fhould do better, perhaps, to think how great is our happiness, encouraging ourselves to make farther progress daily in the paths of WISDOM for "all her paths are peace." But, if we confider ourselves properly, it will be very extraordinary, if we find not many shameful weakneffes, faults. As another means

many

of promoting humility, let us keep our eye much upon these. WISDOM will inform us, that they tarnish and injure our character, and that they are enemies to our happiness. Happy, indeed, were it for us, would we hear

L 3

hear and obey her voice; for her voice is the voice of Heaven.

ye children of men!

(faith fhe) would ye be bleft with real delight, exert your

⚫ felves to remove these faults, to

conquer thefe weakneffes: and, • with the utmost diligence, O • cultivate those amiable virwhich render ye like

C tues,

your glorious Maker. But ye complain of natural frailty. True, ye are frail. Yet know ye not, ye to whom the ETERNAL FATHER hath fpoken! Know ye not, that he hath promised to his frail offspring

gra

gracioully to confirm them for • the work of righteousness, and • most liberally to bestow on his dutiful children, that blifs • which eye hath not seen, which ear hath not heard, which the 6 mind of man cannot conceive? • Hearken to my words, O mortals greatly beloved! I am delegated to speak to you by the benignant PARENT OF NAx TURE. Earnestly then, and with humility, entreat his bleffing; confide in him entirely; gratefully, chearfully, joyfully obey him: and never, never forget that "God is LOVE, and he that dwelleth

616

" in love, dwelleth in God, and • God in him." So fhall ye attain the end of your being, which

is

VIRTUOUS

HAPPINESS.

And affuredly ye will remem⚫ber concerning pride, that it was not made for man.'

MEDI,

O N

68

DIVINE

WE

LOVE.

E love him (faith John, the excellent apostle)

" because he firft loved us." Indeed to his, even to our heavenly Father's infinite love, we are indebted for the capacity of loving any thing. How, then, can our thoughts be fo well employed, or fo happily, as in confidering the invaluable inftances of divine love toward us. Such a contemplation will enlarge the