fhip which fhall not disappoint our warmest expectation. Glorious as this prospect is, (perhaps you are ready to reply) I have been long in the ⚫ habit of viewing it very indiftinctly.-My • attention has been fo fixed on one below, ⚫ that I live looking rather into the Grave, than beyond it. My fpirits are fo broken, " my heart fo wounded, and my eyes fo dim with watching and weeping, that I can hardly read what is before me.-Befides which, certain fears arife; and though • indeed, I feel feverely what you say concerning the prefent life; I view the glories of the future, like a starving creature, who, looking through the gate of the wealthy, furveys a plenty which but increases his • anguish.'-There is, however, this difference at least between your cafes; the plenty which you fee, is yours, if you are really willing to accept it.-You never received a gift which was fo freely bestowed, or so fuited to your neceffity as that gift of God which is eternal · C 3 eternal life through Fefus Chrift1.—In order to view this more diftinctly, let us confider in -the very feat of our Lofs, the fufficiency of OUR PROVISIONS in this refpect.For Wifdom hath built her house, she hath killed her beafts, fhe hath mingled her wine, and furnished her table.—She also crieth upon the highest places of the city, whofe is fimple let him turn in hither,' and to him that wanteth understanding she faith, come eat of my bread, ⚫ and drink of the wine which I have mingled ;— : forfake the foolish and live.'-Man, indeed, is daily reminded by the Thorns at his feet, by the Sweat of his brow, and by the Duft to which he is returning, that his Paradife is loft but Paradife regained, is confidered rather as an Idea ;-a fubject for Poetry. That book, however, which I hope you have chofen as your best companion in the houfe of mourning, like the vifion of Jacob, not only fhews the heavens opened, but Rom. vi. 23. 9 Proy. ix. 1,-6. Gen. iii. 18, 19. difcovers discovers a gracious Medium of communication and intercourfe, as it were a ladder let down from heaven to earth.-A medium fo fuited to the state of man, that the weakest and vileft, who is humble enough to take hold of it as God's ordinance ;-advance a step at time;-and call for strength to proceed; may climb by it from Earth to Heaven*. Are you, my Dear Friend, among the number of those who stand before God not only as ftript of their comforts, but humbled for their fins; open your book at the 61st chapter of Isaiah.-You will there perceive the most precious privilege of paradise reftored: the Creator defcending to the condition and wants of his creature, and once more holding communion with him.-The broken-hearted, the captive, and the mourner, are here shewn one mighty to fave, and to relieve: and, that they fhould not mistake their friend, when our Lord ftood up in the • Gen. xxviii. 12. Compare Gen. xxviii. with John i. 51. fynagogue fynagogue to read, he selected this paffage, and having read it, he clofed the book with faying this day is this fcripture fulfilled in your ' ears'.'—' I am, as if he had faid, this • Deliverer and Defire of nations"; the fame yesterday, to-day, and for ever` :—blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comfortedTM: -bleffed are ye that hunger now; for ye shall ⚫ be filled :—bleffed are ye that weep now; for ye fball laugh*.' I fcarcely need observe, that in an address like this, (a bow drawn at a venture) formal statements of the different topics would be improper: and, therefore, I shall not attempt to defcribe, in their order, the various provifions comprehended in a scheme of redemption, and ufually termed the Gofpel. It may be neceffary, however, to remark, that the whole is a propofal to the broken heart, answering all its objections, and meeting all its wants: and, that fuch a propofal will be cordially received, only in proportion as this difpofition prevails. As it is the Sick who best knows how to value a physician; the Debtor a furety, and the Criminal a pardon: so it is the awakened confcience alone which will embrace a conftitution calculated to humble the pride, and mortify, the corruptions, as well as relieve the wants of man.-If without shedding of blood there can be no remiffion, he who is earneft to obtain it, will rejoice to find it though on the accurfed tree: and however the preaching of this cross shall be esteemed foolishnefs among them that perish; fuch an one will not only rejoice in the provision, but magnify the means. "God forbid that I should glory fave in the cross of our Lord Jefus Chrift, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto • the world' Our Lord represents the bleffings of his kingdom under the parable of a magnificent feaft which a King made for the marriage of his y Heb. ix. 22. 21 Cor. i. 18. • Gal. vi. 14. Son, |