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easily, are we captivated by the glory of the world! How soon do we lose the impression of a Saviour's dying love! How insensibly do we lose the ardour of our affection, even to him whom our hearts have often adored as altogether lovely; and yet, like the mighty Sampson in his inglorious fall, we are sometimes insensible of our loss, until wounds and bruises teach us that the Lord is departed. It is not without reason that that solemn warning is left upon record, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief." What! (you are ready to say) does my friend think that I would depart from the living God, whose name I have so long professed, and whose favour I prefer to a thousand worlds? No, my dear Sir, I know enough of you, and of that grace wherein you stand, to satisfy me in that respect. I only fear that worldly enticements may prevail to shake your stedfastness in your Christian walk, to chill the heavenly ardour of your spirits and injure you in your sweetest enjoyments. But you say again, What can be the ground of these fears? What has my friend heard? Most heartily shall I rejoice, my dear Sir, in being satisfied from you that my fears have no sufficient ground. However, I must refer you to your own letter, as that which has given me the alarm. Your letters have always pleased and often refreshed and animated me; and I am well pleased with your remarks on the 23d Psalm, in your last letter. They are just and good. I do not, however, think you are quite

so happy in the gloss you put on the passages which refer to Joshua and David, and the application you make of them. They are introduced, I perceive, by way of apology for your own conduct. As to public ordinances, you say, I and my dear Mare frequently obliged to put up with the loss of them in the winter season. What! thought I, thunderstruck (as we say) by this expression, put up with the loss of public ordinances, and that frequently! Surely my friend did not so formerly, when he had the same difficulties to encounter. Those difficulties did not then daunt him; but now he dreams of a lion in the way, and flatters himself, that as "he cannot go to the house of God, the God of the house will come to him." My good friend, this sentiment of Mr. Henry is very just and excellent, full of comfort to the real prisoners of Providence; but let us not apply it to such difficulties as a little self-denial and resolution would surmount. I admire another saying, which the same good man records, of a devout Jewish Rabbin, who, being strongly recommended to a place where many advantages would be united on his settlement, on hearing that there was no synagogue there, resolutely refused, devoutly replying, to every remonstrance, "The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver." But what, my good friend! must the flagrant hypocrisy of Jehu, or the irregular zeal of many professors in the present day, suppress the fervour of our zeal for public ordinances, and still the panting

of the hunted hart for the water brooks? Or will David's temper and conduct, and especially his zeal for the house of God, which almost swallowed up his desire, his care, his thought, afford the shadow of a plea for the frequent omission of public ordinances? It is true, personal and family religion are of very high importance; and I believe it is equally true, that the more the genuine principle of godliness prevails within us, the more earnestly our souls will long to appear before God in Zion, where he especially loves to dwell, and where he eminently commands the blessing. Thus, my friend, I have stated my fears with a freedom which nothing but the truest friendship could have reconciled me to using. I need not multiply arguments in favour of a close walk with God: you have learned them from the Scripture; you have long felt their power and sweetness; and still, I trust, you will.

I am, &c.

J. BOWDEN.

LETTER LX.

TO A FRIEND,

ON THE DEATH OF A DAUGHTER.

MY DEAR SIR,

CONDOLENCE and congratulation must be united in my reply to your letter of affecting infor

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mation received on Monday last. Nature and sense seem to demand a tribute of grief and of tears on such an occasion as this: they would fix the weeping eye and the bleeding heart on the withered gourd, the lovely form dissolved and lost in death, and, insatiable as the grave, still cry, Give, give! But in the vision which faith opens to our view, the horror of these scenes is greatly relieved by the glory of objects transcendently delightful and eternal. realise the joy of heaven, and can scarcely regret the falling of the seed into the earth. We behold the friends we love in the fulness of heaven's delights: in the palace,-in the very arms of the Infinite Jehovah; and we almost forget our loss in the joy of their salvation. Happy should we be if we could more intently and habitually "look at those things which are not seen," for they "are eternal."

A lovely young lady, once my intimate friend, in her near approach to dissolution, observing her father overcome with grief, thus pertinently remonstrated: " Why, Sir, so much grief? Had an offer of marriage been made by one who in himself was all you could wish, and whose situation in life was far superior to mine, but whose residence must be in a remote part of the kingdom, perhaps the consideration of advantage and promotion to me would have reconciled you to my removal, though it would have been little other than a separation for life. But I am now about to be promoted incomparably

beyond any thing that could have occurred in this world. Then why this reluctance? Our next meeting will be in circumstances of high improvement, joyful and perpetual."

You, my dear Sir, will discern a great deal in this affecting visitation, that calls for resignation and even complacency in the will of Heaven; nay, and gratitude and holy admiration. God put great honour on Jesse's family, in the designation and holy anointing by the hand of Samuel, of one of his sons for the throne of Israel; but He has put an higher honour upon your family. He has graciously visited your house; marked with peculiar affection that lovely branch which stood most exposed to the blast of temptation, gathered her under His shadow, put His Spirit upon her, beautified her with His salvation, and then, pointing to his palace in glory, said, "Follow me!" was charmed into obedience. His grace, his love, his glory constrained her. She went exulting; and well she might. But when she had shaken off the burden of flesh and every oppressive infirmity, and had entered through the gate into the city, she exulted with a warmer heart and a louder voice. Then, what reverence, what wonder and surprise mingled with her joy, while kindred spirits, in language of high congratulation, directing her transported eye to Him who sitteth on the throne, said, "He is thy Lord, and worship thou Him!" O, my dear Sir! it is a heaven worth dying for, to see our smiling God.

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