(poor pensive souls) they make it much worse than indeed it is : charge themselves with that which God never charged them with ; though this be neither their wisdom, nor their duty ; but the fears of miscarrying make them suspect fraud in all they do or have.
7. Lastly, When your title is cleared, your hearts are eased; yea, not only eased, but overjoyed ; though not in that degree, nor with the same kind of joy with which the hearts of Christians are over- flowed, when the Lord speaks peace to their souls. O welcome the sweet morning light, after a tedious night of darkness ! now they can eat tjieir, bread with comfort, ancj drink their wine, yea, if it be but water, with a merry heart, Ecclfes. ix. 7.
The careless souVs 1. O how hath my spirit been tossed and hur- reflecfion. ried, when I have met with troubles and clamours
about my estate ! But as for spiritual troubles, and those soul-perplexing cases, that Clu'istians speak of, I under- stand but little of them. I never called my everlasting state in question, nor broke an hour's sleep upon any such account. Ah, my supine and careless soul ! little hast thou regarded how matters stand in reference to eternity ! I have strongly conceited, but never thoroughly examined the validity of my title to Christ, and his pro- mises ; nor am I able to tell, if my own conscience should demand, whereupon my claim is grounded.
O my soul! why art thou so unwilling to examine how matters stand betwixt God and thee ? Art thou afraid to look into thy con- dition, lest by finding thine hypocrisy, thou shouldst lose thy peace, or rather, thy security ? To what purpose will it be to shut thine eves against tlie light of conviction, unless thou couldst also find out a way to prevent thy condemnation ? Thou seest other souls, how attentively they wait under the word, for any thing that may speak to their condition. Doubtless thou hast heard, how frequently and seriously they have stated their condition, and opened their cases to the ministers of Christ. But thou, O my soul ! hast no such cases to put, no doubts to be resolved ; thou wilt leave all to the decision of the great day, and not trouble thyself about it now. Well, God will decide it ; but little to thy comfort.
-„,,,.. -- 2. I have heard how some have been perplex-
Tke douotin£r soiUs ii v.- • ^ ■ 1 4. T 1 r
. 45 ed by litigious adversaries ; but I believe none
re/tec i . have been so tost with fears, and distracted with
doubts, as I have been about the state of my soul. Lord, what shall I do? I have ofteh carried my doubts and scruples to thine ordinances, waiting for satisfaction to be spoken there. I have carried them to those I have judged skilful and faithful, begging their resolution and help, but nothing will stick. Still my fears are daily renewed. O mv God, do thou decide my case ! tell me how the state stands be- twixt thee and me j my days consume in trouble, I can neither do nor
THE HEAVENLY USE OE EARTHLY THINGS. 181
enioy any good, whilst things are thus with me ; all my earthly en- joyments are dry and uncomfortable things ; yea, which is much worse, all my duties and thine ordinances, prove so too, by reason of the troubles of my heart : I am no ornament to my profession ; nay, I am a discouragement and stumbling-block to others. " I " will hearken and hear what God the Lord will speak :" O that it might be peace ! If thou do not speak it, none can ; and when thou dost, keep thy servant from returning again to folly, lest I make fresh work for an accusing conscience, and give new matter to the adversary of my soul.
3. But thou, my soul, enjoyest a double mercy from The assured thy bountiful God, who hath not only given thee a Christian's sound title, but also the clear evidence and knowledge reflection. thereof. I am gathering, and daily feeding upon the full-ripe fruits of assurance, which grow upon the top boughs of faith; whilst many of my poor brethren drink their own tears, and Jiave their teeth broken with gravel stones. Lord, thou hast set my soul upon her high-places ; but let me not exalt myself, because thou hast exalted me, nor grow wanton, because I walk at liberty ; lest for the abuse of such precious liberty, thou clap my old chains upon me, and shut up my soul again in prison.
ItXEN can't be quiet till they be assured
That their estate is good, and well secured.
To able counsel they theii* deeds submit,
Intreating them with care t"* examine it :
Fearing some clause an enemy may wrest.
Or find a flaw ; whereby he may divest
Them and their children. O who can but see
How wise men in their generation be ! But do they equal cares and fears express About their everlasting happiness ? In spiritual things 'twould grieve one's heart to see AVhat careless fools these careful men can be. They act like men of common sense bereaven ; Secure their lands, and they'll trust God for heaven. How maiiy cases have you to submit To lawyers' judgments ? Ministers may sit From week to week, and yet not see the face Of one that brings a soul-concerning case. Yea, which is worse, how seldom do you cry To God for counsel ? Or beg him to try Your hearts, and strictest inquisition make Into your estate, discover your mistake ?
O stupid souls ! clouded with ignorance,
Is Christ and heaven no fair inheritance,
182 HUSBANDRY SPIRITUALIZED ; OB,
Compar'd vvith yours ? Or is eternity
A shorter term than yours, that you should ply
The one so close, and totally neglect
The other, as not worth your least respect.
Perhaps the devil, whose plot from you's concealed.
Persuades your title's good, and firmly seaM
By God's own Spirit ; though you never found,
One act of saving grace to lay a ground
For that persuasion. Soul, he hath thee fast,
Tho' he"]l not let thee know it till the last.
Lord, waken sinners, make them understand,
'Twixt thee and them, how rawlv matters stand :
Give them no quiet rest until they see
Their souls securd better than lands can be.
Occasional Meditations upon Birds, Beasts, Tree?, Flowers, Rivers, and other Objects.
MEDITATIONS ON BIRDS.
• Upon the singing of a Ntgliting&le.
V ▼ HO that hears such various, ravishing, and exquisite melody, would imagine the bird that makes it, to be of so small and con- temptible a body and feather? Her charming voice engaged not only mine attentive ear, but my feet also to make a nearer approach to that shadv bush in which that excellent musician sat veiled ; and the nearer I came, the sweeter the melody still seemed to be ; but when I had descried the bird herself, and found her to be little bigger, and no better feathered than a sparrow, it gave my thoughts the occasion of this following application.