trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not; my soul refused to be comforted," Psalm 1xxvii. 1, 2. Here he confesses that he prayed, and that God gave ear to his

prayer, even while his sore ran, and the balm of Gilead was so much needed; yet he refused to be comforted, although he is obliged to own that he prevailed in prayer. These little ones are such a strange composition as is not easily accounted for: for, although they often go mourning all the day long, saying, 'O that I could but see the King's face!' yet, if he draws near to them, they will either run away, or put him away. One of this stamp, who was struck with the displays of Omnipotence, fell down at the King's knees, saying, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Luke v. 8. If he was a sinful man, or a man full of sin, he must have been a very proper object of the King's clemency; and, as he visited this world to call sinners to repentance, and to save sinners, why should Little Faith bid him depart from him?

Shepherd. According to your account of Little Faith, the King's word of truth has got a place in his thoughts, heart, and affections; and it is strange to me that the consolation of Israel should be kept out by unbelief.

Steward. With respect to the word of truth, and with respect to every report touching the King's name, nature, offices, majesty, and glory, Little Faith has no less than a full assurance.

Then said the King unto the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" And Little Faith answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe, and are sure, that thou art that Messiah, the Son of the living God," John vi. 67-69. Here is faith and assurance; and yet this noble confessor is expressly styled Little Faith, and that by the King himself, Matt. xiv. 31.

Shepherd. He is a mystery, indeed! A man with weak hands! and feeble knees! and of little faith! And yet, you say, he has got an as

surance!

Steward. It is no more mysterious than true. He did believe, and was sure: there was both truth and reality in his faith; and then it was in exercise. Little Faith seldom, if ever, doubts of the reality of the things credited; though he often doubts of his interest in the things which he is sure do exist, and are to be enjoyed. Touching his part or lot in the King's love, and in the kingdom to come, he often doubts; and, with respect to the appropriating acts of faith, his hands are weak: a fear of failing, or coming short, is the foundation of his doubts; and, with respect to laying hold, maintaining his hold, or making application to himself, he is one of little faith.

Shepherd. And do you find these little ones existing in the purpose, covenant, and promise, of the Ancient of Days?

Steward. Yes; they are called small, least, and little ones, in all these: "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more," Jer. xxxi. 34. "He will bless them that fear the Lord, small and great." He gives a reward to his servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear his name, small and great, Rev. xi. 18. "He that is least among you all, the same shall be great." Thus it appears that Little Faith stands in miniature, even in the purpose, promise, and covenant; and among the citizens of mount Zion also. He is the offspring of the Ancient of Days, one of the seed royal, and of the precious sons of Zion, Lam. iv. 2; and the incorruptible seed is in him. The King hears his prayer, as hath been shewn; and that is more than some can say who

"Lord, save, or I

talk and boast of great faith. perish!" said Little Faith, and he was heard and answered in a minute. The King giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. A babe in grace stands his ground, when young men utterly fall, Isa. xl. 29, 30. "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget; yet will I not forget Zion," nor the children of her womb. Thus the pedigree of Little Faith is traced; his

birth and parentage are sufficiently proved; and, with respect to his education, he comes on greatly in that. His life is exemplary; his character is bright; and his visits to court, with his behaviour there, are such as bespeak him sincere, attentive, watchful, devout, diligent, loyal and obedient to his Majesty; affectionate to every loyal courtier and established servant; and, in short, to all the seed royal, from the least to the greatest, as he is dotingly fond of the faithful; ready and willing to assist any of the family; and touched with mental grief at the least misconduct, either in any of the servants, or in the King's seed. All which are characteristics of the truly noble seed, which are of high, holy, and heavenly birth. Pray, Shepherd, do you know what o'clock it is?

Shepherd. No, sir: nor do I care; for it is sleeping time, and I call that my own; and when I spend half the night in devotion, in good company, in good conversation, or in minuting down any favour, deliverance, or mercy, of the day, I call it redeeming the time; and, I think, in one sense, it is.

Steward. I must withdraw, for we have an evening sacrifice to offer; and I am appointed to bless it, and to implore the benediction and protection of Heaven upon the family before they go

to rest.

Shepherd. As the King hath made every thing beautiful in its season, so our interviews must be at seasonable opportunities. But to

morrow will be a busy day with me: I must minutely examine the whole flock. The weather is very hot, and the flies are very busy. I have got my crook, my sheers, my shab-water, my tar, and my turpentine, all ready.

Steward. What do you with these?

Shepherd. We use a great deal of the juice of the fir, especially when flies are busy, Eccles. x. 1; and I find it no easy matter to cure a whimsical, capricious, fanciful head, of maggots; if the sheers were not used, we should have half the flock crawling alive with them; and, when once this is the case, they are always creeping into the hedges, and you can hardly find them.

Steward. Well, as to-morrow will be a busy day with you, shall you be at leisure the day following, because that will be also a leisure day with me?

Shepherd. I can spend the forenoon with you, if you can make it convenient to come to my booth, which is at the foot of the hill, just above the tents of Kedar.

Steward. If Heaven permit, I will be there. Adieu.

Shepherd. Till then, farewell; and be sure, at the offering up of the evening sacrifice, to remember me.