O that we would all then nationally and perfonally humble ourselves under the mighty hand.of God, and turn unto him that fmiteth us, that iniquity may not be our ruin, Ezek. xviii. 30. However others do, may I be complying with that fweet invitation, "Come, my people, enter thou into "thy chambers, and fhut thy doors about "thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be over"paft: For, behold! the Lord cometh out "of his place to punish the inhabitants of "the earth for their iniquity; the earth al"fo fhall difclofe her blood, and fhall no 66 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 ftate 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 naturalifts are divided in their opinions about. But not fo is it with refpect to man when he dieth; for wherein reafon 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 laft, is a defire founded in nature; but that any are so at length, is wholly owing to grace. Many, nay, I may fay all, defire with Balaam to die the death of the righteous, and to have their laft 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 fpring morning of eternity, even that wonderful morning of the refurrection, I may with refpect to my body return from the duft with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1 Pet. i. 8. to fing with all the redeemed the fong of Mofes and the Lamb for ever and ever in the radife of God. pa 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 resume 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 forfake their dewy paftures, and with their udders richly fraught for the dairy, move lowing on, to be discharged of their moft nutritious burdens, one of the chief bleffings of Canaan: and the woolly tribes are fhut up in their folds. The verdure of the fields darkens on the fight, while night fpreadeth her fable veil over the face of nature. Where is now the pleasant landscape I fo 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 solitary dirge, while labour reclines her head on the bofom of reft, and balmy fleep endeared by toil refreshes animal life. And is this delightful day come to an end? O my foul, fo fhall foon the day of this life, and all its buftle 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 everlafting life, John vi. 27. feeing the night of death approacheth wherein no man can work; for there is no work, nor device, |