that of common men, and _by it obtain witness, that thou art righteous, God testifying of thy gifts_, that they are sincere. When others are ready, like Baal's priests, to _cut themselves_, because their sacrifice will not burn; thou mayest breathe the spirit of Elijah, and in the chariot of contemplation soar aloft, till thy soul and sacrifice gloriously flame, though the flesh and the world should cast upon them all the water of their opposing enmity. Say not, how can mortals ascend to heaven? Faith hath wings, and meditation is its chariot. Faith is as a burning glass to thy sacrifice, and meditation sets it to the face of the sun; only take it not away too soon, but hold it there a while, and thy soul will feel the happy effect. Reader, art thou not thinking, when thou seest a lively Christian, and hearest his lively, fervent prayers, and edifying discourse, "O how happy a man is this! O that my soul were in this blessed condition!" Why, I here advise thee from God, set thy soul conscientiously to this work, _wash thee_ frequently _in_ this Jordan, and thy leprous, dead soul will revive, _and thou shalt know that there is a God in Israel_, and that thou mayest live a vigorous and joyful life, if thou dost not wilfully neglect thy own mercies. § 11. (6.) The frequent believing views of glory are the most precious cordials in all afflictions. These cordials, by cheering our spirits, render our sufferings far more easy; enable us to bear them with patience and joy; and so strengthen our resolutions, that we forsake not Christ for fear of trouble. If the way be ever so rough, can it be tedious, if it lead to heaven? O sweet sickness, reproaches, imprisonments, or death, accompanied with these tastes of our future rest! This keeps the suffering from the soul, so that it can only touch the flesh. Had it not been for that little (alas, too little) taste which I had of rest, my sufferings would have been grievous, and death more terrible. I may say, _I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living_. _Unless_ this promised rest _had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me. Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices if joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord._[306] All sufferings are nothing to us, so far as we have these supporting joys. When persecution and fear hath _shut the doors, Christ_ can _come in, and stand in the midst, and say to his disciples, Peace be unto you_. Paul and Silas can be in