330 snISCELÈANEOUS TstOUGHTS. cross, put to death by the hand of Justice for bit crimes, and who, as some divines suppose, had reviled our Saviour just before, (because some of the sacred historians charge both the thieves with reviling him :) Such a wretch, I say, who did not begin to repent till he began to die, has a promise from our blessed Lord, That he should be with him in paradise that very day, because his repentance and faith were sincere. And according to these encouragements of the gospel, have I not heard of many a religious protestant dying upon the faith of tire. New Testament with joy, and good assurance of his immediate entrance into blessedness ? And are these terrors and agonies Of spirit which I just now beheld, all the consolation that the priests of Rome will allow to so religious and devout a man as my uncle was? f' Farewel, farewel, ye deceivers : My bible shall be my only guide ; and the grace of God for ever preserve me in that religion which puts so much honour on the sufferings of our blessed Saviour, as to secure heaven to a good mad, as soon as he departs from earth." XII. The Temple of the Sun. IF'I were an idolater, and would build a temple for the sun, I should make the whole fabric to consist of glass ; the Walls and roof of it should be all over transparent, and it should need no other windows. Thus I might every where behold the glory of the God that I worship, and feel his heat, and rejoice in his light, and partake of the vital influences of that illustrious star in every part of his temple. But may not this happiness be obtained without forsaking the true God, or falling off to idolatry ? Surely the blessed ordinances of christianity are thus con- trived and designed. Such are baptism and the Lord's - supper, preaching, praying, and psalmody. These institutions of worship are chosen and appointed with such divine wisdom, that they represent to us the glory of the several perfections of our God in his works of nature and grace, and transmit the beams of his power and love to enliven and to comfort our dark and drooping spirits. When we are brought as it were by his spirit into his courts, the glory of the Lord will fill the house, and we shall hear him speaking to our souls. The sun of righte- ousness will shine into our hearts : All the powers of our nature will rejoice in the light of his majesty, and under the rays of his mercy. We frequent his sanctuary with delight to behold the beauty of the Lord there, to feel the warm shines of divine goodness, and partake of his . promised salvation ; Ezek. xlüi. 5, 6. Ps. xxvii. 4. and lxiii. 2. But to carry the similitude yet further
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