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vail; there differences shall be swallowed up in the divine overflowings of eternal love. Why then, on any account, should my affection be cold towards them, towards whom it shall glow for ever, when they are arrayed with the divine likeness of the Son of God? Let me therefore bury all my injuries in the deepest oblivion, be reconciled to my friends, however they have dealt with me; and if ever I remember any thing they have done amiss, let it be only to magnify the goodness of God, who excels so far the best of creatures, and outdoes in sympathy and kindness the most tender-hearted friend, but not to diminish my love of them who are still the excellent ones of the earth.

Whether the difference be civil or religious, the time approaches, O saint! when thou and I shall forget our sharp contests, as waters that flow away. When we meet on the heavenly Mount Zion, we shall meet as angels, and embrace as seraphim. When we put on the perfection of the triumphant state, we shall put off self, the narrow spirit, and uncharitable thought. In the light of glory, we shall see eye to eye; and as we are all united to Christ, being one with him who is one with the Father, so we shall be united to one another, being all one in him. Were not shame the daughter of sin, which therefore ceases when sin is no more, as the stream when the fountain fails, surely we should blush that ever the thine and mine about perishing things should hinder us, who shall see the whole world in flames, from conversing about that after state, those new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, that perfect plenitude that remains for both. Come then, and let us antedate eternity, by

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throwing differences of every kind away, and becoming one in harmony and peace. Let us crucify self, and the better part will re-unite. It is not strange that men of such passions should fall out, but it is strange that men of such expectations should live and die in a difference. Let it not, then, my soul, fail on thy side. Forgive, forget, remember injuries no more than if they had never been done thee. Triumph in oblivion. valiant in conquering ́pride, wrath, and revenge. Expect not the concession on his side that has done thee wrong; but do thou rather yield, and win him by thy gentle and Christian behaviour under thy injuries. Fix thine eye on that future tranquillity which shall be enjoyed in heaven, and that will instruct thee how to guide thyself now. Anger rests only in the bosom of fools. Entertain not a disposition of mind that thou wouldst gladly be quit of when going into eternity. Think little of thyself, and thou wilt not take it ill that others think the same. Strive for the highest degree of Christian purity, gospel-perfection, attainable below. Lift up thine eye to the other world, and in all things remember, prepare, and look out for the coming of the Lord, who will be the joy and peace of his people to eternity.

MEDITATION LXXX.

THE EXCELLENCY OF RELIGION.

Under sail, March 4, 1759.

THE world may say as it will of religion, but it is

only by it that the human mind is exalted, and men sise into angels. The pleasures of religion sweeten

my acid griefs, and blunt my acute pains. In this I triumph over my troubles, defy mine enemies, and outrun my woes. Here I relish unseen realities, taste spiritual joys, and eat of the hidden manna. Here, in the chariot of the covenant, seated in the promise, Elijah-like, I leave the whole creation, and wing to the inheritance above, where at once I am possessed of the divine plenitude of the Eternal, bathe in life's crystal streams, and bask in his meridian ray : Where I shall drink (and the time is not far distant) the immortalizing draught, and eat the bread of life in the kingdom of God: where my raptured tongue shall join its anthem with the harpers round the throne, and never cease, and never tire: Where I shall see him who is altogether lovely, in the brightest displays of his glory, and hear the tenderest expressions of his everlasting love: Where I shall share of his excellencies, participate of his divine nature, and put on his amazing similitude: Where I shall enjoy an ineffable union with my living Head, and know, in the largest meaning of the word, that "he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit:" Where communion between the well-beloved and his spouse shall be full and free, to the ecstasy of every power of the mind: Where I shall be allowed an access so near, that it shall astonish me in my very approaches: Where I shall sit before his throne, walk with him in white, and in his temple speak of his glory: Where I shall launch out into the unfathomable ocean of his in-finite perfections, and be eternally lost in the divine review: Where I shall no more be vexed with an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, but have my soul immoveably fixed on the unchangeable God: Where my body in all its members, my

soul in all her faculties, shall be holy and pure, and go unweariedly out on God: Where the least temptation shall not whisper in mine ear, nor the carnal speech, nor profaning tongue (O happy days!) grate the sanctified organ, but loud encomiums to him that loved us, from all the hosts around the throne, convey the harmony of eternal song, to soothe my every power into the profoundest ecstasy, and to excite my song to confess his essential glories in sublimest anthems: Where I shall see the King Eternal in his immaculate beauty, worship him without hypocrisy, serve him without wearying, behold him and not die, approach his throne without terror, know him (being relieved from misapprehensions) as he is, see him in all his greatness, yet not, Daniel-like, be weakened, but strengthened by the vision; delight in him without slavish fear, love him without reserve, and be like him without contradiction: Where I shall see him in his robes of state, in his essential glories, dwelling in very deed with men, though the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and showing them his goings, his majestic steps in the highest sanctuary, the holy of holies, and making all his goodness to pass eternally before their wondering, their adoring, their ravished eyes!

With such indearing prospects, such reviving expectations, as these, my soul is refreshed in religion. But what is on the other hand? What have the irreligious, who relish none of these things, to expect, but gulphs of horror, pits of despair, seas of fire, oceans of vengeance, chains of wrath, floods of indignation, unutterable anguish, utter darkness, eternal torments, and such a scene of agonies as chills my thoughts.

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MEDITATION LXXXI.

CHRIST, AND NONE BUT HE, SATISFIETH DESIRES.

Under sail, March 7, 1759.

THERE is a restless, a boundless desire in the mind of man for something which this world in all its glory is unable to bestow. This immortal appetite, this living desire, blinded mortals seek to gratify, some on honour, others on pleasure, some on riches, others on empire and glory; and need we therefore be surprised that they are never satisfied? Though I could trace my pedigree through illustrious heroes, and renowned kings, back to the first foundation of kingdoms, this would not furnish my soul with all it would desire. Though I had the knowledge of all the sons of men summed up in myself, so that the eastern magi and wisest philosophers might come and learn at my feet, still my desire would have its void to fill. Though I had all magnificent titles, honourary epithets, aggrandizing distinctions, and appellations of renown, even these would not fill the extensive blank. Though I had the uncontroled dominion of the whole universe devolved on me, so that my name were revered in every nation, statues set up to me in all lands, and my fame and glory echoed through the subject-kingdoms, still would my desires be making new demands. Though Arabia, as my possession, should present me all her fragrant gums, the Indies, as mine inheritance, amass for me their riches, and all kingdoms, as tributary, send me their productions; though the earth should burst open all her silver veins and golden mines to

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