man is so far divested of self, as not to seek it in his earthly and selfish state. It requires long and severe conflicts, entirely to subdue the earthly and selfish nature, and turn all the desire of the soul to God. He that trusts to his own wisdom and strength, is easily seduced to seek repose in human consolation: but he that truly loves Christ, and depends only upon his redeeming power within him, as the principle of holiness and truth, turns not aside to such vain comforts, but rather exercises self-denial, and, for the sake of Christ, endures the most painful labors.

When God bestows upon thee the consolations of the Spirit, receive them with all thankfulness : but remember, they are his gift, not thy desert; and, instead of being elate, careless, and presuming, be more humble, more watchful and devout in all thy conduct. The hour of light and peace may soon give place to days of darkness and temptation. Such vicissitudes are not unexpected to those who are experienced in the divine life. When thou findest so sad a change in thy state do not immediately despair, but with humility search thy heart for the causes of thy trial, and with prayer wait earnestly on God who is infinite in goodness as well as power, and who is both able and willing to renew the bounties of his grace in more abundant measures. The royal prophet thus describes his own case: "When I was in prosperity," and my heart was filled with the treasures of grace, “I said, I shall never be moved." But these treasures being soon taken away, and feeling in himself the poverty of fallen nature, he adds, "Thou didst turn thy face from me, and I

was troubled." Yet in this disconsolate state, he does not despair; but with more ardor, raises his desire and prayer to God: "Unto thee, O Lord, will I cry, and I will make my supplication unto my God." He then testifies, that his prayer is accepted, and his prosperous state restored; "The Lord hath heard me, and hath had mercy upon me; the Lord is become my helper." And to show how this mercy and help were manifested, he adds, “Thou hast turned my mourning into joy, and hast compassed me about with gladness."

In what can I hope, or where place my confidence, but in infinite goodness, and the life, light, and peace, of the Divine Spirit? For whether the conversation of holy men, the endearing kindness of faithful friends, the melody of music in psalms and hymns, the entertainment of ingenious books, nay, the instructions of the oracles of God; whether any or all these advantages are present, what do they all avail, what joy can they dispense, when the Holy Spirit is withdrawn from my soul, and I am left to the poverty and wretchedness of my fallen self? In such a state, no remedy remains but meek and humble prayer, and the total surrender of my will to the blessed will of God. "To him that overcometh," saith He who is "the First and the Last," "will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."

I wish for no consolation that robs me of compunction; nor aim at any contemplation that will exalt me into pride: for everything that is high, is not holy; nor every desire pure; nor everything that is

sweet, good; nor everything that is dear to man, pleasing to God. But acceptable, beyond measure, is that grace by which I am made more humble, and more disposed to deny and renounce myself.

Why seek rest, when thou art born to labor? Dispose thyself for patience, rather than for consolation; rather for bearing the cross, than for receiving joy. Who among those that are devoted to the world, would not gladly, receive the joys and consolations of the Spirit, if they could be obtained without relinquishing the pursuits of honor, wealth, and pleasure? The joys and consolations of the Spirit transcend the delights of the world and the pleasures of sense, as far as heaven transcends the earth these are either impure or vain ; those alone are holy, substantial, delightful, the fruits of that new nature which is born of God. False freedom and self-confidence greatly oppose the heavenly visitation.

CHAPTER X.

Thankfulness for the Grace of God.

"RENDER unto God, that which is God's," and take to thyself that which is properly thy own; give him the glory of all thy good, and leave for thyself only the shame and punishment of all thy evil.

God, who is infinite in goodness, manifests that goodness, in bestowing the gift of his Holy Spirit;

man, who is wholly evil, shows that evil, in not rendering back the gift with the thankfulness and praise of dependent wretchedness. The influences of God's Spirit in large measures are poured only upon the the truly thankful, and from the proud is taken away that which is given to the humble.

Set thyself in the lowest place, and the highest shall be given thee; for the more lofty the building is designed to be, the deeper must the foundations be laid. The greatest saints in the sight of God, are the least in their own esteem; and the height of their glory is always in proportion to the depth of their humility. Those that are filled with true and heavenly glory, have no place for the desire of that which is earthly and vain; being rooted and established in God, they cannot possibly be lifted up in self-exaltation. Whatever good they have, they acknowledge to be received; and ascribing the glory of it to the supreme Author of good, they "seek not honor one of another, but the honor that cometh from God alone:" That God may be glorified in himself, and in all his saints, is the prevailing desire of their hearts, and the principal end of all their actions.

Be thankful for what thou receivest, and thou wilt receive more. Let that which is thought the least of God's gifts, be unto thee even as the greatest; for the dignity of the giver confers dignity on all his gifts; and none can be small, that is bestowed by the Supreme God. Even chastisement from him, is to be gratefully received; for whatever he permitteth to befall us, he permitteth it to promote the important business of our redemption.

CHAPTER XI.

The small number of those that love the Cross.

JESUS has many lovers of his heaven, but few bearers of his cross; many that desire to partake of his comforts, but few that are willing to share in his distress; many companions of his table, but few of his hours of abstinence. All are disposed to rejoice with Jesus, but few to suffer sorrow for his sake: many follow him to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of his bitter cup: many attend with reverence on the glory of his miracles, but few follow the ignominy of his cross. Many seem to love Jesus, while they are free from adversity, and bless him, while they receive his consolations: but their confidence and their devotion vanish when tribulation cometh, and they sink either into murmur or despair.

But they who love Jesus for himself, and not for their own comfort, will bless him in the depths of distress. Nay, should he continue to withhold his consolations from them, they would still continue to praise him, still give him thanks. But do not they deserve the name of hirelings, who are for ever seeking after comfort? do not all prove, that they are lovers of themselves, more than lovers of Christ, who desire and think of nothing but the repose and pleasure of their own minds?

Where is the man that serveth God without the hope of reward? Where, indeed, is that true " pov