brace our sepulchre, and hug our very tomb! For we must shortly lie buried among the mould we so much admire, and rot in the grosser particles of dust which we so regard. What is empire to an immortal soul? What the enjoyment of the universe for a few years, to one whose existence must measure with endless ever more? Then, as the earth is under my feet, and the heavens above my head, wherever I wander, let my affections trample this with just disdain; but my soul, on the wings of holy desire, soar to the regions of eternal day!

MEDITATION LXX.

ON SHIPS MISTAKING ONE ANOTHER.

Mediterranean, March 14, 1759.

How often on the ocean do we prepare to fight a friend! Wherever we see a strange sail that belongs not to our fleet or squadron, we look upon her as an enemy, and so give chase, bring to,and speak with her. When we learn that she is out on the same errand, to distress the common foe, and by the same authority, at last our preparation for an engagement issues in an agreeable beguile. But at other times we are still more unhappy, while in the dark night, and not attending to, or understanding each other's signals, we think we have found our enemy, and so fire upon one another. When the morning light, or some other means, undeceive us, we feel in the most exquisite manner for our mistake; though his majesty has made provision for the friends of the unhappy sufferers if they die, or the sufferers themselves if rendered lame, by engaging one another through mistake.

Even so is the case often among the saints and churches of God. Contests come between the best of men, and sometimes about the smallest matters. Paul and Barnabas are so hot about their companion, that they part company; and to this day the teachers of the good knowledge of God can fall out about a word, though they own one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and subscribe one creed. Then, from these differences, we apprehend one another to be enemies; and, giving ground to our apprehensions, we begin to treat each other as enemies to the truth, and to the King of Zion, to the injury of the common cause of religion, and the hurt of the loyal subjects of Heaven.

Such indeed are the trials of the saints and church in their militant state,such are the calamities that are contingent to her in these days of darkness, and on this sea of trouble; but when they come to speak mouth to mouth, and to see eye to eye in the light of glory, they shall be all one. We should indeed contend for the truth with a zeal and concern due to its divinity, but with a tenderness and sympathy which our present imperfection pleads for. We should love the truth dearly, but yet rather pity than despise those that depart from some points which we count truth. We should not sell the truth to buy friends, to make a party, or gain numbers to our side; but we should forego our own humors, that the truth by us get not a wound. We had sometimes better employ our time in prayer to God, to turn them from the error of their way, than show our parts and our spleen, in proving them to be wittingly blind, and to have wilfully erred. We should do all things, except wound the truth, to make all men one in the truth; and when differences are done away, personal affronts should never stand in the way of reconciliation. How deplorable would it be, if my hands, instead of

being a mutual help, should scratch and tear one another; if my feet, instead of bearing me out the way, should stand still to kick at one another! So, and much worse is it for saints, who are the spiritual members of Christ, the living head, to bite and devour one another; but this is owing to the remains of corruption in them; and perfect peace is reserved for the state of highest perfection.

Now, as it is only at sea, and under the gloom of night, that we are like to make mistakes, for when we come into harbour, and enjoy the noon-day beam, we have no doubt of one another, but know that we are all the subjects of one King, engaged in one cause, and combined against the common enemy; so it is only in this vale of tears, this day of thick darkness, that we cannot understand one another, but are ready, like the officious disciples, to forbid them that follow not with us in all things, though they be the servants of Christ. But when the warfare is finished, and the saints assembled before the throne of God and the Lamb, all wrong views, jarring opinions, discordance and difference, shall be done away for ever; in view of which eternal tranquility we must comfort ourselves under the disagreeable occurrences of this troublesome life, where we not only must fight with foes, but fall out with dearest friends, and differ with our own selves.

MEDITATION LXXI.

WHAT WE OUGHT TO REMEMBER.

Leghorn, April 5, 1759.

AS we can never be from under the eye of God, nor would choose to be cast out of his care; so Zion should never be out of our mind, nor cast out of our concern. Besides, as we still think ourselves branches of the family to which we belong, and are glad to hear from our parents and relations of their welfare, however distant from them; so if we are members of mystical Zion, we will rejoice in her prosperity, and flourishing condition, though we be in the utmost parts of the earth. Surely, then, if I remember the Lord afar off, as I ought, Jerusalem will also come into my mind.

"How, then, have matters stood with Zion, in the land of my nativity? What success has the glorious gospel had? how have the flocks been fed? how have people profited in the day of their merciful visitation? how has vice been suppressed, and religion prevailed? how has truth been defended, and error exposed? how have the oppressed been relieved, and the heritage of God watered? what sons and daughters have been born in Zion? and are the true worshippers of the Father increased?" These things, amidst all my other concerns, should go nearest my heart, and the interests of Christ's kingdom should be my first concern, wherever my habitation for a time may be, hoping he will bring me again, and shew me both himself and his habitation. "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem! let my right hand forget her cunning; if I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy."

U

MEDITATION LXXII.

THE PATIENCE OF GOD VERY GREAT.

Leghorn, April 6, 1759.

TRULY it astonishes me that God spares those abandoned wretches, who day by day grow more wicked, and set their blaspheming tongues against the very heavens, and multiply rebellion against God. Truly it surprises me, that that vengeance which they so often invoke, is not poured down on them; that that power which they so often dare, does not destroy them! but God will manifest himself to be God by his adorable patience, as well as by his terrible justice. Let me suppose that the subjects of a certain great king rise up in rebellion against him, but by his superior power are routed, reduced, and all made prisoners; that royal clemency makes out a pardon for

many, who are so sensible of the unmerited favour, that they throw away the weapons of their rebellion, and ever after live the most obedient, loyal, and affectionate subjects that can be ; but that others are apprehended, tried, condemned, and cast into prison, till the day they are to be brought forth and broken on the wheel; that in the mean time the stubborn wretches keep railing and abusing the prince, and spewing out their malice to every one that passes by, till it reaches the royal ear; yet that it could not so incense the king as to cause him to send and tear the rebels limb from limb an hour before the set time. Even so deals God with sinners; he exercises amazing forbearance, not willing that any should perish, but at last he will punish awfully, and suffer no sinner to escape.