MEDITATION XV.

JOHN V. 39.

Search the Scriptures-they testify of Me.

MED. IN an abundant harvest-field, the XV. grain is scattered wide on every hand. The well-filled head offers itself to the reaper's grasp, and the pleasing expectation of plentiful provision fills the heart with joy and gladness. Not less exulting is his heart, who looks around him in an abundant world, and sees the provision amply made for his spiritual subsistence; who sees the grain that gladdens, bending to his hand, and hears the voice of consolation address him, "Put in thy sickle and reap*.”

* Rev. xiv. 15.

XV.

I see your eyes, my afflicted friends! MED. brighten at the rural prospect; and with as much alacrity as if ye were actually in the field of the reapers, ye are desirous of partaking in the spiritual harvest. The truth is, I would draw your minds, now steadied by adversity, by intense and painful thinking, and at length instructed into the kingdom of Heaven, to more cheering and more chearful scenes. I would teach you to anticipate that thorough change of heart, and of course that thorough change of conduct, to which you now are called. I would alter the day of gloominess and sorrow to the brighter dawn of hope and comfort; and assure you, that though "heaviness may endure for a

night, joy cometh in the morning *.” The means of grace are now within your hands. Faith, hearing, prayer, are now your own. Were I to enu

merate every path by which you are to

* Psalm xxx. 5.

XV.

MED. pass to the hill of Sion; were I to describe all you are to gain by the different means of information, with which the indulgent Parent of the Universe supplies his creatures, the longest day would fail me. "All things work to"gether for good to those who love "God*." It is God who supplies the means; beware of neglecting the im provement. “As every man hath his

proper gift of God," so every man hath his proper time of restoration, "one after this manner, another after

that. The spiritual means indeed are to all the same, but as they are to be adapted to situation, they require management. Those who are living in the world, and you who, either by compulsion or voluntary retirement, are secluded from it, require an accommodation of the means of grace, to operate with greater force on your several conditions. To the latter I confine my

* Rom. viii. 28. +1 Cor. vii. 7.

contemplation, and present to you, for your soul's health, that healing balsam which is to be found only in the valley of Gilead.

A mean of grace peculiarly adapted to your situation is reading; and, above all other books, reading of the Bible. Give attendance to reading. The blessing of letters may be ranked among the first of all earthly blessings. It opens a new world-it presents us with a new people: it discovers to us causes and consequences, and instructs us by example, as well as by precept. General precept does much, but particular knowledge does more. The latter description of knowledge is the knowledge of the Bible-in that we see ourselves. We are astonished at an introduction to our own heart, which we imagined that we had long understood; we are mortified to find that it is deceitful, and yet we cannot contradict it; we are sorry to find it vain, and yet we must submit to ac

MED.

XY.

XV.

MED. knowledge the unpleasant truth. Alas! the heart of man is waxed gross ; the heart of man is fluctuating, unstable, weak; nay more, for it is unnecessary to dissemble what every man knows, or ought to know, the heart of man is desperately wicked *.”

The examination, which produces this consequence, is confirmed by the sacred words of Scripture. I assume the fact which, I doubt not, you are all ready to allow. With this book then before you, pursue the investigation. Remote from the intrusion of a busy meddling world, lay bare your hearts before your Maker. Search the Records of Salvation, and learn the means of your spiritual restoration. The awful language delivered by the mouth of God himself must strike upon your inmost souls: " Prepare to meet thy "God"-" the Lord is at hand""the Lord Jesus shall be revealed

* Jer. xvii. 9.