which grow larger as they approach and are about to empty themselves into the great reservoir. In the greater as well as the lesser world, there is a constant circulation maintained; the income is proportioned to the expense, and nothing is wasted. "All rivers," saith Solomon, "run to the sea, yet the sea is not full," or, does not overflow; "to the place from whence the rivers come, thither do they return again ;" but not till, by their innumerable turnings and windings, they have refreshed and enriched large tracts of country in their passage. So divine grace springs up in the heart of a Christian man, as water doth in a fountain, supplied from an invisible and inexhaustible storehouse; it flows forth in his words and actions, doing good to all around it in its course, and is finally swallowed up and lost in the boundless ocean of infinite perfection. Barren and desolate as the sea appears to those who only look upon it and search not into it, yet within its bosom are contained creatures, exceeding in number those that walk and creep upon the land; insomuch that in the sacred language they have their name from a word which signifies to multiply. The ingenuity and industry of man have found means to draw forth these inhabitants of the waters from their deepest recesses; and while they afford to some an agreeable variety of wholesome food, they support multitudes of others whose employment it is to procure them, an employment healthy, honest, carried on in peace and quietness, without tumult, noise, strife, and bloodshed, affording to those who are engaged in it continual opportunities of beholding "the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep." Persons of this occupation, men of plain sense and good hearts, were chosen by our blessed Lord to preach the word of life to the nations, to cast abroad the evangelical net, and to become, as he himself expresses it, "fishers of men." By the invention of shipping, and the art of navigation, the sea is made in reality to join those nations which it appears to divide, the communication being often far more easy and expeditious by water than it would have been by land. The riches of both the Indies are wafted to our shores; we sit at home, and feast upon the productions of every country under heaven, while the superfluity of our own commodities is disposed of to advantage abroad. A friendly intercourse is opened between the most distant lands; savages are humanized, and become proficients in the arts and sciences; the Gospel is preached among them, and the light of truth made to shine upon those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death; they are taught the art of arts and the science of sciences, the art of holy living and the science of salvation. A large vessel, with all its conveniences, constructed in such a manner as to go upon the surface of the water, and to brave the fury of the winds and waves, is, perhaps, the masterpiece of human contrivance; and the Psalmist, when contemplating the wonders of the ocean, cries out in admiration, as if placed in a situation like this of ours-" There go the ships." But while we meditate upon the advantages accruing to mankind from a part of the creation which, at first sight, might seem incapable of affording any, let us not be unmindful of the circumstance which brings us now together, and gives occasion to this discourse. Let the medicinal powers and salutary virtues with which the Almighty hath endued the waters of the sea, be always had in remembrance by those who have happily experienced them; let praise and glory be rendered to the great Physician, who hath made the ocean a magnificent mineral bath, in which, as formerly in the pool of Bethesda, the weak become strong, and the sick whole. And when we behold the mighty works thus wrought for the bodies of men, let us reflect upon that sovereign mercy which in like manner strengthens the infirmities, and heals the diseases of our minds; and let us be equally diligent in using the means appointed to restore them to vigor and purity, that so thus doubly benefited and blessed, we may express the gratitude of our hearts in those divine words of David-" Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name.. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities; who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving kindness and mercy; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy life is renewed like the eagle's." The last use I shall mention which we are to make of the sea is that which the Holy Spirit himself hath so frequently made of it in the Scriptures, namely, to consider it as an emblem of the world and of what is passing therein. Under a smiling, deceitful surface, both conceal dangerous rocks and quicksands, on which the unskillful mariner will strike and be lost; both abound with creatures pursuing and devouring each other, the small and weak becoming a prey to the great and powerful; while in both there is a grand "destroyer, a Leviathan taking his pastime," and seeking the perdition of all. In the voyage of life, we may set out with a still sea and a fair sky; but, ere long, cares and sorrows, troubles and afflictions, overtake us. At God's word, either to punish us or to prove us, from some quarter or other, whence, perhaps, we least expected it, the stormy wind ariseth, and lifteth up the waves; we are carried sometimes up to heaven with hope, sometimes down to the deep with despair, and our soul melteth because of trouble. Then it is that our heavenly Father shows us what poor helpless creatures we are without him; and tribulation becomes the parent of devotion. If we cry unto the Lord in our trouble, he will deliver us out of our distress; if, with the disciples in the Gospel, we go to our Master, saying, "Lord, save us, we perish," he will, as he did then, arise, and re-l buke the winds and the sea; there will be a calm; and we shall arrive in safety at the desired haven. Let us, therefore, conclude by beseeching Almighty God, in the words of our most excellent church, that we who by baptism were "received into the ark of Christ's church, being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally we may come to the land of everlasting life," where all the tossings and agitations of human affairs shall cease, or, as St. John expresses it, where there shall be " no more SEA." DISCOURSE XXXI. THE BLESSING OF A CHEERFUL HEART.. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. are often succeeded by an answerable depression of spirits, and are therefore by our author, in another place, compared to "the crackling of thorns under a pot ;" they blaze for a moment, and expire for ever; whereas cheerfulness is even and constant; though it blaze less, it warms more, and has been very properly called the sunshine of life. AMONG the golden maxims delivered out to discountenance a gloomy discontented cast for the direction of our moral conduct, by of mind, and to recommend in its stead that him on whom it pleased God to bestow "large- habit of being pleased ourselves, and of pleaness of heart as the sand upon the sea shore," sing others, which is best expressed in Engwe meet with several in different parts of the lish by the word cheerfulness: I say habit, book of Proverbs to the same effect with that because herein it stands distinguished from which hath been just now read. "Heavi- those transient flashes of merriment which ness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. All the days of the afflicted are evil; but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." To these passages may be subjoined a very fine one from the book of Ecclesiasticus, written in the spirit and style of Solomon-"Give not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel. The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days. Love thine own soul, and comfort thine heart; remove sorrow far from thee: for sorrow hath killed many, and there is no profit therein. Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness bringeth age before the time."* It is evidently intended in these sentences • Ecclus. xxx. 21. The obligations we lie under to cultivate this happy temper of mind affect us, some, as we are men; others, as we are Christians. The first argument in favor of cheerfulness shall be drawn from the eminent service it is capable of rendering to the body. What powers the soul will possess, or how she will exert them in a separate state, we cannot tell. During her union with the body, she makes use of it as an instrument, and is therefore much concerned to keep it in order, that her own operations may not be impeded. To do this, she cannot take a more effectual way than to establish and preserve in herself a cheerful disposition. The influence which the mind hath upon the body is well known; insomuch that the writers upon health and long life never fail to take the passions into consideration; of which they tell us, that the more sudden and violent ones produce acute diseases, and the slow and lasting ones those which are styled chronical. Among these latter it is certain that no one is more prejudicial to the health of the body than grief, when long indulged and settled into a habit, whatever may have been its cause, great or little, real or imaginary. It contracts and enfeebles the animal spirits, preys upon the strength, and eats out the vigor of the constitution; the radical moisture is consumed, and the unhappy subject of this passion droops like a flower in the scorching heat of sum"A broken spirit," says Solomon, in the words following those of the text, "drieth the bones ;" and, what is worst of all, it prevents the good effects of those medicines which it renders necessary. On the other hand, a cheerful disposition of mind always seconds the endeavors of the physician for the service of the body, and will do half the work in the cure of a distemper; it dilates and invigorates the animal spirits, quickens the fluids, repairs the solids, and maketh the bones fat. Such extensive influence in the little world of man, as well as in the larger one of creation, do the superior parts exert upon those which are inferior. Let "the heavens rejoice," and "the earth will be glad." He, therefore, who would enjoy health while he lives, and live long to enjoy it, must learn to be cheerful. or inconvenience, by a sound and vigorous mind; but when the supporter itself falls and covers the ground with its ruins, then the desolation is complete. "The spirit of a man can sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?" Would we then avoid so sad a catastrophe? we must shun the steps that lead to it. Would we be easy in our thoughts, and masters of ourselves; would we escape from the tyranny of the most pernicious of passions; would we possess a clear judgment, an undisturbed judgment, and an unruffled temper; would we perform all the social offices with alacrity and pleasure; would we relish the comforts of life, and not feel the weight of its troubles; would we, in a word, enjoy serenity and complacency of mind ourselves, and diffuse them around us wherever we go? All these are the privileges of cheerfulness, and unanswerable reasons why we should cultivate that disposition in our own hearts, and press the necessity of so doing on all our acquaintance. A third argument in favor of cheerfulness may be deduced from a survey of the world in which we live, and in which we find things framed not only for necessity but pleasure, not only for use but beauty. The lights which God hath "set in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day from the night, to be for signs and for seasons, for days and for years," while they answer all those purposes according to his ordinance, do, at the same time, cheer and delight us by their splendid appearance. The blossoms of the spring, which serve to protect the infant fruit; the Nor, secondly, does cheerfulness bear an glories of summer, which mature and bring it aspect less friendly on the mind itself, which to perfection; and the riches with which auby melancholy is dejected and broken, and tumn overspreads the face of a country; conbecomes unfit for the performance of its func- tribute as much to the satisfaction of the betions. Under the dominion of such a temper, holder as they do to the husbandman's advana man finds himself unable to bear up against tage. The same genial power which brings the evils of life, or to taste its blessings, pour-food out of the earth for the nourishment of ed in ever so great a profusion around him; the animals that walk upon it, arrays it in a he cannot be a partaker of the light which color the most agreeable and refreshing to the shineth upon others, but walketh on still in eye of man; and let any one who walks forth darkness. "All his days are evil." The at the proper season of the year to contemduties of his station are unperformed; he can plate the creation in its beauty, who beholds neither be of service to his brethren, nor help the brightness of the sun, the clearness of the himself. His judgment is perplexed and con- sky, the verdure of the earth, well watered founded; it is difficult for him to make a re- pastures clothed with flocks, valleys covered solution, and still more so to keep it. His over with corn, and woods resounding with imagination is haunted with fears and ter- the music of birds; let such a one determine rors; his memory serves only to recall the (to use the words of an elegant and pious ideas which feed and increase the disorder; writer upon the subject,) "whether Proviand he becomes a burthen to himself and to dence designed this world should be filled his friends. But how grievous and pitiable with murmurs and repinings, or that the heart a case is this! Perhaps there are few cases of man should be involved in gloom and memore so in the world. Losses and calami- lancholy." * Certainly the Psalmist was of ties, pain and sickness, may be, and often are, supported, without any great difficulty • SPECTATOR. mind has gone a great way towards praise and thanksgiving, that is filled with such a secret gladness. A grateful reflection on the supreme Cause who produces it, sanctifies it in the soul, and gives it its proper value; consecrates every field and wood, and turns an ordinary walk into a morning or evening sacrifice."* Such are the obligations to cultivate a cheerful disposition which affect us as men, wishing to possess a sound mind in a healthful body; to taste the beauties and excellencies of the world in which we are placed; and to make a due return of gratitude and thankfulness to God, who placed us in it. Let us now consider the additional motives afforded us, as Christians, by the religion we profess. another opinion; whose description of the pleasing objects with which nature abounds may supply their absence, and make them present to our minds :-" He sendeth the springs into the valleys which run among the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of heaven have their habitation, and sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruits of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart." A survey of creation drove away all sadness from the heart of David, and filled it with admiration, The nature of that religion is sufficiently joy, and gladness: "O Lord," says he, "how expressed by the term so often used to denote manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou it. It is a communication of good news, made them all: the earth is full of thy riches! which should be received, in this case, as in I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live, I all others, with a joy proportionable to its will sing praise unto my God while I have importance; and as it is of the highest immy being. My meditation of him shall be portance, should be therefore productive of sweet; I will be glad in the Lord." A resolu- the greatest joy. The patriarchs and prophets, tion so just and well founded suggesteth to us a who viewed afar off that wonderful event Fourth argument on the behalf of a cheer- which hath since taken place, were affected ful disposition of mind, as it is a duty we owe by it in a very sensible and lively manner. to our Maker, who hath placed us in a world" Your father Abraham," says our Lord to the thus stocked with objects, capable of inspir- Jews," rejoiced to see my day; and he saw ing complacency and delight. For it was, it, and was glad;" Isaiah is in raptures doubtless, his intention, that by contemplating whenever he has occasion to touch upon the the beauties and glories of the creation, we subject. "How beautiful upon the mounmight be led to make suitable returns of gra- tains are the feet of him that bringeth good titude and thankfulness to the Creator. But tidings!-Break forth into joy, sing together, gloom and melancholy will never suffer emo-ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord tions like these to arise in a mind, of which they have taken possession. Such a temper, therefore, when it is become a fixed and settled one, appears not only to be to the last degree inconvenient and tormenting, but to have a manifest tincture of impiety. To re-glorified himself in Israel." When the preceive the gifts of Heaven with a sour aspect and a sullen silence, what is it but to throw them back with disdain to the bountiful Donor, declaring that we will have none of them? It is the rebellious obstinacy of a wayward child, against the gracious offers of the most indulgent of Fathers. Whereas a cheerful state of mind, to use the words of the excellent writer before cited, is "a constant, habitual gratitude to the great Author of nature; an implicit praise and thanksgiving to Providence under all its dispensation;; a kind of acquiescence in the state wherein we are placed, and a secret approbation of the divine will in its conduct towards man. The cheerfulness of heart which springs up in us from the survey of nature's works, is an admirable preparation for gratitude. The hath comforted his people. Sing, O heavens, dictions were accomplished, and the Divine * SPECTATOR. the apostle exhorts all Christians to do, they |nounce the world, and to mortify the flesh; "rejoiced evermore.". to abstain from jollity and pleasure; to deny ourselves, to fast, to watch and to pray? How then can such a religion as this be a source of cheerfulness and joy? It is most certainly true, that the Gospel calleth us to repentance; it is equally true, that repentance is attended by mourning. But is this the fault of religion, or of the sinner? Of the sinner, surely, who by his conduct makes repentance necessary, and then is angry to find that it is not agreeable. Physic is seldom so; and he who has contracted a disease, must submit to the remedy, if he would recover his health. But the fact is, that true penitents have never failed to declare, they felt a greater joy in the midst of their sorrow, through a comfortable sense of God's returning favor, than ever they did in the commission of their sin, which was sure to be followed, if it were not accompanied, by the stings and terrors of conscience. Nor can we wonder that the Gospel should, in its name and nature, portend joy, when we reflect that its end was to deliver mankind from sorrow. Sorrow first entered into the world, as a necessary attendant on sin, which filled the minds of men with disquietude and anxiety, their bodies with diseases and pains. The Gospel removes the former by the pardon it holds forth, and, enables us cheerfully to bear the latter by the grace it confers; God therefore represents himself in it, as "the God of love, and of all consolation." Our Lord calls us to him, that he may "give us rest and refreshment; " that he may "wipe all tears from our eyes; " that we may 66 enter into our Master's joy;" and that "our joy may be full." For this purpose he has sent us a blessed "Comforter to abide with us for ever," whose first fruits are, "love, joy, and peace; a Spirit, cheerful in himself, and making those cheerful who are partakers of him; cheerful in trouble, cheerful out of trouble; cheerful while they live, cheerful when they die; cheerful in using well the blessings of this life, cheerful in expecting the blessedness of the next; cheerful through faith, while they believe in the great and precious promises made to them; cheerful through hope, which depends upon their accomplishment; cheerful through charity, in doing acts of mercy and loving kindness; till they come to that land of plenty, where none shall want; to those regions of joy, from a word, there is infinitely more joy in subduwhence sorrow shall be for ever excluded. As to the world and the flesh, jollity and pleasure, if we are commanded to renounce, to mortify, and to abstain from them, it is by way of friendly caution; lest they should endanger the health of our minds, and bring on a relapse. They are taken from us by the kind hand of our heavenly Father, that something more wholesome, and more truly delightful, may be communicated to us, and relished by us. "Be not drunk with wine," says the apostle; "but be filled with the Spirit." And he who makes the exchange can be no loser by it. In ing a passion, than there can be in gratifying There is no occasion to be more par icular it; and, if we are to be determined by expeupon this topic. It appears evidently, that rienced persons, who have fairly tried both, whether we consider the name, the nature, they tell us, the pleasures of sin are far infe or the end of the Gospel, its Author, its doc- rior to those afforded even by the severest and trines, its duties, or the Spirit which accom- most unpromising exercises of religion. The panies it; every way, it is a dispensation of objection, therefore, when considered and anlove and peace, consolation and joy. So that swered, turns out (as all objections in the end a good Christian, of all men, has most cause do) to the advantage of the Gospel; which to be cheerful. Some have gone so far as to resembles a fine country in the spring season, affirm, that it is impious in such a one to be where the very hedges are in bloom, and every otherwise. thorn produces a flower. The joys of the A celebrated writer on the side of sceptic-world end in sorrow; but the sorrows of reism and irreligion, in a book published since ligion terminate in joy. "Blessed are they his death, to recommend atheism to the world, that mourn; for they shall be comforted." has been pleased to say, that all the devout And it is very observable, that our Lord enpersons he had ever seen were melancholy. joins his disciples not to appear abroad with This might very possibly be; for in the first a sour and gloomy countenance, but, in their place, it is most likely, that he saw very few, converse with mankind, to preserve their his friends and acquaintance being of another usual cheerfulness, even at those seasons when sort; and secondly, the sight of him would they are exercising upon themselves any act make a devout person melancholy at any time. of religious discipline, "When ye fast, be But it may be said, How can these things not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance : be? Doth not the Gospel call us to repent- for they disfigure their faces, that they may ance? And is not repentance attended by appear unto men to fast. But thou, when mourning? Are we not commanded to re- thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy |