long in the house, yet he "abideth not in the house for ever, but the son abideth for ever." Noble progenitors are the pride of the world, while every one boasts of his high birth, and great blood, as Pharaoh's counsellors of old: "I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings." But when, in Christ, we "Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is," then we may boast an heavenly descent.

can say,

No beggar would refuse to become the adopted son and heir of a rich man; but none so poor as men in their natural state, and none so rich as God. What a non-such blessing, then, for foundlings and outcasts to be made the sons of God, for bankrupts to be made the heirs of bliss! But, what madness in them to contemn the heavenly privilege! What are all our contendings about rank and pedigree, which must end in corruption, and terminate in dust? It will nothing avail us, though royal blood run in our veins, unless the Spirit of adoption be sent forth into our souls, whereby, with the voice of faith, we may cry, Abba, Father; and know, as a fruit of this divine privilege, what it is to go with freedom to so near and compassionate a relation, who, being both wise, good, and tender-hearted, will never give evil things to his children.

But, O! how should the adopted one, the Son of God walk, and behave according to the character of the divine family, whereof, in free grace, he is made a member! The cross events of our terrestrial pilgrimage will often scatter a family far and wide; but once a son, always a son in the celestial and in

visible society, and always in the Father's presence. When adopted into this relation which aggrandizes, the honour is not only divinely glorious, but the privileges ineffably great. Though they come not within the glance of the carnal eye, yet they are not, on this account, the less real. Possessed of them, the poor saint, whom the world perhaps disdains to notice, may survey, with grateful songs, the extent of his felicity, the vastness of his bliss; and may tell with triumph, "God is my Father, Christ my Elder Brother; afflictions and chastisements the signs of my Father's love and care; heaven my reserved inheritance; glory my future portion; life and death, things present, and things to come, are all mine."

What empty sounds are all honourary titles to this, "sons of God!" How poor to be the heir-apparent of a crown, to the solid expectation of eternal life! Surely the child of adoption is the happiest man in the world. Angels, these superior beings, are even ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation; and whoever injures them is said to "touch the apple of God's eye :" a figurative, but most expressive speech, as there is no part so tender as the eye, and no part of the eye so precious as the pupil, or apple, which we defend from danger with the greatest care. Such an one has a right to all the privileges of the sons of God; and what privileges will not such a Father, whose affection is infinite, and his power unbounded, bestow on his sons? Whoever rises against them, offends the whole family of heaven; for, "he that despises you," says Christ to his disciples, "despises me; and he that despises me, despises him that sent ine." And if the command is given to guard one

chosen soul, suddenly is he surrounded with the chariots of eternity, and horses of heaven, terribly glorious in their fiery majesty!

It is true, that now the adopted sons of God are like grandees dwelling incognito in a foreign land.— Their pedigree is not known, their grandeur is not seen, and therefore their station is neither admired nor coveted. But, there is a day coming, when all the sons of God shall make their glorious appearance in one majestic throng, in the sight of an assembled world, who shall be ashamed that ever they spoke so highly of the men that were but sprung of the earth, and so meanly of those that were born from heaven. What beauty shall shed itself round about them! They shall be clothed in robes of glory, with palms of victory in their hands, and the charter of the covenant, containing all the privileges of adoption, spread before them, and an august proclamation shall be made, in the hearing of men, angels, and devils, "These are the sons of the living God."

Now, if I be received into the royal family of heaven, let me break off correspondence with the King's enemies, sin and vanity, and show the great soul, the refined sentiment, and elevated thought, in hating what he forbids, however sweet to the carnal mind, and in choosing what he commands, however cross to flesh and blood. If he is my Father, let me honour and reverence him, who will never be terrible to me as a Judge. Let me receive correction at his hand, and the law at his mouth; and let me prove myself to be one of the celestial family, by speaking the language of the better country, and having my affections fixed above; to be adopted in truth, by loving every one that seems to be adopted.

Let me remember my former deplorable condition, and be humble; my present privileges, and be thankful; and my future hopes, and be holy in all manner of life and conversation. And let me daily wonder at that love, and adore the sovereignty of that free grace, that puts hellish brats among the sons of God, and enriches them with so many privileges; privileges which contain not only what is good in this world, but the glories and felicities of the world to

come.

MEDITATION CVII.

CONNEXIONS.

June 24, 1759.

IGNORANT mortals are always rash in their con

clusions on the conduct of Providence, being blind in their views, and impatient under woes. But, to compose my combating thoughts, and make me wait the issue of all things with patience, let me look into some remarkable scripture-narratives, and see the fair sun-shine of kindness, after the storms of trouble and clouds of indignation are gone.

First, then, let me look into that which befel the friend of God. Think what joy filled the patriarch's breast when promised a son in his old age, and how this joy was increased when the promised seed was born, circumcised, and grew up to be a pretty boy, the joy of both his parents. But, look again, and see the amazing temptation, the tremendous scene that ensues! The promised seed must be sacrificed, and that by the hand of a most affectionate father!

Yet, see his aged joints tremble all the way to Mount Moriah, to offer up his beloved Isaac, as it were resigning the promise again to God, trusting God to make it out some other way, though it were by raising him from the dead. Now, let us view the beginning of the trial of his faith; how dark and gloomy, how opposite to reason, affection, and religion too; but, let us connect the latter end with the beginning, and all at once is beautiful and bright. There his faith is tried, here it triumphs; there God commands, here he commends his obedience: There he requires, here he restores Isaac: The voice of God at first seems to strike at his former promise, here it confirms all with new promises, enlarged blessings, and this glorious name superadded, "The father of the faithful." Abraham comes home full of gladness and gratitude; and we have the divine account, to teach us to wait the end before we draw our conclusions of God's providential way.

The second is the account of Joseph. In the first part of the scene, see his young heart ready to burst and break with bitter anguish ! Hear his many, but fruitless supplications to his cruel brethren! How melting are his cries, while his hard-hearted brethren draw him out of the pit, to sell him for a slave! Nothing can save him; compassionate Reuben is not within the reach of his cry. The price is agreed upon, the money is paid, and away he must go ; and neither his parting importunities, his piercing cries, nor piteous back-looks, can move them to relent. Moreover, after a little advancement in Egypt, he is thrown from the liberty of a servant into the confinement of a prison. This at first sight is a melancholy scene; but if we look to the sufferings of a tender-hearted