IX. DISGUST AT FRIVOLOUS CONVERSATION. How disgusting these vain visits to my sinsick soul! While they examine and talk of laces, dresses, ornaments, and finery, I wish to converse with the hillocks of mortality, to know the full meaning of that sentence," "Tis the body of the curse," and remember that we should not have needed cloaths if sin had not deformed us, and made covering necessary for the hiding of our shame. Dear Jesus, faithful friend, when they are telling of the agreeableness of this party, that set, and the other amusements, I long to get away from among them, to sit at thy feet, to hear thy precious voice, and have communion with thee. They know not the import of these words, "I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one." They know not the pleasures of the way, or the sweetness of thy love, but fondly dream of bliss in fleeting enjoyments. They pursue a shadow and grasp at a phantom. No, dear Christ, nothing below thyself can satisfy an immortal soul, or give it content. There can be no comfort but in thy favour; the whole eircle of worldly delights, will prove themselves in the end, nought save vanity; and sooner or later, never fail to give their followers vexation. of spirit. No, 'tis in vain to seek for bliss, X. DELIGHT IN THE COMPANY OF THE PIOUS, AND IN THE EXPECTATION OF HEAVENLY HAPPINESS; LOVE TO JESUS, AND LONGING TO BE WITH HIM IN HEAVEN. O MY God! minutes come quickly, but mercies were more swift and quick than they. I looked for sorrow, and behold joy; for vain conversation, and behold heavenly society; for trifling and levity, and behold, reproof, exhortation, and edification. Thus it is that thou graciously dealest with me, hearing the prayers of thine unworthy creature, and blessing her when she least expects it. O how I love the company of pious souls! and to join in praising the name of Jesus; but if this be delightful-these imperfect services so pleasant, what must it be to meet with the blessed society above, where, without sin, and free from interruption and clog, without fetters, and without cloy, I shall join with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven. I shall laud, and magnify his glorious name; evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, the whole heaven is full of thy glory; glory be to thee O Lord. How charming to tell to listening seraphs, the wonders of redeeming love; and With transporting joys recount, The labours of my feet; to rehearse my trials, conflicts, and temptations, and in harmonious strains, T' ascribe my vict'ry to the Lamb, My conquest to his death. Faith looks forward with delight to this happy period, and my soul stretches her wings, and wishes to be gone. Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell in Mesech, and have my habitation in the tents of Kedar. O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee to the haven of eternal rest, to the bosom of my God. He is altogether lovely-the chief of ten thousand-fairer than the fairest, and the only fair. The fondness of the most enraptured lover, the tenderness of the dearest friend, is perfect hatred, compared with the love of Jesus; all the ideas that we can form of things sweet, amiable, and engaging, are mere deformity to the beauties of Emanuel.* * "Should there be any true christians, whose own cold feelings will not suffer them to approve of those rapturous joys, groom overcomes. His winning charms are sufficient to captivate the most unfeeling breast, and warm the coldest heart. Was ever adamant so hard as mine, or flint so stubborn? Was ever ice so cold, or affections so frozen? Yet the heavenly BrideHis persuasive energy is irresistible; and the marks of love graven in his hands and feet, speak to my inmost soul. Jesus, my beloved, thy name gives joy to my desponding heart, and cheers my drooping spirits. Jesus! harmonious sound-life-giving word, again and again will I repeat it with fresh de and ecstatic pleasures, which some persons are, in this work, said to experience; yet, 1 hope, that there are none, or, at least, very few, who do not desire to enjoy such divine favours, and press after them as their privilege. That christian has but a slender acquaintance with Emanuel, who does not long to know more of his glory, and enjoy more of his love. There are hundreds of religious persons, whose conduct in all secular affairs evinces them to be possessed of sound understanding; and with respect to religious things, they solemnly declare, that at times they have such views of their interest in the favour of God, and such secret communion with the Father and his son Jesus Christ, as to rejoice therein with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.' Why should such persons be censured by their brethren as enthusiasts? Ignorant and irreligious people will, no doubt, so describe them, and affirm that they are righteous overmuch; but far be it from professors to adopt such sentiments. On the contrary, let such cool religionists be rather animated by these instances of holy fervour, to seek for the same pleasures, and pray that they may be filled with all the fulness of God." See preface to Shrubsole's Christian Memoirs. This note is added by the editor. lights, and exult in my knowledge of his name. Let heaven and earth re-echo with the sweet name of Jesus! and let the hosts on high and saints below, join hearts and tongues to celebrate it. Teach me, ye tuning seraphs, ye cherubim, ye angels near the throne, ye martyrs, ye eminently pious, who, having escaped the pollutions of the world, and through the blood of the Lamb, gained the conquest, now cast your crowns adoring at his feet; teach me, O teach me, some of your sweet hymns, that I may bear my humble part in this immortal song. Happy souls! how I envy you; you have escaped, are free from sin and interruption; you behold him face to face, and are strengthened to bear the full blaze of his glory; you have done mourning, and wetting your couch with tears; and now triumph in the bliss of Sion. Doubts and fears are over, and you are safely landed on the wished-for shore; you have now no intervals of dulness and depression, no need of sleep or food, no interrup tion from the flesh; but serve your God, without hinderance, and in the perfection of holiness; you have no tempting devil, no deceitful heart, no alluring world; your warfare is finished, your race is have found rest for your and run, weary feet. you Highly favoured of the Lord, I long to join you, I long to take my place at your feet, and to leave this vale of tears, this thorny wilderness. |