Solemn Aspirations of Praise and Gratitude for the Divine Protection and Favour in Individual Particulars

IN WHICH MV SOUL WAS BREATHING AFTER GOD. NOVEMBER 2, 1739.

O MY God! thou art my hope, and my help; my glory, and the lifter up of my head; — my heart rejoices in thy salvation. When I set myself to converse with thee under the influence of thine Holy Spirit, a thousand delightful thoughts spring up at once; a thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, and flow in upon my soul with such refreshment and joy, that they seem to crowd into every moment the happiness of hours, of days, and of weeks.

I praise thee, 0 Lord, for this soul of mine, which thou hast created, and which thou hast taught to say, and I hope to purpose, “Where is God my Maker?” Job xxxv. 10. I bless thee for the knowledge with which thou hast adorned it. I bless thee for that grace with which I may, with humble wonder, say thou hast sanctified it, although, alas! the celestial plant be fixed in too barren a soil, and does not flourish to the degree that I could wish. I praise thee, my God, for that body which thou hast given me, and which thou preservest as yet in its strength and vigour, capable not merely of relishing those entertainments which thou grantest to each of its senses, but, what is, I hope, to me far more valuable, capable of acting with some vigour in thy service. I bless thee for the ease and freedom with which these limbs of mine move themselves, and obey the dictates of my spirit, I hope, as guided by thine. I bless thee, that the keepers of the house do not yet tremble, nor the strong men bow themselves; that those who look out at the windows are not darkened, nor the daughters of music, or the instruments of speech, brought low. I bless thee, O Lord, my God, that the silver cords are not loosened, nor the golden bowl broken; for it is thine hand that braces all my nerves, and thine infinite skill which prepareth those spirits that flow in so freely, and, when exhausted, are recruited so soon, and so plentifully. I praise thee, for that munificence with which thou providest for my daily support; for that various table which thou spreadest before me, and for the overflowing cup which thou puttest into my hands. And I praise thee, that these bounties of thy providence do not serve, as it were, to upbraid a disabled appetite, and are not like messes of meat set before the dead. That no relaxation of the nerves weakens my strength, so as to render it incapable of digesting my food, nor cankers torture my mouth, so as to render it incapable of receiving it. I bless thee, that I eat not my morsel alone, but share it with so many agreeable friends; that my affectionate wife, and my lovely children, and my hopeful and grateful pupils, are with me like olive plants set around my table. And I thank thee for so many friends who are capable of serving me, and so many whom I am capable of serving; and by conversing with whom, through the liberality of the former, I know how much more blessed it is to give than to receive. I thank thee for a heart that can feel the sorrows of the necessitous, and a mind that can, as in this day, make it my earliest care and morning refreshment to contrive for their reUef. For this also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts. Thou awakenest my spirit to seek the way; thou graciously pointest it out, and I humbly hope that thou wilt crown it with success.

And now, O my God, what shall I say? what, but that I love thee above all in the power of language to express. While I feel thy sacred Spirit breathing upon my heart, and exciting these fervours of love to thee, I cannot doubt of its influence, any more than I can doubt of the truth of this animal life while I exert the acts of it. Surely, if ever I knew the appetite of hunger, — my soul hungers after righteousness, and longs for a greater conformity to thy blessed nature and will. If ever my palate felt thirst, — my soul thirsts for God, even the living God! and for a more abundant communication of his favour. If ever my weary body knew what it was to wish for the refreshment of my bed, and longed for rest, — even so my soul, with sweet acquiescence, rests upon thy gracious bosom, O my heavenly Father, and returns to its repose in the embraces of its God, who has dealt so bountifully with it. And if ever I saw the face of a beloved friend or child with complacency and joy, — so I rejoice in beholding thy mercy, O Lord, and in calling thee my Father in Christ. Such thou art, and such thou wilt be for time, and for eternity. What have I more to do but to commit myself to thee for both, and leave thee to choose my inheritance, and order my affairs for me, while all my business is to serve thee, and all my delight to praise thee. My soul follows hard after my God, because his right hand supports me. Let it still bear me up, and I shall still press forward. Amen.