very frequently, from giving way to earthly cares, earthly joys, and earthly pursuits? No wonder that we move heavily, and walk in the dark, while we cultivate that friendship with this world, which is enmity with God *. But if, on the contrary, our affections are set on things above; if our treasure, and our hearts, are with Christ in heaven; we shall probably walk in the light, as he is in the light, and enjoy an abiding perception of interest in his precious blood, which cleanseth from all sin. With regard to our worldly accommodations, if his kind providence vouchsafes to give us such a competency as may enable us to pay turnpikes, and to do some good to others, as we travel through the wilderness; we are rich, amply rich, to all the real purposes of sublunary happiness.

* James iv. 4.

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OBSERVATIONS AND REFLECTIONS. *

ABASEMENT.

THE Sweetest seasons on this side heaven, are, when the soul sinks, as into nothing, before the face of God, and is absorbed in the sight of Christ and the love of the Spirit: when we feel the presence of Deity, and silently wait on him, at the foot of the cross, with weeping eyes, melting affections, and bleeding hearts.

When Christ entered into Jerusalem, the people spread their garments in the way. When he enters into our hearts, we pull off our own righteousness, and not only lay it under Christ's feet, but even trample upon it ourselves.

ACCEPTANCE.

What coming, and what returning sinner need despair of acceptance? No man can be worse than

*These considerations by Mr. Toplady, and the extracts, are arranged under their respective heads. Diamonds never appear so splendid, as when set in a crown. However, when thrown in confusion, they are still jewels, and therefore worth the gathering.From these brilliants a boquet is made up, for the gratification of the reader. EDITOR.

St. Paul was, before his conversion; and no man can be worse than St. Peter was, after his conversion.

ACTIONS.

Where scripture is totally silent concerning the lawfulness or unlawfulness of any action, consult the book of your own conscience, and follow its dictates. Observe also, what does, or does not, tend to take off from your mind that exquisite sense of divine love, which a believer would ever wish to cultivate and cherish.

AFFECTIONS.

A believer's affections are too often like a cascade or waterfall, that flows downward; instead of being like a fountain, which rises and shoots upwards toward heaven.

AFFLICTIONS.

If you thoroughly exhaust a vessel, of the air it contains; the pressure of the air on the outside, will break that vessel into (perhaps) millions of pieces: because there is not a sufficiency of air within, to resist and counteract the weight of the atmosphere from without. A person who is exercised by severe affliction, and who does not experience the divine comforts and supports in his soul, resembles the exhausted receiver, above described; and it is no wonder if he yields, and is broken to shivers, under the weight of God's providential hand. But affliction, to one who is sustained by the inward presence of the Holy Ghost, resembles the aërial pressure on the outer surface of an unexhausted vessel. There is that within, which supports it, and which preserves it from being destroyed, by the incumbent pressure from without.

Some persons are apt to walk in their sleep. They are said to be effectually cured of this dangerous habit, by only once horse-whipping them soundly, until they awake. God's people are apt to dose, and run themselves into danger; on which, providence takes the horse-whip of affliction, and brings them to themselves. Was he to spare the rod, his children would be spoiled.

The world is a sea of glass, affliction scatters our path with sand, and ashes, and gravel, in order to keep our feet from sliding.

In a long sunshine of outward prosperity, the dust of our inward corruptions is apt to fly about and lift itself up. Sanctified affliction, like seasonable rain, lays the dust, and softens the soul, and keeps us from carrying our heads too high.

The earth must be ploughed, and sown, and harrowed, and weeded, and endure many frosty nights and scorching days, in order to its being made and preserved fruitful. Gentle showers, soft dews, and moderate sunshine, will not suffice always. So it is with the soul of a fruitful Christian.

A person was lately observing, of some fine ornamental china on his chimney-piece, that "the elegance of its figures, and the perpetuity of its colours, were owing to its having been consolidated by passing through the fire." Is not the same remark applicable to the afflicted people of God?

ANTINOMIANS.

Christ is still crucified between two thieves: Antinomianism and Pharisaism.

ARMINIANS.

I much question, whether the man that dies an Arminian, can go to heaven. But, certainly he will not be an Arminian, when he is in heaven. The employ of the blessed is, to cast their crowns at the feet of God and the Lamb, and to sing, "Not unto us, O Lord."

Should it be thought harsh, to question the salvation of one who dies under the blindness of Arminianism; as if a man, who only robs God in part, might miss of glory; let it be considered, that even on earth, if a person robs me only of my watch, or of a single guinea, he has forfeited his life to the law, as much as if he had robbed me of all I am worth.

The old Arminians, mentioned in scripture, are blamed for thinking wickedly, that God was such an one as themselves; but our new Arminians outsin their predecessors, and actually represent God as a being in many respects considerably inferior to themselves. They suppose him both to form his schemes with less wisdom, and to execute them with less power, spirit, and success, than a prime minister of common sense, forms and executes his. They dare ascribe to God, such impotence, blunders, imperfections, and disappointments, as they would blush to ascribe to a Ximenes or a Sully.

Arminians consider the grace that is inspired into a true believer's heart, as a text of scripture written upon a pane of glass, liable to be demolished by the first hand that flings a stone at it.

All the disputes between us and the Arminians, may be reduced to these two questions: 1. Is God