'280 HEAVENLY CONTEMPLATION deuces which thou hast thyself enjoyed and recorded through thy life, and compare them with thy mercies thou shalt have above. Look over the mercies of thy youth and riper age, of thy prosperity and adversity, of thy several places and relations : are they not excellent and innumerable, rich and engaging ? How sweet was it to thee, when God resolved thy doubts ; scattered thy fears; prevented the inconveniences into which thy own counsel would have cast thee ; eased thy pains healed thy sickness ; and raised thee up as from death and the grave ! Think then, "Are all these so sweet and precious, that without them my life would have been a perpetual misery ? Hath his providence on earth lifted me high, and his gentleness raised me so great? How sweet then will his glorious presence be ! How high will his external love exalt me ! And how great shall I be made in communion with his greatness! If my pilgrimage and warfare have such mercies, what shall I find in my home, and in my triumph ? If God communicates so much to me, while I remain a sinner, what will he bestow when I am a perfect saint ? H I have had so much at such a distance from him, what shall I have in his immediate presence, where I shall ever stand before his throne ?" 7. Compare the joys above, with the comforts thou hast here received in ordinances. Hath not the Bible been to thee as an open fountain, flowing with comforts day and night ? What suitable promises have come into thy mind : so that, with David, thou mayest say, "Unless thy law had been my delight, Ishould then have perished in mine affliction ?" Think then, " If his word be so full of consolations, what overflowing springs shall we find in God himself! If his letters are so com- fortable, what will the glories of his presence be! If the promise is so sweet, what will the performance be ! If the testament of our Lord, and our charter for the kingdom, be so comfortable, what will be our possession 'of the kingdom itself!" Think farther, " What delights have I also found in the word preached? When I have sat under a heavenly heart - searching teacher, how bath my heart been warmed ! Methinks I have felt myself
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