his children, for the most part, poor in this world, that they might live in the fuller trust and dependence upon himself. He that doth not expect much from this world, cannot be much disappointed by it. When a man hath little or nothing before him, he looks to the best help: So the poor Christian sees, that God is his best help, and therefore lives humbly upon his bounty. In this way of continual trust and daily dependence, and not by fulness of bread or independence, he is made rich in faith by additional experiences, and walks with more and more strength and sweetness of spirit as an heir of the kingdom.

On the other hand, how many rich professors are there, who plead their very situations in life, as so many false reasons, why they should be gay and splendid, why they should see all sorts of fine company, no matter of whom, why they should have pompous equipage and luxurious tables, and why, in short, they should have every thing in dress, manner, and custom, which their poor, vain, foolish, unmortified flesh can desire to have? They seem not to see, how in all this they are living to themselves or to earth, and not to God or his glory among men. How it is, that they support faith at any rate, with every indulgence and ease to the flesh, with full conformity to the world, and with the entire good opinion of the world, I know not; but this I know, that, if the true life be supported amidst so much contagion and disease, it is because all things are possible with God, though with men, this among others, is impossible. I speak not against rank and station, for these are providential appointments and necessary in themselves; but against the abuse of these to pride, sloth, vanity, and all the common evils and excesses of a polluted world. And I believe also, that I do not speak from envy or chagrin ; for I really know not the man in this world, with whom I should wish or dare to wish an exchange of situation.

Lord, let me have what is best for my true life and welfare, and that only. Make me contented in thy allotment. I have often been otherwise, and am still prone to desire unnecessary and dangerous things: 0 forgive me this error and blindness, and correct the madness of my proud and rebellious heart by the fervent faithful life of thy Holy Spirit. So shall I desire only what will please thee, and be content in my soul with what thou givest, or when thou deniest, however my flesh may strive to murmur and repine. O hear my whole trust, my God, be in thee!

me; and let

CHAPTER XIII.

ON WORLDLY GRANDEUR.

To a Christian, living and walking as becomes his heavenly calling, how poor and creeping, how idle and vain, how foolish and wretched, is the common eager pursuit after high distinctions in the world! They not only come up, and are cut down, like the grass, withering into dust and oblivion; but, while they appear, they are empty and fleeting shadows, or (if it can be conceived) the very "shadow of a shade." If viewed at a distance, they seem solid as a mountain; if embraced closely, they are found but a cloud. Their possessors are poor, because ever in want; one blast of honor will not serve him, that wishes for two; nor a thousand, him that can hope for more. The dominion of Europe would make a natural man pant for Asia; and he that cannot be satisfied without an additional province or river, would not be satisfied with this whole world if he had it, but, like Alexander, would grasp and lament for another. Whatever a

natural man hath, it is no matter; he never hath enough; he always wants more. Consequently he is poor; and he is wretched, because he perpetually feels himself poor.

He hath both miseries from his

poverty, and torments from his pride.

The real Christian is enabled to pity the anxious absurdity and vexatious vanity of those things, which are the great jet and concern of the worldly great and worldly wise. He looketh indeed for a name, but it is for an everlasting name, which cannot be cut off. He is not content to be happy only for a few days or years, but desires to be blessed and joyful for thousands and millions of ages to come. He longs for a crown, but it is for a crown of glory that fadeth not away. He pants for a kingdom, but it is for the kingdom of Christ and of God. He is really a person of boundless ambition; for nothing less will serve him than the infinite realms of everlasting glory. Riches are much upon his heart; but they are the durable, the unsearchable riches of Christ. He cannot be put off with the paltry cares and thorny honors of worldly greatness; but nobly pursues, and with certainty too, the very happiness and grandeur of God himself, even that very glory which Christ received from the Father, and which, as their Head, he will share with his members.

Compared with this, all the pride and glory of man appear but as stubble or falsehood, the mere dream of a shadow, a nothing. And if human greatness can appear thus in the believer's ideas now; what will it seem, when the earth itself shall be dissolved, and the Babylon of sin upon it shall be thrown down into perpetual ruins?

CHAPTER XIV.

ON WORLDLY COMPANY.

ALL things may be lawful, but all are not expedient. It may be lawful for a Christian to be much among the men of this world, and in some cases it may be necessary, for the discharge of lawful callings; but it is not expedient certainly to be more among them, than is thus strictly proper and necessary. Either the Chris

tian must enter into their spirit, or they into his, before they can be agreeable companions. If he takes up their spirit, surely it will be to his grief, and his burden. And it is very unlikely that they should come into his; unless God might bless his faithful discourses to the good of their souls. But this is seldom the case in worldly company, and especially in the company of many worldly men together. The corruptions of one will bear up and harden the corruptions of another; and he, that perhaps would not have jeered alone, will scoff by sympathy with a mocking crowd. It is best to speak of spiritual things with carnal men by themselves; when common decency may force them to give a patient hearing, even though grace may not crown the discourse with a blessing. An whole herd may trample upon your jewels, and then turn again to rend you.

That man's religion is much to be doubted of, who frequents the society of the men of this world for satisfaction and pleasure. "How can two (even two only) walk together, unless they be agreed?" "If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world; but I have chosen you (says Christ) out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

Can a man touch filth, and not be defiled; or fire,

and not be hurt? How much less then can a man conform to the spirit of this world, without pollution to his soul, or without feeling the loss of that peace, if he ever had it, which the world can neither give nor take away? It is no wonder that men complain of spiritual falls and desertations, when they stand upon slippery places, and leave the presence of God for the presence of mammon. How can a heart, reeking from the hot dung hill of this filthy world, be offered as a sweet smelling savor to God, or hope to be accepted with returns of his heavenly fire?

CHAPTER XV.

THE MANNERS OF THE WORLD ARE HURTFUL AND HINDERING TO BELIEVERS.

THE apostle declared it, as his privilege, that "the world was crucified to him, and he to the world." Another apostle says, that "whosoever will be a friend to the world, is the enemy of God." And Christ assures us, that " we cannot serve God and mammon," insomuch that if we would approve ourselves to be his disciples, we must take up our cross daily and follow him.

This is very evident; they who are the most given to the modes of this world, and mix most with its cus toms and pursuits, are the least alive to God, and the least lively in the things of God. Gaiety and foppery of dress, mimicry of worldly pride and parade, the hollow language of fashionable companies and friendship, do ill become a Christian, and never promote his true welfare. It is not indeed the custom at this day