Let me perfuade all that peruse this book, to make the fame experiment that I have done : and when they have shut out the world, and are reading in their retirements, let them try how far they can speak this language, and affume these fentiments as their own and by aspiring to follow them, may they find the fame fatisfaction and delight, or at least learn the profitable lesfons of self-abasement and holy fhame: and may a noble and glorious ambition excite in their breasts a facred zeal to emulate fo illustrious an example. Whatsoever ardours of divine love have been kindled, in a foul united to flesh and blood, may also be kindled by the same influences of grace in other spirits, la▾ bouring under the fame clogs and impediments.

But perhaps, it will be neceffary here to give a caution to fome humble Christians, that they would not make these higher elevations of piety and holy joy the teft and standard by which to judge of the fincerity of their own religion. Ten thousand faints are arrived safe at paradise, who have not been favoured like St Paul, with a rapture into the third heaven, nor could ever arise to the affectionate transports, and devout joys of Mrs Rowe; yet I hope all serious readers may find something here, which, through the aids of the bleffed Spirit, may raise them above their usual pitch, may give a new fpring to their religious pleasures, and their immortal hopes, and thereby render their lives more holy and heavenly.

That the publication of this little book may be favoured with the divine bleffing for this happy end, is the fincere defire and request of the publisher, as it was the real motive of the ingeni ous and pious writer, to commit them by my hand to the public view. This fufficiently discovers itself in the following letter:

ΤΟ

THE REVEREND DR WATTS,

At Newington.

SIR,

THE opinion I bave had of your piety and judgment, is the reason of my giving you the trouble of looking over these papers, in order to publish them; which I desire you to do as soon as you can canveniently only you have full liberty to suppress what you think proper.

I think shere can be no vanity in this design, for I am sensible such thoughts as these will not be for the taste of the modish part of the world; and before they appear, I shall be entirely disinterested in the sensure or applause of mortals.

The reflections were occasionally written, and only for my own improvement; but I am not without hopes that they may have the same effect on some pious minds, as the reading the experiences of others have had on my own soul. The experimental part of religion bas generally a greater influence than its theory; and if, when I am sleeping in the dust, these soliloquies should kindle a flame of divine love in the heart of the lowest and most despised Christian, be the glory given to the great Spring of all grace and benignity.

I have now done with mortal things, and all to come is vast eternity! —Eternity !—How transporting is the sound! As long as God exists, my being and happiness is secure. These unbounded desires, which the wide creation cannot limit, shall be satisfied for ever. I shall drink at the fountain bead of pleasure, and be refreshed with the emanations of original life and joy. I shall bear the voice of uncreated barmony, speaking peace and ineffable consolation to my soul.

I expect eternal life, not as a reward of merit, but a pure act of bounty. Detesting myself in every view I can take, I fly to the righ teousness and atonement of my great Redeemer for pardon and salvation ¡

MRS ROWE'S LETTER TO DR WATTS.

127

this is my only consolation and hope. Enter not into judgment, O Lord, with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no flesh be justitified.

Through the blood of the Lamb, I hope for an entire victory over the last enemy; and that before this comes to you, I shall have reached the celestial heights; and while you are reading these lines, I shall be adoring before the throne of God, where faith shall be turned into vision, and these languishing desires satisfied with the full fruition of immortal love. Adieu.

ELIZ. ROWE,

EXERCISES OF THE HEART:

IN

MEDITATION, SOLILOQUY,
PRAYER, PRAISE,

&c. &c. &c.

.............................................0 Thou, my all!
My theme, my inspiration! and my crown!
My strength in age! my rise in low estate!
My soul's ambition, pleasure, wealth,......my world!
My light in darkness! and my life in death!
My boast thro' time! bliss in eternity!
Eternity too short to speak thy praise !'
Or fathom thy profound of love to man!

I. Supreme Love to God.

YOUNG.

WHY, O my God, must this mortal structure

put so great a separation between my soul and thee? I am surrounded with thy essence, yet I cannot perceive thee; I follow thee, and trace thy footsteps in heaven and earth, yet I cannot overtake thee; thou art before me, and I cannot reach thee, and behind me, and I perceive thee not.

O thou, whom unseen, I love, by what powerful influence dost thou attract my soul? The eye has not seen, nor the ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man to conceive what thou art;