attend him to another world. But Christ satisfies all desires, replenishes the whole soul, makes happy in time, and happy to eternity, and is a portion every way commensurate to the unbounded wishes, and immortal nature of the soul. Why should the saints less rejoice than these men that divide the spoil, when in a little the King himself in person shall deal crowns and thrones, kingdoms and dominions, yea, the goodly heritage of the hosts of nations, to every saint above?

This spoil, if it enrich the conquerors, impoverishes the conquered, and perhaps has cost many of them their lives; but Christ may, in all his offices, relations, fulness, and glory, be the entire possession of every particular child of adoption, without diminution or injury to any of their happy fellow-heirs.

Some who engaged the enemy fell down slain, and are now where a whole world of these trifles, which afford survivors so much joy, would not be accounted worthy of a wish or a glance for ever.

Henceforth, let me rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great store of spoil, and esteem the word of thy mouth better than thousands of gold and silver. I shall never be robbed of the heavenly treasure, which scatters my fears, dispels my despondencies, enriches my eternity, and ravishes my whole soul.

MEDITATION LXXXIX.

A DAILY CATECHISM FOR SEAMEN.

March 25, 1758.

1. HOW do I like the company of the wicked, and the converse of ungodly men?

2. Is their swearing as disagreeable to me as when I came first aboard; or am I more reconciled to their blasphemous talk?

3. Is my abhorrence of sin the greater, the more I see of sin? as man's fears increase with the increase of his foes, so should my hatred of sin with the increase of my danger.

4. The more that I am beset with snares and sin, am I the more watchful against sins and snares?

5. Have I forgot to look into myself in the midst of this hurry and confusion? reflection is a duty which no situation can loose me from.

6. Does the reaction of sin reiterate my grief and abhorrence of it? or, like a lion's keeper, venture I to sport with the destroyer, from which at first I started?

7. Do I resist the first appearance of sin? for sin, as well as strife, is like the letting out of waters, which at first appears a litle spout, but as it passes along pushes on every side, till it spreads into an impetuous torrent, which nothing can resist, and therefore should be left off before it be meddled with.

8. Does the impiety of the company, or any other hindrance, prevent the performance of secret prayer, on reading the scriptures, as formerly?

9. Is the sabbath still strictly observed by me, by my keeping not only from bad actions, but idle words and vain thoughts?

10. Am I careful to purge myself from all the sins which I have heard through the day, by reflecting on their vileness, protesting against them in mine own breast, dipping by faith in the blood of sprinkling, and praying that wherein I have been guilty in a greater or less degree, I may be pardoned?

11. Am I studious to draw the more near to God, the more that all things would drive me from God? and to beg of him, that according to my days and demands for aid, so my strength from him may be?

12. Am I ready to drop a word against vice, or in favour of religion, without regarding ridicule, not knowing where a blessing may light; or that at least they may know that there has been, if not a prophet, yet a reprover among them?

MEDITATION XC.

A PROPER INSPECTION

Lying off the French Coast, June 8, 1758.

AT all times, men ought to examine their state, and fitness for going into another world; more especially when old age has overtaken us, or the pestilence is in our borders; or when called into the field of battle, or into the dangers of the roaring ocean. Now, as we may be surprised at any time by some event, we should be prepared at all times for every event. And, as one of these situations is at present mine, it is my duty to propose some interesting questions, to try myself thereby.

1. Am I content with salvation from Christ on any terms, that he be my complete Saviour, and that I be nothing at all?

2. If I believe, is my faith dead? or is it a living faith, working by love, and bringing forth the fruits of righteousness?

3. Do I love God?

"He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love ;" and love to God and man is the fulfilling of the whole law.

4. Do I love the saints, and esteem the poor but pious ones, more than all the pompous sons of vice? "He that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

5. Is it my desire, that in all things God may be glorified, though it were by my dishonour and loss?

6. Do I choose rather to be the proverb and reproach of all the ungodly among whom I dwell, than to advance one word against religion?

7. Do I hate sin in its profits and pleasures in myself and others, because God hates it, and it ruins souls?

8. Do I rejoice more in hope of the glory of God, than in view of possessing all that the world can afford?

9. Is the exercise of religious duties the secret delight of my soul?

10. Do I faithfully strive against all sin, and count the victory over one lust a greater conquest than the taking a city?

11. Am I entirely resigned to the will of God in all things, being not only contented, but comforted with his disposal, though sometimes not what I would wish?

12. Is death often in my mind, judgment and eternity in my meditation; and am I always studying to be mortified to sin, and crucified to the world, that I may live to Christ?

13. Is the word of God the light, life, comfort, food, and inheritance of my soul, into which I daily seek and search?

14. Is sin growing more and more my burden; and are my struggles after perfection more vigorous than before, and more constant?

15. Am I, through grace, ever searching my ways, examining mine actions, looking into my heart, and watching over myself?

16. Is my desire of life mostly to serve God, and not to enjoy the pleasures of sense, but to be useful even in the matters of religion?

17. Is communion with God the delight of my soul? and have I more joy in the fore-thoughts of that fruition which the saints expect, than in all present vanities?

18. Have I daily recourse to the fountain of purification to be washed from my filth, and to be accepted in the Beloved?

19. Do I remember Zion in her affliction, Jerusalem in her calamity, being filled with a zeal for the declarative glory of God?

20. Dare I venture my eternal welfare on his gracious word of promise, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved; and that no sin shall condemn the soul that casts itself on Christ?

21. Do I believe that the love of God is unchangeable, that his gifts and callings are without repentance, and that at all times he is it hand, nor will desert his own in their last moments?

If I could return an affirmative to each of these queries it would shew me to be in a happy state, at peace with God, and in some measure prepared for the other world, so that I might go with undaunted courage to the day of battle, and fearless tread the field of blood, leaning on Christ alone.

Y