partakers of his holiness. But, though there is no exception, yet they are not all tried exactly in the same way. If we were to be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers; then we should be bastards, and not sons.

Yet the trials

of some differ from those of others, but all from the same hand, and directed to the same end, which is sure to be answered; namely, their spiritual prosperity, and the praise of their Father's care. They are prone to forget their resting-place, prone to set their affections on things on the earth; but a bereaving providence, personal or relative affliction, puts a thorn in their nest, shews them the vanity of earthly objects, and, when sanctified, does them good, leads them to acknowledge that it is good to be. afflicted; makes Christ, his word, and worship, more precious, and they cleave more to him than before. Being tried, they come forth like gold; and with grateful pleasure sing, In very faithfulness hast thou afflicted me. Verily, then the choice of Moses was made in wisdom. "He chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." The Narrative states a part of the trials of my late friend,

and the addition of thirty years brought more of a similar nature, so that he knew by experience that this was not his rest, especially in the last years of his life, while struggling with his own personal affliction; but the whole was sent in mercy, and so he considered it to the glory of covenant love. Tribulation in the world is part of the Saviour's legacy, and therefore we should count upon the experience of it in some form or other, and look to him for the peace he has promised to support us under, and bear us through it, according to his word. But there is one kind of trial that is peculiar to God's people, and is never known by the men of the world; and that is the affliction they feel from their depraved, deceitful hearts. The Lord declares by the prophet, that "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;" but the unconverted man does not believe it. He always gives himself credit for having a good heart. However, when he is made alive, and the eyes of his understanding are opened, he feels the truth of the sacred record, and is free to confess it before the Lord. At first, indeed, he is not fully aware of its extent; but growing experience effectually shews him that the heart is, as our Lord observes, the root of all evil; and

that the fruit would be everlasting ruin, if not prevented by the grace of God. This knowledge is personal, and every heart knoweth his own bitterness: nor doth a stranger intermeddle with his joy. Under this burden my good friend groaned all the days of his life, as every true believer does. This is always their trial while here. When they would do good, evil is present with them. Indwelling sin is a constant enemy, an interruption to their best enjoyments, and defiles their best performances: so that, were it not for their gracious Redeemer's intercession, they must finally perish. None of their frames or duties can recommend them to the acceptance and approbation of infinite Purity and inflexible Justice. To will, indeed, is present; but how to perform that which is good,> they find not. And hereby their heavenly Father keeps them humble and dependent, teaches them the need of daily watchfulness and prayer, and makes them constantly conscious that all their hopes of future happiness must flow, absolutely and entirely, froin the sovereign grace of God in Christ Jesus. Hence it appears, that, by the management of unerring wisdom, infinite love, and almighty power, all things work together for their good, and for the glory of their heavenly

Father's name. And hence it is, that the real believer welcomes death, in order to be like the Lord, as well as with him. And therefore he sings by the way,

"O glorious hour! O blest abode !
I shall be near, and like my God!
And flesh and sin no more controul
The sacred pleasures of my soul."

WATTS.

In this hasty manner, I have considered the observations as proposed; and now I have only to add my earnest desire, that the reader may derive some spiritual benefit from the perusal, and remain for the truth's sake,

His friend and servant,

S. ROWLES.

Colnbrook,

12th Feb. 1808.

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He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. Prov. xviii. 17.

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