views it with Self-Reproach, nor can exprefs the loathfom Sight he is, in his own Eyes. With regard to GOD'S LAW. The new Creature reads therein the undoubted Duty of Man to GOD; approves the Purity of Soul it enjoins; and therefore that Likenefs of GOD it would reftore the Heart to; admires it, because it is strict, and exalted; nor could like it fo well, were any Thing of what others efteem Severity, remitted. Juft as it is, and because it is holy, just, and good, he loves it: Nor can he think without the highest Complacency, of the Dignity he fhall be advanced to, when he fhall fully be transformed into it.-With regard to PROVIDENCE. Not only in GoD's visible and magnificent Works, which gloriously display to him the Divine Wisdom and Power; nor again in those tremendous and mysterious Ways, by which, GOD hath directed all Things, from Generation to Generation; not only in these general Manifeftations doth he acknowledge GOD: But with a peculiar and fubmiffive Regard doth he obferve God, in the particular and fatherly Government which is exercised towards himfelf. He owns His Hand in the Vifitations both of Chaftifement and Profperity; feeing Love in them both. Confirmed he is, that his Soul is GOD's efpecial Care, while with grateful Wonder he reflects upon God's Forbearance

and

and Gentleness towards him, the wife and ftrange Means and Contrivances God hath ufed with him; the kind Disappointments, and most inviting Encouragements he hath met with from him; in a word, the long and watchful Discipline, which an affectionate Providence hath exercised upon him.With regard to DEATH. He reverences it, because it is the Sentence of the most High against a rebellious World; and yet he acquiefces in it, as the Meffenger of Life and Liberty. He pays a folemn and stedfast Attention to it; neither feeing it advancing upon him with Fright, nor Unconcern. The Thought of it is near, and abides with deep Impreffion upon his Mind. He wishes to be more reconciled to it; yea, even to long for its Approach. Mean-time, he lives in the Sight and Expectation of this decifive Event, advised of its Uncertainty; but af fured that by and by he fhall be brought to the Houfe appointed for all living (y). As every advancing Day brings it nearer, he feels the Impreffion more interesting, important and abiding; he feels Time grow more valuable, and Life becoming continually more vain. With regard to HEAVEN.-Bleffed Region!" All his Soul cries within him; "Peaceful

Dwelling! Where all the Family of Love "meet and abide; where God, the tender (y) Job xxx. 23. "Father

"Father reigns, pleafed at the Joy and Hap"piness he gives to his Sons and Daughters; "where Christ, the well-beloved Son, the "kindest Master, the dearest Brother, de

lights himself in his Elect; where ever "faithful Angels worship: And Saints, faved "and restored, for-ever fing their grateful "Praises. Eternal House! which Time fhall "not deftroy; whofe Foundations are the "immoveable Perfections of the God that "changeth not! Valuable Treasure! which "neither Moth can corrupt, nor Thief steal!

ઃઃ

Pleafure fatisfying to the fulleft Tides of

Joy, and yet delighting ftill, as if never "tafted!" Thus he cries in the Views of Heaven; and all elfe, with him, is avowed Vanity. Defect, Decay, Uncertainty, and Unfitness, are evidently stamped upon all earthly Grandeur, Wealth, and Pleasure, in his Apprehenfions of them; fince he is grown ambitious of a perfect, enduring, uninterrupted, noble and reasonable Happiness, which God hath in Store for them that love him. With regard to HELL alfo. Hell, the Place provided by infinite Justice for Sinners; the Punishment, which a righteous Vengeance hath prepared; the Wages of Sin, and the very Confequence of it! This State of Darkness and Mifery, he regards with a continual and confirmed Abhorrence, and learns from the Sight he has of its Hor

rors,

rors, more devoutly to hate that Sin, whiche forces the Father of Mercies fo fearfully to correct, fo infinitely to punifh his own Creatures. He fees it, and fufpects his Steps, left they have any Tendency towards it; he views giddy Multitudes dancing gaily upon the Brink of it, and trembles at the horrible View.-Finally, With regard to ETERNITY. What wondrous Depths of Being, doth he find in this one Word! Ten Thousand Ages are just nothing in Comparison; and when exerting all his Powers to reach after it, he adds ten Million more, and doubles and redoubles the Account; ftill he finds that he advances not, and finks under the vast and cumbrous Thought. Full of this Impreffion, he is either pleased or trembles, as he fees or fufpects his Title to Happiness therein; the Days of Man are shrunk into the Abidance of a Moment, into the Remembrance of Yesterday that is past; and with a Pilgrim's hafty unaffected Eye, he regards the Things of this Life.

SUCH as thefe are the Apprehenfions of the new Creature about thefe important Things: In this Manner he judges of them. Poffibly thou haft never made fuch Reflexions upon thyfelf, and many of thefe Thoughts may be new to thee: But, if heartily thou doft confent to them, now they are told thee; if it be in this humble Way, that thou judgeft

ર

judgeft of the Concerns of GOD and thy Soul, as far as thou knoweft them; this is the Proof, that thou art the new Creature. Apply this Description of the renewed Understanding to thy Heart; and if thou canst anfwer; "Thus and thus I judge, you have opened to me Views, with which I readily agree; they correfpond with the Temper and Tone of my Soul; which relishes, " and is in Harmony with fuch Kind of Apprehending: " "Trouble yourself no farther; it is well with your Soul. Neither the Formal nor the Careless, can join with you in one, the least of all these Things.

SAY, ye formal Profeffors, who feem to be the Servants of GOD, and are not; whose Attendance upon Hours and Places of Devotion with fcrupulous Diligence, befpeaks, it were to be imagined, the deepest Impreffion of these spiritual Things abiding upon your Souls: Say, do you judge in this manner? Alas! all your Apprehenfions are but fpeculative and curious; a Knowledge puffing you up; a Judgment light and unfettled, and which bears no prevailing Influence in the Heart. Your Views of all thefe Things are without due Reverence; and you fet up a Title to them, which is not founded in Humiliation, but Pride. You know Jefus to be the Son of God; that he came forthfrom the Bofom of bis Father, and is gone

H

unto