Chap. 16.] EXEMPLIFIED. 253 what you hazard, and then youwould scorn these tempting baits ! Blessed for ever be that love which hath rescuedme from this bewitching darkness ! 10. " Draw yet nearer, O my soul ! with thy most fer- vent love. Here is matter for it to work upon, something worth thy loving. O see what beauty presents itself ! Is not all the beauty in the world united here ? Is not all other beauty but deformity ? Dost thou nowneed to be persuaded to love ? Here is a feast for thine eyes, and all the powers of thy soul: dost thou need entreaties to feed upon it ? Canst thou love a little shining earth, awalking piece of clay? and canst thou not love that God, that Christ, that glory, which are so truly and unmeasurably lovely ? Thou canst love thy friend, because he loves thee; and is the love of a friend like the love of Christ? Their weeping or bleeding for thee does not ease thee, nor stay the course of thy tears or blood ; but the tears and blood that fell from thy Lord, have a sove- reign, healing, virtue. O my soul ! if love deserves, and should beget love, what incomprehensible love is here be- fore thee ! Pour out all the store of thy affections here, and all is too little. O that it were more ! O that it were many thousand times more ! Let him be first served, that served thee first. Let him have the first-born and strength of thy soul, who parted with strength, and life, and love for thee. O my soul ! dost thou love for excellency ? Yonder is the region of light ; this is a land of darkness. Yonder twinkling stars, that shining moon, and radiant sun, are all but lanterns, hung out of thyFather's house, to light thee while thou walkest in this dark world. But how little dost thou knowthe glory and blessedness that are within ! Dost thoulove for suitableness ? What personmore suitable than Christ? His Godhead and humanity, his fulness and freeness, his willingness and constancy, all proclaim him thy most suitable friend. What state more suitable to thy misery, than mercy? or to thy sin and pollution, than honor and perfection ? What place more suitable to thee than heaven? Does this world agree with thydesires ? Hast thou not had a sufficient trial of it, or dost thou love for interest and near relation ? Where hast thou better interest than in heaven, or nearer relation than there ? "Dost thou love for acquaintance and familiarity? Though thine eyes have never seen thy Lord, yet thou hast heard
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