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world, (although men may not see it) and likewise everlastingly happy, in that world which is to come. To be sensible of God's grace in the heart, and to follow the holy teaching of it, is preferable to all things here be low, it will make one more wise and more comely, than all outward learning, beauty, or parts whatever. God Almighty grant, I beseech him, that all our young men, our rich men, our wise men, may only glory in him, according to the language of the spirit in the holy scriptures, "Let not the young or strong man glory in his youth or strength, nor the rich man in his riches, nor the wise man in his wisdom; but he who glories, let him glory int the Lord;" or in this, "That he knows the Lord." Let the wits of the age consider this well; let the boaster and disputer rightly note this, and he will have cause to bow before heaven's Majesty: what becomes of the young man's and young woman's strength, and lovely beauty, when their heads are laid in the cold grave? What will become of, or of what service will the riches of the rich man be to him, when he shall receive his summons to his long home? May he not then say, Oh! that, I had been as industrious to get heaven, and peace with my Maker, as I have been to get this world. Let all worldly minded men and women remember the wonderful expostulation of Christ Jesus with the rich young man. This is not to hinder any in their outward concerns: for the heart of a man may be in heaven, though his hands may be in his employment.

And as to the wise man: pray what will become of his great wit, his acquired parts, his nice and far fetched arguments and criticisms, when pale faced death shall look him in the face, and strike him with his sharp arrows? Then he will find, that it had been much better for him, that he had lived well, although he had not talked so much, or so well: to talk well, is good; but to live well is much better. To talk finely, and live badly, is of little worth. Oh! that the great Master workman of all, may drive home this nail, in the heart of him whose eye shall look thereon, by his mighty hammer, the hammer of his word, his heart breaking, heart melting, and heart

piercing word; according to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the holy scriptures, " Is not my word as a fire? Is not my word as a hammer? Is not my word as a sword ?" i. e. to burn, to break, to cut down all manner of sin not to destroy man, but sin in man. Hear farther the language of the Holy Spirit: "Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend up into heaven, to fetch it down from above? Or who shall go down into the deep, or beyond the seas, to fetch it from thence? But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy heart, and in thy mouth, that thou mayest do it." This was, and is, and ever will be, the doctrine of the gospel: from which people may perceive, that Christ Jesus is near to them; near to save, near to deliver, near to redeem. The great Je. hovah, the blessed Jesus, the holy divine spirit, is not only a God afar off; but also a God near at hand, and a present and sure help in the needful time. Oh! blessed be his name for ever and ever.

Now I appeal to the consciences of all men, whether they have not, or do not sensibly witness, something (of a contrary nature to sin and unrighteousness) to reprove them, and convince them of the evil of their ways, and doings, perhaps sometimes in the midst of their vanity, in the song, in the dance, or in the game; or sometimes after a debauch, or for their pride, either in mind or in apparel, for over-reaching, or covetousness: all which (with all manner of evils) are of the devil. And the King of heaven is lifting up his holy and righteous spirit as a standard against it, and against him who is the author of it. Oh! let this his convincing grace take place in thy heart, Oh! mortal man! for know of a truth, it is the grace of God to thy soul; for infallible proof of which (besides the experience of the faithful) take these two texts of Holy Scripture, (the doctrine of which will stand forever, notwithstanding all the opposition of man) i. e. "I will pray to the Father, says Christ, and he will send you another comforter, even the spirit of truth, that he may abide with you forever; and when he is come, he shall convince the world of sin." Again, "The grace of God which brings salvation, hath appeared unto all men,

teaching us, that, denying ungodly and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world." Why should the Almighty show to men the evil of their ways? Why does not he let them run on in their vanities, without control? (Oh! ye children of men!) it is his mere grace, and his mere mercy to the precious, dear-bought, and never-dying souls of poor mortal mankind; for he would have none to perish; if any perish, their destruction is of themselves, but their help is of the Lord. Oh! that people would be entreated and persuaded, through loving invitation, to follow the Lord fully and do his work faithfully.

Now let me return a little to, and let my pen drop somewhat concerning the three-fold cord above-mentioned. I again humbly beg of the Lord, the great God, and Father of spirits, and of our dear Lord Jesus, that this may be instrumental, in his hand, to draw some poor seeking, travelling soul from earth towards heaven; the which, if it doth, let the praises alone be given to God, through his well beloved Son.

is truth?

First, then: As to truth, I would hope few in this generation, who profess christianity, need to say, what God Almighty, Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is that infinite, divine truth, which will endure forever; and he hath said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind and strength." And indeed he is an object that is thereof richly worthy; and this is his law which is to endure forever; and he who doth and teacheth it, is to be called great in the kingdom of God; and that it might not be forgotten, he wrote it in stony tables: which law, Jacob's seed broke and transgressed. Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, who spoke it by the prophet, "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts;" Oh! there it is written in large characters, very plain and legible, and easy to be read of mankind. And whereas Moses, the man of God, was an instrument to promote the holy law outwardly, written on tables of stone, among the children of Israel; so Christ Jesus, in this gospelday, is promoting and proclaiming the power of this

law inwardly engraven in men's hearts by God's finger, throughout the whole world; this great law of love (in which all the law and the prophets are contained) Christ not only lived in it, and declared it to mortals; but he also died in it, and for it, and for us also, and sealed his holy, glorious testimony, and doctrine, with his most precious blood; this is he, of whom the voice from the most Excellent Glory, said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him." This is he, of whom the former lawgiver said, "The Lord "The Lord your God shall raise up a prophet from amongst your brethren, him shall you hear in all things." This is he who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." This is he who said, "He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you:" and again, "I stand at the door and knock, if any man will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in unto him." Oh! methinks his love is wonderful; he not only commands obedience, but invites to it. Oh! who can be so hard. hearted and so cruel to him, and themselves also, as to slight and refuse such heavenly and divine offers of infi nite love, grace, and mercy? The spirit and the bride say, come; and all that are athirst, may come, and drink freely; and buy heavenly milk, and rich wine, without money, or any natural or outward price."

Secondly, Touching reason: it is very reasonable, that we should serve and love God Almighty, in the space of time that we have here in this world, and work the works of piety and virtue; for, and because, there is solid peace therein here none can make afraid, but the soul is calm and quiet, as being anchored in a safe har bour. Here no law can take hold of us. If any should imagine, that there are no future rewards or punishments, which no mortal can do without blushing, or self-condemnation, as I conceive: yet a life of holiness is a much better life, even for the body, for its health, and most sweet repose, and pleasure that is solid, and not flashy; and its outward tranquility in every respect: I appeal to the reasoning wits of the age, whether the above be not a great and undeniable truth: besides, all true men and women, in practising as above, have a living hope and

faith, through and in Christ, of a glorious rest to eternity, which is very reasonable to believe, since undeniably Christ wrought such wonderful works and mighty mir-. acles, which before were never wrought by man on earth so that those must needs be self-condemned too, that believe not in him, his works and grace. There is no writ nor wit in the whole world, that did, can, or ever will be able to make void, or lay waste the great, mighty, and miraculous works of truth, which were done by the blessed Jesus. Moses was a mighty man of God, and highly favoured, and greatly beloved, of him, and did many mighty works; yet Christ exceeded him, as also did his dispensation. Moses went through the sea: Christ went upon the sea. Moses prayed for bread from heaven, and it was given in abundance; Christ with a few small fishes, and seven loaves, fed many thousands (which was unreasonable to expect, but from a divine hand.) Moses prayed for water for the people: Christ made wine, and admirable wine too, even of water. Moses preached the law and judgment to Israel only; but Christ Jesus preached grace, mercy, peace, and truth, not only to Israel, but also to all the world, through divine faith in God, in and through repentance, and the work of the spirit. Oh! is not here reason and truth pleading with, and persuading poor creatures to love, serve and follow, reverence and fear, their Creator.

Whether the above matter be pleasant news to our sprightly youths, I will not determine; but I am positive that they will find it truth one day.

It is likely some such doctrine as this might better please the sparks of the age, and the jolly young men and maidens up and down in the world, viz. "Rejoice, Oh! young man, and young woman, and let thy heart cheer in the days of thy youth; follow the lust of thy heart, and the sight of thine eyes: but let them remember, that for all these things God will bring them to judg ment:" they must surely come to judgment: they will have it inwardly and secretly in their hearts, here in this world, (notwithstanding they may endeavour to hide it from men; but they cannot hide it from Heaven, from

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