that thy life is but a vapour, which appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away; that thou art in the body only to be holy, humble, and heavenly minded; that thou standest upon the brink of eternity; that death, resurrection, and judgment, will suddenly come upon thee like a thief in the night, and then thou wilt see a vanity in the things of this world, greater than any words can express. Do but see thyself in the light which Christ hath brought into the world, and thou wilt see that there are no enjoyments here, which are comparatively worth a thought, but such as may adorn thee with faith, and with that holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Remember that the Christian receives his name from Christ, which word signifies anointed of the Holy Ghost: therefore every one who is a true Christian may be said to be anointed with the Holy Spirit of Christ. He then who saith, I am a true Christian, expresses thereby no less than this-I am baptized into Jesus Christ, whose Spirit dwelleth in me; I believe in him as my only Saviour and Redeemer; I love him without hypocrisy, earnestly endeavouring, by divine grace, that is, by the help and assistance of God, to be like-minded with him, and to tread in his steps in my whole life and conversation, with all faithfulness and constancy. As there are many thousands that take to themselves the name of Christians, and yet, indeed, are in no such happy state as they imagine; therefore examine yourself, whether you only have the bare name of a Christian, or whether you are also in truth and reality a faithful disciple of Christ, guided and led by God's Holy Spirit. Grant, Lord,

that we all may be Christians, not in name only, but in deed; not in word only, but in heart. May every one who nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

When you are under diseases, difficulties, crosses, and disappointments, consider that they are necessary for you. A constant and uninterrupted flow of the comforts of this life is too apt to fix our heart upon them, and to make our affections grow languid, and indifferent to enjoy ments, spiritual, heavenly, and divine. It begins. to be the silent language of the heart, "It is good to be here." And God often, like a kind and tender parent, corrects us with sickness and losses, to wean us from this vain world, and put us in mind of a better, of the promised rest above.

Under all troubles and afflictions, say, I must own, O gracious God, that thou wouldst do me no injustice, shouldst thou take away all my comforts; and shall I be cast down and complain when so many are still remaining? O thou righteous Judge, who afflictest, sanctify these afflictions to me, and make me better by them; cause patience to have its perfect work, nor let me be so eager to get out of the fire with my dross remaining, while thou art refining and purifying me, as silver is refined, and purified seven times in the fire. May I be still, and know that thou art God. May I consider that there is a rest remaining for the people of God; and till it comes, may I say,-It is good that a man hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of God. The Lord giveth, and then taketh away; and who shall say, What doest thou? O grant me Christian patience thy will, O Lord, be done.

Upon the beginning of a sickness. All things must undergo their changes; I have enjoyed many fair days and sunshine; and as I am a sinner, it is necessary I should meet with clouds and storms for correction. What! shall I receive good at the hand of God, and shall I not receive evil? "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." This is my comfort, that I am in the hands of a wise and good God. This messenger is worthy to be welcome; it is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." This Scripture supports my spirits, and keeps me from fainting while I am rebuked of him.

Upon taking physic. As thou, O God, hast created medicines out of the earth, to ease the pains and cure the diseases of thy fallen creatures; so, I beseech thee, to bless this medicine which I am now taking, that it may heal my sickness; and being made whole again, may I sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon me. Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

I shall not

Upon a recovery from sickness. die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastened and corrected me; but he hath not given me over unto death. Praised be the Lord, for he hath heard the voice of my humble petitions; the Lord is my strength, and my shield; my heart hath trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart danceth for joy, and in my song will I praise him. May I never forget that gracious voice, which said, Deliver him from going down into the pit; let

his health be restored, and his day of grace be prolonged. Grant, Lord, that I may never despise the riches of thy goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering: but let this mercy, in raising me again, make me watch over all my ways; depart from all sin and iniquity, and serve thee faithfully all the days of my life.

Upon continuance of sickness. O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger; thou rebukest even where thou lovest; so rebuke me, that while I smart with thy rod, I may rejoice in thy mercy.

Upon taking a nauseous medicine. How loathsome is this medicine! how offensive to the eye, the smell, and the taste! and it must be taken for health. Such is the chastisement of God, for the present grievous; nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. O God, give me resolution cheerfully to take, and drink up that bitter cup of affliction, which thou, in thy wisdom and goodness, hast mixed for the health of my soul.

When in pain. If I be thus vexed with bodily pain, Lord, how shall I be able to endure the sting of a tormenting conscience? O God, whatever my flesh suffers, keep my soul free, and in peace. Whensoever my heart is stung with remorse for sin, only thy merits, O blessed Saviour, can mitigate and heal the wound; they have virtue to cure me, give me grace to apply them.

Upon the tolling of a bell for one departed. How often hath this bell reported to me the departure of many more strong and vigorous bodies than my own? and now, what doeth it, but call

me to the thought of my departure? Here is no abiding for me: I must away too:

this sound is

not for my ears, but for my heart. Lord, grant that this summons may awaken me to prepare for my long home, that I may be taught to die daily, and so be happy for ever.

When you are at a funeral, take occasion to think the more of death, and account every funeral your own; and say, Teach me, O Lord, to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom, and live so now, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

Upon the sight of a grave digged up. O Lord, as the grave will safely keep my body till the last great day, let me commit myself to it with joy, in sure and certain hope of its resurrection to eternal glory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I beseech you to think often on death, which will lessen the terror of it when at hand, and make you know yourself. The oftener, said a good man, I exercised myself in meditations of this kind, the less was my anxiety; and by making the thoughts of death familiar, what was at first so terrible and shocking, is become the sweetest of my enjoyments.

As thou, O Lord Jesus, didst taste death for every man, so deliver me from the fear of it, that I may not all my lifetime be subject to bondage, arm me for my last hour; be with me in my last combat, when the devil, like a roaring lion, will seek to devour me; make me faithful to the death, that thou mayest give me a crown of life.

When heaven is mentioned, say, O Lord, send