cannot be wrought out in eternity. The foolish virgins will find no oil to buy in the other world; no acceptable repentance in the pit; no work nor device in the silent grave.

I see, then, that every moment of time is of great consequence to one on whose time eternity depends. O to spend that well which is so valuable, till acquitted in mercy at the end of time! Now, as time passes not to return, so all the things of time pass, both troubles and pleasures, never to return; but to render eternity, in all its beatific excellencies, a state of truest and sublimest happiness, it is a permanent, present, and abiding duration, and eternal now, that knows no after state, no futurity, or succession of revolving periods. Then, may it be my happiness, that when time passes from me, never to return, and eternity of glory, to consummate my bliss, may be present with me, never to pass away!

MEDITATION XCVII.

ON SHIPS STEERING DIFFERENT COURSES WITH THE

SAME WIND.

Under sail, June 10, 1758.

IT is surprising that one wind should carry ships to the different points of the compass, even to quite opposite points; but this is owing to the setting of the sails, and steering of the helm.

And is it not more surprising, that the same wind that forwards the saints heavenward, should drive the wicked nearer hell? If the godly have their fair wind of prosperity, then, like Jacob, they confess their

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smallness, and that God has done all for them ; or, like David, come and sit before God, and pour out the ebulations of a greatful heart; or if the saints (which is frequently the case) are tossed with the rough wind of adversity, then they hear the rod, and who hath appointed it, turn to him that smiteth them, and see that it is good that they have been afflicted, avowing, with that eminent saint, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." But the wicked, if full, forget God, and wax wanton; if they have no changes, they fear not God; if Heaven bestows plenty on them, they consume it on their lusts; nor does adversity with them, mend the matter, for, like Ahaz, in their distress they trespass yet more against the Lord; and, like the remnant of the Jews who were mad on idolatry, that very sin for which their land was laid desolate and their temple burnt, while suffering for sin, they continue in sin. The same crucified Jesus is a stumbling-block to the Jews, and to the Greeks foolishness, but the power of God, and the wisdom of God, to the true Christian. The ordinances of grace soften and improve the saints for glory, but harden and prepare the sinners for wrath. The patience of God leads the one daily to repentance, the other to presumption. The terrors of the Lord deter the first from sinning, but drive the last to despair.

Hence they may live together in one house, enjoy the same privileges, share in the same common mercies, rest in the same tranquility, and be partakers of the same outward comforts and happiness; or be visited with the same trials, walk under the same cross, drink of the same cup of adversity, and share the same afflictions; and yet out of both conditions the one shall extract food and medicine, the other poison

and death by either wind the one shall arrive at heaven and glory, the other at perdition and woe.

Hence may I, like the wise mariner, make the best of a contrary wind, of cross dispensations, and adverse providences, and, in spite of opposition, reach my happy port at last, having my soul brought into a submissive frame to every turn of life and crook of lot that providence may lay in my way.

MEDITATION XCVIII.

ON BEING DRIVEN BACK TO HARBOUR.

Lying off France, June 17, 1758.

THERE is an unseen rotation of circumstances accidental to all conditions of life, which we cannot provide against. Had we known yesterday that we should have been driven back to-day, we had not left our station, nor undergone toil, danger, and damage. Even so, how many fruitless efforts have the sons of men made in pursuit of temporal things, where the people weary themselves for very vanity! So is his fate who sets out for happiness below; for after a thousand tackings and turnings to the empty creature for satisfaction, still the wind of vanity and vexation of spirit, which spreads over the whole universe, and blows in the face of every son of man, brings him back, with boisterous squalls, to where he first set out, to see his folly, and confess his mistake. So must the Christian lay his account to meet with crosses in his course, for it is through much tribulation that we must enter into the kingdom. Often in the day of darkness and tempest, the believer is apt to doubt his progress heavenward, and to think himself still in the port of a natural

state; but as the seaman, that would reach his desired haven, however often he be blown back, must still put to sea again, so the Christain, whatever storms and tempests roar around him, must still endeavour to believe on his all-sufficient Saviour, who with equal ease can save the sinner from hell as the saint from falling away.

Again, as it is safer for a ship in a storm to stand to sea, than make the shore, lest she be wrecked upon the rocks that lie along; so every disciple of Jesus is to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, is to hold fast the form of sound words, is to avoid luke-warmness, hypocrisy and defection, lest thereby he be undone for ever. Finally whatever the seaman does, the Christian must still hold on his course through storms and tempests till he arrive at the heavenly shore.

MEDITATION XCIX.

THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.

Lying off Normandy, June, 1758.

MANY are the articles of the heavenly bliss, many are the joys of the higher house, and the sweet society and company is no small part of the happiness of the general assembly and church of the first-born. Where sobriety is fashionable, we too little esteem the saints, these excellent ones of the earth; but when we are among the blackest sons of vice, we learn to compute otherwise, and clearly see the worth of the saints. Accordingly, it is one branch of the blessedness of believers,that they shall be brought "to the spirits of just men." But, as even the godly here-away are apt to be

involved in contention, debates, and strife, and to have corruption breaking out now and then in them, which has often happened among dear brethren, and in the church of Christ, to the grief of many a heart, therefore it is added, "to the spirits of just men made perfect."

Now, if the company of sinners, such as I live among, be so disagreeable, how pleasant will the fellowship of these sanctified ones be, in the presence of the great Master of the heavenly family! Here sinners are, alas! every where most numerous; but then and there, not one sinner shall stand in the great congregation, not one wicked person in the assembly of the just. And as man, being a social creature, delights in company and converse with one another (so says the proverb, "As iron sharpeneth iron, so the face of a man his friend,") will not the saints kindle in their love to God, from the love of one another, by a sacred emulation who shall love him most, who has loved them with an everlasting and unchanging love? Hence am I instructed in this world whom to choose as members of my family, even as my servants; and what value to put on those who are religious, since, amidst all his failings, still" the righteous is more excellent than his neighbor."

MEDITATION C.

GOING TO ENGAGE.

NOW every thing is preparing to engage the enemy, all hands are busy; but all souls are culpably idle, though what the event may be, none can tell. Care. less of our eternal interests at other times, no wonder