throng of adorers, worshipping before the throne, with the eye of my soul fixed on him that sits thereon; and not one of the many thousands of eternity shall disturb my adorations. The eye of my mind, the flow of my affection, and the flame of my love, shall eternally fix on the divine object, from whom none shall draw one thought away. Here my circumstance is doubly calamitous; for, though the busy throng should not break in on me, there is a throng of base distracting thoughts already within me, that will not be at rest; but there, as nothing shall disturb without, so nothing shall distract within. Not one trespassing thought, not one trifling idea, not a moment lost, nor one expression unbecoming the sacred subject, but all wrapt to the sublimest height of ecstacy; and every adoration of God, who is a Spirit, shall be in spirit and in truth-shall be without intermission through an indefatigable immortality, without interruption through consummate perfection, without wearying through inconceivable joy and delight, and without end through an eternal dura

tion.

MEDITATION XCIII.

ON THE ARMOUR OF SOLDIERS.

Lying off Normandy, June 13. 1759.

WHEN I behold the warlike race, and their glittering arms, how well they are accoutred for the field of battle, at no less than royal expence; it puts me in mind of him who is the Prince of the kings of the earth, and has an army maintained

at much immenser cost, harnished with much di viner armour, engaged in a more bloody war, against more desperate foes, but, supported by Al mighty strength, are assured of conquest and a crown at last.

How are these men burdened with instruments of war wherever they go, for a soldier is but a poor man without his arms! Even so the spiritual soldier must never be without his armour, for the better armed, he finds himself the stronger. Besides, this is the word of command by the Captain of the Lord's hosts, to his armies: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil: for ye wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickednesses in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmit of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and (not forgetting brothersoldiers) with supplication for all saints."

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But one thing I see, these men are allowed to carry no toys or trifles with them, only their arms, ammunition, and necessaries; so "no man that warreth" against hell" entangleth himself with

the affairs of this, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."

Again, these men are only safe, in setting their face always against their foes, being naked behind; so there is not a promise in all the scripture for the saint that turns his back before the enemy; while, if they resist, even their grand enemy shall flee from them.

These poor privates, as well as their commanders, must be in the hottest battle, encounter all the dangers, and perhaps fall in the engagement; but the Captain of our salvation has for us both fought and foiled the foe, swept the field of battle of principalities and powers, so that we are only called to return to the spoil.

Finally, how happy are Christ's soldiers, in comparison of these military men! The one is wounded often to death, the other is made always to triumph; the one has a scanty allowance every day, the other has access to all the fulness of God. The one is disbanded at last, and sent, when least able, to beg his bread, and die in poverty; the other shall at last receive a crown, and be taken to dwell with the King eternal, immortal, invisible, for ever!

Let the potsherds of the earth strive with the potsherds of the earth for earthly things; but may I fight on the side of Heaven, against sin and hell, for a heavenly crown, a crown of glory, that fadeth not away!

MEDITATION XCIV.

ALL THINGS MADE UP IN CHRIST.

J

Quiberon Bay, May 11. 1760.

EVERY one is subject to so many losses here, that, unless he has a share in the bank of bliss, he may soon become impoverished of all his enjoyments, and be a bankrupt as to felicity. But what an enriching privilege is an interest in Jesus, whereby I am insured against all losses, and furnished for all misfortunes! for though in the world I may have tribulation, yet in him who overcame the world, shall I have joy. It is true, my nearest and dearest friends may be removed by death; but in him I have a store of nearer and dearer relatives. My riches may fly away as on eagles wings, but in him I have the treasures of eternity; so that it is but for a moment, and in the meanest things, that I can sustain any loss. My name may be reproached among men, but here is a divine antidote against that, that my name is written in the Lamb's book of life, who will confess it before his Father, and before assembled men and angels. My soul may be troubled, and my mind broken, but in him I have health and tranquillity for both, for he alone giveth quietness; and when he giveth it, none can cause trouble. My soul desires much, but in him is more than my soul can desire. My wants are great, and my necessities many, but in him I find an overflowing abundance that supplieth all. My situation for a time may be lonely and desolate, but in him I find the divinest company, the dearest converse, and in his presence a paradise below. Sin

and sinners may cause me daily sorrow, but in him that saves from both I have abundant consolation. The things of this world may all seem jointly to go against me, but in him the things of the next world shall all assuredly make for me. I may wander from one place of the world to another, and be persecuted hither and thither for his sake; but he, who is every where present, shall be ever with me, and nothing shall be able to separate me from his love. My comforts may all fall off, like the blasted blossoms of the orchard; but in him ten thousand more noble comforts shall flourish, and never fade nor wither. Every day may bring me new disappointments, (and what else should I look for in a perishing world?); but in him I shall never be disappointed, even to eternity. Here infirmity may often break off my noblest exercises; but in a little I shall put on the immortality of bliss, and rest neither day nor night in his praises, yet never be wearied. Here doubts and darkness may distress me, but in him is my direction and my light. In a word, I may be a complication of wants and adversities, crosses and calamities, disappointments and distresses, sorrow and concern; but, in a word again, whatever my exigence can demand, whatever my soul can desire, is fully, wholly, and eternally in him. Therefore, though death in a few moments may advance to put a period to my time, and cut me off from the world below, yet then shall my felicity begin, when, to sum up all my bliss, enjoying the fellowship of the world above, I shall for ever be with the Lord,