REFLECTIONS ON FRIDAY. On the Happiness of the present State, and the Self-denial required in it. "BLESSED are they that mourn, for they "shall be comforted." Alas! does it not seem from this, and many other passages of Scripture, worthy of all observance, and of all acceptation, as if it was our bounden duty in this world to lead a melancholy, wretched, uncomfortable life? And can this indeed be the will of him who delighteth in mercy? Who filleth our hearts with food and gladness, and has, in not a few places, expressly commanded us to “rejoice evermore?" Is there then, an inconsistency in the duties of religion? God forbid! Yet short-sighted men, capable of taking into one view, but a part of the vast and perfectly consistent scheme of duty, and guided too generally by passion or weakness, are perpetually acting as if this was the case. Some free spirits there are, who throw off all lawful restraint, and fully satisfied with themselves if they keep within the widest bounds of what is just allowable, indulge without caution in every thing they think so. Their whole time is given up to mirth and jollity: their whole fortunes perhaps are spent upon themselves, without any regard to the calls of charity or duty. Jollily they go on in life, till some unforeseen misfortune stops them short, and throws a deep gloom over their sunny landscape. Another sort of people, much to be csteemed, and greatly to be pitied, are scrupulous about every thing; and, frighted by misapprehensions of some alarming texts, dare not allow themselves in the most innocent conveniences, and most harmless, and, on many accounts, useful and commendable pleasure. Their minds are so truly pious, that they are far from deliberately thinking of the infinitely great and good God, as a hard and rigid master; but they act with such a slavish fear, as must needs make those, who are less well-disposed, frame such horridly false imaginations of Him: and their wellmeant strictness has the most dangerous tendency in the world. Between these two extremes, undoubtedly lies the plain path of duty: the narrow, but not thorny road, that leads through the truest comfort this life can afford, to everlasting happiness in a better. The natural enjoyments of life are dispensed to us by a gracious Providence, to mitigate its natural evils, and make our passage through it not only supportable, but at fit times and seasons, so far pleasant, as to make us go on with vigour, chearfulness, and gratitude: and to give us some kind of earnest of what we are bid to hope hereafter, some kind of faint notion what happiness is: some sensible assurances, that there really is such a thing, though not to be, in any high degree, enjoyed on this side of the grave.-Still it is a yet more merciful dispensation of the same fatherly care, that pain and imperfection, satiety and disappointment, should be so mixed up with all our best enjoyments in this low state of being, as to turn our chief aim and desire towards heaven. And let us not fear, unless we wilfully and madly throw ourselves into a giddy round of pleasures, on purpose to be intoxicated by them, Providence will mercifully interpose in the fullest tide of innocent prosperity, and make us, by some means or other, feel an emptiness and dissatisfaction, in D the best, this world can give: especially may this be hoped by those, who take care to keep their minds always open to such serious thoughts and right impressions, as will perpetually present themselves, if not rejected: and who reserve some leisure time in every day, for reading and reflecting. Our Maker knows so well the weakness of our frame, that he hath not left it to us, to inflict upon ourselves, merely by way of punishment, such sufferings as He sees it necessary for us to undergo. That task would be so hard a one, that He would by no means impose it upon us. No: He will take care himself, that we shall unavoidably feel and experience a great deal of that evil which sin introduced into the world: and all He requires of us, is to support it as we ought. He requires nothing contrary to reason, and the innocent inclinations of nature: if any of his laws appear harsh and difficult, it is from their opposition to our acquired habits, our prejudices and corruptions. To forgive injuries, to return good for evil, to live peaceably with all men, to be always mild, obliging, and good-humoured, to be kind and patient, charitable and industrious, temperate, sober, and modest; these are no grievous laws to a pure, and well-tuned mind: hor can its genuine dictates be better complied with, than by observing them. Still, they will be a very grievous restraint on the licentiousness of our corrupted wills, our heightened passions, and indulged imaginations. To be continually attentive to our conduct in every minute instance, to set a watch before our mouth, and keep the door of our lips, to set scourges over our thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over our hearts, requires a soberness of mind, a diligence, a resolute adherence to duty, that may undoubtedly deserve the name of selfdenial, and mortification: though in effect nothing so certainly ensures our happiness, both here and hereafter. To think we can do this by our own strength, would be presumptuous and vain. Tell a man, helpless with the palsy, that perfect health is his natural and eligible state; convince him ever so clearly how happy it would be for him to become active and industrious—your eloquence is mockery, and will not help him to the use of a single limb. But though we daily confess that we have "no health in us," He who did actually say to the sick of the palsy, "Arise, take up thy bed, and walk," and was immediately obeyed, can effectually relieve our |