government. They must obey for God, as princes must rule for God. But sinful things, as princes have no power to command, so the subjects are under no obligation to obey

To conclude this argument, there is no counsel more directive and profitable for our arriving at an excellent degree of holiness, than this: let our progress in the way to heaven, be with the same zeal that we felt in our first entrance into it, and with the same seriousness as when we shall come to the end of it. The first and last actions of the saints, are usually the most excellent. David's first and last ways were so; see his divine frame near his end: 'Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: this is all my desire, although he make it not to grow.' New converts, when first called out of darkness into the marvellous light of the gospel, are most zealous in their opposition to sin, and most active and cheerful in the service of God. The bitterness of repentance, and of an unpardoned state, causes an abhorrence of sin. They remember the prayers and tears, the anxieties of conscience, the restless hours, that sin has cost them; as one saved from fire which was ready to devour him, retains so strong an impression of the danger as makes him fearful ever after. They are filled with love and thankfulness to God; and they glorify mercy that spared them, when justice might have destroyed them. When no eye had compassion, and no relief was afforded in their extreme misery; when they loathed themselves, affrighted with the image of Satan imprinted on their souls; then God regarded them with tender affection. When they fled from him, then he over

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took them by preventing and prevailing grace. They have the quickest sense of their obligations to the Redeemer, and the most sensible relishes of his love, in communion with him. We read of the lame man from his birth; who, upon his miraculous healing, when he felt a new current of spirits in his nerves, and his feet and arms were strengthened, entered with the apostles into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.' So, the zealous affections of new converts, when they feel such an admirable change in themselves, lead them to run the ways of God's commandments with enlarged hearts.' They have such brightness of illumination and raptures of joy, as firmly engage them in the course of obedience. The Holy Spirit inspires them with new desires, and affords new pleasures, to endear religion to them. It is not only their work, but their recreation and reward. But, alas! how often are the first fervours allayed; and strong resolutions decline to remissness! Our Saviour tells the church of Ephesus, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works,' Jehoshaphat walked in the first ways of his father David: intimating, that there had been a visible declension in the zeal of even David. Converted persons, after a time, often become less frequent and fervent in God's service; and though, by the constraining judgment of conscience, duties are not totally omitted, yet they are not performed with the same reverence and delight as at first. Such persons, alas! become more venturous to engage themselves in temptations; and more ready to comply with them. They are tired with the length of their travel and the difficulties of their

way; and they drive on heavily. We should, with tears of confusion, remember the disparity between our zealous beginnings and our slack prosecution in religion. We should blush with shame and tremble with fear, at the strange decay of grace; and recollect ourselves and reinforce our will, to proceed with vigorous constancy. And, when the saints are ready to enter into the unchangeable state, when the spirit is to return to God that gave it,' how entire and intent are they to finish the work of their salvation! How spiritual and heavenly are their dispositions! With what solemnity do they prepare for the Divine presence! How exactly do they dress their souls for eternity, and trim their lamps; that they may be admitted to the joys of the bridegroom! How is the world low in their esteem, and tasteless to their desires! 'The Lord is exalted in that day.'

The nearer they approach to heaven, the more its attractive force is felt. When the crown of glory is in their view, and they hear the music of the blessed and are refreshed with the fragrance of paradise, what a blaze of holy affection breaks forth! When Jacob was blessing his sons upon his deathbed, in a sudden rapture he addresses himself to God, 'I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord!' As if his soul had ascended to heaven before leaving the body. 'O, when shall I come and appear before God?' was the fainting desire of the psalmist. If communion with God in the earthly tabernacle was so precious, how much more is the immediate fruition of him in the celestial temple? If one day in the courts below be worth a thousand, an hour in the courts above is worth ten thousand.

Let us therefore, by our serious thoughts, often

represent to ourselves the approaches of death and judgment. This will make us contrive and contend for perfection in holiness. The apostle exhorts the Romans to show forth the power of godliness, from the consideration of the day of grace they enjoy, and the day of glory they expect; 'for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.' Let us do those things now, which, when we come to die, we shall wish we had done! Thus doing, we shall be transmitted from the militant church to the triumphant; with a solemn testimony of our having adorned the gospel in our lives, with the victorious testimony of conscience, that we have fought the good fight, have kept the faith, and have finished our course; and we shall be received with the glorious testimony of our blessed Rewarder, 'Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.'

THE END.

J. Rickerby, Printer, Sherbourn Lane.

Vol. I. (published January 1st) contains

THE LIBERTY OF PROPHESYING;

Shewing the unreasonableness of prescribing to other Men's Faith, and the Iniquity of persecuting differing Opinions.

BY JEREMY TAYLOR, D.D.

WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY, BY THE REV. RICHARD CATTERMOLE, B.D.

Vols. II. & III. (published February 1st and March 1st) contain

CAVE'S LIVES OF THE APOSTLES;

TO WHICH ARE ADDED, SELECTIONS FROM THE "LIVES OF THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS :" With Notes, and an Introductory Essay,

BY THE REV. HENRY STEBBING, M. A.

Vol. V. (to be published on the 1st of May) will consist of

BISHOP HALL'S HEAVEN UPON EARTH; THE CHRISTIAN;
DEVOUT SOUL; SELECT THOUGHTS;

And other Treatises;

WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY, BY THE REV. RICHARD CATTERMOLE, B. D.

The greater part of these beautiful productions are to be purchased only in the complete editions of Bishop Hall's voluminous and expensive works.

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