  of  being  intimately  acquainted 
with  a  Gentleman  of  good  Learning,  and  diflinguifhed  Senfe,  who  had 
««a'as  ftroyig  Prcpoflbiiions  fl7/s:%?  this  Tenet,  as  can  well  be  imagined. 
Yet  7io-~v,  He  net  only  admits  it,  as  a  Truth  ;  but  embraces  it,  as  the 
Joy  cf  his  Heart ;  and  cleaves  to  it,  as  \^q,  Roek  of  his  Hopes. 

A  clear  and  cogent  Treatife,  intitled  S:ihn:iJJiofi  to  the  Riohteoufnefs  of 
God,  was  the  Inftrument  of  rem.oving  his  Prejudices,  and  reducing 
Mm  to  a  better  Judgment. — In  which  he  has  been  happily  confirmed, 
by  the  Authority  of  the  m.oft  Hlufirious  Nam.es,  and  the  Works  of  the 
Bofl:  eminent  Pens,  that  have  ever  adorned  our  Church  and  Nation.  In 
this  Number  are — Biihop  Je^jjel,  one  of  our  great  Refornvers ;  and 
the  other  venerable  Com.pilers  of  our  Homilies — Archbiihop  Uper, 
that  Oracle  cf  Univerfal  Learning — Bifliop  Hally  the  devout  ancj 
fprightiy  Orator  of  his  Age — the  copious  and  fervent  Biftiop/To/izV/j — 
the  fingularly  good  and  unaffected  Biihop  Be-ueridge — that  everlafling 
Honour  cf  the  Bench  of  Judicature,  Lord  Chief  Juilice  Hales — the 
jiervcus,  florid,  an'i  perfaafive  Dean  Stafihopc-^-\.l\Q  pradical  and  per- 

fpicuous 


A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION.        193 

difarrayed  and  defiled  Souls  ?  Did  He  not,  before  his 
Flefh  faw  Corruption,  emerge  triumphant  from  the 
Grave  ;  and  not  only  mount  the  lower  Firmament,  but 
afcend  the  Heaven  of  Heavens  ;  taking  PolTcflion  of 
thofc  fublime  Abodes,  in  our  Name,  and  as  our  Fore- 
runner ? 

Ye  Cattky  that  reft  in  your  inclofed  Paftures ;  Ye 
Beaftsy  that  range  the  unlimited  Foreft;  Ye  Fijhy  that 
rove  through  tracklefs  Paths  oFdie  Sea.  Sheep y  clad  in 
Garments,  which,  when  left  by  You,  are  wore  by  Kings. 
Kiney  who  feed  on  Verdure,  which,  tranfmuted  in  your 
Bodies,  and  ftrained  from  your  Udders,  furnilhes  a  Repaft 
for  Queens.  Lms,  roaring  after  your  Preyj  Levtathany 
taking  your  Paftime  in  the  great  Deep;  with  ail  that  wing 

fplcuous  Mr.  Burklt — and,  to  fummon  no  other  Evidence,  that  maich^ 
lefs  Genius  Milton;  who,  in  various  Parts  of  his  divine  Poem,  incul- 
cates this  comfor/ai/eTruth ;  and,  in  one  Parage,  reprefents  it  und.er  the 
very  fame  Image,  which  is  made  ufe  of  above.  Book  X.  J/j/e  zzz. 

I  had  almoft  forgot  to  mention  that  tiie  Trgatife  intitled  SuSmiJ/Ion, 
&C.  was  written  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Jenh. — Whofe  ^00^  oi  De'votinns 
has  defervedly  pafTed  through  Eleven  Editions ;  is  truly  admirable  for 
the  Sublimity,  Spirituality,  and  Propriety  of  the  Sentiments ;  as  well 
as  for  the  concife  Form,  and  pathetic  Turn  of  the  Expreffion. — Whofe 
Book  oi Meditations,  though  no  lefs  worthy  of  general  Acceptance,  has, 
for  a  confiderable  Time,  been  almofl  unknown  and  extincl.  But  was 
revived,  and  republiihcd,  in  Two  Octavo  Volumes,  by  Mr.  Jama 
Kivington,  For  which  Service,  Ke  has  my  Thanks :  I  Hatter  myfelf, 
He  will  have  the  Thanks  of  the  Public  :  asl  amperfaaded,  could  Re- 
ligion and  Virtue  fpeak.  He  would  have  their  Acknowledgments  alfo. 
Since  few  Treatifes  are  more  happily  calculated,  to  reprefent  Religion 
in  its  native  Beauty,  and  to  promote  the  Interefts  of  genuine  Virtue. — 
On  which  Account,  I  trull,  the  Candid  will  excufe  me,  and  the  Jndi' 
cious  will  not  condemn  me,  even  though  the  Recommendation  of  thofe 
Devotions  and  qf  thefe  Meditations,  may  appear  to  be  a  Digreflion 
from  my  Subje6V. 

N.  B.  Should  the  Reader  he  inclined  to  exajnine  the  aforementioned  Tenet  y 
He  ivill pnd  it  Jiatedy  difcuffcd,  and  applied  to  its  due  Impro-vement,  in  a 
Piece  intitUd  T h  E ii  0  n  and  As  p  a s  i  o. 

O  the 


194        A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION. 

the  Firmament,  or  tread  the  Soil,  or  fwim  the  Wave. — 
He,  who  fpreads  his  ever-hofpitable  Board  ;  who  ad-.. 
mits  You  all  to  be  his  continual  Guefts ,  and  fuffers 
You  to  want  no  manner  of  Thing  that  is  good. — HE 
was  deflitute,  afflided,  tormented  :  He  endured  all  that 
was  miferable  and  reproachful ;  in  order  to  exalt  a  de- 
generate Race,  who  had  debafed  themfelves  to  a  Level 
with  the  Beafts  that  perifh,  unto  Seats  of  difbinguifhed 
and  immortal  Honour ;  in  order  to  introduce  the  Slaves 
of  Sin,  and  Heirs  of  Hell,  into  Manfions  of  confum- 
mate  and  everlailing  Blifs. 

Surely,  the  Contemplation  of  fuch  a  Subjed:,  and- 
the  diflant  Anticipation  of  fuch  a  Hope,  may  almoft 
turn  Earth  into  Heaven,  and  make  even  inanimate  Na- 
ture vocal  with  Praife.  Let  it,  then,  break  forth  from 
every  Creature.  Let  the  meaneft  feel  the  infpiring  Im- 
pulfe  ;  let  the  great  eft  acknowledge  themfelves  unable, 
worthily  to  exprefs  the  flupendous  Goodnefs.  ' 

Praise  HIM,  ye  Inje5is  that  crawl  on  the  Ground  ; 
who,  though  high  above  all  Height,  humbled  himfelf 
to  dwell  in  Duft.  Birds  of  the  Air,  waft  on  your 
Wino-s,  and  warble  in  your  Notes,  HIS  Praife;  who, 
thouo-h  Lord  of  the  celefhial  Abodes,  while  fojourn- 
ino-  on  Earth,  wanted  a  Shelter  commodious  as  your 
Nefts. — Ye  rougher  World  of  Brutes^  join  with  the 
o-entle  Songfters  of  the  Shade,  and  howl  to- HIM  your 
hoarfe  Applaufe;  who  breaks  the  Jaw-Bones  of  the  in- 
fernal Lion;  who  foftens  into  Mildnefs  the  favage  Dif- 
pofition;  and  bids  the  Wolf  lie  down,  in  amicable 
Agreement,  with  the  Lamb.  Bleat  our,  ye  Hills;  let 
broader  horos  be  refponfive  from  the  Vales  ;  ye  Forefts 
catch,  and  ye  Rocks  retain,  the  inarticulate  Hymn: 
becaufe  Messiah  the  Prince  feeds  his  Flocky  like  a 
Shepherd,     He  gathers  the  LoMbs  zuith  his   Arm ;   He 

carries 


A     DESCANT     UPON     CREATION. 


i9> 


carries  them  into  his  Bojom  \  ayid  gently  leads  thoje  that  are 
with  Young  *. — Wave,  ye  flately  Cedars^  in  Sign  of 
Woriliip,  wave  your  branching  Heads  to  KIM ;  who 
meekly  bowed  his  own,  on  die  accurfed  Tree.  Pleafing 
Frojpe^s,  Scenes  of  Beauty,  where  nicelt  Art  confpires 
withlavilh  Nature,  to  form  a  Paradife  below;  lay  forth 
all  your  Charms,  and  in  all  your  Charms  confefs  Your- 
felves  a  mere  Blank ;  compared  with  his  Amiablenefs, 
who  is  "  faireft  among  ttn.  Thoufand,  and  altogether 
**  lovely." — Drop  dov/n,  ye  Showers  -,  and  teftify,  as 
you  fall;  teftify  of  HIS  Grace,  which  defcends  more 
copioufly  than  the  Rain,  diftils  more  fweetly  than' the 
Dew.  Let  fighing  Gales  breathe,  and  murmuring  Ri- 
vulets  flow;  breathe  and  flow,  in  harm.onious  Confonance 
to  HIM;  whole  Spirit  is  far  more  reviving,  than  the 
cooling  Breeze ;  who  is  Himfelf  the  Fountain  of  living- 
Waters. 

Ye  Lightnings y  blaze  to  H I S  Honour ;  ye  Thunders^ 
found  HIS  Praife  ;  while  reverberating  Clouds  return 
the  Roar,  and  bellowing  Oceans  propagate  the  tremen- 
dous Anthem. — Muteft  of  Creatures,  add  your  fiJent 
Oratory,  and  difpiay  the  Triumphs  of  HIS  Meeknefs  ; 
who,  though  He  maketh  the  Clouds  his  Chariot,  and 
tfeadeth  upon  the  Waves  of  the  Sea  ;  though  the  Thun- 
<ler  is  his  Voice,  and  the  Lightning  his  Sword  of  Juf- 
tice ;  yet/amidft  the  moft  abufive  and  cruel  Injuries, 
was  fubrhifilve  and  lifted  not  bis  Hand,  was  ''^  dumb 
^*  and  opened  not  his  Mouth." — Great  Source  of  Day^ 
addrels  thy  radiant  Homage  to  a  far  fublimer  Sun. 
Write,  in  all  thy  ample  Round,  with  every  lucid  Beam, 
O!  write  a  Teftimony  to  HIM,  who  is  the  Bright- 
nefs  of  his  Father's  Glory.     Who  is  the  Sun  of  Righte- 

*   Ifa   xl.  II.  . 

O  2  oufhefs 


196        A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION. 

oufnefs  to  a  finful  World ;  and  is  rifen,  never  to  ga 
down ;  is  rifen,  to  be  our  everlalling  Light.-— Shine 
dear,  ye  Skies  ;  look  gay,  thou  Earth  j  let  the  Floods 
clap  their  Hands  -,  and  let  every  Creature  wear  a  Smile : 
for  He  Cometh,  the  Creator  Himfelf  cometh,  to  be 
manifefted  in  the  Flejfh ;  and  with  Him  comes  Pardon^ 
Peace,  and  Joy;  every  Virtue  and  all  Felicity  comes 
in  his  Train.r — Angels  and  Archangels^  let  your  Songs  be 
ofJESUS,  and  teach  the  very  Heavens  to  eclio  with 
his  adored  and  majeftic  Name.  Ye  beheld  Him,  with 
greater  Tranfports  of  Admiration,  when  you  attended 
.  his  Agony  in  the  Garden,  and  faw  Him  proflrate  on  the 
Ground ;  tharn  when  You  beheld  univerfal  Nature 
rifing  at  his  Call,  and  faw  the  Wonders  of  his  creating 
Might.  Tune  to  loftiefl  Notes  your  golden  Harps,  and 
waken  Raptures,  unknown  before  even  in  heavenly 
Breafts :  while  ail  that  has  Breathy  fwells  the  Concert  of 
Harmony  ;  and  all  that  has  Beingy  unites  in  the  Tribute 
of  Praife. 

Chiefly,  let  Man  exalt  his  Voice  ,  let  Man,  with 
diftinguilhed  Hofannas,  hail  the  Redeemer.  For  Man, 
He  was  llretched  on  the  racking  Crofs  ^  for  Man,  He 
was  configned  to  the  gloomy  Sepulchre ;  for  Man,  He 
procured  Grace  unmeafurable,  and  Biifs  inconceivable, 
r— However  different^  therefore^,  in  your  Age^  or  more 
different  in  your  Circuflances,  be  manimousy  O  Men, 
in  magnifying  a  Saviour,  who  is  no  Refpedter  of  Per- 
fons ;  who  gave  Himfelf  a  Ranfom  for  all. — Bend,  ye 
KingSy  from  your  Thrones  of  Ivory  and  Gold  ;  in  your 
Jlobes  of  imperial  Purple,  fall -proftrate  at  HIS  Feet  j 
who  fprfook  a  nobler  Throne,  and  laid  afide  more 
illuftrious  Enfigns  of  Majefty  -,  that  You  might  reign 
with  God  for  ever  and  ever. — Children  of  Poverty, 
meaneft  of  Mortals  (if  any  can  be  called  poor,  who  are 

thus 


A    DESCANT    UPON     CREATION.         197 

thus  enriched  ;  if  any  can  be  accounted  mean,  who  are 
dtus  ennobled) ;  rejoice,  greatly  rejoice,  in  God  youp 
Saviour;  Who  chofe  to  be  indigent,  was  willing  to  be 
contemned ;  that  you  might  be  intitled  to  the  Trea-- 
fures,  ahd  be  numbered  with  the  Princes,  of  Heaven. 
^—Sons  of  Affiiolion^  though  harafTed  with  Pain,  and 
inured  to  Anguiih  !  O  !  change  your  Groahs  into  Songs 
of  Gratitude-.  Let  lio  complaining  Voice,  no  jarring 
String  be  heard^  in  the  univerfal  Symphony  \  but  'glorify 
the  LAMB  even  in  tM  Fires  *.  Who  Himfelf  bore 
greater  Tormeiitj  than  You  feel  -,  and  has  promifed 
Yoa  a  Share  in  the  Joy3  which  He  inherits :  who  has 
made  your  Sufferings  fhort,  and  will  make  your  Reft 
tternal. — Men  oi  hoary  Locks^  bending  brneath  a  Weight 
of  Years,  and  tottering  on  the  Brink  of  the  Grave  ;  let 
Christp  be  your  Support,  under  aD  Infirmities ;  lean 
upon  Christ,  as  the  Rock  of  your  Salvation.  Let  his 
Name,  his  precious  Name,  form  the  laft  Accents,  which 
quiver  on  your  pale  expiring  Lips. — And  let  this  be  the 
firftj  that  lifps  on  your  Tongues,  ye  tender  Infants, 
Remember  your  Redeemer,  in  your  earlieft  Moments. 
Devote  the  Choiceft  of  your  Hours,  to  the  learning  of  his 
Will ;  and  the  Chief  of  your  Strength,  to  the  glorifying 
of  HIS  Name.  Who,  in  the  Perfedion  of  HeaJth, 
4nd  the  very  Prime  of  Manhood3  was  content  to  become 
a  motionlefs  and  ghaftly  Corpfe  \  that  You  might  b« 
girt  with  the  Vigour,  and  cloathed  with  the  Bloom  of 
eternal  Youth* 

Ye  Sprits  oi  juft  Men  made  perfect,  who  are  re- 
leafed  from  the  Burden  of  the  Flelh ;  and  freed  from 
all  the  vexatious  Solicitations  of  Corruption  in  Your- 
felves  j  delivered  from  all  the  injurious  EfFedls  of  Ini- 

*  Ifa,  xxiv.  15* 

O  J  quity 


ipS         A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION. 

quity  in  others.     Who  fojourn  no  longer  in  the  Tents 
of  Strife,  or  the  Territories  of  Diforder ;    but  are  re- 
ceived into  that  pure,  harmonious,  holy  Society,  where 
every  one  acts  up  to  his  amiable  and  exalted  Chara6ter ; 
where  God  Himfelf  is  ph^kd  gracioujly  and  immediately 
to  pre  fide. — You  find,  not  without  pleafing  Aftonilh- 
ment,  your  Hopes  improved  into  aclual  Enjoyment, 
and  your  Faith  fuperfeded  by  the  Beatific  Vifion.     You 
feel  all  your  former  Shynefs  of  Behaviour,  happily  loil 
in  the  Overflowings  of  unboundW  Love  :  and  all  your 
little  DilTcrences  of  Opinion^,  intirely  borne  down  by  Tides 
of  invariable  Truth.   •  Blefs,  therefore,  with  all  your  in- 
larged  Powers,  blefs  His  iniinitely  larger  Goodnefs ;  v/ho, 
when  He  liad  overcome  the  Sharpnefs  of  Death,  opened 
the  Gates  of  P aradiie,  opened  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven, 
to  all  Generations,  and  to  every  Denomination,  of  the 
Faithful. 

Ye  Men  o^ holy  Converfation,  and  humble  Tempers, 
think  of  HIM,  who  loved  l^ou,  and  wajhed  To^  from 
your  Sins  in  his  own  Blood,     Think  of  Him,  on  your 
filent  Couch  ;  talk  of  Him,  in  every  Ibcial  Interview. 
Glory   in  his  Excellencies;    make  your  Boaft  of  his 
Obedience ;  and  add,  ftill  continue  to  add,  the  Inc^nle 
cf  a  dutiful  Life,   to  all  the   Oblations  of  a  grateful 
Tongue. — fVeakeJl  of  Believers,  wiio  go  mourning  un- 
der a  Senfe  of  Guilt,  and  contiic'ting  with  the   ceafelels 
Ailaults  of  Temptation ;  put  off  your  Sack-cloth,  and 
be  girded  with  Gladnefs.     Becaufe  Jesus,  is  as  m.erci- 
hi\  to  hear,  as  He  is  mighty  to  help.     Becaufe,  He  is 
touched  v/ith  the  tcndercii  iympathizing  Concern,  for  all 
your  Diftreiles  y  and  He  lives,  ever  lives,  to  be  your 
Advocate  v/ith  the  FATHER.    Why  then  Hiould  unealy 
Doubts   fadden  your  Countenances  r  Why  fnould  de- 
fponding  Fears  opprefs  your  Souls  ?  Turn,  turn  thofe 
dilconfolate  Sigiis  into  chearftil  Hymns  s  fmce  you  have 

his 


A    DESdANT    UPON    CREATION^.         199 

his  powerful  Intercejfion  and  his  ineftimable  Merits^  to  be 
your  Anchor  in  all  Tribulations,  to  be  your  PafTport  into 
<;ternal  BlefTednefs. 

Most  of  all.  Ye  Minifters  of  the  Sanctuary  \  Heralds 
commifiioned  from  above ;  lift,  every  One,  his  Voice 
like  a  Trumpet,  and  loudly  proclaim  the  Redeemer. 
Get  Ye  up.  Ye  Ambafladors  of  Peace,  get  Ye  up  into 
the  high  Mountains ;  and  fpread  far  and  wide  the  Ho- 
nours of  the  LAMB,  "  that  was  flain,  but  is  alive  for 
*^  evermore."  Teach  every  facred  Roof,  to  refound 
with  his  Fame  ;  and  every  human  Heart,  to  glow  with 
his  Love.  Declare,  as  far  as  the  Force  of  Words  will 
go,  declare  the  inexhaufbible  Fulnefs  of  that  great  Atone- 
ment 5  whofe  Merits  are  commenfurate  with  the  Glories 
of  the  Divinity  *.  Tell  the  finful  Wretch,  what  Pity 
yearns  in  Immanuel's  Bowels  -,  what  Blood  he  has  fpilt, 
what  Agonies  he  has  endured,  what  Wonders  He  has 

*  If  in  this  Place  and  others,  I  have  fpoken  magnificently  of  the 
Blood  of  Christ,  and  its  infuperable  Efficacy  to  expiate  Guilt;  I 
think,  it  is  no  more  than  is  exprefTed,  in  a  very  celebrated  Hymn  ; 
written  by  one  of  the  greateft  WitSy  who  had  alfo  been  one  of  the 
greRtcH  Lil^eriines,  and  afterwards  commenced  one  of  the  moft  rem.ark- 
able  Penitents,  in  France.  A  Hymn,  which  even  Mr.  Bay/e  confefTes 
to  be  a  'Very  fine  one ;  which  another  great  Critic  calls  an  admirable  one  ; 
and  which,,  a  Genius  fuperior  to  them  both,  recommends  as  a  nolle 
one.     (See  Spea.  Vol.  VII.  N=  513.) 

The  Author,  having  acknowledged  his  Crimes  to  be,  beyond  Mea- 
fure  heinous,  and  almoft  beyond  Forgiveaefs  provoking : — fo  pro- 
voking, as  to  render  Tears  from  fuch  Eyes  offenfive,  and  Prayers 
from  fuch  Lips  abominable  : — compofes  himfelf  to  fubmit,  without  the 
leafl:  repining  Sentiment ;  to  fubmit,  even  with  Praife  and  Adoration, 
10  the  mofl  dreadful  Doom.  Accordingly,  he  (lands  in  refigned  Ex- 
pcftation  of  being  inftantly  ftruck  by  the  Bolts  of  Vengeance  ;  but—, 
with  a  Turn  of  Thought  equally  furprifmg  and  fprightly ;  with  a 
Faith  properly  founded,  and  happily  firm ;   He  adds. 

Yet  where  !   O  where  !  can  ev'n  thy  Thunders  fall ! 

Ch  R  IS  t's  Blood  o'erfpreads  and  ihields  me  from  them  all. 

O  4  wrought^ 


20©        A    DESCANT    UPON    CREATION. 

wrought,  for  the  Salvation  of  his  Enemies.     Invite  the 
Indigent,  to  become  rich ;  intreat  the  Guilty,  to  accept 
of  Pardon  ;  becaufe,  with  the  crucified  Jesus  is  plente- 
ous Redemption,  and  Ail-fufficiency  to  fave. — While 
vou,   placed  in  confpicuous  Stations,   pour  the  joyful 
Sound ;  may  I,  as  I  ileal  through  the  Vale  of  human 
Life,  catch  the  pleafing  Accents  !  For  me,  the  Author 
of  all  Blefiings  became  a  Curfe  :  for  me^  his  Bones  were 
diflocated,  and  his  Fleih  was  torn:    He  hung,  with 
ftreaming  Veins,  and  an  agonizing  Soul,  on  the  Crols 
for  7yte.     O  !  may  I,  in  my  little  Sphere,  and  amidll 
the  fcanty  Circle  of  my  Acquaintance,  at  leaft  whilper 
thefc  glad  tranfporting  Tidings  ,  whiiper  them  from  my 
own  Heart,  that  they  may  furely  reach,  and  fweetly 
penetrate  theirs. 

But,  when  Men  and  Angels  raife  the  grar^  Hymn  ; 
when  all  Worlds,  and  all  Beings,  add  their  colleRive 
Acclamations ;  this  full,  fervent,  and  univerfal  Chorus, 
will  be  fo  inferior  to  the  Riches  of  the  Redeemer's 
Grace ;  fo  diffreportionate  to  the  Magnificence  of  his 
Glor}" ;  that  it  will  feem  but  to  debafe  the  unutterable 
Subie£b,  it  attempts  to  exalt.  The  loud  Hallelujah  will 
die  awajy  m  "da^  folemn  mental  Eloquence  of  proftrate, 
4-apturous,  filmt  Adoration. 

O  Goodmjs  infinite  I  Goodnejs  immenje  I 

And  Love  that  palTeth  Knowledge  ! — -Words  are  ualn\ 

Language  is  loft  in  Wonders  Jo  divine, 

^'  Coni^  thm^  expejfive  SifcgNCS,  muje  his  Praife,*' 


C  O  N^ 


CONTEMPLATIONS 


ON      THE 


NIGHT 


Night  is  fair  VirtueV  immemorial  Friend: 
The  confdous  Moon,  through  evWy  diftant  Age^ 
Has  held  a  Lamp  to  Wifdom. 

Night-Thoughts,  N*V, 


T  O 


PAUL      ORCHARD, 


0  F 


Stoke-Abbey,  in  Devonshire,  Efq. 


Dear  Sir, 

AS  your  honoured  Father  was  pleafed  to  make 
choice  of  me,  to  anfwer  in  your  Name  at 
the  Font,  and  to  exercife  a  Sort  oi  Guardian/hip  over 
your  fpiritual  Interefts  ;  permit  me,  by  putting 
thefe  little  Treatifes  into  your  Hand,  to  fulril 
fome  Part  of  that  folemn  Oblieation. 

Gratitude  /or  your  many  fignal  Favours, 
and  a  confcientious  Regard  to  my  facred  Engage- 
ment, have  long  ago  infpired  my  Bi-eaft  with  the 
warmed  Wiflies,  both  for  your  true  Dig7iity^  and 
real  Happinefs,  Nor  can  I  think  of  a  more  en- 
dearing, or  a  more  effedual  Way,  of  advancing 
either  the  oue  or  the  other,  than  to  fet  before  vou 
a  Sketch  of  your  excellent  Father  ^  Charailer. — 
lUuftrious  Examples  are  the  moft  winning  Incite- 
ments to  Virtue.  And  none  can  come  attended 
wdth  fuch  particular  Recommendations  to  You, 
Sir,  as  the  Pattern  of  that  worthy  Perfon,  from 
whom  you  derive  your  very  Being. 

6  A  MOST 


tciv  DEDICATION. 

A  MOST  cordial,  and  reverential  Efteem  for 
the  Divine  Word^  was  one  of  his  remarkable  Qua- 
lities. Thofe  Oracles  of  Heaven  were  his  prin- 
cipal Delight,  and  his  infeparable  Companions. 
Your  Gardens,  your  folitary  Walks,  and  the- 
Hedges  of  your  Fields  can  witnefs  ^^  with  what 
an  unwearied  Affiduity  He  exercifed  Himfelf  in 
the  Law  of  the  Lord*  From  hence  He  fetched 
his  Maxims  of  Wifdom,  and  formed  his  Judg- 
ment of  Things.  The  facred  Precepts^  were  the 
Model  of  his  Temper,  and  the  Guide  of  his  Life  ; 
while  the  precious  Promifes^  were  the  Joy  of  his 
Heart,  and  his  Portion  for  even 

IMPROVING  Company  was  another  of  his 
moft  relifhing  Pleafures.  Few  Gentlemen  were 
better  furniflied,  either  with  Richnefs  of  Fancy, 
or  Copioufnefs  of  Expreffion,  to  bear  a  (hining 
Part  in  Conveifation.  With  thefe  Talents,  He 
always  endeavoured  to  give  fome  ufefttly  generally 
fome  religious^  Turn  to  the  Difcourfe.  Nor  did 
he  ever  refledl,  with  greater  Complacency,  on  his 
Ibcial  Hours,  than  when  they  tended  to  glorify  the 
Eternal  Majefty  ;  and  to  awaken,  in  Himfelf  and 
others,  a  more  lively  Spirit  of  Devotion. 

To  projeft  foi  the  Good  of  Others,  was  his 
frequent  Study,  and  to  carry  thofe  benevolent 
Contrivances  into  Execution,  his  favourite  Em^ 
ploy.     When  vifited  by  the  young  Perfons  of  the 


Jolh.  xxlv,  27, 


Neigh- 


DEDICATION.  gcv 

Neighbourhood,  far  from  taking  an  ungraceful 
Pride  to  initiate  them  in  a  Debauchery,  or  con* 
firm  them  in  a  riotous  Habit ;  it  was  his  inceflant 
Aim,  by  finely-adapted  Perfuafives,  to  encourage 
them  in  Indufiry^  and  eftabUfli  them  in  a  Courfe 
of  Sobriety ;  to  guard  them  againft  the  Allure- 
ments of  Vice,  and  animate  them  with  the  Prin--' 
ciples  of  Piety.  A  noble  Kind  of  Hofpitality 
this  !  Which  will  probably  tranfmit  its  beneficial 
Influence,  to  their  earthly  Poffefilons ;  to  their 
future  Families  ;  and  even  to  their  evexlafting 
State, 

A  Conviction  of  human  Indigence,  and  a 
thorough  Perfuafion  of  the  Diviiie  All-fujfficiency, 
induced  him  to  be  frequent  in  Prayer.  To  prof- 
trate  himfelf  in  profound  Adoration,  before  that 
infinitely  exalted  Being,  who  dwells  in  Light  in- 
acceflible,  was  his  Glory ;  to  implore  the  Conti- 
nuance of  the  Almighty  Favour,  and  the  Increafe 
of  all  Chrifllan  Graces,  Vv^as  his  Gai::.  In  thole 
Moments,  no  doubt,  he  remembered  You,  Sir, 
with  a  particular  Earneftnefs ;  and  lodged  many 
an  ardent  Petition  in  the  Court  of  Heaven,  for 
his  Infant  Son.  Ceafe  not  to  fecond  them  with 
your  own  devout  Supplications,  that  they  may 
<lefcend  upon  your  Head,  "  in  tTie  Fulnefs  of  the 
^'  Bleflings  of  the  Gofpel  of  Peace." 

To  give  their  genuine  Luftre  to  all  his  other 
Endowments,  he  was  careful  to  maintain  an 
humble  Mind.     Though  his  Friends  might  admire 

8  his 


ccvi  DEDICATION. 

his  fuperior  Abilities^  or  his  Acquaintance  applaud 
his  exemplary  Behaviour,  he  faw  how  far  he  fell 
fhort  of  the  Mark  of  his  high  Calling  :  faw,  and 
lamented  his  Defeds  :  faw,  and  renounced  Him- 
felf:  relying,  for  final  Acceptance,  and  endlefs 
Felicity,  on  a  better  Righteoufnefs  than  his  own  ; 
even  on  the  tranfcendently  perfed  Righteoufnefs, 
and  inconceivably  precious  Death,  of  Jesus  the 
Redeemer.  This  was  the  Rock  of  his  Hope,  and 
the  very  Crown  of  his  Rejoicing. 

These,  Sir,  are  fome  of  the  difiinguijhing  Cha- 
ra£leriftics  of  your  deceafed  Parent.  As  you  had 
the  Misfortune  to  lofe  fo  valuable  a  Relative,  be- 
fore you  was  capable  of  forming  any  Acquaint- 
ance with  his  Perlbn  ;  I  flatter  myfelf,  you  will 
the  more  attentively  obferve  his  Picture.  '  Thi^ 
His  moral  PiEiure  ;  defigned,  not  to  be  fet  iii 
Gold,  or  Iparkle  in  Enamel,  but  to  breathe  in 
your  Spirit,  and  to  live  in  all  your  Condudi:.- — ^ 
Which,  though  it  be  intirely  your  own,  calculated 
purely  for  yourfelf,  may  poffibly  (like  the  Family 
Pieces  in  your  Parlour,  that  glance  an  Eye  upon 
as  many  as  enter  the  Room)  make  {omt  pleajing 
and  ufeful  Impreflion  on  every  Beholder. — May 
every  one,  charmed  with  the  beautiful  Image, 
catch  its  Refemblance  ;  and  Each,  in  his  refpec- 
tive  Sphere,  "  go  and  do  likewife."    '  - 

But  You,  Sir,  are  peculiarly  concerned  to  copy 
the  amiable  Original.  As  the  Order  of  an  in- 
dulgent Providence,  has  made  you  Heir  of  the 

affluent 


DEDICATION.  ccvu 

luent  Circumjiances  ;  let  not  a  gay  and  thought- 
lefs  Inadvertence,  cut  you  off  from  the  richer  In^ 
heritance^  of  thefe  noble  Qualifications. — Thefe 
will  be  your  Security,  amidft  all  the  glittering 
Dangers ;  which  are  infeparable  from  blooming 
Years,  and  an  elevated  Situation  in  Life.  Thefe 
are  your  Path,  your  fure  and  only  Pafth,  to  true 
Greatnefs,  and  folid  Happinefs. — Tread  in  thefe 
Steps,  and  you  cannot  fail  to  be  the  Darling  of 
your  Friends,  and  the  Favourite  of  Heaven.  Tread 
in  thefe  Steps,  and  you  will  give  inexpreffible  Joy 
to  one  of  the  beft  of  Mothers  ;  you  will  become 
an  extenfive  Bleffing  to  your  Fellow-Creatures  ; 
and  which,  after  fuch  moft  engaging  Motives,  is 
fearce  worthy  to  be  mentioned,  you  will  be  the 
Delight,  the  Honour,  and  the  Boaft  of. 


'Dear  S  i  Ry 

Tour  very  affeSlionate  Godfather y 
And  moji  faithful  humble  Servant ^ 


Wellon  Favell,  near 

Northampton,     •  JaMESHeRVEVc 

July  14,  1747. 


'Off J  b 


;io  ^Ino^  arb  h:: 


PREFACE. 


tr/'E  have  already  exercijed  our  Speculations^  on  the  Tombs 
and  Flowers;  Jurveying  Nature^  covered  with  the 
deepeft  Horrors^  and  arrayed  in  the  richeft  Beauties,  Al- 
legory taught  many  of  the  Ohje5fSy  to  fpeak  the  Language 
of  Virtue  ;  while  Imagination  lent  her  Colourings  to  give 
the  Lejfcns  an  engaging  Air. — And  this  with  a  View  cf 
imitating  that  Divine  Inflru^or ;  who  commijjioned  the 
Lily  *5  in  her  Silver  Suit,  to  rononjirate  in  the  Ear  of 
unbelieving  Reafon :  Who  fent  his  Difciples  {Men  ordained 
to  teach  the  Univerje)  to  learn  Maxims  of  the  lafi  Im- 
portance, from  the  moft  infignificant  Birds  *,  that  wander 
through  thePaths  of  the  Air;  from  the  very  meaneft/Z^r^j*, 
that  are  fcattered  over  the  Face  of  the  f  Ground. 

E7nbold' 

*  Matt.  vi.  26,  28,  29,  30. 

J-  Celebrated  Writers,  as  Dcmcfiheves  and  Cicero ^  Thucydidcs  and 
Li'-vyy  are  obferved  to  have  a  vStile  peculiar  to  themfelves. — Now, 
whoever  confiders  the  Difcourfes  of  Chriji,  will  find  Him  diftinguift- 
ing  Himfelf  by  a  Stile,  which  may  properly  be  called  HIS  OWN, 
Majeilic,  yet  familiar ;  happily  uniting  Dignity  with  Condefcenfion  ; 
it  confifts,  in  teaching  his  Followers  the  Jublimeji  Truths,  by  fpi- 
ritualizing  on  the  moft  common  Occurrences.  Which,  befides  its  be- 
ing level  to  the  loweft  Apprehenfions ;  and  admirably  adapted  to  fleal 
into  the  moft  inattentive  Heart ;  is  accompanied  with  this  very  lingular 
Advantage,  That  it  turns  even  the  Sphere  of  Bujinefs  into  a  School 
of  Injiruaion ;  and  renders  the  moll  ordinary  Objefts  a  Set  of  Mo- 
nitors, ever  foliciting  our  Regard,  becaufe  evef  prefent  to  our 
Senfes. — So  that,  I  believe,  it  may  be  faid  of  this  amiable  Method^ 
in  which  our  Lord  conveyed;  as  well  as  of  that  poix erf ul Energy ^ 
which  attended  his  Doclrines,  That  ne~-<:er  Man  fpake  like  this  Man. 

P  —The 


ecx  PREFACE. 

Emboldened  by  the  kind  Acceptance  of  the  preceding 
Sketches,  I  beg  Leave  to  confide  in  the  fame  Benevolence 
of  Tafte,  for  the  Protection  and  Support  of  the  two  re- 
maining EJfays  ;  which  exhibit  a  Frofpe5l  of  Hill  Life, 
and  grand  Operation  :  which  moralize  on  the  moji  com- 
pofed,  and  moft  magnificent.  Appearances  of  Things, — In 
which.  Fancy  is  again  fuffered  to  introduce  her  Imagery  ; 
hut  only  as  the  Handmaid  of  Truth :  in  order  to  drefs 
her  Perfon,  and  difplay  her  Charms  -,  to  engage  the  At- 
tention, and  win  the  Love,  even  of  the  Gay,  and  of  the 
F^ihionable.  Which  is  more  likely  to  be  effe5led,  by 
forming  agreeable  PiBures  of  Nature,  and  deriving  in- 
flruclive  Obfervaiions ;  than  by  the  laborious  Method  of 
long-deduced  Arguments,  or  clofe  connected  Reafonings,—- 
The  Contemplation  of  the  Heavens  and  the  Earth,  of 
their  admirable  Properties  and  beneficial  Changes,  has  al- 
ways afforded  the  moft  exalted  Gratification  to  the  human 
Mind,  hi  Compliance  with  this  prevailing  Tafte,  I  have 
drawn  my  ferious  Admonitions  from  the  ftupendous  Theatre, 

»— The  Harveji  approaching.  He  reminds  his  Difciples  of  a  far  more 
important  Harveft,  Johnrv.  35.  Matt,xni.  39.  when  immottal  Be- 
ings Ihall  be  reaped  from  the  Grave,  and  gathered  in  from  all  the 
Quarters  of  the  Earth :  when  every  human  Creature  Ihall  fuflain  the 
Charader  of  valuable  Wheat,  or  defpicable  Tares  j  and  accordingly 
be  lodged  in  Manlions  of  everlafting  Security,  or  configned  over  to 
the  Rage  of  unquenchable  Fire. — In  his  Charge  to  Fijherment  when 
they  are  commencing  Preachers,  Matt,  iv.  19.  He  exhorts  them,  con- 
formably to  the  Nature  of  their  late  Occupation,  to  ufe  the  fame 
AJUtdHtty  and  Addrefsy  in  winning  Souls,  as  they  were  wont  to  exercife 
in  catching  the  finny  Prey. — For  the  farther  Illuftration  of  this  no 
lefs  ufeful,  than  curious  Subjeft,  I  would  refer  my  Reader  to  a  valu- 
able Note,  in  Sir  Ifaac  Ne'wion^^  Obfervations  on  the  Prophecies ; 
p.  148.  4to  Edition. 


PREFACE.  ccxi 

and  variegated  Scenery  of  the  Univerje.  That  the  Reader 
may  learn  his  Duty,  from  his  very  Pleajures — may  gather 
Wifdom,  mingled  'with  Virtue,  from  the  mofl  refined  En- 
tertainments, and  nohlefi  Delights. 

The  Evening,  drawing  her  Sables  over  the  Worlds  and 
gently  darkening  into  Night,  is  a  Seafon  peculiarly  proper 
forfedate  Conftderation,  All  Circumftances  concur^  to  hiijh 
our  Paffions,  andfooth  our  Cares  -,  to  tempt  our  Steps  abroad^ 
and  prompt  our  Thoughts  tojerious  Refle5fiGn, 


'Then  is  the  Time, 


For  thofe,  whom  Wifdom,  and  whom  Nature  cliarm. 

To  Ileal  themfelves  from  the  degen'rate  Croud, 

And  foar  above  this  little  Scene  of  Things ; 

To  tread  low-thoughted  Vice  beneath  their  Feet ; 

To  footh  the  throbbing  Pafiions  into  Peace  ; 

And  woo  lone  Quiet  in  her  filent  Walks  *. 

The  Favour  I  would  f elicit  for  the  firil  of  the  follow- 
ing Compofitionsy  is.  That  it  may  be  permitted  to  attend, 
fnfuch  retired  and  contemplative  Excurfions.  To  attend,  if 
not  under  the  Character  of  a  Friend ,  atleaft,  in  the  hum- 
ble Capacity  of  a  Servant,  or  a  Page: — as  a  Servant,  to 
■open  the  Door  of  Meditation,  and  remove  every  Impediment 
to  thofe  beft  Exercifes  of  the  Mind ;  which  blend  Advantage 
with  Amufement,  and  improve,  while  they  delight : — as  a 
Page,  to  gather  up  the  unfiable,  fluSluating  Train  of  Fancy  ; 
and  colle5f  her  fickle  Powers  into  a  ccnfifient,  regular,  and 
vfeful  Habit  of  Thinking. 

The  other,  converfant  among  the  ftarry  Regions,  would 
lead  the  Imagination  through_  thofe  beautiful  Trails  of  un- 

^  Thoms.  Autumn,  l- ^"^l-  lad:  Edit. 

P  2  elcuded. 


ccxii  PREFACE. 

clouded  Azure  ;  and  point  pv.t  to  the  Judgment  fome  ofthofe 
<ifioriifhing  P  articular  s^  which  Jo  eminently  Jcgndltze  the  ce- 
lejlial  Worlds.  A  Projpe^f  this,  to  which  Curiojity  attra5ls 
our  Eyes,  and  to  which  Scripture  itjelf  ojten  directs  our 
Study,  A  Prcjpcoi  beyond  all  others  mojl  excellently  col- 
/culatedj  to  inlarge  the  Soul,  and  ennoble  its  Conceptions ; 
'—to  give  the  grandeji  Apprehenjions  oj  the  Everlafling 
GOD,  and  create  Sentiments  cj becoming  Superiority,  with 
relation  to  all  tranfitory  Inter ejls  -, — in  a  Word,  to  JurniJJj 
Faith  with  the  Jureji  Foundation,  Jor  ajleady  Affiance,  and 
true  Magnanimity  cJ  Spirit ;  to  afford  Piety  the  Jlrongeji 
Motives,  both  Jor  a  lively  Gratitude,  and  projound  Vene- 
ration. 

While  GaliliEO  lijts  his  Tube,  and  difcovers  the  prodigious 
Magnitude  oJ  thoje  radiant  Orbs ; — while  Newton  meajures 
their  amazing  Bijiances,  and  unites  the  whole  Syjlem,  in 
harmonious  Order,  by  thejubtle  Influences  oJ  Attraction : — 
J  would  only,  like  the  Herald  kejore  that  illujirious  Hebrew  *, 
proclaim  at  every  Turn,  "  Bow  the  Knee,  and  adore  the 
"  Almighty  Mqker  -,  magnijy  his  eternal  Name,  and  make 
"  his  Praifcj  Uke  all  his  Works,  to  be  glorious." 

*  Gen.  xli.  43. 


CON- 


CONTEMPLATIONS 


ON       THE 


NIGHT. 


THE  Bufinefs  of  the  Day  dilpatched,  and  the  fultry 
Heats  abated,  invited  me  to  the  Recreadon  of  a 
Walk.  A  Walk,  in  one  of  die  fineft  Recedes  of  the 
Country  5  and  in  one  of  the  moi^if  leaf  ant  Evenings  y  which 
the  Summer-Seafon  produced. 

The  Limes  and  Elms,  uniting  their  Branches  over 
my  Head,  formed  a  verdant  Canopy,  and  caft  a  moft 
refrefhing  Shade.  Under  my  Feet  lay  a  Carpet  of  Na- 
ture's Velvet ;  Grafs  intermingled  with  Mofs,  and  em- 
broidered v/ith  Flowers.  JefHimines,  in  Conjundiion 
with  Woodbines,  twined  around  the  Trees  ;  difplaying 
their  artlefs  Beauties  to  the  Eye,  and  diffufmg  their  deli- 
cious Sweets  through  the  Air.  On  either  Side,  the 
Boughs,  rounded  into  a  Set  of  regular  Arches,  opened 
a  View  into  the  diftant  Fields,  and  prefented  me  with  a 
Profpe6l  of  the  bending  Skies,  The  little  Birds,  all  joy- 
ous and  grateful  for  the  Favours  of  the  Light,  were 
paying  their  Acknov/ledgments  in  a  Tribute  of  Harmony^ 
and  Ibothing  themfeives  to  Red  with  Songs.  While 
a  French-Horn,  from  a  neighbouring  Seat,  lent  its  me- 

P  3  lodious 


214  CONTEMPLATION'S 

lodious  Accents,  foftened  by  the  Length  of  their  Paffage, 
to  complete  the  Concert  of  the  Grove, 

Roving  in  this  agreeable  Manner,  my  Thoughts 
were  excrcifed  on  a  Subje6t,  ftill  more  agreeable  than 
the  Seafon,  or  the  Scene.  I  mean,  our  late  fignal  Vic- 
tory^  over  the  united  Forces  of  inteiline  Treafon,  and 
foreign  Invafion.  A  Vi6tory,  which  pours  Joy  through 
the  prefent  Age,  and  will  tranfmit  its  Influence  to  Gene- 
rations yet  unborn.— Are  not  all  the  BlelTings,  which  can 
endear  Society,  or  render  Life  itfelf  defirable,  centered 
in  our  prefent  happy  Conflitution,  and  aufpicious  Go- 
vernment ?  Were  they  not  all  ftruck  at,  by  that  impious 
and'  horrid  Blow,  meditated  at  Rome ;  levelled  by  France-, 
and  feconded  by  factious  Spirits  at  Home?  Who  then 
can  be  fufficiently  thankful,  for  the  gracious  Interpo- 
fition  of  Providence  ;  which  has  not  only  averted  the  im- 
pending Ruin,  but  turned  it  with  aggravated  ConfufiOii, 
on  the  Authors  of  our  Troubles  ? 

Methinks,  every  Thing  valuable^  which  I  pofTefs ; 
every  Thing  charming  which  I  behold ;  confpire  to. 
enhance  this  ever-memorable  Event.  To  this  it  is 
ov/ing,  that  I  can  ramble  unmolefted  along  the  Vale 
of  private  Life,  and  tafte  all  the  innocent  Satisfactions 
of  a  coyiternflative  Retirement. — Had  Rebellion  *  fuc- 
ceeded  in  her  deteftabie  Defigns  \  infhead  of  walking 
with  Security  and  Complacence  in  thefe  flowery  Paths, 
I  might  have  met  the  AJfaJJin  with  his  Bagger ;  or  have 
been  obliged  to  abandon  my  Habitation,  and  "  embrace 
"  the  Rock  for  Shelter." — Farewel  then,  ye  fragrant 
Shades ;  Seats  of  Meditation,  and  calm  Repofe !  I  fhould 

^*  Referring  to  the  Rebellion,  fet  on  Foot  in  the  Year  1745. — 
Which,  for  feveral  Months,  made  a  very  alarming  Progrefs  in  the 
North — but  ^^^s  happily  extinguifhf  d  by  the  glorious  and  decifive 
Vi<^ory  at  Culkc^er^, 

have 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  .         215 

have  been  driven  from  your  loved  Retreats,  to  make 
Way  for  fome  barbarous,  fome  infulting  Victor.'- — Fare- 
wel  then,  ye  pleafing  Toils,  and  wholefome  Amufe- 
ments  of  my  rural  Hours !  I  ihould  no  more  have  rear- 
ed the  tender  Flower  to  the  Sun  ;  no  more  have  taught 
th^  Efpaher  to  expand  her  Boughs ;  nor  have  fetched, 
any  longer,  from  my  Kitchen-Garden,  the  pureft  Sup- 
plies of  Health. 

Had  Rebellion  fucceeded  in  her  deteflable  Defigns  ; 
inflead  of  being  regaled  with  the  Mufic  of  the  Woods^  I 
might  have  been  alarmed  with  the  Sound  of  the  Trum- 
pet, and  all  the  Thunder  of  War.  Inflead  of  being 
entertained  with  this  beautiful  Landfcape,  I  might  have 
beheld  our  Houfes  ranfacked,  and  our  Villages  plunder- 
ed ;  I  jnight  have  beheld  our  fenced  Cities  encompaflec} 
with  Armies,  and  our  fruitful  Fields  "  cloathed  with 
"  Defoladon ;"  or  have  been  fhocked  with  the  more 
frightful  Images,  of  "  Garments  rolled  in  Blood,"  and 
of  a  Ruffian's  Blade  reeking  from  a  Brother's  Heart, 
Inftcad  of  Peace,  with  her  cheating  Olives,  fhekering 
our  Abodes  ;  inftead  of  Judice,  with  her  impartial  Scale, 
fecuring  our  Goods  -,  Perjecution  had  brandilhed  her  Sword, 
and  Slavery  clanked  her  Chains. 

Nor  are  thefe  Miferies  imaginary  only,  or  the  Crea-» 
tures  of  a  groundlefs  Panic/  There  are,  in  a  neigh- 
bouring Kingdom,  who  very  lately  experienced  them  in 
all  their  Rigour*.  And,  if  the  malignant  Spirit  of 
Popery y  had  forced  itfelf  into  our  Church  i  if  an  abjure^^ 
Pretender y  had  cut  his  Way  to  our  Throne  ;  We  could 
have  no  Reafon  to  expedl  a  Mitigation  of  their  Severity, 

*  See  a  Pamphlet  intitled.  Popery  always  the  fume, — Which  contains 
a  Narrative  of  the  Perfecuthns,  and  fevere  Hardfhips  lately  fufFered  by 
the  Protejlantsy^  in  the  Southern  Parts  o{ France ;  and  clofes  with  a  moll 
feafonable,  alarming,  and  fpirited  Addrefs  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Great-. 
Britain,     Printed  1 74.6.     Price  8^. 

P  4  on 


2i6  CONTEMPLATIONS 

on  our  Behalf. — But,  fuppofing  the  tender  Mercies  of 
a  bigotted  Ufurper,  to  have  been  fomewhat  lefs  cruel. 
Where,  alas  !  would  have  been  the  Encouragement  to 
cultivate  our  little  Portion;  or  what  Pleafure  could 
arife,  from  an  improved  Spot ;  if  both  the  one  and  the 
other  lay,  every  Moment,  at  the  Mercy  of  laihlejs 
Power  ?  This  imbittering  Circumftance  would  fpoil  their 
Relifhs  and  by  rendering  them  2i  precarious,  would  ren- 
der them  ^joykfs  Acquifition. — In  vain,  might  the  Vine 
Ipread  her  purple  Clullers  3  in  vain,  be  lavifli  of  her 
generous  Juices;  if  Tyranny,  like  a  ravenous  Harpy, 
ihould  be  always  hovering  over  the  Bowl,  and  ready  to 
ihatch  it  from,  the  Lip  of  Induftry,  or  to  wrefl  it  frorn 
the  Hand  of  liberty. 

LIBERTY,  that  deareil  of  Names  !  and  Property, 
that  beft  of  Charters;  give  an  additional,  an  inexpreffi- 
ble  Charm,  to  every  delightful  Obje6t. — See,  how  the 
declining  Sun  has  beautified  the  weft.ern  Clouds ;  has 
arrayed  them  in  Crimfon,  and  fkirted  them  with  Gold. 
Such  a  Refinement  of  our  dom^eflic  Blils,  is  Property; 
fuch  an  Improvemient  of  our  public  Privileges,  is  Li- 
berty.— When  the  'Lamp  of  Day  iliail  withdrav/  his 
Beams,  there  will  ftill  remain  the  fame  ColleLlion  of 
floating  Vapours  ;  but  O !  how  changed,  how  gloomy  ! 
The  Carnation- Streaks  are  faded  ;  the  golden  Edgings 
are  wore  away;  and  all  the  lovely  Tinges  are  loll,  in. 
a  leaden-coloured  louring  Sadnefs.  Such  would  be  the 
Afpedl:,  of  all  thefe  Scenes  of  Beauty,  and  all  thefe 
Abodes  of  Pleafure  ;  if  expofed  continually  to  the  Ca- 
price of  arbitrary  Sway,  or  held  in  a  State  of  abjed  and 
cringing  Dependence. 

The  Sun  has  almoft  finiflied  his  daily  Race,  and 
haflens  to  the  Goal.  He  defccnds  lower  and  lower ; 
till  his  Chariot- Wheels  feem  to  hover  on  the  utnioft 
Vero;e   of  the   Sk-f.     What   is   feme vv hat  remarkable, 

the 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  217 

the  Orb  of  Light,  upon  the  Point  of  fetting,  growls 
eonfiderably  broader.  The  Shadows  of  Obiecls,  juft  bcr- 
fore  they  become  blended  in  undiftinguilhable  Darkne% 
are  exceedingly  lengthened'^.' — Like  Bleflings,  little 
prized,  while  pojpjfed :  but  highly  efleemed,  the  very 
Inllant  they  are  preparing  for  their  Fhght :  bitterly 
regretted,  when  once  tiiey  are  goiie,  and  to  be  feen  no 
more. 

The  radiant  Globe  is,  nov/,  haif-immerfed  beneath 
the  dufi-cy  Earth.  Or,  as  the.  antient  Poets  fpeak,  is 
Ihoodng  into  the  Ocean,  and  finks  in  the  weilern  Sea. 
■ — And  could  I  view  the  Sea,  at  this  Jundlure,  it  would 
yield  a  mofr  amufmg  and  curious  Sreccacle.  The  Rays, 
flriking  horizontally  on  the  liquid  Element,  give  it  the 
Appearance  of  floating  Glafs  y  or,  refiedted  in  many  a 
different  Dire6Lion,  form  a  beautiful  Multiplicity  of 
Colours. — A  Stranger,  as  he  walks  along  the  fandy 
Beach ;  and,  loft  in  penfive  Attention,  liftens  to  the 
Murmurings  of  the  refblefs  Flood  -,  is  agreeably  alarmed 
by  the  gay  Decorations  of  the  Surface.  With  Entertain- 
ment,  and  v/iih  Wonder,  he  fees  the  curling  Waves,  here 
gliflening  with  White,  there  glowing  with  Purple ;  in 
one  Place,  wearing  an  Azure  Tmdure ;  in  another, 
glancing  a  Cad  of  undulating  Green  ;  in  the  Whole,  ex- 
hibiting a  Piece  off  uid  Scenery,  that  may  vie  with  yonder 
Pencil  Tapeftries,  though  wrought  in  the  Loom,  and 
thiged  with  the  Dyes  of  Heaven. 

While  I  am  tranfported  by  Fancy  to  the  Shores  of 
the  Ocean,  the  great  Luminar}^  is  funk  beneath  the 
Horizon,  and  totally  difappears.  The  whole  Face  of 
the  Ground  is  overfpread  v/ith  Shades  ;  or  widi,  v/Jiat 
one  of  the  finefl  Painters  of  Nature  calls,  a  dun  Ob- 
Jcurify.     Only  a  few  very  fuperior  Eminences  are  tipt 

*  Majcrefiiie  cadunt  altis  de  MontihuiVmhrfC.  Virg. 

with 


„g  CONTEMPLATIONS 

with  ftreaming  Silver.  The  Tops  of  Groves,  and  lofty 
Towers,  catch  the  laft  Smiles  of  Day*;  are  flill  irra- 
diated by  the  departing  Beams. — But,  O !  how  tranfient 
is  the  diftin6tion !  how  momentary  the  Gift !  I >ike  all 
the  BlefTings,  which  Mortals  enjoy  below^  it  is  goney 
aimoft  as  foon  as  granted.  See !  how  languifbingly  it 
trembles  on  the  leafy  Spire  ;  and  glimmers,  with  a  dy- 
ing Faintnefs,  on  the  Mountain's  Brow.  The  little  Vi- 
vacity, that  remains,  decays  every  Moment.  It  can  no 
longer  hold  its  Station.  While  I  fpeak,  it  expires ; 
and  refigns  the  World  to  the  gradual  Approaches  of 
Night. 

-'  Now  Twilight  grey 

Has  in  her  Joher  Liv'ry  all  Things  clad  f . 
Every  Obje(51:,  a  little  while  ago,  glared  with  Light ; 
but  now,  all  appears  under  a  more  qualified  Luftre. 
The  Animals  harmonize  with  the  infenfible  Creation ; 
and  what  was  gay  in  thofe,  as  well  as  glittering  in  this, 
gives  Place  to  an  univerfal  Gravity.  In  the  Meadows, 
all  was  jocund  and  fportive  :  but  now  the  gamefome 
Lambs  are  grown  weary  of  their  Frolicks ;  and  the 
tired  Shepherd,  has  impofed  Silence  on  his  Pipe.  In 
the  Branches,  all  was  Sprightlincfs  and  Song :  but  now 
the  lively  Green,  is  wrapt  in  the  defcending  Glooms ; 
and  no  tuneful  Airs  are  heard,  only  the  plaintive  Stock- 
dove, cooing  mournfully  through  the  Grove. • — Should  I 
now  be  vain  and  trifling,  the  Heavens  and  the  Earth 
would  rebuke  my  unfeafonable  Levity.-^Therefore,  be 
thefe  Moments  devoted  to  Thoughts,/^^^/^  as  the  clofmg 

•  See  this  remarkable  Appearance  delicately  defcribed,  and  wrought 
into  a  Comparifon,  which,  in  my  Opinion,  is  one  of  the  moll  juft, 
beautiful,  and  noble  Pieces  of  Imagery,  to  be  found  in  modern  Poetry  j 
Night  ^houghtsy  N®  II.  p.  42.  4to  Edit. 

t  Milt.  Par.LoJi,  B.  IV.  1.^98. 

Days 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  219 

Dayi  Jolemny  as  the  Face  of  Things.  And,  indeed, 
however  my  focial  Hours  are  enlivened  with  innocent 
Pleafantry  ;  let  every  Evening,  in  her  fable  Habit,  toll 
the  Bell  to  ferious  Confideration.  Nothing  can  be  more 
proper,  for  a  Perfon  who  walks  on  the  Borders  of  Eter- 
nity, and  is  hailing  continually  to  his  final  Audit  -,  no- 
thing more  proper,  than  daily  to  flip  away  from  the  Cir- 
cle of  Amufements,  and  frequently  to  relinquilK  the 
Hurry  of  Bufmefs,  in  order  to  confider  and  adjult  ''  the 
"  Things  that  belong  to  his  Peace." 

Since  the  Sun  is  departed,  from  whence  can  It  pro- 
ceed, that  I  am  not  involved  in  pitchy  Darknefs  ? 
Whence  thefe  Remainders  of  diminiJJjed  Brightnefs? 
Which,  though  fcarcely  forming  a  Refulgence,  foften 
and  footh  the  Horrors  of  Night.  I  fee  not  the  fhining 
Ruler,  yet  am  cheated  with  a  realj  though  faint  Com- 
munication of  his  Splendor. — ^Does  he  remember  Us, 
in  his  Progrefs  through  other  Climes  ?  Does  He  fend  -a 
Detachment  of  his  Rays,  to  ejcort  Us  during  his  perfonal 
Abfence  i  or  to  cover  (if  I  may  ufe  the  military  Term) 
our  Retreat  from  the  Scene  of  A6lion  ?  Has  he  be- 
queathed Us  a  Dividend  of  his  Beams,  fufHcient  to 
render  our  Circumfliances  eafy,  and  our  Situation  agree- 
able ?  Till  Sleep  pours  its  foft  Opprefllon  on  the  Or- 
gans of  Senfe ;  till  Sleep  fufpends  all  the  Operations  of 
our  Hands ;  and  intirely  fuperfcdes  any  farther  Occa- 
fion  for  the  Lig;ht. 

No:  it  is  ill-judged  and  unreafonable,  to  afcribe  this 
beneficent  Condud  to  the  Sun.  Not  unto  Him ;  not 
unto  Him ;  but  unto  his  Almighty  Maker  We  are  obliged, 
for  this  pleafmg  Attendant,  this  valuable  Legacy.  The 
gracious  Author  of  our  Being,  has  fo  difpofed  the  Collec- 
tion of  circumambient  Air,  as  to  make  it  produftive  of 
this  fine  and  wonderful  ^ffed.     The  Sun-beam.s,  falling 

oa 


220  CONTEMPLATIONS 

on  the  higher  Parts  of  the  aerial  Fluid/ inftead  of  paiTing 
on  in  ftrait  Lines,  are  bent  inwards  and  conducted  to 
our  Sight.  Their  natural  Courfe  is  over-ruled,  and  they 
are  bidden  to  wheel  about ;  on  purpofe  to  favour  Us 
with  a  welcome  and  falutary  Vifit. — By  which  means,  • 
the  BleiTing  of  Light,  and  the  Sealbn  of  Bufmefs,  are 
confiderably  prolonged.  And,  what  is  a  very  endearing 
Circumftance,  prolonged  moil  confiderably ;  when  the 
vehement  Heats  of  Summer,  incline  th.^  Student  to  pofl- 
pone  his  Walk,  till  the  temperate  Evening  prevails ; 
when  the  important  Labours  of  the  Harveft,  call  the 
Hujhandman  abroad,  before  die  Day  is  fully  rifen. 

After  all  the  Ardors  of  the  fultry  Day,  how  r-eviving 
is  this  Coclnefs! — -This  gives  new  Verdure  to  the  fading 
Plants ;  new  Vivacity  to  the  withering  Flowers ;  and  a 
more  exquifite  Fragrance  to  their  mingled  Scents.; — By 
this,  the  Jir  alfo  receives  a  new  Force,  and  is  qualified^ 
to  exert  itfelf  with  greater  Adivity.  Qualified  to  brace 
our  Limbs  ;  to  heave  our  Lungs  j  and  co-operate,  with 
a  briflcer  Impulfe,  in  perpetuating  the  Circulation  of  our 
Blood. — This  I  might  call  the  grand  Alembic  of  Na- 
ture; which  dillils  lier  mofl  fovereign  Cordial,  the  re- 
frefhing  Dews,  IncefTant  Heat,  would  rob  Us  of  their 
beneficial  Agency ;  and  oblige  them  to  evaporate,  in 
imperceptible  Exhalations,  Turbulent  Winds,  or  even 
the  gentler  Motions  of  Aurora's  Fan,  would  dillipate  the 
rifing  Vapours,  and  not  fufFer  them  to  form  a  Coalition, 
But,  favoured  by  the  Stilnefs,  and  condenfed  by  the 
Coolnefs  of  the  Night ;  they  unite  in  pearly  Drops,  and 
create  tliat  finely  tempered  Humidity,  which  chears  the 
vegetable  World,  as  Sleep  exhilarates  the  animal. 

Not  unlike  to  thefe,  are  the  Advantages  of  Solitude, 

The  World  is  a  troubled  Ocean  ^  and  who  can  erecl 

flabie  Purpofes,  on  its  fluduating  Waves?  The  World 

6  is 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  ^ti 

is  a  School  of  Wrong ;  and  who  does  not  feel  HImfelf 
warping,  to  its  pernicious  Influences  *  P  On  this  Sea  of 
Glafs  f,  how  infenfibly  we  flide  from  our  own  Stedfaft- 
nefs  !  fome  {acvtd  Truths  which  was  ftruck  in  lively  Cha- 
radters  on  our  Souls,  is  obfcured,  if  not  obliterated. 
Some  worthy  Rejolution^  wliich  Heaven  had  v.rought  in 
our  Breads,  is  fhaken,  if  not  overthrown.  Some  in- 
ticing  Vanity y  which  we  had  folemnly  renounced,  again 
pradtifes  its  Wiles,  and  again  captivates  our  Affe6tions. 
How  often  has  an  unwary  Glance,  kindled  a  Fever  of 
irregular  Defire  in  our  Hearts  ?  How  often  has  a  Word 
of  Applaufe,  dropt  lufcious  Poifon  into  our  Ears ;  or 
fome  difrefpe6tful  Expreflion,  raifed  a  Gufb  of  Paflion 
in  our  Bofom.s  P  Our  Innocence  is  of  fo  tender  a  Confti- 
tution,  that  it  fuffers  in  the  promifcuous  Croud.  Our 
Purity  is  of  fo  delicate  a  Complexion,  that  it  fcarce 
touches  on  the  World,  without  contradling  a  Stain. 
We  fee,  we  hear,  with  Peril. 

But  here  Safety  dwells.  "Every  meddling  and  intru- 
five  Avocation  is  fecluded.  Silence  holds  the  Door 
againil  the  Strife  of  Tongues,  and  all  the  Impertinen- 
cies  of  idle  Converfation.  The  bufy  Swarm  of  vain 
Images,  and  cajoling  Temptations;  which  befet  Us, 
with  a  buzzing  Importunity/,  amidfl  the  Gaieties  of  Life; 
are  chafed  by  thele  diickening  Shades.  Here  I  may, 
without  Diflurbance,  commune  with  my  own  Heart; 
.and  learn  that  befl  of  Sciences,  to  know  myjelf.  Here, 
the  Soul  may  rally  her  diiTipated  Powers,  and  Grace  re- 
cover its  native  Energy. — Tliis  is  the  Opportunity,  to 
FCiftify  every  evil  Imprefiion ;  to  expel  the  Poifon,  and 
guard  againil  the  Contagion,  of  corrupting  Examples. 

*  Nunquam  a  turha  mores,  quos  extuli,  refero.  Aliquid,  ex  eo  quod 
ccfnpofui,  tiirbatur  :  (iliquid,  ex  his  qua  fuga^vi ,  redit.  hiimica  ejl  multo^ 
mm  cori'verfatio.  ■' '\^-        ''  Sekkc. 

f -Rev.  XV.  2. 

This 


223  CONTEMPLATIONS 

This  is  the  Place,  where  I  may,  with  Advantage,  apply 
myfelf  to  fubdue  the  Rebel  within  ;  and  be  Mafter,  not 
of  a  Sceptre,  but  of  myfelf. — Throng  then,  ye  Am- 
bitious, the  Levees  of  die  Powerful  -,  I  will  be  punctual 
in  my  Aflignations  with  Solitude.  To  a  Mind  intent 
upon  its  own  Improvement,  Solitude  has  Charms  in- 
comparably more  engaging,  than  the  Entertainments  pre- 
fented  in  the  Theatre ;  or  the  Honours  conferred  in  the 
Drawing-Room» 

I  SAID,  Solitude. — Am  I  then  alone? — 'Tis  true,  my 
Acquaintance  are  at  a  Diftance.  I  have  Hole  away  from 
Company,  and  am  remote  from  all  human  Obfervation. 
—But  that  is  an  alarming  Thought, 

Millions  of  fpi ritual  Creatures  walk  the  Earth , 
Unfeen,  both  when  we  wake^  and  when  wejleep  *. 

Perhaps,  there  may  be  Numbers  of  thole  invifible 
BelngSy  patroling  this  fame  Retreat;  and  joining  with 
me,  in  contemplating  the  Creator's  Works.  Perhaps, 
ihofe  minijlring  SpiritSy  who  rejoice  at  the  Converfion  of 
a  Sinner,  and  hold  up  the  Goings  of  the  Righteous,  may 
follow  us  to  the  lonely  Recefs ;  and,  even  in  our  moft 
folitary  Moments,  be  our  conftant  Attendants. — What 
a  pleafing  Awe  is  awakened,  by  fuch  a  Refledlion!  How 
venerable  it  renders  my  retired  Walks!  I  am  ftruck 
with  Reverence,  as  under  the  Roof  of  {omc  /acred  Edi- 
fice i  or  in  the  Prejcnce-Chamber  of  fome  mighty  Mo- 
narch.— O !  may  I  never  bring  any  Pride  of  Imagina- 
tion, nor  indulge  the  leaft  diflblute  Affedion  j  where 
fuch  refined  and  exalted  Intelligencies  exercife  their 
Watch! 

'Tis  polTible,  that  I  am  encompalled  with  fuch  a 
Cloud  of  W^itneiTesi  but  it  is  certain,  that  God,  the 

*  MihT.  Par, Lojf,  B.IV.L677. 
I 

infinite 


ON    THE    NIGHT,  223 

infititte  eternal  God,  is  now  and  ever  with  me.  The 
great  Jfhovah,  before  whom  all  the  Angelic  Armies 
bow  their  Heads,  and  veil  their  Faces,  furrounds  me ; 
fupports  mc  j  pervades  me.  "  In  Him  I  live,  move, 
*^  and  have  my  Being." — The  whole  World  is  his  au- 
giift  Temple ;  and,  in  the  moft  fequeflcred  Corner,  I 
appear  before  his  adorable  Majefty,  no  lefs  than  when 
I  worfhip  in  his  Houfe,  or  kneel  at  his  Altar.  In  every 
Place,  therefore,  let  me  pay  him  the  Homage  of  a 
Heart,  cleanfed  from  Idols,  and  devoted  to  liis  Service. 
In  every  Circumftance,  let  me  feel  no  Ambition y  but  to 
pleafe  Him ;  nor  covet  any  Happinefsy  but  to  enjoy  Him. 

How  fublime  is  the  Defcription,  and  how  ftriking 
"the  Sentiment,  in  that  noble  Pafiage  of  the  Pfalms ! 
Whither  Jh all  I  go  from  thy  Spirit y  or  whither  Jhall  I  flee 
from  thy  Prefence  ?  If  I  climb  up  into  the  Heights  of 
Heaven,  Thou  art  there  inthroned  in  Light.  If  I  go 
down  to  the  Depths  of  the  Grave,  Thou  art  there  alfo  in 
thy  Pavilion  of  Darknefs.  If  I  retire  to  the  remoteil 
Eaftern  Climes,  where  the  Morning  firft  takes  Wing: 
ify  fwifter  than  the  darting  Ray,  /  pafs  to  the  oppofite 
Regions  of  the  Weft,  and  remain  in  the  uttermoft  Parts 
of  the  Sea*:  fhall  I,  in  that  diftant  Situation,  be  be- 
yond thy  Reach;  or,  by  this  flidden  Tranfition,  efcape 
thy  Notice !  So  far  from  it ;  that  could  I,  with  one 
Glance  of  Thought,  tranlport  myfelf  beyond  all  the 
Bounds  of  Creation  -,  I  fhould  flill  be  incircled  with  the 
Immenfity  of  thy  Eflence ;  or  rather,  ftill  be  inclofed  ia 
the  Hollow  of  thy  Hand. — Awful  yet  delightful  Truth! 


*  P/al.  cxxxix.  7,  8,  9.  There  is,  I  think,  an  additional  Strength 
and  Beauty  in  the  Thought ;  if,  with  the  learned  Mr.  Mu^ge,  we  fup- 
pofe  an  A?itithefis  between  the  two  Claufes  of  the  laft  Verfe,  as  there 
evidently  is  between  thofe  of  the  preceding  ;  and  that  they  exprefs,  in 
a  poetical  Stile^  the  Extremities  of  the  Eaji  and  the  Weji, 


J-et 


-J24  CONTEMPLATIONS 

Let  it  be  interwoven  with  every  Thought  1  and  become 
one  with  the  very  Coniciouihefs  of  my  Exrftence  !  That 
I  may  continually  vjdk  with  GOB  ;  and  condud:  my- 
Iclf.  in  every  Step  of  my  Behaviour,  "  as  feeing  HIM 
"  that  is  invijihle'' 

They  are  the  happy  Perlbns ;  Felicity,  true  Felicity, 
is  all  their  oivn  -,  v7ho  live  under  an  habitual  Senfe  of 
God's  Omniprefence,  and  a  fweet  Perfuafion  of  his  fpe- 
cial  Love.  If  Dangers  threaten,  that  impregnable  De- 
fence is  at  hand.  Nothing  can  be  ^o  near  to  terrify,  as 
their  Almighty  Guardian  to  fecure  them.. — To  Thefe, 
the  Hours  can  never  be  tedious ;  and  it  is  impoITible, 
for  them,  to  be  alone.  Do  they  ilep  alide  from  the  Oc- 
^cupations  of  animal  Life  ?  A  more  exalted  Set  of  Em- 
ployments engage  their  Attention.  They  addrefs  them- 
felves,  in  all  the  various  A6ts  of  Devotion,  to  their 
heavenly  Father ;  who  now  fees  in  Jecret^  and  will  here- 
after reward  them  opnly.  They  fpread  ail  their  Wants, 
before  his  indulgent  Eyej  and  dilburden  all  their  Sor- 
rows, into  his  compaffionate  Bofom. — Do  they  with- 
draw from  human  Society  ?  They  find  themfelves  under 
die  more  imimediate  Regards  of  their  Maker.  If  they 
refio-n  the  Satisfadions  of  Ibcial  Intercourfe  -,  it  is  to 
cultivate  a  Correfpondence  with  the  condefcending 
Deity,  and  tafle  the  Pleafures  of  Divine  Friendfhip. — 
What  is  fiich  a  State,  but  tlie  very  Suburbs  of  Hea- 
ven ?  What  is  fiich  a  Coyiducl,  but  an  Antepafl  of  eter- 
nal Bleficdnefs  ? 

Now,  miy  Soul,  the  Day  is  ended.  The  Hours  are 
all  fied.  They  are  fled  to  the  fupreme  Judge,  and  have 
given  in  their  Evidence.  An  Evidence,  regiflered  in 
Heaven  1  and  to  be  produced,  at  the  great  Audit.— 
Happy  They  I  whofe  Improvement  has  kept  Pace  with 
the  fleeting  Minutes.     Who  have  feized  the  important 

Fugitives  i 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  225 

Fugitives;  and  engaged  them  In  the  Purfuit  oiWiJdom^ 
or  devoted  them  to  the  Service  of  Virtue, 

Fugitives  indeed  they  are.  Our  Moments  flip  away 
Tilently  and  infenfibly.  The  Thief  fteals  not  more  un- 
perceived  from  the  pillaged  Houfe. — And  will  the  Run- 
agates never  flop  ?  No  :  Where-ever  we  are,  however 
employed.  Time  purfues  his  incefTant  Courfe.  Tliough 
we  are  liftlefs  and  dilatory ;  the  great  Meafurer  of  our 
Days  prefles  on;  flill  prefixes  on,  in  his  unwearied  Ca- 
reer *j  and  whirls  our  Weeks,  and  Months,  and  Years 
away. — Is  it  not  then  furprifingly  ftrange,  to  hear  People 
complain  of  the  Tedicujnejs  of  their  Time,  and  how  heavy 
it  hangs  upon  their  Hands  ?  To  fee  them  contrive  a 
Variety  of  amufing  Artifices,  to  accelerate  its  Flight, 
and  get  rid  of  its  Burden  ? — Ah  !  thoughtlefs  Mortals  ! 
Why  need  you  urge  the  headlong  Torrent  ?  Your  Days 
are  fwifter  than  a  Poji ;  which,  carrying  Difpatches  of 
the  lafl:  Importance,  with  unremitted  Speed  fcours  the 
Road.  They  pafs  away  like  the  nimble  Ships ;  which 
have  the  Wind  in  their  Wings,  and  fkim  along  the 
watry  Plain.  They  haften  to  their  deftined  Period,  with 
the  Rapidity  of  an  Eagle y  which  leaves  the  ftormy  Blafl 
behind  her,  while  She  cleaves  the  Air,  and  darts  upon 
her  Prey  f . 

Now  the  Day  is  gone,  h.o^  Jh or t  it  appears  !  When 
my  fond  Eye  beheld  it  in  Perjpe5iivey  it  feemed  a  very 

*  Sed  fiigit  intereay  fugit  irreparalile  Tempus,  Vi  R  G . 

t  Job  ix.  25,  26.  By  thefe  Three  very  expreflive  Images,  the  in- 
fpired  Poet  reprefents  the  unintermitted?LXid  rapid  ¥\i^\iX.  of  Time.  The 
Paflage  is  illuftrated  with  great  Judgment,  and  equal  Delicacy,  in  Dr. 
Gray's  moft  ingenious  Abridgment  oi  Schuhens. — ^ectribus  inelementis 
^elocijjimay  hie  admirabili  cum  emphaf.  congerunter.  In  terris,  nil pernicius 
cur  fore,  l^  qiddem  lati  quid  ferente.  Rapidius  tamen  adhuc  undas,  non 
fecanty  fed  ftper-volant ,  na'vigiola  papyro  contexta.  Omnium  rxipidiffime 
aerem  grandibui  alii  permetitur  aquilaypraci^iti  hpfu  ruens  in  pr  a  dam, 

Q^  confider- 


226  C  O  N  T  E  M  P  L  A  T  I  ON  S 

confiderable  Space.  Minutes,  crowded  upon  Minutes  ^ 
and  Hours,  ranged  behind  Hours;  exhibited  an  exten-- 
five  Draught,  and  flattered  me  with  a  long  ProgrefTion 
of  Pleafures.  But,  upon  a  retrofpeBive  View,  how 
wonderfully  is  the  Scene  altered  !  The  Landfcape,  large 
and  Ipacious,  which  a  warm  Fancy  drew  3  brought  to- 
the  Teft  of  cool  Experience,  Ihrinks  into  a. Span.  Juit 
as  the  Shores  vanifh,  and  Mountains  dwindle  to  a  Spot ; 
vhen  the  Sailor,  furrounded  by  Skies  and  Ocean,  throws 
his  lafl  Look  on  his  native  Land. — How  clearly  do  I 
now  difcover  the  Cheat !  May  it  never  impole  upon  my 
unv/ary  Imagination,  again !  I  find,  there  is  nothing 
abiding  on  this  Side  Eternity.  A  long  Duration,  in  a 
State  o{ finite  Exiflence,  is  mere  Illufion. 
-  Perhaps,  the  Healthy,  and  the  Gay,  may  not  readily 
credit  the  ferious  Trudi ;  efpecially  from  a  young  Pen, 
and  new  to  its  Employ.  Let  us  then  refer  ourfelves  to 
the  Decifion  of  the  Antient.  Afk  fome  venerable  old 
Perfon,  who  is  juft  marching  off  the  mortal  Stage  ;  How 
many  have  been  the  Days  of  the  Tears  of  thy  Life  *  ?  It 
was  a  Monarch's  Quellion ;  and  therefore  can  want  no 
Recommendation,  to  the  fafhionablc  World. — Obferve> 
how  he  Ihakes  his  hoary  Locks,  and  from  a  deep-felt 
Convidion  replies :  "  Fourfcore  Tears  have  finiflied  their 
"  Rounds,  to  furrow  thefe  Cheeks,  and  cloath  this  Head 
*^  in  Snow.  Such  a  Term  may  feem  long  and  large,  to 
"  inconfiderate  Youth.  But  O !  how  fhort,  how  fcanty^ 
*'  to  One  that  has  made  the  Experiment !  Short,  as  a 
'*  Gleam  of  tranfient  Sunfhine  ;  f canty,  as  the  Shadow 
*'  that  departeth.  Methinks,  it  was  but  Yeflerday,  that 
*'  I  exchanged  my  childifh  Sports,  for  manly  Exercifes ; 
"  and  now,  I  am  refigning  them  both,  for  the  Sleep  of 
"  Death.  As  loon  as  we  are  horn,  we  begin  to  draw  to 
^^  our  End;  and  how  fmall  is  the  Interval,  between  the 
*  Gen.  xlvii.  8,  Heh.  Elh. 

f^Cradk 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  227 

"  Cradle  and  the  Tomb  !'* — O  {  may  we  believe  thi« 
Tellimony  of  mature  Age  !  May  every  Evening  bring 
it,  with  clearer  Evidence  to  our  Minds  !  And  may  we 
form  fuch  an  Ellimate  of  the  little  Pittance,  while  it  is 
upon  the  advancing  Hand,  as  we  fliall  certainly  make, 
when  the  Sands  are  all  run  down  ! 

Let  me  add  one  Refledion  on  the  JVork  to  be  do^e, 
while  this  Shuttle  is  flying  through  the  Loom*.  A 
Work  of  no  fmall  Difficulty,  yet  of  the  utmoft  Confe- 
quence  ! — Haft  Thou  not  feen,  haft  Thou  not  known, 
the  Excellent  of  the  Earth ;  who  were  living  Images  of 
their  Maker  ?  His  Divine  Likenefs  was  transfufed  into 
their  Hearts,  and  beamed  forth  in  all  their  Condudt. 
Beamed  forth  in  Meeknefs  of  Wifdom,  and  Purity  of 
Affedion ;  in  all  the  tender  Offices  of  Love,  and  all  the 
noble  Efl^brts  of  Zeal.  To  be  ftampt  with  the  fame 
beautiful  Signature,  and  to  be  Followers  of  them,  as  they 
were  of  Christ i  this^  this  is  thy  Bufinefs,  On  the  Ac- 
complifhment  of  this,  thy  eternal  All  depends.  And, 
will  an  Afi^air  of  fuch  unfpeakable  Weight,  admit  of  a 
Moment's  Delay,  or  confift  with  the  leaft  Remiflhefs  ? 
— Efpecially,  fince  much  of  thy  appointed  Time  is  al- 
ready elapfed;  and  the  Remainder  is  all  Uncertainty,  fave 
only  that  it  is  in  the  very  Kd:  to  fly. — Or  fuppofe,  thou 
hadft  made  a  Covenant  with  the  Grave,  and  waft  afllired 
of  reaching  the  Age  of  Methujelah ;  how  foon  would 
even  fuch  a  Leafe  expire  ! — Extend  it,  if  you  pleafe, 
ftill  farther ;  and  let  it  be  co-exiftent  with  Nature  itfelf. 
How  inconfiderable  is  the  Addition  !  For,  yet  a  very 
little  while,  and  the  commiffioned  Archangel  lifts  up 
his  Hand  tp  Heaven,  and  fwears  by  the  Almighty  Name, 


M^  Pays  arcfxvifur  than  a  IVea'ver's  Shuttle^,  Job  vii.  6, 

0^2  That 


228  CONTEMPLATIONS 

That  Time  Jhall  he  no  longer  *.  Then,  ahujed  Opportu- 
nities, will  never  return;  and  new  Opportunities,  wilt 
never  more  be  offered.  Then,  fhould  negligent  Mor- 
tals wiili — wifli  ever  fo  pafTionately — for  a  few  Hours— ^ 

*  This  alludes  to  the  Beginning  of  Re-velatirsm  the  xth  ;  which,  ab- 
ftracted  from  its  fpiritual  Meaning,  and  confidered  only  as  a  ftately 
Fiece  of  Machinery y  well  deferves  our  Attention  ;  and,  I  will  venture 
to  fay,  has  not  its  Superior,  perhaps  not  its  Equal,  in  any  of  the  moil 
celebrated  Mailers  of  Greece  and  Rome. — All  that  is  gloomy  or  beauti- 
ful in  the  Atmofphere,  all  that  is  ilriking  or  magnificent  in  every  Ele- 
ment, is  taken  to  heighten  the  Idea.  Yet  nothing  is  difproportionate  j 
but  an  uniform  Air  of  ineffable  Majefly  greatens,  exalts,  ennobles  the 
Whple. — Be  pleafed  to  obferve  the  AfpeSl  of  this  augull  Perfonage. 
All  the  Brightnefs  of  the  Sun,  Ihines  in  his  Countenance  ;  and  all  the 
Rage  of  th-;  Fire,  burns  in  his  Feet. — See  his  Apparel.  The  Clouds 
compofe  his  Robe,  and  the  Drapery  of  the  Sky  floats  upon  his  Shoulders. 
The  Rainbow  forms  his  Diadem;  and  that  which  **  compafleth  the 
"  Heavens  with  a  glorious  Circle,"  is  the  OrBament  of  his  Head. — 
Behold  his  Attitude.  One  Foot  Hands  on  the  Ocean,  the  other  rells  on 
the  Land.  The  wide  extended  Earth,  and  the  World  of  Waters,  fe'rve 
as  Pedeftals  for  thofe  mighty  Columns. — Confider  the  ASiion.  His 
Hand  is  lifted  up  to  the  Height  of  the  Stars.  He  fpeaks  j  and  the  Re- 
gions of  the  Firmament  echo  with  the  mighty  Accents,  as  the  mid- 
night Defart  refouads  with  tlie  Lion's  Roar.  The  Artillery  of  the 
Skies  is  difcharged  at  the  Signal ;  a  Peal  of  fevenfold  Thunder  fpreads 
the  Alarm;  and  prepares  the  Univerfe  to  receive  his  Orders. — To  finifh 
all ;  and  give  the  higheft  Grandeur,  as  well  as  the  utmoft  Solemnity, 
to  the  Reprefentation ;  hear  the  Decree  that  ifTues  from  his  Mouth.  He 
fvjears  by  HIM  that  li^ueth  for  ever  and e-ver.  In  whatever  Manner,  fc> 
majeiUc  a  Perfon  had  expreffed  Himfelf ;  He  could  not  fail  of  com- 
manding univerfal  Attention.  But  when  he  confirms  his  Speech,  by  a 
moil  f'acred  and  inviolable  Oath  ;  we  are  not  only  wrapt  in  filent  Suf- 
peiile,  but  overwhelmed  with  the  profoundefl  Awe. — He  fwears.  That 
'Time [hall  he  no  longer.  Was  ever  Voice  fo  full  of  Terror ;  fo  big  with 
Wonder?  It  proclaims,  not  the  Fall  of  Empires,  but  the  final  Period 
of  Things.  It  llrikes  olF  the  Wheels  of  Nature ;  bids  Ages  and  Gene- 
rations ceafe  to  roll :  and  with  one  potent  Word,  configns  a  whole 
World  over  to  Diflblution. — This  is  one  among  a  Multitude  of  very 
iliblime  and  mafterly  Strokes,  to  be  found  in  that  too  much  neglected 
iiook— iheBiiiLE. 

a  few 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  229 

^  few  Moments  only — to  be  thrown  back  from  the  open- 
ing Eternity  ;  Thoujands  of  Worlds  would  not  be  able 
to  procure  the  Grant. 

Shall  I,  now,  be  induflrious  to  fhorten,  what  is  no 
longer  than  a  Span  ;  or  to  quicken  the  Pace  of  what  is 
ever  on  the  Wing  ?  Shall  I  fquander  away  what  is  unut- 
terably important,  while  it  lafls  j  and,  when  once  depart- 
ed, is  altogether  irrevocable !  O  !  my  Soul,  forbear  the 
Folly  ;  forbear  the  defperate  Extravagance.  W^ilt  thou 
chide  as  a  Loiterer,  the  Arrow  that  boundeth  from  the 
String;  orfweeps  away  Diamonds,  as  the  Refufe  of  thy 
Houfe  ? — Throw  Time  away !  Aftonifhing,  ruinous, 
irreparable  Profufenefs !  Throw  Empires  away,  and  be 
blamelefs.  But  O  !  be  parfimonious  of  thy  Days  ;  huf- 
band  diy  precious  Hours.  They  go  conne6lcd,  indif- 
folubly  connedted,  with  Heaven  or  Hell  *.  Imprcved, 
they  are  a  fure  Pledge  of  everlafling  Glory;  wafted,  they 
are  a  fad  Preface  to  never-ending  Confufion  and  An- 
guilli. 

What  a  profound  Silence  has  compofed  the  World  ! 
So  profound  is  the  Silence,  that  my  very  Breath  feems 
a  Noife;  the  Ticking  of  my  Watch  is  diftindtly  heard; 
if  I  do  but  ftir,  it  creates  a  Diilurbance. — There  is,  now, 
none  of  that  confufcd  Din,  from  the  tumultuous  City  :• 
No  Voice  of  jovial  Ruftics,  from  the  neighbouring  Mea- 

*  I  remember  to  have  feen  upon  a  Sun-dlal  in  a  Phyficlan's  Garden 
at  Northamptofiy  the  following  Infcription ;  which,  I  think,  is  the  moil 
proper  Motto  for  the  Inftruraent,  that  Meafures  oar  Time ;  and  the  moil 
Jh-iking  Jdmonition,  that  can  pqiTibly  be  prefented  to  every  Eye. 

Ab    HOC  MOMENTO    PENDET  ^TERNITAS. 

The  weighty  Senfe  of  which,  I  know  not  how  to  exprefs  in  Englijh, 
more  happily  than  in  thofe  Words  of  Dr.  Watts ; 

Good  God !   on  what  ?ijlender  Thread 
[Or,  on  what  a  Moment  of  Time] 

Hang  everlaiUng  Things ! 

0^3  dow : 


230  CONTEMPLATIONS 

dow :  No  chipping  Melody  from  the  fhady  Thicket.— 
Every  Lip  is  fealed.  Not  the  leail  Wlufper,  invades 
the  Airi  not  the  leall  Motion,  nifties  among  the  Boughs. 
Echo,  herlelf,  fleeps  unmolefted.  The  expanded  Ear, 
though  all  Attention,  catches  no  Sound,  but  the  liquid 
Lapfe  of  a  diftant  murmuring  Stream. 

All  Things  are  huflfd^  as  Nature's  Self  lay  dead. 

If,  in  the  midft  of  this  deep  and  univerfal  Compo- 
fure^  Ten  Thoufand  bellowing  Thunders  Ihould  burft 
over  my  Head  ;  and  rend  the  Skies,  with  their  united 
Vollies  ;  how  fnould  I  bear  fo  unexpected  a  Shock  ?  It 
would  ftun  my  Senfes,  and  confound  my  Thoughts.  I 
fhould  fnudder  in  every  Limb ;  perhaps,  fink  to  the 
Earth  with  Terror. — Confider  then,  O  Mortals !  con^ 
fider  the  much  more  prodigious  and  amazing  Call,  which 
will,  ere  long,  alarm  your  fleeping  Bones.  When  the 
Tenants  of  the  Tomb  have  flumbered,  in  the  moil  un- 
difturbed  Repofe,  for  a  Multitude  of  Ages;  what  an  in- 
conceivable Confternation  muft  the  Shout  of  the  Arch- 
engely  and  the  Trump  of  God,  occafion!  Will  it  not 
wound  the  Ear  of  the  Ungodly ;  and  affright,  even  to 
Diftra6tion,  the  impenitent  Sinner  ?  The  ftupendous 
Peal  will  found  through  the  Vaft  of  Heaven  ;  will  fhakc 
the  Foundations  of  Nature;  and, pierce  even  the  deepeft 
RecefTes  of  the  Grave.  And  how — O !  how  will  the 
Prifoners  of  Divine  Jufnce,  be  able  to  endure  that  tre- 
mendous Summons^  to  a  far  more  tremendous  Tribunal  .^ 
— Do  Thou,  my  Soul,  liften  to  the  Jlill  Voice  of  the 
Gofpel.  Attend,  in  this  thy  Day,  to  the  gracious  Invi- 
tations of  diy  Saviour.  Then,  fhall  that  great  midnight 
Ciy  lofe  its  Horror^  and  be  Mufic  in  thy  Ears.  It  fhall 
be  welcome  to  thy  reviving  Clay,  as  the  Tidings  of  Li- 
bert}^, to  the  Dungeon  Captive  ;  as  the  Year  of  Jubilee 

to 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  231 

to  the  harrafled  Slave.     This,  this  Ihall  be  its  charming 
Import ;  "  Awake,  andftng,  ye  that  dwell  in  Bufi  *. 

What  a  general  Cejfation  of  Affair s,  has  this  dufky 
Hour  introduced!  A  Httle  while  ago,  all  was  Hurry, 
Hurry.  life  and  Activity  exerted  themfelves  in  a  thou- 
fand  bufy  Forms.  The  City  fwarmed,  with  paiTing  and 
repafling  Multitudes.  All  the  Country  was  Sweat  and 
Dull.  The  Air  floated  in  perpetual  Agitation,  by  the 
flitting  Birds,  and  humming  Bees.  Art  fat  prying  with 
her  piercing  Eyes  \  while  Induftry  plied  her  reftlefs 
Hands. — But  fee  \  how  all  diis  fervent,  and  impetuous 
Buftle,  is  fled  with  the  fetting  Sun.  The  Beafl:s  are 
flunk,  to  their  grafly  Couch  \  and  the  winged  People 
are  retired,  to  their  downy  Nefl:s.  The  Hammer  has 
refigned  its  founding  Taflc,  and  the  File  ceafes  to  repeat 
its  flying  Touches.  Shut  is  the  well-frequented  Shop, 
and  its  Threfliold  no  longer  worn  by  the  Feet  of  nu- 
merous Cyfl:omers.  The  Village-Swain  lies  drowned  in 
Slumbers ;  and  even  his  trufl:y  Dog,  who,  for  a  confl- 
derable  Time  fliood  Centry  at  the  Door,  is  extended  at 
his  Eafe,  and  fnores  with  his  Maflier. — In  every  Place 
Toil  recHnes  her  Head,  and  Application  folds  her  Arms. 
All  Interefl:s  feem  to  be  forgot;  all  Purfuits  are  fufpend- 
ed;  all  Employment  is  funk  away;  funk  away  with  thofe 
fluttering  Myriads,  which  lately  fported  in  the  Snn's  de- 
parting Rays. — 'Tis  like  the  Sabbath  of  univerfal  Na- 
ture.; or  as  though  the  Pulfe  of  Life  fliood  fl:ill. 

Thus  will  it  be,  with  our  infinitely  momentous  Con- 
cerns; when  once  the  Shadows  of  the  Evening,  (that  long 
Evening,  which  follows  the  Footflieps  of  Death!)   are 
flretched  over  Us.     The  Dead  cannot  feek  unto  God  ; 
mt  Living,  the  Living  alone,  are  poflTefl^ed  of  this   in- 

*  Ifa.  XXVI.  19. 

0^4  eftimable 


232  CONTEMPLATIONS 

eftimabk  Opportunity  *.  ^^  There  is  no  Work  or  De- 
"  vice,  no  Repentance  or  Amendment,  in  the  Grave  f , 
"  whither  We  are  All  hailing.'*  When  once  that  clofing 
Scene  is  advanced.  We  fliall  have  no  other  Part  to  adl  on 
this  earthly  Theatre.  Then,  the  Sluggard,  who  has 
numbered  away  Life  in  a  criminal  Inactivity,  mufc  lie 
down  in  hopelefs  Diirrefs,  and  everlafling  Sorrow.  Then^ 
that  awful  Doom  will  take  place,  "  He  that  is  holyy  let; 
"  Him  be  holy  ftilU  and  he  that  is  filthy ^  let  Him  be 
^^  filthy  for  ever/* 

Is  it  fo,  my  Soul  ?  Is  this  the  onlyy  only  Time  allot- 
ted, for  obtaining  the  great  Reward,  and  making  thy 
Salvation  lure  ?  And  art  Thou  lulled  in  a  vain  Security  j 
or  dreaming  iii  a  fupine  Inadvertency  ?  Start,  O !  flart 
from  thy  Trance.     Gird  up  the  Loins  of  thy  Mind,  and 

*  Behold!  Noiv  is  the  accepted  Time.  Behold!  Nonxi  is  the  Day  of" 
SahatiQK.     2  Cor.  v\.  z. 

Hafte,  hafte.  He  lies  in  wait.  He's  at  the  Door, 
Infidious  Death  !  Shou'd  his  ftrong  Hand  arreil,: 
No  Compofition  fets  the  Pris'ner  free. 

•f-  They  who  are  gone  down  to  the  Grave,  are  represented  {Ifa, 
xxxviii.  ti.)  by  the  Phrafe,  Oll^V 'pin — rendered  by  ^i/r/>/^^,  Thofe- 
that  inhabit  the  Land  of  hit er?niJ/ton  or  Cejfation. — Which  prevents  all 
Appearance  of  Tautology  in  the  Sentence  ;  and  is,  I  think,  a  valuable 
Imtro-vement  oi  the  Tranflation:  as  it  conveys  an  Idea,  not  only  dif- 
tindlfrom  the  preceding,  but  of  a  very  poetical  and  very  afftidting  Na-^ 
ture ;  fuch  as  was  perfeftly  natural  for  the  Royal  Singer,  aind  Royal 
Sufferer  to  dwell  upon,  in  his  defponding  Moments. -r-Thus  interpreted 
the  Senfe  will  run;  "  I  Jh  all  fee  Ma?i  no  more;  I  fhall  be  cut  off  from 
'*  the  chearful  Ways  of  Men,  and  all  the  Sweets  of  human  Society. 
•'  And,  what  is  a  farther  Aggravation  of  the  threatened  Stroke,  / 
*'  fiall,  by  its  taking  Place,  be  numbered  iJcith  Thofey  that  inherit  the 
«'  L:'.ndcf  Ceffaticn  and  Inaftivity.  Where  there  will  be  no  more  Pof- 
**  fibility  of  contributing  to  the  Happinefs  of  my  Kingdom ;  no  more 
♦*  Opportunity  of  advancing  my  Creator's  Glory;  or  of  making  my 
«'  own  final  Salvation  fure/'— A  Sentiment  like //^/j,  is  grand,  impor- 
tant, cind  full  of  Benevolence;  removes  all  Sufpicion  o^  unbecoming 
Fufillanimit)',  and  docs  the  highefl  Honour  to  the  Monarch's  Charadcn 

work 


ON    THE    NIGHT,  233 

work  while  it  is  Day.  Improve  the  prefent  Seed-time, 
that  Eternity  may  yield  a  joyRil  Hai*vefr. — -We  efpe- 
cially,  who  are  Watchmen  in  Ijraely  and  Minifters  of 
the  glorious  Gofpel ;  may  IVe  be  awakened,  by  thi-  Con- 
fideration,  to  all  AfTiduity  In  our  holy  OfHce,  Some 
or  other  of  our  Peopky  are  ever  and  anon  departing  into 
the  invifible  State;  all  our  Friends^  are  making  incef* 
fant  Approaches  to  their  long  Home  ;  and  we  ourjehesy 
fhall  very  fhortly  be  tranfmitted  to  the  Confinement  of 
the  Tomb.  This  Is  the  favourite  Jiindlure,  wherein 
alone  we  can  contribute  to  their  endlefs  Welfare.  This 
is  the  Crifis,  the  all-important  Cr///^,  of  their  final  Fe- 
licity. Inftantly,  therefore,  let  us  pour  in  our  whole- 
fome  Inflruftions  \  inftantly,  let  Us  ply  them  with  our 
earneft  Exhortations.  A  Moment's  Delay,  may  be  an 
irreparable  Lofs ;  may  be  irretrievable  Ruin.  While 
we  procraftinate,  a  fatal  Stroke  may  intervene  -,  and 
place  Us,  beyond  the  Power  of  adminiftering ;  or  place 
The?n,  beyond  all  Poffibility  of  receiving,  any  fpiritual 
Good  *, 

How  frequently  Is  the  Face  of  Nature  changed!  and, 
by  changing,  made  more  agreeable  l^—Tht  long-conti- 
nued GHtter  of  the  Day,  renders  the  foothing  Shades  of 
the  Evening  doubly  welcome.  Nor  does  the  Morn  ever 
purple  the  Eall  with  fo  engaging  a  Luflre,  as  after  die 
Gloom  of  a  dark  and  difmal  Night. — At  prefent,  a  Cabt 
of  Tranquillity  is  fpread  through  the  Univerfe.  The 
weary  Winds  have  forgot  to  blow.     The  gentle  Gales 

♦  The  Cafe,  reprefented  by  the  Prophet  (i  Ki7igs  xx.  40.)  feems 
perfeilly  applicable  on  the  Occafion.  As  thy  Ser-vant  ^^vas  bufy  here  and 
there.  He  ik: as  gone.  So,  while  '»ve  are  either  rerr.ip  in  oi?r  Funflion, 
or  laying  ourfelves  out  upon  inferior  Q^iXt^,  the  People  of  our  Charge 
may  be  gone  : — gone  beyond  the  Influence  of  our  Counfels ;  beyond  the 
Reach  of  our  Prayers :— gone  into  the  unchangeable  and  eternal  ::'tate. 

8  have 


234  CONTEMPLATIONS 

have  fanned  themfelves  afleep.  Not  fo  much  as  a  fingle 
Leaf  nods.  Even  the  quivering  Afpin  refls.  And  not 
cne  Breath  curls  o'er  the  Stream. — Sometimes,  on  the  con- 
trary, the  Tempeji  fummons  all  the  Forces  of  the  Air ; 
and  pours  itfelf,  with  refilllefs  Fury,  from  the  angry 
North.  The  whole  Atmofphere  is  tofled  into  tumul- 
tuous Confufion,  and  the  watry  World  is  heaved  to  the 
Clouds,  The  allonifhed  Mariner,  and  his  flraining 
VelTel,  now  fcale  the  rolling  Mountain,  and  hang  dread- 
fully vifible  on  the  broken  Surge  :  now  fhoot,  with  head- 
Jong  Impetuofity,  into  the  yawning  Gulf;  and  neither 
Hulk,  nor  Maft,  is  feen.  The  Storm  fweeps  over  the 
Continent:  raves  along  the  City-ftreets:  llruggles  through 
the  Forefl-boughs  j  and  terrifies  the  favage  Nations 
with  a  Howl,  more  wildly  horrid  than  their  own.  The 
knotty  Oaks  bend  before  the  Blafl;  their  Iron  Trunks 
groan ;  and  their  flubborn  Limbs  are  dafhed  to  the 
Ground.  The  lofty  Dome  rocks  j  and  even  die  folid 
Tower  totters  on  its  Bafis. 

Such  Variations  are  kindly  contrived,  and  with  an 
evident  Condefcenfion  to  the  Ficklenefs  of  our  Tafte, 
Becaufe,  a  perpetual  Repetidon  of  the  fa?ne  Objedlsj^. 
would  create  Satiety,  and  Bifguft -,  therefore,  the  indul- 
gent Father  of  our  Race  has  diverfified  the  univerfal 
Scene,  and  bid  every  Appearance  bring  with  it  the 
Charm  of  Novelty. — This  Circumftance  is  beneficial  as 
well  as  entertaining.  Providence,  ever  gracious  to  Mor- 
tals ;  ever  intent  upon  promoting  our  Felicity ;  has 
taken  Care  to  mingle,  in  the  Conftitution  of  Things, 
what  is  pleafmg  to  our  Imagination,  with  what  is  fer- 
viceable  to  our  Interefts.  The  piercing  Winds,  and 
rugged  Afped  of  Winter,  render  the  balmy  Gales,  and 
flowery  Scenes  of  Spring,  peculiarly  delightful.  At  die 
fame  Time,  the  keen  Frofts  mellov/  the  Soil,  and  pre- 
pare it  for  the  Hand  of  Induflry,     The  rulhing  Rains 

impreg- 


ON    f  HE    NIGHT.  235 

impregnate  the  Glebe,  and  fit  it  to  become  a  Magazine 
of  Plenty.  The  Earth  is  a  great  Laboratory ;  and  De- 
cember's Cold  colleds  the  grofs  Materials,  which  arc 
Jublimated  by  the  refining  Warmth  of  May.  The  Air 
is  a  pure  elaflic  Fluid ;  and  were  it  always  to  remain  in 
this  motionlefs  Serenity,  it  would  lofe  much  of  its  ac- 
tive Spring }  was  it  never  agitated  by  thoje  wholefomc 
ConculTions,  it  would  contract  a  noifome,  perhaps,  a  pef~ 
tilential  Taint.  In  which  Cafes,  our  Refpiration,  in- 
Head  of  purifying,  would  corrupt  the  vital  Juices ;  in- 
flead  of  fupplying  Us  with  Refrefhment,  would  be  a 
Source  of  Diieafes  ;  or  every  Gafp  We  draw,  might  be 
unavoidable  Death  *.— How  then  fhould  we  admire, 
how  fhould  we  adore,  that  happy  Union  of  Benignity 
and  Wifdom  ;  which,  from  a  Variety  of  Difpenfadons, 
produces  an  Uniformity  of  Good !  Produces  a  perpetual 
Succcflion  of  Delights^,  and  an  uninterrupted  Series  of 
Advantages ! 

The  Barknefs  is  now  at  its  Height;  and  I  cannot 
but  admire  the  obliging  Manner  of  its  taking  place.  It 
comes  not  with  a  blunt  and  abrupt  Incivility,  but  makes 

*  Confiderlng  the  immenfe  Quantity  of  Coals,  and  other  combuftible 
Materials,  which  are  daily  conlumed,  and  evaporate  into  the  Air. 
Confidering  the  numberlefs  Steams,  and  Clouds  of  Smoke,  which  al- 
mofl  continually  overwhelm  populous  Cities;— the  noifome  Exhalations, 
which  arife  from  thronged  Infirmaries,  and  loathfome  Jayls ;  from  ftag- 
nating Lakes,  and  putrid  Fens ; — the  Variety  of  ofFenfive  and  unwhole- 
fom£  Effluvia,  which  proceed  from  otlier  Caufes ; — it  is  a  very  remark- 
able Inftance  of  a  Providence,  at  once  tenderly  kind,  and  infinitely 
powerful,  that  Mankind  is  not  fuffocated  w'lih.  Stench;  that  the  Air  is 
not  choaked  \\\\.\i  Filth. — The  Air  is  the  cofnmon  Seiver,  into  which  ten 
T^ioufand  Times  ten  Thoufand  Nuifances  are  incefiantly  difcharged; 
yet  it  is  preferved  fo  thoroughly  chary  as  to  afford  the  moll  tranfparent 
Medium  for  Vifion ;  fo  delicately  undulatory,  as  to  tranfmit,  with  all 
imaginable  Dill:in«5lnefs,  every  Diverfity  of  Sound  ;  fo  perfectly  pure, 
as  to  be  the  conrtant  Refm&r  of  the  Fluids,  in  every  Animal  that 
breathes. 

gentle 


a36  CONTEMPLATIONS 

gentle  and  refpedful  Advances.     A  precipitate  Tranfi- 
tion,  from  the  Splendors  of  Day,  to  all  the  Horrors  of 
Midnight,  would  be  inconvenient  and  frightful.  It  would 
bewilder  the  Traveller  in  his  Journey ;  it  would  flrike 
the  Creation  with  Amazement;  and,  perhaps,  be  per-, 
nicious  to  the  Organs  of  Sight.     Therefore  the  Gloom 
rufhes  not  upon  us  inftantaneoufly,  but  increafes  by  ilow  ^ 
Degrees  s  and,  fending  Twilight  before  as  its  Harhinger^ 
decently  advertifes  us  of  its  Approach.     By  this  means, 
we  are  neither  alarmed,    nor   incommodatcd,   by  the- 
Change ;  but  are  able  to  take  all  fuitable  and  timely 
Meafures,  for  its  Reception. — Thus  gracioufly  has  Pro- 
vidence regulated,  not  only  the  grand  Viciffitudes  of  the 
Seafons,  but  alfo  the  common  Interchanges  of  Light  anci 
Darknefs,  with  an  apparent  Reference  to  our  Comfort, 

Now,  the  fierce  Inhabitants  of  the  Forejl  forfake  their 
Dens.     A  thoufand  grim  Forms,  a  thoufand  growling 
Monfters,  pace  the  Defart.     Death  is  in  their  Jaws, 
while  ilung  with  Hunger,  and  athirft  for  Blood,  they 
roam  their  nightly  rounds, — Unfortunate  the  Traveller y 
who  is  overtaken  by  the  Night,  in  thofe  difmal  Wilds  \ 
How  muft  he  fland  aghafl,  at  the  mingled  Yell  of  ra- 
venous Throats,   and  Lions  roaring  after  their  Prey  \ 
Defend  Him,  propitious  Heaven!  or  elfe  He  muft  fee 
his  endearing  Spoufe,  and  hail  his  native  Home,  no 
more! — Now,  the    prowling  Wolf,    like  a  murderous 
Ruman,  dogs  the  Shepherd's  Footfteps,  and  befets  his- 
bleating  Charge.     The  Fox,  like  a  crafty  Felon,  fteals 
to  the  thatched  Cottage,  and  carries  off  the  feathered. 
Booty. 

Happy  for  the  World,  were  thefe  the  only  Deftroyers. 
that  walk  in  Darknefs.  But,  alas !  there  are  Savages  in 
human  Shape  ;  who,  muffled  in  Shades,  infefl:  the  Abodes 
of  civilized  Life.     The  Sons  of  Violence  make  Choice  of 

this 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  2(3^ 

this  Seafon  *,  to  perpetrate  the  mod  outrageous  A6ls  of 
Wrong  and  Robbery.  The  Adulterer  waiteth  for  the 
Twilight ;  and,  bafer  than  the  Villain  on  the  Highway, 
betrays  the  Honour  of  his  Bofom -friend.  Now,  Fa5fion 
forms  her  clofe  Cabals,  and  whifpers  her  traiterous  Infi- 
nuations.  Now,  Rebellicn  plans  her  accurfed  Plots,  and 
prepares  the  Train  to  blow  a  Nation  into  Ruin.  Now 
Crimes,  which  hide  their  odious  Heads  in  the  Day, 
haunt  the  Seats  of  Society,  and  ftalk  through  the  Gloom 
with  audacious  Front.  Now,  the  Vermin  of  the  Stews 
crawl  from  their  lurking  Holes,  to  wallow  in  Sin,  and 
fpread  Contagion  through  the  Night.  Each  foothing 
hirrifelf  with  the  fond  Notion,  That  all  is  fafe  -,  That 
no  Eye  ^tts. 

Are  They  then  concealed?  Prepoflerous  Madmen! 
To  draw  the  Curtain  between  their  infamous  Pradices, 
and  a  little  Set  of  Mortals ;  but  lay  them  open,  to  all 
thefe  chafte  and  wakeful  Eyes  of  Heaven  -j- !  As  though 
the  Moon  and  Stars  were  made,  to  light  Men  to  their 
Revels,  and  not  to  GOD. — Are  they  then  concealed  ? 
No,  truly.  Was  every  one  of  thele  vigilant  Lumina- 
ries clofed ;  an  Eye  keener  than  the  Lightning's  Flafh, 
an  Eye  brighter  than  Ten  thoufand  Suns,  beholds  their 
every  Motion.  Their  thickeft  Shades  are  beaming  Day  J, 
to  the  jealous  Infpe61:or,  and  fupreme  Judge  of  Iiuman 
Adions. — Deluded  Creatures !  have  ye  not  heard^  have 

«  — -„  When  Night 

Darkens  the  Streets,  then  wander  forth  the  Sons 

Of  J5^//W,  flown  with  Infolence  and  Wine.  Milt.  • 

f  ■    ■       Sed  Luna  uidet,  fed  Sidera  TeJIes 
Intendunt  Ocidos. 

X  This  is  finely,  and  very  forcibly,  exprelTed  by^the  Pfalmift ;  If  I 
fayy  P.  er adventure  the  Darknefs  Jhall  co'uer  me ;  then  /hall  tny  Night  he 
turned  to  Day.  Or,  as  it  may  be  rendered  fome  what  more  emphatically, 
.^'zrn  the  Night /hall  he  broad  Day-light  all  around  me.  Pf.  cxxxix.  10. 

ye 


238  CONTEMPLATIONS 

ye  not  read,  "  That  Clouds  and  Darknefs  are  HIS 
"  majeflic  Refidence  *?"  In  that  very  Gloom,  to  which 
you  fly  for  Covert,  he  ere6ls  his  Throne.  What  you 
reckon  your  Screen,  is  the  Bar  of  his  Tribunal.  O !  re- 
member this !  Stand  In  Awe,  and  fm  not.  Remember, 
that  the  great  and  terrible  God  is  ahut  your  Path  f ,  when 
you  take  your  midnight  Range ;  is  about  your  Bed,  when 
you  indulge  the  loofe  Defirej  and /pies  out  all  your  ^ays, 
be  they  ever  fo  fecretly  conduded,  or  artfully  difguifed. 

Some  Minutes  ago,  a  PafTenger  croiTed  along  the 
Road.  His  Horfe's  Foot  ftruck  the  Ground,  and  fetch- 
ed Fire  from  a  Flint*  My  Eye,  though  at  a  Diftance, 
catched  the  View ;  and  faw,  with  great  Clearnefs,  the 
tranfient  Sparkles :  Of  which,  had  I  been  ever  fo  near, 
I  ihould  not  have  difcerned  the  lea^  Glim^fe^  under  the 
Blaze  of  Day. — So  J,  when  Sicknefs  has  drawn  a  Veil 
over  the  Gaiety  of  our  Hearts ;  when  Misfortunes  have 
eclipfed  the  Splendor  of  our  outward  Circumilances ; 
how  many  important  Convi5fions  prefent  themfelves,  with 

*  Pfal.  xcvii.  2. 
•J-  The  original  Words  are  much  ftronger  than  the  Tranflation  nnt  and 
nnJDDn  fignify,  ThoMJiftcJi  my  Path,  and  art  intimately  acquainted ijcith 
all  my  ways.  The  former,  I  apprehend,  denoting  the  exaEl  Cogni- 
zance, which  the  Almighty  taketh ;  the  latter  implying  the  conjianf 
Inipedlion,  which  he  exercifeth ;  over  all  the  Circumftances  of  our 
Conduft.     FfaU  cxxxix.  2. 

:|:  I  beg  Leave  to  inform  the  young  gentleman.,  whofe  Name  digni- 
fies my  Dedication :  That  this  was  a  Remark  of  his  honoured  Father, 
when  we  rode  together,  and  converfed  in  a  dufky  Evening.  I  men- 
^on  this  Circumftancc,  partly,  to  fecure  the  Paragraph  from  Contempt ; 
partly,  to  give  Him,  and  the  World,  an  Idea  of  that  eminently  fe- 
rious  Tafte,  which  diftinguifhed  my  deceafed  Friend. — The  lefs  obvious 
the  Refledlion,  the  more  clearly  it  difcovers  a  Turn  of  Mind,  remark- 
ably fpirltual ;  which  would  fuffer  nothing  to  efcape,  without  yielding 
iome  religious  Improvem.ent.  The  meaner  the  Incident,  the  more  ad- 
mirabls  was  that  Fertility  of  Imagination;  which  could  deduce  the 
fublimeit  Truths,  from  the  moll  trivial  Occufreneej^ 

the 


ON    THE    NIGHT. 


^39 


the  brlghtefl  Evidence  !  Under  the  Sun-fhine  of  Prof- 
perity,  they  lay  undifcovered  ;  but,  when  fome  inter-- 
vcning  Cloud  has  darkened  the  Scene,  they  emerge 
from  their  Obfcurity,  and  even  glitter  upon  our  Minds. 
Then,  the  IForld,  that  delufive  Cheat,  confefles  her 
Emptinefs:  but  Jesus,  the  bright  and  Morning  Star, 
beams  forth  with  inimitable  Luftre.  Then,  Vice  lofes 
all  her  fallacious  Allurements;  that  painted  Strumpet 
is  horrible,  as  the  Hags  of  Hell :  but  Virtue^  defpifed 
Virtue,  gains  Lovelinefs  from  a  louring  Providence,  and 
treads  the  Shades  v/ith  more  than  mortal  Charms.— 
May  this  reconcile  me,  and  all  the  Sons  of  Sorrow,  to  our 
appointed  Share  of  Sufferings  !  If  Tribulation  tend  to 
difiipate  the  inward  Darknefs,  and  pour  heavenly  Dew 
upon  our  Minds ;  welcome  Dillrefs ;  welcome  Difap- 
pointment ;  welcome  whatever  our  froward  Flefh,  or 
peevilh  PaflTions,  would  mifcal  Calamities.  Tbeje  light 
j^ffliMionSy  which  are  but  for  a  Moment,  fliall  fit  eafy  upon 
our  Spirits ;  fmce  they  befriend  our  Knowledge ;  pro- 
mote our  Faith ;  and  fo  "  work  out  for  us,  a  far  more 
^'  exceeding  and  eternal  Weight  of  Glory  *.'' 

How  has  this  Darknefs  fnatched  every  fplendid  and 
graceful  Objedl  from  my  Sight !  It  has  dafhed  x!^t  Sponge 

♦  2  Cor.  IV.  17.  The  great  2tcpl:2ns,  that  Oracle  of  Grecian  Learn- 
Mig,  tranflates  xa8'  vm^^^'hWi  ^0  nihil  majus  did  ant  fingi  poteji.  But 
liow  do^s  the  Senfe  riie  !  How  is  the  Idea  enlarged,  under  Tn.\jo  fuch 
forcible  ExprelTions !  xad'  vir^^^iMv  e»;  u7repi?oA»jv. — The  whole  Verfe  is 
a  ?vl;\ftcr-piece  of  the  beautiful  Antithefis,  the  lively  Defcription,  and  the 
nervous  Didion.  It  is  one  of  chofe  exquifite  PafTages  in  the  infpired 
Writings,  which,  like  fome  rich,  aromatic  Plants,  cannot  be  transferred 
from  their  own  generous  and  native  Soil,  without  being  impaired  in 
their  Vivacity,  and  lofmg  much  of  their  Delicacy.  Perhaps,  the  fol- 
lowing Verfion  may  be  fomewhat  lefs  injurious  to  the  facrcd  Original, 
than  the  common  Tranflation. — Our  'very  light  Affidion,  ivhich  is  hut 
JHJ} for  the  prefcnt  Moment y  nvorketh  out  afar  more  e^iceeJing^  an  incom- 
j^arably  great ,  an 4  eternal  Weight  of  Glory. 

over 


ij^o  CONTEMPLATIONS 

over  the  Pictures  of  Spring,  and  deftroyed  all  the  ^^/Z- 
£ate  Diftincfions  of  Things.  Where  are  now  the  fine 
Tino-es,  which  fo  lately  charmed  me  from  the  glowing 
Parterre?  The  Blufh  is  flruck  out,  from  the  Cheeks  of 
the  Rofe ;  and  the  fnowy  Hue,  is  dropt  from  the  Lily. 
I  cafl  my  Eyes  toward  a  magnificent  Seat ;  but  the  af- 
piring  Columns,  and  fair  expanded  Front,  are  mingled 
in  rude  Confufion.  Without  the  Sun,  all  the  Elegance 
of  the  blooming  World,  is  a  mere  blank-,  all  the  Sym- 
metry of  Architecture,  is  a  Jhapelejs  Heap. 

Is  not  this  an  exprefTive  Emblem  of  the  Lovelinefs, 
which  the  Sun  of  Rtghteoujnejs  transflifes  into  all  that  is 
amiable  ?  Was  it  not  for  Jesus,  and  his  Merits,  I  fhould 
figh  with  Anguilh  of  Spirit ;  even  while  I  rove  through 
Ranks  of  the  mofl  beautiful  Flowers,  or  breathe  amidft 
a  Wildernefs  of  Sweets.  Was  it  not  for  Jesus,  and  his 
Merits ;  I  fhould  roam  like  fome  dijconjolate  Spe5frey  even 
throuo-h  the  Smiles  of  Creation,  and  the  CarefTes  of  For- 
tune. My  Converfation  in  this  World,  though  drefTed  in 
the  moil  engaging  Forms  of  external  Pleafure,  would  be 
like  the  PaiTage  of  2,  condemned MalefaEl or y  through  ena- 
melled Meadows,  and  Bowers  of  Blifs,  to  be  broke  upon 
the  Wheel,  or  to  expire  on  the  Rack.  But  a  daily  Re- 
fleclion,  on  the  Lamb's  atoning  Blood ;  a  comfortable 
Truft,  that  my  Soul  is  reconciled  through  this  divine 
Expiation ;  this  is  the  Ray,  the  golden  Ray,  which  ir- 
radiates the  Face  of  the  Univerfe.  This  is  the  Oil  of 
Beauty y  which  makes  all  Things  wear  a  chearful  Afped  t 
and  the  Oil  of  Gladnejs,  which  difpofes  the  Spedator  to 
behold  them  with  Delight  *.     This,  this  is  the  fecret 

Charm, 

*Thu£  applied,  that  fine  Piece  of  Flattery »  addreffed  to  the  Heathen 
Emperor,  is  ftriftly  and  literally  true. 

Viiltus  libi  tuus 

JjjNlf.t  popido,  gratior  it  dies, 

Etfoles  melius  nitent.  Ho  R  a  T . 

Which 


O  N     T  H  E     N  I  G  H  T.  24, 

Charm,  which  teaches  Nature,  in  all  her  Prolpeds  and 
all  her  ProduLlions,  fo  exquificely  to  pleale. 

"  Man  goeth  forth  to  his  Work,  and  to  his  Labour, 
^^  till  the  Evening."  But  then  his  Strength  fails;  his 
Spirits  flag  ;  and  he  fcands  in  need,  not  only  of  Ibme 
Reipite  from  Toil,  but  of  ibme  kindly  and  fovereign  Re- 
frefhments. — What  an  admirable  Provifion  for  this  Pur- 
pofe,  is  Sleep!  Sleep  introduces  a  mod  welcome  Vaca- 
tion, both  for  the  Soul  and  Body.  The  Exercifes  of  the 
Brain,  and  the  Labours  of  the  Hand,  are  at  once  dif- 
continucd.  So  that  the  iveary  Limbs  repair  their  ex- 
haufted  Vigour;  while  the  fenfrje  Thoughts  drop  their 
Load  of  Sorrows,  and  the  bufy  ones  reft  from  the  Fa- 
tigue of  Application. — Moft  reviving  Cordial !  Equally 
beneficial  to  our  animal  and  Intelleclual  Powers.  It  fuD- 
plies  the  flefhiy  Machine,  and  keeps  all  its  nice  Move- 
ments in  a  proper  Pofture  for  eafy  Play.  It  animates 
the  thinking  Faculties  with  frefh  Alacrity,  and  rekindles 
their  Ardor  for  the  Studies  of  the  Dawn.  Without  thefe 
enlivening  Recruits,  how  foon  would  the  moft  robuft  Con- 
ftitution,  be  wafted  into  a  walking  Skeleton :  and  the  moft 
learned  Sage,  degenerate  into  a  hoary  Idiot! — Some  Time 
ago,  I  beheld,  with  Surprize,  poor  Florio,  His  Air 
was  wild;  his  Countenance  meagre;  his  Thoughts  ro- 
ving, and  Speech  difconcerted.  Inquiring  the  Caufe  of 
this  ftrange  Alteration,  I  was  informed.  That,   for  fc- 

Wliich  I  would  caft  in  a  Chrijlian  Mould,  and  thus  tranllate  : 
When  Faith  prefents  the  Saviour's  Death, 

And  whifpers,  *'  This  is  thine  ;" 
Sweetly  my  rifmg  Hours  advance,  \ 

And  peacefully  decline. 

While  fuch  my  Views,  the  radiant  Sun 

Sheds  a  more  fp rightly  Ray  ; 
Erxh  Objecl  fmijes ;  all  Nature  charms : 

i  fci-jg  my  Cares  away. 

R  veral 


i42 


CONTEMPLATIONS 


veral  Nights,  he  had  not  clofed  his  Eyes  in  Sleep.  Fof 
want  of  which  noble  Reftoratlve^  that  fprightiy  Youth, 
(who  was  once  the  life  of  the  Difcourfe,  and  the  Dar- 
ling of  the  Company)  is  become  a  Spedacle  of  Mifeiy 
and  Horror. 

How  many  of  my  Fellow-creatures  are,  at  this  very 
Inftant,  confined  to  the  Bed  of  Languifhing  ^  and  com- 
plaining, with  that  illuflrious  Sufrerer  of  old,  Wearijome 
Nights  are  appdinted  to  me  *  /  Inflead  of  indulging  foft 
Repofe,  they  are  counting  the  tedious  Hours;  telling 
every  flriking  Clock  -,  or  meafuring  the  very  Moments, 
by  their  throbbing  Pulfe.  How  many,  harralTed  with 
Pain^  moil  paffionately  long  to  make  fome  little  Truce 
with  their  Agonies,  in  peaceful  Slumbers !  How  many, 
fick  with  Bijquietudey  and  relllcis  even  on  their  downy 
Pillow^s,  would  purchafe  this  ti'anfient  Oblivion  of  their 
Woes,  almofl  at  any  Rate ! — That,  which  Wealth  can- 
not procure ;  which  Multitudes  figh  for  in  vain  ;  thy 
God  has  beflowed  on  Thee,  Times  out  of  Number. 
The  welcome  Vifitant,  punctual  at  the  needed  Hour,  has 
entered  thy  Chamber,  and  poured  his  Poppies  round  thy 
Couch,  Has  gently  clofed  thy  Eye-lids,  and  flied  hrs 
flumberous  Dews  over  all  thy  Senfes. 

Since  Sleep  is  fo  abfoluteiy  necefTary ;  fb  ineflimably 
valuable  :  obfcrve,  what  ^fine  Apparatus  Almighty  Good- 
nefs  has  made,  to  accommodate  us  with  die  balmy  Blef- 
fing.  Widi  how  kind  a  Precaution  He  removes  what- 
ever might  obflru6l  its  Accefs,  or  impede  its  Influence  1 
He  draws  around  us  the  Curta^in  of  Darknefs  -,  which  in- 
clines us  to  a  drowiy  Indolence,  and  conceals  every  Ob- 
jedl,  that  might  too  ftrongly  agitate  the  Sen.fe.  He  con- 
veys Peace  into  our  Apartments  i  and  impofes  Silence,  on 
the  whole  Creation.     Every  Animal  is  bidden  to  tread 

*  Job  vii.  3, 

foft!}', 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  243 

foftly,  or  rather  to  ceafe  from  its  Motion,  when  Man  is 
retiring  to  his  Repofe. — May  we  not  difcern,  in  this 
gracious  Difpofition  of  Things,  the  tender  Cares  of  a 
Nurfing-Mother ;  who  hufhes  every  Noife,  and  fecludes 
every  Difturbance,  when  She  has  laid  the  Child  of  her 
Love  to  Reft  ?  So,  by  fuch  foothing  Circumftances,  and 
gently-working  Opiates,  HE  giveth  to  his  Beloved SJeep''^. 
Another  fignal  Inftance  of  a  Providence  intent  upon 
our  Welfare,  is,  that  we  are  preferved/^/^  in  the  Hours 
of  Slumber,  How  are  we  then  loft  to  all  Apprehenfion 
of  Danger ;  even  though  the  Murderer  be  at  oUr  Bed- 
fide,  or  his  naked  Sword  at  our  Breaft!  Deftitute  of 
all  Concern  for  ourfelves,  we  are  unable  to  think  of,  much 
more  to  provide  for,  our  own  Security.  At  thefe  Mo- 
ments, therefore,  we  lie  open  to  innumerable  Perils  : 
Perils,  from  the  refiftlefs  Rage  of  Flames :  Perils,  from 
the  infiduous  Artifices  of  Thieves,  or  the  outrageous 
Violence  of  Robbers  1  Perils,  from  the  irregular  JVork- 
ings  f  of  our  own  Thoughts,  and  eipecially  from  the 
Incurfions  of  our  fpiritual  Enemy^ 

What 

*  Pfal.  cxxvii.  2. 

f  I  think,  it  is  referable  only  to  a  fuperintending,  and  watchful  Pr<?- 
'Vtdence,  that  We  are  not  hurried  into  the  mo^ perjucious  Aftions,  when 
our  Imagination  is  heated,  and  our  Reafon  ftupified  by  Dreams. — Wc 
have  fometimes  heard  of  unfortunate  Perfons,  who,  walking  in  their 
Sleep,  have  thrown  themfelves  headlong  from  a  Window,  and  been 
dafhed  to  Death  on  the  Pebbles.  And  whence  is  it,  that  fuch  difaf- 
trous  Accidents  are  only  related  as  Pieces  of  News,  not  experienced  by 
Ourfelves,  or  our  Families?  Were  our  Minds  more  fober  in  their  Ope- 
rations, or  more  circumfpeft  in  their  Regards  ?  No,  verily  :  Nothing 
could  be  more  wild,  than  their  Excurfions ;  and  None  could  be  more 
inattentive  to  their  own  Welfare.  Therefore,  x'lWe  ha^ve  laid  Us  doivn, 
andjlept  hi  Peace  ;  it  was,  becaufe  the  LORD  vouchfafed  Us  the  fweet 
Refrelhment:  if  ^<?  rcfe  again  in  Safety;  it  was,  becaufe  the  LORD 
fitfiained  Us  witli  his  unremitted  Protedion. 

Will  the  candid  Reader  excufe  me,  if  I  add  a  ihort  Story ;  or  rather 
a  Matter  of  Faii,  fuitabie  to  the  precediqg  Remark  ? — Two  Perfons, 

R  2  who 


244  CONTEMPLATIONS 

What  dreadful  Mifchief  might  that  re  file  is,  that  im- 
placable Ad-verjary  of  Mankind  work,  was  there  not  an 
invifible  Hand  to  controul  his  Rage,   and  protedt  poor 
Mortals !  What  Scenes  of  Horror  might  he  reprefent 
to  our  Imaginations,  and   ^^  fcare  us  with  Dreams,  or 
"terrify  us  with  Vifions*!"  But  the  Keeper  of  Ifraely 
who  never  flumbers  nor  fleeps,  interpofes  in  our  Behalf; 
at  once  to  cherijh  us  under  his  Wings,  and  to  defend  us 
with  a  Shield. — It  is  laid  of  Solomon,  ^^  That  Threefcore 
*'  valiant  Men  were  about  his  Bed;  all  expert  in  War; 
"  every  one  with  his  Sword  upon  his  Thigh,  becaufe  of 
"  Fear  in  the  Night  f /*  But  One  greater  than  Solomon: 
One  mightier  than  Myriads  of  armed  Hofls ;  even  the 
great  Jehovah,  in  whom  is  everlafting  Strength  :  He 
vouchfafes  to  encamp  about  our  Houfes  ;  to  watch  over  our 
flecping  Minutes,  and  to  flop  all  the  Avenues  of  111. — 
O  1  the  unwearied  and  condefcending  Goodnefs  of  our 
Creator!  Who  lulls  us  to  our  Rejl,  by  bringing  on  the 

who  had  been  hunting  together  in  the  Day,  flept  together  the  follow- 
ing Night.  One  of  them  was  renewing  the  Purfuit  in  his  Dream  ;  and, 
having  run  the  whole  Circle  of  the  Chace,  came,  at  lad,  to  the  Fall  of 
the  Stag.  Upon  this.  He  cries  outAvith  a  determined  Ardor  :  Pllkill 
him  :  Til  kill  hhn  :  and  immediately  feels  for  the  Knife,  which  he  car- 
ried in  his  Pocket.  His  Companion  happening  to  be  awake,  and  ob- 
ferving  what  paffed,  leaped  from  the  Bed.  Being  fecure  from  Danger, 
and  the  Moon  fhining  into  the  Room,  He  Hood  to  view  the  Event. 
When,  to  his  inexpreffible  Surprize,  the  infatuated  Sportfm.an  gave  fe- 
veral  deadly  Stabs,  in  the  very  Place,  where,  a  Moment  before,  the 
Throat  and  the  Life  of  his  Friend  lay. — This  I  mention,  as  a  Proof, 
that  nothing  hinders  U.s,  even  from  being  Aflkffins  of  Others,  or  Mur- 
derers of  Ourfel-ces,  amidil  the  mad  Sallies  of  Sleep  ;  only  \\ifprenje77ting 
Cere  of  our  Heavenly  Father. 

*  What  a  complete  Mafter  that  malignant  Spirit  is,  in  exhibiting 
'vifionary  Reprefcntations,  appears  from  his  Condu>5l  towards  Christ, 
on  the  high  Mountain  ;  and  that  he  is  too  ready,  if  not  reftrained  by 
an  over-nuling  Power,  to  employ  his  Dexterity  in  affliiling  Majikind^ 
is  evident  from  his  Treatment  of  yo^.  SeeAw-^^iy.  5.  y^^vii.  14. 
f  Cant.  iii.  7,  8. 

filent 


O  N     T  H  E    N  I  G  H  T.  245 

iilent  Shades  j  and  plants  his  own  ever-watchful  Eye  as 
our  Centinel,  while  we  enjoy  the  needful  Repole. 

REASONy  now,  refigns  her  fedate  Office ;  and 
Fancy,  extravagant  Fancy,  leads  the  Mind  through  a 
Maze  of  Vanity.  The  Head  is  crouded  with  falfe  Images, 
and  tantalized  with  the  mofb  ridiculous  Mifapprehenfions 
of  Things.  Some,  are  expatiating  amidft  Fairy  Fields^ 
and  gathering  Garlands  of  vifionary  Blifs;  while  their 
Bodies  are  ftretched  on  a  Whifp  of  Straw,  and  fheltered 
by  the  Cobv/ebs  of  a  Barn.  Others,  quite  infenfible  of 
their  Rooms  of  State,  are  mourning  in  a  doleful  !)//«- 
geon,  or  ftruggling  with  the  raging  Billows.  Perhaps, 
with  kafly  Steps,  they  climb  the  craggy  Cliff;  and,  with 
real  Anxiety,  fly  from  the  imaginary  Danger.  Or  elfe, 
benumbed  with  fudden  Fear,  and  finding  themfelves 
unable  to  efcape,  they  give  up  at  once  their  Hopes,  and 
riieir  Efforts  ;  and,  though  reclined  on  a  Couch  of  Ivory, 
are  finking,  all  helplefs  and  diflrelTed,  in  the  furious 
Whirlpool.  So  unaccountable  are  the  Vagaries  of  the 
Brain,  while  Sleep  maintains  its  Dominion  over  the 
Limbs ! 

But  is  This  the  only  Seafon,  when  abfurd  incohe- 
rent Irregularities  play  their  Magic  on  our  Minds  ?  Are 
there  not  thofe  who  dream,  even  in  their  injaking  Mo- 
ments ! — Some  pride  themfelves  in  a  Notion  of  fuperior 
Excellency,  becaufe  the  Royal  Favour  has  annexed  a 
few  fplendid  Titles  to  their  Names;  or  becaufe  the  dy- 
ing Silkworm  has  bequeadied  her  fineft  Tlireads,  to 
cover  their  Nakednels, — Others  congratulate  their  own 
fignal  Happinefs,  becaufe  Loads  of  golden  Lumber  are 
amalTed  together  in  their  Coffers ;  or  promife  themfelves 
a  moil  fuperlative  Felicity  indeed,  when  fome  Thou- 
fands  more  are  added  to  the  ufelefs  Heap. — Nor  are 
there  wanting  Others,  who  gape  after/^4^fl;//;W  Satif- 

R  3  faction 


i46  CONTEMPLATIONS 

fa6tion  from  airy  Applaufe  5  and  flatter  the mfe Ives  wkh^ 
I  know  not  what,  Immortality  in  the  momentary  Buz 
of  Renown.' — Are  any  of  Thefe  a  whit  mxore  reafonable 
in  their  Opinions,  than  the  poor  ragged  Wretch  in  his 
Reveries  3  who,  v/hile  fnoring  under  a  Hedge,  exults 
in  the  PofTefTion  of  his  {lately  Palace,  and  fumptuous 
Furniture? — If  Perfohs,  who  are  very  VaJJals  to  their 
ov/n  domineering  Paflions,  and  led  captive  by  number- 
lefs  Tem.ptations :  if  thefe  Perfons  pique  themfelves  with 
a  Conceit  of  their  Liberty,  and  fancy  themfelves  the 
generous  and  gallant  Spirits  of  the  Age :  where  is  the 
Difference  between  Theirs,  and  the  Madman's  Frenzy ; 
who,  though  chained  to  the  Floor,  is  throned  in  Thought, 
and  wielding  an  imaginary  Sceptre  ? — In  a  Word  \  as 
many  as  borrow  their  Dignity  from  a  Plume  of  Feathers, 
or  the  gaudy  Trappings  of  Fortune  \  as  many  as  fend 
their  Souls  to  feek  for  Blifs  in  the  Blandifhments  of  Senfe, 
or  in  any  Thing  fliort  of  the  divine  Favour,  and  a  well- 
grounded  Hope  of  the  incorruptible  Inheritance  *  :  what 
are  they,  but  Di*eamers  with  their  Eyes  open  \  deliricusy 
though  in  Health! 

Would  you  fee  their  Picture,  drawn  to  the  very 
Lite ;  and  the  Succefs  of  their  Schemes,  calculated  with 
the  utmoft  Exadlnefs  -,  caft  your  Eye  upon  that  fine  Re- 
prefentation,  exhibited  by  the  Prophet :  It  Jloall  he  even 
as  when  a  hungry  Man  dreamethy  and  heholdy  he  eateth  \ 
hut  he  awaketh,  and  his  Soid  is  emfty :  Or  as  when  a 
thirfiy  Man  dreamethy  and  hehold^  he '  drinketh  -,  hut  he 
awakethy  and  hehold,  he  is  faint ^  and  his  Sotd  hath  Appe- 
tite f.     Such  is  die  Race,  and  fuch  the  Prize,  of  all 

*  Thefe  give  a  fjicred,  and  home-felt  Delight, 
Afoter  Certainty  of  nvaking  Biifs, 

Milt.  Co?nus, 

t  L^i.  x:;ix.  8. 

thofe 


ON     THE    NIGHT.  247 

thofe  Candidates  for  Honour  and  Joy ;  v/ho  run  wide 
from  die  Mark  of  die  high  Calling  of  God,  in  Christ 
Jesus,  They  live  in  Vanity,  and  die  in  Woe. — ^Awaken 
us,  merciful  Lord,  from  thefe  noon-tide  Trances !  Av/aken 
us,  while  Convi6lion  may  turn  to  our  Advantage,  and 
not  ferve  only  to  increafe  our  Torment.  O  !  let  our 
*^  Eyes  be  enlightened,  to  difcern  the  Things  that  are 
*'  excellent;"  and  no  longer  be  impofed  upon  by  fantafbic 
Appearances,  which,  however  pcmpous  they  may  leem, 
will  prove  more  empty  than  the  Vifions  of  the  Night, 
more  tranfient  than  the  Dream  that  is  forgotten. 

Having  mentioned  Sleep  and  Dreams,  let  me  once 
again  confider  thofe  remarkable  Incidents  of  our  Frame ; 
io  very  remarkable,  that  I  may  venture  to  call  them, 
a  kind  of  experimental  Myftery^  and  little  lefs  than  a 
ftanding  ]\Tiracle. — Behold  the  mofl  vigorous  Conftitutiony 
when  ftretched  on  the  Bed  of  Eafe,  and  totally  refigned 
to  the  Slumbers  of  the  Night.  Its  Adivity  is  opprefled 
with  Fetters  of  Indolence ;  its  Strength  is  configned 
over  to  a  temporary  Annihilation  i  the  Nerves  are  like 
a  Bow  unftrung,  and  the  whole  animal  Syftcm  is  like  a 
modonlefs  I.02;. — Behold  a  Perfon  of  the  mofl  delicate 
Sen/ationSj  and  amiaMe  Difpofitions,  His  Eyes,  though 
thrown  wide  open,  admit  not  the  vifual  Ray ,  at  lead, 
difhinguifli  not  Objeds.  His  Ears,  with  the  Organs 
unimpaired,  and  ardculate  Accents  beadng  upon  die 
Drum,  pf  rceive  not  the  Sound ;  at  leaft,  apprehend 
not  the  Meaning.  The  Scnfes,  and  their  exquifitely 
fine  Feelings,  are  overwhelmed  with  an  unaccountable 
Stupefaction.  You  call  him  a  Joctal  Creature ;  but 
where  are  his  focial  Affedions  ?  He  knows  not  the 
Father,  that  begat  him;  and  takes  no  Notice  of  die 
Friend,  that  is  as  his  own  Soul.  The  Wife  of  his 
Bofom  may  expire  by  his  Side,  and  He  lie  more  un- 
R  4  concerned 


248  CONTEMPLATIONS 

concerned  than  a  Barbarian.  The  Children  of  his  Body, 
may  be  tortured  with  the  fevereft  Pangs;  and  He,  even 
in  the  fame  Chamber^  remain  untouched  with  the  leaft 
Commiferation. — Behold  tlie  moil  ingenious  Scholar  : 
whofe  Judgment  is  piercing,  and  able  to  trace  the  moft 
intricate  Difficulties  of  Science ^  his  Taile  refined,  and 
quick  to  relifh  all  the  Beauties  of  Sentiment  and  Com- 
pohtion.  Yet,  at  this  Jun6lure,  die  thinking  Faculties 
are  unhinged,  and  the  intelle6lual  O economy  quite  dif- 
concerted.  Inftead  of  clofe-conne&d  Reafonings,  no- 
thing but  a  disjointed  Huddle  of  abfurd  Ideas :  inftead 
of  well-digefled  Principles,  nothing  but  a  diforderly 
Jum.ble  of  crude  Conceptions.  The  moll  palpable  De- 
lufions,  impofe  upon  his  Imagination.  The  whole  Night 
palTes,  and  he  frequently  miilakes  it  for  a  fmgle  Minute : 
is  not  fenfible  of  the  Tranfition,  hardly  fenfible  of  any 
Duration. 

Yet,  no  fooner  does  the  Morning  dawn,  and  Day- 
light enter  the  Room;  but  this  flrange  Inchantment 
vanifhes.  The  Man  awakes,  and  finds  himicK pojfejfed 
-  of  all  the  valuable  Endov/ments ;  which,  for  feveral 
Hours,  were  fufpended,  or  loil.  His  Sinews  are  braced, 
and  fit  for  A6lion.  His  Senfes  are  alert  and  keen. 
The  romantic  vifionary  brightens  into  the  Mailer  of 
Reafon.  The  frozen  or  benumbed  Affections,  melt 
with  Tendernefs,  and  glow  with  Benevolence.  And, 
v;hat  is  beyond  Meafure  furprizing,  the  intoxicated 
Mind  works  itfelf  fober,  not  by  JIozv  Degrees,  but,  in 
the  Twinkling  of  an  Eye,  recovers  from  its  Perturba- 
tion.— Why  does  not  the  Stupor,  which  deadens  all 
the  nice  Operadons  of  die  animal  Powers,  hold  fafl  its 
Poireflion  ?  When  the  Thoughts  arc  once  difadjuiled, 
why  are  they  not  always  in  Confuiion  ?  How  is  it,  that 
they  are  rallied  in  a  Mom.ent ;  and,  from  die  wildefl 
Irregularity,    reduced   to    the   moil  orderly  Array.? — 

From 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  249 

From  an  Inadlivity,  refembling Death;  how  is  the  Body 
{o  Jiiddenly  reflored,  to  Vigour  and  Agihty  ?  From  Ex- 
travagancies, bordering  upon  Madnefs;  how  is  the  Un- 
derftanding  inftantaneoujly  re-eftabhfhed,  in  Sedatencls 
and  Harmony  ? — Surely,  "  this  is  the  Lord's  Doing, 
*^  and  it  fhould  be  marvellous  in  our  Eyes  :'*  fhould 
awaken  our  Gratitude,  and  inlpirit  our  Praife. 

This  is  the  Time,  in  which  Ghofts  are  fuppofed  to 
make  dieir  Appearance.  Now,  the  timorous  Imanna^ 
tion  teems  with  Phantoms,  and  creates  numberlels  Ter- 
rors to  itfelf.  Now  dreary  Forms,  in  fullen  State,  llalk 
along  the  Gloom;  or,  fwifter  than  Lightning,  glide 
acrols  the  Shades.  Now,  Voices  more  than  mortal  *  are 
heard  from  the  echoing  Vaults,  and  Groans  ifTue  from 
t\\t  hollow  Tombs.  Now  melancholy  Speclres  vifit 
the  Ruins  of  ancient  Monallries,  and  frequent  tlie  {o- 
litary  Dwellings  of  the  Dead.  They  pafs  and  repafs, 
in  unfubflantial  Images,  along  the  forfaken  Galleries; 
or  take  their  determined  Stand,  over  fome  lamented 
Grave. — How  often  has  the  School-boy  fetclied  a  long 
Circuit,  and  trudged  many  a  needlefs  Step,  in  order  to 
avoid  the  liaunted  Church-yard  ?  Or,  if  Neceffity,  fad 
NecefTity,  has  obliged  him  to  crofs  the  Spot;  where 
human  Skulls  are  lodged  below,  and  the  baleful  Te^jos  fhed 
fupernumerary Horrors  above;  a  thoufand  hideous  Stories 
ruHi  into  his  Memory,  Fear  adds  Wings  to  Jiis  Feet ;  he 
fcarce  touches  the  Ground ;  dares  not  once  look  behind 
him;  and  bleffes  his  good  Fortune,  if  jio  frightful 
Sound  purred  at  his  Heels,  if  no  ghaflly  Shape  bolted 
tJpon  his  Sight. 


Vox  qitoque  per  lucos  'vulgo  exaiidita  Jilcntes 

Ingensy  ^ fanulacra  modis paUentia  77iir'is 

I'ifafiib  ohfcurum  nofiis-"^  ViRG. 

'Tis 


:t5o  CONTEMPLATIONS 

'Tis  ftrange,  to  obferve  the  exceflive  Timidity,  which 
pofTefTes  many  People's  Minds  on  xKis  fanciful  Occafton-, 
while  they  are  void  of  all  Concern,  on  others  of  the 
mofl  tremendous  Import.  Thofe,  who  are  ftarded,  in 
any  dark  and  lonely  Walk,  at  the  very  Apprehenfion  of  a 
finoie  Spe6lre  ;  are  neverthelefs  unimprelTed  at  the  fure 
Prcfpe5f^  of  entering  into  a  whole  World  of  difembodied 
Beincrs.  Nay,  are  without  any  Emotions  of  Awe,  though 
they  know  themfelves  to  be  hailening  into  the  Prefence 
of  the  Great,  Infinite,  and  Eternal  Spirit. — Should  fome 
pale  MefTenger  from  the  Regions  of  the  Dead,  draw 
back  our  Curtains  at  the  Hour  of  Midnight ;  and,  ap- 
pointing fome  pardcular  Place,  fay,  as  the  horrid  Appa- 
rition to  Brutus y  Til  meet  thee  there  * ;  I  believe,  the  " 
boldeft  Heart  would  feel  fomething  like  a  Panic  ;  would 
feriouOy  think  upon  the  Adventure,  and  be  in  Pain  for 
the  Event.  But,  when  a  Voice  from  Heaven  cries,  in 
the  awakening  Language  of  the  Prophet,  Prepare  to 
meet  thy  God,  O  Ifraelf;  how  little  is  the  Warning  re- 
garded !  How  foon  is  it  forgotten  !  Prepollerous  Stu- 
pidity !  To  be  utterly  unconcerned,  where  it  is  the  truefb 
Wifdom  to  take  the  Alarm  ^  and  to  be  all  Trepidation, 
where  there  is  nothing  really  terrible  ! — Do  Thou,  my 
Soul,  remember  thy  Saviour's  Admonition  i  *'  I  will 
*'  forewarn  you  whom  you  fhall  fear.  Fear  not  thefe 
**  imaginary  Horrors  of  the  Night.  But  fear  that  awful 
*^  Being ;  whofe  Revelation  of  Himfelf,  though  with 
"  Expreflions  of  peculiar  Mercy,  made  Mcfes,  his  fa- 
*»  vourite  Servant,  tremble  exceedingly.     Whofe  Mani- 

*  The  Story  of  Brutus,  and  his  e^jil  Genius,  is  well  known.  Nor 
mufl  it  be  denied,  that  the  precife  Words  of  theSpeftre  to  the  Hero, 
were,  Fll  meet  tkce  at  Philippi.  Bat,  as  this  would  not  anfwer  my 
Purpore,  I  wac  obliged  to  make  an  Alteration,  in  the  Circumftance  of 
¥lace. 

f  Amos  iv.  12. 

*^  feftation. 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  251 

'^  fefladcn,  when  He  appears  with  Piirpofes  of  inexora- 
*'  ble  Vengeance,  will  make  mighty  Conquerors-,  who 
*^  were  familiar  with  Dangers,  and  ellrangedtoDifmay; 
^'^  call  upon  the  Mountains  to  fall  on  them,  and  the  Rocks 
^^  to  cover  them.  The  Menace  of  whofe  majellic  Eye, 
*^  when  he  comes  attended  with  thoufand  Thoufands  of 
^^  his  immortal  Hofls,  will  make  the  very  Heavens  cleave 
*^  afunder,  and  the  Earth  flee  away. — O  !  dread  his  Dif- 
*^  pleafure;  fecure  his  Favour;  and  then  Thou  may'fl 
'^  commit  all  thy  other  Anxieties  to  the  Wind.  Thou 
"  may'ft  laugh  at  every  other  Fear." 

This  brings  to  my  Mind  a  memorable  and  amazing 
Occurrence,  recorded  in  the  Book  of  Job  *.  Which 
is,  I  think,  no  inconfiderabie  Proof  of  the  real  Exijience 
of  Apparitions  f ,  on  feme  lery  extraordinary  Emergen- 

*  Job  iv.  12,  14,  &c. 
■\  Is  a  Proof  of  the  real  Exijience  of  Apparitions. — If  the  Senfe,  in 
5vhich  I  have  always  underflood  this  Pafiage,  be  true — Elipka'z.y  I  ap- 
prehend, was  neither  in  a  Trance,  nor  in  a  Dream,  but  perfeclly 
awake. — Though  He  fpeaks  of  Sleep ;  He  fpeaks  of  it,  as  fallen  not 
upon  bimfelf  but  upon  other  Men.  He  does  not  mention  Dreams, 
though  niDl^rr  S omnia,  would  have  fuited  the  Verfe  (if  the  Book  be  in 
Metre)  altogether  as  well  as  mjnn  V if  ones. — It  could  not,  furely,  be 
a  JVind,  as  fome  tranflate  the  Word  nn.  Becaufe,  the  Circumllance 
ol  funding  fill,  is  not  fo  compatible  with  the  Nature  of  a  Wind ;  and  a 
V/ind  would  have  palled  abo^e  Him.,  all  around  Him,  as  well  as  befor^ 
Him..  Not  to  add,  how  low  a  Remark  it  is,  and  how  unworthy  of  a 
Place  in  fo  augufl  a  Defcription,  that  He  could  not  difern  the  Fcrin  of 
a  Wind. — It  feems,  therefore,  to  have  been  a  real  Spirit;  either  Augcli- 
cal3.s  were  thole,  which  prefented  themfelves  to  Abraham  refling  at  the 
Doer  of  his  Tent,  and  to  Lot  fitting  in  the  Gate  of  Sodotn ;  or  ^\{t,  the 
Spirit  of  fome  departed  Saint,  as  in  the  Cafe  of  Samuel's  Apparition, 
or  the  famous  Appearance  of  Mofcs  and  Elijah  on  the  Mount  of 
Transfiguration. — A  Spirit,  afiuming  fom.e  Vehicle,  in  order  to  become 
vifible  to  the  human  Eye.  Which,  accordingly,  Eliphaz,  faw,  ex- 
hibiting itfelf  as  an  Object  of  Sight.  But  faw  fo  obfcurely  and  in- 
diilinclly,  that  He  was  not  able^  either  to  defciibe  its  Afpccl,  or  to 
difcern  ^Ajhcm  it  refem.bled. 

?  cies  J 


J  CONTEMPLATIONS 


cles;  while  it  difcountenances  thofc  Legions  of  idle 
Tales  which  SuperflitiOxn  has  raifed,  and  Credulity  re- 
ceived. Since  it  teaches  us,  that  if,  at  any  Time,  thofc 
Vifitants  from  the  unknown  World,  render  themfelves 
perceivable  by  Mortals,  it  is  not  upon  any  Errand  of 
frivolous  Confequence  5  but,  to  cotvey  Intelligences  of  the 
utmoft  Moment,  or  to  ^ivcrk  hnpejfions  of  the  higheft 
Advantage. 

'TwAS  in  the  Dead  of  Night,  All  Nature  lay  fhroud- 
ed  in  Darknefs.  Every  Creature  was  buried  in  Sleep. 
The  moft  profound  Silence  reigned  through  the  Uni- 
verfe.  In  thefe  folemn  Moments,  Eliphaz  alone,  all 
wakeful  and  folitary,  was  mufmg  upon  fublime  and  hea- 
venly Subjects. — When,  lo  1  an  awful  Being,  from  the 
invifible  Realms,  burfh  into  his  Apartment  *.  A  Spirit 
faffed  before  his  Face,  Allonifhment  feized  the  Beholder. 
His  Bones  fliivered  within  Him ;  his  Flefh  trembled  all 
over  him  ;  and  the  Hair  of  his  Head  flood  eredl  with 
Horror. — Sudden  and  unexpedted,  was  the  Appearance 
of  the  Phantom  ;  not  fuch  its  Departure.  //  flood  ftill, 
to  prefcnt  itfelf  more  fully  to  his  View.  It  made  a 
folemn  Paufe,  to  prepare  his  Mind  for  fome  momentous 
McfTage. — After  which,  a  Voice  was  heard.  A  Voice, 
for  tlie  Importance  of  its  Meaning,  worthy  to  be  had  in 

*  I  have  given  this  folemn  Pidure  a  modern  Drefs,  rather  for  the 
Sake  of  Variety  and  lUuftration,  than  from  any  Apprehenfion  of  im- 
provirg  the  admirable  Original.  Such  an  Attempt,  I  am  fenfible, 
would  be  more  abfurdly  vain,  than  to  lacquer  Gold,  or  paint  the 
Diamond.  The  Defcription,  in  Elipha%\  own  Language,  is  awful 
and  affefting  to  the  laft  Degree.  A  Nigbt-Plece,  drefled  in  all  the  Cir- 
cumrtances  of  the  deepcfl:  Horror.  I  queilion,  whether  Shakfpeare  him- 
felf,  though  fo  peculiarly  happy  for  his  great  Command  of  terrifying 
Images,  has  any  Thing  fuperior  or  comparable  to  this.  The  Judges 
of  fineCompofitionyt-^  the  maflerly  Strokes;  and,  I  believe,  the  moll 
ordinary  K^zdicv  feels  them,  chilling  his  Blood,  and  awakening  Emo- 
tions of  Dread  in  his  Mind. 

cverlailing 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  253 

everlafling  Remembrance  ;  for  the  Solemnity  of  Its  De- 
livery, enough  to  alarm  a  Heart  of  Stone.     It  fpoke ; 
and  this  was^he  Purport  of  its  Words  ;— "  Shall  Man, 
«  frail  Many  be juft  before  the  mighty  GOD?  Jhall even 
"  the  moft  acccmplijhed  cf  Mortals  be  pure  in  the  Sight  of  his 
«  Maker  *  ?  Behold,  and  confider  it  attentively.     He  put 
«  no  fuch  Trtift  in  his  moft  exalted  Servants^   as  fhould 
«  befpeak  them  incapable  of  Defed.     And  his  very  An- 
"  gels  he  charged  -joith  Folly  ;  as   finking,   even  in  the 
«  hio-heft  Perfedlion  of  their  Holinefs,  infinitely  beneath 
"  his^  tranfcendent  Glories  ;    as  falling,  even  in  all  the 
«  Fidelity  of  their  Obedience,  inexprefiibly  fhort  of  the 
«  Homage  due  to  his  adorable  Majefty.     If  angelic  Na- 
"  tures  muft  not  prefume  to  juftify,  either  Themfelves, 
"  or  their  Services,  before  uncreated  Purity  ;  how  much 
"  more  abfurd  is  fuch  a  Notion,  how  much  more  impi- 
"  ous  fuch  an  Attempt,  in  Thera  that  dwell  in  Houfes  of 
"  Clay  ',  whofe  Original  is  from  the  Duft,  and  whofe 
"  State  is  all  Imperfe61:ion  1" 

I  WOULD  obferve  from  hence,  the  very  fingular  Ne- 
cefTity  of  that  Poverty  of  Spirit ,  which  intirely  renounces 
its  own  Attainments ;  and  moft  thankfully  fubniits  to 
the  Righteoufnefs  of  the  incarnate  God.— To  inculcate 
this  Lellon,  the  Son  cf  the  BleiTed  came  down  from 
Heaven;    and  preiTed  no  other  Prmciple,  with  fo  re- 

»  There  fcems  to  be  a  nc^n^Hcant  and  beautiful  Gradaticn  In  the 
Hebre^v  Words  DU«  and  nnj,  which  I  have  endeavoured  to  preferve 
by  a  Sort  of  paraphrafnc  V erfion ,-^'X\v^  Reader  will  obferve  a  «^zy 
Turn  given  to  the  Sentiment ;  preferable,  I  think,  to  that  which  our 
Englljh  TranQation  exhibits.  N  ot,  JJmll  Man  he  more  juft  than  GODi" 
But,  J^ali  Man  he  juft  he/ore,  or  in  the  Sight  of  GOD  ?  The  PalTage 
thus  rendered,  fpeaks  a  Truth  incomparably  more  weighty,  and 
needful  to  be  inculcated.  A  Truth,  exadly  parallel  to  that  hum- 
bling Confeffion  of  the  Prophet,  We  are  all  as  an  unclean  Thing ;  and 
to  that  folemn  Declaration  of  the  Pfalmift,  In  thy  Sight,  ft^all  no  Man 
ii.  1  'ing  bi  j  uftifted. 

Q  peated 


254  C  ON  TEMPLATIONS 

peated  *  an  Importunity,  on  his  Hearers.  To  Inflil  the 
fame  Do6lrine,  the  Holy  Ghost  touched  the  Lips  of 
the  Apoftles  with  facred  Eloquence ;  and  made  it  an 
eminent  Part  of  their  Commiffion,  "  to  demoiilh  every 
•^  high  Imagination.'*  That  no  Expedient  might  be 
wanting,  to  give  it  a  deep  and  lafling  Efficacy  on  the 
human  Mind  ;  a  Phantom  arifes  from  the  Valley  of  the 
Shadow  of  Death,  or  a  Teacher  defcends  from  the  Ha- 
bitation of  Spirits. — Whatever  then  we  negled;  let  us 
not  negledl  to  cultivate  ibis  Grace,  which  has  been  fo 
varioufly  taught,   fo  powerfully  enforced. 

Hark  !  a  doleful  Voice — ^W^ith  fudden  Starts,  and 
hideous  Screams,  it  difturbs  the  Silence  of  the  peaceful 
Night.  'Tis  the  Screech-owl,  fometimes  in  frantic,  fome- 
times  in  difconfolate  Accents,  uttering  her  Woes  f .  She 
flies  the  vocal  Grove,  and  fhuns  the  Society  of  all  the 
feathered  Choir.  The  blooming  Gardens,  and  flov/eiy 
Meads,  have  no  Charms  for  her.  Obfcene  Shades, 
ragged  Ruins,  and  Wails  overgrown  v/ith  Ivy,  are  her 
favourite  Haunts.  Above,  the  mouldering  Precipice 
nods,  and  threatens  a  Fall :  below,  the  Toad  crawls,  or 


*  It  Is  well  worthy  of  our  Obfervation,  fays  an  excellent  Com- 
mentator, '*  That  no  one  Sentence  uttered  by  our  Lord,  is  fo 
"  frequently  repeated  as  this  i  Whojoe'ver  fiall  exalt  him/elf,  Jhall  be 
"  chafed ;  and  he  that  Jhall  humble  htm/elf,  JJmll  be  exalted:'  Which 
often  occurs  in  the  Evangelifts ;  but  is  ne-uer  duly  accomplifhed  in 
Us,  till  We  difclaim  all  Pretenfion  to  Merit  and  Righteoufnefs  of  our 
own,  and  feek  them  only  in  ^e^tonement  and  Obedience  of  Jes  u  s 
Christ.  ^  ■ 

■\  Sojaqns  culminibus  ferali  carmine  bubo 
.--     ^ape  querii  longafque  in  f  stum  ducere  Hjoces. 

Thus  fung  that  charming  Genius,  that  Prince  of  the  ancient  Poets, 
that  moft  confummate  Mailer  of  Elegance  and  Accuracy  ;  all  whole 
Sentiments  are  Nature,  whofe  every  Defcripticn  is  a  Picture,  whofe 
whole  Lan^ua^e  is  Mufic — V  i  r  G  i  l  . 

the 


ON     THE     NIGHT. 


2>S 


tlie  pollbnous  Adder  hiiTes.  The  fprightly  ?vIorning, 
which  awakens  other  Animals  into  Joy,  adminifters  no 
Pleafure  to  this  gloomy  Reclulc.  Even  the  fmiling 
Face  of  Day,  is  hcv  Averfion  ;  and  all  its  lovely  Scenes 
create  nothing  but  Uneafinels. 

So,  jiiil  fo,  would  it  fare  v/ich  the  Ungodly ;  were  it 
poffible  to  fiippofc  their  AdmifTion,  into  the  chafte  and 
bright  Abodes  of  endlefs  Felicity.  They  would  ^nd 
nothing  but  Difappointment  and  Shame,  even  at  the 
Fountain-Head  of  Happinefs  and  Honour. — For  liow 
could  the  Tongue,  habituated  to  Profanenefsy  tafte  any 
Delight  in  the  harmonious  Adorations  of  Heaven  ? 
How  could  the  Lips,  cankered  with  Slander,  relilli  the 
Raptures  of  everlafbing  Praife  ?  Where  would  be  the 
Satisfadion  of  the  vain  Beauty,  or  t\\tfuperciUous  Grandee  ? 
Since,  in  the  Temiple  of  the  Skies,  no  Incenfe  of  Flat- 
tery would  be  addrefTed  to  the  former ;  nor  any  obfe- 
quious  Homage  paid  to  the  latter. — The  fpotlefs  and 
inconceivable  Purity  of  the  bleiled  God,  would  flaJJj 
Confufion  on  die  lafcivious  Eye.  The  envious  Mind, 
mufl  be  on  a  Rack  of  felf-tormendng  Pafficns ;  to  ob- 
lerve  Milhons  of  happy  Beings,  fhining  in  all  the  Per- 
fedtions  of  Glory,  and  folacing  themfelves  in  the  Ful- 
nefs  of  Joy. — In  fiiort;  the  ujifandified  Soul,  amidfl 
holy  and  triumphant  Spirits  i  even  in  the  refined  Re- 
gions of  Blifs  and  Immortality ;  would  be  like  this  me- 
lancholy Bird,  d'lflodged  from  her  darkfome  Retirement, 
and  mprijoned  under  the  Beams  of  Day  ^\ 

The 

*  I  would  beg  of  the  Reader  to  obferve,  v/ith  what  Emphajjs  and  Pro- 
priety  our  Lord  touches  this  important  Point,  in  his  memorable  Re- 
ply to  Nicodemus.  Ferily,  eerily  y  I  fay  unto  theej  Except  a  Man  he  horn 
again.  He  cannot  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  Hcauen  ;  q.  d.  ^'  I  wave 
"  the  Authority  of  the  Supreme  Judge,  andfpcak  with  tlie  Condefcenfon 
"  of  a  Teacher  in  Ifrc.el.  Though  I  might,  without  being  liable  to 
•*  the  leall  Controul,  pafs  it  into  a  fovereign  Decree  :  That  unrenewed 

*'  .Mortals. 


355  CONTEMPLATIONS 

The  Voice  of  this  Creature  fcreaming  at  our  Win- 
dowsj  or  of  tht  Raven  croaking  over  our  Houfes,  is, 
they  fay,  a  Token  of  approaching  Death.  There  are 
Perfons,  who  would  regard  fuch  an  Incident,  with  no 
fmall  Degree  of  Soiickude.  Trivial  as  it  is ;  it  would 
damp  their  Spirits,  perhaps,  break  their  Reft. — One 
cannot  but  wonder,  that  People  fhould  fufFer  themfelves 
to  be  affrighted  at  fuch  fantaftical,  and  yet  be  quite 
iinaffeded  with  rerd,  Prefages  of  their  Dilfolution,  Real 
Prefao-es  of  this  awful  Event,  addrefs  us  from  every 
Quarter.  What  are  thefe  incumbent  Glooms,  which  over- 
whelm the  World>  but  a  kind  of  Pall  provided  for  Na- 
ture ;  and  an  Image  of  that  long  Night,  which  will 
quickly  cover  the  Inhabitants  of  the  whole  Earth  ?  What 
an  Affinity  has  the  Sleep  f,  which  will  very  foon  weigh 
down  my  drowfy  Eye-lids,  with  that  State  of  intire  Cef- 
fation,  in  v/hich  all  my  Senfes  muft  be  laid  afide  I  The 
filent  Chamber,  and  the  Bed  of  Slumber,  are  a  very 
fignificant  Reprefentaticn  of  the  Land,  where  all  Things 
are  hufned  -,  all  Things  are  forgotten. — What  meant 
that  deep  Deaih-Bell  NctCy  which,  the  other  Evening, 
faddened  the  Air  ?  Laden  with  heavieft  Accents,  it  ftruck 
our  Ears,  and  feemed  to  knock  at  the  Door  of  our 
Hearts.  Surely,  it  brought  a  MeiTage  to  furviving 
Mortals,  and  thus  the  Tidings  ran  :  "  Mortals,  the  De- 
"  llroyer  of  your  Race  is  on  his  Way.     The  laft  Enemy 

"'  Movt-ah,  who  are  Slaves  to  corrupt  Appetite,  shall  not  enter  the 
'^  Habitations  of  the  juft  ;  I  rather  choofe  to  reprefent  it,  as  a  Cafe 
*'  utterly  i'/npcjjibk;  and  charge  the  Calamity,  not  upon  Divine  Seve- 
*'  rity,  but  upon  human  Folly.  Such  Perfons,  from  the  very  Nature 
*'  of  Things,  preclude  themfelves ;  they  incapacitate  their  ov/n 
*' Minds  ;  and  Contrarieties  muft  be  reconciled,  before -TT^ry,  in  their 
"  un regenerate  Condition,  can  be  Partakers  of  thofe  fpiritual  and 
**  fubiime  Delights."     John  iii.  3. 

■\    Lt  Conjanguincui  Lethi  Sopcr.  ViRG. 

"  has 


0  N     T  H  E    N  I  G  H  T.  25/ 

"  has  begun  the  Purfuit ;  and  is  gaining  Ground  upon 
^'  you,  every  Moment.  His  Paths  are  fire  wed  widi 
*"'  Heaps  of  Slain.  Even  now,  his  Javelin  has  laid  one 
"  of  your  Neighbours  in  the  Duft  ;  and  will  foon,  very 
"  loon,  aim  the  inevitable  Blow  at  each  of  your  Lives." 

We  need  not  go  down  to  the  Charnel-Houfc,  nor 
carry  our  Search  into  the  Repcfitories  of  the  Dead  -,  in 
order  to  find  Memorials  of  our  impending  Doom.  A 
Multitude  of  thefe  Remembrancers  are  planted  in  all  our 
Paths,  and  point  the  heedlefs  Paffengers  to  their  long 
Plome.  I  can  hardly  enter  a  confiderable  Town,  but 
I  meet  the  funeral  ProcefTion,  or  the  Mourners  going 
about  the  Streets.  The  Hatchment  fufpended  on  the 
Wall,  or  the  Crape  ftreaming  in  the  Air,  are  filent  Inti- 
mations ;  that  both  Rich  and  Poor  have  been  emptying 
•their  Houfes,  and  replenifhing  their  Sepulchres.  I  can 
fcarce  join  in  any  Converfaoon,  but  mention  is  made  of 
fome  that  are  given  over  by  the  Phyfician,  and  hover- 
ing on  the  Confines  of  Eternity  3  of  others,  that  have 
juil  dropt  their  Clay  amidft  weeping  Friends,  and  are 
gone  to  appear  before  the  Judge  of  all  the  Earth- 
There  *s  not  a  News-Paper  comes  to  my  Hand ,  but 
amidlt  all  its  entertaining  Narrations,  reads  feveral  fe- 
rious  Lectures  of  Mortality,  What  elfe  are  the  repeated 
.Acoounts — of  Age,  worn  out  by  flow-confuming  Sick- 
nclles — of  Youth,  dafhed  to  Pieces  by  fome  fudden 
Stroke  of  Cafualty — of  Patriots,  exchanging  their  Seats 
in  the  Senate,  for  a  Lodging  in  the  Tomb — of  Mifers> 
refigning  their  Breath,  and  (O  rclentlefs  Defliny  !) 
leaving  their  very  Riches  for  others  ?  Even  the  Vehicles 
of  our  Amufement,  are  Regiilers  of  the  Deccafcd  ;.  and 
the  Voice  of  Fame  feldom  founds,  but  in  Concert  with 
a  Knell 

These  Monitors  croud  every  Place  ;  not  fo  m.uch 
as  the  Scenes  of  our  Diverfion  excepted.     V^Hiat  are 

S  the 


2.8  CONTEMPLATIONS 

the  Decorations  of  our  public  Buildings,  and  the  mofl: 
elegant  Furniture  of  our  Parlours ;  but  the  Imagery  of 
Death,  and  Trophies  of  the  Tomb  ?  That  marble 
Bull ;  and  thofe  gilded  Pi6tures ;  how  folemnly  they 
recopiize  the  Fate  of  others,  and  fpeakingly  remind  us 
of  our  own  ! — I  lee,  I  hear,  and  O  !  I  feel  this  great 
Tru.th.  Ir  is  interwoven  with  my  Confritution.  The 
frequent  Decays  of  the  Structure  foretel  its  final  Ruin-. 
What  are  all  the  Pains,  that  have  been  darted  through 
my  limbs ;  what  every  Difeaie,  that  has  affaulted  my 
Health ;  but  the  advanced  Guards  of  the  Foe  ?  What 
are  the  Languors  and  Wearinefs,  that  attend  the  La- 
bours of  each  revolving  Day;  but  the  moYtfecret  Prac- 
tices of  the  Adveriary,  llowly  undermining  the  earthly 
Tabernacle  ? 

Amidst  fo  many  Notices,  fliall  we  go  on  thoughtlefs 
and  unconcerned  ?  Can  none  of  the  Prognoftics,  which 
are  fure  as  Oracles,  awaken  our  Attention,  and  engage 
our  Circumfpe6lion  ?  Noah,  'tis  written,  being  wafned  of 
GOD-,  prepared  an  Ark.  Imitate,  my  Soul,  imitate 
this  excellent  Example.  Admonifhed  by  fuch  a  Cloud 
of  WitnefTes,  be  continually  putting  thyfelf  in  a  Readi- 
nefs  for  the  laft  Change.  Let  not  that  Day,  of  which 
thou  haft  fo  many  infallible  Signs,  come  upon  thee  un- 
awares.— Get  the  Ivy  untwined,  and  thy  Affeclions  dif- 
entangled  from  this  inchanting  W^orld  ;  that  thou  may'ft 
be  able  to  quit  it,  without  Relu6lance.  Get  the  dread- 
ful Hand-ivriting  cancelled,  and  all  thy  Sins  blotted  out ; 
that  thou  may'ft  depart  in  Peace,  and  have  nothing  to 
fear  at  the  decifive  Tribunal.  Get,  O  !  get  thyfelf  in- 
terefted  in  the  Redeemer's  Merits,  and  transformed  into 
liis  facred  Image  ;  then,  ftialt  Thou  be  meet  for  the  In- 
heritance of  Saints  in  Light,  and  may'ft  even  defire  to 
be  diflblved,  and  to  be  with  Christ. 

I 

Some- 


ON     THE     NIGHT.  2,-9 

Sometimes,  in  my  Evening  Walk^  I  have  heard 

— The  ivakefiil  Bird 

Swg  darkling,  and,  in  Jhadieft  Covert  hidy 
Time  her  no£lurnal  Note  *. 


How  different  the  Airs  of  this  charmino-  Sonfrfter,  from 
thofe  harfh  and  boding  Outcries  !  The  httle  Creature 
ran  through  all  the  Variations  of  Mufic  j  and  Ihewed 
herfelf  Miilrefs  of  every  Grace,  which  conflitutes  or 
embehiflies  Harmony. — Sometimes,  flie  fwells  a  manly- 
Throat,  and  her  Song  kindles  into  Ardor.  The  Tone 
is  fo  hold,  and  itrikes  with  fuch  Energy,  you  would  ima- 
gine the  Iprightly  Serenader  in  the  very  next  Thicket. 
Anon,  the  Strain  layiguifbes,  and  the  mournful  Warbler 
melts  into  Tendernefs.  The  melancholy  Notes  juft 
ileal  upon  the  Shades,  and  faintly  touch  your  Ear ;  or 
in  loft  and  fadly-pleafmg  Accents,  they  feem  to  die  along 
the  diftant  Vale.  Silence  is  pleafed,  and  Night  Uflens 
to  the  trilling  Tale. 

What  an  Invitation  is  this,  to  Hip  away  from  the 
thronged  City  !  This  coy  and  modcll  Minflrel,  enter- 
tains only  the  hovers  of  Reth'ement.  Thofe,  who  are 
caroufmg  over  their  Bowls,  or  ranting  at  th.e  riotous 
Club,  lofe  this  Feaft  of  Harmony. — In  like  manner, 
the  Pleafures  of  Religion,  and  the  Joy  of  Reconcilia- 
tion with  God  ;  the  Satisfactions  arifing,  from  an  efta- 
blifhed  Intereft  in  Christ,  and  from  the  Profpe6l  of 
a  blifsful  Immortality ;  thefe  are  all  loft  to  the  Mind, 
that  is  ever  in  the  Croud  \  and  dares  net,  or  delights 
not,  to  'retire  into  itfelf — Are  we  charmed  with  the 
Nightingale's  Song  !  Do  we  wifh  to  have  it  nearer, 
and  hear  it  oftener  ?  Let  us  feek  a  renewed  Heaft,  and 
a  refigned  Will ;  a  Confcience  that  whifpers  Peace,  and 
PalTions  that  are  tuned  by  Grace.     Then,  fliall  we  never 

»  Milt.  Pcr.LoJ},  B.  Ill,  I.  58. 

S   2  want 


26o  CONTEMPLATIONS 

want  a  Melody  in  our  own  Breafls,  far  more  mufically 
pleafing,  tlian  fweet  Philomela's  fweeteft  Strains. 

As  different  as  the  Voices  of  thefe  Birds,  are  the  Cir- 
cumftances  of  thofe  few  Perfons,  who  continue  awake.— 
Some  are  fquandering,  Pearls  fhall  I  fay,  or  Kingdoms  ? 
No  i  but  what  is  unfpeakably  more  precious,  Time. 
Squandering  this  ineftimable  Talent,  with  the  moll  fenfe- 
lefs  and  wanton  Prodigality.  Not  content  with  allowing 
a  (tvffpare  Minutes,  for  the  Purpofe  of  necelTary  Recre- 
ation J  they  lavifh  many  Hours,  devote  whole  Nights,  to 
that  idle  Diverfion  of  fhuffling,  ranging,  and  detaching 
a  Set  of  painted  Pafteboards. — Others,  inftead  of  this 
bufy  Trifling,  a(5t  the  Part  of  their  own  Tormentors. 
They  even  piquet  themfelves  *,  and  call  it  Amufement ; 
they  are  torn  by  wild  Horfes,  yet  term  it  a  Sport.  What 
elie  is  the  Gamefier's  Praftice  ?  His  Mind  is  ftretched  on 
the  Tenter-Hooks  of  anxious  Sulpence,  and  agitated  by 
the  fierceft  Extremes  of  Hope  and  Fear  !  While  the 
Dice  are  rattling,  his  Heart  is  throbbing  j  his  Fortune 
is  tottering  \  and,  pofllbly,  at  the  very  next  Throw,  the 
one  fmks  in  the  Gulph  of  Ruin,  the  other  is  hurried  into 
the  Rage  of  Diilra6lion. 

Some,  fnatched  from  the  Bloom  of  Health,  and  the 
Lap  of  Plenty,  are  confined  to  the  Chamber  of  Sicknefs, 
Where  they  are  conftrained,  either  to  plunge  into  the 
everlafting  World,  in  an  unprepared  Condition  ;  or  elfe 
(fad  Alternative  !)  to  think  over  all  the  Follies  of  a 
heedlefs  Life,  and  all  theBitterncfs  of  approaching  Death. 
The  Difeafe  rages ;  it  baffles  the  Force  of  Medicine ; 
and  urges  the  reludlant  Wretch,  to  the  Brink  of  the 
Precipice.  While  Furies  roufe  the  Confcience,  and 
point  at  the  bottomlefs  Pit  belovv^. — Perhaps,  his  droof- 

'*  Alluding  to  a  very  painful  Punifliment,  Infliaed  on  Delinquents 
among  the  Soldiery.  o 

ir.g 


O  N    T  H  E    N  I  G  H  T,  261 

ing  Mother,  deprived  long  ago  of  the  Hufband  of  her 
Bofom,  and  bereft  of  all  her  other  Offspring  ;  is,  even 
now,  receiving  the  Blow  which  confummates  her  Cala- 
mities *.  In  vain,  fhe  tries  to  aflwage  the  Sorrows  of 
a  beloved  Son ;  in  vain,  flie  attempts,  with  her  tender 
Offices,  to  prolong  a  Life,  dearer  than  her  own.  He 
faints  in  her  Arms ;  he  bows  his  Head ;  he  fmks  in 
Death.  Fatal,  doubly  fatal,  that  laft  expiring  Pang  ! 
While  it  diflodges  the  unwilling  Soul,  it  rends  an  only 
Child,  from  the  yearning  Embraces  of  a  Parent ;  and 
tears  away  the  Support  of  her  Age,  from  a  difconfolate 
Widow. 

While  Thofe  long  for  a  Reprieve  -,  Others  invite  the 
Stroke.  Quite  weary  of  the  World,  with  a  reftlefs  Im- 
patience, they  figh  for  Diflblution.  Some,  pining  away 
under  the  tedious  Decays  of  an  incurable  Confu?nption ; 
or  gafping  for  Breath,  and  almoft  fuffocated,  by  an  In- 
undation of  drop/teal  Waters.  On  fome  a  relentlefs  Can- 
cer has  fattened  its  envenomed  Teeth  j    and  is  gnawing 

*  This  brings  to  my  Mind  one  of  the  deepeft  Mourning- Piecesy  ex- 
tant in  the  Produdlions  of  the  Pen.  The  facred  Hiftorian  prtints  it, 
in  all  the  Simplicity  of  Stile,  yet  with  all  the  Strength  of  colouring. — 
When  JESUS  came  nigh  to  the  Gate  of  the  City,  behold!  there  ivas  a 
dead  Man  carried  cut,  the  only  Son  of  his  Mother,  and  fie  ^ujas  a  Wido^v, 
— What  a  Gradation  is  here  1  How  pathetically  beautiful !  every  frelh 
Circumftance,  widens  the  Wound  ;  aggravates  the  Calamity  ;  till  the 
Defcription  is  worked  up  into  the  moil  liniihed  Pidure  of  exquifite 
and  inconfolableDiftrefs. — He  was  zyoungMan:  cut  off  in  the  Flower 
of  Life,  amidft  a  Thoufand  gay  Expedlations,  and  fmiling  Hopes. 
A  Son,  an  only  Son  ;  the  afflidted  Mother's  All.  So  that  none  re- 
mained to  preferve  the  Name,  or  perpetuate  the  Family.  What  ren- 
dered the  Cafe  ftill  more  deplorable.  She  ^.vas  a  Hldo-uj  :  left  intirely 
defolate  ;  abandoned  to  her  Woes ;  without  any  to  (hare  her  Sorrows, 
or  to  comfort  her  under  the  irreparable  Lofs. — Is  not  this  a  fine  Sketch 
of  the  ImpaJ/ioned  and  PiHurefque  F  Who  can  confider  the  Narrative, 
with  any  Attention  ;  and  not  feel  his  Heart  penetrated,  with  a  tender 
Commif^ration  ?  Luke  vii.  12. 

S  3  them. 


362  CONTEMPLATIONS 

them,  though  in  the  midfl  of  bodily  Vigour,  in  the 
midil  of  pitying  Friends,  gradually  to  Death.  Others 
are  on  a  Rack  of  Agonies,  by  convulfi.ve  Fits  of  the 
Stone.  O  !  how  the  Pain  writhes  their  Limbs  ;  how  the 
Sweat  bedevvs  their  Flefh ;  and  their  Eye-balis  wildly 
roll !  Methinks,  the  Night  condoles  with  thefe  her  dif^ 
trefled  Children ;  and  fheds  dewy  Tears,  over  their  ibr- 
rowful  Abodes. — But  of  all  Mortals,  7hey  are  tlie  moir 
exquifitely  miferable,  who  groan  beneath  the  PrclTure  of 
a  melmchohj  Mindj  or  fmart  under  the  Lafhes  of  a  re~ 
Jentful  Confcience.  Though  robed  in  Ermine  ;  or  co- 
vered with  Jewels  j  the  State  of  a  Slave  chained  to  the 
Gallics,  or  of  an  Exile  condemned  to  the  Mines,  is  a 
perfc6t  Paradife  compared  with  theirs. 

O  !  that  die  Votaries  of  Mirth  ;  whofe  Life  is  a  eon- 
tinued  Round  of  Merriment  and  Whim  ;  would  bellow 
one  ferious  Refleclion,  on  this  Variety  of  human  JVces  I 
It  mio-ht  teach  them  to  be  lefs  enamoured,  with  the 
few  languid  Sweets ;  diat  are  thinly  fcattered  through 
this  Vale  of  Tears,  and  environed  with  fuch  a  Multitude 
of  rugged  Thorns.  It  might  teach  them,  no  longer 
to  dance  away  their  Years,  v/ith  a  giddy  rambling  Ln- 
fulfcy  but  to  afpire,  with  a  determined  Aim,  after  thofe 
happy  Regions,  where  Delights,  abundant  and  unem- 
bittered,  flovv\ 

Can  there  be  Circumllances,  which  a  Man  of  Wif- 
dom  would  more  earneftly  deprecate,  than  thefe  feverai 
Inftances  of  grievous  Tribulation  ?  There  are  ;  and, 
what  is  very  aftonifliing,  they  are  frequently  the  Defire 
and  the  Choice  of  Thofe,  who  fancy  themfelves  the  fole 
Heirs  of  Happinefs.  Thofe  I  mean,  who  are  launch- 
ing out  into  the  Depths  o^  Extravagance y  and  running 
CxcelTive  Lengths  o{ Riot :  who  are  proflituting  their 
ReputanoD;,  and  facrificing  their  Peace^  to  the  Gratifi- 
cation 


ON     THE    NIGHT.  263 

cation  of  their  Lufts ;  Tapping  the  Foundation  of  their 
Health,  in  Debaucheries  ;  or  fliipwrecking  the  Interefts 
of  their  Famihes,  in  their  Bowls,  And,  what  is  worfe, 
are  forfeiting  the  Joys  of  an  eternal  Heaven,  for  theyi;r- 
<^/W  Satisfactions  of  die  Bead;  for  the  tranfitory  Senfa- 
tions  of  an  Hour. — Ye  Slaves  of  Appetite,  how  far  am 
I  from  envying  your  grofs  Senfualities,  and  voluptuous 
Revels  !  little,  ah  !  little  are  you  lenfible  3  that,  while 
Indulgence  ihowers  her  Rofes,  and  Luxury  diffufes  her 
Odours ;  they  fcatter  Poifons  alfo,  and  Hied  unheeded 
Bane  *.  Evils,  incomparably  more  malignant,  than  die 
Wormwood  and  Gall  of  the  fharpell  Affliction. — Since 
Death  is  in  the  Drunkard's  Cup ;  and  worfe  than  Poi- 
nards  in  the  Harlot's  Embrace ;  may  it  ever  be  the 
Privilege  of  the  Man  whom  I  love,  to  go  without  his 
Sliare  of  thele  pejlilent  S^uoeets  f  / 

Abundance  of  living  Sparks  glitter  in  the  Lanes, 
and  twinkle  under  the  Hedges,  I  fuppofe,  they  are  the- 
Glow-WGrms  ;  wliich  have  lighted  their  litdc  Lamps,  an  J 
obtained  Leave,  through  the  Abfence  of  the  Sun,  to  play 
a  feeble  Beam.  A  faint  Glimmer,  jull:  ferves  to  render 
them  perceivable  ;  without  tending  at  all  to  dilTipate 
the  Shades,  or  making  any  Amends  for  the  departed 
Day.-r^Should  fome  weather-beaten  Traveller,  drop- 
ping with  Wet,  and  Ihjvering  with  Cold,  hover  round 
this  Alimicry  of  Fire  j  in  order  to  dry  his  Garments,  and 
warm  his  benumbed  Limbs.  Should  Ibme  bewildered 
Traveller ;   groping  for  his  Way,  in  a  ftarlels  Night 

*   Tes  ;  in  the  TlonjJ^rs  that  nvreathe  the  fparkling  Boxvlf 
Fell  Adders  hifs,  and  poisonous  Serpents  roll. 

f  ^lam  fua~je  ejl  fua'-'itatibus  ijtis  carerc  !  was  St.  JuguJIinc^s  piou5 
Exclamation.  The  Subllance  of  which  Mr.  -Pc/^  has  exprclled,  \\\i\\ 
more  Simplicity,   and  with  no  lels  Dignity. 

Count  oil  tP  Jd'vantage  prqfp^rcus  Vice  attaint, 
'Tis  but  1.1'hat  I'^irtue  f.ies  frc?n,  and  dijd-ains^ 

S  4  ^nd 


264  CONTEMPLATIONS 

and  tracklefs  Defart ;  take  one  of  thefe  languid  Tapers y 
as  a  Light  to  his  Feet,  and  a  Lantern  to  his  Patlis.  How 
certainly  would  both  the  one,  and  the  other,  be  frul- 
trated  of  their  Expedlation  ! — And  are  They  more  likely 
to  {uccttdy  who,  negledling  that  fovereign  Balm,  which 
difbilled  from  the  Crofs ;  apply  an-v  carnal  Diverfion,  to 
heal  the  Anxiety  of  the  Mind  ?  Who,  deaf  to  the  in- 
fallible Decifions  of  Revelation  ;  refign  themfelves  over 
to  the  erroneous  Covje^fures  of  P^eajon^  in  order  to  find 
the  Way  that  leadedi  unto  Life  ?  Or  laftly,  who  have 
Recourfe  to  the  Froth  of  this  vain  World,  for  a  fatisfac- 
tory  Portion,  and  a  fubfcantial  Happinefs  ?  Their  Con- 
dufl  is  in  no  Degree  wifer ;  their  Difappointment  equally 
fare  j  and  their  Mifcarriage  infinitely  more  difaftrous. 
To  fpeak  in  the  delicate  Language  of  a  facred  Writer, 
"  they  fow  the  Wind,  and  will  reap  the  Whirlv/ind  *." 
To  fpeak  m.ore  plainly ;  the  Pleallires  of  the  World, 
which  we  are  All  fo  prone  to  dote  upon ;  and  the  Powers, 
of  fallen  Reafon,  which  Seme  are  apt  to  idolize  f  ;  are 

not 


*  Hof.  viii.  7. 

f  I  hope,  It  will  be  obferved,  Tliat  I  am  far  from  decrying  that 
noble  Faculty  of  Reafon,  when  exerted  in  her  proper  Sphere;  when 
a6ling  in  a  (Referential  S>iih ordination  to  the  revealed  Will  of  Heaven. 
While  She  exercifes  her  Powers  within  thefe  appointed  Limits,  ^^^t  is 
unfpeakably  ferviceablc  ;  and  cannot  be  too  induflrioufly  cultivated. — 
But,  when  fhe  fets  up  herfelf  in  proud  Contra-difiin^ion  to  the  facred 
Oracles ;  when,  all  arrogant  and  felf-fufficient.  She  fays  to  the  Word  of 
Scripture,  I  hanje  no  Need cf  Thee  :  She  is  then,  I  mufl  be  bold  to  main- 
tain, not  only  a  Glow-worm,  but  an  Ignis  fi-tuus\  not  only  a  Bubble, 
but  a  Snare. 

May  not  this  Rem.ark,  with  the  ftri^lcft  Propriety  ;  and  without  the 
leaft  Limitation ;  be  applied  to  the  Generality  of  our  Modern  Romances, 
Novels,  and  theatrical  Entertainmicnts  ?  Thefe  are  commonly  calcu- 
lated, to  inflame  a  \vanton  Fancy.  Or,  if  conducled  with  fo  much 
Mcdefly,  as  not  to  debauch  the  AfFedrions ;  they  pervert  the  Judgment, 
■and  bewilder  the  Tafle.  By  their  incredible  Adventures  \  their  extra- 
vagant 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  265 

not  only  vain,  but  treacherous.  Not  only  a  painted  Flame, 
like  thele  fparkling  Animals ;  but  rauch  like  thofe  unc- 
tuous Exhalations,  which  arlfe  from  the  marfhy  Ground, 
and  often  dance  before  the  Eyes  of  the  benighted  Way- 
faring Man.  Kindled  into  a  Sort  of  Fire,  they  perfo- 
nate  a  Guide,  and  feem  to  offer  their  Service  :  but, 
blazing  with  delufive  Light,  miflead  their  Follower  into 
hidden  Pits,  headlong  Precipices,  and  unfathomable 
Gulfs.  Where,  far  from  his  beloved  Friends,  far  from 
all  Hopes  of  Succour,  the  unhappy  Wanderer  is  fwal- 
lowed  up,  and  loft. 

Not  long  ago,  we  obferved  a  very  furprlfing  Ap- 
pearance in  the  Weftern  Sky.  A  frcdigicus  Star  took 
its  flaming  Route  through  thofe  Coafls ;  and  trailed,  as 
it  pafTed,  a  tremendous  Length  of  Fire,  almoil  over  half 
the  Heavens.  Some,  I  imagine,  viewed  the  porten- 
tous Stranger  with  much  the  fame  anxious  Amazement; 
a  BelJJjazzar  beheld  the  Hand -writing  upon  the  Wall. 
Some  looked  upon  it  as  a  bloody  *  Flag ;  hung  out  by 
Divine  Refentment,  over  a  guilty  World.  Som.e  read, 
in  its  glaring  Vifage,  the  Fate  of  Nations,  and  the  Fall 
of  Kingdoms  f.  To  others,  it  fhook,  or  feemed  to 
Ihake,  Peftilence  and  JVar  from  its  horrid  Hair. — For 
my  Part  -,  I  am  not  i^o  fuperftitious  as  to  regard,  v/hat 
every  Aflrologer  has  to  prognofticate  ;  upon  the  Accef- 
fion  of  a  Comet  J  or  the  Projedlion  of  its  hugh  vafcioy 

vagant  Parade  of  Gallantry ;  and  their  Chara6lers,  widely  diiFerent 
from  Truth  and  Nature  ;  they  infpire  foolifh  Conceits :  beget  idle  Ex- 
peftations  :  introduce  a  Difguft  of  genuine  Hiftory  :  and  incifpofe 
their  Admirers,  to  acquiefce  in  the  decent  Civilities,  or  to  rciilh  the 
foher  Satisfadlions,  of  common  Life. 
*  — -  Llqiddaji  quando  node  ccmetce 

Sanguinei  lugubre rK(^f«/. —  ViRG, 

\  — — —  Crinejnque  timendi  , 

Sideris,  ^  terris  mutantem  regna  cometem,         Luc  an. 

Traln^ 


^66  CONTEMPLATIONS 

Tram.  Nothing  can  be  more  precarious,  and  unjufti- 
fiable,  than  to  draw  fuch  Conclufions  from  fuch  Events: 
Since  they  neither  are  preternatural  EfFeds,  nor  do  they 
thro^v  the  Frame  of  Things  into  any  Diforder.  I  would 
rather  adore  that  omnipotent  Being,  who  rolled  thofe 
ftupendous  Orbs  from  his  creating  Hand  ,  and  leads 
them,  by  his  providential  Eye,  through  unmeafurable 
Trails  of  iEtlier.  Who  bids  them,  now,  approach  tlie 
Sun,  and  glow  with  unfufferable  Ardors  "^ ;  now,  re- 
treat to  the  utmoft  Bounds  of  our  Planetary  Syftem,  and 
make  dieir  Entry  among  odier.  Worlds. 

They  are  harmlefs  Vifitants.  I  acquit  them  from  the 
Charge  of  caufing,  or  being  accefTary  to,  defolating 
Plagues.  Would  to  God,  tiiere  were  no  other  more  for- 
midable Indications,  of  appro  aching  Judgments  y  or  im- 
pending Ruin !  But,  alas !  when  Vice  becomes  predomi- 
nant, and  Irreligion  almoll  epidemical ;  when  the  Sab- 
baths of  a  jealous  God,  are  notorioufly  profaned ;  and 
that  "  Name,  which  is  great,  wonderful,  and  holy,"  is 
proilituted  to  the  meaneft,  or  abufed  to  the  moil  exe- 
crable Piirpofes;  when  the  Worlliip  of  our  great  Crea- 
tor and  Preferver  is  banifhed,  from  many  of  the  m.oil 
eonfpicuoiis  Families ;  and  it  is  deemed  a  Piece  of  rude 
Impertinence,  fo  much  as  to  mention  the  gracious  Re- 
deemer, in  our  genteel  Intervie-ivs :  wlien  it  palTes  for  an 
elegant  Freedom  of  Behaviour,  to  ridicule  the  Myileries 
of  Chriftianity  ;  and  a  Species  of  refined  Converfation, 
to  taint  the  Air  with  lafcivious  Hints  :  when  thofe,  who 
fit  in  the  Scomefs  Chair,   fin  with  a  high  Hand  :  and 

*  '•  The  Comet  in  the  Year  1680,  according  to  Sir  I/aac  Ne'usio7i'*s 
"  Computation,  was,  in  its  neareft  Approach,  above  166  Times  nearer 
"*  the  Sun  than  the  Earth  is.  Confequently,  its  Heat  was  then  28000 
*'  Times  greater  than  that  of  Summer.  So  that  a  Ball  of  Iron  as  big 
**  as  the  Earth,  heated  by  it,  woiHd  hardly  become  cool  in  50000 
**  Years."     Derk.  Jl/}>\  TUol.  p.  237. 

m^ny 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  267 

many  of  thofe,  who  wear  the  Profeffor's  Garb,  are  def- 
titute  of  the  Power,  and  content  themfelves  with  the 
mere  Form  of  Godlinefs :  when  fuch  is  the  State  of  a 
Community,  there  is  Reafon,  too  apparent  Reafon,  to 
be  liorribly  afraid.  Such  Pkccncfnena,  abounding  in  the 
moral  World,  are  not  fanciful,  but  real  Omens,  Will 
not  an  injured  God  ^^  be  avenged  on  fucli  a  Nation  as 
*^'  this?"  Will  he  not  be  provoked,  to  *'  fweep  it  v/ith 
''  the  Befom  of  Deftruaion  *?" 

O!  THAT  the  Inhabitants  of  Grea^  Britain y  would  lay 
thefe  alarming  Confiderations  to  Heart!  The  Lord  of 
Hofts  has  commanded  the  Sword  of  ci-vil  DifcorJ,  to  re- 
turn into  its  Sheath.  But  have  we  returned,  every  one 
from  his  evillFays!  Are  we  become  a  renewed  People; 
devoted  to  a  dying  Saviour ;  and  zealous  of  good  Works  ? 
— What  mean  thofe  Peals  of  Sobs,  which  burft  from 
the  expiring  Cattle?  What  mean  thofe  melanclioly  Moans, 
%yhere  the  lufty  Droves  were  wont  to  low  j-  ?  What  mean 
thofe  Arrows  of  untimely  Death,  difcharged  on  our  in- 
nocent and  ufeful  Animals  ? 

No  Wantonnefs  or  Sloth,  has  vitiated  the  Blood  of 
thele  laborious,  temperate  Creatures.  They  have  con- 
traded  no  Difeafe,  from  unfealbnable  Indulgencies,  and 
inordinate  Revelings.     The  pure  Stream  is  their  Drink  j 

*"  Ifa.xw.  23.  The  eternal  Sovereign^,  fpeaking  of  i?///^y/(?//,  de- 
nounces this  Threatening,  /  ~u:ill J'vjeep  it  n(;ith  the  Befom  of  Dcjtruciion. 
— What  a  noble  but  dreadful  Image,  is  here  !  How  llrongiy  and  a\y- 
fully  pourtrayed  !  How  pregnant  alio  in  its  Signification  !  Intimating 
the  'vilc  Nature,  and  expreifing  the  totatExtirpatioti,  of  tiiis  wicked  Peo- 
ple ;  at  the  fame  Time,  fuggelHng  the  perfect  Eafe,  with  which  the 
righteous  God  would  execute  his  intended  Vengeance. 

f  If  thefe  Papers  fhould  be  fo  happy  as  to  outlive  their  Author  ;  per- 
haps, it  may  be  needful  to  inform  Polterity,  that  the  above-mentioned 
Hints,  allude  to  a  moll  terrible,  contagious,  and  mortal  Difonper, 
raging  among  the  homed  Cattle,  in  various  Parts  of  the  Kingdom. 

tlie 


468  CONTEMPLATIONS 

the  fimple  Herb  their  Repaft.  Neither  Care  diflurbs 
their  Sleep,  nor  PafTion  inflames  their  Breaft.  Whence 
then  are  they  vifited  with  fuch  terrible  Diforders,  as  no 
Prudence  can  prevent,  nor  any  Medicines  heal  ? — Surely, 
thefe  Calamities  are  the  Weapons  of  Divine  Difpleafure, 
and  manifeft  Chaftifements  of  an  evil  Generation  *. 
Surely  God,  the  "  God  to  whom  Vengeance  belongeth,*' 
has  ftill  a  Controverfy  with  our  fmful  Land.  And  who 
can  tell,  where  the  Vifitation  will  end  ?  What  a  Storm 
may  follow  thefe  prelufive  Drops  ? — O !  that  we  may 
**  hear  the  Rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  it!"  Taught 
by  thefe  fmal  Effeofs  of  our  Difobedience,  may  we  re- 
move the  accurjed  Thing  -j-,  from  our  Tents ;  our  Prac- 
tices ;  our  Hearts !  May  we  turn  from  all  Ungodlinefs, 
before  Wrath  come  upon  us  to  the  uttermoflj  before 
Iniquity  prove  our  Ruin  ! 

Sometimes,  at  this  Hour,  another  mofl:  remarkable 
Sight  amufes  the  Curious,  and  alarms  the  Vulgar.  A 
Blaze  of  lambent  Meteors  is  kindled,  or  fome  very  ex- 
traordinary Lights  are  refra6led,  in  the  Quarters  of  the 
X<[orth. — The  Streams  of  Radiance,  like  Legions  rufli- 
ing  to  the  Engagement,  meet  and  mingle ;  infomuch, 
that  the  Air  feems  to  be  all  confliding  Fire.  Widiin  a 
while  they  ftart  from  one  another ;  and,  like  Legions  in 
precipitate  Flight,  fweep,  each  a  feparate  Way,  through 
the  Firmament.  Now  they  are  quiefcent  -,  anon,  they 
are  thrown  into  a  quivering  Motion ;  prefently,  the  whole 
Horizon  is  illuminated  with  the  glancing  Flames.  Some- 
titnes,  with  an  Afpedt  awfully  ludicrous^  they  reprefent 

*   Hinc  Utt!  'vitiili  njulgo  moriuntur  in  herhis, 
Et  dulcet  mihnas  plena  ad  frafepia  reddunt. 
Balatu  hinc  pecorumy  &  crehris  ynugitihus  amna, 
Arentefiucfcnant  ripa,  coUefque  fupini,  V  i  R G . 

I  Jolh,  vi.  1 8. 

cxtra-^ 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  269 

extravagant  and  antic  Vagaries.  At  other  Times,  you 
would  fiirpe61:,  that  fome  invifible  Hand  was  playing  off 
the  dumb  Artillery  of  the  Skies ;  and,  by  a  ftrange  Ex- 
pedient, giving  us  the  Flafli,  without  the  Roar. 

The  Villagers  gaze  at  the  Spedlacle,  firfl  with  Won- 
der, then  with  Horror.  A  general  Fanic  feizes  the 
Country.  Every  Heart  throbs,  and  every  Face  is  pale. 
The  Crouds  that  flock  together,  inftead  of  diminifhino-, 
increafe  the  Dread.  They  catch  Contagion,  from  each 
odier's  Looks  and  Words ;  while  Fear  is  in  every  Eye, 
and  every  Tongue  fpeaks  the  Language  of  Terror. 
Some  fee  hideous  Shapes ;  Armies  mixing  in  fierce  En- 
counter, or  Fields  fwimming  with  Blood.  Some  fore- 
fee  direful  Events  ,  States  overthrown,  or  mighty  Mo- 
narchs  tottering  on  their  Thrones.  Others,  feared  with 
flill  more  frightful  Apprehenfions,  think  of  nothing  but 
the  Day  of  Doom,  "  Sure,  fays  one,  the  unalterable 
"  Hour  is  flruck,  and  the  End  of  all  Things  come. — 
'^  See,  replies  another,  how  the  blafted  Stars  look  wan! 
"  Are  not  thefe  the  Signs  of  the  Son  of  Man,  coming 
^^  in  the  Clouds  of  Heaven? — Jesus  prepare  us  (cries 
"  a  Third,  and  lifts  his  Eyes  in  Devotion)  for  the  Arch- 
"  angel's  Trump,  and  the  great  Tribunal !" 

If  this  waving  Brightnefs^  which  plays  innocently  over 
our  Heads,  be  fo  amazing  to  Mukitudes  -,  what  inex- 
prefTible  Conllernation  mufl  overwhelm  unthinking  Mor- 
tals, when  the  general  Conflagration  commences!  The 
Day,  the  dreadful  Day,  is  approaching ;  "  In  the  which 
"  the  Heavens  Jhall  pojs  away  with  a  great  Noife  *,  'and 

"  the 

*  2  Pet.in.  10.  I  have  often  thought  this  Verfe  an  eminent  Inflance 
of  that  Kind  of  beautiful  Writing,  in  which  the  very  -St.v'?^  bears  a 
Sort  of  S/'gni/icancy  ;  at  leaft,  carries  an  exad  Correfpondence  with  the 
Senf^.     The  original  Expreflion — ^oi^T^^ov — is  one  of  the  hoarfeft  and 

deepeft 


270  CONTEMPLATIONS 

«« the  Elements  JJoall  'melt  loith  fer-vent  Heat ;  the  Earth 
^'  aljoy  and  all  the  TVorks  that  are  therein y  Jhall  he  burnt 
^'  up.''  That  mighty  Hand,  which  once  opened  the 
Windows  from  on  High,  and  broke  up  the  Fountains 
of  the  great  Deep,  will  then  unlock  all  the  Magazines 
of  Firey  and  pour  a  Second  Deluge  upon  the  Earth.  The 
vengeful  Flames,  kindled  by  the  Breath  of  the  Almighty, 
fpread  themfelves  from  the  Centre  to  the  Circumference, 
Nothing  can  withftand  their  Impetuofity;  nothing  caii 
efcape  their  Rage.  Univerfal  Delblation  attends  their 
Progrefs.  Magnificent  Palaces,  and  folemn  Temples, 
are  laid  in  Alhes.  Spacious  Cities,  and  impregnable 
Towers,  are  mingled  in  one  fmoaking  Mafs.  Not  only 
the  Produdlions  of  hmnan  Arty  but  the  Works  of  Al~ 
mighty  Power ^  are  Fuel  for  the  devouring  Element.  The 
cverlafting  Mountains  melt,  like  the  Snows  which  cover 
their  Summit.  Even  vaft  Oceans,  ferve  only  to  aug- 
ment the  inconceivable  Rapidity  and  Fury  of  the  Blaze. 
— O !  how  fhall  I,  or  others,  fliand  undifmayed  amidft 
the  Glare  of  a  burning  World-,  unlefs  the  Lord  Je- 
hovah be  our  Defence?    How  Ihall  we  be  upheld  in 


deepeil  Words  in  Language.  Nothing  pould  be  more  exquifitely 
adapted  to  afFecl  the  Ear,  as  well  as  imprefs  the  Lnaghiatiofi,  with  the 
Wreck  of  Nature,  and  the  Crafh  of  a  falling  World — I  fcarce  ever  read 
this  Claufe,  but  it  brings  to  my  Mind  that  admired  Defcription  in 
Milton; 

On  a  fudden  open  fly. 


With  impetuous  Recoil,  and  jarring  Sound, 

Th'  infernal  Doors,  and  on  their  Hinges  grate 

Harp  Thunder. Book  II.  1.  879. 

It  is  a  picaftng  Employ,  .^nd  a  very  laudable  OiBce  of  true  Criticifm, 
to  point  out  thefe  inferior  Recommendations  of  the  Sacred  Cla£tcs. 
Though,  I  believe,  the  infpired  Writers  themfelves,  amidll  all  the 
Elevation  and  Magnificence  of  their  Divine  Ideas,  difdained  a  fcrupu- 
lous  Attention  to  fuch  litile  Nkeiia  of  Stile. 

Security, 


ON     THE    NIGHT.  271 

Security,  when  the  Globe  itlelf  is  finking  In  ?i  fiery  Ruin  y 
unlefs  the  Rock  of  Ages  be  our  Support  ? 

Bekold!  a  new  Spectacle  of  Wonder!  The  Mcon  Is 
making  her  Entry  on  the  eaftern  Sky.  See  her  rifing 
in  clouded  Majtfly!  Opening,  as  it  were,  and  aflerting 
her  original  Comniilfion,  to  nde  sver  the  Night,  All 
grand  and  (lately,  but  fomewhat  fullied  is  her  AfpecV. 
However,  flie  brightens^  as  flie  advances  \  and  grows 
clearer,  as  fhe  climbs  higlier.  Till,  at  length,  her  Silver 
lofes  all  its  Drofs  ;  flie  unveils  her  pcerlcfs  Light ;  and 
becomes  *'  the  Beauty  of  Heaven,  the  Gloiy  of  xKa: 
"  Stars  *i"  delighting  every  Eye,  and  chearing  the 
whole  World,  with  the  Brightneis  of  her  i\ppcarance, 
and  the  Softnefs  of  her  Splendors. — O  !  thou  Queen  of 
the  Shades !  may  it  be  my  AmbitiQn,  to  follow  this  thy 
inftrudtive  Example !  While  others  are  fond  to  tranfcribe 
the  Fafhions  of  little  Courts,  and  to  mimic  Perfonages 
of  inferior  State;  be  it  mine,  to  imitate  thy  improving 
Purity!  May  my  Condu6t  become  more  unblemifned, 
and  my  Temper  more  reiined  -,  as  I  proceed  farther  and 
farther.  In  my  probationary  Courfe !  May  every  fordid 
Defire  wear  away,  and  every  irregular  Appetite  be 
gradually  loft ;  as  I  make  nearer  Approaches,  to  the 
celeftial  Manfions! — Will  not  this  be  a  comfortable 
Evidence,  that  I  too  fliall  ili ine,  in  my  adored  Re- 
deemer's Kingdom?  Shine,  with  a  richer  Luftre,  than 
that  which  radiates  from  thy  refplendent  Orb :  -Shine,  with 
an  unfading  Luftre,  when  every  Ray,  that  beams  from 
thy  beauteous  Sphere,  is  totally  extinguilhed? 

The  Day  afforded  us  a  Variety  of  entertaining  Sights. 
T^\\t(t  were  all  withdrawn,  at  the  AccefTion  of  Darknefs. 

*  Ecclus  xliii.  9. 

'  LiicidMm  cosli  decus.  Hor. 

The 


-72  CONTEMPLATIONS 

The  Stars,  kindly  officious,  immediately  lent  us  their 
Aid.  This  ferved  to  alleviate  the  Frown  of  Night ; 
rather  than  to  recover  the  Obje6ls  from  their  Obfcurity, 
A  faint  Ray,  fcarcely  refleded,  and  not  from  the  intire 
Surface  of  Tilings,  gave  the  flraining  Eye  a  very  im- 
perfed  Glimpfe  ;  fuch  as  rather  mocked,  than  fatisfied 
Vifion. — Now  the  Moon  is  rifen,  and  has  collecSted  all 
her  Beams,  the  Veil  is  taken  off  from  the  Countenance 
of  Nature.  I  fee  the  recumbent  Flocks;  I  fee  the  green 
Hedge -Rows,  though  without  the  feathered  Chorifters, 
hopping  from  Spray  to  Spray.  In  fliort,  I  fee  once 
again  the  World's  great  Pidlure :  not  indeed  in  its  late 
lively  Colours,  but  more  delicately  /loaded ^  and  arrayed 
in  Jofter  Char  ins  *.  . 

What  a  majeftic  Scene  is  here!  Incomparably  grand, 
and  exqiiifitely  fine ! — The  Moon,  like  an  immenfe  cryf- 
tal  Lam.p,  pendent  in  the  magnificent  Cieling  of  the 
Heavens.  The  Stars,  like  fo  many  Thoufands  of  golden 
Tapers,  fixed  in  their  azure  Sockets.  '  All  pouring  their 
Luilre  on  fpacious  Cities,  and  lofty  Mountains ;  glitter- 
ing on  the  Ocean  ;  gleaming  on  the  Forefl;  and  open- 
ing a  Profped,  wide  as  the  Eye  can  glance,  more  vari- 
ous than  Fancy  can  paint  -f. — ^We  are  forward  to  admire 

the 


Now  reigns 


I'ull  orb'd  the  Moon,  and  with  more  plealing  Light 
Shadowy  fets  off  the  Face  of  Thin<?s. Milt. 


£> 


As  -vlcn  the  Moon,  refulgent  Lamp  of  Nighty 
O^er  lUav^ri  s  clear  Axure  fpreads  her  facred  Light  ; 
When  not  a  Breath  dijlurhs  the  deep  Serene, 
And  not  a  Cloud  o'ercafs  the  falemn  Scejie  : 
Around  her  Throne  the  '■oi  uid  Plane-ts  roily 
And  Stars  2innumber''d  gild  the  glo-zving  Pole  f 
CVer  the  dark  Trees  aycUcwer  Verdure  fjed, 
A?id  tip  nxith  Silver  ev'rj  Mountain's  Headi 


Then 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  275 

the  Performances  of  human  Art.  A  Landfcape,  ele- 
gantly defigned,  and  executed  with  a  mafterly  Hand ; 
a  Piece  of  Statuary,  which  feems  amidft  all  the  Recom- 
mendations .  of  exa6t  Proportion,  and  graceful  Attitude, 
to  foften  into  Flefh,  and  almofl  breathe  with  Life  ;  thefe 
little  Bnitations  of  Nature,  we  behold  with  a  pleafing 
Surprife.  And  fhall  we  be  lefs  affected,  Icfs  delighted 
with  the  inexpreflibly  noble,  and  completely  finiflied  On- 
ginal! — The  ample  Dimenfions  of  Ranelagh*s  Dome; 
the  gay  Illuminations  of  Faux -Hall  Grove  ;  I  fhould 
fcorn  to  mention  on  liich  an  Occafion,  were  they  not 
the  Obje6ls  of  general  Admiration.  Shall  we  be  charmed 
with  thofc  puny  Eflays  of  finite  Ingenuity  ;  and  touched 
with  no  Tranfport,  at  this  flupendous  Difplay  of  Om- 
nipotent Skill?  At  the  augufl  Grandeur,  and  fhining 
Statelinefs,  of  the  Firmament  ?  which  forms  an  Alcove 
for  ten  Thoufand  Worlds,  and  is  ornamented  v/ith  My- 
riads of  everlafting  Luminaries. — Surely,  this  mufl  be- 
tray, not  only  a  total  H^ant  of  Religion ;  but  the  moft 
abje6l  Littlenefs  of  Mind,  and  the  utmofl  Poverty  of 
Genius, 

The  Moon,  is  not  barely,  "  an  Ornament  in  the  high 
^  Places  of  the  Lord  *  ;"  but  of  fignal  Service  to  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Earth. — How  uncomfortable  is  deep, 
pitchy,  total  Darknels  !  Efpecially,  in  the  long  Abfence 

Then/hine  the  Fales  ;  the  Rocks  in  ProfpeSi  rife  ; 

A  Flood  ofGloiy  burjis  from  all  the  Skies  ; 

The  confcious  S-ivains,  rejoicing  in  the  Sights 

Eye  the  blue  Fault,  and  blefs  the  ufeful  Light.  Iliad  VIII. 

I  tranfcribe  thefe  Lines,  becaufe  Mr.  Pope  fays,  they  exhibit,  m  the 
Original,  the  fineft  Night -Piece  in  Poetry.  And,  if  they  are  fo  beau- 
tiful in  Homer's  Language ;  who  can  fufpeft  their  fufFering  any  Dif- 
a.dvantage,  from  the  Pen  of  this  admirable  Tranfator  ? 

*  Bcclus.  xliii.  9. 

T  of 


274  CONTEMPLATIONS 

of  the  Winter's  Sun.  Welcome,  therefore,  thrice  wel- 
come, this  aiifpicious  Gift  of  Providence;  to  enliven 
the  no6lurnal  Gloom,  and  line  v/idi  Silver  the  raven-co- 
loured Mantle  of  Night ! — Flow  defirable  to  have  our 
Summer-Evenings  illuminated  !  That  we  may  be  able 
to  tread  the  dev/y  Meads,  and  breathe  the  delicious  Fra- 
grance of  our  Gardens ;  efpecially,  when  the  fultry  Heats 
render  it  irkfome  and  fatiguing,  to  walk  abroad  by  Day, 
— How  chearing  to  the  ^^^^/^^T^,  the  Ufe  of  this  univer- 
fal  Lantern ;  as  He  tends  his  fleecy  Charge,  or  late  con- 
fio-ns  them  to  their  hurdled  Cots !  How  comfortable  and 
how  advantageous  to  the  Mariner:,  ^^  he  ploughs  the 
Midnight  Main  ;  to  adjuft  the  Tackling,  to  explore  his 
Way,  and,  under  the  Influence  of  this  beaming  Sconce, 
to  avoid  the  fatal  Rock  !-—For  thefe,  and  other  benefi- 
cial Purpofes,  the  Hand  of  the  Almighty  has  hung 
tht  ftately  Branch  on  high  i  and  filled  it  with  a  Splendor, 
not  confined  to  a  fmgle  Edifice,  or  commenfurate  to  a 
particular  Square,  but  diffufivc  as  the  whole  Extent  of 
the  Hemifphere. 

The  moil  faithful  of  our  inferior  Servants,  are  fome- 
times  tardy  in  their  Ofiice;  fometimes  negligent  of  their 
Duty.  But  this  celeilial  Attendant  is  mofl  exactly  punc- 
tual, at  all  the  flated  Periods  of  her  Miniflration.  If 
we  choofe  to  prolong  our  Journey  after  the  Sun  is  gone 
down  i  the  Moon,  during  her  whole  Increaje,  is  always 
ready  to  ad  in  the  Capacity  of  a  Guide.  If  we  are  in^ 
clined  to  fet  out  very  early  in  the  Morning  ;  the  Moon, 
in  her  Decreafe,  prevents  the  Dawn,  on  purpofe,  to  offer 
her  AiTiftance.  And,  becaufe  it  is  fo  pleafant  a  Thing, 
for  the  Eyes  to  behold  the  Light ;  the  Moon,  at  hec 
full,  by  a  Courfe  of  unintermdtced  Waiting,  gives  us, 
as  it  v/ere,  a  double  Day. — How  apparently  has  the  Di- 
vine Wifdom  intereited  itfelf,  in  providing  even  for  the 
pleajurahle  Accoinrr.cdaticn  of  Man !  How  defirous,  that 

He 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  275 

He  fliould  want  no  Piece  of  commodious  Furniture  ;  no 
Kind  of  delightful  Convenience  !  And,  in  Profecudon 
of  thefe  benevolent  Intennons,  has  annexed  fo  valuable 
an  Appendage  to  the  terreilrial  Globe. — Jufbly,  there- 
fore, does  the  Pfalmill  celebrate  that  admirable  Conflii- 
tution,  which  ordained  the  Mcon  and  the  Stars  to  govern 
the  Nighty  as  an  Inilance  of  rich  Goodnefs  and  of  Mercy 
which  endureth  for  ever  *. 

The  Moon,  it  is  confeffed,  is  no  luminous  Body.  All 
xht  Brightnefs,  which  beautities  her  Countenance,  is  ori- 
ginally in  the  Sun,  and  no  more  than  tranfmiflivcly  in 
her.  That  glorious  Orb  is  the  Parent  of  Day,  and  the 
Palace  of  Light.  From  dience,  the  Morning  Star  gilds 
her  Horn  •)- ;  from  thence,  the  Planetary  Circles  are 
crowned  with  Luflre ;  and  from  thence,  the  Moon  de- 
rives all  her  filver  Radiance. — It  is  pleafmg  to  refled:, 
that  fuch  is  the  Cafe  with  the  allfufficient  Redeemer^  and 
his  dependent  People.  V/e  are  replenifhed  from  his  Ful- 
nefs.  What  do  we  pofTefs,  which  we  have  not  received  j 
and  v/hat  can  we  defire,  which  we  may  not  exped  ;  from 
that  never-failing  Source  of  all  Good  ?  He  is  the  Au- 
thor of  our  Faith,  and  die  Former  of  our  Gr"aces.  In 
his  unipotted  Life,  we  fee  the  Padi  j  in  his  meritorious 
Death,  the  Price ;  and  in  his  triumphant  Refurre6lion, 
the  Proof  of  Blifs  and  Immortality.  If  we  offend,  and 
ftll  Seven  Times  a  Day ;   He  is  the  Lord  our  Peace  %, 

*  Pfal.  cxxxvi.  9. 

f  I  might,  to  juftify  this  Expreffion,  obferve,  that  the  Vianet  Fenus, 
commonly  called  the  Morning-Star,  is  found,  by  our  Telefcopes,  fre- 
quently to  appear  hotyieJ  ;  or  to  have  a  Crefcent  of  Light,  fomewhat 
like  the  Moon,  a  little  before  or  afier  her  Conjunction.  But  this 
would  be  a  Remark,  too  deep  and  refined  for  my  Scheme  ;  which  pro- 
ceeds only  upon  a  fupcrficial  Knowledge,  and  the  mofl  oh-vioui  Ap- 
pearances, of  Nature. 

X  Judg.  yi.  23. 

T  2  If 


276  CONTEMPLATIONS 

If  we  are  depraved,  and  our  beft  Deeds  very  unworthy  ; 
He  is  the  Lord  our  Right eoufnefs  *.  If  we  are  blind, 
and  even  brutifh,  in  heavenly  Knowledge ;  He  is  the 
Lord  our  Wifdom'\:  his  Word  difpels  the  Shades; 
his  Spirit  fcatters  the  intellectual  Gloom  ;  his  Eye  looks 
our  Darknefs  into  Day.  In  fhort,  we  are  nothing,  and 
*^  Christ  is  all."  Worfe  than  defective  in  ourfelves, 
«^  we  are  complete  in  Him."  So  that  if  we  fhtne,  it  is 
with  delegated  Rays,  and  with  borrowed  Light.  We 
a6l  by  a  Strength,  and  glory  in  Merits,  not  our  own. — 
O  !  may  we  be  thoroughly  fenfible  of  our  Dependence 
on  the  Saviour !  May  we  conftantly  imbibe  his  propi- 
tious Beams ;  and  never,  by  indulging  Unbelief,  or  back- 
fliding  into  Felly y  withdraw  our  Souls  from  his  benign 
Influences !  Left  we  lofe  our  Comfort,  and  our  Holinefs; 
as  the  fair  Ruler  of  the  Night  lofes  her  Splendor,  when 
her  Urn  is  turned  from  its  Fountain  J,  and  receives  no 
more  Communications  of  folar  Effulgence. 

The  Moon  is  inceflantly  varying,  cither  in  her  Afped, 
or  her  Stages. — Sometimes,  fhe  looks  full  upon  us,  and 
her  Vifage  is  all  Luftre.  Sometimes,  ihe  appears  in  Pro- 
file, and  ihews  us  only  half  her  enlightened  Face.  Anon, 
a  radiant  Crefcent  but  juft  adorns  her  Brow.  Soon,  it 
dwindles  into  a  (lender  Streak.  Till,  at  length,  all  her 
Beauty  vanifhes,  and  fhe  becomes  a  beamlefs  Orb. — 
Sometimes,  fiie  rifes  with  the  dejcending  Day ;  and  begins 
her  Procefiion,  amidft  admiring  Mukitudes.  Ere  long 
fhe  defers  her  Progrefs  till  the  mid-night  Watches ;  and 
ftcals  unobferved,  upon  the  deeping  World. — Sometimes, 

*  Jer.  xxiii.  6.  f   i  Cor.  i.  50. 

\   Alluding  to  thofe  truly  poetical  Lines  in  Milim, 
Hither  y  as  to  their  Fountain  ^  other  Stars 
Reftairtngt  in  their  golden  Urns  dranv  Light. 

Par.  lojly  B.  VII.   I.  364. 

file 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  277 

fhe  jufl:  enters  the  Edges  of  the  Weftern  Horizon y  and 
drops  us  a  ceremonious  Vifit.  Within  a  while,  fhe  fets 
out  on  her  nightly  Tour,  from  the  oppofite  Regions  of 
the  Eafl  \  travcrfes  the  whole  Hemifphere;  and  never  offers 
to  withdraw,  till  the  more  refulgent  Partner  of  her  Sway- 
renders  her  Prefence  unnecefTary. — In  a  Word ;  flie  is, 
while  converfant  among  us,  flill  v/axing  or  waning,  and 
"  never  continue th  in  one  Stay." 

Such  is  the  Moon ;  and  fuch  are  dWfuhlunary  Things ; 
cxpofed  to  perpetual  VicifTitudes. — How  often,  and  how 
foon,  have  the  faint  Echoes  o{  Renown  (Icpt  in  Silence, 
or  been  converted  into  the  Clamours  of  Obloquy  !  The 
fame  Lips,  almofl  with  the  fame  Breath,  cry  Hofanna, 
and  Crucify.  Have  not  Riches  confefled  their  notorious 
Treachery,  a  Thoufand  and  a  Thouland  Times  ?  either 
melting  away,  like  Snow  in  our  Hands,  by  infcnfible 
Degrees ;  or  efcaping,  like  a  winged  Prifoner  from  its 
Cage,  with  a  precipitate  Flight. — Have  we  not  known 
the  Bridegroom's  Clofet,  an  Ante-chamber  to  the  Toml^ ; 
and  heard  the  Voice,  which  fo  lately  pronounced  the 
fparkling  Pair  Hufband  and  Wife,  proclaim  an  everlaft- 
ing  Divorce ;  and  feal  the  Decree  with  that  folemn  Af- 
feveration,  "  Alhes  to  Alhes,  Dufl  to  Duft  ?"— Our 
Friends,  though  the  Medicine  of  Life  ;  our  Health, 
though  the  Balm  of  Nature  ;  are  a  moft  precarious  Pof- 
fefTion.  How  foon  may  the  firft  become  a  Corpfe  in 
our  Arms ;  and  how  eafily  is  the  laft  deflroyed  in  its 
Vigour  ^ — You  have  feen,  no  doubt,  a  Set  of  pretty 
-painted  Birds,  perching  on  your  Trees,  or  fporting  in 
your  Meadows.  You  was  pleafed  with  the  lovely  Vifi- 
tants,  that  brought  Beauty  on  their  Wings,  and  Melody 
in  their  Throats.  But  could  you  infure  the  Continuance 
of  this  agreeable  Entertainment  ?  No,  truly.  At  the 
leafb  difturbing  Noife,  at  the  leafl  terrifying  Appearance, 
they  ftart  from  their  Seats ;  they  mount  the  Skies  j  and 

T  3  are 


2-8  CONTEMPLATIONS 

are  gone  in  an  Inflant,  are  gone  for  ever.  Would  you 
chufe  to  have  a  Happinefs,  which  bears  Date  with 
their  Arrival,  and  expires  at  their  Departure  ?  If  you 
could  not  be  content  with  a  Portion^  enjoyable  only 
through  fuch  a  fortuitous  Term,  not  of  Years,  but  of 
Moments,  O !  take  up  with  nothing  earthly ;  fet  your 
Affections  on  Things  above  5  there  alone  is  "  no  Va- 
"  riablenefs  or  Shadov/of  turnixng.'' 

yOB^  is  not  a  more  illuilrious  Pattern  of  Patience, 
than  an  eminent  Exemplification   of  this   Remark.'— 
View  him  in  his  private  Efiate,     He  heaps  up  Silver  as 
the  Dull  i  he  wafhes  his  Steps  in  Butter,  and  the  Rock 
pours  him  out  Rivers  of  Oil. — View  him  in  his  public 
Charaofer,     Princes  revere  his  Dignity;  the  Aged  liften 
to  his  Wifdom  -,  every  Eye  beholds  him  with  Delight ; 
every  Tongue  loads  him  with  Bleffings. — View  him  in 
i  his  domejlic  Circumftances.     On  one  hand,  he  is  defended 
by  a  Troop  of  Sons  -,  on  the  other,  adorn&d  with  a  Train 
of  Daughters;  and  on  all  Sides,  fjrrounded  by  "  a  very 
^'  great  Houfehold." — Never  was  human  Felicity  fo  con- 
fummate;  never  was  dijafircus  Revolution  fo  iudden.  The 
Lightning,  which  conliimed  his  Cattle,  was  not  more 
terrible,  and  icarce    more   inflantaneous.     The  joyful 
Parent  is  bereft  of  his   Offspring,  and  his  "  Children 
"  are  buried  in  Death."     The  Man   of  Affluence  is 
ftript  of  his  Abundance  ;  and  he,  who  was  cloathed  in 
Scarlet,  embraces  the  Dung-liill.     The  venerable   Pa- 
triarch is  the  Derifion  of  Scoundrels ;  and  the  late  Dar- 
ling of  an  indulgent  Providence,  is  become  "  a  Brother 
'^  to  Dragons,  a  Com.panionof  Ov/ls." — Nor  need  we 
go  back  to  former  Ages,  for  Proofs  of  this  afHiding 
Truth.     In  our  Times;  in  all  Times;  the  Wheel  con- 
tinues the  fame  inceffant  Whirl.     And  frequently  thofe, 
who  are  triumphing,  To-day,  in  the  higheft  Elevations 
of  Joy ;  To-morrow,  are  bemioaning  the  Inilability  of 

mortal 


ON     THE     NIGHT. 


79 


mortal  Affairs,  in  the  very  Depths  of  Mifcry  *. — Amidft 
\o  much  Fki(5luation  and  Unctrrainry  ;  hov/  wretched 
is  t\\^  Condition,  v/hich  has  no  Anchor  of  the  Soul, 
fure  and  ftedfafb.  May  thy  Loving  Kiiidnefi.,  O  God^ 
be  our  prefent  Treafure  j  and  thy  future  Glory,  our  re- 
veruonary  Inheritance  !  Then  fliail  our  Happinefs,  not 
be  like  the  full-orbed  Moon,  which  is  "  a  Light  that 
"  decreajeth  in  its  Perfedion  /'  but  like  die  Sun,  wlien 
he  goeth  forth  in  his  Strength,  and  knoweth  no  other 
Change,  but  that  oi  [bining  more  and  more  unto  the 
perfect  Day. 

Methinks,  in  this  ever-varying  Sphere,  I  fee  a 
Reprefentation,  not  only  of  our  temporal  Advantages, 
but  alfo  of  our  Jfiritual  AccGmplifmnents.  Such,  I  am 
ilire.  Is  what  the  kind  Partiality  of  a  Friend  would  call 
my  Right eoiijnejs :  And  fuch,  I  am  apt  to  fufpect  *,  is 

the 


*  I  believe,  I  may  venture  to  apply,  what  the  Temanite  fays  of 
the  Affairs  of  the  Wicked,  to  all  fublunary  Things;  as  a  true  De- 
fcription  of  their  very  great  Inji ability.  Job  xxii.  i6.  cmD>  pi;"l»  inj 
rendered  by  Schultens,  Flumen  fufum  funciamentum  eoriim.  Thtir 
Fowidation  (or  \vh?.t  tliey  reckon  their  moft  folid  and  ftable  PofTef- 
iion)  ts  a  Flood  poured  out. — Which  is  one  of  the  boldeft  Images,  and 
moft  poetical  Beauties,  I  ever  met  with  in  any  Language,  facred  or 
profane.  In  order  to  have  a  tolerable  Conception  of  the  Image,  and 
aTafte  of  its  Beauty;  you  muft  fuppofc  ^Torrent  oi  Waters,  rufhing 
in  broken  Catara6ls,  and  with  impetuous  Rapidity,  from  a  fteep  and 
craggy  Mountain.  Then,  imagine  to  youi-fclf  an  Edifice,  built  upon 
x!iiQ  Surge  of  this  rolling  Precipice ;  which  has  no  other  Bafis.  than  one 
of  thofe  headlong  ^whirling  Waues.  Was  there  ever  fuch  a  Reprefen- 
tation of  tranfitory  Profpericy,  tending,  with  inconceivable  Swiftnefs, 
unto  Ruin?  Yet  fuch  is  every  Form  of  human  r'elicity,  that  is  not 
grounded  on  Jesus,  and  a  Participation  of  his  Merits,  who  i^  t'.e 
Rock  of  Ages  \  on  Jlsus,  and  his  Image  formed  in  our  Heartb,  which 
is  the  Hope  of  Glory. 

t  I  would  not  be  underftood,  as  meafuring  in  this  Refpcifl,  otlrers 

hy  myfelfj  but  as  taking  my  Eftimate,  from  tJie  unerring  Standard  of 

T  4  Scripture^ 


jgo  CONTEMPLATIONS 

the  Rlghteoufnefs  of  every  Man  living.     Now  we  exer- 
cife  it,  in  fome  few  Inflances ;  in  fome   little   Degrees. 
Anon,  Sin  revives,  and  leads  our  Souls  into  a  tranfient, 
though  unwilling  Captivity.     Now  we    are  meek  ^    but 
foon  a  ruffling  Accident  intervenes,  and  turns  our  Com- 
pofure  into  a  fretful  Difquietude.     Now  we  are  humhle  ; 
foon  we  reflect  upon  fome  inconfiderable  or  imaginary 
Superiority  over  others,  and  a  fudden  Elatement  fwells 
our  Minds.     Now,  perhaps,  we  poffefs  a  clean  Heart, 
and  are  warm  with  holy  I^ove.     But  O !  how  eafily  is 
the  Purity  of  our  AfFedlions  fallied ;  how  foon  the  Fer- 
vour of  our  Gratitude  cooled  !  And  is  there  not  fome- 
thing  amifs,  even  in  our  befl  Moments  ?  Something  to 
be  ajhamedoi^  in  all  we  are -y  fomething  to  be  repented  of 
in  all  we  do? 

With  what  Gladnefs,  therefore,  and  adoring  Thank- 
fulnefs,  fhould  we  "  fubmit  to  the  Righteoufnefs  of  our 
*^  incarnate  God  -y'  and  receive^  as  a  Divine  Gift,  what 


Scripture.  And  Indeed,  proceeding  on  this  Evidence,  fupported  by 
this  Authority,  I  might  have  ventured  farther  than  a  bare  Sufpicion. 
For,  "  there  is  notayz//?  Man  upon  Earth,  that  doeth  Good,  and 
*'  finntth  not  j"  fays  the  Spirit  of  Infpiration  by  Solomon  [Ecclef.  vii. 
20.) — Nay,  fuch  is  the  Purity,  and  fo  extenfive  are  the  Demands  of 
the  Divine  Law,  that  an  Apollle  makes  a  ftili  more  humbling  Acknow- 
ledgment; "  Inmany  Things  we  offend  JIl^  [Jam.  iii.  2.) — And  the 
unerring  Teacher,,  who  moft  thoroughly  knew  cur  Frame,  direfls  the 
moft  advanced,  mod  eftablilhed,  and  mcft  watchful  Chriftians,  to  pray 
daily  for  the  Forgivenefs  of  their  daily  TrefpaJJes. — To  which  Teftimo- 
nies,  I  beg  Leave  to  add  an  elegant  Paffage  from  the  Canf ides';  be- 
caufe,  it  not  only  expreffes  the  Sentiment  of  this  Paragraph,  but  il- 
luftrates  it  by  the  very  fame  Similitude.  S/se  (the  Church)  is  fair  as  the 
Moon  ;  clear  as  the  Sun.  Fair  as  the  Moon,  the  leHer  and  changeable 
Light,  in  her  Sandif.cation:  Clear  as  the  Sun,  the  greater  and  invari- 
able Luminary,  in  he*-  Jujiification.  The  inherent  Holinefs  of  Be- 
lievers being  imptrfed,  and  fubjed  to  many  Inequalities ;  while  their 
imputed  Rlghteoufnefs  is  every  Way  complete,  and  conftantly  like 
Jtfelf.     Cant.  vi.  10. 

cannot 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  281 

cannot  be  acquired  by  Human  Works  * ! — A  Writer, 
of  the  firft  Diftinclion,  and  nlceft  Difcernment,  fliles 
the  Obedience  of  our  glorious  Surety,  an  everlafting 
Right eouJneJs-\.  Such  as  was  fubjecf!:  to  no  Interruption, 
nor  obfcured  by  the  leaft  Blemifh  ;  but  proceeded  al- 
ways in  the  fame  uniform  Tenour,  of  the  moil  fpotlefs 
Perfedlion. — This  Righteoufnef>,  in  another  Senfe,  an- 
fwers  the  Prophet's  exalted  Defcription;  as  its  beneficial 
and  fovereign  Efficacy  knows  no  End ;  but  lafls  through 
all  our  Life ;  lads  in  the  trying  Hour  of  Death ;  lafts  at 
the  decifive  Day  of  Judgment ;  lafls  through  every  Ge- 
neration ;  and  will  lafl  to  all  Eternity. 

Sometimes,  I  have  feen  that  refplendent  QXohtftrip 
of  her  Radiance ;  or,  according  to  the  emphatical  Lan- 
guage of  Scripture,  "  turned  into  Blood."  The  Earth/ 
interpofmg  with  its  opake  Body,  intercepted  the  folar 
Rays,  and  cafl  its  own  gloomy  Shadow  on  the  Moon. 
The  malignant  Influence  gained  upon  her  fickening 
Orb;  extinguifhed,  more  and  more,  the  feeble  Re- 
mainders of  Light  j  till  at  length,  like  one  in  a  deep 
Swoon,  no  Comelinefs  was  left  in  her  Countenance  ;  (he 
was  totally  overfpread  with  Darknefs. — At  this  Jun6lure, 
what  a  Multitude  of  Eyes  were  gazing  upon  the  rueful 
Spedlacle  !  Even  of  thofe  Eyes,  which  difregarded  the 
Emprefs  of  the  Night  -,  or  beheld  her  with  Indifference, 
when,  robed  in  Glory,  and  riding  in  her  triumphal 
Chariot,  fhe  fRed  a  fofter  Day  through  the  Nations. 
But  now,  under  thefe  Circumflances  of  Difgrace,  they 
watch  her  Motions  with  the  mofl  pryifig  Attention,  In 
every  Place,  her  Misfortune  is  the  Objecl  of  general 
Obfervation  3  and  the  prevailing  Topic  of  Difcourfe,  in 
every  Company. 

•  Rom.  V.  17. — X.  3.  f  Dan.  \x.  24 

Is 


^32  CONTEMPLATIONS 

Is  it  not  thus,  with  regard  to  Perfons  of  Eminence ^ 
in  their  rcipedive  Spheres!  Kings,  at  the  Head  of  their 
Siibjeds;  Nobles,  furrounded  with  their  Dependents'; 
and  (after  Names  of  fo  much  Grandeur,  may  I  be  al- 
lowed to  add?)  Miniilers,  labouring  among  their  Peo- 
ple * ;  are  each  in  a  confpicuous  Station.  Their  Con- 
du6l-  in  its  minutefi  Step,  efpecialiy  in  any  Mijcciniage^ 
will  be  narrowly  furveyed,  and  critically  fcanned.  Can 
there  be  a  louder  Call,  to  ponder  the  Paths  of  their 
Feet,  and  to  be  pardcularly  jealous  over  all  their  Ways  ? 
— ^^Thofe,  who  move  in  inferior  Life,  may  grofsly  of- 
fend \  and  little  Alarm  be  given  3  perhaps,  no  Notice 
taken.  But  it  is  not  to  be  expeded,  that  the  leaft  Slip 
in  their  Carriage,  the  ieafb  Flaw  in  their  Charader,  will 
pafs  undifcovered.  Malice,  v/ith  her  Eagle-Eyes,  will  be 
fure  to  difcern  them ;  while  Cenjurey  with  her  fhrill  Trum- 
pet, will  be  as  far  from  concealing  them ;  as  Calumny y 
with  her  treacherous  Whifpers,  from  extenuating  them. 
A  Planet  may  fmk  below  the  Horizon ;  or  a  Star,  for 
feveral  Months,  withdraw  its  Shining ;  and  fcarce  one  in 
ten  Thoiifand  perceive  the  Lofs.  But,  if  the  Moon 
fuffers  a  tranfient  Eclipfe,  almoll  half  the  World  are 
Spe6lators  of  her  Dillionour. 

Very  different  was  the  Cafe,  when  at  this  late  Hour, 
I  have  taken  a  Iblitary  Walk  on  the  Weft  em  Cliffs.  At 
the  Foot  of  the  fteep  Mountain,  the  Sea,  all  clear  and 
fmooth,  fpread  itfelf  into  an  immenfe  Plain,  and  held  a 
watery  Mirror  to  the  Skies.  Infinite  Heights  above,  the 
Firmament  ilretched  its  azure  Expanfe ;  befpangled 
with  unnumbered  Stars,  and  adorned  with  the  Moon, 
"  walking  in   Brightnefs  f."    She   feemed  to   contem- 

*  Ye  are  the  Light  of  the  World.     A  City  that  is  fef  on  a  Hill,  cannot 
be  hid,     Matth.  v.   14.  ** 

f  Job  xxxi.  26. 

plate 


ON    THE    NIGHT,  285 

plate  herfelf,  with  a  peculiar  Pleafure  j  v/hile  the  tranj- 
parent  Surface^  both  received,  and  returned  her  filver 
Image.  Here,  infliead  of  being  covered  with  Sack- 
cloth, (he  Ihone  with  double  LuJlre  ;  or  rather,  with  a 
Luftre  multiplied,  in  Proportion  to  the  Number  of  Be- 
holders, and  their  various  Situations. 

Such,  methinks,  is  the  Effect:  of  an  exemplary  Be- 
haviour, in  Perfons  of  exalted  Rank.  Their  Courfe, 
as  it  is  nobly  diftinguiflied,  lb  it  will  be  happily  influen- 
tial. Others  will  catch  the  difFufive  Ray ;  and  be  am- 
bitious to  refemble  a  Pattern,  fo  attrading ;  fo  com- 
manding. Their  amiable  Qualides,  will  not  terminate 
in  themfelves  :  but  we  fhall  fee  them  refle5ied  from  their 
Families;  their  Acquaintance;  their  Retainers.  Jull 
as  we  may  now  behold  another  Moon ;  trembling  *  in 
the  Stream;  glittering  in  the  Canal;  and  difplaying  its 
lovely  Imprefs,  on  every  Colledion  of  Waters. 

The  Moon,  Philofophy  fays,  is  a  Sort  of  Sovereign 
over  the  great  Deep.  Her  Orb,  like  a  Royal  Sceptre, 
fways  the  Ocean,  and  aduates  the  fluid  Realms.  It 
fweljs  the  Tides,  and  perpetuates  the  reciprocal  Returns 
of  Ebb  and  Flow.  By  which  Means,  the  liquid  Ele- 
ment purges  off  its  Filth ;  and  is  preferved,  from  be- 
ing putrefied  itfelf,  and  from  poifoning  the  World. — 
Is  the  Moon  thus  operative  on  the  vafl  Abyfs  ?  And 
fhail  not  the  Faith  of  eternal  and  infinite  Delights  to 
come,  be  equally  efHcacious  on  this  Soul  of  mine  ? — 
Far  above  her  argent  Fields,  are  Treafures  of  Happi- 
nejsy  unfeen  by  mortal  Eye  ;  by  mortal  Ear  unheard ; 
and  unconceived  by  any  human  Imaginadon.  In  that 
defirable  World,  the  moft  diftinguiflied  and  exalted  Hor 
nours  alfo  are  conferred;  in  Comparifon  with  which,  the 

*  Splendet  tremulo  fub  Lumim  Pont  us.  \'^i  R  g  . 

Thrones 


284  O  N  T  E  M  P  L  A  T  I  O  N  S 

Thrones  and  Diadems  of  earthly  Monarchs,  are  empty 
Pao-eants,  and  childifn  Toys. — Yonder  Arch  of  Sap- 
phire, with  all  its  Spangles  of  Gold,  is  but  the  Floor  of 
thofe  Divine  Abodes.  What  then  are  the  Apartments  i 
what  is  the  Palace  ?  How  bright  v/ith  Glories ;  how  rich 
with  Bhfs ! 

O !  YE  Manfions  of  BlefTednefs  -,  ye  Beauties  of  my 
Father's  Kingdom ;  which  far  outfhine  thefe  Lamps  of 
the  vifible  Heaven ;  tranfmit  your  fweet  and  winning 
Invitations  to  my  Heart.  Attra5f  and  refine^  all  my  Af- 
fedtions.  Withdraw  them  {v om  Jiagnating,  on  the  fordid 
Shores  of  Flelh  5  never  fuffer  them  to  fettle,  upon  the 
impure  Lees  of  Senfe :  but  imprefs  them  with  Emotions  of 
reftlefs  Defire,  after  fublime  and  celeftial  Joys. — Joys, 
that  will  proceed,  ftill  proceed  in  a  copious  and  everlaft- 
ing  Flow,  v/hen  Seas  fhall  ceafe  to  roll; — Joys,  that  will 
charm  every  Faculty  with  unimaginable  Pleafure  j  when 
the  Moon,  with  her  waxing  Splendors  ihall  chear  our 
Sight  no  more. 

Enough  for  the  prefent  Evening.  My  Thoughts 
have  been  fufEciently  exercifed,  and  my  Steps  begin  to 
be  attended  with  Wearinefs.  Let  me  obey  the  Admo- 
nidon  of  Nature ;  and  give  Refpite  to  my  Meditations, 
Slumber  to  my  Eyes. — But  flay. — Shall  I  retire  to  the 
Bed  of  Sleep,  with  as  little  Ceremony,  and  with  as 
much  Inattention,  as  the  Brutes  to  their  fordid  Lair  ? 
Ar^  no  Acknowledgments  due  to  that  Divine  Being,  who 
is  the  Support  of  my  Life,  and  the  Length  of  my  Days  ? 
Have  I  no  farther  Need  of  his  prote^ing  Care;  no  more 
Occafion  for  the  Bleflings  of  Goodnefs  ? — Leptdus,  per- 
haps, may  laugh  at  the  bended  Knee ;  and  have  a  thou- 
sand Darts  of  Raillery,  ready  to  difcharge  on  the  Prac- 
tice of  Devotion.  The  Wits  I  know  are  unmercifully 
fevere  on,  what  they  call,  the  Drudgery  of  Prayer, 
and  the  fantaftical  Rant  of  Praife.    Thefe  they  leave  to 

the 


ON    THE    NIGHT.  285 

the  illiterate  Labourer,  and  the  mean  Mechanic;  or 
treat  them,  with  a  contemptuous  Sneer,  as  the  Parfon's 
ignoble  Trade. 

Is  it  then  an  Inftance  of  Jiiperjlitious  Bllndnefs,  to 
diftinguifli;  or  of  w^/w2/?r^/ Zeal,  to  celebrate;  the  mofl 
fupereminent  Excellency  and  Merit?  Is  it  an  ungrace- 
ful Bufmefs;  or  does  it  argue  a  groveling  V>'\^^o^iiioni 
to  magnify  Goodnefs,  tranfcendently  rich  and  diffufive  ? 
— What  can  be  fo  truly  becoming  a  dependent  State,  as 
to  pay  our  adoring  Homage,  to  the  Author  of  all  Per- 
fe6tion ;  and  profefs  our  devoted  Allegiance,  to  the  fu- 
preme  almighty  Governor  of  the  Univerfc  ? — Can  any 
Thing  more  fignificantly  befpeak  an  ingenucus  Temper-, 
or  adminifter  a  more  real  Satisfadlion  to  its  fineft  Feel- 
ings ;  than  the  Exercifes  of  penitential  Devotion  ?  By 
which  we  give  Vent  to  an  honeft  Anguifh ;  or  melt  into 
filial  Sorrow;  for  our  Infenfibillty  to  the  bed  of  Friends, 
for  our  Difobedience  to  the   befl  of  Parents  ? — ^In  a 
Word ;  can  there   be  a  more  Juhlme  Pleafure,  than  to 
dwell,  in  fixed  Contemplation,  on  the  Beauties  of  the 
Eternal  Mind ;  the  amiable  Original  of  all  that  is  fair, 
grand,  and  harmonious;    the  beneficent  Giver  of  aU 
that    is    convenient,    comfortable,    and   ufeful  ?«— Can 
there  be  a  more  advantageous  E7npl6yy  than  to  prefect 
our  Requefls  to  the  Father  of  Mercies ;   opening  our 
Minds  to  the  Irradiations  of  his  Wifdon),  and  all  the 
Faculties  of  our  Souls  to  the  Communications  of  his 
Grace  ? — It  is  flrange,  unaccountably  flrange,  that  the 
Notion  of  Dignity  in  Sentiment,    and  the   Purfuit  of 
refined  Enjoyment,  fhould  ever  be  difunited  from  De- 
votion.    That  Perfons,  who  make  Pretenfions  to  an 
improved  Tafle,    and  exalted  Genius,   fhould  negle<5l 
this  mod   ennobling   Intercourfe,    with  the  wifell  and 
beft  of  Beings;    die  inexhaudible  Source  of  Honour 
and  Joy, 

Shali^ 


286  CONTEMPLATIONS 

Shall  I  be  deterred,  from  approaching  this  Source 
of  the  purefl  Delight  ?  Deterred,  from  purfuing  this 
hio-hefl  Improvement  of  my  Nature  ?  Deterred  from 
all,  by  a  formidable  Banter ;  or  confuted,  by  one  irre- 
franhle  Smile  ? — No  :  let  the  Moon,  in  her  refplendent 
Sphere ;  and  yonder  Pole,  with  all  its  ftarry  Train ; 
witnefs,  if  I  be  fiient  Even  or  Morn.  If  I  refrain  to 
kindle  in  my  Heart  and  breadie  fromi  my  Lips,  the  rea- 
fonable  Incenfe  of  Praife.  Praife  to  that  great  and  glo- 
rious God,  v/ho  formed  the  Earth,  and  built  the  Skies ; 
who  poured  from  his  Hand  the  watery  World,  and  flied 
the  aD-furrounding  Air  abroad. — '^  Thou  alfo  madeft 
"  the  Night,  Maker  Omnipotent !  and  Thou,  the  Day ! 
^^  Which  I,  though  lefs  than  the  leafl:  of  all  thy  Mer- 
"  cies,  have  paiTed  in  Safety,  Txanquillity,  and  Com- 
"  fort. — ^When  I  was  loil  in  the  Extravagance  of 
"  Dream.s,  or  lay  immerfed  in  the  Infenfibility  of  Sleep; 
'^  thy  Hand  recovered  me  from  the  tem.porary  Lethar- 
"  gy.  Thy  Hand  ^tt  a  new,  a  delicately  fine  Edge, 
*'  on  all  my  blunted  Senjes ;  and  ftung  my  Sinews 
"  with  recruited  Vigour.  Vv^hen  my  Thoughts  were 
^'  benumbed  and  flupefied,  thy  quickening  Influence 
"  roufed  them  into  Activity ;  v/hen  the'y  were  difcon- 
"  certed  and  wild,  thy  regulating  Influence  reduced 
"  them  into  Order.  Refitting  me  at  once,  to  relifh 
*'  the  innocent  Entertainments  of  an  animal^  and  to 
"  eiijoy  the  fublime  Gratifications  of  a  rational  Capa- 
"  city. — ^W^hen  Darknefs  covered  the  Creation,  at  thy 
"  Command,  the  Sun2.xo\c\  painted  the  Flowers,  and 
^'  diftinguifhed  every  Objedt  3  gave  Light  to  my  Feet, 
*^  and  gave  Nature,  with  all  her  beautiful  Scenes,  to 
*'  my  Eye. — To  Thee,  O  Thou  God  of  my  Strength, 
"  I  owe  the  Continuance  of  my  Being,  and  the  Vivacity 
"  of  my  Conftitution.  By  thy  facred  Order,  without 
"  any  Confcioufnefs  of  mine^  the  Wheels  of  Life  move, 

''  and 


O  N    T  H  E    N  I  G  H  T.  287 

'*'  and  the  crlmfon  Fountain  plays.  Over-ruled  by  thy 
^'  exquifite  Skilly  it  transforms  itlelf  by  the  niceft  Ope- 
**^  rations  of  an  inexplicable  kind  of  Chemiftry,  into  a 
"  Variety  of  the  fineft  Secretions.  Which  ghde  into 
'^  the  Miilcles,  and  fwell  diem  for  A6tion ;  or  pour 
''  themfclves  into  the  Fluids,  and  repair  their  incefTant 
''  Decays.  Which  caufe  ChearRilnefs  to  fparkle  in  the 
*'  Eye,  and  Health  to  bloom  in  the  Cheek. 

"  DISASTROUS  Accident Sy  injurious  to  the  Peace 
^^  of  my  Mind ;  or  fatal  to  the  Welfare  of  my  Body ; 
"  befet  my  Paths.  But  thy  Faithfulncfs  and  Truth,  like 
*'  an  impenetrable  Shield,  guarded  me  all  around.  Un- 
"  der  this  Divine  Protedion,  I  walked  fecure,  amidfl 
"  Legions  of  apparent  Perils;  and  palTed  unhurt,  through 
*^  a  far  greater  Multiplicity  o^  itnjeen  Evils.  Not  one  of 
"  my  Bones  was  broken ;  not  a  Tingle  Shaft  grazed  upon 
♦'  my  Eafe;  even  when  the  Eye  that  watched  over  me, 
^^  faw,  in  its  wide  Survey,  Thonjands  falling  hefid6  me^  ih 
"  irrecoverable  Ruin ;  o^d  ten  Thciifands  deeply  wounded, 
"  on  7ny  Right-hand. — If  Sicknefs  has,  at  any  Time,  fad- 
"  dened  my  Chamber,  or  Pain*  harrowed  my  Flefh ;  it 
"  was  a  whole fonie  D'lfcipline,  2^,rA -a.  gracious  Seventy.  The 
"  Chaftifcment  proved  a  fovereign  Medicine,  to  cure  me 
^^  of  an  immoderate  Fondnefb,  for  this  imperfect  trouble- 
"  fome  State  \  and  to  quicken  my  De fires,  after  the  un-r 
^^  imbittered  Enjoyments  of  my  eternal  Home. — Has  not 
^^  thy  Munificence,  unv/earied  and  unbounded,  fpread 
^^  my  Telle 'y  and  furnifhed  it,  with  the  finefb  Wheat;  re- 
"  pleniihed  it,  with  Marrov/  and  Fatnefs  ?  While  Tem- 
"  perance  fweetened  the  Bowl ;  Appetite  feafoned  the 
^*^  Diili ;  Contentment  and  Gratitude  crowned  the  Re- 
f^  pail. — Has  not  thy  Kindne£,  O  God  of  the  Families 
'^  of  Ifraely  preferved  my  affeftionate  Relations  -,  who 
''  iludy,  by  their  tender  Ofnces,  to  foften  every  Care,  and 
^^  heighten  every  Joy?  Has  not  thy  Kindnefs  given  me 

^'  valuable 
6 


288  CONTEMPLATIONS 

*^  valuable  Friends  y  whofe  Prefence  is  a  Cordial,  to  chear 
"  me  in  a  deje6led  Hour;  and  whofe  Converfation,  min- 
^^  gles  Improvement  with  Delight  ? 

"When  Sin  lay  difguifed  amidft  flowery  Scenes  of 
"  Pleafure  ;  enlightened  by  thy  Wifdom,  I  dijcerned  the 
^'  latent  Mifchief  j  made  refolute  by  thy  Grace,  IJhunned 
**  the  lufcious  Bane.  If,  through  the  Impulfe  of  Sen- 
"  fuality,  or  the  Violence  of  PafTion,  I  have  been  hur- 
"  ried  into  the  Snare,  and  flung  by  the  Serpent ;  thy 
"  faithful  Admonitions,  have  recalled  the  foolifh  Wan- 
"  derer  -,  while  the  Blood  of  thy  Son,  has  healed  his 
"  deadly  Wounds. — Some,  no  Doubt,  have  been  cut 
*^  off  in  the  Midft  of  their  Iniquities  ;  and  tranfmitted, 
*^  from  the  Thrillings  of  polluted  Joy,  to  the  Agonies 
"  of  eternal  Delpair.  Whereas,  I  have  been  dillinguifh- 
"  ed  by  long-fuffering  Mercy ;  and,  inflead  of  hfting  up 
^^  my  Eyes  in  Torments,  to  behold  a  Heaven  irrecover- 
^*  ably  loft ;  I  may  lift  them  up  under  the  pleafmg  Views 
*^  of  being  admitted,  ere  long,  into  thofe  Abodes  of 
"  endlefs  Felicity.— In  the  mean  Time,  Thou  haft 
f^  vouchfafed  me  the  Revelation  of  thy  Will ;  the  In- 
"  fluences  of  thy  Spirit ;  and  Abundance  of  the  moft 
"  effectual  Aids,  for  advancing  in  Knowledge,  and 
"  growing  in  Godlinefs :  for  becoming  more  conform- 
"  able  to  thy  Image,  and  more  meet  for  thy  Prefence : 
"  for  tafting  the  Pleafures  of  Religion,  and  fecuring  the 
"  Riches  of  Eternity. 

*^  How  various  is  thy  Beneficence,  O  Thou  Lover 
*'  of  Souls !  It  has  unfealed  a  thoufand  Sources  of 
"  Good ',  opened  a  thoufand  Avenues  of  Delight ;  and 
"  heaped  BiefTings  upon  me,  with  a  ceafelefs  Liberality. 
*^  If  I  ftiould  attempt  to  declare  them ;  they  would  be 
"  more  than  the  flarry  Hoft,  which  glitter  in  this  un- 
«*  clouded  Sky ;  more  than  the  dewy  Gems,  which  will 
"  adorn  the  Face  of  the  Morning, 

"  And 


ON     THE    NIGHT.  289 

"  And  fhall  I  forget  the  GOD  of  my  Salvation,  the 
*'  Author  of  all  my  Mercies  ?  Rather  let  my  Pulfe 
**^  forget  to  beat ! — Shall  I  render  Him  no  ExprefTions 
*'  of  Thankfulnefs  ?  Tlien  might  all  Nature  reproach 
"  my  Ingratitude. — Shall  I  reft  fatisfied  with  the  hare 
*'  Acknowledgment  of  my  Lips  ?  No  :  let  my  Life  be 
*^  vocal,  and  fpeak  his  Praife,  in  that  only  genuine, 
"  that  moft  emphatical  Language — the  Language  of 
"  devout  Obedience.  Let  the  Bill  be  drav/n  upon  my 
"  veiy  Heart ;  let  all  my  AfFecliiDns  acknowledge  the 
''  Draught;  and  let  the  whole  Tenour  of  my  Adlions, 
"  in  Time  and  through  Eternity,  be  continually  payi?ig 
^'  the  Debt — the  ever-pleafmg,  ever-growing  Debt  of 
*^  Duty,  Veneration,  and  Love. 

"  And  can  I,  O  Thou  Guide  of  my  Goings,  and 
"  Guardian  of  all  my  Interefts — can  I  diftruft  fuch  fig- 
''  nal,  fuch  experienced  Goodnefs?  Thou  hafi  been  my 
**  Helper^  thro'  all  the  bufy  Scenes  of  Day :  therefore^ 
*^  under  the  Slmdoiv  of  thy  JVpigs  will  I  repofe  myfelf, 
*'  during  the  Darknefs,  the  Danger,  and  Death  like  In- 
*^  a6livity  of  the  Night.  Whatever  Defilement  I  have 
'^  contracted,  wafli  it  thoroughly  away,  in  redeeming 
'^  Blood  ;  and  let  neither  the  fmful  Stain,  nor  the  fmful 
"  Inclination,  accompany  me  to  my  Couch  ! — Then, 
"  fhall  Hay  'me  down  hi  Peace ^  and  take  my  Rejl ;  cliear-r 
"  fully  referring  it  to  thy  all-wife  Determination,  whe- 
"  dier  I  fhall  open  my  Eyes  in  this  World,  or  awake  \\\ 
"  the  unknown  Regions  of  another'' 


U  CON. 


CONTEMPLATIONS 


STARRY      HEAVENS. 


There  dwells  a  noble  Pathos  in  the  SJ^ies, 
Which  warms  our  PaJfionSy  profelytes  our  Hearts, 
How  eloquently  lliines  the  glowing  Pole  I 
JVith  what  Authority  it  gives  its  Charge^ 
Remohftrating  great  Tmths  in  Stile Juhlime  ! 

Night-Thoughts,  N'^IX^ 


U   2 


CONTEMPLATIONS 


ON       THE 


STARRY      HEAVENS, 


THIS  Evening,  I  exchange  the  nice  Retreats  of 
Art,  for  the  noble  Theatre  of  Nature.  Inflead  of 
meafuring  my  Steps,  under  the  Covert  of  an  Harbour ; 
let  me  range  along  the  Summit^  of  this  gently  rifing  Hill. 
— There  is  no  Need  of  the  leafy  Shade,  fince  the  Sun 
has  quitted  the  Horizon,  and  with-drawn  his  fcorching 
Beams.  But  fee,  how  Advantages  and  Inconveniences 
are  ufually  Hnked,  and  chequer  our  Affliirs  below  !  If 
the  annoying  Heat  ceafes,  the  I^ndjcape,  and  its  pleafing 
Scenes,  are  alfo  removed. — The  majeflic  Caftle,  and 
the  lowly  Cottage,  are  vanifhed  together.  I  have  Icfl 
the  afpiring  Mountain,  and  its  rulTct  Brow 3  I  look  r  jund, 
but  to  no  Purpofe,  for  the  humble  Vale,  and  its  flowery 
Lap.  The  Plains  v/hitened  with  Flocks,  and  tlie  Heath 
yellow  with  Furze,  difappear.  The  advancing  Night 
has  wrapt  in  Darlcnefs  the  long  extended  Foieft;  and 
drawn  her  Mantle,  over  the  Windings  of  the  filver  Stream. 
I  no  longer  behold  that  luxuriant  Fertility  in  the  Fields; 
that  wild  Magnificence  of  Profped:,  and  endlefs  Variety 
of  Images  s  which  have  fo  often  touched  me  with  De- 

U  3  light. 


;i94  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

light,  and  ftruck  me  with  Awe,  from  this  commanding 
Eminence. 

The  Lofsj  hoAvever,  is  fcarcely  to  be  regretted  ;  fmce 
it  is  amply  compenfated,  by  the  opening  Beauties  of  the 
Sky.  Ilere  I  enjoy  a  free  View  of  the  whole  Hemifphere ; 
without  anyObflacle  from  below,  to  confine  the  exploring 
Eye  i  or  any  Cloud  from  above,  to  overcall  the  fpacious 
Concave.  'Tis  true;  the  lively  Vermillion,  which  lb 
lately  ftreaked  the  Chambers  of  the  Well,  is  all  faded. 
But  the  Planets,  one  after  another,  light  up  their  Lamps; 
the  Stars  advance  in  their  glittering  Train;  a  Thoufand 
and  a  Thoufand  Luminaries  fhine  forth  in  fuccefiive 
Splendors ;  and  the  whole  Firmament  is  kindled  into 
the  mofl  beautiful  Glow.  The  Bluenefs  of  the  iEther, 
heightened  by  the  Sealbn  of  the  Year,  and  ilill  more 
enlivened  by  the  Abjence  of  the  MooUy  gives  diofe  Gems 
of  Heaven  the  ilrongell  Luilre. 

One  Pleafure  more,  the  invading  Gloom  has  not  been 
able  to  fnatch,  from  my  Senfe.  The  Night  rather  im- 
proves, than  deilroys,  the  Fragrance  which  exhales  from 
the  hloGnimg  Beams,  With  thefe,  the  Sides  of  the  Hoping 
Declivity  are  lined ;  and  v/ith  thefe,  the  balmy  Zephyrs 
perfume  their  Wings.  Does  Arahiuy  from  all  her  fpicy 
Groves,  breathe  a  more  liberal,  or  a  more  charming 
Gale  of  Sweets  I  And,  what  is  a  peculiar  Recommen- 
dation of  the  rural  Entertainments,  prefented  in  our 
happy  Land,  they  are  alloyed  by  no  Apprehenfions  of 
Danger.  No  poifonous  Serpent,  lurks  under  the  Blof- 
lom ;  nor  any  ravenous  Beafb,  lies  ready  to  ftart  from 
the  T'iiicket. — But,  I  wander  from  a  far  more  exalted 
Subie6t.  Mv  Thoughts,  like  my  Aifeclions,  are  too 
eafily  diverted  from  the  Heavens,  and  detained  by  in- 
ferior Objeds.  Away,  my  Attennon,  from  thefe  li'ttle 
Blandifhments  of  the  Eartli ;  fmce  all  the  Glories  of  the 
Sh/  invite  thy  Regard. 

We 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS.  295 

We  have  taken  a  Turn  among  the  Tombs,  and  viev/ed 
the  foiemn  Memorials  of  the  Dead :  in  order  to  learn 
the  Vanity  of  mortal  'Things  i  and  to  break  their  foft 
Inchantment. — We  have  furveyed  the  Ornaments  of  the 
Garden-,  not  that  the  Heart  might  be  planted  in  the 
Parterre,  or  take  Root  among  the  flowery  Race :  but 
that  thefe  Delicacies  of  a  Day,  might  teach  us  to  afpire 
after  a  better  Paradife;  where  Beauty  never  fades,  and 
Deli2;ht  is  ever  in  the  Bloom. — ^A  Third  Time  we  lio-hted 
the  Candle  of  Meditation;  and  fought  for  Wifdom,  not 
in  the  crowded  City,  or  wrangling  Schools,  but  in  the 
filent  and  lonely  Walks  of  antient  Night '*^. — Let  us  once 
more  indulge  the  comtemplative  Vein,  and  raife  our 
Speculations  to  \S\o{c  Juhlimer  Works  of  the  great  Crea- 
tor ;  which  the  Regions  of  the  Sky  contain,  and  this 
dufl<:y  Hour  unveils  f. 

If  we  have  difcerned  the  Touches  of  his  Pencil,  elowlnp- 
in  the  Colours  of  Spring;  if  we  have  {<:<.vi  a  Sample  of 
his  Beneficence,  exhibited  in  the  Stores  of  Nature;  and 
a  Ray  of  his  Brightnefs,  beaming  in  the  Blaze  of  Day ; 
wdiat  an  infinitely  richer  Field  for  die  Difplay  of  his  Per- 
fections, are  the  Heavens !  The  Heavens,  in  the  moil 
cmphatical  Manner,  declare  the  Glory  of  GLod.  The 
Heavens  are  nobly  eloquent  of  the  Deity,  and  the  moft 
magnificent  Heralds  of  their  Maker's  Praife.  They 
fpeak  to  the  whole  Univerfe  ;  for  there  is  neither  Speech 
fo  barbarous,  but  their  Language  is  underflood ;  nor 
Nation  fo  diftant,  but  their  Voices  are  heard  among 
them  \, — Let  me  then,  in   this  foiemn  Seafon,  formed 

*  Referring  to  the  feveral  Subjefls  of  the  Three  preceding  EfTays. 

t  Night  opes  the  nohlefi  Scenes,  and  (hcds  an  Awe, 

,     Which  gives  thofe  venerable  Scenes  fail  Weight, 

And  deep  Reception  in  th'  entender'd  Hearth 

hlight-Thcughts,  N^  IX. 
ft  Pfal.xix.  3. 

U  4  for 


2^6  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

for  Thouglit,  and  a  calm  Intercourfe  with  Heaven  ;  let 
nic  liilen  to  their  filent  Le6liires.  Perhaps,  I  may  re- 
ceive fuch  imprefTive  Manifeflations  of  "  the  eternal 
<^  Power  and  Godhead/'  as  m2iy ^oed Religion  on  my  Soul, 
while  I  walk  the  folitary  Shades  ;  and  may  be  a  tutelary 
Frie}7d  to  mj  Virtue,  when  the  Call  of  Bufmefs,  and  the 
Return  of  Light,  expofe  me  again  to  tlie  Inroads  of 
Temptation. 

The  IfraditeSy  inftlgated  by  Frenzy  rather  than  De- 
votion, v/oriliipped  the  Hoft  of  Heaven.  And  die  Pre- 
tenders to  judicial  Aftrclogy  vxXk  of,  I  knov/  not  what, 
myfterious  Efficacy ;  in  the  different  Afpe6l  of  the  Stars, 
or  the  various  Conjunction  and  Oppofition  of  the  Planets. 
— Let  thofe,  who  are  unacquainted  with  the  fure  Word 
of  Revelation,  give  ear  to  thefe  Sons  of  Delufion,  and 
Dealers  in  Deceit.  For  my  Part,  it  is  a  Qiieftion  of 
Indifference  to  me,  whether  the  Conflellarions  fhone 
vvidi  Smdles,  or  loured  in  Frowns,  on  the  Hour  of  my 
Nativity.  Let  Christ  be  my  Guard i  and,  fecure  in 
fuch  a  Protection,  I  would  lawgh  at  their  impotent  Me- 
■naces.  Let  Christ  be  my  Guide ,  and  I  fhall  fcorn  to 
an<:,  as  well  as  defpair  of  receiving,  any  prediftory  In- 
formadon  from  fuch  fenfelefs  MalTes. — What!  fhall 
*^  the  Living  feek  to  the  Dead  *  ?"  Can  thefe  Bodies 
advertife  me  of  future  Events,  which  are  unconfcious  of 
their  ow^n  Exiflence  ?  Shall  I  have  Recourfe  to  dull  un- 
intelligent Matter,  when  I  may  apply  to  that  all-wife 
Being  J  who,  with  one  comprehenfive  Glance,  diftinclly 
views  whatever  is  lodged  in  the  Bofom  of  Immenfity, 
or  forming  in  the  Womb  of  Futurity  ? — Never,  never 
will  I  learch  tor  any  Imitations  of  my  Fate ;  but  often 

*  Ifa.  vili.  19. 

trace 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS.  29; 

trace  my  Creators  Fcotfieps'',  m  yonder  (larry  Plains. 
In  the  former  Cafe,  they  would  be  Teachers  of  Lyes ; 
in  the  latter,  they  are  Oracles  of  Truth.  In  diis  there- 
fore, this  Senfe  only,  I  profefs  myfclf  the  Pupil  of  the 
Stars. 

The  Vulgar,  are  apprehenfive  of  nothing  more,  than 
a  Multitude  of  bright  Spangles^  dropt  over  die  ^ethereal 
Blue.  They  have  no  higher  Notion  of  diefe  fine  Ap- 
pearances, than  that  they  are  fo  many  gclden  Studs,  v/ith 
which  the  Empyrean  Arch  is  decorated. — But  ftudious 
Minds,  that  carry  a  more  accurate  and  ftrid  Inquiry 
among  the  celeflial  Bodies,  bring  back  Advices  of  a 
moii:  ailonifhing  Import.  Let  me  jufl  recoiled  the  moil 
material  of  thole  ftupendous  Bifcoveries ;  in  order  to  flir- 
nifh  out  proper  Subjects  for  Contemplation.  And  let 
the  Unlearned  remember.  That  the  Scene  I  am  going 
to  difplay,  is  the  \Vorkmanfhip  of  that  incomprehenfible 
God,  who  is  "  perfect  in  Knovvledge,  and  miighty  in 
"  Power."    Whofe  Name,  whofe  Nature,  and  all  whofe 

*  "  It  is  moft  becoming  (fays  a  great  Author)  fuch  imperfeclCrea- 
"  tares  as  we  are,  to  contemplate  the  Works  of  GOD,  w'lih.  this  T>t' 
"  fign,  that  we  may  difcern  the  Mani reflations  of  Wifdom  in  them  ; 
*'  and  thereby  excite  in  ourfelves  thofe  devout  AfFedions,  and  that 
"  fuperlative  Refpeit,  which  Is  the  very  Efience  of  Praife,  as  it  is  a 
"  rcafonable  and  moral  Service."  /Vbernethy  on  the  Attributes. -^-^ 
And,  indeed,  if  we  are  fmcereiy  difpofcd  to  employ  ourfelves  in  this 
excellent,  this  delightful  Duty  of  praihng  the  infinite  Creator ;  the 
Meafis,  and  the  Meti-vesy  are  both  at  Hand.  His  Works,  in  a  wonder- 
ful and  inftrudlive  Variety,  prefent  themfelves  ;  with  pregnant  Mani- 
feifctions  of  the  moft  tranfcendant  Excellencies  of  their  Maker.  They 
pour  their  Evidence  from  all  Quarters,  and  into  all  the  Avenues  of  the 
Mind.  They  invite  us,  efpccially  in  th^  magnificent  Sydem  of  the 
Univerfe,  to  contemplate — Counfel,  coniummatcly  wife ;  2x16.  Execution, 
inimitably  perfeft  -."-'Po^'jer,  tg  which  nothing  is  impoffible  ;  and  Good- 
r.efsy  which  extendeth  to  All,  which  endurcth  for  ever. — To  give,  n^t 
a  full  Difplay,  but  only  {omc /light  Striclurcsf  of  thcfe  glorious  Truths, 
is  the  principal  Scope  of  the  following  Remark?. 

I  Opera-. 


29S  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Operations,  are  "great  ^nd  marvellous.''  Who  fum- 
mons  into  Being,  v/ith  equal  Eafe,  a  fingle  Grain,  or 
ten  thoufand  Worlds.-^ — To  this  if  we  continually  advert, 
the  AiTertions,  though  they  will  certainly  excite  our  Ad- 
miratioHy  need  not  tranfcend  our  Belit-f. 

The  Earth  is^  In  Fa6l,  a  round  Body;  however  it 
may  be  feen,  in  fome  Parts,  to  be  funk  into  Vales,  and 
railed  into  Hills  * ;  in  other  Parts,  to  be  fpread  into  a 
fpacious  Plain,  extending  to  the  Confines  of  the  Hea- 
vens, or  terminated  by  the  Vv^aters  of  the  Ocean.— We 
may  fancy,  that  it  has  deep  Foundations,  and  refls  upon 
Ibm.e  prodigioufly  folid  Bafis*  But  it  is  pendent,  in  the 
wide  tranfpiciKDUs  ^ther;  without  any  vilible  Caufe,  to 
uphold  it  from  above,  or  fupport  it  from  beneath. — It 
may  feem  to  be  fedentary  in  its  Attitude,  and  motion- 
iefs  in  its  Situadon.  But  it  is  continually y?;i//;/^  f,  thro* 
the  Depth  of  the  Sky;  and  in  the  Space  of  Twelve 
Months,  finifhes  the  mighty  Voyage.  Which  periodi- 
cal Rotation,  produces  the  Seafons,  and  completes  the 
Year. — ^As  it  proceeds  in  the  annual  Circuit,   it  fpins 

*  A  learned  Writer,  I  think,  Dr.Der/jam,  has  Tomewhere  an  Ob- 
fervation  to  this  Purpofe — That  the  loftieft  Summits  of  Hills,  and  the 
moft  enormous  Ridges  of  Mountains,  are  no  real  Objedion  to  the  glo- 
bular or  round  Form  of  the  Earth.  Becaufe,  however,  they  may  render 
it,  to  our  limited  Sight,  vaftly  uneven  and  protuberant ;  yet,  they  bear 
no  more  Proportion  to  the  intire  Surface  of  the  terraqueous  Ball,  than 
a  Particle  of  Duft,  cafually  dropt  on  the  Mathematician's  Globe,  bears 
to  its  whole  Circumference.  Confequently,  the  rotund  Figure  is  no 
more  deftroyed  in  the  former  Cafe,  than  in  the  latter. — On  the  fame 
Principle,  I  have  not  thought  it  neceffary,  to  take  any  Notice  of  the 
comparatively  fmall  Difference,  between  the  Polar  and  E^uatorialDi-i^ 
meter  of  the  Earth. 

f  With  what  amazing  Speedy  this  VeiTel  (if  I  may  carry  on  the  AI- 
lufion,)  filled  with  a  Multitude  of  Nations,  and  freighted  with  ail 
their  PofTefTions,  makes  her  Way  through  the  ethereal  Space,  fee  Page 
316,  in  Note. 

UDOn 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS.  299 

upon  Its  own  Centre  \  and  turns  its  Sides,  alternately  to 
the  Fountain  of  Light.  By  vvhich  means,  die  I>ay  dawns 
in  one  Hemifpherc ;  while  the  Night  fuCceeds  in  the 
other.  Without  this  pA'pedient,  one  Part  of  its  Re- 
gions would,  during  half  the  great  Revolution,  be  fcorcheJ 
with  excefTive  Heat,  or  languifh  under  an  unintermitted 
Glare  ;  while  the  other,  expofcd  to  the  contrary  Ex- 
tremes, would  be  frozen  to  Ice,  and  buried  under  a  long 
Opprefiion  of  difmal  and  defbrudive  Darknels. ' 

I  CANNOT  forbear  taking  Notice  ;  that,  in  diis  com- 
pound Motion  of  the  Earth,  the  one  never  interferes  with 
the  other,  but  both  are  ^^txinQ&sj  compatible.  Is  it  not 
thus,  with  the  Precepts  of  Religion,  and  the  needful 
Affairs  of  the  prefent  Life ;  not  excepting  even  the  in- 
nocent Gratificadons  of  our  Appetites  ? — Some,  I  be- 
lieve, are  apt  to  imagine,  that  they  mull:  renounce  So- 
ciety, if  they  devote  themfclves  to  CPIRIST ;  and 
abandon  all  the  Satisfactions  of /a^/j  World,  if  they  once 
become  zealous  Candidates  for  the  Felicity  of  another.—^ 
But  this  is  a  very  miilaken  Notion,  or  eife  a  very  inju- 
rious Reprefentanon,  of  the  Do6trine  which  is  accord- 
ing to'Godlinefs.  It  v/as  never  intended  to  drive  Men 
into  Defarts ;  but  to  lead  them,  through  the  peaceful 
and  plealant  Paths  of  Wifdom,  into  the  blif^ful  Regions 
of  Life  eternal.  It  was  never  intended  to  ftrikc  off  the 
Wheels  of  Bufmeis,  or  cut  in  llinder  die  Sinews  of  In- 
duftry  -y  but  rather,  to  make  Men  induftrious  from  a 
Principle  of  Conjcience^  not  from  the  Inftigations  of  A\:a- 
rice  \  that  fo,  tiiey  may  promote  their  immortal  Hap- 
pinefs,  even  while  they  provide  for  their  temporal  Main- 
tenance. It  has  no  Defign  to  extirpate  our  PafTions,  but 
only  to  reftrain  tlieir  Irregularides;  neither  would  it  ex- 
ringuifli  the  Delights  of  Senfe,  but  prevent  them  from 
cvaporadng  Into  Vanity,  and  fubfiding  inco  Gall. — A 

Pcrlon 


30O  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Perfon  may  be  chearful  among  his  Friends,  and  yet  joy- 
Ju\  in  GOD.  He  may  tafbe  the  Sweets  of  his  earthly 
Eftate  ;  and,  at  the  fame  Time,  cherifh  his  Hopes  of  a 
nobler  Inheritance  in  Heaven.  The  Trader  may  profe- 
cute  the  Demands  of  Commerce,  without  negleding  to 
negoclate  the  Affairs  of  his  Salvation.  The  Warrior 
may  wear  his  Sword ;  may  draw,  in  a  juft  Caufe,  that 
murderous  Weapon ;  yet  be  a  good  Soldier  of  JESUS 
CHRIST,  and  obtain  the  Crown  that  fadeth  not  away. 
The  Parent  may  lay  up  a  competent  Portion  for  his 
Children,  and  not  forfeit  his  Title  to  the  Treafures, 
either  of  Grace  or  of  Glory. — So  far  is  Chriftianity^ 
from  obftruding  any  valuable  Interefb,  or  with-holding 
any  real  Pleafure ;  that  it  improves  the  one,  and  advances 
the  other.  Juft  as  the  diurnal  and  annual  Motions,  are  fo 
far  from  clajhing^  that  they  intirely  accord;  and,  inftead 
of  being  deftrudive  of  each  other,  by  mutually  blending 
their  Effeuls,  they  give  Propordon  and  Harmony  to 
Time,  Fertihty  and  innumerable  Benefits  to  Nature. 

To  Us,  who  dwell  on  its  Surface,  tlie  Earth  is  by  far 
the  mofi  extenfive  Orb  ;  that  our  Eyes  can,  anywhere, 
behold.  It  is  alio  cloathed  with  Verdure  ^  diftinguiilied 
by  Trees  ;  and  adorned  with  a  Variety  of  beautiful  De- 
corations. Whereas,  to  a  Spe6tator  placed  on  one  of 
the  Planets,  it  wears  an  uniform  Afpe6t ;  looks  all  lumi- 
nous, and  no  larger  than  a  Spot.  To  Beings,  who  dwell 
at  ftill  greater  Diftances,  it  intirely  difappears. — That 
which  we  call,  alternately,  the  Morning  and  the  Evening- 
Star  ;  as  in  one  Part  of  her  Orbit,  fhe  rides  foremoft  in 
the  Proceflion  of  Night;  in  the  other,  ufhers  in  and  an- 
ticipates the  Dawn  -,  is  a  planetary  World,  Which,  with 
the  four  others,  that  fo  wonderfully  vary  their  myftic 
Dance,  are  in  themfelves  dark  Bodies,  and  ihine  only 
by  Reflexion  :  have  Fields,  and  Seas,  and  Skies,  of  dieir 

own : 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS.  3(51 

own:  are  furnifhed  with  all  Accommodations  for  animal 
Subfiflence,  and  are  fiippofed  to  be  the  Abodes  o^  irJel- 
lecfual  Life.  All  which,  together  with  this  our  eartlily 
Habitation,  are  dependent  on  that  grand  Pifpenfer  of 
divine  Munificence,  the  Sun ;  receive  their  Li.vrht  from 
the  Diilribution  of  his  Rays,  and  derive  their  Comforts 
from  his  benign  Agency. 

The  Sun,  which  feems  to  perform  its  daily  Stages 
through  the  Sky,  is,  in  this  refpeft  ^ ,  fixed  and  immove- 
able. 'Tis  the  great  Axle  of  Heaven,  about  which  the 
Globe  we  inhabit,  and  other  more  fpacious  Orbs,  wheel 
their  ilated  Courfes. — The  Sun,  though  feemingly/;;?^//^;- 
than  the  'Dial  it  illuminates,  is  abundantly  larger  ■\  than 
this  whole  Earth  ;  on  which  fo  many  lofty  Mountains 
rife,  and  fuch  vaft  Oceans  roll.  A  Line,  extending  from 
Side  to  Side,  through  the  Centre  of  that  refplendent 
Orb,  would  meafure  more  than  eight  hundred  thoufand 
Miles  :  a  Girdle,  formed  to  go  round  its  Circumference, 
would  require  a  Length  of  Millions  :  were  its  folid  Con- 
tents to  be  eflimated,  the  Account  would  over-whelm 
our  Underftanding,  and  be  almofl:  beyond  the  Power  of 
Language  to  exprefs  J. — Are  we  flartled  at  thefe  Reports 
t^f  Philofophy  ?  Are  we  ready  to  cry  out,  in  a  Tranfport 

*  I  fay,  ///  this  refpecl ;  that  I  may  not  feem  to  forget,  or  exclude, 
the  Revolution  of  the  Sun  round  iti.  own  Axis. 

f  A  hundred  thoufand  Times,  accordi^ng  to  the  loivsjl  Reckoning. 
Sir  Isaac  Newton  computes  tlie  Sun  to  be  900,000  Times  bagger 
than  the  Earth.     Religious  Fhilcfothcry  p.  749. 

X  Dr.  Derham,  after  having  calculated  the  Dimenfions  of  the 
Planets,  adds ;  "  Amazing  as  thefe  Mafies  are,  they  are  all  far  out- 
*'  done  by  that  ftupendous  Globe  of  Light,  the  Sun  ;  which  as  it  is 
*'  the  Fountain  of  Light  and  Heat,  to  all  the  Planets  about  it,  fo  doth 
''  it  far  furpafs  them  all  in  its  Bulk :  Its  apparent  Diameter  being  com- 
'*  puted  at  822,148  EngliJhM^iZ^y  its  Ambit  at  2,582,873  Miles,  and 
*'  its  folid  Contents  at  290,971,000,000,000,000.'*  Jfiro.  Tbeol. 
Book  Z.  Chap.  XL 

of 


302  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

of  Surprize  r  How  mighty  Is  the  Being,  who  kindled  fuch 
a  prodigious  Fire  j  and  keeps  alive,  from  Age  to  Age, 
fuch  an  enormous  Mafs  of  Flame  !— Let  us  attend  our 
philofophic  Guides,  and  we  fhall  be  brought  acquainted 
with  Speculations,  more  inlarged  and  more  amazing. 

This  Sun,  with  all  Its  attendant  Planets,  Is  but  a  very 
little  Part  of  the  grand  Machine  of  the  Univerfe.  Every 
Star^  though,  In  Appearance,  no  bigger  than  the  Dia- 
mond, that  glitters  upon  a  Lady's  Ring  ;  Is  really  a  imjl 
Globe,  like  the  Sun  in  Size,  and  in  Glory ;  no  lefs  fpa- 
clous,  no  lefs  luminous,  than  the  radiant  Source  of  our 
Day.  So  that  every  Star,  is  not  barely  a  World,  but 
the  Centre  of  a  rnagnificent  Syfbem ;  has  a  Retinue  of 
Worlds,  irradiated  by  Its  Beams,  and  revolving  round 
its  attra6live  Influence,  All  which  are  loft,  to  our  Sight, 
in  unmeafurable  Wilds  of /Ether. — That  the  Stars  ap- 
pear like  fo  many  diminutive,  and  fcarce  diftinguifhable 
Point  Si  is  owing  to  their  Immenle  and  inconceivable  Dif- 
tance.  Immenfe  and  inconceivable  indeed  it  is  y  fmce  a 
Ball,  fhot  from  the  loaded  Cannon,  and  flying  with  un- 
abated Rapidity,  mull  travel,  af  this  impetuous  Rate, 
almou  ftYtn  hundred  thoufand  Years  *,  before  it  could 
reach  the  neareft  of  thofe  twinkling  Luminaries. 

Can  any  Thing  be  more  w^onderful,  than  thefe  Ob- 
fervations  ?  Yes  :  There  are  Trudis,  far  more  ftupen- 
dous  ;  there  are  Scenes,  far  more  extenfive.  As  there' 
is  no  End  of  the  Almighty  Maker's  Greatnefs ;  fo  no 
imagination  can  fet  Limits  to  his  creating  Hand. — 
Could  you  foar  beyond  the  Moon,  and  pafs  through  all 
the  planetary  Choir  :  could  you  wing  your  Way  to  the 
higheft  apparent  Star,  and  take  your  Stand  on  one  of 
thofe  loftieftPinacles  of  Heaven  :  you  would,  there,  fee 
Qiker  Skies  expanded  3  another  Siin^  diilributlng  his  inex- 

*  See  Religious  Philofipher,  p.  819. 

hauftible 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS. 


303 


^feauftible  Beams  by  Day ;  other  Slars,  that  gild  the  Hor- 
rors of  the  alternate  Night :  and  oi'ber  *,  perhaps  nobler 
Syftems,  eflablifhed  ;  eftablifhed^  in  unknown  Profufion, 
through  the  boundlefs  Dimenfions  of  Space  .-r— Nor  does 
the  Dominion  of  the  univerlal  Sovereio-n  terminate  there. 
Even  at  the  End  of  this  yafl  Tour,  you  would  find  your- 
ielf  advanced  no  farther,  than  the  Suburbs  of  Creation; 
arrived  only  at  the  Frontiers  of  the  great  Jehovah's 
Kingdom  f . 

And  do  they  tell  me;  That  the  Sun,  the  Moon,  and 
all  the  Planets,  are  but  a  little  Part  of  HIS  Works  ? 
iJo^Jif  great,  then,  are  his  Signs !  And  how  mighty  are  his 
JVondersXl  And  if  fo,  what  is  the  CREATOR 
Himfelf !  How  far  exalted  above  all  Praife !  Who  is  fo 
high ;  that  He  looks  dov.-n  on  the  higheil  of  thefe  dazling 
Spheres,  and  fees  even  the  Summit  of  Creation  In  a  Yale  : 
fo  greai^  that  this  prodigious  Extent  of  Space,  is  but  a 
Point  in  his  Prefence  j  and  all  this  Confluence  of  Worlds, 

t  See  J/}ro.  Theology,  Book  II.  Ghap.  II. ^ Where  the  Author, 

having  alTigned  various  Realons  to  fupport  this  Theory  of  our  modern 
Afirormmrs,  adds—"  Befides  the  fore-mentioned  ftrong  Probabilities, 
?*  we  have  this  farther  Recommendation  of  fuch  an  Account  of  the 
"  Univerfe,  that  it  is  izx  ynore  magniiicent  and  worthy  of  the  infinite 
*f  Creator,  than  any  other  of  the  narrower  Schemes." 

f  Job,  after  a  moft  beautiful  DiiTcrtation,  on  the  mighty  Works  of 
GO  I);  as  they  are  diftributed  through  univerfal  Nature,  from  the 
Heights  of  Heaven,  to  the  very  Depths  of  Hell;  clofes  the  magnifi- 
cent Account  with  this  Acknowledgment ;  Lot  thefe  are  Parts  of  his 
Ways.  Or,  as  the  original  Word  more  literally  fignifies ;  and  may,  I 
think,  be  more  elegantly  rendered;  Thefe  are  only  the  Skirts,  the  very 
outermoft  Borders  of  his  Works.  No  more  than  a  fmall  Preface  to  the 
immenfe  Volume  of  the  Creation.—- From  the  Hchre^M  nU'p  Extrcmi- 
tntes,  I  cannot  forbear  thinking,  on  the  extreme  and  very  attenuated 
i^/i^r^j  of  the  Root,  when  compared  with  the  whole  Subftance  of  the 
Trunk',  or  on  the  exquifitcly  fmall  Size  of  the  f^/>///^ry  Veflcis,  when 
compared  with  the  whole  Stru»Stare  of  the  Body.     Job  xxvi.  14. 

'  X  Dan.  iv.  3. 

a.s 


304  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

as  the  lighted  Atom,  that  fiuduates  in  Air,  and  fports 
in  the  meridian  Ray  *. 

Thou  moft  fiiblime  and  incomprehenfibly  glorious 
God,  how  am  I  overwhelmed  with  Awe  J  How  funk 
into  the  loweft  Proftration  of  Mind  !  When  I  confider 
thy  "  excellent  GreatnefSy'  and  my  own  utter  Infignifican- 
cy  1 — And  have  I,  excefiively  mean  as  I  am,  have  I 
entertained  any  conceited  App'- eh  en/tons  of  myfelf  ?'  Have 
I  felt  the  leall  Elatcment  of  Thought,  in  the  Prefence 
of  fo  maieftic  and  adorable  a  Being  ?  How  fhould  this 
"wound  me  with  Sorrov/,  and  cover  me  with  Confufion  ! 
— O  my  GOD,  was  1  polTefTed  of  all  the  high  Ferfec- 
tiojis,  which  accompHfh  and  adorn  the  Angels  of  Light ; 
amidft  all  thefc  noble  Endowments,  I  would  fall  down 
in  the  deepeji  Abafement  at  thy  Feet.  Loft  in  the  infinitely 
fupcrior  Blaze  of  thy  uncreated  Glories ;  I  would  con- 
fefs  myfelf,  to  be  Nothing  ;  to  be  lefs  than  Nothing,  and 
"\"anity. — How  much  more  ought  I  to  maintain  the  moft 

*  This  puts  me  in  Tniiid  of  a  very  fine  Remark  on  a  fcript-nral  Eeauty ; 
and  a  folid  Correction  of  the  common  Tranflation  ;  made  by  that  learn- 
ed, fagacious,  and  devout  Expofitor  Vitringa. — Ifa.  xl.  15.  We  find 
it  written  of  the  Supreme  Being,  That  he  tahcth  up  the  IJles  as  a  ■■very 
little  Thing.  Which,  cur  Critic  obferves,  is  neither  anfwerable  to  the 
Import  of  the  Original,  nor  confonant  to  the  Strufture  of  the  Dif- 
courfe.  The  Prophet  had  no  Intention  to  inform  Mankind,  what  the 
Almighty  could  doy  with  regard  to  the  Iflands  if  he  pleafed  to  exert 
uncontroulable  Power.  His  Defign  was  to  fhew,  how  infignificant,  or 
rather  what  mere  Nothings  they  are,  in  his  Efteem,  and  before  his  Ma- 
jefty. — The  Illands,  fays  he,  though  iofpaciousy  as  to  afford  Room  for 
the  Ereflion  of  Kingdom.s,  and  the  Abode  of  Nations ;  though  fo 
Jirojig,  as  to  withftand,  for  many  Thoufands  of  Years,  the  raging  and 
reiterated  Afiauits  of  the  whole  watery  World ;  are  yet,  before  the 
adored  Jeho  v ah,  y;W/ as  the  minutcfl  Grain,  which  the  Eye  can 
icarce  difcern;  light  as  the  feathered  Mote,  which  the  leall  Breath  hur- 
ries away  like  a  Tempeft. — ^id»  plD  C2*'i<  Infula;  funt  ut  U've  quid,  quod 
a'volat.  The  deep-rooted  Ijlands  are  as  the  ^'olatile  Atom,  ivhich,  by 
the  gentlell  Undulatioas  of  the  Air,  is  'luafted  to  aiidfro  in  perpetual 
Agitation, 

unfeigned 


THE     G  T  A  R  R  Y     HE  A  V  E  N  S.  305 

unfeigned  Humiliation,  before  thy  Divine  Majefly^;  who 
am  not  only  DufI:  and  Allies,  but  a  Compound  of  Igno- 
rance, Imperfection,  and  Depravity ! 

While,  beholding  this  vafl  Expanfe,  I  learn  my  own 
extreme  Meannef:)  -,  I  would  alfo  difcover  the  abje^l 
Littlenefs  of  all  terrejlrial  Thip.gs.^^'^\-[2,l  is  the  Earth, 
with  all  her  oftentatious  Scenes,  compared  with  this 
altonifhingly  grand  Furniture  of  the  Skies  ?  What,  but 
a  dim  Speck,  hardly  perceivable  in  the  Map  of  the  Uni- 
verfd  ?  It  is  obferved,  by  a  very  judicious  Writer  *, 
That  if  the  Sun  himfelf,  which  enlightens  this  Part  of 
the  Creation,  was  extinguifhed  ^  and  all  the  Hoil  of 
planetary  Worlds,  which  move  about  him,  were  anni- 
hilated ;  they  would  not  be  miffed,  by  an  Eye  that  can 
take  in  the  whole  Compafs  of  Nature,  any  more  than 
a  Grain  of  Sand  upon  the  Sea  Shore.  The  Bulk  of 
which  they  confift,  and  the  Space  which  they  occupy, 
is  fo  exceedingly  Httle  in  comparifon  of  the  Whole  ; 
that  their  Lofs  would  fcarce  leave  a  Blank,  in  the  Im- 
menfity  of  God's  Works. — If  then,  not  our  Globe  only, 
but  this  whole  Syftem,  be  fo  very  diminutive  -,  what  is 
a  Kingdom,  or  a  County  ?  What  are  a  few  Lordfiips, 
or  the  fo  much  admired  Patrimonies  of  thofe,  who  are 
ftiled  Wealthy  |  ?  When  I  mealure  them  with  my  own 
little  Pittance,  they  fwell  into  proud  and  bloated  Dimen- 
fions.  But,  when  I  take  the  Univerfe  for  my  Standard, 
how  fcanty  is  their  Size,  hov/  contemptible  their  Fiigure  ! 
They  fhrink  into  pompous  Nothings  \, 

When  the  keen-eyed  Eagle  foars  above  all  the  fea- 
thered Race,  and  leaves  their  very  Sight  beiow  :  v.tiGii 

*  Spea.  Vol.  Vni.  N°  565. 

f  ywjat  inter  fidera.  .  ^cagantem  di--jittini  pa'vimenta  riderei   ^  tctam 
(utn  auro  Jiio  t  err  am.  S  e  n  . 

X  Terrellie  grandlc^  inar.ia.         Watts's  Hor,  I.yi'. 

X  fce 


:,c6  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

fhe  wings  her  Way,  with  dire6l  Afcent,  up  the  Steep  of 
Heaven ;  and,  fleadily  gazing  en  the  meridian  Sun,  ac- 
counts its  beaming  Splendors  all  her  ov/n  :  Does  fhe 
then  regard,  with  any  Solicitude,  the  Mote  that  is  flying 
in  the  Air,  or  the  Di^Ji  which  fnc  lliook  from  her  Feet  ? 
And  fhall  this  eternal  Mind,  which  is  capable  of  con- 
templating its  Creator's  Glory  ;  which  is  intended  to  en- 
joy the  Vifions  of  his  Countenance  >  fhall  this  eternal 
Mind,  endued  with  fuch  great  Capacities,  and  made  for 
fijch  exalted  Ends,  be  fo  ignobly  amhitiGUS,  as  to  figh  for 
the  Tinfels  of  State  -,  or  fo  poorly  covetous,  as  to  gaip 
after  ample  Territories  on  a  Needle's  Point  ? — No:  un- 
der; the  Influence  of  fuch  Confiderations  I  feel  my  Sen- 
timents expand,  and  my  Wifhes  acquire  a  Turn  of  Sub- 
limity. My  throbbing  Defires  after  worldly  Grandeur, 
die  avv^ay ;  and  I  find  myfelf,  if  not  poiTeffed  of  Power, 
yet  luperior  to  its  Charms. — Too  long,  mufb  I  ov/n,  have 
my  Affedions  been  pinioned  by  Vanity,  and  immured 
in  this  earthly  Clod.  But  thefe  Thoughts  break  the 
Shackles  *.  Thefe  Obje6ls  open  the  Door  of  Liberty. 
My  Soul,  fired  by  fuch  noble  Profpe6ls,  weighs  Anchor 
from  this  little  Nook  ^  and  coafts  no  longer  about  its 
contrafted  Shores  ;  dotes  no  longer  on  its  painted  Shells. 
The  hmnenfity  of  Things,  is  her  Range  ;  and  an  Infinity 
of  Bhfs,  is  her  Aim. 

Behold  this  immenfe  Expanfe,  and  admire  the  Con- 
dejcenfion  o(  xhy  God. — In  this  Manner,  an  infpircd  and 
princely  Ailronomer,  improved  his  Survey  of  the  noc- 

*  Ti\e  Soul. of  Man  was  made  to  walk  the  Skies, 

Delightfal  Outlet  of  her  Prifon  here  ! 

There,  difincumber'd  from  her  Chains,  the  Ties- 
.    Of  Toys  terreilrial,  Ihe  can  rove  at  large  ; 

There  freely  can  refpire,   dilate,  extend, 

In  full  Proportion  let  loofe  all  her  Powers. 

Nrght-Tbougbts,  N°  IX. 

turnal 


THE     STARRY    HEAVENS.  307 

turnal  Fleavcns.  JVhen  I  conf.der  thy  Heavens,  even  the 
V/orks  of  thy  Fingers,  the  Mcon  and  the  Stars  which  Thou 
haft  ordained;  I  am  fmitten  with  Wonder  at  thy  Glory, 
and  cry  out  in  a  Tranfport  of  Gratitude,  LORD,  what 
is  Man,  that  then  art  mindful  cf  him  ?  or  the  Son  cf  Man^ 
that  thou  vifiteft  him  *  ?  *'  How  amazing,  Iaov/  charm- 
"  ing,  is  diat  Divine  Benignity,  which  is  pleafed  to  bow 
"  down  its  facred  Regards,  to  fo  foolifli  and  worthlels 
"  a  Creature  !  Yea,  dildains  not,  from  the  Height  of 
*'  infinite  Exaltation,  to  extend  its  kind  providendal 
*'  Care,  to  our  mofl  minute  Concerns! — This  is  amaz- 
^  ing*  But  that  the  Everlafting  Sovereign  fhould  give 
"^  his  Son,  to  be  made  Fieili,  and  become  cur  Saviour  ! 
*^  Shall  I  call  it  a  Miracle  of  condefcending  Goounefs  ? 
"  Rather,  What  are  all  Miracles,  what  are  all  Myfle- 
*^  ries,  to  this  ineffable  Gift!" 

Had  the  hrighteft  Archangel  been  commdfiioned  to 
come  down,  with  the  Olive-Branch  of  Peace  in  his 
Hand,  fignifylng  his  Eternal  Maker's  Readinefs  to  be 
reconciled  j  on  our  bended  Knees,  with  Tear-s  of  Joy, 
and  a  Torrent  of  Thankfulne fs,  we  ought  to  have  re- 
ceived the  tranfporting  Nevv^s.  But  when,  inflead  of 
fuch  an  angelic  Envoy,  He  fends  His  only-hegotten  Son  -, 
his  Son  beyond  all  Thought  iiluftrious,  to  make  us  the 
gracious  Overture  : — fends  Him  from  the  '^  Habitation 
"  of  his  Holinefs  and  Glory,"  to  put  on  the  Lifinrjiies 
of  Mortality,  and  dwell  in  a  Tabernacle  of  Clay  : — fends 
Him,  not  barely  to  make  us  a  tranfient  Vifit,  but  to 
abide  many  Tears  in  our  inferior  and  miferable  World  : 
— fends  Him,  not  to  exercife  Dominion  over  Monarchs;, 
but  to  wear  out  his  Life  in  the  ignoble  Form  of  a  Ser- 
vant ',  andj  at  laft,  to  make  his  Exit  under  the  infamous 
Ciiarader  of  a  MalefaElor  I  Was  ever  Love  like  this  ? 

*  PflU.  viii.  2,  4. 

X  1  Did 


3o8  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

Did  ever  Grace  ftoop  fo  low*  ? — Should  the  Sun  be 
fhorn  of  ail  his  radiant  Honours,  and  degraded  into  a 
Clod  of  the  Valleys  J  fhould  all  the  Dignitaries  of  Hea- 
ven be  depofed  from  their  Thrones,  and  degenerate  into 
Jnjetls  of  a  Day ;  great,  great  would  be  the  Abafement. 
But  nothing  to  Thine,  mofl  blelTed  Jesus  ;  nothing  to 
Thine,  Thou  Prince  of  Peace  -,  when,  for  us  Men,  and 
for  our  Salvation,  Thou  didft  not  abhor  the  coarfe  Ac- 
commodations of  the  Manger ;  Thou  didfl  not  decline 
even  the  gloomy  Horrors  of  tlie  Grave. 

'Tis  well,  the  facred  Oracks  have  given  this  Doc- 
trine the  moft:  explicit  Confirmation,  and  Evidence  quite 
incontefcable.  Otherwife,  a  Favour  fo  undeferved,  fo 
unc:<pe6led,   and  rich  beyond  ail  Imagination,    migiit 


-^   This  reminds  me  of  a  very  noble  Piece  o^  facred  Oratory,  where* 
la  a  fine  Series  of  the  moil  beautiful  Gradations,  tiie  Apoftle  difplays 
the  admirably  condefcending  Kindnefs  of  our  Saviour. — He  thought  it 
nc  Robbery,  it  was  His  indifputable  Right,  to  be  equal  ivith  the  infinite, 
felf-exiuent,  immortal  GOD.     7'ef,  in  mercy  to  Sinners,   He  emptied 
Hitnjclf  of  the  incommunicable  Honours,  and  laid  afide  the  Robes  of 
incomprehcnfible  Glory. — When  He  entered  upon  His  mediatorial 
State,  inftessd  of  acling  in  the  grand  Capacity  of  univerfal  Sovereign, 
Ke  took  'Upon  him  the  Fcrm  of  a  Ser-'cart.     And  not  the  Form  of  thofe 
miriilcring  5|>irits,  whofe  Duty  is  Dignity  itfelf;   who  are  throned, 
though  adoring. — He  took  not  on  him  the  Nature  of  Angels,   but 
llooped  incomparably  lower.     AfTumed  a  Body  of  animated  Duft,  atid 
<-K-c.-  made  in  the  Likenefs  of  Manx  thofe  inferior  and  depraved  Crea- 
ture::.— Aftonifnlng  Condefcenfion  !  but  not  fufficient  for  the  oversow- 
ing Richnefs  of  the  Redeemer's  Love.     For,  being  foiaid  in  Fajhicn  as 
a  Man,  Hehvnibled  Hijnfelf  farther  ftill.     Occupied  the  lowell  Place, 
where  all  was  low  and  ignoble.     He  not  only  fubmkted  to  the  Yoke 
of  the  Law,  but  alfo  bore  the  Lnfirmities,  and  minillered  to  the  Ne- 
CelTi;.ics  of  Mcrtah..     He  even  wafhed  the  Feet  of  others,  and  had  not. 
vviicre  to  lay  hi.s  own  Head. — Yea,  He  Carried  His  meritorious  Humi- 
liation, to  the  very  deepell  Degrees  of  poifiWe  Abafement.     He  became 
ftheaient  vjitv  //j7/.f-^And  not  to  a  common  or  natural  Death,  but  a 
]>ath  more  infamous  than  the  Gibbet ;  more  torturous  than  the  Rack  j 
■^evcn  the  accurfed  Death  cf  the  Crcfs.     Phil.  ii.  6^  j,  8. 


ftagger 


THE    STARRY     HEAVEN  S.  pq 

ilag^er  our  Belief. — Could  He,  who  launches  all  thefe 
planetary  Globes,  through  tlie  illimitable  Void  ;  and  leads 
them  on,  from  Age  to  Age,  in  their  extenfive  Career ; 
could  He  refign  his  Hands,  to  be  co)iJi}ied  by  the  gird- 
ing Cord ;  and  his  Back  to  be  plowed,  by  the  bloody 
Scourge  ?  Could  He,  who  crowns  all  the  Stars  with  in- 
extinguifhable  Erightnefs ;  be  Himfelf  defiled  with  Spit- 
ting, and  disfigured  with,  the  thorny  Scar  ?  It  is  the  greateft 
of  Wonders,  and  yet  the  fureft  of  Truths. 

O  !  Ye  mighty  Orbs,  that  roll  along  the  Spaces  of 
the  Sky ;  I  wondered,  a  little  while  ago,  at  your  vafi: 
Dimenfions,  and  ample  Circuits.  But  now  my  Amaze- 
ment ceafes  i  or  rather,  is  intirely  fwallowed  up  by  a 
much  more  ftupendous  Subjed.  Methinks,  your  enor- 
mous Bulk  is  Ihriveiled  to  an  Ato7n ;  your  prodigious  Re- 
volutions are  contra6led  to  a  Span ;  while  I  mufe  upon 
the  far  more  elevated  Heights,  and  unfathomable  Depths; 
the  infinitely  more  extended  Lengths,  and  unlimited 
Breadths,  <?/ this  Love  of  GOD  in  CHRIST  JESUS  *. 

Contemplating  this  ftately  Expanfe,  I  fee  a  Mir- 
ror, which  reprefents,  in  the  moil  awful  Colours,  t^ie 
Heinoujnejs  of  human  Guilt. — Ten  thoufand  Volumes ; 
wrote  on  purpofe,  to  difplay  the  Aggravadons  of  my  va- 
rious Ads  of  Difobedience  ;  could  not  fo  effeclually  con- 
vince me  of  their  inconceivable  Enormity,  as  the  Con- 
fideration  of  that  all-glorious  Perjon  f ;  who,  to  make  an 
Atonement  for  them,  fpilt  the  lafl:  Drop  of  his  Blood. 
— 'I  have  finned,  may  every  Child  oiAdam  lay ;  and  what 
fhall  1 4o  unto  Thee,  0  Thou  Obferver  of  Men  X^?  Shall  I 

give 

*  Eph.  ill.  1 8,  19. 
f  ^0  qui/que  alt ius  afcendit  in  agnitione  Christ i,   eo  profundi.i 
fgccati  atrocitatem  cognofcet. 

X  Jeh  vii.  20.     Not  Prefer-uer,  as  it  ftands  in  our  Verfion,  but  Oh- 
fir'ver  of  Men,     Which  Phrafe,  at  it  denotes  the  exaft  and  incefTant  h^ 

X  3  fpeciion 


3IO  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

give  my  Firfl-born  for  my  TranfgrefTion,  the  Fruit  of 
my  Body  for  the  Sin  of  my  Soul  ?  Vain  Commutation  I 
and  fuch  as  would  be  rejedled  by  the  blefTed  God,  with 
tht  utmoft  Abhorrence. — Will  all  the  Potentates  that 
fway  the  Scepter  in  a  thoufand  kingdoms,  devote  their 
royal  and  honoured  Lives,  to  refcue  an  obnoxious  Crea- 
ture from  the  Stroke  of  Vengeance  ?  Alas  !  it  muil  coll 
more,  incomparably  micre,  to  expiate  the  Malignity  of 
Sin,  and  fave  a  guiky  Vv^ retch  from  Hell. — ^Will  all 
the  Principalities  of  Heaven  be  content  to  aiTume  my  Na- 
ture, and  refign  themfelves  to  Death  for  my  Pardon  *  ? 

Even 

fpeSlion  of  the  divine  Eye ;  as  it  intimates  the  abfolute  Impoffibility, 
that  any  TranrgrefTion  fhould  efoAfe  the  divine  Notice;  is  evidently 
moft  proper,  both  to  i^fTign  the  Rcafon,  and  heighten  the  Emphaf.s  of 
the  Context. 

*  Mi  L  T  o  N  fets  this  Thought,  in  a  very  poetical  and  ftriking  Light. 
—All  the  Sandities  of  Heaven,  (land  lound  the  Throne  of  the  Supreme 
Majefty.  Go  d  forefees  and  foretels  the  Fall  of  Man  ;  the  Ruiui  which 
will  unavoidably  enfue  on  his  TranfgreiTicn  ;  and  the  utter  Imtcjjibilityt 
of  his  being  able  to  extricate  hinnfelf,  from  the  Abyfs  of  Mifery. 

Ucy  ivith  his  nxloh  Pcjieritj,  mujt  die ; 
Die  key  or  'jujlice  muji  :  unlefs  for  Him 
Some  other  ahle,  and  as  'willing  pay 
Ihe  rigid  Satisjadion,  Death  for  Death. 

Af::er  which  aiFefling  Reprefentation,  intended  to  raife  the  moll  ten- 
der Emotions  of  Pity ;  the  following  Inquiry  is  addreffed  to  all  the 
furroundinor  An;^els  ; 

Say,  hea^v^nly  Poivers,  nuhere  Jhall  nfjejind  Juch  Lo've? 
Which  of  you  ivill  be  mortaly  to  redeem 
'Man's  msrtal  Crime  ?  and  die,  the  Dead  to  fanje  ? 
He  afk'd\   but  all  the  hea-v^nly  Choir  food  mute. 
And  Silence  nvas  in  Hea^v^n--^ 

There  is,  to  me  at  leaft,  an  inimitable  Spirit  and  Beauty,  in  the  Jaft 
Circumftance. — That  fuch  an  innumerable  Multitude,  of  generous  and 
compaflionate  Beings,  ftiould  be  ftruck  dumb  with  Surprize  and  Terror, 
at  the  very  Mention  of  The  deadly  Forfeiture  and  Ranfomfet  /No  Lan- 
guage 


THE    STARRY     HEAVENS.  311 

Even  this,  would  be  too  mean  a  Satis  faction,  for  inex- 
orabk  Jullice;  too  fcanty  a  Reparation,  of  God's  in- 
jured Honour.  So  flagrant  is  human  Guilt,  that  no- 
thing, but  a  Vidtim  of  infinite  Dignity y  could  conflitutc 
an  adequate  Propitiation. — He  who  faid,  *^  Let  there  be 
Light,  and  there  was  Liglit  j"  Let  there  be  a  Firmament, 
and  immediately  the  blue  Curtains  floated  in  the  Sky  ; 
He  mufl:  take  Flefh  j  He  muft  feel  the  fierce  Torments 
of  Crucifi>don ;  and  pour  out  his  Soul  in  Agonies,  if 
ever  fuch  TranfgrefTors  are  pardoned. 

How  vaft  is  that  Debt;  which  all  the  Weakh  of  both 
the  Indies  cannot  difcharge  !  How  vitiated  that  Habit  of 
Body ;  which  all  the  Drugs  produced  by  Nature  her- 
felf,  cannot  redlify!  But  how  much  more  ruined  was 
thy  Condition,  O  my  Soiil !  how  much  more  heinous 
were  diy  Crimes  !  Since  nothino-  lefs  than  the  SufFerinss 
and  Death  of  MeiTiah,  the  Son  of  God,  and  radiant 
Image  of  his  Glory,  could  <Ziit€\:  thy  Recovery,  or  can- 
cel tl\y  Iniquity. — Though,  perhaps;  thou  art  not  funk 
fo  very  deep  in  Pollution,  as  fom^e  of  the  moft  aban- 
doned Profligates;  yet  remember  the  inefl:imable  Ran- 
fom,  paid  to  redeem  thee  from  everlafting  Defl:ru(5lion. 
Remember  this;  and  "  never  open  thy  Mouth  any 
^^  more  *,"  either  to  murmur  at  the  Divine  Chafliifements, 
or  to  glory  in  thy  own  Attainments.  Remember  this ; 
and  even  "  loath  thyjilf  f  for  the  Multitude  of  thy  Pro- 
^^  vocations,"  and  thy  great  Bafenefs. 

guc.ge  is  To  eloquervt  as  this  Silence.  Words  could  not  pofTibly  have  ex- 
preired,  in  fo  emphaiical  a  Manner,  the  dreadful  Nature  of  the  Talk  ; 
the  ahfolute  Inability  of  any  or  all  Creatures  to  execute  it;  the  fuper- 
eminent  and  matchlefs  Lo^e  of  the  Eternal  Son,  in  undertaking  the  tre- 
mendous Work;  not  only  without  Reludlance,  but  unfought  and  un- 
implored ;  with  Readinefs,  Alacrity,  and  Delight.  Paradifc  Lojt^ 
Book  III.  Line  209.  Edit.  Bt  ntl. 

*  Ezck.  xvi.  63.  f  Ezck.  xxxvi.  31. 

X  4  O.N'CE 


3!i  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Once  more;  Let  me  view  this  beautiful,  this  mag- 
nificent Expanfc  ;  and  conceive  fome  jufler  Apprehen- 
fions  of  the  unknown  Richnefs  of  my  Saviour's  Atone- 
ment.— I  am  informed  by  a  Writer,  who  cannot  mifrake, 
that  the  Kigh-Prieil  of  My  Profefiion,  who  v/as  aifo  the 
Sacrifice  for  my  Sins,  is  higher  than  the  Heavens  *  ; 
more  exaked  in  Dignity,  more  bright  with  Glory,  than 
all  the  heavenly  Manfions,  and  all  their  illuftrious  Inha- 
bitants. If  my  Heart  was  humbled,  at  the  Confidera- 
tion  of  its  excefiive  Guilt ;  how  do  ail  my  drooping 
Powers  revive,  at  this  dehghtful  Thought  ?  The  poor 
Criminal  that  feemed  to  be  tottering  on  the  very  Briniy 
of  the  infernal  Pitt ;  is  raifedy  by  fuch  a  Behef,  even  to 
the  Portals  of  Paradlfc.  My  Self-abafement^  I  truft, 
will  always  continue  j  but  my  Fears,  under  the  Influence 
of  fuch  a  Convidcion,  are  quite  gone  j-.  I  do  not,  I 
cannot  doubt  the  Efficacy  of  this  Propidation.     IVhile  I 

'     *  Heb.  vii.  26. 

f  I  am  forry  to  find,  that  fome  of  my  Readers  were  a  little  difgufted 
at  this  Expreflion,  **  My  Fears  are  quite  gone. ^'  As  thinking,  it  difco- 
vjsred  a  Tindure  of  Arrogance  in  the  Writer,  and  tended  to  difcou- 
rage  the  weak  Chriftian.  But,  I  hope,  a  more  mature  Conlideration 
will  acquit  me,  ^rom  both  thefe  Charges.— For,  what  has  the  Author 
faid?  Only,  that  at  f oiv.q  peculiaj-fy  /-appj  Moments,  when  the  Holy 
Gholl  bears  Witnefs  of  Christ  in  his  Heart,  and  He  is  favoured 
with  a  Glimpfe  of  the  Redeemer's  matchlefs  Excellency — that,  in  thefe 
brighter  Inter^uals  of  Life,  his  trembling  Fears,  with  regard  to  the  de- 
cifive  Sentence  of  the  great  Tribunal,  are  turned  into  pleafmg  Expec- 
tations. And  what  is  there  in  luch  a  Declaration,  offenhve  to  the 
Jiriclejfi  Mgdefty,  or  difpiriting  to  the  'weahji  Believer  ?  Inftead  of 
creating  Difcouragement,  it  points  out  the  Way  to  obtain  a  fettled 
Tranquillity.  Its  natural  Tendency  is,  to  engage  tjieferious  Mind  in 
a  more  conftant  and  attentive  Meditation,  on  the  unknown  Merits  of 
the  Divine  MEDIATOR.  And  were  ^^e  more  thoroughly  ac- 
quainted, more  deeply  affected,  with  liis  unutterable  Dignity  ;  I  am 
perfuadcd,  ouruneafy  Apprehenfions  ys;Q\i\A proportionably  vaniih  ;  our 
Faith  be  ellabiifncd,  our  Hones  brightened,  andour  Joys  inlarged. 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS. 


313 


fee  a  Glimpfe  of  its  matchleis  Excellency ;  and  'vmly 
believe  myfelf,  interefled  in  its  Merits ;  I  know  not  wliat 
it  is,  to  feel  any  mifgiving  Sufpicions ;  but  am  ftedfall 
in  Faith,  and  joyful  through  FI ope. 

Be  my  Iniquities  like  Debts  of  Millions  of  Talents, 
here  is  more  than  full  Payment  for  ail  that  prodigious 
Sum.  Let  the  Enemy  of  Mankind,  and  Accufer  of  the 
Brethren,  load  me  with  Inve6lives ;  this  one  Plea,  A 
Divine  Redeemer  diedy  moll  thoroughly  quafhes  every 
Indidlment.  For,  though  there  be  much  Turpitude, 
and  manifold  TranlgrelTions,  "  there  is  no  Condemna- 
^'  tion  to  thofe  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus." — Nay,  were 
I  chargeable  with  all  the  vilefb  Deeds,  which  have  been 
committed  in  every  Age  of  the  World,  by  every  Na- 
tion of  Men  ;  even  in  thismoft  deplorable  Cafe,  I  need 
not  fink  into  Defpair.  Even  fuch  Guilt,  though  griev- 
ous beyond  all  ExprefTion,  is  not  to  be  compared  with 
that  Abundance  of  Grace  and  Righteoufnefs,  which  dwell 
in  the  incarnate  Divinity. — How  great,  how  tranfcen- 
dently  glorious,  are  the  Perfe^fions  of  the  adored  Je- 
hovah !  So  great,  fo  fuperlatively  precious,  is  the  Ex- 
-piation  of  the  dying  Jesus.  'Tis  impoflible  for  the  hu- 
man Mind  to  exalt  this  Atonement  *,  too  highly;  'tis 
impofTible  for  the  humble  Penitent,  to  confide  in  it, 
too  fteadily.     The  Scriptures,  the  Scriptures  of  eternal 


*  This  Doftrine,  though  rich  with  Canfolation  to  the  ruined  Sinner; 
yet,  is  it  not  likely  to  open  a  Door  for  Licentioufnefs ;  and  embolden 
Tranfgrefrors  to  profecute  their  VICES? — No  :  It  is  the  moll  power- 
ful Motive  to  that  genuine  Repentance,  \v\i\z\iJloi.<js  from  an  unfeigned 
Love  of  God  ;  and  operates  in  a  hearty  Dctcftation  of  all  Sin.  One, 
who  knew  the  unmeafurable  Goodnefs  of  the  Lord,  and  was  no 
Stranger  to  the  finful  Perverfenefs  of  our  Nature,  fays,  There  is  Mercy 
ivith  thee:  THEREFORE /«//  thou  be  feared.  Pfal.  cxxx.  4.— Words, 
full  to  my  Purpofe  ;  which  at  once  add  the  higheji  Autiiority  to  tiiis 
Sentiment,  and  dired  our  Minds  to  its  proper  Influence,  and  due  Im- 
|)rovement. 

Truth, 


314  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Truth,  have  faid  it  (exult,  my  Soul,  in  the  Belief  of 
it!)  that  the  Blood  on  v/hich  we  rely,  is  God's  oivn 
Bleed  * ',  and  therefore  all-fufficient  to  expiate,  omnipo- 
tent to  fave. 

DAVIDi  that  egregious  Sinner,  but  more  exem- 
plary Saint,  feems  to  have  been  well  acquainted  with 
this  comfortable  Truth.  What  elfe  can  be  the  Import 
of  that  very  remarkable,  but  moft  devout  Declaration  ? 
Thou  jhalt  purge  me  f  'Vjith  Hyjfop,  and  I  jhall  he  clean : 
thou  ft) alt  ivafij  me,  and  I  ftoall  he  whiter  than  Sno%v. — "  I 
"  have  been  guilty,  I  maitl  confefs,  of  die  mofl  compli- 
*'  cated  and  Ihocking  Crimes :  Crimes,  inflamed  by 
*'  every  aggravating  Circumftance,  v/ith  regard  to 
^'  Myfeif,  my  Neighbour,  and  my  God.  My/elf ^  who 
"  have  been  bleifed  above  Men,  and  the  diitinguifhed 
*^  Favourite  of  Providence  ;  tny  Neighbour ,  who,  in  the 
*'  moit  dear  and  tender  Interefts,  has  been  irreparably 
*^  injured;  my  GO  By  who  might  juilly  exped  the 
"  mofc  gratefal  Returns  of  Duty,  infliead  of  fuch 
*'*'  enormous  Violations  of  his  Law.  Yet,  all  horrid 
"  and  execrable  as  my  Offence  is,  it  is  nothing  to  the 
*'  faperabundant  Merit  of  that  great  Redeemer ^  who  was 
"  promifed  from  the  Foundation  of  the  World  j  in 
"  whom  all  my  Fathers  trufted ;  who  is  the  Hope  of 
*^  all  the  Ends  of  the  Earth.  Tliough  my  Confcience 
*'  be  more  loathfome,  with  adulterous  Impurity,  than 
"  the  Dunghill ;  though  Treachery  and  Murder  have 
"  rcnd.cred  it  even  black  as  the   Gloom   of  Hell;  yet, 

*  Ads  XX.  2S. 
t  P/A.  li.  7.  Tbou /halt purge.  "I  prefer  this  Trandatlon,  before 
the  new  one.  Becaufe  this  fpeaks  the  Language  of  a  more  iledfaft  Be- 
lief, and  gives  the  higheA  Honour  to  the  Divine  Goodneis.  Were  the 
"Words  intended  to  bear  no  more  than  the  common  petitionary  Senfe  ; 
and  not  to  be  expreffive  of  a  noble  PUrophsry  of  Faith ;  they  would 
rather  ku^e  been  u^isrj  and  UD2D  Imperatives,  not  Futures. 

3  *'  waihed 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  315 

*^  wafhed  in  the  ^  Fountain  opened  for  Sin  and  for 
**  Uncleannefs  */  I  ihall  be-^I  fay  not,  pure  only, 
"  this  were  a  Difparagement  to  the  Efficacy  of  my 
"  Saviour's  Death ;  but  I  fhall  be  fair  as  the  Lily^  and 
*^  wliite  as  the  Snow,  Nay,  let  me  not  derogate  from 
*'  the  glorious  Objeft  of  my  Confidence ;  cleanfed  by 
*^  this  fovereign  fandifying  Stream,  I  fhall  be  fairer 
"  than  the  full-blown  Lily,  whiter  than  the  new-fallen 
"  Snows." 

POWER,  faith  the  Scripture,  helcngeth  unto  GOD  f . 
•—And  in  what  majefbic  Lines,  is  this  Attribute  of  Je- 
hovah written,  throughout  the  whole  Volume  of  the 
Creation  ?  Efpecially,  through  thofe  magnificent  Pages, 
unfolded  in  yonder  flarry  Regions.  Which  are  there- 
fore ililed  by  the  fweet  and  feraphic  Singer  of  I/rael, 
"  The  Firmament  of  his  Power  J.'*  Becaufe  the  grand 
Exploits  of  Omnipotence  are  there  diiplayed,  with  the 
utmoil  Pomp  i  and  recorded,  in  the  moil  legible  Cha- 
raders. 

Who,  that  looks  upward  to  the  midnight  Sky;  and, 
with  an  Eye  of  Reafon,  beholds  its  rolling  Wonders ; 
who  can  forbear  enquiring.  Of  wbaf  were  thofe  mighty 
Orbs  formed? — Amazing  to  relate  !  They  were  pro- 
duced without  Materials.  They  fprung  from  Empti- 
nefs  itfelf.  The  llately  Fabric  of  univerfal  Nature 
emerged  out  of  Nothing, — Wliat  Inftrurnents  v/ere  ufed 
by  the  Supreme  Archite(51:,  to  fafhion  the  Parts  with 
fuch  exquifite  Nicenefs,  and  give  f^  beaudful  a  Polifli 
to  the  whole  ?  How  was  all  connefted  into  one  flnely- 
proportioned,  and  nobly- fmirned  Strudture  ? — A  hare 
Fiat  accomplifhed  all.  Let  them  be,  faid  God.  He 
added  no  more ,  and  immediately  die  marvellous  Edi- 

*  Zech.  xiii.  1.  f  Pfal.  Ixii.  u.  %  Pfal.  cl.  1. 

fice 


5i6  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

iice  arofe;  adorned  with  every  Beauty;  difplaying  innu- 
merable Perfedions,  and  declaring,  amidfl  enraptured 
Seraphs,  its  great  Creator's  Praile.  "  By  the  IVord  of 
^'  die  Lord  were  tht  Heavens  made,  and  all  the  Hoft 
f'  of  them  by  the  Breath  of  his  Mouth  *.'' — What 
forceful  Machinery jf.v^ifome  of  thofe  ponderous  Globes, 
on  an  immoveable  Bafis  ?  What  irrefifiible  Impulfe 
howled  others,  through  the  Circuit o of  the  Heavens? 
What  coerfivc  Energy  cGnfiyied  their  impetuous  Courfes, 
within  Limits  aftoniiliingly  large,  yet  mofl  minutely 
true? — Nothing  but  his  Jovereign  Will.  For  all  Things 
were  at  firft  conflituted,  and  all  to  this  Day  abide,  ac- 
cording to  his  Ordinance. 

Without  any  toilfome  AlTiduity  or  laborious  Pro- 
cefs,' — to  raife — to  touch — to  /peak  fuch  a  Multitude 
of  immenfe  Bodies  into  Being — to  launch  them  through 
the  Spaces  of  the  Sky,  as  an  Arrow  from,  die  Hand  of 
a  Giant — to  imprefs  on  fuch  unwieldy  MafTes  a  Mo- 
tion, far  out-ftripping  the  Swiftnefs  of  the  winged  Cre- 
ation \ — and  to  continue  them  in  the  fame  rapid  Whirl, 

for 

*  If  this  Thought  is  admitted  a  Second  Time,  and  fuffered  to  en- 
noble the  next  Paragraph ;  it  is  partly,  becaufe  of  its  unequalled 
Sublhni^y\  partly,  becaufe  it  awakens  the  mo&.  gra?id  Ide^i  of  creating 
Power;  and  partly,  becaufe  the  Pradice  of  the  Pfalmijiy  an  Authority 
too  great  to  be  controverted,  is  my  Precedent. — The  beautiful  Stanza 
quoted  flom  PfaL  xxxiii.  6.  is  a  Proof,  how  thoroughly  the  Royal 
Poet  entered  into  the  Majelly  of  the  Mo/aic  Narration.  The  Repeti- 
tion of  the  Sentiment,  'ver.  g,  intimates,  how  peculiarly  he  was 
charmed,  with  x\ydt/io6/e  Manner,  of  defcribing  the  Divine  Operations. 
While  the  Turn  of  his  own  Compoution  fhews,  how  perfedly  he 
poiTeffcd  the  fame  ele^-vatei^.  Way  of  thinking.  And  this,  long  before 
Longrrius  wrote  the  celebrated  Treatife,  which  has  taught  the  Heathen, 
as  well  as  the  ChriHian  World,  to  admire  the  Dignity  of  the  Jeivijh 
Legifla tor's  Stile.  Vid.  Longix.  ^^  Sublim.  Seft. IX. 

t  To  give  one  IniUnce  of  this  Remark, — The  Earth,  in  thp  diurnal 
Revolution,  which  it  performs  on  its  ov.n  Axis,  nvbirls  about  at  the 
Eate  of  above  a  Thoufand  Miles  an  Hour.     And  as  the  great  Orbit, 

whicJii 


THE    STARRY    HEAVEN^.  317 

for  Thoiifands  and  Thoufands  of  Years — What  an 
amazing  Inftance  of  infinite  Might  is  this ! — Can  any 
thing  be  impofllble  to  the  Lord,  the  Lord  God  ;  the 
Creator  and  Controller,  of  all  the  Ends  of  the  Earth, 
all  die  Regions  of  the  Univerfe  ?  Rather,  is  not  all 
that  we  count  dijficult,  perfect  Eafe  to  that  glorious  Be- 
ing, who  only  ipake,  and  the  World  was  made  *"?  Who 
only  gave  Command,  and  the  flupendous  Axle  was 
lodged  fall,  the  lofty  Wheels  moved  complete  ? — What 
a  fure  Defence,  O  my  Soul,  is  this  everlafting  Strength 
of  thy  God  !  Be  this  thy  continual  Refuge,  in  the  Article 
of  Danger;  this  thy  never-faiLng  Refourcey  in  every 
Time  of  Need. 

What  cannot  this  uncontroulable  Power,  of  the  great 
Jehovah,  effed  for  his  People?  Be  their  Miferies  ever 
fo  galling,  cannot  this  God  relieve  them  ?  Be  their 
Wants  ever  fo  numerous,  cannot  this  God  fupply  them  ? 
Be  their  Corruptions  within,  ever  fo  inveterate  ;  or  their 
Temptaticns  without,  ever  fo  importimate ;  cannot  this 
mighty,  mighty  God  fubdue  the  former,  and  fortify, 
them  againfl  the  latter? — Should  Trials y  with  an  in- 
ceflant  Vehemence,  fift  thee  as  Wheat ;  ^o\MTrihula- 
ticuy  with  a  Weight  of  Woes,  almofl  grind  thee  to 
Powder;  fhould  Tleajure  v/ith  her  bewitching  Smilesy 

which  it  defcribes  annually  round  the  Sun,  is  reckoned  at  540  Mil- 
lions of  Miles,  it  mull  troruel  near  a  Million  and  Half,  each  Day. — 
What  a  Force  Tv:-i^  be  requifite,  to  protrude  fo  vaft  a  Globe:  and 
wheel  it  on,  loaded  as  it  is  with  huge  Mountains,  and  ponderous 
Rocks,  at  fuch  a  prodigious  Degree  of  Rapidity!  It  furpafles  human 
Conception! — How  natural,  how  pertinent,  how  almoU  neceflary,  after 
fuch  an  Obfervation,  is  the  Acknowledgement  made  by  holy  Job!  I 
h:o~jj-  that  Tkou  canji  do  every  'Thbig^  and  that  no  Thought,  no  ima- 
/inablc  Scheme,  can  be  n:'jth-holdcn  from  thee,  can  lie  beyond  thy  Power 
■^o  execute.     Chap.xlii.  2. 

*  Pfal.  xxxiil.  9, 

iblicit 


^,g  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

j(Micit  thee  to  delicious  Ruin ;  yet  "  hold  thee  fafl  by 
««  God,"  and  lay  thy  Help  upon  Him,  that  is  omni- 
potent *.  Thou  canfl  not  be  involved  in  fuch  calamitous 

*  It  is  a  mofl  charming  Defcription,  as  well  as  a  mofc  comfortable 
Promife,  which  we  find  in  Ifa.  xl.  29,  3.0,  31. — He  gi-veth  Potver  to 
the  Feeble  ;  and  to  them  that  hwve  no  Might  at  all.  He  not  only  impart- 
eth,  but  increafeth  Strength ;  making  it  to  abound,  where  it  did  not  To 
much  as  exift. — Without  this  Aid  of  Jehovah,  e-usn  the  7'ouths,  amidli: 
the  very  Prime  of  their  Vigour  and  Adlivity,  Jhall  beco7ne  Imzgidd  in 
their  Work,  and  <vjeary  in  their  Courfe.  And  the  young  Men,  to  whofe 
Refolution  and  Abilities  nothing  feemed  imprafticable,  fiallnot  only 
not  fucceed,  but  Kiterly  '/ally    and  mifcarry  in  their  various  Enter- 

pjM^es Whereas,  they  that  'ivait  upon  the  LORD,  and  confide  in  his 

Grace,  ftiaU  prefs  on,  with  a  generous  Ardor,  from  one  Degree  of  re- 
ligious Improvement  to  another.  Inftead  of  exhaufnng,  tY.ty  Jhall  re- 
Tie^xv  their  Stre^igth  ;  Diinculties  fhall  animate,  and  Toil  invigorate 
them.  They  Jhall  mount  up,  as  ivith  foaring  Wings,  above  all  Oppo- 
fition ;  they  fhall  be  carried  tlirough  every  Difcouragement,  as  Eagles 
cleave  the  yielding  Air.  Tbeyf/sall  run,  with  Speed  and  Alacrity,  the 
Way  of  God's  CommandmentG,  and  not  he  <^veary :  They  Jhall  holu  on^ 
l\'^'> pragredientur,  carpcnt  iter)  with  Conflancy  and  Perfeverance,  in 
thofe  peaceful  Paths,  a:ni  net  faint ;  but  arrive  at  the  End  of  their  Pro- 
grefs,  and  receive  the  Prize  of  their  High  Calling. 

To  this  moft  chearing  Dodlrine,  permit  me  to  add  its  no  lefs  beau- 
tiful and  delightful  Ccntraji.  Elipha^,  fpeakmg  of  the  Enemies  of  the 
Righteous,  fays — \^r:>'\>  nnDJ  «V — which  is  rendered  by  a  great  Critic 
in  facred  Learning,  I^lihil  excifum  faftio  nobis  ad^ver/aria — We  fhould 
reckon,  our  Language  acquitted  itfeif  tolerably  well,  if,  when  depre- 
ciating the  Abilities  of  an  Adverfary,  it  fhould  reprefent  them  weak  as 
xkit  JcorchedThread,  feeble  as  the  dijohing  Smoke.  But  thefe  are  cold 
Forms  of  Speech,  compared  with  the  Eloquence  of  the  Eafl.  Accord- 
ing to  the  Genius  of  our  Bible,  All  the  Potv^r  that  oppofes  the  Godly,  i: 
a  mere  Nothing;  or,  to  fpeak  with  a  more  emphatical  Air  of  Cor., 
tempt,  a  dejiroyed,  an  extirpated  Nothing. — Admire  this  ExprefTion,  ye 
that  are  charmed  with  daring  Images,  and  (what  Tully  calls  ^oerhvm 
ardens)  a  fpirited  and  glowing  Diflion.— Remember  this  Declaration, 
ye  that  nght  the  good  Fight  of  Faith.  The  united  Force  of  all  your 
Enemies,  be  it  ever  fo  formidable  to  the  Eye  of  Flcfh,  is,  before  youi* 
Almighty  Guardian,  Nihil  nihilijftmum ,  not  only  Nothing,  but  lefs 
than  ?icthing,  and  Vanity,     y^^xxii.  20. 

Circum- 


TII£    STARRY    HEAVENS.  319 

CIrcumilances,  or  expofcd  to  iuch  imminent  Peril ;  but 
thy  God,  whom  thou  ferveft,  is  able  to  deliver  thee, 
from  the  one,  and  to  fupport  thee  under  the  other. — 
Tojiipp07't!  to  ddiver!  Let  me  not  diihonour  the  un- 
limited Greatnefs  of  his  Power.  He  is  able  to  exalt 
Thee,  from  the  deeped  Diftrefs,  to  the  moft  trium- 
phant Joy  ;  and  to  make  even  a  Complication  of  Evils, 
work  together  for  thy  everlafting  Good.  He  is  able, 
not  only  to  accornplifh  what  I  have  been  fpeaking,  but 
to  do  exceeding  abundantly  above  all  thai  we  can  ajky  cr 
think  *. 

O  !  THE  wretched  Condition  of  the  Wicked,  v/ho  have 
this  Lord  of  all  Pov/er  for  their  Enemy!  O!  the  def- 
peratc  Madnejs  of  the  Ungodly,  who  provoke  the  Al- 
mighty to  Jealoufy! — Befotted  Creatures  !  are  you  able 
to  contend  with  your  Maker,  and  enter  the  Lifts  againft 
incenfed  Omnipotence  ?  Can  you  bear  the  Fiercenefs  of 
his  Wrath,  or  fufbain  the  Vengeance  of  his  lifted  Arm  ? 
At  his  Prefence,  though  av/fully  ferene,  the  Hills  m.ek 
like  \¥ax,  and  the  "  Mountains  Hiip  like  frighted 
"  Lambs."  At  the  leaft  Intimation  of  his  Difpleafure, 
the  Foundations  of  Nature  rock,  and  the    '*^  Pillars  of 

*  I  lliould,  in  this  Place,  avoid  fwelliiig  the  Notes  any  farther, 
was  it  not  to  take  Notice  of  the  inimitable  Paflage  quoted  above,  and 
to  be  found  Eph.  iii.  20. — Which,  if  I  do  not  greatly  miftake,  is  the 
moil  complete  Reprefentation  of  Divine  Power,  that  it  is  pofiible 
for  Words  to  frame. — To  do  all  that  our  Tongues  can  ajk,  is  a  Miracle 
o'i  Might.  But  v/e  often  think  more  than  we  can  exprefs,  and  are 
actuated  with  *'  Gronnings unutterable.^''  Yet,  to  anfwer  thefe  vail  De- 
fires,  is  not  beyond  the  Accomplifliment  of  our  heavenly  Father.—- Nay, 
to  make  his  Gifts  and  his  BleiTmgs  commenfiirate  ta  the  largejl  Stretch 
of  human  Expectations,  is  a  fmall  Thing  with  the  God  of  Glory.  He 
is  able  to  do  ako've  all,  that  the  mod  enlarged  Apprehenfion  can  ima- 
gine ;  yea,  to  do  abundantly  more,  exceeding  ahunda77tly  mere,  than  the 
Mind  itfelf,  in  the  utmoft  Exertion  of  all  its  Faculties,  is  capable  of 
nvijbingy  or  knows  hov,-  to  concei-i-e. 

^^  Heaven 


JIO 


CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 


"  Heaven  tremble/*  How  then  can  a  withered  Leaf 
endure,  when  "  his  Lips  are  full  of  Indignation,  and 
"  his  Tongue  as  a  devouring  Fire?" — Or  can  any  thing 
Jcreen  a  guilty  Worm,  v/hen  the  great  and  terrible  God 
fhall  whet  his  jittering  Swordy  and  his  Hand  take  hold  on 
inexorable  Judgment?  When  that  Handy  which  fhoots 
the  Planets,  MafTes  of  excefnve  Bulk  *,  with  fuch  fur- 
prifing  Rapidity,  through  the  Sky :  that  Handy  which 
darts  the  Comets  to  fuch  unmeafurable  Difliances,  be- 
yond the  Orbit  of  our  remotefl  Planet,  beyond  the  Pur- 
fuit  of  the  ilrongefl:  Eye:  when  that  Hand  is  flretch- 
ed  out  to  punifh,  can  the  Munition  of  Rocks,  the  In- 
tervention of  Seas,  or  even  interpoiing  Worlds,  divert 
the  Blow  ? — Confider  this.  Ambition  ;  and  bow  thy 
haughty  Creil.  Confider  this,  Dijobedience  \  and  bend 
tky  Iron  Sinew.  OI  confider  this,  all  ye  that  forget, 
or  affront,  t!\?Jt  tremendous  Jehovah,  He  can,  by  a 
iingle  A6l  of  his  Will,  lay  the  Univerfe  in  utter  Ruin  : 
and  can  He  want  Power  to  bring  youy  in  a  Moment,  m 
^\t  Twinkling  of  an  Eye,  to  the  Dull  of  Death,  or  to 
the  Flames  of  Hell  ?  He  has — I  lay  not,  Teh  thoufand 
Lightnings  to  fcorch  you  to  Afhes ;  Ten  thoufand  Thun- 
ders to  cruili  you  into  Atoms ;  but,  v/hat  is  unlpeakably 
more  dreadful — He  has  an  Army  of  Terrors,  even  in  the 
Lock  of  his  angry  Countenance.  His  very  Frown  is 
Vorfe  than  Defrrudiion. 


*  One  of  the  Planets  [Saturn)  isfuppofed  to  be  more  than  90  Times, 
as-  big,  as  the  Globe  on  which  we  live.  According  to  the  fame  Cal- 
culation, the  largell  of  the  Planets  [Jtipitcr)  is  above  2CO  Times  vafler^ 
than  this  vail  Collection  of  fpacious  Foreils,  towering  Mountains,  ex- 
tenfive  Continents,  and  boundlefs  Oceans. — Such  enormous  Magni- 
tude! winged  with  fuch  prodigious  Speed! — It  raifes  Afloniihment. 
beyond  ExprelTion. — IViih  GOD  is  terrible  Majejly  I  Jobxxxni.  22. — ■ 
V/ho  pall  not  fear  THEE,  O  LORD,  a?id  gkrify  thj  Namei 
Rev,  XV,  4. 

I  CANNOT 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS;  321 

1  CANNOT  difmils  this  Subjeft,  without  admiring  the 
Patience  of  the  blclled  God.  Who3  though  lb  llrong 
and  powerful,  yet  "  is  provoked  every  Day."-^Surely> 
as  is  his  Majefty,  fo  is  his  Mercy;  his  Pity  altogether 
Commenfurate  to  his  Power.  If  1  vilify  but  the  Name 
of  an  earthly  Monarch  -,  I  lofe  my  Liberty,  and  am 
confined  to  the  Dungeon^  If  I  appear  in  Arms,  and 
draw  the  Sword,  againft  rhy  national  Sovereign ;  my 
Life  is  forfeited,  and  my  very  Blood  will  fcarce  atone 
for  the  Crime.  But  Thee  I  have  diHionoured,  O! 
thou  King  immortal  and  invifible  !  Againfl  Thee  my 
Breaft  has  fomented  Jecret  Difaffe5fion  -,  my  Behaviout 
has  rifen  up  in  open  Rebellion ;  and  yet  I  am  fpared, 
yet  I  am  preferved.  Inflead  of  being  banifhed  from 
thy  Prefence ;  I  fit  at  thy  Table,  and  am  fed  from  thy 
Hand.  Inflead  of  purfuing  me  with  Thunder-bolts  of 
Vengeance,  thy  Favours  furround  me  on  every  Side. 
That  Arm,  that  injured  Arm,  which  migl;t  juftly  fall, 
with  irretrievable  Ruin,  on  a  Traitor*s  Head  5  is  moft 
gracioufly  llretched  out,  to  carefs  himj  with  the  tender- 
eft  Endearments ;  to  cherifh  him,  with  every  Inftanc^ 
of  parental  Kindnefs. — O  !  thou  mightieft,  thou  l;)eft  of 
Beings,  how  am  I  pained  at  my  very  Soul,  for  fuch 
fliameful  and  odious  Difingenuity  !  Let  me  alv/ays  abo- 
minate myfelf,  as  the  bafeft  of  Creatures  j  but  adorj^ 
that  unwearied  Long-fuffering  of  thine,  wlrlch  refufes  to 
be  irritated ;  love  that  unremitted  Goodnefs,  which  n9 
Ads  of  Ingratitude  could  ftop,  or  fo  much  as  check, 
in  its  gracious  Current.  O  !  let  this  ftubborn  Heart ; 
\vhich  Duty  could  not  bind ;  which  Threatenings  could 
not  awe  -,  be  the  Captive,  the  "willing  Capive^  of  fuch 
triumphant  Beneficence. 

I   HAVE  often  been  ftruck  with  Wonder  at  that  Al- 
mighty Skill,  which  weighed  the  Mountains  in  Scales, 

Y  and 


522  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

and  the  Hills  in  a  Balance;  -wKidi proporlioned t\v^  Wa- 
ters in  the  Hollow  of  its  Hand,  and  adjufled  the  Difft 
of  die  Earth  *  by  a  Meafure.  But  how  much  more 
marvellous  is  that  magnificent  (Economy,  yj\-\\c\\  poifed 
the  Stars,  with  inexprefTible  Nicety,  and  mcfed  out  the 
Heavens  with  a  Span  !  Where  all  is  prodigioiifly  vaft-; 
immenfely  various ;  and  yet  more  than  mathematically 
exa6t.  Surely,  the  W'ljdom  of  God  manifefcs  itfelf  in 
the  Skies,  and  iliines  in  thofe  lucid  Orbs.  Shines  on 
the  contemplative  Mind,  v/ith  a  Luflre  incomparably 
brighter,  than  that  which  their  united  Splendors  tranfmit 
to  the  Eye. 

.Behold  yonder  countlefs  Multitude  of  Globes;  con- 
fider  their  amazing  Magnitude;  regard  them  as  the 
Sovereigns  of  fo  many  Syftems,  each  accompanied  with 
his  planetary  Equipage.  Upon  this  Suppofition,  what 
a  MuitipHcity  of  mighty  Spheres,  muft  be  perpetually 
running  their   Rounds,  in   the   upper   Regions !    Yet, 

*  Ifa.xX.  12.  The  Duji  of  the  Earth,  in  this  fublime  Scripture, 
fignifies  the  dry  Land,  or  folid  Part  of  our  Globe.  Which  is  placed 
in  ContradiftintSlion  to  the  whole  Colleftion  o^  fluid  Matter,  men- 
tioned in  the  preceding  Chiufe. — Perhaps,  this  remarkable  Expref- 
.  iion  may  be  intended  to  intimate,  not  only  the  extreme  Nicenefs, 
whicli  ftated  the  Dimenfions  of  the  V/orld  in  general,  or  in  the 
grofs  ;  but  alfo  ih^X. parti ciJar  Exaclnefs,  with  which  the  very  fmalleil: 
Materials,  that  conftitute  its  Frame,  (not  excepting  each  individual 
Atom,)  were  calculated  and  difpofed. — q.  d.  'Tis  a  fmall  Thing  to 
fay.  No  fuch  enormous  Redundancies,  as  unneceflary  Ridges  of  Moun- 
tains, were  fuffered  to  fabfift.  There  was  not  fo  much  as  the  leail 
Grain  of  Sand  fuperjluoiis ,  or  a  fmgle  Particle  of  Dull  def.cient. — • 
As  the  grand  Aim  of  the  Defcrlption  is,  to  celebrate  the  confumrnats 
Wijdom,  exemplified  in  the  Creation ;  and  to  difplay  that  fcrfe-^t 
Pi'oportion,  with  which  every  Part  tallies,  coincides,  and  hartnonizcs, 
with  the  Whole;  1  have  taken  Leave  to  alter  the  Word  of  our 
Englijh  Tranflation  comprehcjid,  and  introduce  in  its  Stead  a  Term, 
equally  faithful  to  the  Ihhrd's,  and  more  fignificatlve  of  the  Prophet's 
prccife  Idea. 

none 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS.  323 

none  miflake  their  Way,  or  "Ji^ander  from  the  Goal ; 
though  they  pafs  through  tracklefs  and  unbounded 
P'ields.  None  Jiy  ojf  from  their  Orbits,  into  extrava- 
gant Excurfions  ;  none  frejs  in  upon  their  Centre,  with 
too  near  an  Approach.  None  interfere  with  each  other 
in  their  perennial  Paflage  ;  or  intercept  the  kindly  Com- 
munications of  another's  Influence  *.  But  all  their 
Rotations  proceed  in  eternal  Harmony  ^  keeping  fuch 
Time,  and  obferving  fuch  Laws,  as  are  mofl  exquifite- 
ly  adapted  to  the  Perfe-clion  of  the  Whole. 

While  I  contemplate  this  "  excellent  Wifdom, 
^^  which  made  the  Heavens,"  and  attunes  all  their  Mo- 
tions ;  how  am  I  aballied  at  that  Mixture  of  Arrogance 
and  Folly,  which  has,  at  any  Time,  inclined  me  to 
murmur  at  thy  Dijpenjations,  O  Lord  !  What  is  thi^, 
but  a  Sort  of  implicit  Treafon  againfl  thy  Supremacy ; 
and  a  tacit  Denial  of  thy  infinite  Underftanding  ? — 
Hafb  Thou  fo  regularly  placed  fuch  a  v/onderful  Diver- 
fity  of  Syllems,  through  the  Spaces  of  the  Univerfe  ? — 
Didfl  Thou,  without  any  probationary  Ellays,  with- 
out any  improving  Retouclies,  fpeak  them  into  the  moil 
confummate  Perfedtion  ^. — Dofc  Thou  continually  fu- 
perintend  all  their  Circumftances,  with  a  Sagacity  that 
never  miftakes  the  minuted:  Tittle  of  Propriety  ?  And 
ihall  I  be  fo  unaccountably  flupid,  as  to  queftion  the 
Juftnejs  of  thy  Bijcernmenty  in  '^  c hoofing  my  Inherit- 
"  ance,  and  fixing  the  Bounds  of  my  Habitation  !"-— 
Not  a  fmgle  Erratum,  in  modelling  the  Stru<jl:ure  ;  de- 
termining the  Diftancef;  and  condufling  the   Career 

of 

*  The  Interception  of  Light,  by  means  of  an  Eclipfe,  happens 
very  rarely.  And  then  is  of  (o  fiort  ^  Continuance,  as  not  to  be  ai  all 
inconvenient.  Nay,  it  is  attended  with  fuch  Circumjlances,  as  render 
it  rather  ufeful,  than  prejudicial. 

f  The  Sun  in  particular  (and  let  this  ferve  as  a  Specimen  of  that 
moil  curious  Exadtnefs-,  with  which  the  other  celeilia]   Bodies  are 

Y  2  ccnilltutsd. 


324  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

of  unnumbered  Worlds !  And  fhall  my  peevifh  Humour 
prefume  to  cenfure  thy  Interpofition,  with  regard  to  the 
Affairs  of  one  inconfiderable  Creature ;  whofe  Stature, 
in  fuch  a  comparative  View^  is  lefs  than  a  Span  -,  and 
his  prefent  Duration^  little  more  than  a  Moment  ? 

O  !  Thou   God,  "  in  whofe  Hand  my  Breath  is, 
"  and  whofe  are  all  my  Ways,-'  let  fuch  Sentiments  as 
now   pofTefs   my  Thoughts,    be   alv/ays   lively  on  my 
Heart !  Thefe  lliall  compole  my  Mind  into  a  chearful 
Acquiefcence,  and  a  thankful  SubmifTion  j  even  when 
Afflictions  gall  the  Senfe,  or  Difappointmcnt  break  my 
Schemes.     Then  fliall  I,  like  the  grateful  Patriarch  *, 
in  all  the  Changes  of  my  Condition,  and  even  in  the 
Depths  of  Diftrefs,  ere6l  an  Altar  of  adoring  Refigna- 
tion  ;  and  infcribe  it  with  the  Apoftle's  Motto ^  To  GOD 
ONLY  WISE.     Then,  fhouldft  Thou  give  me  Leave  to 
be  the  Carver  of  my  own  Fortunes,  I  would  humbly 
defire  to  relinquifh  the  Grant,  and  recommit  the  Difpo- 
fal  of  myfelf  to  thy  unerring  Beneficence.     Fully  per- 
fuaded,  that  thy  CounJels\  though  contrary  to  my  fro- 
ward  Inclinations,  or  even  afflictive  to  my  Flefh ;  are 
incomparably  more  eligible,  than  the  blind  Impulfe  of 
my  own  Will,  however  foothing  to  animal  Nature. 

On  acarelefs  Infpe6tion,  you  perceive  no  Accuracy 
or  Uniformity  in  the  Pofition  of  the  heavenly  Bodies. 
They  appear  like  an  illuftrious  Chaos  \  a  promifcuous 

conftituted,  and  all  their  Circumftances  regulated)  the  Sun  is  formed 
of  fuch  a  determined  Magnitude,  and  placed  at  fuch  a  convenient 
Diftance — '*  as  not  to  annoy,  but  only  refrefli  us,  and  nourifh  the 
*'  Ground  with  its  kindly  Vv'^armth.  If  it  was  larger^  it  would  fet 
**  the  Earth  on  Fire ;  \i /mailer ^  it  would  leave  it  frozen.  If  it  was 
**  nearer  us,  we  iliouldbe  fcorched  to  Death;  if  farther  from  us,  we 
"  (hould  not  be  able  to  live  for  Want  of  Heat." 

Stack  house'/  Hijhry  cf  the  Bible. 

*  See  Gen,  xii.  7,  8. 

Heap 


THE     STARRY    HEAVENS.  325 

Heap  of  ililning  Globes ;  neither  ranked  in  Order,  nor 
moving  by  Line. — But,  what  Jeents  Confiifion,  is  all 
Regularity.  What  carries  a  Show  of  Negligence,  is 
really  the  Refuk  of  the  moll  maflerly  Contrivance. 
You  think,  perhaps,  they  rove  in  their  aerial  Flight ; 
but  they  rove  by  the  niceit  Rule,  and  without  the  lead 
Error.  Their  Circuits,  though  feemingly  devious ; 
their  Mazes,  though  intricate  to  our  Apprehenfions  *; 
are  marked  out,  not  indeed  with  golden  CompafTes,  but 
by  the  infinitely  more  exad:  Determinations  of  the  all- 
wife  Spirit. 

So,  what  wears  the  Appearance  of  Calamity,  in  the 
Allotments  appointed  for  the  Godly,  has  really  the  Na- 
ture of  a  BlefTing.  It  ifTues  from  fatherly  Love,  and 
will  terminate  in  the  richeft  Good.  If  Jofeph  is  fnatch- 
ed  from  the  Embraces  of  an  indulgent  Parent,  and  aban- 
doned to  Slavery  in  a  foreign  Land ;  it  is  in  order  to 
fave  the  holy  Family,  from  perifliing  by  Famine  ;  and 
to  preferve  ''  the  Seed,  in  whom  all  the  Nations  of  the 
"  Earth  fhould  be  blefied."  If  he  falls  into  the  deepeil 
Difgrace,  it  is  on  purpofe  that  he  may  rife  to  the  higheft 
Honours.  Even  the  Confinement  of  the  Prifon,  by  the 
unfearchable  Workings  of  Providence,  opens  his  Way 
to  the  Right-hand  of  the  Throne  itfelf — Let  the  moft 
aHiidled  Servant  of  Jesus,  wait  the  final  Upfhot  of 
Things.  He  v/ill  then  difcover  the  apparent  Expediency 
of  all  thole  Tribulations  ;  which  now,  perhaps,  he  can 
hardly  admit,  without  Relu6lance  ;  or  fuffer,  without 
fome  Stiiiggles  of  DifTatisfaftion.  Then,  the  gulliing 
Tear,  and  the  heaving  Sigh,  will  be  turned  into  Tides  of 
Gratitude,  and  Hymns  of  holy  Wonder, 


-Mazes  intricate, 


Eccentric,  intervolv'd  ;  yet  regular 

Then  moil,  when  moft  irregular  they  Teem.         Milt. 

Y  3  In 


3;6  CONTEMPLATIONS     C  N 

In  the  mean  Time,  let  no  audacious  Railer,  pre- 
fumptuoufly  impeach  the  Divine  Procedure ;  but, 
adoring  where  we  cannot  comprehend,  let  us  exped  the 
Evoliitwi  of  the  myfterious  Plan.  Then,  lliall  every  Eye 
perceive  j  that  the  feeming  Labyrinths  of  Providence, 
were  the  mofc  direri;  and  compendious  Way;  to  effect  his 
general  Purpofes  of  Grace,  and  to  bring  about  each 
One's  particular  Happinefs*. — Then,  alfo,  fiiall  it  be 
clearly  fhewn,  in  the  Prefence  of  applauding  Worlds  \ 
Why,  Virtue  pined  in  Want,  while  Vice  rioted  in  Af- 
fluence. Vv^hy,  amiable  Innocence  fo  often  dragged  \kit 
dungeon  Chain,  while  horrid  Guilt  trailed  the  Robe  of 
State.— That  Day  of  univerfal  Audit,  that  Day  of  ever- 
iafling  Retribution,  will  not  only  vindicate,  but  magnify^ 
the  whole  Management  of  Heaven.  The  auguil  SefTions 
fhall  clofe  with  this  unanim^ous,  this  glorious  Acknow- 
ledgment :  "  Though  Clouds  and  Barknejs,  impenetra- 
^^  ble  by  any  humian  Scrutiny,  were  fometimes  round 
*'  about  the  fupreme  Condu6tor  of  Things ;  yet  Right e- 
"  oujnejs  and  Judgment  were  the  conftant  Habitation  of  his 
*^  Seat  ■\  y  the  invariable  Standard  of  all  his  Adminiftra- 
"  tions."- — Thus  (if  I  may  illuftrate  the  grandeil  Truths, 
by  inferior  Occurrences)  while  we  view  the  Arras,  on 
the  Side  of  leajl  Idifiin^lion,  it  is  void  of  any  elegant 
Fancy ;  without  any  nice  Strokes  of  Art ;  nothing  but 
a  confufcd  Jumble  of  incoherent  Threads.  No  fooner 
is  the  Piece  beheld  in  its  proper  A/peufy  but  the  fufpe6ted 
Rudenefs  vanifnes,  and  the  moil  curious  Arrangement 

*  The  Moral  World, 


Which,  though  to  Us  it  feems  embroil'd,  moves  on 
In  higher  Order ;  fitted,  and  impell'd 
By  WifdQm\  fineft  Hand,  and  iflliing  ail 
In  gen'ral  Good. 

Thoms.  IVlnt.  I  586.  laft  Edit. 

f  Pfal  xcvii.  2. 

takes 


THE    STAx^RY     HEAVENS.  327 

takes  place.  We  are  charmed  with  Defigns  of  the  fineft 

Tafte,  and  Figures  of  the  moil  graceful  Form.     All  is 

fliaped  with  Symmetry  ^  all  is  clad  in  Beauty. 
♦ 

The  Goodnejs  of  God  is  moil  eminently  difplayed  in 
the  Skies. — Could  we  take  an  underflanding  Survey,  of 
whatever  is  formed  by  the  Divine  Architect,  throughout 
the  whole  extent  of  material  Things ;  our  Minds  would 
be  tranlported  with  their  Excellencies,  and  our  Tongues 
echo  back  that  great  Encomium,  They  are  "  good, 
"  very  good  *."  Moft  beautiful  j-  in  themfelves ;  con- 
trived by  unerring  Wifdom^  and  executed  with  inimit- 
able Skill.  Moll  tfcful  f  in  their  Functions  -,  exactly 
fitting  the  Places  they  fill,  and  completely  anlV/cring 
the  Purpoles,  for  which  diey  were  intended. — All  the 
Parts  of  the  inanimate  Creation  proclaim,  both  by  the^rr 
intrinfic  and  relative  Excellencies,  the  all-diffufive  Be* 
neficencc  of  their  Maker. 

How  much  more  wonderful  are  the  Pifplays  of  Di- 
vine Indulgence,  in  the  Worlds  of  Life !  Becaufe,  dead 
Matter  is  incapable  of  Delight  ,•  therefore,  the  gracious 
Creator  lias  railed  innumerable  Ranks  o^ perceptive  Ex,- 
iftence.  Such  as  are  qualified  to  tafte  his  Bounty,  and 
enjoy  each  a  Happinefs  luited  to  its  peculiar  State.  With 
this  View,  He  furnillied  die   Regions  of  inferior  Na- 

*  Gep.  i.  31, 

f  f  This  y.aXoca^/aOta  of  the  Univerfe,  and  all  its  Parts,  has  been 
very  highly,  and  veryjullly  extolled,  by  the  ancient  Inquirers  into  Ka-. 
ture.  And  was,  indeed,  an  illuflrious  Scene,  fpread  before  the  Sages 
of  the  Heathen  Wo^fld:  wherein  to  contemplate  the  Goodnefs,  and 
the  Glories,  of  th?  Supreme  Being. — It  was  nobly  faid,  by  a  Pagan 
Philofopher,  on  this  Occafion  :  Eij  i^iS\ol  uCa,Qxri^rtv:ci  tov  O-ot  u.%7,>.ivioc 
SyijAmfysiv.  That  GOD,  -.vhen  I.K  undertooli  the  Work  of  Creation y  tranf- 
formed Himfelf  into  Love. — But  he  need  not  transform  Himfelf  into  this 
amiable  Principle ;  for  ^'GcTd  is  J^oye."  And  was  much  more  nobly 
faid  by  One,  whom  that  Philofopher  would  have  termed  a  Barbarian. 
I  John  iv.   S. 

Y  4  ture^ 


328  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

turc,  with  an  Order  and  a  Series  of  fenfitive  Beings. 
The  IVaters  teem  with  Shoals  of  finny  Inhabitants.  The 
dry  Land  fwarms  v/ith  Animals  of  every  Order.  The 
Dwellings  of  the  Firmament^  are  occupied  by  Multitudes 
of  winged  People.  Not  fo  much  as  a  green  Leaf,  Phi- 
lofophers  fay,  but  lodges,  and  accommodates,  its  puny 
anlmacule  Tenants  *. — -And  wherefore  this  Diverfity, 
this  Profufion  of  living  Creatures  j  flying  the  Air,  tread- 
ing the  Ground,  and  gliding  through  the  Paths  of  the 
Sea  ?  For  this  moil  glorious  Reafon— That  the  eternal 
Sovereign  may  exercife  his  fuperabundant  Goodnefs  i 
that  his  Table  may  be  furniflied,  with  Millions  and  Mil- 
lions, of  Guefls ;  that  he  may  fillj,  every  Hour,  every 
Moment,  their  Pviouths  with  Food^  or  their  Hearts  with 
Gladnefs. 

But,  what  a  fmall  Theatre  are  three  or  four  Elements^ 
for  the  Operations  of  Jehovah's  Bounty !    His  mag- 

*  A  very  celebrated  Poet,  in  a  beautiful  Paragraph  on  thisSubjedl, 
informs  his  Readers ;  That  all  Nature  fwarms  with  Life.  In  fubter- 
ranean  Cells,  the  Earth  heaves  with  vital  Motion.  Even  the  har4 
Stoncy  in  the  very  inmoil  Receffes  of  its  impenetrable  Citadel,  holds 
Multitudes  of  animated  Inhabitants.  The  Pulp  of  mellow  Fruit,  and 
all  the  Produftions  of  the  Orchard,  feed  the  invifible  Nations.  Each 
Liquid,  whether  of  acid  Talle,  or  milder  Relifh,  abounds  with  various 
Forms  of  fenfitive  Exiilence,  Nor  is  the  pure  Stream,  or  tranfparent 
Jir,  without  their  Colonies  of  unfeen  People.— In  which  Conflitution 
of  Things,  we  have  a  wonderful  Inftance,  not  only  of  the  Divine 
Goodnefs  to  thofe  minute  Beings,  in  giving  them  a  Capacity  for  animal 
Gratifications ;  but  of  his  tender  Care  for  Mankind,  in  making  theni 
hnperceptible  to  our  Senfes, 

.  .' —  Thefe,  conceal'd 
By  the  kind  Art  of  forming  Heav'n,  efcape 
The  grolTer  Eye  of  Man :  For,  if  the  Worlds 
In  Worlds  inclos'd  fhould  on  his  Senfes  burft; 
From  Cates  ambrofial,  and  the  net^ar'd  Bowl, 
He'd  turn  abhorrent  j  and,  in  dead  of  Night, 
When  Silence  deeps  o'er  all,  be  ftunn'd  with  Noife. 

Thomson *i  dimmer* 

nificent 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS. 


3«5> 


niilGent  Liberality,  fcorns  fuch  fcanty  Limits.  If  you 
afk,  Wherefore  has  He  created  all  Worlds^  and  reple-^ 
nifhed  them  with  an  unknown  Multiphcity  of  Beings  j 
rifing,  one  above  another,  in  an  endlefs  Gradation  of 
ftill  richer  Endowments,  and  ftill  nobler  Capacities  ? 
I'he  Anfwer  is — For  the  Manifeftation  of  his  pwn  Glory, 
and  efpecially  for  the  Communicafion  of  his  inexhauflible: 
Beneficence  *. — The  great  Creator  could  propofe  na 
Advantage  to  Himfelf.  His  Blifs  is  incapable  of  any 
Addition.  ^^  Before  the  Mountains  were  brought  forth, 
'"  or  ever  the  Earth  and  the  World  were  made/'  He 
was  fupremely  happy,  in  his  own  independent  and  all- 
fufficient  Self,  His  grand  Defign^  therefore,  in  ereding 
fo  many  {lately  Fabrics  ^  and  peopling  them  with  fo 
many  Tribes  of  Inhabitants  ;  was.  To  transfuje  his  exu- 
berant Kindnefs,  and  impart  FeHcity  in  all  its  Forms. 
Ten  Thoufand  Worlds,  flocked  with  Ten  thoufand 
Times  Ten  thoufand  Ranks,  of  fenfitive  and  intelligent 
Exifhence,  are  fo  many  fpacious  Gardens ;  which,  with 
Jlivers  of  communicated  Joy,  this  ever-flowing  Foun- 
tain waters  continually. 

Boundless  I,  and  (which  raifes  our  Idea  of  this  Di- 
vine Principle,  to  the  very  highefl  Degree  of  Perfedlion) 
difinterefled  f  Munificence  !  How  inexpreffibly  amiable  is 

the 

^  A  facred  Writer,  confidering  this  delightful  Subjeft ;  and  con- 
fining his  Obfervation,  within  the  narro^x}  LwiUs.  of  his  own  Country; 
cries  out,  with  a  Mixture  of  Amazement  and  Gratitude  ;  Hou;  great  is 
his  Goodnefsy  andhonx)  great  is  his  Beauty  /—Who  then  can  forbear  being 
loft  in  Wonder,  and  tranfported  with  Deljght ;  when  he  extends  his 
Survey,  to  thofe  infinitely  more  copious  Communications  of  Divine 
Bounty ;  which,  like  falutary  and  refrefhing  Streams,  run  through  alj 
Worlds ;  and  make,  not  only  the  little  (^alleys  of  a  fingle  Kingdom, 
\)\xt  the  Immerifity  of  Creation  laugh  andjlng?  Zech.  ix.  17. 

f  f  In  this  Senfe,  There  is  none  good,  but  One,  that  is  GOD.  None 
jmiverfally  and   elTentially  good.     None,  vv^hofe  Goodnefs  extends 

itfelf; 


330  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

the  blefTed  God,  conficiered  in  this  charming  Light !  h 
it-pofTible  to  conceive  any  Excellence,  fo  adorable  and 
lovely  J  as  infinite  Benevolence,  guided  by  unerring  Wif- 
dom,  and  exerting  Almighty  Power,  on  purpofe  to  make 
a  whole  Univerle  happy  ?— O  my  Soul,  what  ^n  irre- 
fiftihle  Attraulive  is  here !  What  a  moil  worthy  Objed, 
for  thy  mofl  fervent  Affedion  !  Shall  now  every  glitter- 
ing Toy,  become  a  Rival  to  this  tranfcendantly  benefi- 
cent Being,  and  rob  Him  of  thy  Heart  ? — No.  Let 
his  all-creadng  Arm  teach  thee,  to  trull  in  the  Fulnefs 
of  his  Sufficiency : — Let  his  all-fuperintending  Eye  in- 
cline thee,  to  acquiefce  in  the  Difpenfations  of  his  Pro- 
vidence : — And  let  his  Bounty ;  fo  freely  vouchfafed  ;  fo 
amply  diffufcd ;  induce  thee  to  love  Him,  with  all  the 
Ardour  of  a  grateful  and  admiring  Soul  \  induce  thee  to 
Jcrve  Him,  not  with  a  joylefs  Awe,  or  flaviih  Dread, 
but  with  unfeigned  Alacrity,-  and  a  delightful  Compla- 
cency. 

If  the  Goodnefs  of  God  is  fo  admirably  feen,  in  the 
Works  of  Nature,  and  the  Favours  of  Providence  y  with 
what  a  noble  Superiority,  does  it  even  trhwiphy  in  the 
My  fiery  of  Redemption  *  /    Redemption  is  the  brightell 

Mirror, 


itfelf,  in  an  InHnitc  Va-kty  of  Bleflings,  to  dnjery  capable  Obje(n; ;  or, 
vho  always  difpenies  hi?  Favours,  from  ih^  fole  Principle  oi  free  and 
dilintei-cfted  Benevolence. 

*  In  this,  and  in  other  Parts  of  the  Conte?npIafio7is,  the  Reader  will 
obferve:  That  the  Attributes  of  the  Dei  t  y  are  reprcfcnted,  as  lliining, 
with  more  diftinguilhed  Luftre,  in  the  Wonders  oi  Redemption y  than  in 
the  Works  of  Creation,  l^  fuch  Remarks  iliould  feem  to  be  unprece- 
dented, or  to  ftand  in  Need  of  a  Vindication ;  permit  me  to  fubjoin 
the  Sentiments  of  a  great  Critic,  equally  verfed  in  botb  thofe  fublime 
Thepries. — **  In  a  perfedl  Orator,  He,  fays  TuUjy  requires  fome  Skill 
"  in  the  Nature  of  heavenly  Bodies ;  becaufe,  his  Mind  will  beconm 
**  more  extenfive  and  unconfincd ;  and,  when  he  defcends  to  treat  of 
*'  humim  Affairsj  lie  will  feoth  think  and  write  in  a  more  exalted  ^nd 

*''  magni- 


THE     STARRY    HEAVENS.  331 

Mirror,  in  whicli  to  contemplate  this  mofb  lov*Iy  Attri- 
bute of  the  Deity.  Other  Gifts,  are  only  as  Mites  from 
the  Divine  Treafury ;  but  Redemption  opens,  I  had  al- 
moft  faid  exhaufls,  all  the  Stores  of  Indulgence  and  Grace. 
Herein, '  "  God  cGmmendeth  his  I.ove  *  :  not  only  ma- 
nifeils,  but  fets  it  off,  as  it  were,  with  every  bright  and 
grand  Embellilhmcnt :  manifeils  it  in  fo  ilupendous  a 
Manner,  that  it  is  beyond  Parallel ;  beyond  Thouo-ht ; 
"  above  all  Bleffingand  Praife." — Was  He  not  thy  Scn^ 
Everlaflring  God,  thy  only  Son ;  the  Son  of  thy  Bofom 
from  eternal  Ages  ;  the  higheft  Obje6t  of  thy  compla- 
cential  Delight  ?  Was  not  thy  Love  to  this  adorable 
Son,  incomparably  greater  than  the  tendereft  AfFecflion 
of  Any,  or  the  united  Affections  of  All,  mortal  Parents  ? 
Was  not  the  bleffed  Jfsus  more  illuftrious  in  Excellen- 
cy, than  all  Angels  -,  more  exalted  in  Dignity,  than  all 
Pleavens?  Yet  didft  thou  refign  Him,  for  poor  Mor- 
tals !  for  vile  Sinners! — Couldfl  thou  fee  him  defcend, 
from  his  Royal  Throne ;  and  take  up  his  Abode,  in  tlie 
fordid  Stable?  See  him  forego  the  Homage  of  the  Sera- 
phim ;  and  (land  expofed  to  the  reproachful  LidignitieSy 
of  an  inlblent  Rabble  ;  See  Him  arraigned  at  tlie  Bar, 
and  fentenced  to  Death ;  numbered  with  Malefadors, 
and  nailed  to  the  Gibbet ;  bathed  in  his  own  innocent 
Blood,  and  pouring  out  his  Soul  in  Agoni-es  of  Sorrow  ? 
— Could  the  Fadier,  the  Father  himjelf,  with  unknown 
Philanthropy  f,  fay?  "  It  fhall,  it  fhall,  be  fo!  My  Pity 
**  to  rebellious  Man  pleads,  and  prevails.  Awake,  there - 

**  magnificent  Manner.  For  the  fame  Reafon,  that  excellent  Maftor 
"  would  have  recommended  the  Study  of  thofe  great  and  glorious 
"  Myfteries,  which  Revelation  has  difcovered  to  Us ;  tv  ivhich  the 
*'  tiobhji  Parts  of  this  Syjletn  of  the  World  are  as  much  inferior,  as  the 
*•  Creature  is  lefs  txcelknt  than  the  Creator.^''  Sped.  Vol.  VIH.  N*'  6ll» 

*  Rom.  V.  8. 

f  Philanthropy,  that  i;,  Loving-kindnef^  to  Man. 

"  fore. 


332  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

*^  fore,  O  Sword  *,  edged  with  divine  Wrath.  Awake  ;' 
"  and  be  Iheathed  in  that  hnmaculate  Breaft  ;  pierce  that 
"  dearly  beloved  Heart.  I  am  content,  th.at  my  Son  en- 
''  dure  the  Sharpnefs  of  Death,  rather  than  fmful  Mor- 
*'  tals  perifh  for  ever." — Incomprehenfible  Love  !  May 
it  henceforward,  be  the  favourite  Subjedt  of  my  Medita- 
tion y  more  deUghtful  to  my  mufmg  Mind,  than  Applaufe 
to  the  ambitious  Ear  1  May  it  be  the  darling  Theme  of 
my  Dijcourje  j  fweeter  to  my  Tongue,  than  the  Drop- 
pings of  the  Honeycomb  to  my  Tafte  !  May  it  be  my 
cJioLceft  Comfort^  dirough  all  the  Changes  of  Life  ;  and 
fiiy  reviving  Cordial^  even  in  the  laft  Extremities  of  Dif-. 
folution  itfelf  1 

A  PROPHET  contemplating,  with  a  diftant  Survey, 
tills  unexampled  Inilance  of  Almighty  Love,  is  wrapt 
into  a  Tranfport  o(  Devotion.  At  a  Lofs  for  proper  Ac- 
knowledgments, he  calls  upon  the  whole  Univerfe  to  aid 
his  labouring  Breail,  and  fupply  his  Lack  of  Praife, 
Sing  melodioujiy,  ye  vaulted  Heavens  ;  exult y  and  even  leap 
for  Gladnejsy  thou  cumberous  Earth ;  ye  Mountains,  break 
your  long  Silence,  and  hurjl  into  Peals  of  loudeft  Accla- 
mation f  ',  for  the  Lord,  by  this  precious  Gift,  and  this 
great  Salvation,  hath  comforted  his  People.-. — K  f acred  Hif- 


*  Zech.  xiii.  7. 

f  I/a.  xlix.  M.— I  have  not  adhered  to  our  common  Tranflatlon, 
bat  endeavoured  to  prefcrve,  fomewhat  more  faithfully,  the  noble  Pa- 
thosy  and  inimitable  Energy,  of  the  facred  Original. — The  Love  of 
Go  D,  manifefted  in  a  Divine  and  dying  Saviour,  is  a  Blefling  of  fuch 
Inconceivable  Richnefs ;  as  muil  render  all  AcknowiedgmentSj^^sr/,  and 
all  Encomiums /rt/'/^/v/V/.  Yet,  I  think,  the  moil  poetical  and  moll  em- 
phatical  Celebration  of  that  unfpeakable  Inilance  of  Goodnefs^  is  con- 
tained in  this  rapturous  Exclamation  of  the  Prophet.  Which  inti- 
mates, with  a  wonderful  Majefty  of  Sentiment,  that  even  the  whole 
Compafs  of  the  inanifnate  Creation  ;  could  it  be  fenfible  of  the  Benefit, 
and  capable  of  Delight ;  would  exprefs  its  Gratitude,  in  all  thefe  De- 
monllrations  of  the  moll  lively  and  exuberant  Joy. 

torian 


THE    STARRY     HEAVENS.  533 

torian  hath  left  it  upon  Record  ;  that,  at  the  firft  Exhi- 
bition of  this  ravifhing  Scene,  there  was  with  the  Angel, 
who  brought  the  blefTed  Tidings,  a  Multitude  of  the 
heavenly  Holl ;  praifing  God,  and  making  the  Concave 
of  the  Skies  refound  with  their  Hallelujahs.  At  the 
Dawn  of  the  Sun  of  Rightcoufnefs,  when  He  was  be- 
ginning to  rife  with  Heahng  in  his  Wings,  the  Morning 
Stars  fang  together,  and  all  the  Sons  of  GOB  fliouted  for 
Joy. — And  fhall  Man,  whom  this  gracious  Difpenfation 
principally  refpeds  ;  fliall  Man,  who  is  the  Centre  of  all 
thefe  gladdening  Rays ;  lliall  He  have  no  Heart  to  adore, 
no  Anthem  to  celebrate.  This 

Lo^ve  without  End,  and  without  Meajure  Grace  ? 

Milt, 

How  pure  is  the  State  of  the  Sky,  and  how  clear  its 
Afpe6t  !  Clearer  than  the  limpid  Stream  -,  purer  than 
the  tranfparent  Cryftal ;  and  more  curioufly  fine,  than 
the  polifhed  Mirror.  Th^t  flately  deling ;  fretted  with 
Gold,  and  ftretched  to  an  Extent  of  many  Millions  of 
Leagues  ;  is  not  disfi2;ured  with  a  fingle  Flaw.  That 
azure  Canopy  ;  embroidered  with  Stars,  and  fpacious 
enough  to  form  a  Covering  for  unnumbered  Worlds  ^ 
is  without  the  leail  Spot  or  Wrinkle.— Yet  this,  even 
this,  will  fcarce  yield  us,  fo  much  as  a  faint  Reprefen- 
tation  of  the  Divine  Purity,  God,  is  the  God  of  match- 
lefs  and  tranfcendent  Excellency.  His  Ways  are  Up- 
rightnefs  itfelf.  His  Counfels  and  Words  are  the  very 
Sandlity  of  Wifdom  and  of  Truth.  The  Laws,  whicli 
he  has  given  to  univerfal  Nature  j  are  exquifitely  con- 
trived, and  beyond  ail  Poflibility  of  Improvement.  The 
Precepts,  which  he  has  appointed  for  the  human  Race  ; 
are  a  complete  Summary,  of  all  that  is  honourable  in 
-itfelf,  and  perfective  of  the  rational  Mind. — Not  the 
'kail  Overfight,  in  planning  a  Series  of  Events  for  all  Fu- 

turitv. 


534  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

turlty.  Not  the  leafc  Mal-adminiflration,  in  managing 
the  Affairs  of  every  Age,  fince  Time  began  ;  and  of 
every  Nation,  under  tlie  whole  Heavens. — Pardon  thefe 
difparaging  ExprefTions.  A  negative  Perfedion  is  far, 
far  beneath  thy  Dignity,  O  Thou  mofi  lilghefi  *.  In  all 
thefe  Infiances ;  in  all  thy  Acts,  and  all  thy  Attributes  ; 
Thou  art  not  only  holy,  but  '^  glorious  in  Holinefs,"' 

So  inconceivably  holy  is  the  Lord  God  of  Hofls, 
that  he  fees  Defilement  even  in  the  Brightnefs  of  the  Fir- 
mament. The  living  Sapphire  of  the  Heavens,  before 
his  Majefty,  lofes  it  Luftre.  Tea,  the  Stars  (though  the 
mofl  pure  and  refplendent  Part  of  the  Heavens)  are  not 
pure,  in  his  Sight,  Hew  much  lejs  Man,  who  in  his  fallen 
and  depraved  State,  is  but  as  a  M^orray  that  crawls  in  the 

*  0  Thou  mojl  Highejl. — This  Ex'preffion  occurs  more  than  once,  in 
the  Pfalms  ufed  by  the  Eftabliflied  Church.  It  is,  I  think,  one  of 
thofe  Beauties  ;  which,  becaufe  often  exhibited,  generally  efcape  our 
Notice.  It  is  ^..Sziperlatizie  formed  on  a  Superlative  ;  and,  though  not 
flridly  conformable  to  grammatical  Rules,  is  nobly  fuperior  to  them 
all. — The  Language  feems  to  be  fenfible  of  its  own  Deficiency  :  when 
the  incomprehenfible  J  e  ho  v  a  h  is  addreffed,  or  celebrated.  OppreiTed, 
as  it  were,  with  the  Glories  of  the  Subject,  it  labours  after  a  more  em- 
/^<2//r^/ Manner  of  Difti on,  than  the  ordinary  Forms  of  Speech  afford. 
— It  is,  if  I  rightly  judge,  one  of  thofe  daring  and  happy  Peculiari- 
ties of  a  mafterly  Genius,  which  Mr.Pop  e  fo  finely  deicribes ;  and, 
while  he  defcribes,  exemplifies : 

Great  Wits  fometimes  may  glormif.y  offend. 
Add  rife  to  Faults  true  Critics  dare  not  mend  ; 
From  vulgar  Bounds  with  brave  Diforder  part. 
And  fnatch  a  Grace  beyond  the  Reach  of  Art. 

EJjay  on  Critzc(/?n. 

St.  Paul*s — ly.wxiTQtr^oq  ccTsylttJv  Tojv  ayiccy — is  a  beautiful  PafTage  of  the 
like  Nature.  Vv'hich  our  Tranflators  have  very  properly  rendered  ; 
Lefs  than  the  leaji  cf  all  Saints. — His  -croAAw  y.aX7.ov  xoua-crov  is  another 
Inilance  of  the  fame  Kind.  But  here  the  Englijh  Verfon  fails.  -  Far 
better \^  ^^xxtmzXy  fiaccid,  compared  with  the  ner-vous  Original.  Andl 
greatly  queftion,  whether  it  is  poflible  to  tranflate  the  Sentence,  with 
equal  Concifenefs,  and  with  equal  Spirit.  ^QcEph.  iii.  S.  Phil.  i.  23. 

I  COX- 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  33:; 

corrupted  Carcafe  ;  and  the  Son  of  Man^  who,  by  reafon 
of  his  manifold  a(5liial  Impurities,  is  too  juflly  compared 
to  an  InfdLf,  that  wallows  amidfl  Stench  and  Putrefac- 
tion *  ? — Is  there  not  tlien  abundant  Caufe,  for  the  mofl 
irreproachable  and  eminent  of  Mankind,  to  renounce  all 
arrogant  Pretenfions ;  to  lay  afide  every  alTuming  Air  ; 
to  take  nothing  but  Shame  and  Confufion  to  diemfelves  ? 
A  holy  Prophet,  and  a  holy  Prince,  felt  fuch  humbling 
Impreflions,  from  a  Glimpfe  of  the  uncreated  Purity. 
I  abhor  myjelf  in  Dnft  and  Apes  f,  was  the  Declaradon  of 
the  one  :  I  am  a  Man  of  unclean  Lifs  :];,  tlie  Confcfuon  of 
the  other. — Sliotild  not  this  teach  us  all,  to  adore  the 
Divine  Mercies,  for  that  precious  purifying  Fountain  §. 

*  Job  XXV.  5,  6.  I  fubmit  It  to  the  Judgment  of  the  liearned.  Whe- 
ther this  is  not  the  true  Meaning  of  the  Text. — It  may  not,  perhaps, 
recommend  itfelf  to  the  fqueamijhly  nice  Critijj;  or  to  thofe  Perions 
v/ho  dream  of,  I  know  not  what,  Dignity  in  our  fallen  Nature.  But 
it  feems,  in  Preference  to  every  other  Interpretation, yI//<^^/f  to  the  fa- 
cred  Context  ;  and  is  far,  far  from  being  uijuviom  to  the  Chara^lerof 
that  apoitate  Race,  whicK  is  "  altogether  become  abominable,"  and 
•'  is  as  an  unclean  Thing." — On  this  Supporition,  there  is  not  only  an 
apparent,  but  a  very  ftriking  Contrail,  between  the  Purity  of  Goo, 
and  the  Pollution  of  Man.  The  Purity  of  the  moil  high  Go  d,  which 
outfhines  the  Moon,  and  eclipfes  the  Stars ;  the  FoUuiion  of  degenerate 
Man,  which  exclufive  of  a  Saviour,  would  render  him  as  loathfome  to 
the  all-feeing  Eye,  as  the  vilefl:  Vermin  are  in  ours. — Without  alTign- 
ing  this  Senfe  to  the  Paffage,  I  cannot  difcern  the  Force  of  the  AhU- 
thefis,  nor  indeed  the  Propriety  of  the  Sentiment.  Worms,  in  the  ge- 
neral, give  us  an  Idea  ^{Mcannefs  yo^Al'^fumity  ;  not  of /)f/f/';?;r?z/ and 
Impurity.  Unlcfs  they  are  Infe<fts,  hatched  amddft  Putrefa(5lion,  and 
confidered  in  fuch  noifome  Circamilances. — The  two  Words  of  the 
Original,  nD"i  and  ni?/^,n  are  evidently  nfed  in  this  Signification,  by 
Mcfes  and  Ifaiah.  Ey  the  former,  to  denote  the  Vermin,  which  de^- 
voured  the  putrefied  Manna  ;  by  the  latter,  to  exprefs  the  Reptiles, 
\\hich  Avarm  in  the  Body  that  fees  Corruption.  Exod.  xvi.  20.  Ija. 
xiv.  II. 

f  Job  xlii.  6.  X  ^^^'  ^'^'  S- 

§   In  that  Day  there  fimll  he  a  Fountain  opened  to  the  Hcu/e  ^David,  and 
to  the  Inhabitants  c/Jprufalem,/rr  Sin  and  llKdec.n.e/s.     Zech.  xiii.  I. 

which 


536  CONTEMPL  ATIO-NS    ON 

which  was  foretold  from  the  Foundation  of  the  World ; 
but  was  opened  at  that  awful  jun6turc5  when  knotty 
Whips  tore  the  Flefh  -,  When  ragged  Thorns  mangled 
the  Temples ;  when  iharpened  Nails  cut  frefh  Sluices 
for  the  crimfon  Current ;  when  the  Gafh  of  the  Spear 
compleated  the  dreadful  Work,  and  forthwith  flo'Wed 
therCy  from  the  wounded  Heart,  Blood  and  Water  ? 

Especially,  fmce  God  himfelf  faw  no  Blemifh  in 
his  dear  Son,  He  looketh  to  the  Moony  and  it  Jhineth  'not : 
yet  his  all-penetrating  and  jealous  Eye,  difcerned  nothing 
amifs,  nothing  defedlive,  in  our  glorious  Redeemer. 
Nothing  amifs  ?  He  bore  this  moft  illuftrious  Teftimo-- 
ny,  concerning  his  holy  Child  Jesus  :  "  In  Him  1  am 
"  plea/ed  -,  I  am  well  pkafed  -,  I  acquiefce,  with  intire 
*^  Complacency,  and  wi-th  the  higheft  Delight,  in  his 
**  Perfon ;  his  Undertaking ;  and  the  whole  Execution 
"  of  his  Office." — How  ihould  this  Thought,  enliven 
our  Hopes  -,  while  the  other,  mortifies  our  Pride  ?  Should 
not  our  Hearts  Ipring  within  us,  and  even  leap  for  Joy ; 
at  the  repeated  AfTurance  given  us  by  Revelation,  That 
fuch  a  divinely  excellent  Perfon  is  our  Mediator  ?  What 
apparent  Reafon  has  every  Believer,  to  adopt  the  bleffed 
Virgin's  Exclamation !  "  Aly  Soul  doth  magnify  the  LORD 
"  for  his  tranfcendent  Mercy;  and  my  Sprit  rejoices  y  not 
*^  in  wide  extended  Harveils,  v^a^ving  over  my  fertile 
"  Glebe  *  ;  not  in  Armies  vanquiflied,  and  leaving 
"  the  peculiar  Treafure  of  Nations  for  my  Spoil*. 
*^  but  in  an  infinitely  richer,  nobler  BlefTing,  even  in 
^^  GOD  my  Saviour.'" — Tliat  a  Perfon  fo  fublimx  and 
perfefl,  has  vouchfafed  to  become  my  Su?-ety  :  to  give 
Himfelf  for  my  Ranfonty  in  the  World  belov/ ;  and  act 

*  *  The  Infpired  Penman,  from  thefc  Two  Occafions  of  diftinguidi- 
ed  Joy,  fets  forth  the  incomparably  greater  Dcli^.t,  which  arifes  from 
the  Gift  of  a  Saviour,  and  the  Blelung  of  Redemption.  I/a.  ix.  <ver. 
3.  compared  with  ^er.  6. 

8  .  as 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS.  3-37 

as  my  Advocate,  in  the  Royal  Prefence  above  :  yea,  to 
make  7ny  Recovery,  the  Reward  of  his  Sufferings ;  my 
final  Felicity,  the  Honour  of  his  mediatorial  King- 
dom! 

When  an  innumerable  Multitude  *  of  Bodies,  many 
of  them  more  than  a  Hundred  Thoiijand  Miles  in  Dia- 
meter f,  are  all  fet  in  Motion: — when  the  Orbits,  in 
which  they  perform  their  periodical  Revolutions,  are 
extended  at  the  Rate  of  feveral  Hundreds  of  Millions : 
— when  each  has  a  diftin5l  and  feparate  Sphere,  for 
finiHiing  his  vail  Circuit: — when  no  one  knows,  what 
It  is  to  be  cramped ;  but  each  mofl  freely  expatiates,  in 
his  unbounded  Career: — when  every  one  is  placed,  at 
fuch  an  hmnenje  Remove  from  each  other  j  that  they  ap- 
pear to  their  refpe6live  Inhabitants,  only  as  fo  many 
Spots  of  Light: — How  aflonifhing  muft  be  the  Ex- 
panfe,  which  yields  Room  for  all  thofe  mighty  Globes, 
and  their  widely-diffufed  Operations !  To  what  prodi- 
gious Lengths,  did  the  Almighty  Builder  flretch  his 
Line,  when  he  marked  out  the  flupendous  Platform  ! 
— I  wonder  at  fuch  an  immeafurable  Extent.  My  very 
Thoughts  are  loft,  in  this  Abyfs  of  Space.  But,  be 
it  known  to  Mortals  ;  be  it  never  forgot  by  Sinners ; 
that,  in  all  its  moft  furprifing  Amplitude,  it  is  Jmall,  it 
is  Jcanty,  compared  with  the  Bounty  and  the  Mercy  of 
its  Maker. 


*  This  refers,  not  only  to  the  Planets  which  pafs  and  repafs  about 
our  Sun,  but  alfo  to  the  other  Planetary  Worlds,  which  are  fuppofed 
to  attend  the  feveral  fixed  Stars. 

f  The  Diameter  0^  Jupiter  is  calculated  at  130650  Miles,  while 
his  Orbit  is  reckoned  to  confift  of  895,134,000.  Which  Computa- 
tion, according  to  the  Maxims  of  Artronomy,  and  the  Laws  of  Pro- 
portion, may,  as  is  taken  for  granted  in  the  Contemplations,  be  ap- 
plied to  other  Planets  revolving  round  other  Su7ts. 

Z  His 


338  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

His  Bounty  is  abfolutely  without  Limits*,  and  with- 
out End.  The  mofl  laviih  Generofity  cannot  exhauft, 
or  even  diminiih,  his  MuniRcence.  O !  all  ye  Tribes 
of  Men;  or  rather,  all  ye  ClalTes  of  intelligent  Crea- 
tures ;  ye  are  not  ilreightened  in  the  Liberality  of  your 
ever-bkiTed  Creator;  be  not  ftreightened  in  your  own 
Expe^fations,  "  Open  your  Mouth  wide,  and  He  fhall 
*'  fill  it,'*  with  copious  and  continual  Draughts  from 
the  Cup  of  Joy.  Your  God,  on  whom  is  your  whole 
Dependence,  is  more  than  able  ;  is  more  than  willing ; 
to  '^fupply  all  your  Need,  according  to  his  Riches  in 
*'  Glory." — ^When  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  the  Giver, 
and  his  Grace  f  the  Gift;  let  your  Wifhes  be  unbound- 
ed, and  your  Cravings  infatiable.  All  that  created 
Beings  can  pofTibly  covet,  is  but  a  very  fmall  Pittance 
of  that  unknown  Happinefs,  which  the  Everlafting  Be- 
nefador  is  ready  to  beftow.  Suppofe  every  charitable 
Difpofition,  which  warms  the  Hearts  of  the  human 
Race,  added  to  thofe  more  inlarged  Affe6]:ions,  which 
alow  in  heavenly  Bofoms ;   what  were  they  all,    even 

*  Bv  Bounty y  I  mean,  not  the  aftual  Exercife,  or  the  fenfible  Ef- 
fe6ls,  of  this  Excellency  in  the  Deity.  Thefe  are,  and  always  mnji  be, 
throuo-h  the  imnienfe  Perfe£lion  of  the  Attribute,  and  the  neceflary 
Scantinefs  of  the  Recipient,  bounded.  But,  I  would  be  underftood, 
as  fpeaking  of  the  Divine  Poiver,  and  the  Divine  Will,  to  exert  Di- 
vine Beneficence.  Thefe  can  have  no  real,  no  imaginable  Limits. 
Thefe,  after  a  Profufion  of  Bleffings,  diHributed  to  unnumbered 
Worlds,  continued  through  unnumbered  Ages,  mull/?/// have  more  to 
beftow  ;  for  ever  have  more  to  beftow ;  infinitely  more  to  beftow,  than 
it  is  polTible  for  Creation  itfelf  to  receive. 

f  2  Cor.  ix.  8.  GOD  is  able  to  make  all  Grace  abound  to^vards you, 
thatye,  het'ving  all  Sufficiency  in  all  Things,  may  abound  to  every  good 
Work. — How  beautiful,  and  emphatical,  is  this  Defcriptionl  Inferior 
to  nothing,  but  that  Extent  of  Ability,  and  thofe  Riches  of  Liberality, 
which  it  fo  eloquently  ceiebr.ites.  Does  it  not  exhaufi  all  the  Powers 
of  Language;  while  it  attempts  to  give  us  a  Specimen,  of  the  Munifi- 
cence of  the  Lord? 

in 


THE     STARRY    HEAVENS.  339 

in  their  highefl  Exercile,  compared  with  the  Benignity 
of  the  Divine  Nature  ? — Bleis  w^  then,  Thou  eternal 
Source  of  Love  ;  blefs  all  that  reverence  thy  holyNartie; 
according  to  thy  own  moil  profufe  Goodnefs.  Whofc 
great  Prerogative  it  is,  to  difdain  all  Meafure.  O !  blefs 
us,  in  proportion  to  that  Grace  ;  the  Richnefs  of  which 
(unutterable  by  the  Tongues  of  Men,  and  of  Angels) 
was  once  fpoken  in  the  Groans,  and  written  in  the 
Wounds  of  thy  expiring  Son ! 

Spacious  indeed  are  thefe  Heavens  !  Where  do 
they  begin?  Where  do  they  end?  What  is  their  Ex- 
tent ?  Can  Angels  anfwer  my  Queftion  ?  Have  Angels 
travelled  the  vail  Circuit  ?  Can  Angels  meafure  the 
Bounds  of  Space  ?  No ;  'tis  boundlefs,  'tis  unknov/n, 
'tis  amazing  all. — How  charming  then  to  reflect.  That 
the  Mercy  of  GOD  is  "  greater  than  the  Heavens  i" 
is  more  extenfive  than  the  Dimenfions  of  the  Sky. 
Tranfporting  Refle6lion!  Let  me  indulge  Thee  once 
more  *.  Let  mie  think  over  the  delightful  Difplays  of 
this  lovely  Attribute ;  and,  while  I  admire  the  Trophies 
of  forgiving  Goodnefs,  add  one  to  the  Number. — With 
what  amiable  and  affeding  Colours,  is  this  reprefented 
in  the  Parable  of  the  Prcdigal!  What  could  induce 
that  fooliHi  Youth,  to  forfake  his  Father's  Houfe  ?  Had 
he  not  been  tenderly  cheriflied  by  the  good  Parent ;  and 

*  Once  more  refers  to  Page  81,  0^ ReJleSlions  en  a  Flovjcr-Garden.^^ 
The  following  Pages,  to  the  130th,  exhibit  a  digrejfive  View  of  the 
Divine  Mercy.  I  thought  it  proper  to  apprife  my  Reader  of  this  Ex- 
curfion;  though,  I  hope,  it  will  be  needlefs  to  oFeran  Apology,  for 
enlarging  upon  a  Theme  incomparably  joyous.  Who  can  complain  of 
Tediotffnefi,  while  I  fpeak  Conrolation  todiftrefTed,  and  Reco\"ery  to 
ruined  Creatures?  The  Divine  Mercy  is  the  fole  Fountain  of  all  our 
prefent  and  future  Bleffings.  In  Conformity  to  thisH^enign  Attribute, 
human  Hopes  arife,  and  human  Felicity  flows.  Who,  therefore,  can 
be  weary  of  'vie-iving  and  re'viezving ;  when  the  Lengths  and  Breadths 
of  forgiving  Grace,  are  the  ravidiing  Piofpcdl? 

Z  2  loaded 


340  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

loaded  with  Benefits,  from  his  indulgent  Hand?  Were" 
not  the    Rellraints   of  parental   Government,   an  eafy 
Yoke?  or  rather,  a  Prefervative  from  Ruin F  Notwith- 
ftanding  every  endearing  Obhgation,    he   revolts  from 
his  Duty ;  and  launches  into  fuch  fcandalous  Irregula- 
rities, as  were  dillionourable   to  his  Family,   and  de- 
llrudtive  to  himfclf. — When  NecefTity,  not  Choice,   but 
•fliarp  Necefiity  drove  him  to  a  fubmilTive  Return ^  does 
the   injured   Father  fland    aloof,    or   fliut   his    Doors  ? 
Quite  the  Reverfe.     He  eJpies  him,  while  he  is  yet  a 
great  TVay  off\  and,   the  Moment  he  beholds  the  pro- 
fligate Youth,  He  has  Compajfion  on  Him.     His  Bowels 
yearn ;    they    '^  found   Hke   an   Harp,"    touched   with 
Notes  divinely  foft.     He  never  once  thinks  of  his  un- 
gracious Departure,  and  infamous  Debaucheries.     Pity, 
parental  Pity,  palTes  an  A61  of  Oblivion ;  and,  in  one 
Inflant,  cancels   a  Series   of  long-continued   Provoca- 
tions.— So  llrong  are  the  Workings  of  fatherly  Affec- 
tion ;  that  he  is  almoft  impatient  to  embrace  the  naked 
and  deftitute  Wretch.     The  Son's  Pace  is   flow.    He 
nrofe  and  came ;  the  Father's  is  fwift,  He   fprung  forth 
(aged  as  he   was)    and  ran.      And  is  there  a  fingle 
Frown  in  his  Brow,  or  one  upbraiding  Word  on  his 
Tongue  ? — Inflead  of  loathing  the  fordid  Creature,  or 
reproaching  him  for  his  odious  ExcelTcs;  he  falls  on 
Ills  Neck  J   clafps  him'  in  his  Arms,  and  hugs  him  to 
his  Bofom.     Inftead  of  difowning  the   riotous    Spend- 
thrift,   or  rejecting  him   for  his    undutifal    Behaviour; 
He  receives  and  welcomes  Jiim  with  Kijfes  of  Dehght. 
He  rejoices,    at  Iiis  Return   from    Extravagance    and 
Vice ;  as  he  formerly  rejoiced,  on  the  Day  of  his  Na- 
tivity.— When  this   Companion  of  Harlots  opens  his 
Mouth,  before  he  fpeaks^  the  Father  hears.     He  inter- 
rupts liim,  in  the  midfl  of  his  intended  Speech.     The 
Overflowings  of  his  companionate  Heart  can  brook  no 
3  Delay. 


THE    STARRY     HEAVENS.  34; 

Delay.  He  feems  to  be  tmeafy  hlmfelf,  till  he  has 
made  the  afflidled  Penitent  glad,  with  the  AfTurance  of 
his  Acceptance,  and  the  choiceft  of  his  Favours. — 
While  the  poor  abalhed  Offender  feeks  nothing  more, 
than  not  to  be  abhorred ;  he  is  thoroughly  reconciled, 
and  honoured  before  x.\\^  whole  Family.  While  he  re- 
quells  no  other  Indulgence,  than  only  to  be  treated  as 
the  meaneft  Servant  \  he  is  cloathed  with  die  heft  Robe ; 
he  is  feafted  with  the  fatted  Calf  \  he  is  careffed  as  the 
deareil  of  Children. — V\''as  there  ever  fo  bright  and 
winning  a  Pidure,  of  the  tendered  Mercy  \  mofl  freely 
vouchfafed,  even  to  the  mofl  unworthy  of  Creatures  ? 
Yet  thus,  my  Soul ;  and  thus,  my  Fellow-finner ;  will 
the  Lord  God  of  everlafling  CompafTions  receive  us; 
if,  fenfible  of  cur  Mifery,  and  thirlling  for  Salvation, 
we  turn  to  hifti  through  Jesus  Christ. 

WHERE  Sin  has  abounded,  fays  the  Proclamation 
from  the  Court  of  Heaven,  Grace  doth  much  more  abound. 
-^-Manajfeh  was  a  Monfter  of  Barbarity  ;  for  He  caufed 
his  own  Children  to  pafs  through  the  Fire,  and  filled 
Jerujalem  v/ith  innocent  Blood.  Manajfeh  was  an  Adept 
in  Iniquity  3  for  He  not  only  multiphed,  and  to  ari 
extravagant  Degree,  his  own  facrilegious  Impieties ; 
but  He  poifoned  the  Principles,  and  perverted  the  Man- 
ners of  his  Subje(5ls,  making  them  to  do  ivorfe  than  the 
mofl  deteilable  of  the  Heathen  Idolaters  *.  Yet,  through 
this  fjper-abundant  Grace,  He  is  humbled ;  He  is  re- 
formed ;  and  becomes  a  Child  of  forgiving  Love,  an 
Heir  of  immortal  Glory. — Bcliold  that  bitter  and  bloody 
Pcrfecutor  Saul-,  when,  breathing  out  Threatenings  |, 
and  bent  upon  Slaughter,  he  worried  the  Lambs,  and 

put 

*  See  2  Chron.  xxxili. 

\  Aclsw,    I.    XavXo;  i\i  i^-nmuv  a.'!ti\Kr^c  y.on  (foitf,    Saul  yet  breathinr 
out  Threatening  and  Slaughter. — What  a  Representation  is  here  of  a 

Z   3  Mind, 


341  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

put  to  Death  the  Difciples  of  Jesus.  Who,  upon  the 
Principles  of  human  Judgment,  would  not  have  pro- 
nounced Hm  a  VciTel  of  Wrath,  deilined  to  unavoid- 
able Damnation  ?  Nay,  would  not  have  been  ready  to 
conclude  ;  that,  if  there  were  heavier  Chains,  and  a 
deeper  Dungeon,  in  the  World  of  Woe ;  they  muft 
furely  be  refrrved,  for  fuch  an  implacable  Enemy  of  true 
Godlinefs  ?  Yet,  (admire,  and  adore,  the  inexhaufhible 
Treafures  of  Grace  ! )  This  Saul^  \s  admitted  into  the 
goodly  Fellowfhip  of  the  Prophets :  is  numbered  v/ith 
the  noble  i\rmy  of  Martyrs,  and  makes  a  diftinguifhed 
Figure  among  the  glorious  Company  of  the  Apoitles.— 
The  Corinthians^  v/ere  fiagidous  even  to  a  Proverb, 
Somie  of  them  wallowed  in  fuch  abominable  Vices,  and 
habituated  themfelves  to  fuch  outrageous  Adis  of  In- 
juftice,  as  were  a  Reproach  to  human  Nature.  Yet, 
even  thefe  Sons  of  Violence,  and  Slaves  of  Senfuality, 
"  were  wafhed  ;  were  fandified  j  were  juflified  *.'* 
V/ajhedy  in  the  precious  Blood  of  a  dying  Redeemer  \ 

Mind,  mad  with  Rage,  and  abandoned  to  the  fierceft  Extremes  of 
Barbarity  !  I  icarce  know,  whether  I  am  more  Jhocked  at  the  Perfecu- 
tor's  favage  Dlfpofition,  or  charmed  with  the  Evangelift's  lively  De- 
fcription. — The  Adverb  ^{^  feems  referable  to  Chap.  viii.  Ver.  3.  and 
has,  in  this  Connexion,  a  peculiar  Force.  The  Havock  he  had  com- 
mitted, the  inoiienfive  Families  he  had  already  ruined,  were  not  iuffi- 
cient  to  aflliage  his  vengeful  Spirit.  They  were  only  a  Tajie ;  which, 
inflead  of  glutting  the  Bloodhound,  made  him  more  clofely  purfue  the 
Track,  and  more  eagerly  pant  for  Deilruftion.  He  hftill  athirft  for 
Violence  and  Murder.  So  eager  and  infatiable  is  his  Thirfc,  that  he 
even  breathes  out  Threatening  and  Slaughter.  His  Words  are  Spears 
and  Arrows,  and  his  Tongue  a  (harp  Svv'ord.  'Tis  as  natural  for  him 
to  menace  the  Chriftians,  as  to  breathe  the  Air. — Nay,  they  bleed 
every  Hoar,  every  Moment,  in  the  Purpofes  of  his  rancorous  IJeart, 
It  is  only  owing  to  Want  of  Power,  that  every  Syllable  he  utters, 
every  Breath  he  draws,  does  not  deal  about  Deaths^,  and  caufe  fome 
of  the  innocent  Difciples  to  fall. 

*   I  Cor.  vi.  9,  lo,  u. 

Jan^ifed^ 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  343 

Jan5fifiedy  by  the  powerful  Operations  of  the  Blcfied  Spi- 
rit ;  juftifiedy  through  the  infinitely  tender  Mercies  of  a 
gracious  God.  Thofe,  who  were  once  the  Burden  af 
the  Earth,  are  now  the  Joy  of  Heaven,  and  the  Delight 
of  Angels. 

There  is  another  Inftance  in  Scripture,  which  moft 
loudly  piiblifhes  that  fweeteil  of  the  Divine  Names, 
The  LORBy  the  LORD  GOD,  merciful  and  graci- 
ous,  long-Jufferingy  and  abundant  in  Goodnejs  and  Truth  ; 
keeping  Mercy  for  Thoujands,  forgiving  Iniquity,  Tranf- 
greffion,  and  Sin  *.  An  Inflance  this,  which  exceeds 
all  the  former  -,  which  exceeds  whatever  can  be  ima- 
gined ;  which  if  I  was  to  forget,  the  very  Stones  might 
cry  out,  and  found  it  in  my  Ears.  I  mean  the  Cafe  of 
thofe  Sinners,  who  mairdered  the  Prince  o(  Peace,  and 
Lord  of  Glory. — Thefe  Men,  could  fcarce  have  the 
Shadow  of  an  Excufe  for  their  Crime;  hardly  a  Cir- 
cumftance,  to  extenuate  their  Guilt.  They  were  well 
acquainted  with  his  exemplary  Converfation ;  they  had 
often  heard  his  heavenly  Dodlrines ;  they  were  almoft 
daily  Spedlators  of  his  unequalled  Miracles.  They 
therefore  had  all  poflible  Reafon  to  honour  Huti,  as  the 
moft  illuftrious  of  Behigs ;  and  to  receive  his  Gofpel, 
as  the  moft  ineftimable  of  BlefTings.  Yet,  notwith- 
ftanding  all  thefe  engaging  Motives  to  love  Him,  even 
above  their  own  Eives ;  they  feize  his  Perfon ;  afperfe. 
his  Chara6ter ;  drag  him  before  a  heathen  Tribunal ; 
and  extort  a  Sentence  of  Death,  againft  Innocence  and 
Hohnefs  itfelf.  Never  was  the  vilefi  Slave,  fo  con- 
tumelioufly  abufed ;  nor  the  moft  execrable  Malefaucr, 
fo  barbaroufly  executed.  The  Sun  was  confounded  at 
the  {[locking  Scene  ;  and  one  cannot  but  wonder,  how 
fhe  avenging  Lightnings  could  with-hold  their  Flallies, 

•  Exod.  xxxiv.  6,  7, 

Z  4  The 


344  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

The  Earth!^  trembled  at  the  horrid  Deed  3  and  why, 
why  did  it  not  cleave  afunder,  and  open  a  PafTage,  for 
fuch  Blood-thirfty  Mifcreants,  into  the  nethermoft 
Hell  ?  Shall  Theje  ever  hope  to  obtain  Forgivenefs, 
from  the  righteous  Judge  ?  Shall  not  Thefe  be  confign- 
ed  over  to  inexorable  Wrath,  and  the  fevereft  Tor^ 
ments?— O  the  miraculous  EfFe6ts  of  Divine  Grace! 
O  the  triumphant  Goodnefs  of  God  our  Saviour ! 
Many,  even  of  thefe  impious  Wretches,  at  the  Defcent 
of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  were  convinced  of  their  miferable 
State  ;  were  wounded  v/ith  penitendai  Remorfe  ;  fled  to 
the  Sanfluary  of  the  Crofs ;  had  their  Pardon  ratified 
hj  the  bapdfmal  Seal  -,  and,  continuing  in  the  Apoftles 
Do6lrine,  were  made  Partakers  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven.  Where  they  now  Iliine,  as  fo  m.any  everlaft- 
ing  Monuments  of  moft  difbinguifhed  Mercy  ;  and  re- 
ceive Beatitude  paft  Utterance,  from  that  very  Re- 
deemer, whom  cnce  ^^  with  wicked  Hands  they  cruci- 
"  fied  and  flew." 

Well  might  the  Prophet  cr}^  out,  v/ith  a  pleafing 
Amazement  -,  '^  Who  is  a  God  hke  unto  Thee,  that 
**^  pardoneth  Iniquity,  andpafirth  by  Tranfgrcflion  *  !" 
— Let  all  Flefli  know  aflTuredly ;  let  all  Flefli  rejoice 
gready  \  That  with  the  Lord  there  \%Juch  Mercy,  and 
with  his  CiiKi%T  f tub  pi  en  lif id  Redemption. — And  O  !  for 
the  Voice  of  an  Arcn- Angel,  to  circulate  the  Glad- 
Tidings  through  the  Univerfe.  That  the  American  Sa- 
vage, as  well  as  the  European  Sage,  may  learn  the  ex- 
ceeding Riches  of  Grace  in  Chrifl:.  Through  whofe  in- 
finitely fatisfying  Propidation,  all  Manner  of  Sin,  Bar- 
barity, and  Blafphemy,  are  freely  forgiven  unto  Men. 

What  a  grand,  and  majeftic  Dome,  is  the  Sky! 
Where  are  the  Pillars,  which  ilipport  the  {lately  Con- 

*  Mic.  vii.  18. 

cave  ? 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  34$ 

cave  ?  What  Art,  mod  exadly  true,  balanced  the  Pref- 
fure  ?  What  Props,  of  infuperable  Strength,  fuflain  the 
Weight  ?  How  is  that  immeafurable  Arch  upheld^  un- 
(haken  and  unimpaired ;  while  fo  many  Generations  of 
bufy  Mortals,  have  funk  and  difappeared,  as  Bubbles 
upon  the  Stream  ? — If  thofe  Stars  are  of  fuch  an  amaz- 
ing Bulk  ;  how  are  they  alfo  faftened^  in  their  lofty  Si- 
tuation ?  By  what  Miracle  in  Mechanics,  are  fo  many 
Thoufands  of  ponderous  Orbs,  kept  from  falling  upon 
our  Heads;  kept  from  dafhing,  both  the  World  to 
Pieces,  and  its  Inhabitants  to  Death  ?  Are  they  hung 
in  golden,  or  adamantine.  Chains  ?  Reft  they  their 
enormous  Load,  on  Rocks  of  Marble,  or  Columns  of 
Brafs  ? — No  ;  they  are  pendulous  in  fluid  ^ther.  Yet, 
are  more  immoveably  fixed^  than  if  the  everlafting 
Mountains  lent  their  Forefts,  for  an  Axle-Tree;  or 
their  Ridges,  for  a  Bafis.  The  Almighty  Architedb 
firetches  out  the  Norths  and  its  whole  ftarry  Train,  over 
the  empty  Place.  He  hangs  the  Earth,  and  all  the  ethe- 
real Globes,  upon  nothing  *.  Yet  are  their  Foundations 
laid  fo  fure,  that  they  can  *^  never  be  moved  at  any 
"  Time." 

No  unfit  Reprefenta^lon,  to  the  fincere  Chriftian,  of 
his  final  Perfeverance  f  :  Such  as  points  out  the  Cauie, 

which 

*  Job  xxvi.  7. 

f  With  Regard  to  \ki^  final  Perfe'verance  of  the  tiue  Believer;  lam 
fenfible,  this  Point  is  not  a  little  controv-^rted. — The  Sentiments,  which 
follow,  are  my  ftedfaft  Belief,  It  is  by  no  Means  proper,  in  a  Work 
©f  this  Nature,  to  enter  upon  a  Difcuffion  of  the  Subjeft.  Neither 
have  I  Room,  fo  much  as  to  hint,  what  might  be  urged  for  its  Sup- 
port.— Let  my  Reader  obferve,  that  I  am  far  from  delivering  it,  as 
e/Tential  to  Chriftianity,  or  neceffary  to  Salvation.  Millions,  of  the 
very  contrary  Conviclion,  are,  I  doubt  no:,  high  in  the  Favour  of 
God;  and  in  a  growing  Meetnefs  for  his  heavenly  Kingdom.  As  I 
blame  none  for  rejeciingy  none,  I  hope,  will  be  offended  with  me  for 
e/poujingi  this  particular  Dodrine. — To  be   of  different  Opinions,  at 

leaft 


346  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

which  effedls  it ;  and  conftitiites  the  Pledge,  which  af- 
certains  it. — His  Nature  is  all  enfeebled.  He  is  not 
able,  of  himfelf,  to  think  a  good  Thought.  He  has 
no  vifible  Safeguard,  nor  any  Sufficiency  of  his  own, 

leaft  in  fome  inferior  Inftances,  feems  an  unavoidable  Confequence  of 
our  prefent  State  :  where  Ignorance y  in  Part,  cleaves  to  the  wifeft 
Minds  ;  and  Prejudice  eafily  befets  the  moft  impartial  Judgments.  This 
niay  turn  to  our  common  Advantage  ;  and  afford  Room  for  the  Dif- 
play  and  Exercife  of  thofe  healing  Virtues,  Moderation,  Meeknefs, 
and  Forbearance. — Let  me  only  be  permitted  toafk,  whether  this  Tenet 
does  not  evidently  tend  to  ellabiiili  the  Comfort  of  the  Chriflian,  and 
to  magnify  the  Fidelity  of  God  our  Saviour?  Whether,  far  from 
countenancing  Sloth,  or  encouraging  Remiffnefs,  to  kno^  that  our 
Labour  fhall  not  be  in  vain,  is  not  the  moft  prevailing  Inducement  to 
abound  in  the  Work  of  the  Lord?  i  Cor.  xv.  58. 
"  \%  any  One  inclined  to  examine  the  Reafons,  which  made  the  Au- 
thor a  Profelyte  to  this  Perfuafion?  He  may  find  them  difplayed  in 
the  Memorial,  delivered  by  feveral  feled  and  eminent  Divines  of  the 
Church  of  England,  at  the  renowned  Synod  oiDort, — (See  Ada  Synod, 
Dordrech.  Par.  II.  Page  246.  of  the  Latin  Edition,  publifhed  in  a 
fmgle  Quano  Volume.) — Thofe,  who  have  no  Opportunity  of  con- 
fulting  the  Memoirs  of  that  venerable  Afiembly  ;  I  would  refer  to  the 
Works  of  the  indefatigable  and  very  learned  Turretin,  or  to  thofe  of 
the  candid  and  elegant  Witfius, — Turret.  Tom.  II.  (^xvi.  Witf. 
Oscon.  Lib.  III.  Cap.  xiii. 

The  lateft  and  fuileft  View  of  the  Point,  which  I  ever  remember  to 
have  met  with,  in  any  of  our  Englijh  Writers,  is  in  the  Lime-Jlreet 
LeSiures.  Which  are  a  Defence  of  feveral  moft  important  Doftrines 
of  the  Gofpel,  and  contained  in  Uvo  Odavo  Volumes ;  the  united  La- 
bours of  nine  modern  Divines  ;  moft  of  whom,  are  nvell  known  to  the 
World  by  their  other  evangelical  and  ufeful  Writings.  In  thofe  Lec- 
tures, the  final  Perfeverance  of  the  Saints,  is  very  particularly  ftated  ; 
and,  to  my  Apprehenfion  at  leaft,  moft  fatisfaftorily  proved.  The  Ar- 
guments, ufually  urged  againft  it,  are  impartially  confidered  ;  and  I 
cannot  but  think  (with  all  due  Deference  to  the  Judgment  of  others) 
^nanfvverably  confuted. 

And  here;  (not  to  fwell  this  note  any  farther)  I  fhall  only  juft  hint, 
that  the  judicious  Hooker  (an  Authority,  perhaps,  as  weighty  and 
unexceptionable  as  any  that  can  well  be  produced)  gives  a  folemn  At- 
tc/lation  to  this  Tenet,  in  a  fhort  Difcourfe  on  the  Perpetuity  of  Faith, 
iubjoined  to  his  EccleJ-uJlical  Polity .     Fol.  Edit. 

And 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  347 

And  yet,  whole  Legions  of  formidable  Enemies,  are  in 
a  Confederacy  to  compafs  his  Ruin.  The  IVcrld^  lays 
unnumbered  Snares  for  his  Feet:  the  Dra/,  is  incelTant- 
ly  urging  the  Siege,  by  a  Multitude  of  fiery  Darts,  or 
wily  Temptations :  the  Flefio^  like  a  perfidious  Inmate, 
under  Colour  of  Friendfhip,  and  a  ipecious  Pretence  of 
Pleafure,  is  always  forward  to  betray  his  Integrity. — 
But,  amidft  all  thefe  threatening  Clrcumftances,  of  per- 
fonal  Weaknefs,  and  imminent  Danger,  an  invifible 
Aid  is  his  Defence,  "  1  will  uphold  thee,  fays  the  bleiled 
"  God,  with  the  Right  Hand  of  my  Righteoufnejs  *." 
Comfortable  Truth  !  The  Arm,  which  fixes  the  Stars  in 
their  Orders,  and  guides  the  Planets  in  their  Courfe, 
is  flretched  oiit  to  preferve  the  Heirs  of  Salvation. 
" — My  Sheepy  adds  the  great  Redeemer,  are  mine: 
''  and  they  jh all  never  per ijh ;  neither  Jh all  any  pluck  them 
"  out  of  my  Hand  f."  What  Words  are  thefe  !  And 
did  they  come  from  Him,  who  hath  all  Power  in  Heaven, 
and  on  Earth  ?  And  were  they  fpoke  to  the  weakefl  of  the 
Flock;  to  every  unfeigned  Follower  of  the  great  Shep- 
herd ?  Then,  Omnipotence  itfelf  muft  be  vanquiftoed^ 
before  they  can  be  dejiroyed,  either  by  the  Seductions  of 
Fraud,  or  the  Affaults  of  Violence. 

If  you  afk  therefore.  What  Security  we  have,  of  en- 
during to  the  End,  and  continuing  faithful  unto  Death  ? 
— The  vtryfame  that  eftablilhes  the  Heavens,  and  fet- 
tles the  Ordinances  of  the  Univerfe.  Can  theje  be 
thrown  into  Conmfion  %  ?  Then,  may  the  true  Believer 
drav/  back  unto  Perdition.  Can  the  Sun  be  diflodged 
from  his  Sphere,  and  rufh  lawlefiy  through  the  Sky? 
Then,,  and  then  only,  can  the  Faith  of  God's  Eled  §  be 
finally  overthrown. — Be  of  good  Courage  then,  my  Soul; 

*  Ifa.  xli.  \o.  t  Johnx.  28.  t  I^r.  xxxi.  35,  36. 

§  Tit.  i.  2. 

rely 


34«  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

rely  on  thofe  Divine  Succours,  which  are  fo  folemnly 
ftioulated,  fo  faithfully  promifed.  Though  thy  Grace 
be  languid,  as  the  glimmering  Spark ;  though  the  Over- 
flowings of  Corruption,  threaten  it  with  total  Extin6lion; 
yet,  fince  the  great  Jehovah  has  undertaken  to  cherifh 
the  dim  Principle,  "  many  Waters  cannot  quench  ii:, 
**^  nor  all  the  Floods  drown  it."  Nay,  though  it  were 
feeble  as  the  Jmoaking  Flax  *,  Goodnefs  and  Faithful- 
nefs  iland  engaged,  to  augment  the  Heat ;  to  raife  the 
Fire,  and  feed  the  Flame  j  till  it  beam  forth,  a  Lamp  of 
imm.ortal  Glory,  in  die  Heavens. 

As  to  the  Faithfulmjs  of  a  covenanting  God,  this 
may  be  emblematically  feen,  in  the  Stability  of  the  hea- 
venly Bodies,  and  the  Perpetuity  of  dieir  Motions  t*—" 
Thofe  that  are  fixed  or  ftationary^  continue  unalterable 
ill  dieir  grand  Elevations.     No  injurious  Shocks  j  no 

*  The  Tendernefs  and  Faithfuhiefs  0^  God  to  his  People,  arc  finely 
pi<^ured  by  the  Prophet  Ifaiah,  Chap,  xliii.  Ver.  3.  Which  PafTage, 
becaufe  of  it?  rich  Confolation,  and  uncommon  Beauty,  is  defervedly 
adopted  by  St.  Matthen.v,  and  ingrafted  into  the  Syilem  of  evangelical 
Truths. — He  ivill  not  himfelf  break,  nor  fuffer  to  be  broken  by  any 
other,  the  hruifed  Reed  -y  nor  quench  the  Jmoaking  Flax.  Was  it  poffible, 
to  have  chofen  two  more  delicate,  and  expreffive  Reprefentations  .'*— 
Could  any  Image,  be  more  iignificant  of  a  very  infirm,  and  enfeebled 
Faith  \  than  the  flexile  Reed,  that  bends  before  every  Wind.^  Which, 
befides  its  natural  Weaknefs,  is  made  abundantly  weaker  by  being 
Iruifed :  and  fo,  is  ready  to  fall  in  Pieces  of  itfelf — Or  could  any 
Thing,  with  a  more  pathetical  Exaftnefs,  defcribe  the  extreme  Imbe- 
cility, of  that  other  Principle  of  the  Divine  Life,  Lo^ve  ?  The  State  of 
the  Flax,  juft  beginning  to  burn,  is  liable  to  be  put  out  by  the  leaft 
Blaft :  more  liable  Hill,  is  'ihz  Wick  of  the  Lamp,  when  it  is  not  fo 
much  as  kindled  into  a  glimmering  Flame,  but  only  breathing  Smoke, 
and  uncertain  whether  it  fliall  take  Fire  or  no. — Yet  true  Faith,  and 
heavenly  Love,  though  fubfilling  amidll  fuch  pitiable  Infirmities,  will 
not  be  abandoned  by  their  great  Author;  fhall  not  be  extinguiihed  by 
any  Teinptations;  but  be  maintained,  invigorated,  and  made  finally 
triumphant.     Matt.  xii.  20. 

t  Pfal.  cxix.  99,  90. 

♦  Violence 


THE    STARRY     HEAVEN  Si. 


549 


Violence  of  cOnfiiding  Elements ;  are  able  to  difpkce 
thofe  everlafting  Hinges,  on  wliich  dependent  Worlds 
revolve.     Through  the  whole  Flight  of  Time,  they  re- 
cede not,  fo  much  as  a  Hair's  Breadth,  from  the   pre- 
cife  central  Point  of  their  refpedive  Syllcms. — While 
the  Erratic  or  Playietary^  perform  their  prodigious  Stao-es, 
without  any  Intcrmifiion,  or  the  leafl  Einbarrafiment. 
How  foon,  and  how  eafily,  is  the  mofb  finiflied  Piece 
of  human  Machinery  difconcerted  !  But  all  the  celeflial 
Movements,  are  fo  nicely  adjufted  ;  all  their  Operations, 
io  critically  proportioned  ;  and  their  mutual  Dependen- 
cies, fo  ftrongly  conneded  -,  that  they  prolong  their  be- 
neficial Courfes,  throughout  all  Ages. — While  mighty 
Cities  are  overwhelmed  with  Ruin,  and  their  very  Names 
loft  in  Oblivion  :  While  vaft  Empires  are  Iwept  from  their 
Foundations,  and  leave  not  fo  much  as 'a  fhadowy  Trace 
of  their  ancient  Magnificence:  While  allterrefirialThmg^ 
are  fubjedt  to  Viciffitude,  and  fluctuating  in  Uncertainty: 
Tbe/e  are  permanent  in  their  Duration.     Tbefe  are  inva- 
riable in  their  Fundions.     '^  Not  one   fiiileth." — Who 
doubts  the  conftant  Succefllon,  of  Day  and  Night ;  or 
the    regular  Returns,  of   Summer  and  Winter  ?  And 
why,  O  !  why  (hall  we  doubt  the    Veracity  of  God,  or 
diftruft  the  JccompliJIoment  of  his  holy  Word  .?  Can  the 
Ordinances  of  Heaven  depart  ?  Then  only  can   God 
forget  to  be  gracious  ;  or  negled   the  Performance  of 
his    Promife. — Nay,    our    Lord    gives   us   yet   firmer 
Ground  of  Affiance.     He  affords  us  a  furer  Bottom  for 
our  Faith,  than  the  Fundamental  Laws  of  the  Univerfe. 
Heaven   and  Earth,    he  fays,  fiall  pafs  a-way ;  but  my 
V/ords  fljall  not,  in  a  fingle  Inftance,  or  in  one  Tittle  of 
their  Import,  pajs  away.     No :  his  facred  Word,  v/hat- 
ever  may  obftrudl  it ;  whoever  may  oppofe  it ;  fliall  be 
fulfilled  to  the  very  uttermoft. 

O  pow- 


350  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

O  POWERFUL  World !  How  aftoniihing  is  its  Efficacy ! 
When  this  Word  was  iflued  forth,  a  thoufand  Worlds 
emerged  out  of  nothing.  Should  the  mighty  Orders 
be  repeated,  a  thoufand  more  would  fpring  into  Exif- 
tence.  By  this  Word,  the  vaft  Syflem  of  created 
Things  is  upheld^  in  conftant  and  immutable  Perfe6lion. 
Should  it  give  command,  or  ceafe  to  exert  its  Energy; 
the  univerfal  Frame  would  be  diifolved,  and  all  Nature 
revert  to  her  original  Chaos.  And  this  very  Word  is 
fledged  for  the  Safety,  the  Comfort,  the  Happinefs  of 
the  Godly.  This  inviolable,  this  Almighty  Word, /peaks 
m  all  the  Promifes  of  the  Gofpel. — How  (Irangely  in- 
fatuated are  our  Souls,  that  we  fhould  value  it  fo  little  ? 
What  Infidels  are  we  in  fa6l,  that  we  Ihould  depend 
upon  it  no  more  !  Did  it  create,  whatever  has  a  Being; 
and  fhall  it  not  work  Faith,  in  our  Breafls  ?  Do  unnum- 
bered Worlds,  owe  their  Support  to  this  Word ;  and 
fhall  it  not  be  fufficient,  to  buoy  up  our  Souls  in  Trou- 
bles, or  eftabliHi  them  in  Trials  ?  Is  it  the  Life  of  the 
Univerfe,  and  fliall  it  be  a  dead  Letter  to  Mankind  ? 

If  I  wifh  to  be  heard,  when  I  implore  heavenly  Blef- 
fings ;  is  not  this  Privilege  moft  clearly  made  over  to 
my  Enjoyment,  in  that  well-known  Text,  "  aflv,  and 
"  it  Ihall  be  given  you*?" — If  I  long  for  the  Eternal 
Comforter,  to  dwell  in  my  Heart,  and  fanctify  my  Na-. 
ture ;  have  I  not  an  apparent  Title  to  this  high  Prero- 
gative, conferred  in  that  fweet  afTertive  Interrogation; 
"  How  much  more  fhall  your  heavenly  Father,  give 
"  the  Holy  Spirit  to  thofe  that  afk  him  f?" — If  I  ear- 
neftly  covet  the  ineftimable  Treafures,  that  are  com- 
prifed  in  the  great  Immanuel's  Mediation  ;  can  I  have 
a  firmer  Claim  to  the  nolle  Portion,  than  is  granted 
in  tliat  mofl  precious  Scripture ;  "  Him  that  cometh 

•  Matt.  vii.  7.  f  Luke  xi.  13. 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  351 

*' to  Me,  I  will  in  no-wife  caftout*?" — What  AfTu- 
rance,  of  being  intereftcd  in  thefe  unfpeakable  Mercies, 
would  I  defire  ?  What  Form  of  Conveyance  j  what  Deed 
of  Settlement ;  were  it  left  to  my  own  Option,  fhould 
I  choofe  P  Here  is  the  Word  of  a  King ;  the  King  im- 
mortal and  invifible;  all  whofe  Declarations  f  are  Truth 
itfelf. — If  a  Monarch  beftows  Immunities  on  a  Body  of 
Men,  and  confirms  them  by  an  authentic  Charter  i  no 
one  controverts,  no  one  queftions,  their  Right  to  the 
Royal  Favours.  And  why  Ihould  vv^e  fufped  the  Va- 
lidity of  thofe  glorious  Grants,  wliich  are  made  by 
the  everlafting  Sovereign  of  Nature;  which  He  has  alfo 
ratified  by  an  Oath,  and  Jealed  with  the  Blood  of  his 
Son  ? — -Corporations  may  be  disfranchifed,  and  Char- 
ters revoked.  Even  Mountains  may  be  removed,  and 
Stars  drop  from  their  Spheres.  But  a  Tenure,  founded 
on  the  Divine  Promife,  is  unalienablyy^rz^r^  i  is  laftingy 
as  Eternity  itfelf. 

We  have  endeavoured  to  fpell  a  Syllable  of  the  eternal 
Name,  in  the  ancient  Manufcripr  of  the  Sky.  We 
have  catched  a  Glympfe  of  the  Almighty's  Glory,  from 
the  Luflre  of  innumierablc  Stars.  But,  would  we  be- 
hold all  his  Excellencies,  pourtrayed  in  full  Perfediion  ; 
and  drawn  to  the  very  Life ;  let  us  attentively  confider 
the  Redeemer. — I  obferve,  there  are  fome  Parts  of  the 
Firmament,  in  which  the  Scars  feem,  as  it  were,  to 
clufter.  They  are  fown  thicker,  they  lie  clofer,  than 
ufual  j  and  ftrike  the  Eye  with  redoubled  Splendor. 
Like  the  Jewels  on  a  Crown,  they  mingle  their  Beams  -, 
and  reflect  an  Increafe  of  Brilliancy,  on  each  other. — 


Johnvi.  37, 


-Uthe/e  fail, 


The  pillar'd  Firn:ament  is  Rottennefs, 

And  Earth's  Bafe  built  on  Stubble.         Milt.  Comus. 

Is 


355  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Is  there  not  fuch  an  AlTemblage,  fuch  a  Cmiftellation  of 
the  Divine  Honours,  moil  amiably  effulgent  in  the 
blefled  Jesus  ? 

Does  not  infinite    Wijdom  *  fhine,  with   furpafTing 
Brightnefs,  in  Christ  ?  To  the  Making  of  a  World 
there  was   no  Obflacle  ;  but  to  the   Saving  of  Man, 
there  feemed  to  be  unfurmountable  Bars.     If  the  Rebel 
is  fuffered  to  efcape ;    where    is  the  inflexible   Juftice, 
which  denounces  "  Death  as  the  Wages  of  Sin  ?"  If 
the  Offender  is  thoroughly  pardoned  ;  where  is  the  in- 
'Diolahle  Veracity y  which  has  folemnly  declared,  ''  The 
"  Soul  that  fmneth,  Hiall  die  V     Thefe  awful  Attributes 
are  itl  in  terrible  Array;  and,  like  an   impenetrable 
Battalion,  oppofe  the  Salvation  of  apoftate  Mankind. 
Who  can  fuggeil  a  Method  to  ahjohe  the  traiterous 
Race  j  yet  vindicate  the  Honours  of  Almighty  Sove- 
reic^nty  ?  This  is  an  Intricacy,  which,  the  moil  exalted 
finite  IntelHgences,  are  unable  to  clear. — But,  behold 
the  unjearchabk  Secret  revealed  I  revealed,  in  the  won- 
derful Redemption,  accomplifhed  by  a  dying  Saviour  ! 
So  plainly  revealed,  that  "  He  who  runs  may  read  s" 
and  even  Babes  underfland,  what  Minds  of  the  deepeil 
Penetration  could   not   contrive. — The    Son   of  God, 
taking  our   Nature,    obeys   the    Law,  and   undergoes 
Death,  in  our  Stead.     By  this  means,  the  threatened 
Curje^  is  executed,  in  all  its  Rigour ;  and  free  Grace  is 
exercifed,    in   all   its   Ricbxs.      Juftice   maintains   her 
Rights,  and,  with  a  fteady  Hand,  adminifters  impar- 
tial Vengeance;  while  Mercy   difpenfes   her  Pardons, 
and   welcomes   the    repentant   Criminal  into   the   ten- 
dereft  Embraces.     Hereby,  the  feemingly  thwardng  At- 
tributes are  reconciled.     The  Sinner  is  faved,  not  only  in 
/////  Confiftence.  with  the  Honour  of  the  fupreme  Pcr- 

*  See  the  next  Notf^. 

fedions ; 


l^HE    STARRY    HEAVENl  353 

feclions ;    but    to   the   moft  illufirious  Manifeftation  of 
them  all. 

Where  does  the  Divine  Pc^er  *  fo  fignally  exert  it- 
fclf,  as  in  the  Crofs  of  Christ^  and  in  the  Conquefts 
of  Grace! — Our  Lord,  in  his  lowed  State  of  Humi- - 
liation,  gained  a  more  glorious  Victory ;  than  when^ 
through  the  dividing  Sea,  and  the  v/afte  howling  Wil- 
dernefe,  '*  He  rode  upon  his  Chariots  and  Horfes,  of 
^^  Salvation."  When  his  Hands  were  riveted,  v/ith 
Irons,  to  the  bloody  Tree ;  He  difarm.ed  Death  of  its 
Sting,  and  plucked  the  Prey  from  the  Javv^s  of  Hell. 
Then,  even  then,  while  he  v/as  crucified  in  Weahicjs^ 
He  vanquiflied  the  ftrong  Man,  and  fubdiied  our  mod 
formidable  Enemies.  Even  then,  he  fpoiled  Principali- 
ties ;  triumphed  over  the  Pov/ers  of  Darknefs ;  and  led 
Captivity  captive. — Now  he  is  exalted  to  his  heavenly 
Throne,  with  v/hat  a  prevailing  Efficacy  does  his  Grace 
go  forth,  "  conquering,  and  to  conquer!"- — By  this^ 
the  Sla-ves  of  Sin  are  refcued  from  their  Bondage,  and 
reftored  to  the  Liberty  of  Righteoiifnefs.  By  this,  de- 
praved Wretches,  whofe  Appetites  w'trtfenJuaU  and  their 
Difpofitions  de-jilijld ;  are  not  only  renewed,  but  renewed 
after  the  Image  of  God,  and  made  Partakers  of  a  Di^ 
vine  Nature.  Millions,  Millions  of  loft  Creatures  are 
Inatched,  by  the  Interpofition  of  Grace,  like  Brands 
from  the  Burning  ;  and,  tranflated  into  everlafting  Man- 
fions,  fhine  brighter  than  the  Stars^  fhine  bright  as  the 
Sun^  in  the  Kingdom  of  their  Father. 

W^ouLD  you  then  fee  an  incomparably  more  bright 
Difplay  of  the  Divine  Excellence,  than  the  iinfpotted 


^  Christ,  the  IVifchm  of  GOD,  and  the  Pciccr  ofG  0  D,  i  Cor.  i. 
24. — To  the  Intent  that  ncnvy  unto  the  Principalities  and  Pcvjers  in  hea- 
^L^cnlj  Places y  jnight  he  knc^Kin  hy  the  Church  (by  the  amazing  C  ^xs.Xx\-» 
Vance,  and  AceompUilimenc  of  its  Redemption)  //'£•  deep,  exteniiveji 
and  (-Jsro/.vTTcix^/.oc)  greatly  di-vcrfified  Wifdcm  cfGOD.     Eph.  iii.  lo. 


A  a  Firm.a- 


354  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Firmament,  the  Spangles  of  Heaven,  or  the  golden 
Fountain  of  Day  exhibit  ?  Contemplate  Jesus  o{  Na- 
zareth. He  is  the  Brightnefs  of  his  Father's  Glory,  and 
the  exprels  Image  of  his  Perfon.  In  his  immaculate 
Nature  ;  in  his  heavenly  Tempers ;  in  his  moil  holy 
L,ife  ;  the  jnoral  Perfeciions  of  the  Deity  are  reprefented, 
to  the  higheft  Advantage  *. — Hark  !  how  Mercy ^  with 
her  charming  Voice,  fpeaks  in  all  He  utters.  See  ! 
hov/  Benezwknce  pours  her  choicefb  Stores,  in  all  He  does. 
Did  ever  CompaJJton  look  fo  amiably  foft,  as  in  thofe  pi- 
tying Tears  j  which  fwelled  his  Eyes,  and  trickled  down 
his  Checks,  to  bedew  the  Rancour  of  his  inveterate 
Enemies  r — Was  it  poflible  for  Patience  to  alTume  a 
Form  fo  lovely;  as  that  fweetly-wlnning  Condudl,  which 
bore  the  Contradi6lon  of  Sinners  ?  Which  intreated 
the  Obflinate,  to  be  reconciled;  befought  the  Guilty, 
not  to  die  ! — In  other  Things,  we  may  find  fome  fcat- 
tered  Rays  of  Jehovah's  Glory  ;  but  in  Christ  they 
are  all  colleded  and  united.  In  Christ,  they  bean^ 
forth,  with  the  flrongeft  Radiance,  v/ith  the  mofl  de- 
lightful Effulgence.  Out  of  Sion^  and  in  Sion\  great  Re- 
deemer, hath  GOD  appeared  in  f  erf e^  Beauty, 

Search  then,  my  Soul,  above  all  other  Purfults, 
fearch  the  Records  of  redeeming  Love.  Let  thefe  be 
the  principal  Objedl  of  thy  Study.  Here  employ  thy- 
felf,  with  the  moil  unv/earied  AfTiduity. — In  thefe  are 
kid  all  the  Tre  of  tires  cf  IViJdcm  and  Knowledge  f.     Such 

IFijdon}  y 

*  In  this Senfe,  that  Saying  of  our  Lord  Is  eminently  true.     He 
that  hatbfeen  MEy  hath  feen  the  FAT  HE  R,     John  xiv.  9. 

f  Colojf.  ii.  3. — Not  a  mean  Degree,  but  a  Treafure\  not  oneTrca- 
fure,  but  mavy  ;  not  many  only,  but  all  Treafures,  of  true  Wifdomr 
and  faving  Knowledge  ;  are  in  Christ,  and  his  glorious  Gofpel. — 
The  tranfcendent  Excellency  of  thofe  Treafures  feems  to  be  finely  inti- 
mated, in  that  other  Expreffion  atrw^^v^oi,  hid;  (which  may  be  inter- 
preted 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  555 

tVifdom)  as  charms  and  aftonifhes  the  very  Angels : 
Engages  their  clofcfl  Attention;^  and  fills  them  with  the 
deepefl:  Adoration  *.  Such  Kncivledge ;  as  qualifies  the 
PoirefTor,  if  not  for  Offices  of  Dignity  on  Earth,  yet  for 
the  mod  honourable  Advancements  in  the  Kino-dom  of 
Heaven.  Difunited  from  which  Knowledge,  all  Appli- 
cation is  but  elaborate  Imperdnence ;  and  all  Science,- 
no  better  than  pompous  Ignorance. — Thefe  Records 
contain  the  fauklefs  Model  of  Duty^  and  the  nobleft 
Motives  to  Obedience.  Nothing  fo  powerful,  to  work 
a  lively  Faith,  and  a  joyful  Hope  ;  as  an  attentive  Con- 
fideration  of  our  Lord's  unutterable  Merits.     Nothins: 

o 

fo  fovereign,  to  antidote  the  peftilendal  Influence  of  the 
World,  and  delivet  our  AfFedtions  from  a  Slavery  to  ig- 
noble Objedtsi  as  an  habitual  Remembrance  of  his  ex- 
treme Agonies.  The  genuine,  the  ever-fruitful  Source 
of  all  Morality^  is  the  unfeigned  Love  of  Christ  3  and 

preted  by  the  Hehre-w  S'JiDLO?D,  Job.  lii.  21.)  laid  up,  with  the  utmoft 
t^are,  and  the  greateli  Safety.  Not  left  at  all  Adventures,  to  be  ftum- 
bled  upon,  by  every  giddy  Wanderer  ;  or  to  fall  into'  the  Arms  of  the 
yawning  Sluggard ;  but,  like  Jewels  of  the  brighteft  LuHre,  or  Riches 
of  the  highell  Value^  kept  in  Store  to  adorn  and  reward  the  diligent 
Searcher. 

*  This,  I  believe,  is  tlie  Import  of  the  Apoftle's  Language,  though 
it  is  not  a  liieral  Tfanllation  bi  £k  «  iTrjQy^byciv  ayyiXa^  's:ctfax<j-^a.iy 
I  Pet.  i.  12.— I  never  had  fuch  a  lively  Apprehenllon  of  the  beautiful 
Signification  of  the  laft  Word,  as  when  I  have  attended  a  iD'ifibfti'on  of 
fome  Part  of  tl)ie  animal  Body.  In  order  to  difcern  the  Minutite  of  the 
admirable  Fraixe  ;  the  latent  Wonders  of  Art  and  Mechanifm  ;  the 
Eye  is  fo  fiiarpened,  and  its  Application  fo  intenfely  hndcd,  ,V:  gives  a 
Very  juf!  c-^psrimental  Comment  on  that  expreffive  Phrafe  'CufaKv^cn—^ 
With  fuch  earneft  Attention,  is  the  everiafting  Gofpel  contemplated, 
by  the  Angelic  Orders  !  How  much  more,  if  it  were  pofiible,  does  it 
deferve  the  devom  and  inceflant  Confideration  of  human  Minds  ?  Since 
by  them,  it  is  not  only  to  be  fpeculated,  as  a  bright  and  raviihing  Dif- 
play  of  the  Divine  Attributes ;  but  to  be  applied  to  their  fallen  Nature, 
as  a  moft  benign  Scheme  of  reco-vefing  Grace  ;  as  the  fure  and  only 
Method  of  obtaining  Life  and  hnmortaTity; 

A  a  2  the 


3J^  CONTEMPLATIONS    ONT 

the  Crofs,  the  Cross^  is  the  appointed  *  Altar y  (vom 
which  we  may  fetch  a  Coal  f  >  to  inkindle  this  facred 
Fire. 

BEHOLDy  therefore,  the  Man -,  the  matchlefs  and 
ftupendous  Man  ;  whofe  Practice  was  a  Pattern  of  the 
mofb  exalted  Virtue^  and  his  Perfon  the  Mirror  of  every 
Divine  Perfection.  Examine  the  Memoirs  of  his  hea- 
venly Temper,  and  exemplary  Converfation.  Contem- 
plate that  Choir  of  GraceSy  which  were  afTociated  in  his 
Mind,  and  fhed  the  highefl  Lufti*e  on  all  his  Actions. 
Familiarize  to  thy  Thoughts  his  inftrudtive  Difcourfes, 
and  enter  into  the  very  Spirit  of  his  refined  Doctrines. 
That  the  Graces  may  be  transfufed  into  thy  Bread,  and 
the  Do6trines  tranfcribed  in  thy  Life. — Follow  Him  to 
Calvary's  horrid  Eminence ;  to  Calvary's  fatal  Cataftro- 
phe.  Where  Innocence,  Dignity,  and  Merit,  were  made 
perfe^  through  Sufferings :  each  fhining,  with  all  pofiible 
Splendor,  through  the  tragical  Scene  ;  Ibmewhat  like 
his^  own  radiant  Bow,  then  glowing  with  the  greatefl 
Beauty,  when  appearing  on  the  darkeft  Cloud. — Be  thy 
moft  conilant  Attention  fixed,  on  that  lovely  and  for- 
Towful  Spedacle.  Behold  the  fpotlcfs  Viftim,  nailed  to 
the  Tree,  and  ftabbed  to  the  Heart.  Hear  Him  pour- 
ing out  Prayers,  for  his  Murderers  ;  before  He  poured 
out  his  Soul,  for  TranfgrefTors.  See  the  Wounds,  that 
ftream  with  Forgivenefs,  and  bleed  Balm  for  a  diflem- 
pered  World,  O  !  fee  the  Juftice  of  the  Almighty  and 
his  Goodnefs ;  his  Mercy  and  his  Vengeance ;  tv try  tre- 
mendous and  gracious  Attribute  manifefled ,  manifefted. 

*  And  ly  fays  our  LORD,  if  I  le  lifted  j/pfrcm  the  "Earthy  and  ex'- 
tended  on  the  Crofs.  n.vill dra--w  all  Men  unto  me  :  will  give  fuch  a  riefi 
and  tranfcendcnt  Difplay  oi  my  Love,  as  lliall  conftitute  the  moft  pow- 
erful and  prevailing  Attradlive  of //ff/r/.     JohnyXx.  'i^z, 

■   f  Alluding  "to  Ifatah  vi.  6,  .  , 

Q  '  with 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS.  357 

with  incxpreflible  Glory,  in  that  mofl  ig?iominmSy  yet 
grandejly  of  Tranfaclions. 

Since  God  is  fo  inconceivably  great^  as  thefe  his 
marvellous  Works  declare ; 

Since  the  great  So^Sreign  fends  Ten  Tbcufand  Worlds^ 
To  tell  us,  He  refides  above  tkem  all. 
In  Glory's  unapproachable  Recefs  *  j 

how  can  We  forbear  haftening,  with  Mojes,  bowing  Oiir- 
felves  to  the  Earth,  and  worfhipping. 

O  !  what  an  honourable,  as  well  as  advantageous  Em- 
ploy, is  Prayer  ! — Advantageous.  By  Prayer,  We  cul- 
tivate that  improving  Correfpondcnce  with  JEHO- 
VAH, We  carry  on  that  gladdening  Intercourfe  with 
his  SPJRIT,  which  mud  begin  Here,  in  order  to  be 
completed  in  Eternity. — Honourable.  By  Prayer,  we 
have  Accefs  to  that  mighty  Potentate ;  whofe  Sceptre 
fways  univerfal  Nature,  and  whofe  rich  Regalia  fill  the 
Skies  with  Lullre.  Prayer,  places  us  in  his  Prefence- 
Chambers  while  "  the  Blood  of  Sprinkhng,"  procures 
us  a  gracious  Audience. 

Shall  I  then  blujh  to  be  found  proftrate,  before  the 
Throne  of  Grace  ?  Shall  I  be  ajhamed  to  have  it  known  j 
that  I  offer  up  focial  Supplications  in  the  Family,  or  am 

*  For  this  flotation,  and  feveral  valuable  Hints,  I  acknowledge  my- 
felf  indebted  to  thofe  beautiful  and  fublime  Poems,  intituled  Nights 
Thoughts.—-Oi  \v\i\z\i  I  fhall  only  fay.  That  I  receive  frefh  Pleafure, 
and  richer  Improvement,  from  every  renewed  Perufal.  And,  I  think, 
I  fhall  have  Reafon  to  hlefs  the  indulgent  Beftower  of  all  Wifdom,  for 
thofc  inftruftive  and  animating  Compofitions,  even  in  my  laft  Moments. 
Than  which,  nothing  can  more  emphatically  fpeak  ihtivfupericr  Excel- 
lencey  nor  give  a  more  folid  Satisfadion  to  their  worthy  Author. — 
Happy  fhould  I  think  myfelf,  if  thefe  little  Sketches  of  contemplative 
Devotion,  might  be  honoured  with  the  mcj}  inferior  Degree  of  the 
fame  Succefs.  Might  receive  a  Teftimony,  not  from  the  Voice  of 
Fame,  but  from  the  dying  Lips  of  fome  edified  Chriftian, 

A  a  3  confci- 


^S8  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

confcientious  in  obferving  my  prmte  Retirement  ?  Ra- 
tlier,  let  me  glory  in  this  unfpeakable  Privilege.  I^xt 
me  reckon  it  the  ncbkji  Poilurej  to  fall  low  on  my  Knees 
before  his  Footftool  -,  and  the  higheft  Honour  to  enjoy 
Communion  with  his  mofl  exalted  Majefly. — Incompa- 
rably more  noble,  than  to  fit,  in  Perfon,  on  the  trium^ 
phal  Chariot  s  or  to  fland^  in  Effigy,  amidft  the  Temple 
of  Worthies. 

Most  ineflimable,  in  fuch  a  View,  is  that  Promife  j 
which  fo  often  occurs  in  the  prophetic  Writings,  and  i§ 
the  crowning  Benefit  of  the  new  Covenant,  /  will  he  thy 
Gi?^*.— Will  this  fupremely  excellent,  and  Almighty 
Being,  vouchfafe  to  be  my  Portion  ?  To  fettle  upon  a 
poor  Sinner,  not  the  Heritage  of  a  County ;  not  the 
PofleiTion  of  the  whole  Earth  ;  but  his  own  ever-blefled 
Self?  May  I  then,  through  his  free  condefcending  Grace, 
and  the  unknown  Merits  of  his  Son,  look  upon  all  theie 
Jnfinitejy  noble  Attributes  as  my  Treafure  ?  May  I  re- 
gard the  Wifdom,  which  fuperintends  fuch  a  Multitude 
of  Worlds,  as  my  Guide  ;  xht  Power y  which  produced, 
and  preferves  them  in  Exiflence,  as  my  Guard ;   the 
Ggodnejs,  ^Yiichy  by  an  endlefs  Communication  of  Fa- 
vours, renders  them  all  fo  many  Habitations  of  Happl- 
nefs,  as  my  exceeding  great  Reward  /'—What  a  Fund  of 
Felicity,  is  included  in  fuch  a  BlelTing  ?  How  often  does 
the  JJraelitiJh  Prince  exult  in  the  AfTurance,  d\at  this 
unutterable  and  boundlefs  Good  is  his  own  ?    Interefted 
in  this,  he  bids  Defiance  to  every  Evil,  that  can  be 
dreaded;  and  reds  in  certain  Expodation  of  every  Blef- 
fmg,  that  can  be  defired.     The  LORD  is  my  Light y 
and  my  Salvation ;  whom  then  fo  all  I  fear  ?  The  LORDy 
with  an  Air  of  Exultation,  he  repeats  both  his  Affiance, 
and  his  Challenge,  is  the  Strength  of  my  Life-,  of  whorh 

*  Heb,  viii.  lOo 

tien 


THE    STARRY     HEAVENS, 


359 


then ]h all  I  he  afraid*  ?  Nothing  fo  efildual,  as  "I. is  ap- 
propriating Faith,  to  infpire  a  Dignity  oi  Mind,  fupe- 
rior  to  tranfitory  Trifles  ;  or  to  ere I'tc  a  Calmncfs  of 
Temper,  unalarmed  by  vulgar  Fears,  unappallcd  by 
Death  i  tie  If. — The  LO  RB  is  my  Shepherd^  fays  the  fame 
ti-uly  gallant  and  heroic  Perfonage  :  therefore  fhall  I  lack 
nothing -\,  How  is  it  pofTible,  He  llionld  fuffer  Want, 
who  has  the  All-fufficient  Fulnefs  for  his  Supply  ?  So 
long  as  unerring  Wifdom  is  capable  of  C'^ntriving  the 
Means ;  fo  long  as  uncontroulable  Power  ii>  able  to  exe- 
cute them ;  fuch  a  One  cannot  fail  of  being  fafe  and 
happy ;  whether  he  continue  amidft  the  VicifTitudes  of 
Time,  or  depart  into  the  unchangeable  Eternity. 

Here,  let  us  Hand  a  Moment,  and  humbly  contem- 
plate this  great  God,  together  with  ourfelves,  in  a  rela- 
tive View. — If  we  reflect  on  the  Works  of  material  Na- 
ture, their  Number  incomprehenfible,  and  their  Extent 
unmeafurable :  each  of  them  apart,  fo  admirably  framed; 
the  Conned:ions  of  the  Whole,  fo  exquifitely  regulated ; 
and  all  derived,  from  one  and  the  fame  glorious  Agent. 
— If  we  recoiled  the  far  more  noble  Accomplifhments 
of  elegant  Taile,  and  difcerning  Judgment ;  of  refined 
Affedions,  and  exalted  Sentiments ;  which  are  to  be 
found,  among  the  feveral  Orders  of  intelligent  Exiflence : 
and  all  of  them  flowing,  in  rich  Emanations,  from  the 
one  fole  Fountain  of  intellectual  Light. — If  we  farther 
confider  this  Author  of  material  Beauty,  and  moral  Ex'* 
cellency,  as  a  Guardian,  a  Governor,  and  Benefa5for  to 
all  his  Creatures:  fuppcrting  the  whole  Syftem,  and  pro- 
ceding  each  Individual,  by  an  ever-watchful  Providence  j 
prefiding  over  the  minutefl:  Afl'airs,  and  caufing  all 
Events  to  terminate  in  the  mod  extenfive  Good  5  heap- 
ing, with  unremitted  Liberality,  his  Benefits  upon  every 

*  Pfal.  xxvii.  I,  I  Pfal.xxiii.  i. 

A  ^  4  capable 


360  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

capable  Objedb,  and  making  the  Circuit  of  the  Univerfe 
a  Seminaiy  of  Happinefs — Is  it  poiTible  for  the  human 
Heart,  under  fuch  captivating  Views,  to  be  indifferent 
towards  this  moil  benign,  moil  bountiful  Original  of 
Being  and  of  Blifs  ?  Can  any  be  fo  immerfed  in  Stupi- 
dity, as  to  fay  unto  the  Almighty — in  the  Language  of 
an  irreligious  Temper,  and  licentious  Life,  to  fay  ? 
'^  Depart  from  Us ;  we  implore  not  thy  Favour ;  nor 
*^  defire  the  Knowledge  of  thy  Ways." — Wonder,  O 
Heavens!  be  amazed,  O  Earth!  and  let  the  Inhabitants 
of  both  exprefs  their  Aflonifhment,  at  this  unparalleled 
Complication  of  difingenuous,  ungrateful,  deilru<5tive 
Perverfenefs ! 

If  we  confider  our  fallen  and  imferfe^  State  -,  frail  in 
our  Bodies ;  enfeebled  in  our  Minds  ;  in  every  Part  of 
our  Conllitution,  and  in  all  the  Occurrences  of  Life,. 
"  Hke  a  tottering  Wail,  or  a  broken  Hedge." — If  we 
furvey  our  indigent  and  infirm  State  ;  without  Holinefs  j 
without  ipiritual  Strength  5  our  PoffeiTion  of  prefent 
Conveniencies,  intirely  dependent  on  God*s  fovereign 
Pleafure  j  yea,  forfeited,  juflly  forfeited,  with  every  fu- 
ture Hope,  by  a  thoufand  aggravated  Iniquities. — If  we 
^dd  the. various  Dijafters  of  our  Condition  ;  agitated  as 
we  are  by  tumultuous  Paffions ;  opprefTed  with  difpirit- 
jng  Fears  \  held  in  Sufpenfe  by  a  Variety  of  perplexing  * 

Cares: 

*  FerpkxtngT-'Thok  who  read  the  original  Language  of  the  New 
Teftament,  are  fufficiently  apprifed,  that  liich  is  the  Significancy  of  that 
benevolent  DilTuaiive,  urged  by  ourLoi^D,  /at?  ju-Ep^/xvoJe,  Matt.m.  25^. 
' — I  beg  Leave,  for  the  Sake  of  the  unlearned  Reader,  to  obferve  5 
That  our  Tranfiation,  though  for  the  moll  Part  faithful  and  excellent, 
has  here  mifreprefented  our  Divine  Mailer's  Meaning,  Take  no  Thought 
for  your  -Food,  for  your  Raiment,  for  your  bodily  Welfare^  is  not 
only  not  the  true  Senfe,  but  the  very  Reverfe  of  tlie  Scriptural  Doc- 
trine. We  are  required  to  take  2i prudent  and  moderate  Thought,  for 
the  NecefTaries  of  Life,    The  Sluggard,  v/ho  negledls  this  decent  Pre- 

caution^ 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  361 

Cares:  liable  to  Pains,  and  expofcd  to  Troubles;  Trou- 
bles from  every  Quarter  ;  Troubles  of  every  Kind — Can 
we,  amidfl  fo  many  Wants,  under  fuch  deplorable  In- 
firmities, and  fubjedl  to  fucli  difaftrous  Accidents — can 
we  be  unconcerned,  whether  God's  omnipotent,  irre- 
fiftible,  all'Condu.fting  Hand  be  agalnft  Us,  ox  for  Us? 
Imagination  itfelf  fhudders  at  the  Thought!  — Can  we 
refb  fatisfied,  without  a  well-grounded  Perfuaficn,  diat 
we  are  reconciled,  to  this  fupreme  Lord,  and  the  Objects 
of  this  unchangeable  Goodnefs ! — If  there  be  an  aban- 
doned Wretch,  whofe  Apprehenfions  are  fo  fatally  blind- 
ed ',  who  is  fo  utterly  loft  to  all  Senfe  of  his  Duty,  and 
of  his  Interefl ;  let  me  bewail  his  Mijcry^  while  I  abhor 
his  Impiety.  Bewail  his  Mifery ;  though  Popularity, 
with  her  choiceft  Laurels,  adorn  his  Brow  \  diough  Af- 
fluence, with  her  richeft  Delicacies,  load  his  Table ; 
though  half  a  Nation,  or  half  a  World,  conij)ire  to  call 
him  happy. 

May  I,  by  a  believing  Application,  folace  myfelf  in 
this  everlafting  Source  of  Love,  Pei-fedlion,  and  Joy  I 
Grant  me  this  Requeft,  and  I  afk  no  more. — Only,  that 
I  may  exped,  not  with  a  reluftant  Anxiety,  but  with  a 
ready  Chearfulnefs,  the  Arrival  of  that  important  Hour; 
when  this  Veil  of  Flefh  fhall  drop,  and  the  Shadows  of 
Mortality  flee  away.  When  I  fliall  no  longer  complain 
of  ohjcure  Knowledge  ;  languid  Afreclions  ;  and  imperfeci 
Fruition — but  fhall  fee  the  uncreated  aqd  imm^ortal  Ma- 
jefty.     See  Him,  not  in  this  diilant  and  unaffedting  Me- 

caution,  is  feverely  reprimanded ;  is  fent  to  one  of  the  meaneft  Ani- 
mals, to  bluih  for  his  Folly,  and  learn  Difcretion  from  her  Conduft, 
Pre^,  vi.  6.  Our  Saviour's  Precept,  and  the  exact  Senfe  (.  f  his  Ex- 
■preffion,  h.  Take  no  anxkus  Thouglit ;  indulge  no  perplexino-  Cafe. 
No  fuch  Care,  as  may  argue  an  unreafonable  Dijimji  of  Providence ; 
or  may  rend  and  tear  your  Minds  with  diftreffing,  with  pernicious  So- 
licitude. 

thod,. 


362  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

thod,  of  reafoning  from  his  Works ;  but  with  the  moft 
clear  and  dired  Intuition  of  the  Mind. — When  I  fhall 
love  Him,  not  v.ith  a  cold  and  contraded  Spirit  i  but 
with  the  moft  lively  and  inlarged  Emotions  of  Gratitude. 
When  I  iliaa  incefTantiy  enjoy  tlie  Light  of  his  Coun- 
tenance ;  and  be  united,  infeparably  united  to  his  all- 
o-lorious  Godhead. — Take,  ye  Ambitious,  unenvied 
and  unoppofed,  take  to  yourfelves  the  Toys  of  State. 
May  I  be  enabled  to  rejoice  in  this  blcired  Hope;  and  to 
triumph  in  that  amiable,  that  adorable,  that  delight(\]l 
Name,  the  Lord  my  G  d!  And  I  Qiall  fcarce  beflow 
3  Thought,  on  the  fpiendid  Pageantry  of  the  World, 
unlefs  it  be  to  dejpife  \u  empty  Pomp,  and  to  pty  its  de- 
luded Admirers. 

All  thefe  Bodies,  though  immenfe  in  their  Size,  and 
almoil  infinite  in  their  Muldtude,  are  obedient  to  the  Di- 
vine Command.  The  God  of  WixUom  "  teileth  their 
"  Numbers,"  and  is  intimately  acquainted  with  their 
various  Pi-opertics.  The  God  of  Pov/er  "  calleth  them 
"  all  by  dieir  Names,"  and  affigns  them  whatfoever 
Office  He  pie  ales. — He  marJJoals  all  the  ftarry  Legions, 
with  inhnirely  greater  Eafe,  and  nicer  Order ;  than  the 
moft  expert  General,  arranges  his  difcipiined  Troops. 
He  appoints  their  P^/j;  he  marks  their  Route  %  he  fixes 
the  Time  for  their  Return,  The  Pofts,  which  he  ap-^ 
points,  they  occupy,  without  fail.  In  the  Route,  which 
he  fettles,  they  perfevere,  without  the  leaft  Deviation* 
And  to  the  Inftant  *,  which  he  fixes  for  their  Return, 
they  are  precifely  puncluai. — He  has  given  them  a  LaWy 
which,  through  a  long  Revolution  of  Ages,  fhall  not  be 

*  "  The  Planets,  and  all  the  innumerable  Hofl  of  heavenly  Bodies, 
"  perform  their  Courfes  and  Revolutions,  with  fo  much  Certainty 
"  and  Exaf^nefs,  a?  never  once  to  fail ;  but,  for  almoil  6000  Years, 
*'  come  condantly  about  to  the  fame  Period,  in  the  hundredth  Part  of 
5*  ji  Minute.'*     Stack houseV  Hijf,  Bible, 

broken } 


THE     STARRY    HEAVENS.  363 

broken  ;  unlefs  his  ibvei-eign  Will  intei-pofes,  for  its  Re- 
feaL  Then  indeed,  the  Motion  of  the  celefliial  Orbs  is 
controuled ;  their  Aclicn  remains  fufpended  -,  or  their 
Influence  receives  a  new  Direcbion. — The  Sun,  at  his 
Creation,  iiTued  forth  with  a  Command,  to  travel  per- 
petually through  the  Heavens.  Since  which,  he  has  never 
negledled  to  perform  the  great  Circuit  -,  ^*  rejoicing  as 
'*  a  Giant  to  nin  his  Race."  But,  when  it  is  requifite 
to  accom.pHfh  the  Purpofes  of  Divine  Love,  the  Orders 
are  countermanded ;  the  flaming  Courier  remits  his  Ca- 
reer ;  ftands  ftill  in  Gil  eon  * ;  and,  for  the  Conveniency 
of  the  chofen  People,  holds  back  the  falling  Day. — The 
Moon  was  difpatched  with  a  Charge,  never  to  intermit 
her  revolving  Courfe,  till  Day  and  Night  come  to  an 
End.  But  when  the  Children  of  Providence,  are  to  be 
favoured  with  an  uncommon  Continuance  of  Light,  fhe 
halts  in  her  March ;  makes  a  folemn  Paufe  in  the  Valley 
of  Ajalon  f  -,  and  delays  to  bring  on  her  attendant  Train 
of  Shadows. — When  the  Enemies  of  the  Lord  are  to 
be  difcomfited,  the  Stars  are  levied  into  the  Service  ; 
the  Stars  are  armed,  and  take  the  Field ;  the  Stars^  in 
their  Courfas^  fought  againfi  S  if  era  if. 

So 

*  This  Is  fpoken  in  Conformity  to  the  Scripture  Language,  and  ac- 
cording to  the  common  Notion.  With  refpedl  to  the  Power  which  ef- 
feded  the  Alteration ;  it  js  much  the  fame  Thing,  and  alike  miracu- 
lous ;  whether  the  Sun  or  the  Earth,  be  fuppofed  to  move. 

f  Jojh.x.  12,  13. — The  Prophet  Habakkuky  according  to  his  lofty 
Manner,  celebrates  this  Event ;  and  points  out,  in  a  very  poetical  Dic- 
tion, the  Defign  of  fo  furprifmg  a  Miracle. — The  Sun  and  Mconjlood 
Jiill  in  their  Habitation  :  In  the  Light,  the  long-continued  and  miracu- 
lous Light,  thy  ArronfjSy  edged  with  Deftrudion,  njcalked  on  their  awful 
Errand  ;  in  the  clear  S-hining  of  the  Day,  protiadled  foj  this  very  Pur- 
pofe,  thy  glittering  Spsar,  launched  by  thy  People,  but  guided  by  thy 
Hand,  fprung  to  its  Prey.     Hah.  iii.  1 1 . 

X  J^i^g'  V.  20.— The  fcriptural  Phrafe  fought  againjl,  will,  I  hope, 

be  a  proper  JVarrant  for  every  Expreffion,  I  have  ufed  on  this  Occa- 

■    '   '        ■      •  fion. 


364  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON- 

S  o  dutiful  is  material  Nature !  So  obiequioiis,  in  all 
her  FormSy  to  her  Creator's  Pleafure ! — The  bellowing 
Thunders,  liften  to  his  Voice ;  and  the  vollied  Light- 
nings,  obferve  the  Dire6cion  of  his  Eye.  The  flying 
Storm,  and  impetuous  Whirlwind,  v/ear  his  Yoke.  The 
raging  Waves  revere  his  Nod :  they  fhake  the  Earth ; 
they  dafh  the  Skies  \  yet,  never  offer  to  pafs  the  Limits, 
which  he  has  prefcribed. — Even  the  planetary  Spheres ; 
though  vaftly  larger^  than  this  wide-extended  Earths 
are,  in  his  Hand,  as  Clay  in  the  Hands  of  the  Potter. 
Though,/wi/?<f;-  than  the  Northern  Blaft,  they  fweep  the 
long  Trads  of  i^ther;  yet,  are  they  guided  by  his  Reins, 
and  execute  whatever  He  injoins. — All  thofe  enormous 
Globes  of  central  Fire,  whicli  beam  through  the  bound- 
lefs  Azure ;  in  comparifon  of  which,  an  Army  of  Pla- 
nets, were  like  a  Swarm  of  Summer  Infe(5ls ;  thofe, 
even  thofe,  are  conform.able  to  his  Will,  as  the  meltmg 
Wax  to  the  impreffed  Seal. — Since  ally  all  is  obedient, 
throughout  the  whole  Afcent  of  Things,  Ihall  Man  be 
the  only  Rebel  againft  the  Almighty  Maker  ?  Shall  thefe 
unruly  AppetiteSy  rejed  his  Government,  and  refufe  their 
Allegiance  ?  Shall  thefe  headflrong  Paffions^  break  ioofc 

fion. — The  Parage  is  generally  fuppofed  to  fignify,  that  Tome  very 
dreadful  Meteors  (which  the  Stars  were  thought  to  influence)  fuch  as 
fierce  Flafhes  of  Lightning',  impetuous  Showers  o^ Rain;  and  rapid 
Storms  of  Hail  \  were  employed  by  the  Almighty  to  terrify,  annoy, 
and  overthrow  the  Enemies  of  Ifrael  If  fc,  there  cannot  be  a  more 
clear  and  lively  Paraphrafe  on  the  Text,  than  thofe  fine  Lines  of  a 
Je^ifb  Writer. — His  fe-vere  Wrath  Jh all  HE  Jfparpen  for  a  Swor^ ;  and 
the  World  Jhall  fight  n.vith  him  againft  the  Ungodly,  Theny  fiall  the 
ri^ht-aiming  Thunderbolts  ^0  abroad;  andfroin  the  Clouds,  as  f rem  a 
well-drawn  Y^qw,  Jhall  they  fly  to  the  Mark,  ./(W  Hail-ftones, /z^//  cf 
XVrath,  frail  be  caji  out  of  a  Stone  Bo<vj  ;  and  the  Water  of  the  Sea  Jhall 
rage  againft  them ;  and  the  Floods  (as  was  the  Cafe  of  the  River  Kijhon^ 
Jhall  cruelly  drQn.mi  them.  Tea,  a  mighty  '^'v^^  Jhall  ft  and  up  againft  them\ 
and,  like  a  Storm,  Jhall  blo-z'J  them  aivay.  Wifd.  v.  20,  2 1, 22,  23, 

■    '  fron\ 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  3% 

from  Divine  Reftraint;  and  run  wild,  in  exorbitant  Sal- 
lies, after  their  own  Imaginations  ? 

O  MY  Soul,  be  flung  with  Remorfe,  and  over-whelm- 
ed with  Confufion,  at  the  Thought!  Is  it  not  a  riglite- 
ous Thing,  that  the  blefled  God  fhould  fway  the  Sceptre, 
with  the  moil  abfolute  Authority,  over  all  the  Creatures; 
which  his  PowTr  has  formed  ?  Efpecially  over  thofe 
Creatures;  whom  his  difbinguifliing  Favour,  has  endued 
vvlth  the  noble  Principle  of  Reafon,  and  made  capable 
of  a  blifsful  Immortality  ?  Sure,  if  all  the  Ranks  of 
inanimate  Exiflence,  conform  to  their  Maker's  Decree, 
by  the  NeceJJity  of  their  Nature  ;  this  more  excellent 
Race  of  Beings,  fhould  pay  their  equal  Homage,  by 
the  willing  Compliance  of  their  Aifedions  *. — Come 
then,  all  ye  Faculties  of  my  Mind;  come,  all  ye  Powers 
of  my  Body ;  give  up  yourfelves,  without  a  Moment's 
Delay,  without  the  lead  Referve,  to  his  Governance. 
Stand,  like  dutiful  Servants,  at  his  Footftool;  in  an 
everlafting  Readinefs,  to  do  whatfoever  He  requires :  to 

*  This  Argnment,  I  acknowledge,  is  not  ahfolately  conclufive.  But 
it  is  popular  and  ftriking.  Nor  can  I  think  myielf  obliged,. in  fuch  a 
Work ;  where  Fancy  bears  a  confiderable  Sway  ;  to  proceed  always 
with  the  Caution  and  Exadnefs,  of  a  Difyuter  in  the  Schccls.  If  there 
be  fome  Appearance  of  Analogy,  between  the  Facl  and  ti\e.  Inference, 
it  feems  fufficient  for  my  Purpofe ;  though  the  Dedudlion  fliould  not 
be  neceflary,  nor  theProcefs  ftriclly  fyllogylHcal. — One  of  the  ApoftoJic 
Fathers y  has  an  afFedling  and  fublime  Paragraph,  which  runs  intirely  in 

this  Form:  K?vio?  T£  xat  d'hryr^  a.<rto^v  th  X^P^»  kccIu  ttv  otalxfrtV  avln  er 
t/>to»ota,  oiX""  '^<^<^^  'CTX^iy.'oua-iuqj  B^BXta-o-na^iv  ra;  i'TrCiela.yuevac  avroi^ 
^fiO'iJ'.yi;.  T7:e  Sun,  the  Moon,  and  the  Jiarry  Choirs  tvifhcut  the  Uaji  De^ 
'ziation,  and  tvith  the  utmojl  Harmony,  perform  the  Re'voltiticns  atpointed 
them  by  the  fupr erne  Decree.  From  which  P^emark,  and  Abundance  of 
other  fimilar  Inftances,  obfervable  in  the  Oeconomy  of  Nature  ;  he  ex- 
horts Chrillians,  to  a  cordial  Unanimity  among  themfclves,  and  a  duti- 
ful Obedience  to  God.  Vid.  Clem.  Roman,  i  Ep.  ad  Corinth.  SeJ.  20. 
-—See  alfo  a  beautiful  Ode  in  Dr.Watts's  Lyric  Poems,  intituled  The 
Comparifon  and  Complaint ^  which  turns  upon  this  very  Thought. 

he 


366  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

he  whatfoever  He  appoints.  To  further,  with  united 
Efrorts,  the  Purpofes  of  his  Glory  in  this  earthly  Scene  : 
or  elfe  to  feparate,  without  Relu6lance,  at  his  Summons  9 
the  onBy  to  fleep  in  the  filent  Dud ;  the  other ^  to  advance 
his  Honour,  in  feme  remoter  Colony  of  his  Kingdom. 
— Thus,  may  I  join  with  all  the  Works  of  the  Lord, 
in  all  the  Places  oi  his  Dominion,  to  recognize  his  uni- 
verfal  Supremacy;  and  proclaim  Him  Sovereign  of 
Souls,  as  well  as  Ruler  of  Worlds. 

At  my  firfl  coming  abroad,  all  diefe  Luminaries 
were  eelipjed^  by  the  overpowering  Luftre  of  the  Sun. 
They  were  all  placed  in  die  very  f^me  Stations ;  and 
played  the  fame  fprightly  Beams ;  yet,  not  one  of  them 
was  feen.  As  the  Daylight  v/ore  away,  and  the  fober 
Shades  advanced;  Hefperus,  who  leads  the  ilarry  Train,- 
difclofed  his  radiant  Forehead,  and  catched  my  Eye. 
Wliile  I  flood  gazing  on  his  bright  and  beautiful  Afpe6l, 
feveral  of  his  Attendants  peeped  through  the  blue  Cur-^ 
tains.  Scarce  had  I  turned  to  obferve  thefe  frelli  Ema- 
nations of  Splendor  ;  but  others  dropt  the  Veil :  others 
ftole  into  View.  When  lo !  faflcr  and  more  numerous. 
Multitudes  fprung  from  Obfcurity;  they  poured,  in 
Ihinino-  Troops,  and  in  fweet  Gonfufion,  over  all  the 
empyrean  Plain.  Till  the  Firmament  feemed,  like  one 
vaft  Conflellation ;  and  "  a  Flood  of  Glory  burfl  from; 
«  all  the  Skies." 

Is  not  fuch  the  Rifey  and  fuch  the  Prcgrefs  of  a  true 
ConverfioKy  in  the  prejudiced  Infidel,  or  inattentive  Sin- 
ner? During  the  Period  of  his  vainer  Years,  a  Thou- 
fandinterefling  Truths,  lay  utterly  undxfcovered ;  a  Thou- 
fand  momentous  Concerns,  wtre  intirely  difregarded. 
But,  when  divine  Grace  diiiipates  the  deiufivc  Ghtter, 
which  dazzled  his  Underilanding,  and  beguiled  his  Af- 
fe<5tions;  then,  he  begins  to  difcern,  dimly  to  difcern, 

the 


THE     STARRY    HEAVENS.  367 

the  Things  which  belong  unto  his  Peace.  Some  Admo- 
nition of  Scripture,  darts  Convi6tion  into  his  Soul;  as 
the  Glimmering  of  a  Star,  pierces  the  Gloom  of  Night. 
— Then,  perhaps,  another  awful,  or  chearing  Text,  im- 
prcfles  Terror,  or  diffufes  Comfort.  A  Threatening  alarms 
his  Fears,  or  a  Tromije  awakens  his  Hopes.  This,  pof- 
fibly,  is  fucceeded  by  fome  affli5flve  Difpenfarion  of  Pro- 
vidence ;  and  improved  by  fome  edifying*  and  inftru5live 
Converfation.  Ail  which  is  eftabiifhed,  as  to  its  Conti- 
nuance ;  and  inlarged,  as  to  its  Influence;  by  a  diligent 
Study  of  the  facred  Word. — By  this  Means,  new  Truths 
continually  pour  their  Evidence.  Scenes  of  refined  and 
exalted,  but  hitherto  unknown  Delight,  addrefs  Him 
with  their  Attradives.  New  Denres  take  Wing  ;  new 
Purfuits  are  fet  on  foot.  A  new  Turn  of  Mind  forms  his 
Temper;  a  new  Habit  of  Converfation  regulates  his  Life. 
In  a  Word  ;  old  Things  are  fajfcd  away ;  and  all  Things 
become  yiew.  He,  who  was  Ibmetime  Darknefs,  is  now- 
Light,  and  Life,  and  Joy  in  the  Lord. 

The  more  attentively  I  view  the  cryflial  Concave,  the 
more  fully  I  difcern  the  Richnefs  of  its  Decorations. 
Abundance  of  minuter  Lights,  which  lay  concealed  from 
a  fuperficial  Notice,  are  vifible  on  a  clojer  Examination. 
Efpecially  in  thofe  Trads  of  the  Sky,  which  are  called 
the  Galaxy  ;  and  are  diftinguifhable,  by  a  fort  of  milky 
Path.  There,  the  Stars  are  crouded,  rather  than  difle- 
minatcd.  T!>e  Region  feems  to  be  all  on  a  Blaze,  with 
their  blended  Rays.— Befides  this  vafl:  Profufion,  which 
in  my  prefent  Situation  the  Eye  difcovers ;  was  I  to 
make  my  Survey,  from  any  other  Part  of  the  Globe, 
lying  nearer  the  Southern  Pole  ;  I  fhould  behold  a  neiv 
Choir  of  Harry  Bodies,  which  have  never  appeared  within 
our  Horizon. — Was  I  (which  is  ilill  more  wonderful) 
either  Here  or  There,  to  view  the  Firmament  with  the 

Virtuofo's 


368  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Virtuofo's  Glafs  j  I  fhould  find  a  prodigious  Multitude 
of  fiaiTiing  Orbs,  which,  imincrfed  in  Depths  of  ^ther, 
cfcape  the  keenell  unafTifted  Sight  * — Yet,  in  thefe  va- 
rious Situations ;  even  with  the  Aid  of  the  Telefcopic 
Tube  ;  I  fhould  not  be  able  to  defcry  the  Half,  perhaps 
not  a  Thoujandth  Part,  of  thofe  majeftic  Luminaries> 
which  the  t^aft  expanfive  Heavens  contain  f.— So,  the 
more  diligently  I  purfue  my  Search,  into  thofe  Oracles 
cf  eternal  Truth,  the  Scriptures  -,  I  perceive  a  wider,  a' 
deeper,  an  ever  increafing  Fund  of  fpiritual  Treafures. 
I  perceive  die  brighter  Strokes  of  Wifdom,  and  the 
richer  Difplays  of  Goodnefs;  a  more  tranfcendcnt  Ex- 
cellency in  the  illuflrious  Mefiiah,  and  a  more  deplorable 
Vilenefs  in  fillcn  Man )  a  more  immaculate  Purity  in 
God's  Law;  and  more  precious  Privileges  in  his  Gof- 
pel.  Yet,  after  a  Courfe  cf  Study,  ever  fo  afiiduous ; 
ever  fo  prolonged;  I  fhould  have  Reafon  to  own  myfclf^ 
a  mere  BahCy  in  heavenly  Knowledge  ;  or,  at  moft,  but 
z  puerile  Proficient,  in  the  School  of  Christ. 

After  all  my  mofl  accurate  Infpe^tion,   thofe  flrrry 
Orbs  appear  but  as  glitteringPoints.     Even  the  Planets, 

*  Come  forth,  O  Man,  yon  azure  Round  fari-ey, 

And  view  thofs  Lamps,  which  yield  eternal  T)^y. 

Bring  forth  thy  Glafies :  Clear  thy  wond'ring  Eyes  ;  1 

Millions  beyond  the  former  Millions  rife  :  > 

Look  farther: — Millions  more  blaze  from  remoter  Skies.  3 

See  an  ingenious  Pcetn^  intiileii  the  Univerfe. 

f  How  noble,  confidered  in  this  View,  are  the  Celebrations  of  tiie 

Divine  Majefly,  which  frequently  occur  in  the  facred  Writings !  //  is 

the  LORD  that  jnade  the  Heavens.  Pfal.  xcvi.  5. — V/hat  a  prodigioiis 

Dignity,  does  fach  a  Senfe  of  Things  give  to  that  devout  Afcription 

of  Praife  I  T'hauy  euen  Thou,  art  LORD  alone  ;   Thou  haji  maf^e  Hewoen^ 

the  Uea'-en  cf  Hea^oens,  'zvith  all  their  Hcjl .    Nehem.  ix.  6. — Examined 

by  this  Rule,  the  beautiful  Climax  in  our  infpired  Hymn,  is  fublime 

beyond  Compare.     Praitl  HIM,  Sun  and  Moon ;  Praife  HIM,  all  ye 

Stars  of  Light:   Praife  HIM,  je  Heaven    of  Ilca'vens.     Ffal.  cxlviii. 

3-4' 

though 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.     ^         369 

though  fo  much  nearer  our  earthly  Manfion,  feem  only 
like  burning   Bullets,     If  then,  we  have  kich  iynperfert 
Ap'prehenfions  of  vifible  and  material  Things :  how  much 
more  fcanty  and  inadequate^  mud  be  our  Notions  of  in- 
vifible  and  immortal  Objects! — Wc  behold  the  Stars. 
Though  every  one  is  incomparably  bigger,  than  the  Globe 
we  inhabit ;  yet  they  dwindle,  upon  our  Survey,  into  the 
mofl  diminutive  Forms.     Thus,  we  fee  by  Faith  the 
Glories  of  die  blelTed  Jesus  ;  the  atoning  Efficacy  of  his 
Death ;  the  juftifying  Merit  of  his  Righteoufnefs  ;  and 
the  Joys,  which  are  referved  for  his  Followers.     But 
alas !  even  our  mod  exalted  Ideas,  are  vaftly  heloisj  the 
Truth.     As  much  below  the  Truth  \   as  the   Report, 
which  our  Eyes  make  of  thofe  celeftial  Edifices,  is  infe- 
rior to  their  real  Grandeur. — Should  we  take  in  all  the 
magnifying  AfTiftances,  which  Art  has  contrived;  thofe 
luminous  Bodies,  would  elude  our  Skill,  and  appear  as 
Jmall  as  ever.     Should  an  Inhabitant  of  Earth,  travel  to- 
wards the  Cope  of  Heaven ;  and  be  carried  forwards,  in 
his  aerial  Journey,  more  than  a  Hundred  and  fixty  Mil- 
lions of  Miles*;  even  in  that  advanced  Situadon,  thofe 
Oceans  of  Flame^  would  look  no  larger,    than  radiant 
Specks. — In  like  manner,  conceive  ever  fo  magnificendy, 
of  the  Redeemer's  Honours  3  and  of  the   Blifs,  which 
he  has  purchafed  for  his  People ;  yet  you  will  fall  fhort. 
Raife  your  Imagination  ^/g-/?^;- ;  ftretch  your  Invention 
ivider ;  give  them  all  the  Scope,  which  a  foaring  and 
excurfive  Fancy  can  take  ;  ftill,  your  Conceptions  will 
be  extremely  difproporticnate,   to  their  genuine  Perfec- 

*  This,  incredible  as  it  may  feem,  is  not  a  mere  Suppofition,  but  a 
real  Fa<Sl.  For,  about  the  Twenty-firft  of  December ,  we  are  above 
160,000,000  of  Miles  nearer  the  Northern  Parts  of  the  Sky,  than  we 
were  at  the  Twenty-firft  of  J7t?ie.  And  yet,  with  regard  to  the  Stars 
fituate  in  that  Quarter,  we  perceive  no  Change  in  their  Afpecly  nor  any 
Augmentation  of  their  Magnitude. 

B  b  tions. 


37©  C6NTEMPLATIONS    ON 

tions. — Vaft  are  the  Bodies,  which  roll  in  the  Expanfe  of 
Heaven :  vafler  far  are  thofe  Fields  of  /Ether,  through 
which  they  run  their  endlefs  Round :  But  the  Excellency 
of  Jesus,  and  the  Happinefs  laid  up  for  his  Servants, 
are  greater  than  either  y  than  both-y  than  alL  An  infpired 
Writer  calls  the  former,  "  The  unfearchable  Ricnes  of 
«  Christ  5"  and  fliles  the  latter,  "  An  exceedmg  great 
"  and  eternal  Weight  of  Glory." 

If  thofe  Stars,  are  fo  many  inexhauftible  Magazines 
of  Fire,  and  immenfe  ReJervoirS  of  Light ;  there  is  no 
Reafon  to  doubt,  but  they  have  fomc  very  grand  JJJes^ 
fuitable  to  the  Magnificence  of  their  Nature.     To  fpe- 
cify,  or  explain,  the  particular  Purpofes  they  anfwer ; 
is  altogether  impoflible,  in  our  prefent  State  of  Diftancc 
and  Ignorance.     This,  however,  we  may  clearly  dif- 
cern ;  they  are  difpofed  in  that  very  Manner,  which  is 
moft  f  leafing  and  moft  ferviceable  to  Mankind.— -They 
are  not  placed  at  an  infinite  Remove^  fo  as  to  lie  beyond 
our  Sight ;  neither  are  they  brought  fo  near  our  Abode, 
as  to  annoy  us  with  their  Beams.     We  fee  them  ihinc 
on  every  Side.     The  deep  Azur^e,  which  ferves  them  as 
a  Ground,  heightens  their  Splendor.  At  the  fame  Time, 
their  Influence  is  gentle,  and  their  Rays  are  deftitute  of 
Heat.     So  that  we  are  furrounded  with  a  Multitude  of 
fiery  Globes,  which  beautify  and  illuminate  the  Firma- 
ment, without  any  Rilk,  cither  to  the  Coolnefs  pf  our 
Night,  or  the  ^det  of  our  Repofe. — Who  can  fufKci- 
cntly  admire  that  wondrous  Benignity;  which  on  our 
Account,  fcrews  th^  Earth  with  Bleflings  of  every  Kind; 
and  vouchfafes  to  make  the  very  Heavens^  fubfervient  to 
our  Delight  ? 

It  is  not  folely  to  adorn  the  Roof  of  our  Palace, 
with  coilly  Gildings ;  that  God  commands  the  cekftial 
Luminaries,  to  glitter  through  the  Gloom.  We  alio 
reap  confiderable  Benefits,  from  their  Miniftry. — They 

divide 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  37J 

divide  our  Time,  and  fix  its  folemn  Periods.  They  fettle 
the  Order  of  our  JVorks  ;  and  are,  according  to  the  Def- 
tination  mentioned  in  facred  Writ,  "  for  Signs,  and  for 
"  Seafons ;  for  Days,  and  for  Years."  The  Returns  of 
Heat  and  Cold  alone,  would  have  been  too  precarious 
a  Rule.  But  thefe  radiant  Bodies ;  by  the  Variation^ 
and  alfo  by  the  Regularity,  of  their  Motions ;  afford  a 
Method  of  calculating,  abfolutely  certain,  and  fuffici- 
cntly  obvious.  By  this,  the  Farmer  is  intlrucled,  when 
to  commit  his  Grain  to  the  Furrows,  and  how  to  con- 
dud  the  Operations  of  Hufbandry.  By  this,  the  Sailor 
knows  when  to  proceed  on  his  Voyage,  with  leafl  Peril ; 
and  how  to  carry  on  the  Bufinefs  of  Navigation  with 
moft  Succefs. 

Why  ihould  not  the  Chriftian,  the  Probationer  for 
Eternity,  learn  from  the  fame  Monitors,  to  number — for 
nobler  Purpofes,  to  number  his  Days-,  and  duly  to  tranf- 
a6l  the  grand — grand  Affairs  of  his  everlalling  Salvation  ? 
Since  God  has  appointed  fo  many  bright  Meafurers 
of  our  Time,  to  determine  its  larger  Periods,  and  to 
minute  down  its  ordinary  Stages;  fure,  this  moftftrongly 
inculcates  its  Value,  and  Hiould  powerfully  prompt  us  to 
improve  it. — Behold!  the  fupremeLord  marks  the  Pro- 
grefs  of  our  Life,  in  that  mofl  confpicuous  Kalendar 
above.  Does  not  fuch  an  Ordination  tell  us,  and  in  the 
moil  emphatical  Language  ;  That  our  Life  is  given  for 
Ufe,  not  for  Wajie?  That  no  Portion  of  it  is  delivered, 
but  under  a  ftrid  Account ;  that  all  of  it  is  entered  as 
it  pafTes,  in  the  Divine  Regiller:  and,  therefore,  that 
the  Stewards  of  fuch  a  Talent,  are  to  exped  a  future 
Reckoning? — Behold!  the  very  Heavens  are  bid  to  be 
the  Acmnpants,  of  our  Years,  and  MoHths,  and  Days. 
O !  may  this  induce  us  to  manage  them,  with  a  vigi- 
lant Frugality ;  to  part  with  them,  as  Mifers  with  their 
hoarded  Treajure,  warily  and  circumlpedtly  i  and,  if  pof- 

B  b  a  fible. 


372.  CONTEMPLATIONS     ON 

fible,  as  Merchants  with  their  rich  Commodities,  not  with- 
out an  Equivalent,  either  in  perfonal  Iinprovement,  or 
fbcial  Ufefulnefs ! 

Yio  VI  bright  the  ilarry  Diamonds  fliinc  !  The  Ambi- 
tion of  Eaftern  Monarchs  could  imagine  no  Diftindlion, 
more  noble  and  fublime,  than  that  of  being  likened  to 
thofe  beaming  Orbs*. — They  form.  Night's  richeji  Dj^/s; 
and  fparkle  upon  her  fable  Robe,  like  Jewels  of  the 
jftneft  Luflre.  Like  Jewels !  I  wrong  their  Character. 
The  lucid  Stone  has  noBrilliancy;  quenched  is  the  Flame 
even  of  the  golden  Topaz  ;  compared  with  thofe  glow- 
ing Decorations  of  Heaven. — How  widely  are  their  ra- 
diant Honours  diffufed!  No  Nation  fo  remote,  but  fees 
their  Beauty,  and  rejoices  in  their  Ufefulnefs.  They 
have  been  admired  by  all  preceding  Generations ;  and 
every  rifmg  Age,  will  gaze  on  their  Charms,  with  re- 
newed Delight. — -How  animating.,  then,  is  that  Promife, 
made  to  the  faithful  Minifters  of  the  Gofpel!  "They 
"  that  turn  many  to  Righteoufnefs,  fhall  fhinc  as  the 
*^  Stars  for  ever  and  everf."  Is  not  this  a  mofb  win- 
ning Encouragement,  "to  fpend  and  be  fpent,"  in  the 
Service*of  Souls  ?  Methinks,  the  Stars  beckon,  as  they 
twinkle.  Methinks  they  fhew  me  their  Splendors,  on 
purpofe  to  infpire  me  with  Alacrity,  in  the  Race  fet  be- 
fore me;  on  purpofe  to  enliven  my  Activity,  in  the  Work 
that  is  given  me  to  do. — Yes ;  ye  majeftic  Monitors,  I 
underfland  your  Meaning.  If  Honour  has  any  Charms ; 
if  true  Glory,  the  Glory  which  cometh  from  God,  is 
any  Attradive  ;  you  difplay  tlie  mod  powerful  Incite- 
ments, to  exercife  all  Afliduity  in  my  holy  Vocation.  I 
will,  henceforth,  obferve  your  Intimation ;  andj  when 
Zeal  becomes  languid^  have  recourfe  to  your  heavenly 

*  Numb.xxiv.  17.      Dan.vlii.  10.  f  Dan*  xil.  5. 

Lamps. 


THE     STARRY    HEAVENS.  373 

Lamps.     If  fo  be,  I  may  rekindle  its  Ardor,  at  thofe  in- 
extinguifliable  Fires. 

'  Of  the  Polar  Star,  it  is  obfervable;  that,  while  other 
Luminaries  alter  their  Situation,  this  feems  invariably 
fixed*.  While  other  Luminaries,  now,  mount  tlie  Bat- 
tlements of  Heaven,  and  appear  upon  Duty  \  now,  re- 
tire beneath  the  Horizon,  and  refign  to  a  frefh  Set,  the 
Watches  of  the  Night  \  this  never  departs  from  its  Sta- 
tion. This,  in  every  Seafon,  maintains  an  uniform  Po- 
rtion ;  and  is  always  to  be  found,  in  the  fame  Tradl  of 
the  Northern  Sky. — How  often  has  this  beamed  bright 
Intelligence  on  the  Sailor  \  and  condu6led  the  Keel,  to 
its  defired  Haven  ?  In  early  Ages,  thofe,  who  went  down 
to  the  Sea  in  Ships,  and  occupied  their  Bufinefs  In  great 
Waters,  had  fcarce  any  other  fure  Guide  for  their  wan- 
dering VelTel.  This  therefore  they  viewed,  with  the 
moil  folicitous  Attention.  By  this,  they  formed  their 
Obfervations,  and  regulated  their  Voyage.  V/hen  this 
was  obfcured  by  Clouds,  or  inveloped  in  Mifls  -,  the 
trembling  Mariner  was  bewildered^  on  the  watery  Wafte. 
His  Thoughts  flu6luated,  as  much  as  the  floating  Suro-e  ; 
and  he  know  not,  where  he  vvas  advanced,  or  whither  he 
fhould  fleer.  But,  when  this  aufpicious  Scar  broke  through 
the  Gloom  ;  it  difilpated  the  Anxiety  of  his  Mind,  and 
cleared  up  his  dubious  PafTage.  He  re-ailumed,  with 
Alacrity,  the  Management  of  x^Tit  Helm  \  and  v/as  able 
to  fhape  his  Courfe,  with  fome  tolerable  Degree  of  Sa- 
tIsfa(5lion  and  Certainty. 

SUCH,  only  mucli  clearer  in  it:,  Light,   and   much 
furer  in   its  Dire(5t:ion,  is  the  Holy  Word  of  God,    to 

*  I  fpeak  in  Conformity  to  the  Appearance  of  the  Objee^.  For, 
though  this  remarkable  Star  revolves  round  the  Pole,  its  Motion  is  fo 
fio'vj^  and  the  Circle  it  defcribes  {o  fmall^  as  render  both  the  Revolu- 
lion  and  Change  of  Situation,  hardly  percciveable. 

B'b  3  ^hofe 


374  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

thofe  Myriads  of  intelle6bual  Beings,  who  are  bound 
for  the  eternal  Shores.  Who,  embarked  in  a  VefTel  of 
feeble  Flefh,  are  to  pafs  the  Waves  of  this  tempefluoits 
and  perilous  World.  In  all  Difficulties^  thofe  facred 
Pages  fhed  an  encouraging  Ray ;  in  ail  Uncertainties y 
they  fuggeft  the  right  Determination,  and  point  out 
the  proper  Procedure.  What  is  flill  a  more  inefiimable 
Advantage  5  they,  like  the  Star  which  conduced  the 
Eaftern  Sages,  make  plain  the  Way  of  Accefs  to  a  ^^- 
deemer.  They  difplay  his  unfpeakable  Merits  :  they 
difcover  the  Method  of  being  interefted  in  his  great 
Atonement ;  and  lead  the  weary  Soul,  tojfed  by  Trou- 
bles, and  /battered  by  Temptations,  to  that  only  Har- 
bour of  peaceful  Repofe. — Let  us,  therefore,  attend  to 
this  unerring  Diredlory,  with  the  fame  Conftancy  of 
Regard,  as  the  Sea-faring  Man  obferves  his  Compafs. 
I^t  us  become  as  thoroughly  acquainted  with  this  fa- 
cred Chart,  as  the  Pilot  is  with  every  trufty  Mark, 
that  gives  Notice  of  a  lurking  Rock ;  and  with  every 
open  Road,  that  yields  a  fafe  Paflage  into  the  Port. 
Above  all,  let  us  commit  ourfelves  to  this  infallible 
Guidance,  with  the  fame  implicit  Relignation ;  let  us 
conform  our  Condu6b  to  its  exalted  Precepts,  with  the 
fame  fedulous  Care  5  as  the  Children  of  Ifrael^  when 
fojourning  in  the  tracklefs  Defert,  followed  the  Pillar 
of  Fire,  and  the  Motions  of  the  miraculous  Cloud. — > 
So,  v/ill  it  introduce  us,  not  into  an  earthly  Canaan, 
flowing  with  Milk  and  Honey;  but  into  an  immortal 
Faradife,  where  is  the  Fulnefs  of  Joy,  and  where  ar^ 
Pleafures  for  evermore.  It  will  introduce  us  into  thofe 
liappy,  happy  Regions,  where  our  Sun  jhall  no  more  go 
down y  nor  our  Moon  withdraw  itjelf;  for  the  LORD 
Jhall  be  our  everlajling  Light ,  and  the  Days  of  our  Mourn^ 
ingy  together  with  the  Fatigues  of  our  Pilgrimage,  Jhall 
l^e  ended*, 

*  Ifa.  Ix.  20, 

I  PER- 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  375 

I  PERCEIVE  a  great  Variety ,  In  the  Size  and  Splen- 
dor of  thofe  Gems  of  Heaven.  Some,  are  of  the  firft 
Magnitude  ;  others,  of  an  inferior  Order.  Somtglow, 
with  intenfe  Flames;  others  glimmer ,  with  fainter  Beams. 
Yet,  all  are  beautiful ;  all  have  their  peculiar  Luftre, 
and  diflindl  Ufe ;  all  tend,  in  their  different  Degrees, 
to  enamel  the  Cope  of  Heaven,  and  embroider  the 
Robe  of  Night. — This  Circumftance  is  remarked  by 
an  Author,  whofe  Sentiments  are  a  Source  of  Wif- 
dom,  and  the  very  Standard  of  Truth.  "  One  Star, 
"  fays  the  Apoftle  of  the  Gentiles^  differeth  from  ano- 
"  ther  Star  in  Qlorj :  So  alfo  is  the  Refurredion  of  the 
"  Dead.'' 

In  the  World  above,  are  various  Degrees  of  Happi- 
nefs,  various  Seats  of  Honour.  Some  will  rife  to  more 
illuftrious  Diftindlions,  and  richer  Joys  *.  Some,  like 
VeiTels  of  ample  Capacity,  will  admit  more  copious  Ac- 
cefTions  of  Light  and  Excellence.  Yet,  there  will  be 
no  Want,  no  Deficiency,  in  any ;  but  a  Fulnefs  both 
of  Divine  Satisfadions,  and  perfonal  Perfe6lions.  Each 
will  enjoy  all  the  Good ;  and  be  adorned  with  all  the 
Glory ;  that  his  Heart  can  wifh,  or  his  Condition  re- 
ceive.— None  will  know  what  it  is  to  envy.  Nor  the 
leaft  Malevolence,  nor  the  lead  Selfifhnefs,  but  ever- 
lailing  Friendfhip  prevails,  and  a  mutual  Complacency 
in  each  other's  Delight.  Love,  cordial  Love,  will  give 
every  particular  Saint,  a  Participation  of  all  the 
Fruitions  f  ;  which  are  diffufed  through  the  whole  Af- 
fembly  of  the  BlelTed. — Nx)  one  ecli-pjesy  but  each  reflects 

*  I  Cor.  XV.  41,  42.  The  great  Vix.  Mede prefers  x!^z  Senfe  here 
given;  and  the  learned  Dr.  Hammond  admits  it,  into  his  Paraphrafe. 
Whofe  joint  Authority,  though  far  from  excluding  any  other y  yet  is  a 
fufficient  Warrant  for  this  Application  of  the  Words. 

f  Tolle  Int'idianit  l£  tuum  ejl  quod  haheo  :  Tolle  In'vidiam,  Cs*  meum 
eft  quod  babes,     Augustine. 

B  b  4  Light 


576  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Light  upon  his  Brother.  A  fweet  Interchange  of  Rays 
fubfifb ;  all  enlightened  by  the  great  Fountain,  and  all 
enlightening  one  another.  By  which  reciprocal  Com- 
munication of  Pleafure  and  Amity,  each  will  be  conti- 
nually receiving  from,  each  inceflantly  adding  to,  the  ge- 
neral Felicity. 

Happy,  fupremely  happy  they,  who  are  admitted 
into  the  celeftial  Manfions.  Better  to  be  a  Door-keeper 
in  thofe  '^  Ivory  Palaces  *,"  than  to  fill  the  moil  gorge- 
ous Throne  on  Earth.  The  very  lowed  Place  at  God's 
Right-hand  J  is  didinguifhed  Honour,  and  confummate 
Blil's. — O  !  that  v/e  may,  in  feme  meafure,  anticipate 
that  beatific  State,  while  vvc  remain  in  our  Baniiliment 
below  !  May  v/e,  by  rejoicing  in  the  fuperior  Profperity 
of  another,  make  it  our  own  !  And,  provided  the  gene- 
ral Refult  is  Harmony,  be  content,  be  pleafed,  with 
whatfoever  Part  is  afligned  to  our  Share,  in  the  univerial 
Choir  of  Affairs. 

.  While  I  am  confidering  the  heavenly  Bodies,  I 
muft  not  intirely  forget  thofe  fundamental  Laws  of  our 
modern  Afcronomy,  Frojeclion  and  Attra5iion,  One  of 
which  is  the  all-combinix'jg  Cement,  the  other  is  the 
ever-operative  Spring,  of  the  mighty  Frame. — In  the 
Beginning,  the  all-creating  Fiat  impreflcd  a  proper 
Degree  of  Motion,  on  each  of  thofe  whirling  Orbs. 
Which,  if  not  controuled,  would  have  carried  them  on, 
inilraight  Lines,  and  to  endlefs  Lengths  3  till  they  were 
even  loft,  in  the  Abyfs  of  Space.  But,  the  gravitating 
Property,  being  added  to  the  prcje£file  Force,  deter- 
mined their  Courfes  to  a  circular  i  Form;  and  obliged 

the 

*  Pfal.  xlv.  8. 

f  I  am  aware,,  the  planetary  Orbits  are  not  ftritftly  circular,  but 
rather  elliptical.  However,  as  they  are  but  a  fmall  Remove  from  the 
perfedly  round  Figure  ;  and  partake  of  it  incomparable  more,   than 

the 


THE     STARRY     HEAVENS. 


vn 


the  relu6tant  Rovers,  to  perform  their  deftined  Rounds. 
•—Were  either  of  thofe  Caufes  to  fufpend  their  A<5lion, 
all  the  harmonioufly  moving  Spheres  v/ould  be  difcon- 
certed.  Would  degenerate  into  (luggiih  inadive  MafTes; 
and  falling  into  the  central  Fire,  be  burnt  to  Afhes. 
Or  elfe,  would  exorbitate  into  wild  Confafion;  and  each, 
by  the  Rapidity  of  its  Whirl,  be  diffipated  into  Atoms. 
But,  the  impulfive  and  attradive  Energy,  being  moft 
nicely  attempered  to  each  others  and,  under  the  imme- 
diate Operation  of  the  Almighty,  exerting  themfelves  in 
perpetual  Concert ,  the  various  Globes  run  their  radiant 
Races,  without  the  leaft  Interruption  or  the  leaft  Devia-^ 
tion.  So  as  to  create  the  alternate  Changes  of  Bp.y  and 
Night ;  and  diflribute  the  ufeful  VicilTitudes  oljucceediyig 
Seafons.  So  as  to  anfwer  all  the  great  Ends  of  a  graci- 
ous Providence  ;  and  procure  every  comfortable  Conve- 
nience, for  univerfal  Nature. 

Does  not  this  Conftitution  of  the  material,  very  na- 
turally lead  the  Thoughts,  to  thofe  grand  Principles  of 
the  moral  and  devotional  World,  Faith  and  Love? 
Thefe  arc  often  celebrated  by  the  infpired  Apoftle,  as  a 
comprehenfive  Summary  of  the  Gofpel  *.  Thefe  in- 
Ipired  tlie  Breaft,  and  regulated  the  Progrefs,  of  each 

the  Trajedlories  of  the  Comets;  I  choofe  to  reprefent  the  Thino-  in 
this  View.  Efpecially,  becaufe  the  Notion  of  a  Circle,  is  fo  much  ! 
more  intelligible  to  the  Generality  of  Readers,  than  that  of  an  Ellip- 
lis  ;  and  becaufe  I  laid  it  down  for  a  Rule,  not  to  admit  any  fuch  ah- 
Jirvfe  Sentiment,  or  difficult  ExprcfTion,  as  Ihould  demand  a  painful 
Attention,  inltead  of  raifmg  an  agreeable  Idea.  For  which  Reafon,  I 
have  avoided  technical'Yzxm^\  have  taken  no  Notice  o^  Jupiter's  Satel- 
lites, or  Sat  urn' i  Ring  ;  have  not  fo  much  as  mentioned  the  Names  of 
the  Planets,  nor  attempted  to  wade  into  any  Depths  of  the  Science. 
Left  to  thofe  who  have  no  Opportunity  of  ufing  the  Telefcope,  or  of 
acquainting  themfelves  with  a  Syrtem  of  Af^ronomy,  I  ihould  propound 
Riddles,  rather  than  difplay  entertaining  and  edifying  Truths. 

*  Col.  i.  4.     Philem.  ver.  5. 

3  private 


37S  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

private  Chriftian.  Thefe  united  the  whole  Congregation 
of  the  Faithful  to  God,  and  one  another.  To  God, 
the  o-reat  Centre,  in  the  Bonds  of  Gratitude  and  De- 
votion ;  to  one  another,  by  a  reciprocal  Intercourfe  of 
brotherly  AfFedlions,  and  friendly  Offices. — If  you  afk ; 
Why  is  it  impoflible  for  the  true  Believer,  to  live  at 
all  Adventures  ?  to  ftagnate  in  Sloth,  or  habitually  to 
deviate  from  Duty  ? — ^t  anfwer  \  It  is  owing  to  "  his 
"  Faith,  working  by  Love  *."  He  affuredly  trufts, 
that  Christ  has  fuftained  die  Infamy,  and  endured 
the  Torment,  due  to  his  Sins.  He  firmly  relies  on  that 
Divine  Propidadon,  for  the  Pardon  of  all  .his  Guilt ; 
and  humbly  expe6ls  everlafting  Salvation,  as  the  Pur- 
chafe  of  his  Saviour's  Merits.  This  produces  fuch  a 
Spirit  of  Gratitude,  as  refines  his  Inclinations,  and  ani- 
mates his  whole  Behaviour.  He  cannot,  he  cannot 
run  to  Excefs  of  Riot  j  becaufe  Love  to  his  adorable 
Redeemer,  like  a  ftrong,  but  filken  Curhy  fweetly  re- 
ilrains  him.  He  cannot,  he  cannot  lie  lulled  in  a  le- 
thargic Indolence ;  becaufe  Love  to  the  fame  infinite 
Benefadtor,  like  a  pungent,  but  endearing  Sfur,  pleaf- 
ingly  excites  him. — In  a.  Word;  Faith  fupplies  the 
powerful  Impulfe,  while  Love  gives  the  determining 
Biafs ;  and  leads  the  willing  Feet,  through  the  whole 
Circle  of  God's  Commandments.  By  the  united  Effi- 
cacy of  thefe  heave^ily  Graces,  the  Chriflian  Condudl  is 
preferved,  in  the  Uniformity  and  Beauty  of  Holinefs ; 
as  by  the  blended  Power  of  thofe  Newtonian  Principles^ 
the  folar  Syflem  revolves,  in  a  Heady  and  magnificent 
Regularity. 

How  admirable,  how  extenfive,  how  diverfified,  is 
the  Force  of  this  fingle  Principle,  Attra5}ion'\! — This 

*  Gal.  V.  6. 
f  I  mean  the  Attraftion  both  of  Gravitation  and  Cohejton, 

penetrates 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  379 

penetrates  the  very  EfTence  of  all  Bodies,  aiid  difflifes 
itfelf  to  the  remoteft  Limits  of  the  mundane  Syflem.— 
By  this,  the  Worlds  imprefled  with  Motion,  hang  Jelf^ 
balanced  on  their  Centres  * ;  and,  though  Orbs  of  imr 
menfe  Magnitude,  require  nothing,  but  this  amazing 
Property,  for  their  Support. — To  this  we  afcribe  a 
yhsnomenon,  of  a  very  different  Kind,  the  Freffure 
of  the  Atmofphere.  Which,  though  a  yielding  and 
expanfive  Fluid ;  yet  conllipated  by  an  attradlive  Ener- 
gy; furrounds  the  whole  Globe,  and  inclofes  every 
Creature,  as  it  were  with  a  tight  Bandage.  An  Ex- 
pedient this,  abfolutely  necefTary  to  preferve  the  Tex- 
ture of  our  Bodies ;  and  indeed,  to  maintain  every  Spe- 
cies of  animal  Exiftence. — Attraction  !  Urged  by  this 
wonderful  Impetus,  the  Rivers  circulate,  copious  and 
unintermitted,  among  all  the  Nations  of  the  Earth: 
fweeping  with  Rapidity  down  the  Steeps,  or  foftly  ebb- 
ing through  the  Plains.  Impelled  by  the  fame  myfte- 
rious  Force,  the  nutricious  Juices  are  detached  from  the 
Soil ;  and,  afcending  the  Trees,  find  their  Way  through 
Millions  of  the  fineft  Meanders,  in  order  to  transfiife 
vegetable  Life  into  all  the  Branches.  This  confines 
the  Oceatiy  within  proper  Bounds.  Though  the  Waves 
thereof  roar  j  though  they  tofs  themfelves,  with  all  the 
Madnefs  of  indignant  Rage ;  yet,  checked  by  this  po- 
tent, this  inevitable  Curb,  they  are  unable  to  pafs  even 
th^^ight  Barrier  of  Sand.  To  this  the  Mountains  owe 
that  unfhaken  Firmnefs,  which  laughs  at  the  Shock  of 
careering  Winds  -,  and  bids  the  Tempefl,  with  all  its 
mingled  Horrors,  impotcntly  rave. — By  virtue  of  this 
invifible  Mechanifm  ;  without  the  Aid  of  Crane  or  Pul- 
ley, or  any  Inftrument  of  human  Device ;  many  Thou- 
sand Tons  of  Water  are  raifedi  every  Moment,  into 

*  Ponderihui  lihratafuisi 

the 


50cr  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

the  Regions  of  the  Firmament.  By  this,  they  continue 
Jujf ended  in  thin  Air,  without  any  capacious  Ciflern, 
to  contain  their  Subftance ;  or  any  mafly  Pillars,  to 
fudain  their  Weight.  By  this  fame  varioufly  ading 
Power,  they  return  to  the  Place  of  their  native  Refi- 
dence  -y  diftilled  in  gentle  Falls  of  Dew,  or  precipitated 
m  impetuous  Showers  of  Rain.  They  Jlide  into  the. 
Fields  in  fleecy  Flights  of  Snow,  or  are  darted  upon 
the  Houfes  in  clattering  Storms  of  Hail. — This  occa- 
lions  the  ftrong  Cohefion  of  folid  Bodies.  Without 
which,  our  large  Machines  could  exert  themfelves  with 
no  Vigour ;  and  the  nicer  Utenfils  of  Life,  v/ould  elude 
eur  Expectations  of  Service.  This  affords  a  Founda- 
tion, for  all  thofe  delicate  or  noble  mechanic  Arts; 
which  furnifn  Mankind  with  numberlefs  Conveniences, 
both  of  Ornament  and  Delight. — In  fhort ;  this  is  the 
prodigious  Ballafty  which  compofes  the  Equilibrium, 
and  conftitutes  the  Stability  of  Things :  this,  the  great 
Chavn^  which  forms  the  Connexions  of  univerfal  Na- 
ture; and  the  mighty  Engine^  which  prompts,  faci- 
litates, and,  in  good  meafure,  accomplifhes  all  her  Ope- 
fations.' — Y^hzx.  complicated  Effe6ls,  from  2ifingle  Caufe  * ! 
What  Profufion,  amidfl  Frugahty !  An  unknown  Pro- 
fufion  of  Benefits,  with  the  utmofl  Frugality  of  Ex- 
pence  ! 

And  what  is  this  Attra6lion  ?  Is  it  a  Quality  In  its 
Exiftence,  infeparable  from  Matter;  and,  in  its  A(^jng, 
independent  on  the  DEITY! — Quite  the  reverfe. 
It  is  the  very  Finger  of  God  :  the  conflant  ImprefHon 
of  Divine  Power:  a  Principle,  neither  innate  in  Mat- 
ter, nor  intelligible    by  Mortals. — Does  it  not,  how- 

*  See  another  remarkable  Inftance  of  this  Kind,  in  the  Reflexions  on 
a  Hoover  Garden,  page  1 21. — together  with  a  fine  Obfervation,  quoted 
in  the  correfponding  Note. 

ever^ 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  38, 

ever,  bear  a  confidcrable  Analogy  to  the  Agency  of  the 
HOLY  GHOST,  in  the  Chriftian  CEconomy?  Are 
not  the  gracious  Operations  of  the  BleiTed  Spirit,  thus 
extenfive,  thus  ddniirahle^^  thus  various  ? — That  Almicrhty 
Being   tranfnnits  his    Gifts,  through   every  Age :    anci 
communicates   his    Graces,  to  every  Adherent  on  the 
Redeemer.     All,  either   of  illuflrious  Memory,  or  of 
beneficial  Tendency ;  in  a  Word,  '^  all  the  Good  that 
"  is  done  upon  Earth,  He  doth  it  himfeif "     Strong  in 
his  Aid,  and  in  the  Power  of  his  Might,  the  Saints  of 
all  Times,  have  trod  Vice  under  their  Feet ;  have  tri- 
umphed over  this  abje6l  World  j  and  converfed  in  Hea- 
ven, while  they  dwelt  on  Earth.     Not  I,  but  the  Grace 
of  GOD  which  was  with  me *,  is  the  unanimous  Ac- 
knowledgment of  them  All. — By  the  fame  kindly  Suc^ 
cours,  die  whole  Church  is  flill  enlightened,  quickened, 
and  governed.     Through   his    benign   Influences,    the 
Scales  of  Ignorance^  fall  from  the  Underftanding ;  the 
Leprofy  of  evil   Concupifcence,    is   purged   from   the 
Will ;  and  the  Fetters,  the  more  than  adamantine  Fet- 
ters of  i?^^///^^/ Iniquity,  drop  off  from   the  Cqpverfa-- 
tion.  ^  He  breathes  even  upon  dry  Bones  j-,  an3  they 
live :  They  are  animated  with  Faith ;  they  pant  with 
ardent  and  heavenly  Defire  \  they  exercife   themfelves 
in  all  the  Dudes  of  Godlinefs. — His  real,  though  le- 
cret,  Infpiration,  diiTolves  the  Flint  in  the   impenitent 
Breaft  ;  and  binds  up  the  Sorrows,  of  the  broken  Heart. 
Raifes  the  Thoughts  high,  in  the   Elevations  of  holy 
Hope  ;  yet  lays  them  low,  in  the  Humiliations  of  in- 
ward Abafement.     Steels   the  Soul  with   impenetrable 
Refclution,  and  persevering  Fortitude  \  at  the  fame  time, 

*  I  Cor.  XV.  10. 

f  See  that  beautifal  Piece  of  facred  and  allegorical  Imagery  dif- 
played,  Ezd.  xxxvii. 

i  Joftens 


3^2  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

/^/^j  it  into  a  Dove-like  Meeknefs,  and  melts  it  in  peni- 
tential Sorrow. 

When  I  contemplate  thofe  ample  and  magnificent 
Struftures,  erected  over  all  the  sethereal  Plains : — When 
I  look  upon  them  as  fo  many  fplendid  Rcpofitories  of 
Light,  or  fruitful  Abodes  of  Life : — ^When  I  remem- 
ber, that  there  may  be  other  Orbs,  vaftly  more  remote, 
than  thofe  which  appear  to  our  unaided  Sight ;  Orbs, 
whofe  Effulgence,  though  travelling  ever  fmce  the 
Creation,  is  not  yet  arrived  upon  our  Coafls*: — ^When 
I  ftretched  my  Thoughts  to  the  innumerable  Orders 
of  Beings,  which  inhabit  all  thofe  fpacious  Syflems; 
from  the  loftieft  Seraph^  to  the  lowefl  Reptile  ;  from  the 
Armies  of  Angels,  which  furround  the  Throne  of  Je- 
hovah ;  to  the  puny  Natiofis,  which  tinge  with  Blue  the 


*  If  this  Conjefture  (which  has  no  lefs  a  Perfon  than  the  cele- 
brated Mr.  Huygens  for  its  Author)  concerning  unfeen  Stars,  be  true 
—If,  to  this  Obfervation,  be  added,  what  is  affirmed  by  our  fkilful 
Aftronomers  ;  that  the  Motion  of  the  Rays  of  Light  is  (o  furprijtngfy 
fivift,  as  to  pafs  through  ten  Millions  of  Miles  in  a  fingle  Minute-— 
How  vaft ;  beyond  Imagination  vaft  and  unmeafurable,  are  the  Spaces 
of  [the  Univerfe! — While  the  Mind  is  diftended  with  t\\e  grand  Idea\ 
or  rather,  while  fhe  is  difpatching  her  ableft  Powers  of  piercing  Judg- 
inent,  and  excurfive  Fancy ;  and  finds  them  all  drop  Jhort ;  all  baffled 
by  the  amazing  Subjeft:  Permit  me  to  apply  that  fpirited  Exclama- 
jion,  and  noble  Remark — 


-Say,  proud  Arch, 


Built  with  divine  Ambition;  in  Difdain 

Of  Limit  built;  built  in  the  Tafte  of  Heav*n! 

Vaft  Concave  1  Ample  Dome  !  Waft  thou  delign'd 

A  meet  Apartment  for  the  Deity  ? 

Not  fo :  That  Thought  alone  thy  State  impairs : 

Thy  Lofty  finks  ;  and  fhallows  thy  Profound ; 

And  ftreightens  thy  Dlff'ujii>e. 

Night-Thoughts y  N°  IX. 


Surface 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  38J 

Surface  of  the  Plum  *,  or  mantle  the  (landing  Pool  with 
Green:— How  various  appear  the  Links,  in  this  im- 
menfe  Chain  !  How  vail  the  Gradations,  in  this  univer- 
fal  Scale  of  Exiftence  !  Yet  all  thefe,  though  ever  fo  vaft 
and  various,  are  the  JVork  of  God*s  Hand,  and  are  full 
of  his  Prejence, 

He  rounded  in  his  Palm  thofe  dreadfully  large  Globes, 
which  are  pendulous  in  the  Vault  of  Heaven.  He 
kindled  thofe  aftonifhingly  bright  Fires,  which  fill  the 
Firmament  with  a  Flood  of  Glory.  By  Him  they  arc 
fufpended  in  fluid  iEther,  and  cannot  be  Ihaken  :  By 
Him  they  difpenfe  a  perpetual  Tide  of  Beams,  and  arc 
never  exhaufted. — He  formed,  with  inexprefiible  Nicety, 
that  delicately  fine  ColIe6lion  of  Tubes  :  that  unknown 
Multiplicity  of  fubtile  Springs ;  which  organize,  and 
aduate,  the  Frame  of  the  minuteft  Infedl.  He  bids  the 
crimfon  Current  roll ;  the  vital  Movements  play ;  and 
aflbciates  a  World  of  Wonders,  even  in  an  animated, 
Point  f . — hi  all  thefe^  is  a  fignal  Exhibition  of  creating 

Power  i 

*  Ev'n  the  blue  Don.v?i  the  purple  Plum  furrounds, 
Ali<ving  World f  thy  failing  Sight  confounds. 
To  Him  a  peopled  Habitation  fhews. 
Where  Millions  tafte  the  Bounty  God  beftows. 

See  a  beautiful  and  injiru^i-ve  Poenii  fiiled'^'D^iTY <, 

f  There  are  livi4ig  Creatures,  abundantly  fmaller  than  the  Mite. 
Mr.  Bradley y  in  his  Trcatife  on  Gardening,  mentions  an  Infeft,  which, 
after  accurate  Examination,  he  found  to  be  a  Thoufand  Times  lefs  thaa 
the  leaft  vifible  Grain  of  Sand.  Yet  fuoh  an  Infeft,  though  quite  im- 
perceptible to  the  naked  Eye,  is  an  Elephant,  is  a  Whale,  compared 
with  other  Animalcules  almoft  infinitely  more  minute,  difcovered  by 
Mr.  Lenvinhoek, — Tf  we  comldej  the  feveral  Limbs,  which  compofe 
fuch  an  organized  Particle :  The  different  Mufcles,  which  aduate  fuch 
a  Set  of  Limbs :  The  Flow  of  Spirits,  incomparably  more  attenuated, 
which  put  thofe  Mufcles  in  Motion  :  The  various  Fluids,  which  cir- 
culate :  The  different  Secretions,  which  are  performed :  Together  with 
the  peculiar  Minutenefs  of  th€  Sylids,  before  they  arrive  gt  their  full 

Growth : 


5^4-  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Power;  to  all  the fe,  are  extended,  the  fpecial  Regards 
of  preferving  Goodnefs.  From  hence,  let  me  learn  to 
rely  on  the  Providence,  and  to  revere  the  Prefence,  of 
the  Supreme  Majefty. 

To  rely  on  his  Providence, For,  amidfl  that  in- 
conceivable Number  and  Variety  of  Beings,  which 
fwarm  through  the  Regions  of  Creation,  not  one  is 
overlooked,  not  one  is  negle6led,  by  the  great  omni-^ 
potent  Caufe  of  all.  However  inconfiderable  in  its 
Character,  or  diminutive  in  its  Size,  it  is  ftiil  the  Pro- 
dudlion  of  the  univerfal  Maker,  and  belongs  to  the  Fa- 
mily of  the  Almighty  Father. What?  though  in- 
throned  Archangels,  enjoy  the  Sfniles  of  his  Countenance ! 
Yet,  the  low  Inhabitants  of  Earth,  the  moft  defpicable 
Worms  of  the  Ground,  are  not  excluded  from  his  pro- 
vidential  Care.  Though  the  Manifeftation  of  his  Per- 
fe(5lions,  is  vouchfafed  to  holy  and  intelleftual  EfTences; 
his  Ear  is  open,  to  the  Cries  of  the  young  Raven.  His 
Eye  is  attentive,  to  the  Wants,  and  to  the  Welfare  of 
the  very  meaneil  Birdis  of  Nature. — How  much  lefs 
then,  are  his  own  People  difregarded  ?  Thofe,  for 
whom  he  has  delivered  his  beloved  Son  to  Death,  and 
for  whom  He  has  prepared  Habitations  of  eternal  Joy. 
Ty??fj  difregarded !  No.  They  are  ^^  kept  as  the  Apple 
*'  of  an  Eye."  The  very  Hairs  of  their  Head  are  all 
numbered.  The  fondcft  Mother  m^ij  forget  the  Infant, 
that  is  "  dandled  upon  her  Knees,"  and  fucks  at  her 
Breaft  *  3   much  fooner  than  the  Father  of  everlafting' 

Corn- 
Growth:  Not  to  mention  other  more  ajionijhlng  Modes  of  Diminu- 
tion : — Sure,  we  fhall  have  the  utmoft  Reafon  to  acknowledge,  that 
the  adored  Maker  is— M  axim  us  in  minimis;  greatly  glorious  eveii 
in  his  fnialleji  Works. 

*  Ifa.  xlix.  15.     Can  a  Woman  forget  her  fucking   Child ,  that  Jhe 
Jhould not  ha've  ccmpajfon  on  the  Son  of  her  Womb?  Tea,  they  may  for- 
get'. 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  38I 

Compaflions  can  difcontinue^  or  remits  his  watchful  Ten- 
dernels  to  his  People — his  Children — his  Heirs. 

Let  this  teach  me  alfo  a  more  lively  Senfe  of  the 
Divine  Prefence. — All  the  rolling  Worlds  above ;  all  the 
living  Atoms  below;  together  with  all  the  Beings  that 
intervene,  betwixt  thefe  wide  Extremes :  are  Vouchers 
for  an  ever-prefent  Deity.  *'  God  has  not  left  Him- 
*^  felf  widiout  V^itnefs.'*  The  Marks  of  his  Footfteps 
are  evident  in  every  Place,  and  the  Touches  of  his 

get ;  yet  iviJl  I  not  forget  thee. — How  delicate  and  expreflive  are  the 
Images,  in  this  charming  ijcripture  !  How  full  oi  Beauty,  if  beheld  in 
a  critical,  how  rich  with  Confolation,  if  confidered  in  a  believing. 
View  ! — 'Can  a  Wotnan  ?  One  of  the  fofter  Sex  ;  whofe  Is^ature  is  molt 
impreffible,  and  whofe  PaiEons  are  remarkably  tender— Can  fuch  a  one, 
not  barely  difregard,  but  intirely  forget ;  not  fufpend  her  Care  for  a 
while,  but  utterly  erafe  the  very  Memory — Of  her  Child  ;  her  owii 
Child,  not  another's  j  a  Child,  that  was  formed  in  her  W^mby  and  is 
a  Part  of  herfelf  ?— Her  $on ;  the  more  important,  and  therefore  more 
defirable  Species ;  to  whom  it  peculiarly  belongs,  to  preferve  the  Name, 
and  build  up  the  Family — Her  only  Son ;  for  the  Word  is  Angular ; 
and  refers  to  a  Cafe,  where  the  Offspring,  not  being  numerous,  but 
centered  in  a  fmgle  Birth,  muft  be  productive  of  the  fondell  Endear- 
ment— Can  fhe  divell  herfelf  of  all  Concern  for  fuch  a  Child; 
not  when  he  is  grown  up  to  Maturity,  or  gone  abroad  from  her 
Houfe  ;  but,  while  he  continues  in  an  infantile  State,  and  muft  owe 
his  whole  Safety  to  her  kind  Attendance ;  while  he  lies  in  her  Bofom^ 
lefts  on  her  Arm,  and  even  fucks  at  her  Breaft  ? — Efpecially,  if  the 
poor  Innocent  be  racked  with  Pain,  or  feized  by  fome  fevere  Afflic-*- 
lion ;  and  fo  become  an  Objed  of  CompaJpoTti  as  well  as  of  Love. 
Can  fhe  hear  its  piercing  Cries  j  can  fhe  fee  it  all  reftlefs,  all  help- 
lefs  under  its  Mifery ;  and  feel  no  Emotions  ©f  Parental  Pity  ?— • 
If  one  fuch  Monfler  of  Inhumanity  might  be  found ;  could  all  (here 
the  Prophet,  to  give  his  Comparifon  the  utmoft  Energy,  changes  the 
(ingular  Number  into  the  plural.  It  is  not  H»rr  G9a>  or  nriH  JDJJ,  but 
nV«  aa)  could  a!l  Mothers  be  fo  degenerate  I  This,  fure,  cannot  be 
fufpeded,  need  not  be  feared.  Much  lefs  need  the  true  Believer  be 
apprehenfive  of  tbe  Failure  of  my  Kindnefs.  An  uni^jerfal  ExtinClIon 
of  thofe  Jirongeft  Affe(^ions  of  Nature,  is  a  more  fuppofeable  Cafe; 
than  that  I  fhou^d  ever  be  unmindful  of  my  People,  or  regardlcis  of 
t^eir_Interefts, 

C  c  Finger 


386  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

Finger  dlftinguifliable  in  every  Creature^     "  Ihy  Name 
««  is  Jo   nighy    O   Thou    all-fupporting,    all-informing 
^'  Lord  !   and  that  do  thy  wondrous  Wofks  declare  *. 
"  Thy  Goodness  warms  in  the  Morning  Sun^,  and  rc- 
*'  frellies  in  die  Evening  Breeze.     Thy  Glory  fhines 
"  in  the  Lamps  of  Midnight,  and  fmiles  in  the  BlofToms 
"  of  Spring.     We  fee  a  Trace  of  thy  incomprehenfible 
"  Grandeur,  in  the  houndlejs.  Extent  of  Things  ;  and  a 
"  Sketch  of  thy  exquifite  Skill,  in  thole  almoft  evanefcent 
"  Sparks  of  Life,  the  Infed  Race." — How  llupid  is 
this  Heart  of  mine,  that  amidft  fuch  a  Multitude  of 
Remembrancers,  thronging  on  every  Side,  I  fhould  for- 
get Thee  a  fmgle  Moment !   Grant  me.  Thou  great 
I  AM;  Thou  Source,  and  Support,  of  univerfal  Exift- 
ence — O  !  grant  me  an  enlightened  Eye,  to  difcern  Thee 
in  every  Objedl ;  and  a  devout  Heart,  to  adore  Thee  on 
every  Occafion.     Inftead  of  living  without  God  in  the 
World ;  may  I  be  ever  with  Him,  and  fee  all  Things- 
MofHiml  ^ 

■  The  glittering  StarSy 


■     By  the  deep  Ear  of  Meditation  heard. 

Still  in  their  Midnight  Watches  fing  of  HIM, 
He  nods  a  Calm,     The  Tempeft  blows  his  Wrath, 
The  Thunder  is  his  Voice ;  and  the  red  Flajh 
His  fpeedy  Sword  of  Jiiftice.     At  his  Touch 
The  Mountains  flame.     He  JJjakes  the  f olid  Earthy 
And  rocks  the  Nations.     Nor  in  theje  alone. 
In  ev'ry  common  Intlance  GOI>  isfeen. 

Thomson V  Spring, 

If  the  beautiful  Spangles,  which  a  clear  Night  pours 
on  the  Beholder's  Eye  :  if  thofe  other  Fires,  which 
beam  in  remoter  Skies ;  and  are  difcoverable  only  by, 

♦  Pfal.  Ixxv.  2. 

that 


rUE    SCARRY    HEAVENS.  ^g; 

that  Revelation  to  the  Sight,  the  Telefcope  :  if  all 
thofe  l?right  MiilionSy  are  fo  many  Fountains  of  Day ; 
enriched  with  native  and  independent  Luftre  j  illumina- 
ting Planets,  and  enlivening  Syftems  of  their  own  * : 
What  Pomp,  how  rnajeftic  and  fplendid,  is  difclofed 
in  the  Midnight  Scene  !  What  Riches  are  difleminated, 
through  all  thofe  numberlefs  Provinces  of  the  great 
Jehovah's  Empire! — Grandeur  beyond  ExprefTion  ! 
—Yet,  there  is  not  the  meaneft  Slave,  but  carries 
greater  Wealth  in  his  own  Bofom,  poflefTes  fiiferior 
Dignity  in  his  own  Perfon.  The  Soul^  that  informs 
his  Clay ;— the  Soul,  that  teaches  him  to  think,  and 
enables  him  to  choofej  that  qualifies  him  to  relifh 
rational  Pieafure^  and  to  breathe  fublime  Defire  f  ;  the 
Soul,  that  is  endowed  with  fuch  noble  Faculties ;  and> 
above  all,  is  diftinguifhed  with  the  dreadful^  the  glorious 
Capacity,  of  being  pained,  or  bleiTedj  for  ever — ^this 
Soul  furpaffes  in  Worth,  whatever  the  Eye  Can  fee  ; 
whatever,  of  material,  the  Fancy  can  imagine*  Before 
one  fuch  intelle6lual  Being,  all  the  Treafure,  and  all  the 
Magnificence  of  unintelligent  Creation,  becomes  poof 
and  contemptible  %.     For  this  Soul,  Omnipotence  itfelf 

has 

*  Confult  with  Reafon,  Reafon  will  reply. 
Each  lucid  Pointy  which  glows  in  yonder  Sky, 
Informs  a  $yjitm  in  the  boundlefs  Space, 
And  fills,  with  Glory,  its  appointed  Place : 
With  Beams  unborrowed,  brightens  other  Skies ; 
And  Worlds,  to  Thee  unknown,  with  Heat  and  Life  fupplies. 

The  Vnvverfe* 

f  In  this  refpeft,  as  veiled,  with  fuch  Capacities,  the  .Soul  even  of 
fallen  Men,  has  an  unquellionable  Greatiiefs  and  Dignity ;  is  majeftic, 
though  in  Ruin. 

X  I  beg  Leave  to  tranfcribe  a  pertinent  Paflage,  from  that  celebrated 
Mailer  of  Reafon,  and  univerfal  Literature,  Dr.  Bent  ley ;  whom  no 
one  can  be  tempted  to  fufpeft,  either  tinftured  with  Enthufiafm.,  or 
warped  to  Bigotry.—"  If  we  confider,  fays  ^e,  the  Dignity  of  an  in- 

C  c.  3  **  telligent 


^U  CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

has  waked,  and  worked,  through  every  Age.  To  con-- 
vince  this  Soul,  the  fundamental  Laws  of  Nature  have 
been  controuled  ;  and  the  mofl  amazing  Miracles,  have 
alarmed  all  the  Ends  of  the  Earth.  To  tnftruEl  this  Soul, 
the  Wifdom  of  Heaven  has  been  transfufed  into  the  fa- 
cred  Page ;  and  MifTionaries  have  been  fent  from  the 
Great  King,  who  refides  in  Light  unapproachable.  To 
Jc.nclify  this  Soul,  the  Almighty  Comforter*.' takes  the 
Wings  of  a  Dove  i  and,  with  a  fweet  transforming  In- 
fluence, broods  on  the  human  Heart.  And  O  !  to  re- 
deem this  Soul  from  Guilt  \  to  refcue  it  from  Hell ;  the 
Heaven  of  Heavens  was  bowed,  and  God  himfelf  came 
down  to  dwell  in  Duft. 

Let  me  paufe,  a  while,  upon  this  important  Sub- 
j.e6t. — What  are  the  Schemes,  which  engage  the  At- 
tention of  eminent  State fmen,  and  mighty  Monarchs, 
compared  with  the  grand  Interefts  of  an  Lnmortal  Soul  ? 
The  Support  of  Commerce,  and  the  Succefs  of  Ar- 
mies, though  extremely  weighty  Affairs  ;  yet  if  laid  in 
the  Balance  againfl  the  Salvation  of  a  Soul,  are  lighter 
than  the  downy  Feather,  poifcd  againfl  Talents  of 
Gold.  To  lave  a  Navy  from  Shipwreck^  or  a  King- 
dom from  Slavery^  are  Deliverances  of  the  moil  mo- 
mentous Nature,  wliich  the  Tranfaflions  of  Mortality 
can  admit.  But  O  !  how  they  fhrink  into  an  inconfi- 
derable  Trifle,  if  (their  AfpeA  upon  Lnmortahty  for- 
got) they  are  let  in  Competition  with  the  Delivery  of  a 


*'  telligent  Being,  and  put  that  in  the  Scale  againfl  brute  and  iiiam- 
*' jnate  Matter,  we  may  affirm,  without  over-valuing  human  Nature, 
"  that  the  Sowl  of  one  virtuous  and  religious  Man  is  of  greater  Worth 
**  and  Excellency,  than  the  Sun,  and  his  Planets,  and  all  the  Stars  in 
"the  World/* 

See  his  Sermons  at -&^/p*s  Le£l.  N*^  S- 

fmgle 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  389 

fingle  Soul,  from  the  Anguifh  and  Horrors  of  a  dijlrejfed 
Eternity  * ! 

Is  fuch  the  Importance  of  the  Soul !  \Vhat  Vigi- 
lance then  can  be  too  much  j  or  rather  what  holy  Soli-  . 
citude  can  be  Jufficient  j  for  the  Overfeers  of  the  Sa- 
viour's Flock,  and  the  Guardians  of  thJs  great,  this 
venerable,  this  invaluable  Charge  ? — Since,  fuch  is  the 
Importance  of  the  Soul  5  wilt  thou  not,  O  Man,  tje 
watchful  for  the  Prefervation  of  thy  own  ?  Shall  every 
cafual  Incident,  awaken  thy  Concern ;  every  tranfitory 
Toy,  command  thy  Regard  ?  And  fhall  the  Welfare 
of  thy  Soul,  a  Work  of  continual  Occurrence  ;  a  Work 
of  endlefs  Confequence ,  fue  in  vain,  for  thy  ferious 
Care  ? — Thy  Soul,  thy  Soul,  is  thy  All.  If  this  be/^- 
,cured^  thou  art  greatly  rich,  and  wilt  be  unfpeakably 
happy.  If  this  be  lojl^  z  whole  World  acquired,  will 
leave  thee  in  Poverty ;  and  all  its  Delights  enjoyed,  will 
abandon  thee  to  Mifery. 

I  HAVE  often  been  charmed,  and  awed  at  the  Sight 
of  the  no^burnal  Heavens;  even  before  I  knew  how  ta 
confider  them,  in  their  proper  Circumftances  of  Ma^ 
jefty  and  Beauty.  Somethings  like  Magicy  has  (Iruck 
my  Mind,  on  a  tranfient  and  unthinking  Survey  of  the 
SEthereal  Vault;  tinged  throughout  with  the  pureft  Azure," 
and  decorated  with  innumerable  ftariy  Lamps,  I  havc^ 
felt,  I  know  not  what,  powerful  and  aggrandizing  Im- 
pulie ;  which  feemed  to  fnatch  me  from  the  low  Litan-' 
glements  of  Vanity,  and  prompted  an  ardent  Sigh  for' 
Jitblimer  Ohje5fs,  Methought,  I  heard,  even  from  the' 
filent  Spheres,  a  commanding  Call,  to  fpum  the  abjc<^ 

*  Not  all  yon  Luminaries  quenchM  at  once 
Were  half  fo  fad,  as  one  benighted  Mind, 
Which  gropes  for  Happinefs,  and  meets  Defpair.  ^ 

C  c  3  Earth, 


390 


CONTEMPLATIONS    ON 


Earth,  and  pant  after  unfeen  Delights.-^Henceforward, 
I  hope  to  imbibe  more  copioufly,  this  moral  Emanation 
of  the  Skies  -,  when,  in  fome  fuch  Manner  as  the  pre- 
ceding, they  are  rationally  feen,  and  the  Sight  is  duly 
improved.     The  Stars,  I  truft,  will  teach  as  well  2iS  Jhine  j 
and  help  to  difpel^^  both  Nature  *s  Gloom,  and  my  inteU 
leflual  Darkneis,     To  fome  People,  they  difcharge  no 
better  a  Service,  than  that  of  holding  a  Flambeau  to  their 
Feet,  and  foftening  the  Horrors  of  their  Night.     To 
me  and  my  Friends,  may  they  a6l  as  Minifters  of  a 
fuperior  Order  j  as  Counfellors  of  Wifdom,  and  Guides 
to  Happinefs  !  Nor  will  they  fail  to  execute  this  nobler 
OHice,  if  they  gently  light  our  Way,  into  the  Knowledge 
of  their  adored  Maker;  if  they  point  out,  with  their  Silver 
Rays,  our  Path  to  his  beatific  Prefence, 

I  GAZE,  I  ponder.  I  ponder,  I  gaze;  and  think 
ineffable  Things. — I  roll  an  Eye  of  Awe  and  Admira- 
tion, Again  and  again  I  repeat  my  raviflied  Views; 
and  can  never  fatiate  either  my  Curiofity,  or  my  In- 
quiry. I  fpring  my  Thoughts  into  this  immenfe  Field, 
till  even  Fancy  tires  upon  her  Wing,  I  find  Wonders, 
ever  new ;  Wonders,  more  and  more  amazing. ^-r-Ytt,  af- 
ter all  my  prefent  Inquiries,  what  a  mere  Nothing  do  I 
know ;  by  all  my  future  Searches,  how  little  ftiall  I  be 
able  to  learn  ;  of  thofe  yaftly  diftant  Suns,  ^nd  their  cir- 
cling Retinue  of  Worlds  !  Could  I  pry  with  Newton's 
piercing  Sagacity,  or  launch  into  his  extenfiye  Surveys  : 
even  then,  my  Apprehenfions  would  be  little  better,  than 
thofe  dim  and  fcanty  Images,  whjch  the  Moky  juft 
emerged  from  her  Cavern,  receives  on  her  feeble  Optic. 
—-This,  fure,  fhould  reprefs  all  impatient  or  irnmode-* 
rate  Ardor  to  pry  into  the  Secrets  of  the  Starry  Struc- 
t:ures  ^  and  make  me  rnore  particularly  careful,  to  cul- 
tivate my  Heart.  To  fathom  the  Depths  of  the  Divine 
^gfTence  5    or  to  fcan  uiiiverfal  Nature,   with  a  critical 

Exadnefsi 


THE    STARRY    HEAVENS.  391 

Exaftnefs ;  is  an  Attempt,  "s^hich  fets  the  acuteft  Philo- 
Jopher,  very  nearly  on  a  Level  with  the  Idiot,  Since  it 
is  almofl,  if  not  altogether,  as  impradticable  by  the  for- 
mer, as  by  the  latter.  • 
Be  it,  then,  my  chief  Study,  not  to  purfue,  wliat  is 
abfolutely  unattainable;  but  rather  to  feek,  what  is 
obvious  to  find  -,  eafy  to  be  acquired  ;  and  of  ineftima* 
ble  Advantage,  when  poflefTed.  O  !  let  me  feek  that 
Charity,  which  edifieth  * ;  that  Faith ,  which  purifieth. 
Love,  humble  Love,  not  conceited  Science,  keeps  the 
Door  of  Heaven.  Faith,  a  child-like  P'aith  in  Jesus  5 
not  the  haughty  felf-.fufficient  Spirit,  which  fcorns  to 
be  ignorant  of  any  Thing  -,  prefents  a  Key  f  to  thofe 
Abodes  of  Blifs.. — This  prefent  State,  is  the  Scene  def- 
tined  to  the  Exercije  of  Devotion ;  the  invifible  World, 
is  the  Place  appointed  (or -xht  Enjoyment  o{  Knowledge, 
There,  the  Dawn  of  our  infantile  Minds,  will  be  ad^ 
vanced  to  the  Maturity  of  perfed  Day ;  or  rather, 
there  our  midnight  Shades,  will  be  brightened  into  all 
the  Luflre  of  Noon,     There,  the  Souls  which  come 

*  1  Cor.vixx.  I.  I  need  not  inform  my  Reader,  that  in  this  Text; 
in  that  admirable  Chapter,  i  Cor.  xiii.  and  in  various  other  Paflages 
of  Scripture  ;  the  Word  Charity,  Ihould  by  no  means  be  confined  to 
the  peculiar  Adl  oi  Jlms-gi^ving,  or  external  Beneficence.  It  is  of  a 
much  more  exalted  and  extended  Nature.  It  fignifies  that  divinely 
precious  Grace,  which  warms  the  Soul  with  fupr erne  Love  to  God, 
and  enlarges  it  with  dijtnterejled  Affe£lio7i  for  Men.  Which  renders  it 
the  reigning  Care  of  the  Life,  and  chief  Delight  of  the  Heart,  to 
promote  the  Happinefs  of  the  One,  and  the  Glory  of  the  Other. — 
Thisy  tkisy  is  that  Charity  of  which  fo  many  excellent  Things  are 
every  where  fpoken.  Which  can  never  be  too  highly  extolled,  or 
too  earneftly  coveted,  fmce  it  is  the  Image  of  God,  and  the  very 
Spirit  of  Heaven, 

t  The  Righteoufnefs  of  Christ.  This  is  what  Milto^j  beau- 
^ifully  llilcs ; 

— The  golden  Key, 

That  ofes  the  Palace  of  Eternity* 

C  c  4  from 


392  OONTEMPLATIONS    ON 

from  the  School  of  Faith  and  bring  with  them  tht 
Principles  of  Love,  will  dwell  in  Light  itfclf  5  will  be 
obfcured  with  no  Darknefs  at  all  -,  will  know,  even  as 
they  are  known  *. — Such  an  Acquaintance,  therefore, 
do  I  defire  to  form,  and  to  carry  on  fuch  a  Correipon- 
^ence,  with  the  heavenly  Bodies ;  as  may  flied  a  benign 
Influence  on  the  Seeds  of  Grace,  implanted  in  my 
Breaft.  Let  the  exalted  Traels  of  the  Firmament, 
fink  my  Soul  into  deep  Humilidtion,  Let  thofe  eternal 
Fires,  kindle  in  my  Heart  an  adoring  Gratitude^  to  their 
Almighty  Sovereign.  Let  yonder  ponderous  and  enor-r 
mous  Globes,  which  reft  on  his  fupporting  Arm ;  teach 
me  an  unjhaken  Affiancey  in  their  incarnate  Maker.  Theii 
fhall  I  be — if  not  wife  as  the  Aftronomical  Adept,  yet 
WISE  UNTO  Salvation. 

Having  now  walked  and  worihipped,  in  this  univer^ 
fal  Temple,  that  is  arched  with  Skies;  emblazed  with 
Stars;  and  extended  even  to  Immenfity — Having  caft 
an  Eye,  like  the  inraptured  Patriarch  f ;  an  Eye  of 
Reafon  and  Devotion,  through  the  magnificent  Scene. 
With  the  former,  having  difcovered  an  Infinitude  of 
Worlds;  and  with  the  latter,  having  met  the  Deity  in 
every  View — Having  beheld,  as  Mofes  in  the  flaming 
Buih,  a  Glimp/e  of  Jehovah's  Excellencies !  refleded 
from  the  feveral  Planets,  and  ftreaming  from  Myriads 
of  celeftial  Luminaries — Having  read  various  Leflbns, 
in  that  ftupendous  Book  of  TVifdom  J,  where  unmeafur- 
able  Sheets  of  Azure  compofe  the  Page  ;  and  Orbs  of 
Radiance  write,  in  everlafting  Charaders,  a  Comment 
on  our  Creed — What  remains,  but  that  I  clofe  the  mid- 

*   I  Cor.  xiii.   12.  f  Gen.  xv.  5. 

For  Heaven 


Is  as  the  Book  0/  God  before  thee  fet, 

Whjsrein  to  read  his  wondrous  Works. — Milton, 


night 


THE    STARRY    H  E  A  V  E  K  S.  393 

^ight  Solemnity,  as  our  Lord  concluded  his  grand 
Sacramental  Inflitution,  with  a  Seng  of  Praije? — ^And 
behold  a  Hymn,  fuited  to  the  fublime  Occafion ;  in- 
dited by  *  Infpiration  itfelf;  transferred  into  our  Lan- 
guage, by  f  one  of  the  happiefl  Efforts  of  human  In- 
genuity. 

llje  fpactous  Firmament  on  higby 
With  all  the  Hue  atherealSky, 
And  Jpangled  Heav'nSy  a  fmning  Frame y 
Their  great  Original  'proclaim : 
7V  unweary^d  Sun  from  Day  to  Day, 
Does  his  Creator's  Pow'r  difplay  s 
And  puhliJheS)  to  ev^ry  Land, 
The  IVcrk  of  an  Almighty  Hand. 

Soon  as  the  Evening  Shades  prevail. 
The  Moon  takes  up  the  wondrous  Tale ; 
And  7nghtly,  to  the  lift'ning  Earthy 
Repeats  the  Story  cf  her  Birth : 
While  all  the  Stars,  that  round  her  hum. 
And  all  the  Planets  in  their  Turn, 
Confirm  the  Tidings  as  they  roll. 
And  fpread  the  Truth  from  Pole  to  Pole. 

What  though,  in  folemn  Silence,  all 
Move  round  the  dark  terrefirial  Ball  ? 
What  though,  nor  real  Voice  nor  Sound 
Amid  their  radiant  Orbs  he  found  ? 
In  Reajon's  Ear  they  all  rejoice. 
And  utter  forth  a  glorious  Voice, 
For  ever  finging,  as  they  Jhine, 
The  Hand  that  made  Us,  is  divine. 

♦  Pfal.  xlx.  f  Addison,  Sj>e<S,  YohYI.  1^465. 

A  WIN- 


WINTER-PIECE. 


^^  Storms  and  Tempefts  may  calm  the  Soul-r-Snow  and 
*^  Ice  be  taught  to  warm  th^  Hearty  and  praije  the 
^'Creator:' 

Anonym,  Lett,  to  the  Author,  See  p,  398. 


W  I  N  T  E  R  .  P  I  E  C  E. 


^ry^IS  true,  in  the  delightful  Seafons,  HIS  Tender- 
X  nefs  and  HIS  Love,  are  moft  eminently  dif- 
playcd. — ^In  the  'verml  Months ,  all  is  Beauty  to  the  Eye, 
and  MufiG  to  the  Ear.  The  Clouds  drop  Fatnefs ;  the 
Air  foftens  into  Salm;  and  Flowers,  in  rich  Abundance, 
fpring  where-ever  we  tread,  bloom  where-ever  we  look. 
— Amidfl  the  burning  Heats  of  Summery  HE  expands 
the  Leaves,  and  thickens  the  Shades.  He  fpreads  the 
cooling  Arbor,  to  receive  us;  and  awakes  the  gentle 
Breeze,  to  fan  Us.  The  Mofs  fwells  into  a  Couch,  for 
the  Repofe  of  our  Bodies ;  while  the  Rivulet  foftly  rolls, 
and  fweetly  murmurs,  to  footh  our  Imagination. — In 
Atttumny  HIS  Bounty  covers  the  Fields,  with  a  Profii- 
lion  of  nutrimentai  Treafure ;  and  bends  the  Boughs, 
with  Loads  of  delicious  Fruit.  He  furnifhes  his  hoipi- 
table  Board  with  prefent  Plenty,  and  prepares  a  copious 
Magazine  for  future  Wants. — But,  is  it  only  in  thefe  fmil- 
ing  Periods  of  the  Year,  that  God,  the  all-gracious  God 
is  feen  ?  Has  Whiter ^  ftern  Winter,  no  Tokens  of  his 
Prefence  P  Yes :  AH  Things  are  eloquent  of  his  Praiie. 
*^  His  Way.  is  in  the  Whirlwind."  Storms  and  Tem- 
pefts  folfil  his  Word,  and  extol  his  Power.  Even  pierc- 
ing 
9 


398  AWINT£R-PIECE. 

ing  Frofis  bear  Witnefs  to  his  Goodilefs ;  while  they  bid 
the  fhivering  Nations^  tremble  at  his  Wrath.^ — Be  Win- 
ter, then,  for  a  while,  our  Theme  *,  Perhaps,  thofe 
barren  Scenes>  may  ht  fruitful  o(  Intelledual  Improve- 
ment* Perhaps  that  rigorous .  Cold,  which  binds  the 
Earth  in  icy  Chains ;  may  ferve  to  enlarge  our  Hearts^ 
and  warm  them  with  holy  Love* 

See!  how  the  Day  is  Jhortenedl'-'^tht  Sunj  detained 
in  fairer  Climes,  or  engaged  in  more  agreeable  Services, 
rifes,  like  an  unwilling  Vifitaiit,  with  tardy  and  reludtant 
Steps.  He  walks,  with  a  lliy  Indifference,  along  the 
Edges  of  the  Southern  Sky;  calling  an  oblique  Glance, 
he  juft  looks  upon, our  dejefted  World;  and  fcarcely 
fcatters  Light,  through  the  thick  Air.  Dim  in  his  Ap- 
pearance, languid  are  his  Gleams,  while  he  continues. 
Or,  if  He  chance  to  wear  a  brighter  Afped,  and  a  cloud- 
lefs  Brow ;  yet;  like  the  Young  and  Gay  in  the  Houfc 
of  Mourning,  He  feems  uneafy,  till  He  is  gone  ;  is  in 
Hafte  to  depart* — ^And  let  Him  depart.  Why  lliould 
we  wifli  for  his  longer  Stay ;  fince  He  can  fliew  us  no- 
thing, but  the  Creation  in  Diftrefs?  The  flowery  Fami- 
lies lie  dead,  and  the  tuneful  Tribes  are  ftruck  dumb. 
The  Trees,  ftript  of  their  Verdure,  and  lafhed  by  Storms, 
fpread  their  naked  Arms  to  the  enraged  and  relentlefs 
Heavens.     Fragrance  no  longer  floats  in  the  Air;  but 

A 

*  A  Sketch  of  this  Nature,  I  muft  acknowledge,  is  quite  different 
from  the  Subjeft  of  the  Book ;  and,  I  cannot  but  declare,  was  as  far 
diftant  from  the  Thoughts  of  the  Author.  But,  the  Defire  o^fe'-veral 
Acquaintance,  together  with  an  Intimation  of  its  Ufefalnefs,  by  a  very 
polite  Letter  from  an  unkno-.vn  Hand  (which  has  undefignedly  furnilhed 
me  with  the  beft  Motto,  I  could  recolleft),  prevailed  with  me  to  add 
a  few  defcriptive  Touches  and  improving  Hints,  on  what  is  fo  often 
experienced  in  the  Northern  Regions.  I  hope,  the  Attempt  I  have 
riade  to  oblige  thefe  Gentlemen,  will  obtain  the  Approbation,  or  at 
leaft,  the  Excufi,  of  my  other  Readers. 

chilling 


A"\v  inter-piece;  ^g^ 

chilling  Damps  hover,  or  cutting  Gales  blow.     Nature,  * 
di veiled  of  all  her  beautiful  Robes,  fits,  like  a  fcrlorn 
dilconfoiate  Widow,  in  her  Weeds.     While  Winds,  in 
doleful  Accents,  howlj  and  Raios,  in  repeated  Showers, 
weep. 

We  regret  not,  therefore,  the  fpeedy  Departure  of 
the  Day.  When  the  Room  is  hung  with  funefitl  Blacky 
and  difmal  Obje6ls  are  all  around  j  who  would  defire  to 
have  the  glimmering  Taper  kept  alive  ?  Which  can  only 
difcoverSpedlacles  of  Sorrow ;  can  only  make  the  Hor- 
ror vifible. — And,  fince  this  mortal  Life  is  little  better 
than  a  continual  Confli6l  with  Sin,  or  an  unremitted 
Struggle  with  Mifery  -,  is  it  not  a  gracious  Ordination, 
which  has  reduced  our  Age  to  a  Span  ?  Fourfcore  Years 
of  Trial,  for  the  Virtuous,  are  fufficiently  long;  and  more 
than  fuch  a  Term,  allowed  to  the  Wicked,  would  ren- 
der: them  beyond  all  Meafure,  vile.  Our  Way  to  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven,  lies  through  Tribulations.  Shall 
we  then  accujey  fhall  v/e  not  rather  hlefsy  the  Providence, 
which  has  made  the  PaiTage  fhort  ?  Soon,  foon,  we  crols 
the  Vale  of  Tears ;  and  then  arrive  on  the  happy  Hills, 
where  Light  for  ever  fhines,  where  Joy  for  ever  fmiles. 

Sometimes,  the  Day  is  rendered  fhorter  ftill;  is  almoft 
blotted  out  from  the  Year  *.  The  Vapours  gather ; 
they  thicken  into  an  impenetrable  Gloom ;  and  obfcurc 
the  Face  of  die  Sky.  At  length,  the  Rains  defcend. 
The  Sluices  of  the  Firmament  are  opened ;  and  the  low 
hung  Clouds  pour  their  congregated  Stores.  Copious 
and  unintermitted.  Hill  they  pour  y  and  ftill  are  unex- 
haufted.  The  Waters  drop  inceflantly  from  the  Eves, 
and  rufh  in  rapid  Streams  from  thcfe  Spouts.  They 
roar  along  the  channelled  Pavements,  and  ftand  in  foul 


*  Involvere  Diem  Nimbi  &  Nox  hum'ida  Coelum 
Abllulit ViRc; 


Shallows 


#a 


A    WINTER- PIECE. 


Shallows  amidft  the  Village-Streets.  Now,  if  the  inat- 
tentive Eye,  or  negligent  Hand,  has  left  the  Roof  but 
fcantily  covered ;  the  infinuating  Element  finds  its  Way 
into  every  Flaw,  and  oozing  through  the  Cieling,  at  once 
upbraids  and  chaftifes  the  carelefs  Inhabitant.  The 
Ploughman,  foaked  to  the  Skin,  leaves  his  half-tilled 
iVacre.  The  poor  Poultry,  dripping  with  Wet,  croud 
into  Shelter.  The  Tenants  of  the  Bough  fold  up  their 
Wings,  afraid  to  launch  into  the  ftreaming  Air.  The 
Beads,  joylefs  and  difpirited,  ruminate  under  their  Sheds. 
The  Roads  fwim,  and  the  Brooks  fwell. — The  RlveKy 
amidil  all  diis  vv-atry  Ferment,  long  contained  itfeif  within 
its  appointed  Bounds.  But,  fwoilen  by  innumerable 
Currents;  and  rouled,  at  lafl,  into  uncontroulable  Rage  ; 
burfls  over  its  Banks  3  fhoots  into  the  Plain ;  bears  dov/n 
all  Oppofition ;  fpreads  itfeif  far  and  wide  ;  and  buries 
L'he  Meadow  under  a  brown,  fluggifh,  foaking  Deluge, 

How  happy  for  Man,  that  this  Inundation  comes, 
when  there  are  no  flowery  Crops  in  the  Valley,  to  be 
overwhelmed  ;  no  Fields  flanding  thick  with  Corn,  to 
be  laid  wafte !  Aijuch  a  Jundlure,  it  would  have  been 
Ruin  to  the  Hufoandman  and  his  Family :  but,  thus 
timed,  it  yields  Manure  for  his  Ground,  and  promifes 
Him  Riches  in  Reverfion. — 'How  often,  and  how  long, 
h&s  the  Divine  Majefly  bore  with  lat  moil  injurious  Af- 
fronts from  Sinners  1  His  Goodnefs  triumphed  over  their 
Per/crfenefs,  and  gracioufly  refufed  to  be  exafperated. 
But,  O  prefumptnous  Creatures,  multiply  no  longer  your 
Provocations.  Urge  not,  by  repeated  Iniquities,  the  Al- 
mighty Arm  to  ftrike  ;  left  his  Lorig-fuffering  ceale,  and 
his  liercc  Anger  break  forth ;  break  forth,  like  a  Flood 
df  Waters  *y  and  fweep  you  away,  into  irrecoverable 
and  everlafling, Perdition. 

•  Hof.  v^  10. 

How 


A     WINTER-PIECE.  401 

How  mighty  I  how  majeflic !  and  O  !  how  myflerious 
are  thy  Works,  Thou  GOD  of  Heaven,  and  LORD 
of  Nature  !  When  the  Air  is  calm,  where  fleep  xhtftormy 
Winds  ?  In  what  Chambers  are  they  repofed,  or  in  what 
Dungeons  confined  !  Till  Thou  art  pleafed  to  awaken 
their  Rage,  and  throw  open  their  Prifon-Doors.  Then, 
with  irrefiftible  Impetuofity  they  fly  forth,  fcattering 
Dread,  and  menacing  Deflrudion. 

The  Atmofphere  is  hurled  into  the  mofl  tumultuous 
Confufion.  The  aereal  Torrent  burfts  its  Way  over 
Mountains,  Seas,  and  Continents.  All  Things  feel  the 
dreadful  Shock.  All  Things  tremble  before  the  furious 
Blaft.  The  Foreft,  vexed  and  tore,  groans  under  the. 
Scourge.  Her  fburdy  Sons  are  ftrained  to  the  very  Root, 
and  almoft  fweep  the  Soil,  they  were  wont  to  fhade.  The 
llubborn  Oak,  that  difdains  to  bend,  is  dafhed  headlong 
to  the  Ground  -,  and,  with  fhattered  Arms,  with  proflrate 
Trunks,  blocks  the  Road. — While  the  flexile  Reed,  that 
fprings  up  in  the  Marfh,  yielding  to  the  Guft  (as  the 
meek  and  pliant  Temper,  to  Injuries  ;  or  the  refigned  and 
patient  Spirit,  to  Misfortunes)  ;  eludes  the  Force  of  the 
Storm,  and  furvives  amidft  the  wide-fpread  Havock. 

For  a  Moment,  the  turbulent  and  outrageous  Sky, 
feems  to  be  alTuaged  :  but,  it  intermits  its  Wrath,  only 
to  increafe  its  Strength.  Soon,  the  founding  Squadrons 
of  the  Air  return  to  the  Attack,  and  renew  their  Ravages 
widi  redoubled  Fury.  The  ftately  Dome  rocks,  amidfl 
the  wheeling  Clouds.  The  impregnable  Tower  totters 
on  its  Bafis ;  and  threatens  to  overwhelm,  whom  it  was 
intended  to  protedl.  The  ragged  Rock  is  rent  in  Pieces  *  ^ 
and  even  the  Hills,  the  perpetual  Hills,  on  their  deep 
Foundations,  are  fcarcely  fecure. — ^Where,  now,  is  the 
Place  of  Safety  ?  W^hen  the  City  reels,  and  Houfes  be- 

*    I  Kings  xix.  1 1. 

D  d  come 


402  A    WINTER.PIECE. 

come  Heaps !  Sleep  affrighted  dies.  Diverfion  is  turned 
mto  Horror.  All  is  Uproar  in  the  Element ^  all  is  Con- 
ilernation  among  Mortals ;  and  nothing,  but  one  wide 
Scene  of  rueful  Devaftation,  through  the  Land. — Yet, 
this  is  only  an  inferior  Minifler  of  divine  Difpleafure.  The 
Executioner  of  milder  Indignation.  How  then, — O  \ 
how  will  the  lofty  Looks  of  Man  he  humbled ^  and  the  Haugh^ 
tinefs  of  Man  he  bowed  down  *  -,  when  the  LORD  GOD 
Omnipotent  fhall  jneditate  Terror — ^when  He  fhail  fet  all 
his  Terrors  in  Array— wlien  He  arifes,  to  judge  the 
Nati^ons,  and  lo  Jhake  terribly  the  Earth  1 

The  Of ^^;^  fwells  with  tremendous  Commotions.  The 
ponderous  Waves  are  heaved  from  their  capacious  Bed, 
and  aimoil  lay  bare  the  unfathomable  Deep.  Flung  into 
the  mofl  rapid  Agitation,  they  fweep  over  the  Rocks  ; 
they  lalh  the  lofty  Cliffs ;  and  tofs  themfelves  into  the 
Clouds.  Navies  are  rent  from  their  Anchors  ;  and,  with 
all  their  enormous  Load,  are  whirled,  fwift  as  the  Arrow, 
wild  as  the  Winds,  along  the  vail  Abyfs. — Now,  they 
climb  the  rolling  Mountain  ;  they  plow  the  frightful 
Ridge;  and  feem  to  fkim  the  Skies.  Anon,  they  plunge 
into  the  opening  Gulf  3  they  lofe  the  Sight  of  Day  ;  and 
are  loft  themfelves  to  every  Eye.  How  vain  is  the  Pilot's 


Mortalia  Cor^.i 


Per  Gentes  humilis  Jlravit  Paijor,  ■'■■'  ■ 
One  would  aimed  imagine,  ihcit  Firgi I  ha.d  read  J/}aa.h,  and  borrowed 
his  Ideas  from  Chap.  ii.  Ver.  1 1.  The  humilis  andy/r^-x'/Vof  the  one, 
\q  exactly  correfpond  with  the — humbled — hc^j^ed  do^urn — of  the  other. 
But,  in  one  Circumftance,  the  Proplict  is  very  much  fuperior  to  the 
Poet.  The  Prophet,  by  giving  a  llriking  Contraji  to  his  Sentiments, 
reprefents  them  with  incomparably  greater  Energy.  Ke  fays  not.  Men 
in  tlic  grofs  or  the  Human  Heart  in  general :  but  Men  of  the  moft  elated 
Looks ;  Hearts  big  w  ith  the  moil  arrogant  Imaginations.  Even  theft 
ihall  iloop  from  their  fupercilioiis  Heights;  even  thefc  ihall  grovel  in 
the  Dull  of  Abafemtnt,  and  Ihuddcr  with  all  the  Extiemes  of  an  abjeii 
Pufillanimity. 

I  Art ! 


A    V/ INTER-PIECE.  403 

Art !  How  impotent  the  Mariner's  Strength  !  They  reel 
to  and  fro,  and  ftagger  in  the  jarring  Hold  3  or  cling  to 
the  Cordage,  while  burfling  Seas  foam  over  the  Deck. 
Be/pair  is  in  every  Face,  and  Death  fits  threatening  on 
every  Surge. — But  why,  O  ye  aftoniihed  Mariners,  why 
iliould  you  abandon  yourfelves  tsy  Defpair  ?  Is  the 
LORD'S  Hand  Jhortened^  becaufe  the  Waves  of  the 
Sea  Ifege  horribly  ?  Is  his  Ear  deafened^  by  the  roaring 
Thunders,  and  the  bellowing  Tempefl  ?  Cry,  cry,  unto 
HIM,  who  "  holdeth  the  Winds  in  his  Fift,  and  the 
"  Waters  in  the  Hollow  of  his  Hand."  HE  is  aii-gra- 
cious,  to  hear;  and  almighty,  to  five.  If  He  com- 
mand, the  Storm  Ihall  be  hufhed  to  Silence  :  the  Billows 
fhall  fubfide  into  a  Calm  :  the  Lightnings  fliall  lay  their 
fiery  Bolts  afide :  and,  inilead  of  finking  in  a  watry  Grave, 
you  Ihall  find  Yourfelves  brought  to  the  defired  Haven. 

Sometimes,  after  a  joylefs  Day,  a  more  difmal  Night 
fucceeds. — The  lazy,  louring  Vapours  had  wove  fo  thick 
a  Veil,  as  the  meridian  Sun  could  fcarcely  penetrate. 
What  Gloom  then  mufl  overwhelm  the  noc.iirn  J  Flours  ! 
the  Moon  withdraws  her  Shining.  Not  a  fino-le  Star,  is 
able  to  flruggle  through  the  Deep  Arrangement  of 
Shades.  All  \%  pitchy  Barknefs,  without  one  enlivening 
Ray.  How  folemn  !  Flow  awful !  'Tis  like  the  Shroud 
of  Nature,  or  the  Return  of  Chaos.  I  don't  wonder, 
that  it  is  the  Parent  of  Terrors,  and  fo  apt  to  ingender 
Melancholy. — Lately,  die  Tempefl  marked  its  rapid 
Way  with  Mijchief-,  now,  the  Night  drefTes  her  filent 
Pavilion  Vv'ith  Horror. 

I  iiAYEfometimes  left  the  beaming  Tapers,  v/ithdrawn 
from  the  ruddy  Fire,  and  plunged  into  the  thickefi:  of 
thefe  footy  Shades  -,  without  regretting  the  Change,  ra- 
ther exulting  in  it  as  a  v/elcome  Deliverance.  The  \  e;y 
Gloom  was  pleafing,  was  exhilarating,  com.pared  with 

D  d  2  the 


404  A     WINTER-PIECE. 

the  Convcrfation,  I  quitted.  The  Speech  of  my  Com- 
panions (how  does  it  grieve  me,  that  I  fhould  even  once 
have  occafion  to  call  them  by  that  Name  !)  was  the  Lan- 
euao-e  of  Darknefs:  was  Horror  to  the  Soul,  and  Tor- 
ture  to  the  Ear. — Their  Teeth  were  Spears  and  Arrows^ 
and  their  Tongue  a  JJjarp  Sword^  to  ftab  and  aflaffinate, 
their  Neighbour's  Charafter.  Their  Throat  was  an  open 
Sepulchre^  g^pi^g  ^^  devour  the  Reputation  of  the  Inno- 
centj  or  tainting  the  Air  v/ith  their  virulent  and  polluted 
Breath.  Sometimes,  their  licentious  and  ungovernable 
Difcourfe,  fliot  Arrows  of  Profanenefs  againit  Heaven 
itfelf  J  and,  in  proud  Defiance,  challenged  the  Refent- 
ment  of  Omnipotence. — Sometimes,  as  if  it  was  the 
Glory  of  human  Nature,  to  cheriih  the  grojfefi  Appe- 
tites of  the  Brute  ;  or  the  Mark  of  a  Gentleman,  to 
have  ferved  an Apprenticefliip  in  a  Brothel;  the  filthieft 
Jefis  of  the  Stew  (if  low  Ohfcenily  can  be  a  Jeft)  were 
naufeoufly  obtruded  on  the  Company.  All  the  modeji 
Part  vv^re  offended  and  grieved ;  while  the  other  befotted 
Creatures  laughed  aloud,  though  the  Leprofy  of  Un- 
cleannefs  appeared  on  their  Lips. — Are  not  thefe  Per- 
fons  Prijoners  oiTiarhieJs ;  though  blazing  Sconces,  pour 
artificial  Day,  through  their  Rooms  ?  Are  not  their  Souls 
immured  in  the  moil  baleful  Shades;  though  the  Noon- 
tide Sun  is  brightened,  by  flaming  on  their  gilded  Cha- 
riots ? — They  difcern  not  that  great  and  adorable  Being, 
who  fills  the  Univcrfe  widi  his.  infinite  and  glorious  Pre - 
fence  :  who  is  all  Eye,  to  c;bferve  their  Anions  ;  all  Ear, 
to  examine  their  Words.  They  know  not  the  all-ilifR- 
cient  Redeemer,  nor  the  unfpeakable  Bleilednefs  of  his 
heavenly  Kingdom.  They  are  groping  for  the  Prize  of 
Happinefs ;  but  will  certainly  grafp  the  Thorn  of  Anxi- 
ety. They  are  wantonly  fporting  on  the  Brink  of  a  Pre- 
cipice; and  are  every  Moment  in  Danger  of  falling  head- 
long, into  irretrlevahle  Ruin,  and  cndlejs  Delpair. 

They 


A     W  I  N  T  E  R  -  P  I  E  C  E.  405 

They  have  fojced  me  our,  and  are,  perhaps,  derid- 
ing me  in  my  Abfence  :  are  charging  my  Reverence  for 
the  ever-prefent  GOD,  and  my  Concern  for  the  Dig- 
nity of  our  rational  Nature,  to  the  Account  of  Hum^our 
and  Singularity ,  to  Narrov/nefs  of  Thought,  or  Sour- 
nefs  of  Temper. — Be  it  fo. — I  will  indulge  no  Indigna- 
tion againft  them.  If  any  Thing  like  itjhould  arife,  I 
will  convert.it  into  Prayer — "  Pity  them,  O  Thou  Fa- 
^'  ther  of  Mercies  ! — Shew  them  the  Madnefs  of  their 
*^  Profanehefsi — Shev/  them  the  Bafenefs  of  their  vile 
"  Ribaldry  ! — Let  their  diilc)lute  Rant  be  turned  into 
''  filent  Sorrow  and  ConfufiorL  Till  they  open  their 
^'  Lips,  to  adore  thine  infiilted  Majefty,  and  to  implore 
"  thy  gracious  Pardon.  Till  they  devote  to  thy  Ser- 
'•^  vice,  thofe  focial  Hours,  and  thoie  fuperior  Facukies, 
*'  v/hich  they  are  now  abufmg — to  the  difhonour  of  thy 
"  Name — to  the  Contamination  of  their  own  Souls — 
"  and  (unlefs  timely  Repentance  intervene)  to  their  ever- 
*^  lading  Infamy  ar/i  Perdition." 

I  RIDE  home  amidft  the  gloomy  Void.  All  darkling 
and  folitary,  I  can  fcarce  difcern  my  Horfc's  Head  ; 
and  only  guefs  out  my  blind  Road.  No  Companion^  but 
Danger]  or,  perhaps,  "  Deftruclion  ready  at  my'Side  *." 
— But,  why  do  I  fanly  myfelfyiV/V^j/j  ?  Is  not  the  Fa- 
ther of  Lights  J  the  God  of  my  Life  ;  the  great  and 
everlafting  Friend;  always  at  my  Pvight-hand  r  Becaufe 
the  Day  is  excluded,  is  his  Omnipref:nce  vacated  ? 
Though  I  have  no  earthly  Acquaintance  near,  to  affift 
in  cafe  of  a  Misfortune  ;  or  to  be52:uile  the  Time,  and 
divert  uneafy  Sufpicions,  by  entertaining  Conferences ; 
may  I  not  lay  my  Help  upon  the  Almighty,  and  con- 
verfe  with  God  by  humble  Supplication  ?  For  this  Ex- 
ercifcj   wo  Place  is  improper  -,   no  Hour  unfeafonable  j 

*   Job  xviii.  12. 

D  d  3  and 


4©6  A    WINTER-PIECE. 

and  no  Pofture  incommodious.  This  is  Society^  the  befl 
of  Society,  even  in  Sohtude,  This  is  a  Fund  of  De- 
lights, eafily  portable,  and  quite  inexhaufrible.  A  Trea- 
Jure  this,  of  unknown  Value  j  liable  to  no  Hazard,  from 
Wrong  or  Robbery  -,  but  perfedly  fecure,  to  the  lonely 
Wanderer,  in  the  moil:  darkfome  Paths. 

And  why  fnould  I  diflrefs  myfelfwith  Apprehenfions 
of  Peril  ?  This  Accels  to  God,  is  not  only  an  indefea- 
fible  Privilege,  but  a  kind  o(amhulatcry  Garrijon,  Thofe, 
who  make  known  their  Requefts  unto  God,  and  rely 
upon  his  protedingCare;  He  giYts^his  Angels Q\\2irgt  over 
their  Welfare.  His  Angels  are  commiiTioned,  to  efcort 
them  in  their  Travelling ;  and  to  hold  up  their  Goings, 
that  they  dafh  not  their  Foot  againft  a  Stone  *.  Nay, 
He  Himjelf  condtiCtnds  to  be  their  Guardian,  and  "  keeps 
"  all  their  Bones,  fo  that  not  one  of  them  is  broken."— 
Between  thefe  Perfons,  and  the  mofi  mifchievous  Ob- 
je6ls,  a  Treaty  of  Peace  is  concluded.  The  Articles  of 
this  grand  Alliance,  are  recorded  in  the  Book  of  Reve- 
lation ;  and  will,  when  it  is  for  the  real  Benefit  of  Be- 
lievers, alTuredly  be  made  good,  in  the  Adminifhrations 
of  Providence.  In  that  Day,  faith  the  LORD,  will  I 
make  a  Covenant  for  them  with  the  Beafts  of  the  Field y  and 
with  the  Fowls  of  Heaven,  and  with  the  creeping  Thiyigs  of 
the  Ground ',  and  thty  fo  all  be  in  League  with  the  Stones 
of  the  Field  -\,  Though  they  fall  headlong  on  the  Flints ; 
even  the  Flints,  fitted  to  fradlure  the  Skull,  fhall  receive 
them  as  into  the  Arms  of  Friendfliip ;  and  not  offer  to 
-hurt,  whom  the  Lord  is  pleafed  to  preferve. 

May  I  then  enjoy  the  Prefence  of  this  gracious  God, 
and  Darknefs  and  Light  fhall  be  both  alike.  Let  HIM 
whifper  Peace  to  my  Confcience ;  <and  this  dread  Silence 
ihail  be  more  charming,  than  the  Voice  of  Eloquence, 

*  PfaLxci.  II,  12.  f  Job  y.  23.     Kof.  ii.  18. 

or 


A    WINTER-PIECE.  407 

or  the  Strains  of  Mufic.  Let  HIM  reveal  his  ravifhing 
Perfe6tions  in  my  Soul ;  and  I  iliall  not  want  the  faffron 
Beauties  of  the  Morn,  the  golden  Glories  of  Noon,  or 
the  impurpled  Evening  Sky.  I  fliall  figh  only  for  thofe 
moft  defirable  and  diftinguifhed  Realms ;  where,  the 
Light  of  HIS  Countenance  "perpetually  fhines,  and  con» 
fequently — "  there  is  *  no  Night  there/' 

How  furprifing  are  the  Alterations  of  Nature  !  I  kfc 
her,  the  preceding  Evening,  plain  and  unadorned.  But, 
now,  a  thick  Rime  has  flied  its  hoary  Honours  over  all. 
It  has  fhagged  the  Fleeces  of  the  Sheep,  and  crifped  the 
Traveller's  Locks.  The  Hedges  are  richly  fringed,  and 
all  the  Ground  is  profufely  powdered.  The  dowmvard 
Branches  are  tafTeled  with  Silver,  and  the  upright  arc 
feathered  with  the  plumy  Wave. 

The  Fine^  are  not  always  the  Vahahle.  The  Air, 
amidft  all  thefe  gaudy  Decorations,  is  charged  with  chil- 
ling and  unwhclefome  Damps.  The  raw  hazy  Influence 
fpreads  wide  i  fits  deep ;  hangs  heavy  and  opprefTive  on 
the  Springs  of  Life.  A  liftlefs  Languor  clogs  the  ani- 
mal Fun6tions ;  and  the  purple  Stream  glides  but  faintly 
through  its  Channels.  In  vain,  the  Ruler  of  the  Day 
exerts  his  beaming  Powers :  In  vain.  He  attempts  to 
dilperfe  this  Infurreclion  of  Vapours^  The  fullen,  ma* 
lignant  Cloud  refufes  to  depart.  It  envelops  the  World, 
and  intercepts  the  Prcfped,  I  look  abroad  for  the  neigh- 
bouring Village  I  I  fend  my  Eye  in  queft  of  the  rifing 
Turret ;  but  am  fcarce  able  to  difcern  the  very  next 
Houfe.  Where  are  the  blue  Arches  of  Heaven  ?  Where 
is  the  radiant  Countenance  of  the  Sun  ?  Where  the 
boundlefs  Scenes  of  Creation  ?  Loft,  loft  are  their  Beau- 
ties ;  quenched  their  Glories.  The  thronged  Theatre 
of  the  Univerfe,  feems  an  empty  Void  -,  and  all  its  ele- 

*  llev.  xxi.  25. 

D  d  4  gant 


4o8  A    WINTER.PIECE. 

gant  Plftures,  an  undiftinguifhed  Blank. — Thus  would 
it  have  been  with  our  inteliedlual  Views,  if  the  Gofpel 
had  not  come  in  to  our  Relief.  We  fhould  have  known, 
neither  our  true  Good,  nor  real  Evil.  We  had  been  a 
Riddle  to  ourfelves  ;  the  prefent  State  all  Confufion,  and 
the  future  impenetrable  Darknefs.  But,  the  Sun  of 
Righteoufnefs,  arifmgv/ith  potent  and  triumphant  Beams, 
has  difTipated  the  interpofmg  Cloud.  Has  opened  a  Prof- 
pe61:,  more  beautiful,  than  the  BlofToms  of  Spring;  more 
chcaring,  than  the  Treafures  of  Autumn;  and  far  more 
inlarged,  than  the  Extent  of  the  vifible  Syftem.  Which, 
having  led  the  Eye  of  the  Mind,  through  Fields  of 
Grace,  over  Rivers  of  Righteoufnefs,  and  Hills  crowned 
with  Knowledge  3  terminates,  at  length,  in  the  Heavens ; 
fweetly  lofing  itfelf,  in  Regions  of  infinite  Blifs,  and  end- 
lefs  Glory. 

As  I  walk  along  the  Fog,  it  feems,  at  fome  little  Dif- 
tance,  to  be  almofl  fdid  Gloom ;  fuch  as  would  fhut 
out  every  Glimpfe  of  Light,  and  totally  imprifon  me  in 
Obfcurity.  But,  when  I  approach,  and  enter  it  -,  I  find 
myfelf  agreeably  miflaken,  and  the  Mift  much  thinner ^ 
than  it  appeared. — Such  is  the  Cafe,  with  regard  to  the 
Sufferings  of  the  prefent  Life  -,  they  are  not,  wlien  expe- 
rienced, fo  dreadful,  as  a  timorous  Imagination  furmifed. 
Such  alfo  is  the  Cafe,  with  reference  to  the  Gratijicaticns 
o{  Senje-y  they  prove  not,  when  enjoyed,  fo  fubilantial, 
as  a  fanguine  Expecfbation  reprefented.  In  both  Inilances, 
we  are  gracioufiy  difappointed.  The  keen  Edge  of  the 
Calamity  is  blunted,  that  it  may  not  wound  us  v/ith  in- 
curable Anguifh  :  the  exquifite  Relifh  of  the  Profperity 
is  palled,  that  it  may  not  captivate  our  Affedions,  and 
enflave  them  to  inferior  Delip;hts. 

Sometimes,  the  Face  of  Things  wears  a  more  pleafmg 
Form  ;   the  very  Reverfe  of  the  foregoing.     Tlie  fober 

Even- 


A    WINTER-PIECE. 


409 


Evening  advances,  to  dole  the  Ihort-llved  Day.  Tlie 
Firmament,  clear  and  unfullied,  puts  on  its  brighteft 
Blue.  The  Stars,  in  thronging  Multitudes,  and  with  a 
peculiar  Brilliancy,  glitter  through  the  fair  Expanfe. 
While  the  Frofi  pours  its  fubtle  and  penetrating  Influ- 
ence, all  around.  Sharp  and  intenfeiy  fevere,  all  the  long 
Night,  the  rigid  JEther  continues  its  Operations.  When, 
late  and  How,  the  Morning  opens  her  pale  Eye;  in  what 
a  curious  and  amufing  Difguife,  is  Nature  drefled !  The 
Icicles,  jagged  and  uneven,  are  pendent  on  the  Houfes. 
A  whitifh  Film  incrulls  the  windows,  where  mimic  Land- 
fcapes  rife,  and  fanfied  Figures  fwell.  The  fruitful  Fields 
are  hardened  to  Iron  3  the  moiftened  Meadows  are  con- 
gealed  to  Marble ;  and  both  refound  (an  EfFe6l  unknown 
before)  with  the  Peafant*s  hafty  Tread.  The  Stream  is 
arrefbed  in  its  Career,  and  its  everflowing  Surface  chained 
to  the  Banks.  The  fluid  Paths  become  a  folid  Road ; 
where  the  finny  Shoals  were  wont  to  rove,  the  fpordve 
Youth  Aide,  or  the  rattling  Chariots  roll  *.  And  (what 
would  feem,  to  an  Inhabitant  of  the  Southern  World, 
as  unaccountable  as  the  deepefb  Myfl:eries  of  our  Reli- 
gion) that  very  fame  Breath  of  Heaven,  which  cements 
the  Lakes  into  a  cryftal  Pavement  ^  cleaves  the  Oaks,  as 
it  were  with  invifible  Wedges:'  ''  breaks  in  Pieces  the 
"  Northern  Iron,  and  the  Steely"  even  while  it  huilds  a 
Bridge  of  Icy  Rock,  over  the  Seasf. 

*    UnJaque  jam  tergo  ferratos  fuftinet  orhes, 

Puppibus  ilia  prills  pat ulisy  nu7ic  hcfpita  plaujlris, 

j^raqua  dijjiliunt  'vulgo.  "\'  i  r  G . 

f  Joh  xxxviii.  30.  The  Waters  are  hid,  locked  up  from  the  Cattle's 
Lips,  and  fecured  from  the  Fiilier's  Net,  as  Wells  were  wont  to  be 
clofed  n.vith  a  ponderous  and  impenetrable  Stone.  And  nox.  only  Lakes 
and  Rivers,  but  the  Surface  of  the  great  Deep  with  its  relHefi.  and  un- 
controulablc  Surj^es,  ;;  tnken  Capti've  "nn^D'  by  the  Froft,  and  bound 
in  fhining  Fetters. 

J  '  The 


410  A    WINTER -PIECE. 

The  Air  is  all  Serenity.  Refined  by  the  nitrous  Par- 
ticles, it  affords  the  moft  diftin6t  Views,  and  extenfive 
Profpeds.  The  Seeds  of  Infe^ficn  are  killed ;  and  the 
Peftilence  deflroyed,  even  in  Embryo,  So,  the  Cold  of 
Jffli5fion  tends  to  mortify  our  Corruptions,  and  fubdue 
our  vicious  Habits. — The  crouding  Atmofphere  con- 
ftringes  our  Bodies,  and  braces  our  Nerves.  The  Spi- 
rits are  buoyant,  and  fally  brifkly  on  the  Execution  of 
their  Office.  In  the  Summer-Months,  fuch  an  unclouded 
Sky,  and  fo  bright  a  Sun,  would  have  melted  us  with 
Heat,  and  foftened  us  into  Supinenefs.  We  fhould  have 
been  ready  to  throw  our  Limbs  under  the  fpreading 
Beach,  and  to  lie  at  Eafe  by  the  murmuring  Brook. 
But,  nov,^,  none  loiters  in  his  Path ;  none  is  feen  with 
folded  Arms.  All  is  in  Motion ;  all  is  A<5livity. 
Choice,  prompted  by  the  Weather,  fupplies  the  Spur  of 
Neceflity.  Thus,  the  rugged  School  of  Misfortune, 
often  traii-ts  up  the  Mind,  to  a  vigorous  Exertion  of  its 
Faculties.  The  bleak  Climate  o(  Adverfity^  .often  infpi* 
rits  us  with  a  m.anly  Refolution.  When  a  foft  and 
downy  Affluence,  perhaps,  would  ha-ve  relaxed  all  the 
generous  Springs  of  the  Soul  s  and  have  left  it  enervated 
with  Plcafure,  or  diiiblved  in  Indolence. 

"  CO  LB  Cometh  out  of  the  North.'*  The  Winds, 
having  fv/ept  thofe  Defarts  of  Snow,  arm  themfelves 
with  Millions  of  frozen  Particles,  and  make  a  fierce  De- 
fcent  upon  our  IHe.  Under  black  and  fcowling  Clouds, 
they,  drive,  dreadfully  whizzing,  through  the  darkened 
Air.  They  growl  around  our  Houfes ;  affault  our  Doors ^ 
and,  eager  for  Entrance,  faften  on  our  Windows.  Walls 
can  fcarce  reflirain  them  -,  Bars  are  unable  to  exclude 
them ;  through  every  Cranny  they  force  their  Way.  Ice 
is  on  their  Wings;  they  fcatter  Agues  through  the  Land; 
and  Winter,  ell  Winter,  rages  as  they  go.  Their  Breath 

is 


A     WINTER-PIECE.  41, 

is  as  a  fearing  *  Iron  to  the  little  Verdure,  left  in  the 
Plains.  Vaftly  more  pernicious  to  the  tender  Plants, 
than  the  fharpefl  Knife  ;  they  kill  their  Branches,  and 
wound  the  very  Root.  Let  not  the  Corn  venture  to 
peep  too  freely  from  tlie  Entrenchment  of  the  Furrow ; 
let  not  the  fruit-bearing  Bloflbms  dare  to  come  abroad, 
from  their  Lodgment  in  the  Bark ;  left  thefe  murderous 
Blafls  intercept  and  feize  the  unwary  Strangers,  and  de- 
flroy  the  Hopes  of  the  advancing  Year. 

O,  'tis  feverely  cold!  Who  is  fo  hardy,  as  not  to 
fhrink  at  this  excejfrcely  pinching  Weather  ?  See !  Every 
Face  is  pale.  Even  the  bloomdng  Cheeks  contra61:  a 
gelid  Hu.e  ;*  and  the  Teeth  hardly  forbear  chattering,— 
Ye  that  fit  eafy  and  joyous,  amidfl  your  com^modiouj 
Apartments,  folacing  yourfelves  in  the  diffufive  Warmth 
of  your  Fire  ;  be  mjindful  of  your  Brethren,  in  the  chear- 
lefs  Tenement  of  Poverty.  Their  fhattered  Panes  are 
open  to  the  piercing  Winds ;  a  tattered  Garment,  fcarcely 
covers  their  iliivering  Fiefli ;  while  a  few  faint  and  dying 
Embers  on  the  fqualid  Hearth,  rather  mock  their 
Wifhes,  than  warm  their  Limbs. — While  die  generous 
Juices  of  Oporto,  fparkle  in  your  Glafles;  or  the  Streams, 
beautifully  tinged  and  deliciouily  flavoured  with  the  Chi- 
nefe  Leaf,  fmoke  in  the  elegant  Porcelain  :  O  remern- 
ber,  that  many  of  your  Fellow-Creatures,  amidfl  all  the 
Rigour  of  thefe  inclement  Skies,  are  emaciated  with 
Sicknefs ;  benumbed  with  Age  -,  and  pining  with  Plun- 
ger. Let  "  their  Loins  biefs  you,"  for  comfortable 
C loathing.     Reftore  them  v/Ith  Medicine  -,  regale  them 

*  This,  I  fuppofe,  is  the  Meaning  of  that  figurative  ExpreiTion, 
ufed  by  the  Prophet  Hahakkuk  \  who,  fpeaking  of  the  Chaldeans  invad- 
ing Judaea,  fays — Their  Faces,  or  the  Incurfions  they  make,  jhallfiip 
upy  Ihallfwallow  greedily,  fiiall  devour  utterly,  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Country,  and  their  valuable  Effects  ;  as  the  keen,  corroding  Blafls  of 
the  Eaji  Windi  deilroy  every  green  Thing  in  the  Field.     Hab.  i.  9. 

with 


41  >  A     WINTER-PIECE. 

with  Food;  and  baffle  the  raging  Year.  So,  may  you 
never  know  any  of  their  Diftrefles,  but  only  by  the  Hear- 
ing of  the  Ear;  the  Seeing  of  the  Eye;  or  the  FeeHng 
of  a  tender  Commiferation ! — Methinks,  the  bitter  bluf- 
tering  Winds  plead  for  the  poor  Indigents.  May  they 
breathe  Pity  into  your  Breafts;  while  they  blow  Hard- 
ihips  into  their  Huts ! — Obferve  thofe  blue  Flames,  and 
ruddy  Coals,  in  your  Chimney:  quickened  by  the  Cold, 
they  look  more  lively,  and  glow  more  ftrongly.  Silent, 
but  feafonable  Admonition  to  the  gay  Circle,  that  chat 
and  fmile  around  them  !  ThuSy  may  your  Hearts,  at  fuch 
a  Juncture  of  Need,  kindle  into  a  peculiar  Benevolence ! 
Detain  not  your  fuperfluous  Piles  of  Wood.  Let  them 
haften  to  the  Relief  of  the  llarving  Family.  Bid  them 
expire  in  many  a  willing  Blaze,  to  mitigate  the  Severity 
of  the  Seafon,  and  chear  the  bleak  Abodes  of  Want.  So 
Hiall  they  afcend,  mingled  with  Thankfgivings  to  God, 
and  ardent  Prayers  for  your  Welfare — afcend,  more 
grateful  to  Heaven,  than  Columns  of  the  moll  coflly 
Incenfe. 

Now  the  Winds  ceafe.  Having  brought  their  Load, 
they  are  difmilTed  from  Service.  They  have  v/afted  an 
immenfe  Cargo  of  Clouds,  which  empty  themfelves  in 
Snow.  At  firft  a  few  fcattered  Shreds  come  wandering 
down  the  faddened  Sky.  This  flight  Skirmifh  is  fuc- 
ceeded  by  a  general  Onfet.  The  Flakes,  large,  and 
numerous,  and  thick-v/avering,  defcend.  They  dim  the 
Air,  and  haften  the  Approach  of  Night.  Through  all 
xht  Night,  in  fofteft  Silence,  and  with  a  continual  Flow, 
this  fleecy  Shov/er  falls.  In  the  Morning,  w^hen  v;e  awake, 
what  a  furprifing  Change  appears! — Is  this  the  fame 
World?  Here  is  no  Diverflty  of  Colour!  I  can  hardly 
difl:inguifli  the  Trees,  from  the  Hills  on  which  they 
grow.    Which  are  the  Meadows,  and  v/hich  the  Plains  ? 

Where 


A     WINTER-PIECE.  413 

Where  are  the  green  Failures,  and  where  the  fallow 
Lands  ?  All  Thhigs  lie  blended  in  bright  Confiifion.  So 
bright,  that  it  heightens  the  Splendor  of  Day,  and  even 
dazzles  the  Organs  of  Sight. — The  Lawn  is  not  fo  fair, 
aj  this  Ihowy  Mantle,  which  invefts  the  Fields ;  and  even 
the  Lilly,  was  the  Lilly  to  appear,  would  look  tarnifhed 
in  its  Pre  fence.  I  can  think  of  but  one  Thing,  which 
ey:ccls  or  equals  the  glittering  Robe  of  Winter.  Is  any 
Perfon  defirous  to  know  my  Meaning  ?  He  may  find  it 
explained  in  that  admirable  Hymn  *,  compofed  by  the 
Royal  Penitent.  L  any  defirous  to  pofTefs  this  niatch- 
lefs  Ornament  t  He  will  find  it  offered  to  his  Accept- 
ance, in  every  Page  of  the  Goipel. 

See!  (for  the  Eye  cannot  fatisfy  itfelf,  without  view- 
ing again  and  again  the  curious,  the  delicate  Scene) 
See!  how  the  Hedges  are  habited,  like  fpotlels  Veflals ! 
The  Houfes  are  roofed  with  Uniformity  and  Luflre. 
The  Meadows  are  covered  with  a  Carpet  of  the  fineft 
Ermine  f .  The  Groves  bow,  beneath  the  lovely  Bur- 
den :  and  all,  all  below,  is  one  v/ide,  immenfe,  fhininfr 
Wafle  of  White. — By  deep  Snows,  and  heavy  Rains, 
GOD  fealeth  up  the  Hand  of  every  Man.  And  for  this 
Purpofe,  adds  our  fncred  Philofopher,  that  all  Men  may 
know  his  Work  \.  He  confines  them  v/ithin  their  Doors, 
and  puts  a  Stop  to  their  fecular  Bufinefs  j  that  they  may 
confider  the  Things,  which  belong  to  their  fpiritual  Wel- 
fare. That,  having  a  Vacation  from  their  ordinary  Em- 

*  Can  any  Thing  be  whiter  than  Snow  ?  Yes,  faith^A-invV;  if  Go  d 
be  pleafcd  to  vvaih  me  from  my  Sins  in  the  Blooi  of  Christ,  I  (kali 
bt  even  njj'hiter  than  Sno-xv.     Pfal.  li.  7.     See  Page  314..  1 

f  This  Animal  is  Milk-white.  As  for  thofe  oI«c:  Spots,  which  We 
generally  fee,  in  Linings  of  Ermine,  they  are  added  by  the  Furrier ; 
in  order  to  diverfify  the  Appearance,  or  heighten  the  i'eauty,  of  ths 
native  Colour. 


J  Job  XXX vii.  7 


ploy. 


4T4  A     W  I  N  T  E  R  -  P  I  E  C  E. 

ploy,  they  may  obferve  the  Works  of  his  Power^  and 
become  acquainted  with  the  Myfteries  of  his  Grace. 

And  worthy,  worthy  of  all  Obfervation,  are  the 
Works  of  the  great  Creator.  They  are  prodigioufly 
various  and  perfedtly  amazing.  How  pliant  and  duc- 
tile is  Nature,  under  his  forming  Hand  !  At  his  Com- 
mand, the  felf-fame  Subftance  aflumes  the  moil  diffe- 
rent Shapes  ;  and  is  transformed  into  an  endlefs  Multi- 
plicity of  Figures.  If  HE  ordains,  the  Water  is  moulded 
into  Hail,  and  difcharged  upon  the  Earth  like  a  Volley 
of  Shot ;  or,  it  is  confolidated  into  Ice,  and  defends  the 
Rivers,  "  as  it  were  with  a  Breafl-plate."  At  die  bare 
Intimation  of  his  Will,  the  very  fame  Element  is  fcat- 
tered  in  Hoar-Froft,  like  a  Sprinkling  of  the  moil  atte- 
nuated AlKes ;  or,  is  fpread  over  the  Surface  of  the 
Ground,  in  thefe  Couches  of  fweiiing  dindi  flaky  Down, 

The  Snow,  however  it  may  carry  the  Appearance 
of  Cold,  affords  a  warm  Garment  for  the  Corn ;  fcreens 
it  from  nipping  Frolls,  and  cheriihes  its  infant  Growth. 
It  will  abide  for  a  while,  to  exert  a  prote6ling  Care, 
and  exercife  a  follering  Influence.  Then,  touched  by 
tht  Sun,  or  thawed  by  a  foftening  Gale  s  the  furry  Vef- 
ture,  melts  into  genial  Moillure  s  finks  deep  into  the 
Soil,  and  faturates  its  Pores  with  the  dilTolving  Nitre ; 
replenilliing  the  Glebe  widi  thofe  Principles  of  vege- 
tative Life,  which  will  open  into  the  Bloom  of  Spring, 
and  ripen  into  the  Fruits  of  Autumn. — Beautiful  Em- 
blem this,  and  comfortable  Reprefentation  of  the  Di- 
vine JVord',  both  in  the  fuccefsful,  and  advantage- 
ous IlTue  of  its  Operation!  As  the  Rain  cometh  downy 
and  the  Snow  from  Heaven^  and  returneth  not  thither, 
hut  water eth  the  Earth ,  and  maketh  it  bring  forth  and 
hidy  that  it  may  give  Seed  to  the  Sower y  and  Bread  to  the 
Eater :  So  jhall  7ny  Word  hey  that  goeth  forth  out  of  my 
Mouth  :  it  fl:all  not  return  unto  me  voidy  but  fiall  accom^ 

^lifb 


A    WINTER-PIECE.  415 

fUJh  that  which  I  ^pleafe,  and  it  JJj all  fr offer  in  the  Thing 
'Vuhereunto  I  Jent  it  *, 

Nature,  at  length,  puts  off  her  lucid  Veil.  She 
drops  it,  in  a  trickling  Thazv,  The  loofened  Snow, 
rolls  in  Sheets  from  the  Houfes.  Various  Openings 
fpot  the  Hills;  which,  even  while  we  look,  become 
larger,  and  more  numerous.  The  Trees  rid  them- 
felves,  by  Degrees,  of  the  hoary  Incumbrance.  Shook 
from  the  fpringing  Boughs,  Part  falls  heavy  to  the 
Ground,  Part  fiies  abroad  in  fhining  Atoms.  Our 
Fields  and  Gardens,  lately  buried  beneath  die  drifted 
Heaps,  rife  plain  and  diflin(5t  to  View. — Since  we  fee 
Nature  once  again,  has  fhe  no  verdant  Traces,  no 
beautiful  Features,  left }  They  are,  like  real  Friends, 
very  rare ;  and  therefore  the  more  particularly  to  be 
regarded,  the  more  highly  to  be  valued. — Here  and 
there,  the  Hclly  hangs  out  her  glowing  Berries  i  the 
LaurufiAnus  fpreads  her  graceful  Tufcs ;  and  both,  un- 
der a  Covert  of  unfading  Foliage. — The  plain,  but 
hardy  Ivy  cloaths  die  decrepit,  crazy  Wall ;  nor  fhrinks 
from  the  friendly  Office,  tho'  the  Skies  frown,  and 
the  Storm  roars. — The  Laurely  firm,  ere6i:,  and  bold, 
expands  its  Leaf  of  vivid  Green.  In  fpite  of  the  united, 
the  repeated  Attacks  of  Wind,  and  Rain,  and  Froft, 
it  prelerves  an  undifmayed  lively  Look  ;  and  maintains 
its  Poft,  while  withering  Millions  fail  around.  Wor- 
thy, by  vanquifhing  the  rugged  Force  of  Winter,  wor- 
thy to  adorn  the  triumphant  Conqueror's  Brow. — Nor 
muft  I  forget  the  Bay-tree ;  which  fcorns  to  be  a  mean 
Penfioner,  on  a  few  tranfient  funny  Gleams ;  or,  with 
a  fervile  Obfequioufnefs,  to  vary  its  Appeararice,  in 
Conformity  to  the  changing  Seafons.  By  fuch  Indi- 
cations of  flerling   Worth,    and  Haunch    Refolution, 

•  Ifa.  h'.  10,  II. 

reading 


4i6  A    WINTER-PIECE. 

reading  a  Le6lure  to  the  Poet's  Genius ;  while  it 
weaves  the  Chaplet  for  his  Terqiples. — Thefe,  and  a 
few  other  Plants,  clad  with  native  Verdure,  retain  their 
comely  Afped,  in  the  bleakeil  Climes,  and  in  the 
coldeft  Months. 

Such,  and  fo  durable,  are  the  Accomplifhments  of 
a  refined  Underflanding,  and  an  amiable  Temper.  The 
tawdry  Ornaments  of  Drefs,  which  catch  the  un- 
thinking Vulgar,  foon  become  infipid  and  defpicable. 
The  rubied  Lip,  and  the  rofy  Cheek  -fade.  Even  the 
fparkling  Wit*,  as  well  as  the  Iparkhng  Eye,  pleafe 
but  for  a  Moment.  But  the  virtuous  Mind  has  Charms, 
which  furvive  the  Decay  of  every  inferior  Embellifli- 


*  "  How  little  does  God  efteem  the  Things  that  Men  count 
**  great ;  the  Endowments  of  Wit  and  Eloquence,  that  Men  admire 
"infomel  Alas!  how  poor  are  they  to  Him!  He  refpedleth  not 
"  any  who  are  wife  in  Heart :  they  are  nothing,  and  lefs  than  no- 
**  thing,  in  his  Eyes.  Even  vjife  Men  admire,  how  little  it  is  that 
•'  Men  know ;  how  fmall  a  Matter  lies  under  the  Sound  of  thefe 
*«^  popular  Wonders,  a  learned  Man,  a  great  Scholar,  a  great  Statef- 
"  man.  How  much  more  doth  the  all-wife  God  meanly  account 
*'  of  Thefe !  He  often  difcovers,  even  to  the  World,  their  Mean- 
**  nefs.  Ke  hefcoh  them.  So  Valour,  or  Birth,  or  worldly  Great- 
"  nefs,  thefe  He  gives,  and  gives  as  Things  He  makes  no  great 
"  Reckonino-  of,  to  fuch  as  fhall  never  fee  his  Face ;  and  calls  to 
•*  the  Inheritance  of  Glory  poor  defpifed  Creatures,  that  are  looked 
**  on  as  the  Off-fcourings,  and  Refiife  of  the  World.'' 

^HUS  fays  an  excellent  Author ;    who  writes  with  the  moH 

ami?ble  Spirit  of  Benevolence;  with  the  moft  unafFedled  Air  of 
Kiimillty  ;  and  like  the  facred  Original?,  from  which  he  copies, 
with  a  majeftic  Simplicity  of  Stile.— Whofe /^/f.7  Works  I  may  ven- 
ture to  recommend,  not  only  as  a  Treafare,  but  as  a  Mine  of  ge- 
nuine, lleriing,  evangelical  Piety.— See  Page  520  of  Archbifhop 
'L^iG^TO^^fekalfcrks,  the  Edinbicrgh  l^diiuony  Oiflavo.  Which 
it  is  neceffary  to  fpecify,  bccaufe  th.?  London  Edition  does  not  con- 
tain that  Part  of  his  Writings,  whicii  has  fiipplied  me  with  the  pre- 
ceding Rotation. 

ment. 


A    WINTER-PIECE.  417 

ment.     Charms,  which  add  to  the   Fragrancy  of  the 
Flower,  the  Permanency  of  the  Ever-green, 

Such,  likewife,  is  the  Happinefs  of  the  fincerely 
Religious^  like  a  Tree,  fays  the  infpired  Moraliil, 
^'  whofe  Leaf  fhall  not  fall.'*  He  borrows  not  his 
Peace  from  external  Circumllances  i  but  has  a  Fund 
within,  and  is  ^^fatisfied  from  himfelf  *."  Even  though 
impoverifhed  by  calamitous  Accidents;  He  is  rich  in 
the  Pojfejfion  of  Grace,  and  richer  in  the  Hope  of  Glory, 
His  Joys  are  infinitely  fuperior  to,  as  well  as  nobly  in- 
dependent on,  the  tranfitory  Glow  of  fenfual  Delio-ht, 
or  the  capricious  Favours  of,  v/hat  the  World  calls, 
Fortune. 

If  the  Snow  compoles  the  light-armed  Troops  of  the 
Sky;  methinks,  the  Hail  conflitutes  its  heavy  Artil- 
lery j".  Vv^hen  driven  by  a  vehement  Wind,  with  what 
dreadful  Impetuofity,  does  that  frony  Shower  fall  I  How 
it  rebounds  from  the  frozen  Ground,  and  rattles  on  the 
refounding  Dome  !  It  attenuates  the  Rivers  into  Smoke, 
or  fcourges  them  into  Foam.  It  crulhes  the  infant 
Flowers ;  cuts  in  Pieces  the  Gardener's  early  Plants ; 
and  batters  the  feeble  Fortification  of  his  GlafTes  into 
•Shivers.  It  darts  into  the  Traveller's  Face  :  He  turns, 
with  Halle,  from  the  Stroke;  or  feels,  on  his  Cheek, 
for  the  gufhing  Blood.  If  he  would  retreat  into  the 
Houfe,  it  follows  him  even  diither ;  and,  like  a  de- 
termined Enemy,  that  puflies  die  Purfuit,  dafhes  throu-h 
the  crackling  Panes. — But,  the  fierce  Attack  is  quick- 

*  Prov.  xiv.   14. 

t  He  cajlefh  f(,rth  his  Ice  like  Murfels.  Pfal.  cxlvii.  1 7.  Which, 
in  modern  Language,  might  be  thus  expre fie d :  He  poureth  his  Hail 
like  a  trolley  of  Shot.  The  Word  OT.S,  inadequately  tranflated*Mcr- 
felsy  alludes,  I  think,  to  thofe  Fragments  cif  the  Rock,  or  thoie  ftnocth 
Stones  from  the  Brock,  which,  iu  the  D^y  cf  Battle,  the  Warriors 
hurled  from  their  Slings. 

E  c  ly 


4i8  A    V/ INTER -PIECE. 

ly  over.  The  Clouds  have  foon  fpent  their  Shafts  5 
foon  unftrimg  their  Bow.  Happy  for  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Earth,  that  a  Sally  lb  dreadfully ///r/6//^,  fhould  be 
fb  remarkably /^or//  What  elfe  could  endure  the  Shock, 
or  efcape  Dellruftion. 

But,  behold  a  BoWy  of  no  hollile  Intention!  A 
Bow,  painted  In  variegated  Colours,  on  the  dilburden- 
ed  Cloud.  How  vail  is  the  Extent,  how  delicate  the 
Texture,  o^  xhztJJjowery  A}'ch!  It  compaiTeth  the  Hea- 
vens with  a  glorious  Circle ;  and  teaches  us  to  forget 
the  Horrors  of  the  Storm.  Elegant  its  Form,  and 
rich  its  Tin61:ure ;  but  more  delightful  its  facred  Signi- 
licancy.  While  the  Violet  and  the  Rofe,  blufh  in  its 
beautiful  Afpecl  j  the  Olive-branch  fmiles  in  its  graci- 
ous Import.  It  writes,  in  radiant  Dyes,  what  the  An- 
gels fung  in  harmonious  Strains ;  "  Peace  on  Earth, 
*'  and  Good-will  towards  Men."  It  is  the  Stamp  of 
J-dJurancCy  for  the  Continuance  of  Seed-Time,  and  Har- 
veftj  for  the  Prefervation  and  Security  of  the  vifiblc 
World  *.  It  is  the  comfortable  Token  f,  of  a  better 
State,  and  a  happier  Kingdom — a  Kingdom,  where  Sin 
fnaH  ceafe,  and  Mifcr/  be  abohflied  j  where  Storms 
fhall  beat,  and  Winter  pierce  no  more ;  but  Holinefs^ 
Happinefs,  and  Joy,  like  one  unbounded  Springs  for 
ever,  ever  bloom. 


Gen.  ix.  12—16.  t  Rev.  iv.  3. 


A    TA- 


T         A         B         L         E 

OFT  H  E 

T         E  X  T  S, 

More  or  k/s  iUiifl-rared  in  this  Work. 

N.  B.  Js  Dr.  Shaw,  in  the  Swp'plement  to  his  Excel- 
lent Book  of  Travels y  and  Jeveral  other  Authors  of  the 
greateft  Eminence^  have  given  an  Index  of  SeriptureSj 
cccaftonally  explained  in  their  JVritings ;  /  doubt  ncty 
hut  IJhall  oblige  many  of  my  Reada's^  by  "di'hat  I  here 
Jubjoin  y  thofe  efpedally^  whofe  Tafte  is  happily  formed 
to  relifb  the  Beauties  of  the  f acred  Records, 


Chap. 

Ver. 
Genesis 

'Page. 

XXX. 

I. 

Deut. 

27. 

XXXII. 

29.  '- 
Josh. 

7- 

X. 

12,  13. 

J  UDG. 

3^3- 

•  V. 
V. 

20. 

1  Sam. 

363- 

XXXVIII. 

19. 
I  Kjngs 

59- 

VIII. 
XX. 

27. 
40. 

Nehem* 

4. 

233- 

IX. 

6. 

368, 

t  c  2  Jo 


03 


TEXTS    Illujimed. 


Chap. 


IV. 

IV. 
V. 

VII . 

IX. 

IX. 

XIX. 

XXII. 

XXII. 

XXII. 

XXV. 

XXVI. 

XXXVIII. 

XXXVIII. 

VIIl; 

XXIII. 

XXVII. 

XXVII.' 

XXXIIL 

XLV. 

LI. 

XCVI. 

XCVII. 

CIV. 

CIV. 

CVIIL 

ex. 
ex. 

CXXXVI. 
CXXXIX. 

cxxxix. 

CXXXIX. 

IV. 

XII. 


Ver. 

Page. 

Job 

4-,  i5>  i6,) 
7,18,19.^ 

251,  252,  253. 

19. 

15- 

n- 

406. 

20. 

3^9- 

8. 

6r. 

25,  26. 

225. 

25. 

163. 

14. 

61. 

16. 

279. 

20. 

3»8. 

5,6. 

^   335- 

14. 

3°3' 

25- 

142. 

30. 

409. 

Psalms 

3.  4. 

307- 

I. 

359- 

I. 

359- 

4^ 

117. 

69. 

317- 

8. 

no. 

1- 

314. 

5- 

368. 

2. 

326. 

3- 

6r. 

24. 

120. 

4. 

81. 

3- 

91—93 

7- 

93- 

9- 

275. 

2. 

238. 

7,8,,9- 

223. 

I®. 

237- 

Proverbs 

15- 

156. 

ECCLES. 

3'  5- 

36. 

Cantic, 


TEXTS    niujlratcd. 
Chap.  Ver.  Page. 


Cantic. 

11. 

I. 

117. 

VI. 

ro. 
IsA. 

280. 

II. 

II. 

402. 

IX. 

3- 

33^- 

XIV. 

23. 

267. 

XXIX. 

8. 

246. 

XXXIII. 

15- 

156. 

XXXIII. 

'7- 

116. 

XXXV. 

I. 

145- 

:xxviii. 

II. 

232. 

XL. 

12. 

322. 

XL. 

15- 

304. 

XL. 

29,  30,  31. 

318. 

XLI. 

10. 

347- 
348. 

XLII. 

3- 

XLIX. 

13. 

332. 

LL 

16. 

176. 
i8> 

LIII. 

3- 

IN. 

13- 

145- 

LVIII. 

10. 

147- 

LXL 

10. 

JeR  EM. 

U4. 

XXXL 

12. 

U5- 

XLIX. 

EZEK. 

31- 

XVL 

63- 

3"- 

Dan. 

- 

IX. 

24. 

ai8r. 

XIL 

3- 
Habak* 

372. 

I. 

9- 

411. 

III. 

4. 

130. 

III. 

II. 

Zech. 

363- 

IX. 

17- 

329- 

XIII. 

I. 

Matt. 

335- 

VI. 

25- 

36©. 

LUKK 

TEXTS    lUuJlrated. 
Chap.  Ver.  Page- 


Luke 


Vlf. 

12. 

26r..' 

XIV. 

23. 

124. 

XV. 

n,  a'r. 

339»  34^5^ 

KVIII. 

19. 

John 

329- 

I. 

?• 

131- 

JIL 

3- 

255. 

V. 

17- 

105. 

X. 

9- 

150, 

XL 

26. 

62. 

XIL 

32. 

S56. 

,  XIV. 

6. 

150. 

XIV. 

9- 
Acts 

S54- 

IX, 

I. 

341. 

XX. 

28. 
Rom. 

3M- 

V. 

8. 

33I' 

VK 

20. 

341. 

XUI. 

14. 
I  Cor. 

H4. 

I. 

24^ 

353- 

I. 

30- 

276. 

XV. 

41,  42. 
2  Cor. 

375- 

IV. 

17- 

239- 

YI 

16. 

6. 

IX. 

8.      ' 

3S8. 

" 

Gal. 

IL 

20. 
Eph, 

153- 

irr. 

10. 

353- 

IIL 

18,  19. 

3«^9- 

III. 

20. 
Philip. 

319. 

11. 

6,7,8. 

308. 

in. 

10. 
Co  loss. 

154-    . 

IL 

3- 

354. 

TEXTS     1 

llufirate 

I 

:hap. 

Ver. 
Heb. 

Page 

I. 

2,  3' 

132, 

VII. 

26, 

312- 

VIIL 

10. 

35^ 

XII. 

2. 

I  Vet. 

148. 

I. 

12. 

2  Pet. 

355- 

III. 

lO. 

Rev. 

269. 

X. 

iij2,  3, 

} 

228- 

XII. 

I. 

178. 

XX.I. 

I. 

186. 

FINIS. 


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