and threaten never to come near you again. And might not Christ resent our treatment of him, and go away displeased? O! christians, let us consider the honour and privilege of having Christ among us. In having him, we have the King of kings and Lord of lords, to whom all power is committed both in heaven and on earth. We should think it wonderful condescension, if a nobleman, or much more if a prince, should visit us, if he were only to call at the door, and stay but a little while. Yet this is nothing to the honour of having the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to be our Visiter, to be our Guest; not only to call in upon us, but to take up his abode with us. It becomes us to use the humble language of the centurion, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof." It is wonderful condescension that he should entertain a thought about us. If he had sent an angel with a token of his favour, it had been kind; but that he should come himself, and stay with us till we were fit to go with him to heaven, this is such amazing love as our hearts may dwell upon with delight and rapture. The honour of a visit from a prince were sufficient recompense, though we were to receive no advantage, but rather were put to considerable expense for his entertainment. But Christ brings something besides honour: he causes those who love him to inherit substance, and he will fill their treasury. He brings a pardon

with him.

What he said to the man sick of the

palsy, that he says to every soul where he comes in special love. "Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee. I have brought with me a perfect righteousness to answer all the demands of the law. I have brought wherewith to discharge all the immense debt, which thou hast contracted to Divine justice. Here is peace with God for thee. Here is peace with conscience for thee. Thou hast been a great sinner, but thou shalt find that I am a great Saviour. My blood cleanseth from all unrighteousness." O! christians, this one blessing is worth more than a thousand worlds.

Again, Christ brings strength with him. If you know any thing of yourselves, you must know that you are weak and helpless; and may well tremble at the thoughts of it, when you consider what enemies you have to encounter, both within and without; what important work you have to do, and what heavy burdens you have to bear. How welcome then must Christ be when he comes with a fresh supply of Divine strength! To hear him say, "Fear not, thou worm, Jacob, for I am with thee; I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Thou art weak, but I am strong; my grace shall be sufficient for thee; and my strength shall be made perfect in thy weakness."

Again. When Christ comes, he brings forth comfort as well as strength. Therefore the apostle

prays for the Thessalonians; "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." Christ has made abundant provision for our comfort, as well as for our safety; and we might have more of it if we were not wanting to ourselves, if we did not suffer ourselves to be so taken up with worldly and sensual gratifications. But Christ will not bestow his consolations on those who know not how to value them.

When Christ comes, he brings with him a competency of the good things of this world. For God, having given us his Son, shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Where Christ is, worldly enjoyments come with a peculiar relish : when we can look upon our food, raiment, houses, lands, friends, and every thing as the purchase of Christ's death, the tokens of his love, and the earnest of better things to come. For Christ brings with him a right and title to eternal life. He purchased it for them by his death; and he is gone to prepare a place for them in his Father's house and when all things are ready, he will come again, and receive them to himself, that where he is, there they may be also.

You see that Christ comes not empty-handed. He brings every thing that a poor, hungry, perishing soul can want or wish for; but you know the

entertainment should be mutual. He expects to sup with us, as well as invites us to sup with him. But what have we to entertain him with. Yet I hope you are not come empty-handed. "The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O ! my beloved." " Awake, Q north wind, and come, thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow cut. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruit."

Christians, if you have at last found him whom your souls love, if you have met him in his garden, and been richly entertained by him; if you have sat under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit has been sweet unto your taste; if he has brought you pardon, strength, comfort, much in hand, and a promise of a great deal more, be thankful, be joyful, but specially be watchful, that nothing rob you of your treasure. When you go out again into the world, you will be exposed to a thousand dangers. Take your Beloved in the arms of your faith along with you, singing as you go,

"I charge you all, ye earthly toys,
Approach not to disturb my joys;
Nor sin, nor hell, come near my heart,
Nor cause my Saviour to depart."

MEDITATION XVI.

[June 1, 1800.]

LUKE VI. 21.

BLESSED ARE YE THAT HUNGER NOW FOR YE SHALL BE FILLED.

So said He in whom all fulness dwells;

and we

bless him for it. For has he said it, and shall he not make it good? Or, rather, has he not already made it good? Have you not often tasted that the Lord is gracious. Has he not often, from this table, fed you with the finest of his wheat, and satisfied you as with marrow and fatness? Have not you sat under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit been sweet unto your taste? And of his fulness have you not all received, and grace for grace? And yet who that sees our leanness, poverty, and rags; who that observes our weak, withering, dying graces, would believe that he had ever brought us to his banqueting house; that he had ever filled us with good things, or that he was so full himself, or so free to communicate, as he has been represented. Such a disgrace are we to our all-full and all-filling Jesus.