should have given you water, life, light.

Yet know, the fountains run still, though not for you. The goodness of God is not dried up, though you have abused it. Your not using, or your abusing of the gifts and graces of God could not make a general eclipse of the influence of his goodness to all the world; though to yourselves it doth, to others it doth not. The vision is to all; but if to you, it is become as the words of a book that is sealed, thank yourselves; God deals with you justly, even as you deal with him; for, saith the Lord in Isaiah: Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips, but their heart is removed far from me: therefore, behold I will proceed to do a marvellous work, and a wonder; for the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall be hid. The vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is

sealed. As if he should say: They shall have but the fruit of their own doings, like for like; as they drew near unto me with their lips, and their hearts were far from me: so will I draw near them with my lips, and my heart shall be far from them, &c. Their duties to God were outward and earthly only, therefore he regarded them not.

So, the Messiah, the Shiloh, the hope of the nations, was typified to the Jews as an earthly monarch; and so they expected him, never looking that his kingdom was spiritual; and therefore they were exceedingly offended at his meanness: his glorious coming they expected; his meanness they rejected: In short, (for I must hasten,) their service unto God was earthly, such as the frame of this world represented to them of him; which should have been but their A B C, the rudiments of their religion. Instead of going forward from faith to faith; from the faith

of the letter that killeth, to the faith of the spirit that giveth life, they rested in the letter, and no marvel they famished. They left him who inhabiteth eternity, to make a God to themselves, of the creatures below, which were only let down to draw them up to him into eternity.

Do you once imagine, that the Almighty is so prodigal and profuse of his gifts, that he will bestow them on such as regard them not, but slight them, despise them, and cast them at their heels? Would you not account yourselves fools, if you should distribute your poor, earthly gifts so? The kingdom of heaven is only for those that love it and prize it. The violent take it by force; force of love and affection, which put men on to use force of endeavours, and all their might for it; they can take no nay, but persist till they obtain. Do you think you are fit to be citizens in heaven, who cannot away with

things of heaven? How irksome is an hour's sermon, half an hour's reading, examination of thy soul, &c. When thou art in company with holy persons, engaged in speaking of the dealings of the Lord, and things of a heavenly nature, it is as death or hell to thee! And I pray thee then, what wouldst thou do, if thou wert in heaven but one day, where all their exercises are about heavenly things; and what wouldst thou do there? Thou wouldst quickly wish thyself out again; for nothing there would be suitable to thee, and heaven would be a hell to thee. Then why dost thou talk of heaven, so long as things are thus with thee? Dost thou think heaven and the riches and glory thereof, is to be cast as pearl before swine?

Now, I hope I have answered your question, viz. "Who those men are, whom God shuts up in unbelief:" and can you now blame God for your destruction? Was

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there ever a truer word spoken, thy destruction is of thyself. The Lord, free and absolute in himself, will have mercy on whom he will, and whom he will, he hardeneth: but who art thou, O man! that repliest against God; he is righteous and just in all his ways.

Extracts from a Discourse on Milk for babes, and Meat for strong

men.

UNDER the Law, people were led by outward and visible things, as riches and honour, prosperity and health, long life, and such like things and are not men now, even great and eminent professors, led by much the same things? These are truly, the chief things they desire, and make their petitions to God for; whereas, we should seek first the kingdom of God, and rest quietly in the will of God, whether these things shall be added or not.