never inflames; and even when harfhnefs is neceffary, it foftens the reproof by gentle expreffions. In the common intercourse of conversation, it never talks at random: and treats such subjects only, as are pleafing to others. Every fyllable it utters, except when it indulges acknowledged jocularity, is truth. If it exprefs friendship, it feels it. If it offer to ferve you, you may affure yourself the offer is fincere. In short, a bridled tongue is generally connected with a good heart.

XLIX.

PSALM CXIX, PART iv. 1.

MY SOUL CLEAVETH TO THE DUST: 0, QUICKEN

ME ACCORDING TO THY WORD.

N the Jewish prophets, we often find a mode of fentiment and expreffion purely evangelical. In David, this is particularly confpicuous. We have here as strong a picture of a state of nature and of grace, as an apostle could have given.

My foul cleaveth to the duft. The cares, the vanities, and pleasures of life, draw me to the world. I am not only drawn-I cleave to it. This world and I are become, as it were, one fubftance. I am dead to all other concerns.

Nothing but the grace of God can assist me. O, quicken me according to thy word. Thou haft promised to affift those who defire thy aid. O, my God, let my fincere endeavours claim that gracious promife. Quicken me, quicken me according to thy word.

L.

HEB. xii. 21.

COME TO MOUNT SION TO THE HEAVENLY · JERUSALEM-TO AN INNUMERABLE COM

PANY OF

ANGELSTO THE SPIRITS OF

JUST MEN MADE PERFECT.

WE

E are here invited to meet a very illuftrious affembly the wife and good, who have lived in all ages of the world. These holy perfons, having depofited all those imperfections to which, as human beings, they once had been subject, are now in a state of angelic happiness; and receive with joy, all those who have paffed religiously through their state of trial upon earth *. The inhabitants of all countries unite. Their modes of

* Luke, xix. 7.

VOL. III.

FF

com

communication, no doubt, fuperfede the use of human language. The language of heaven is univerfal. What infinite gratification will it be to meet, on equal terms, all the great characters which have been admired in the world, in ancient and modern times!

But as only the good can mix in this glorious affembly, it may be one, among our many incen. tives to holinefs, to confider how far we may be qualified to unite with them. Both reafon and Scripture affure us, that we fhall carry with us the fame frame of mind, with which we leave this world, into the next. Learning and abilities are not the leading parts of a heavenly character. Our worldly knowledge, we have it on record, shall vanish away. A holy life alone, through the mercy of God in Chrift, is what we have to depend on. This only will procure us admittance to this illustrious affembly, where all those distinctions will be loft, which render human focieties formal and unpleasant; and all those topics advanced, which are most interesting and delightful. Different degrees of fuperiority, it is probable from analogy, a heavenly state will exhibit, yet still all those repelling circumftances we may be

lieve

lieve will be removed, which on earth make fo great a chafm between high and low.

If we may defcend to particulars, we all have fome virtuous friends, whom we value. How joyous will it be to meet them again in full felicity after all their toilfome trials on earth! On the other hand, how dreadful the thought of being fecluded for ever from thofe whom once we fo tenderly loved!