the day that it was first lighted up. And the Sun of righteousness is the same unaltered Fountain of wisdom and life now as ever, though so many millions have received of his fulness, and partaken of his rich and everlasting communications. I appeal to every one of you, christians, if he be not as free and bountiful to-day, as if you were the very first that had ever applied to him for relief? O christians, what have you, time after time, enjoyed here; and what have you carried away from this well-furnished table? Sometimes you have gone away strong in faith, giving glory to God; sometimes sorrowing for sin after a godly sort; sometimes with hearts inflamed with love; sometimes filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Indeed it is your own fault if you ever go empty away. Blessed are ye "which hunger now;" who are waiting for the consolation of Israel; who are desiring some fresh discovery of Christ; who are longing that your Beloved might come into his garden and feed among the lilies. Blessed are ye now, for there are thousands around you who are perishing for want of Christ, and yet feel no desires after him. And thrice blessed shall you be, if he be known of you, " in breaking of bread." If he gives you, as it were, his own flesh to eat, and with a smile of infinite benignity says,

Take, eat, this is my body, which was broken for

you." The hungry he filleth with good things.

He loves to see the desires of your souls enlarged. Do not be content with crumbs. Remember, you are fasting with One, in whom all fulness dwells. Since, therefore, you are not straitened in him, be not straitened in yourselves. Be thankful for any thing, but aim at all. Take with you words and say, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet this once. Thou hast already given me more than I could ask; but I want more still. I must have a whole Christ, or my soul will starve and perish, after all that thou hast done to save me. I must have thee for my Prophet, for my Priest, and for my King; for my Surety, for my Advocate. I cannot part with one of thy characters, or with one of those blessings which thou hast purchased. Thou hast filled many hungry souls with good things. O do not send me empty away.” No," says the all-gracious and bountiful Saviour, "ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

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What say ye now, my fellow-christians, before we depart. Have you tasted his pleasant fruit? Have you been satisfied as with marrow and fatness? Have you received of his fulness? Have you enjoyed much here, and have you something to carry away too? Go, then, and tell the world what a bountiful Master you serve. When they speak of him with disrespect, and say, "What profit

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shall we have by waiting upon him?" tell them what he hath done for your souls: convince them, by the cheerfulness of your countenances, the vigour of your walk, and the rich treasure of your experiences, that you have not served him for nought. Take care how you discover an immoderate fondness for worldly enjoyments. Ye are lights set upon hills; and if those that watch for your halting see you to-morrow eager after carnal pleasures, they will quickly point to you, and say, Look, it was but yesterday that they pretended to renounce the world, and to be dead to the world, and that their whole desire was after spiritual blessings; and boasted that they had been so filled with a feast of fat things, that they should never be able to relish the poor paltry enjoyments of this world any more; and yet see, there they are, inquiring of every one they meet, Who will show us any good?' making haste to be rich, and as mere worldlings as any of us." Christians, for the honour of Him in whom all fulness dwells, let us not give occasion to such reproachful accusations. In laying up treasure on earth, be honest, be industrious, and let your moderation be known unto all men. But in laying up treasures in heaven, be diligent, eager, and insatiable. Court chiefly the best gifts. Labour hard for that meat which endureth to everlasting life; and be ambitious to be rich as the richest, in faith, and love, and good

works. Keep up a constant and close correspondence with Him, who can supply all your need; and wait with patience till God shall call to you, saying, "Friend, come up higher; where you shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; where the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed you, and lead you to living fountains of water; and God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes."

MEDITATION XVII.

[February 1, 1801.]

JOHN III. 16.

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

NEVER, no never, was love like unto this love. God love the world! Amazing! Only think what the world was. A company of beggars, strangers, outcasts, rebels, enemies; defiled, deformed, depraved. Hear God's own account of them : And as for thy nativity, no eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out into the open field, to the loathing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born," Ezek. xvi. 5. Was there any thing inviting? rather, could any thing be more disgusting; and yet it follows, " And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a