Othat we would all then nationally and personally humble ourselves under the mighty hand. of God, and turn unto him that smiteth us, that iniquity may not be our ruin, Ezek. xviii. 30. However others do, may I be complying with that sweet invitation, "Come, my people, enter thou into "thy chambers, and shut thy doors about "thee: hide thyself as it were for a little " moment, until the indignation be over"past: For, behold! the Lord cometh out " of his place to punish the inhabitants of "the earth for their iniquity; the earth al" so shall disclose her blood, and fhall no " more cover her flain," Ifa. xxvi. 20, 21.

What becomes of the swallow tribe when they leave us in autumn ? Whether in caverns, or hollow places of the earth they remain in a torpid state during the winter; or emigrate beyond the feas to fome warmer climate; or cluster together and defcend to the bottom of lakes, is equally uncertain, and what naturalists are divided in their opinions about. But not so is it with respect to man when he dieth; for wherein reason is weak in this, revelation steps in to affure us, that man goeth either to heaven or hell.

That all men would wish to be happy at last, is a defire founded in nature; but that any are so at length, is wholly owing to grace. Many, nay, I may say all, defire with Balaam to die the death of the righteous, and to have their last end like his, Num. xxiii. 10. but few truly defire to live a righteous, holy life. Nature alone may make a man request to die happy, but it is grace only that can make any defire, and really live the life of the righteous.

May it then be my care through grace to do so, that in the spring morning of eternity, even that wonderful morning of the refurrection, I may with refspect to my body return from the dust with joy unspeakable and full of glory, I Pet. i. 8. to fing with all the redeemed the fong of Mofes and the Lamb for ever and ever in the paradife of God.

CONTEMPLATION XIV.

:

ON THE

EVENING

OF THE DAY.

THE bright monarch of day having but

a little ago disappeared in the west, darkness beginneth again to refume her ancient reign, and claimeth a primeval right; while the village bell calls the laborious hufbandman from his toil, and invites the weary traveller to rest.

The herds forsake their dewy pastures, and with their udders richly fraught for the dairy, move lowing on, to be discharged of their most nutritious burdens, one of the chief blessings of Canaan: and the woolly tribes are shut up in their folds.

The verdure of the fields darkens on the fight, while night spreadeth her fable veil over the face of nature. Where is now the pleasant landscape I so lately beheld? It is loft to my view: and the warbling people with their wing covered heads fit filent on the spray: only the bird of eve ushers in the gloom with her irksome folitary dirge, while labour reclines her head on the bofom of rest, and balmy fleep endeared by toil refreshes animal life.

And is this delightful day come to an end? O my foul, so shall foon the day of this life, and all its bustle be filenced in the tomb. How much then doth it concern me and all men living, to be putting by our work in our twelve hours! O that while it is called to day we might labour for the meat which perisheth not, but endureth to everlasting life, John vi. 27. seeing the night of death approacheth wherein no man can work; for there is no work, nor device,