science in this life, be so insufferable, what is it to have all the vials poured out to eternity, when there shall be nothing to divert, mitigate, or allay it?

Here men have somewhat to abate their terrors, some hopes of mercy, at least a possibility but there is none there. O my soul, how art thou loaded with guilt! and what wouldst thou be, should God arouse that sleepy lion in thy bosom! My condition is not at all the better because my conscience is quiet. The day is coming when it must awake, and will lighten and thunder terribly within me, if I flee not to Christ before. O Lord, "who knoweth the power of thy wrath?" O let me not carry this guilt out of the world with me, to maintain those everlasting flames. Let me give no sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eye-lids, till I feel the comfort of that blood of sprinkling, which alone speaketh

peace.

CHAPTER XXI.

The Plenty and Variety of Fish.

Observation.-THE Providence of God in furnishing us with so great a plenty and variety of fish, is not slightly to be passed over. We have not only several sorts of fish in our own seas, which are caught in their seasons; but from several distant parts, every year is brought home, not only enough to supply our own nation, but large quantities are also yearly carried to other countries; by which trade many thousand families subsist.

Application. But now what returns do we make to heaven for these mercies? O what notice is taken of the good hand of Providence, which thus supplies and feeds us with the blessings of the sea? I fear there are but few who own, or act in submission to it, and are careful to return, according to the benefit received. Men do not consider, that "their works are in the hand of God," Eccl. ix. 1. And even those who have the most immediate dependence upon Providence, as merchants and seamen, are yet very prone to undertake designs in the confidence of their own wisdom and industry; not looking higher for

the blessing. They often "sacrifice to their own net, and burn incense to their drag, because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous," Hab. i. 16; that is, they attribute what is due to God unto the creature. Now this is a sin highly provoking to the Lord; for in what degree the heart cleaves to the second cause, in the same degree it departs from the living God, Jer. x. 5.

And how do you think the blessed God will bear to see himself thus debased, and the creature thus exalted into his place? to see you carry yourselves to the creature as to a God, and to the blessed God as to a creature? Surely this is a great and common evil and such as will blast all, if not timely discovered and lamented. If we make flesh our arm, it is just with God to wither and dry up the arm. Do we not look upon second causes as if they had the main hand in our business? And with a neglectful eye pass by God, as if he came in but collaterally, and by the bye, into it? But all endeavors will be unsanctified, if not successless, in which God is not eyed and engaged. "It is in vain for you to rise up early, and sit up late, and eat the bread of sorrows; for so he giveth his beloved sleep," Psalm cxxxvii. 2; that is, it is to no purpose for men to tire their spirits, and rack their consciences for an estate; the true way of acquiring and enjoying the creature, is by submitting quietly to the will of God, in a prudent, and diligent, yet moderate, use of lawful means. Nothing can thrive with us till then.

Reflection. Why then should I disquiet myself in vain; and rob myself of my peace, by these unbelieving cares and distractions? O this has been my sin! I have acted as if my condition had been at my own disposal. I have eyed creatures and means too much, and .God too little. How have my hands hung down with discouragement, when second causes have disappeared, or worked contrary to my designs, ready to transfer the fault to this thing, or that! And how apt am I to be vainly lifted up with carnal confidence, when I see myself competently furnished with creature defence and provision! O what a God-provoking wickedness is this! How often has Providence checked my carnal presumption,

and dashed many hopeful projects! Yet have I not owned it, and submitted to it, as I ought. O it is a wonder that this has not closed the hand of Providence against me, and pulled down a curse upon all! O Lord, let me now learn to acquaint myself with thee; "then shall I decree a thing, and it shall be established," Job xxii. 28.

CHAPTER XXII.

The Skill of Fishermen.

Observation.-THERE is skill in fishing. They who go to sea on a fishing voyage, go provided with their craft, as they very fitly call it, without which they can do nothing. They have their lines, hooks of several sizes, and their bait. They carefully observe their seasons: when the fish fall in, then they ply their business day and night.

Application. But how much more skilful and industrious is Satan to ensnare and destroy souls! The devil makes a voyage as well as you; he has his baits for you, as you have for the fish; he has his devices and wiles to catch souls; 2 Cor. ii. 11; Eph. vi. 11. He is a serpent, an old serpent; too crafty for man in his perfection, much more in his fallen state, his understanding being injured by the fall, and all his faculties poisoned and perverted.

Divines observe four steps or degrees of Satan's tempting power. First; he can find out the constitutional evils of men; he knows to what sin their natures are more especially prone, and inclinable.

Secondly; he can propound suitable objects to those lusts; he can exactly and fully hit every man's humor; as Agrippa mixed her poison in that meat which her husband loved best.

Thirdly; he can inject, and cast motions into the mind, to close with those tempting objects; as it is said of Judas," the devil put it into his heart."

Fourthly; he can solicit, irritate, and provoke, the heart,

and by continual restless solicitations weary it; and hereby he often draws men to commit such things as startled them in the first instance.

All this he can do, if he meets with difficulties; yet does he not act to the utmost of his skill and power at all times and with all persons; neither indeed need he do so. The very propounding of an object is enough to some, without any further solicitation; the devil makes an easy conquest of them.

And, besides all this, his policy appears in the election of place, time, and instruments, to tempt by: and thus are poor souls caught, "as fishes in an evil net." The carnal man is led by sense, as the beast; and Satan handles and suits him accordingly. He uses all sorts of motives, not only internal and intellective, but external and sensitive also; as the sparkling of the wine, when it gives its color in the glass; the harlot's beauty, whose eye-lids are snares; hiding always the hook, and concealing the issue from his victims. He promises them gain and profit, pleasure and delight, and all that is tempting, with assurance of secresy. By these he fastens the fatal hook in their jaws, and thus "they are led captive by him at his will."

Reflection. And is Satan so subtle and industrious to entice souls to sin? Does he thus cast out his golden baits, and allure souls with pleasure to their ruin? Then how does it behove thee, O my soul, to be jealous and wary! How strict a guard should I set upon every sense! O let me not so much regard how sin comes towards me in the temptation, as how it goes off at last! The day in which Sodom was destroyed, began with a pleasant sunshine, but ended in fire and brimstone. I may promise myself much content in the satisfaction of my lusts; but O how certainly will it end in my ruin! Ahab doubtless promised himself much content in the vineyard of Naboth, but his blood paid for it in the portion of Jezreel. The harlot's bed was perfumed, to entice the simple young mán, Prov. vii. 17; but those chambers of delight proved the chambers of death, and her house the way to hell. O with what a smiling face does sin come on towards me in its temptations! How does it tickle the carnal fancy and please the deceived heart! But what a dreadful is Div. No. XVII.

T

sue has it! The delight is quickly gone, but the guilt thereof remains to amaze and terrify the soul with ghastly forms, and dreadful representations of the wrath of God. As sin has its delights attending it to enter and fasten it, so it has its horrors and stings to torment and wound: and as certainly as I see those go before it to make a way, so certainly shall I find these follow after, and tread upon its heels. No sooner is the conscience awakened, but all those delights vanish as a night-vision, or as a dream when one awakes; and then I shall cry, Here is the hook, but where is the bait? Here is the guilt and horror, but where the delight that I was promised? And I, whither shall I now go? Ah, my deceitful lusts, you have enticed and left me in the midst of all miseries!

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Failure of Trade.

Observation.-THERE are many sad complaints that trade fails; and though all countries are open and free for traffic, and there is a general peace with all nations, yet there seems to be a dearth of trade, a secret curse upon it. Men run from country to country, and come losers home.

Application. That prosperity and success in trade are from the blessing of God, I suppose few are so atheistical, as openly to deny or question. The devil himself acknowledges it; "Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land,” Job i. 10. It is not in the power of any man to get riches; "Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth," Deut. viii. 18. It is his blessing that makes good men rich, and his permission that makes wicked men rich. That maxim came from hell, "Every man is the maker of his own condition." "The good of man is not in his own hand," Job xxi. 16. "Promotion cometh not from the east nor the west," Psal. lxxvi. 6.

This being acknowledged, it is evident that in all