28. But, Oh! the thoughts of man are too much taken up with earthly and perishing things, being content with the shadow or shell of divine contemplation, righteousness, and true religion: so that too few are earnestly seeking the substance thereof.

29. That the noble creature man, whom God hath made but a little lower than the angels, and given him power over those creatures that are more ignoble than himself, should so degenerate from his Maker, as to fix his thoughts on terrestrial things, is admirable to heaven born souls, whose God is the Lord.

30. Which way can the soul look or turn itself, but that it must needs see the glory of the God of heaven, unless the god of this world hath blinded the eye of the

mind.

31. Look upwards, and we may behold the brightness of his glory in the firmament, and the workmanship of his hands in the sun, moon, and stars.

32. Or if we look on the earth, or in the sea, we may see his great wonders; and if, in sincerity, we behold the heavenly works of his hands, with an eye of faith, Oh! how can it do any less but draw deep considerations of the omnipotence of God.

33. Thus beholding the works of God, and looking on his works of old, and the noble acts which he hath done in former times, will raise holy desires to be with him, and to be in his presence, when time to us in this world, shall be no more.

34. It will also beget a loving fear of the Lord in the soul, lest that should offend him.

35. Such a soul will be inwardly concerned before the Lord, and will seek him with unwearied travel of spirit.

36. After this manner will that soul cry to God, in the spirit of prayer and supplication, that is travelling towards the city, whose builder and maker is God.

37. Lord, I am poor, do hou make me rich; 1 am needy, Oh! strengthen me, even me, Oh! my heavenly father! for I am the least of many: Oh! my Saviour, have mercy upon me!

38. Thou seest my weakness, and knowest my wants, and how unable I am, of myself, to do thy will; give me grace, or else I die; save me by the power, and by the spirit of thy Son, or else I perish forever.

39. Lord, I believe; my faith is in thee, and in the power of thine anointed, help mine unbelief, for Jesus' sake, I humbly pray thee, Oh! thou great Creator of of the children of men!

40. Oh! great, eternal God, thou knowest my secret desires, and the private devotion of my heart.

41. My sighing and tears are after thee, Oh! thou beloved of my soul !

42. All the profit and pleasure that is in this world is nothing, and less than nothing, in comparison of thee, and the enjoyment of thy presence, Oh! thou Lord of life and glory.

43. Thou great Creator of all things, from whom all have their being, send forth the spirit of thy Son into my heart, whereby, with acceptance, I may cry, “Abba,

father."

44. Oh! Holy Father, let me feel thy power, that I may be able to make war in thy righteousness, against the enemy of my poor soul.

45. Great, eternal God, give me wisdom to walk uprightly before thee, and before the children of men: Oh! that my soul may seek after it forever!

46. With which, Oh! Lord, fill my earthen vessel, for Jesus' sake, that I may be gentle, and easy to be entreated to do thy will, so that I may never rebel against thee.

47. Lord, do not tarry long from me; for if thou hidest thy face, I am troubled; or when the curtain is drawn between me and my Maker, then my spirit within me languisheth.

48. Therefore, Oh! Lord, arise, and the thoughts that are at enmity with thee, shall be scattered from my soul: 49. Then shall my soul be a fit receptacle for thee, and a temple thou mayest delight to dwell in, Oh! living God!

T t

50 And, Holy Father, as thou hast begotten those thoughts and desires in my soul, so do for many more of the sons and daughters of men.

51. Such a soul, whose thoughts and meditations are on this wise, Almighty God never did and never will, reject, or cast off.

52. Heaven and earth may pass away, but the mercy and goodness of the Lord God of heaven and earth will not pass away from those that are thus inwardly exercised before him. giloy b 93 vi

53. The holy men of God, and the faithful in ages past, bore testimony to these truths.

m Jo b 54. And there is that of God, in the souls of the faithful, that can say amen to the same.

55. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," saith the Almighty, to and concerning those who love him tru ly. J Ho

56. Fear not, worm Jacob, for I will be with thee, saith the Lord, if thou goest through the fire, it shall not kindle upon thee; and if thou goest through the water, it shall not overwhelm thee,"

1

درد

AN

EXHORTATION TO YOUTH,

AND

OTHERS,

TO FOLLOW.

Being part of a letter from Thomas Chalkley to a friend in Dublin.

LET the young man and maiden diligently read the holy scriptures; and whenever they come to a passage that affects them, let them not only turn down that leaf, but let them be sure that it hath place in their hearts and when they read of a good man or woman, then let them earnestly pray, and fervently cry to the Lord, the great God, and holy Father of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and God of all the righteous in all ages, that he would please to make them like to those his dear children and servants. Oh! that all young people might not forget this great command of God," Honour thy parents, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." How many stubborn youths hath the Lord cut off in their prime, and in the flower of their days; and on the other hand, how hath the great Almighty blessed, prospered, preserved, and honoured those that have been obedient to their parents, and honoured their parents and elders? And let the young men and maidens note this, that none truly honour their pa rents and elders, but those who are pious and virtuous;" such were Joseph, Samuel, David, and Solomon; as also King Josiah, who began to reign at eight years old. God Almighty gives many a good sense of his grace at that age, and thereabouts; he ordaineth praise many

!

times out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. Let the youth endeavour to follow those good and great men; and for their instruction, I shall give a touch of the above five worthies.

First, in particular, beginning with Joseph. His father sent him to his brethren; he went willingly, though his brethren hated him; and when it was in his power to hurt them, he rendered them good for their evil; a good example for both young and old. And when tempted to sin by his mistress in Egypt, he said, "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" who highly favoured him for his piety, virtue, and chastity.

Secondly, Samuel, for whom his mother prayed earnestly to the Lord; and when he had given him to her, she gave him to God again: a good pattern for all mothers. When he was but a little lad, the Almighty called him, and he thought it had been Eli; up he gets, and said, "Thou calledst me?" "No (said the old man) I did not call thee; lie down again." He did not grumble, as many of our youth do: the Lord called again; he willingly runs to Eli; he did not love his bed so much as obedience, and said, "Thou didst call me." Eli ob serving that God had spoke to the child, said to him, when he calleth again, say, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Let old ones mind this, and encourage their youth to answer the call of God betimes: so God calls again, and he answers: Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." The Lord, by his grace, calls to little ones, many times in the midst of their play, and sometimes in their beds. Oh! that our youth may do and say as little Samuel; that they may grow as he did, and be in favour both with God and man.

Thirdly, David, his father's youngest son, kept his sheep, and in that innocent employ the Lord was with him, to admiration. His father sent him to his brethen; but Eliab, his eldest brother, frowned upon him, and reviled him. He only made this soft reply; "Is there not a cause?" He overcame the great Philistine, in the. name of the God of Israel; and God highly exalted him for his uprightness, sincerity, and piety, which was very