v * ju- j forting yourfelyes from, and confirming yourfelves in the \\0p2 of this happinefs : all ye who are fled to Chrift for refuge; iuppofe ye be under ^tribulation now, there is a time coming when ye will get out of it : and though a body of death trouble you, and wants, opprefsion, poverty, hunger, nakednefs, I £cc keep you at under ; yet, when, ye come to heaven ye mail be troubled with none of thcie things : none are poor, but all are rich there j none are naked, but PRINCETON, N. J. Collection of Puritan Literature. Division Section Number T0 51 without mtermifsion. The more ipiritual, conftant and immediate our iervice is : the more it is like heaven : thus we enter in God's reft, Heb iv. 10. when we ceafe from our own works and do his* 2. To be enjoying God's company, though not in that immediate way as in heaven, yet by faith in him, and by his lpirit in us, and by the having our con- version liit up to him, Col. iii 1^1. This is the earneft and iirft fruits of glory, much nearness and communion with God makcth us like heaven :' the likeft thing to it in the world, is to dwel T ; - hir* ^^T with him. 3. To be in Ch rift's rlc DIVINE MEDITATIONS AND CONTEMPLATIONS, i n f?f>:y^xM PROSE and VERSE, Oq forne of the moft Important and Interesting DOCTRINES of CHRISTIANITY. IN' FIVE PARTS, viz. • f>4 Part I. Contains Meditations on the Unity of God, a Trinity of Perfons in the Unity of Eflence, with the Neceflity of a Saviour. Part II. Confifts of Meditations on the Attributes, Perfections, Ex- cellencies} &c. of God the Fa- ther. Jart III. Compofed of Contempla- tions on the Engagements, Quali fications, Performances, &c. of God the Son. Part IV. Is made up of Soliloquies concerning the various Operati- ons, Influences, Applications, &c. of God the Holy Ghost. Part V. Confiding of a Soliloquy Oil the Happinefs of the Saints, Theo- logical Queftions propounded and folved ; with feveral Poems. By JOHN HENDERSON*, Late Shipmafter in BorrowfrounnefSi To which is prefixed* An Account of the Author, and the Accurate View he takes of hirnfelf both in the Glafs of the Law and Go/pel, with the Solemn Transaction that patted between God and him; The righteous Jhall be had in everlajling reme?nb ranee, PsAL . cxii. 6. GLASGOW: Printed for J a mes Thomson-, Merchant in EdinburgMB nv aikl fold by him at his Shop in Grafs-market, and by J, I^H - '■«. a v, and J.Wood, Bookfellers in Edinburgh: and R.. Smith", jun. Book- feller in th; Salt-njercat, Glafgow. ► M.DC C.LXIII. i t^< ,><• .V* * PREFACE. AMIDST the vaft variety of books emitted into die world, thefe " of a religious nature certainly claim the moft favourable re- ception from the public. This, however, is not always the fate of"* religious productions ; the very reverie items to have been too much the cafe of late years : and it is not difficult to afcertain the prevail-* ing fentiments of the age, if we are attentive to their turn of mind in reading, and the efteem and relifli they have for books of a certain compofition. Thefe of the Infidel and Libertine difpofition give themfelves little trouble in perufing writings that are .truly evange- lical, let them be wrote with never fuch ftrtngth of argument, or fluency of expreffion : if they occafionaliy fall into their hand* they: ufually lay them afide, by faying, There is nothing entertaining to be found in them ; and there is no end of fuch performances. — Indeed there is a vail impropriety in the allegation : for, as there is a reality in religion ; fo there is a certain pleafure, and a real fatif- faction in the exercife of it : though Jl rangers intermeddle not w'ith their joy. And that there fliould be no end of fuch, is not iurprif- ' ing; for, when Christ is the theme, the infpired evangelift tells us, The world it f elf could not contain the books that might be wrote of him. Thefe Meditations of Mr. Henderson's, now firff offered to the public, are wholly of this kind. The three adorable Merlons of the ever bleffed Trinity, are the fubject matter of them : the be- < ing, attributes, and perfections of God the Father ; the engage- ments, qualifications, and performances of God the Son; and the influences and operations of God the Holy Ghoft , are the theme on which the Meditations are founded. — Though feveral meditations have been publifhed of a religious .nature ; yet, there hath hardly been any, all circumftances confidered, to parallel thefe now exhi- bited to the world. And, we imagine, there are feveral things fhould recommend them to the public. •. The Excellency of the fubjecls themfelves is fufficient tore- commend them : they are of the moft important and interefling na- ture. Of all fubjects of meditation, thefe concerning religion are the belt; and of all points in religion, thofe relative to the Perfons of the adorable Trinity ought to get the preference : the excellency ' of the Deity juftly merits our greateft attention and higheff efteem. Of all knowledge, that of God, and the things of God, i: moft im- portant; that of Chrjit, and him crucified, the moft beneficial;, that of the Spirit, and his influences, the moft comforting. A fpe- • eulative knowledge of the peculiar doctrines of Chriftian'^ty is very commendable ; but a practical acquaintance with them is more pro-' a . fitable : VI PREFACE. fitable : a fpeculative knowledge of the principles of religion may be in the head, where there is no laving acquaintance of the power and efficacy of them upon the heart. The reader, by a careful per- ufal of thefe Meditations, now offered to the public, will eafily per- ceive, that the author hath made choice of the moft interefting to- pics of meditation ; that he meditated on what he believed and loved 1 *, and wrote what he knew and experienced. And who knows but the reader, by a diligent ufe of them, may attain more fellow- ship with the Father, in his love ; with Chrift, in his grace ; and the Spirit, in his influences, than before ; and really come to more faving acquaintance with thefe things which make wife unto falva- tion ? For obtaining which valuable purpofes,, thefe Meditations feem .well adapted. Not only the excellency of the Subjects, but the agreeable manner in which they are handled, will, no doubt, make them acceptable to the reader. They are not wrote in a loofe and over- ly manner, nor an incoherent narration of matters; they are wrote by-way oiferious Meditation and divine Soliloquy. As they are up- on the moft eSfential points of Chriftianity ; fo they are wrote in the moft devout ftrain, handled in a regular and methodical man- ner, and with confiderable perfpicuity ; and all along the Subject brought home dole to his own foul. As the author had a clear head for, and a great delight in religious topics ; fo the fituation of life he was in for a long time, being mailer of a trading veSTel, gave him opportunity for venting the fentiments of his great mind, he having employed any leifure time he had, when at lea, or lying in harbour, to write many of them ; and thefe meditations, now emit- ted to the public, exhibit an excellent fpecimen of him. They were primarily intended to divert him from roving upon vanity, and to form in his own mind juft notions of the fupreme Being, true fentiments of himlelf, a becoming regard for divine things, and a juft relifh for that religion which is pure and undcjilcd. And, in- deed, they feem well calculated to excite the heart to the practice of true religion and fincerc piety, efpecially that which is moft fe- rret and retired ; and appear well adapted to warm and enliven the affections in the excrcife of ferious and fervent devotion. The Subjects are not only wifely chofen, but confift of a beau- tiful variety, being above an hundred in number, and happi- ly and agreeably executed : executed in fuch a manner, as they may, by the blefling of God, induce ftrangers to God to fall in love with religion ; excite, enable, s-.nd affift young Chriftians to hold on their way ; and even Strengthen and confirm thofe of longer ftanding in Chriftianity. A trealife of fuch a nature as this, So pregnant with heavenly matter, framed to inform the mind in i'o many PREFACE. vii many of the moft fublime and efTential doctrines of God, cannot fail to meet with proper encouragement, and a favourable recep- tion from all the true friends to the dotlrine, -which is according to godlinefs ; and lovers of that knowledge, which maketh wife unto Jalvation. Thefe Meditations being the compofition of what we call a Layman, will, no doubt, have a tendency rather to recommend them, than influence any to difrelifh them. Many in writing up- on particular topics, are often excited thereto, either for applaufe or profit ; neither of which motives can be attributed to our Au- thor. They rather appear to be the genuine dictates of the divine Spirit, co-operating upon a heart truly affected to the efTential doc- trines of Chriftianity. And this is not always the cafe, even with au- thors who write upon divine fubjects; for, many times a learned and judicious head is a companion to a very unhallowed heart. The well-known character and pious difpofition of the Au- thor, ought, and will, no doubt, recommend and make them a wel- come prefent to thofe who had the pleafure of a perfonal acquain- tance with him ; and even raife their expectations to a consider- able pitch. Perfons who have diffinguifhed themfelves in the learn- ed world, by their productions, are generally highly efteemed; and any thing publifhed by them, generally admired : the reputa- tion of authors tends very much to promote the fpeedy circulation of their performances. Mr. Henderson is not as yet known in the world as an Author, (his modefty not permiting him to publifh any thing in his life- time,) though well known by many as a good man, and a fingular Chriftian, which is a more diftinguifhed character. Had it been his happinefs to have been favoured with a liberal educa- tion, as was really intended, it is more than probable he would have made a very flourifhing appearance, and obtained a place amongfl the firff rank of the Literati ; for, it is acknowledged, he pofTefTed many natural endowments ; he had a clear head, a fine fancy, a lb- lid judgment, and a rich invention. But probably it may be expected, by the curious and inqui- fitive, for the fake of thofe who were unacquainted with him, that we fhould give a fhort fketch of what was eminent in him. Why, from the happy period, in which it pleafed God, in his infinite mercy, to work a fupernatural change upon his foul, and reveal his Son in him, he diftinguifhed himfelf by being pofTefTed of many of the graces of the Spirit; as faith, love, humility, meeknefs, &c. ; many focial virtues ; as fobriety, prudence, temperance, juflice, e- quity, fee. ; and gave uncontefted evidences of his being the fin* cere Chriflian and genuine difciple of the blefTed Jefus, by his ten- der and circumfpect walk, pious and evangelical converfation, re- a a gular tili PREFACE. gular and commendable deportment ; for, indeed, he pofTefTed a heart truly and deeply exercifed to godlinefs. — As he looked up- on himfelf to be a ftriking inftance of the freedom and fovereignty of the grace of God ; for, he ever afterwards had a peculiar regard for the doctrines of grace, and of free j unification, through the imputed righteoufheis of Chrifr : and accordingly, through all his Meditations, and other writings, palled high encomiums there- upon, and looked upon himfelf as infinitely indebted thereto. From the time he commenced Chrilrian, there were feveral things that he excelled in. As he was a debtor to free grace ; fo he had an uncommon eff eem for the Lord Jefus Chrijl, through which this grace vented to him ; and ever after fpoke of him with the greateft awe, reverence, and affection ; and compofed an incre- dible number of poems upon the name Jesus Christ : and when he obtained any remarkable deliverance, either from danger or trouble, e-xprefled his gratitude to God ; and, in compofing fome verfes on that Name, that it might remain as a future memorial of the affair. — As he had an uncommon eifeem for the name of Je- fiis ; fo he put a fingular value upon the sacreb volume, which contains the miraculous fayings and blelfed doctrines of the ever- lafting gofpel. The Bible was to him the molt valuable of all books : he made it his conffant companion ; feemed to be well acquaint- ed with its precepts; and could, upon all proper occafions, quote appofite paffages of it, to the point in hand, with great facility. And when he intended at any time to make a prefent to a dear friend, he thought he never could make fuch a fuitable one as a copy thereof, with fuitable directions how to perufe it. — As he. had a peculiar regard for the name of J ejus, and the word of God; lb he had vaft regard for the Lord's Day, both as it was a com- memoration of the work of redemption as finifhed, with refpect Co par chafe, and as it was particularly refreshing to himfelf; and therefore endeavoured to fanctify it aright, by being fuitably ex- erciied thereon, and performing the incumbent duties thereof. The manner of his obferving the Sabbath, in private and fecret, is pretty fingular : his ordinary method was, to convocate his family four times, to praife God, read a portion of his word, and call up- on his Name in prayer ; once in the morning, than betwixt fermons, ibon after them, and again at night : befides this, he ufed to retire to his clofet, at kzhfeven times, to worihip God in fecret. And that he might be the more capacitated to perform thefe duties with vivacity of fpirit, he eat none from morning till night, till his natural flrength of body began to fail ; and even then be did it but iparingly. It is fuppofedit was on this day the -Lord firit manifeft- cd himfelf favingly to him : however this bs, it is certain hi got, PREFACE. ix on that day, feveral very lingular and remarkable manifeftations of his love and mercy : and he compoled feveral poems on the Lord's Day. — He had alio a great love to the inftituted ordinances of God; and that both public and private. The word preached, efpecially when the fublime doctrines of Chriftianity were held, forth in their genuine fimplicity and purity, were of a fweet-fmel- ling favour to him : io amiable were the tabernacles of God unto him, that he could not be reftrained from attending upon them even when natural weaknefs and bodily indifpofition, feemed-to be a neceffary call to him to do it : and the very Sabbath before his death, feemed more chearful than ordinary, performed family wor- fhip with livelinefs, and went twice to church, though he only furvived two days thereafter. Pray ing and praifing were acts of de- votion he had a fingular delight in ; and enjoyed much of the Lord's prefence when engaged therein. He had an unfpeakable fatisfaction in commemorating the death zxAfufferings of the Lord Jefus ; becaufe therein was exhibited a lively emblem of the love of God, in giving Chrifl to be a Saviour for finners; and the love of Chriif , in giving himfelf to be an offering and a facrifice to God of a fweet-fmelling favour in the room of finners; and as fignal pledges of that love were frequently let out to his own foul on thefe occafions, and he refreshed as with marrow and fatnefs. He was of fuch a pious turn of mind, that, on all proper occa- fions in company, he ufed to introduce converfation upon fome reli- gious fubject ; and feemed to be never more in his element than when fo engaged. And even in the tranfacting of bufinefs,. with fuch perfons as he knew reliihed it, had his- letters written in a pious ftrain, and fome judicious reflections in them : and wrote many to his relatives and intimates upon religious matters ; tendering the moft wholefome advices to them in their extremity, and fympathi- zing with them, in their diftreffes, in the warmeil and moft. affectio- nate manner. — Few perfons were moregiveq tofpiritual mindednefs than he, or knew better how to redeem the time, and to be diligent in biifinefs, fervent in fpirit , ferving the Lard. He was defcended from refpectable progenitors, being himfelf the immediate fon of Richard Henderson, merchant and fac- tor inBorrowftounnefs ; but, which is If ill more honourable, fome of them very remarkable for their piety, particularly his mother, Christian Waldy. As fhe did all in her power to train him up in the paths of religion and virtue, fo he was at vaft pains to have his own offspring rightly inftructed in the principles of Chriftia- nity. And, though a moft indulgent parent; yet never ceafed, through fondnefs, to correct vice ,when it took place ; and reprove folly, when it appeared. Although he was of a very benevolent and beneficent difpo/ition a 3 to- x PREFACE. towards all his relatives, friends, and acquaintances, yet he had a peculiar complacency in the faints ; they were to him the excellent ones of the earth, in -whom was all his delight : where-ever he found them he efleemed them ; if they were amongft his accquaintances, he admired them ; if amongft his relatives, he carrefTed them, and his foul was knit to them like David's to Jonathan. He viewed them all as members of the fame myftical body, joined to the fame glorious Head, and deftined to the fame heavenly kingdom ; and therefore lived with them as heirs of the grace of lift. He was fingularly privileged with difplays of ;he Lord's good- nefs to him the greateft part of his life ; and was greatly favoured by him at his death. He had enjoyed fo much of God in the body, that he wanted to be home, that he might polTefs him more fully. Though he could lay with Paul, that for him to live was Chrifl ; yet he knew, that to die was gain. He feemed to have fome pre- fages of his approaching diffolution ; for, he told his Daughter, a few days before his death, That he was certain that he wasfoon to die. And, indeed, for about a fortnight before his death, he feemed to be wholly fwallowed up in divine contemplation, and his mind intenfely fixed upon fpiritual objects. He bore his laft fhort illnefs with great patience, Chriftian fortitude, and firm refolution. A little before his death, he imitated the old Patriarch Jacob, in blefTing fome of his friends and acquaintances, praying, That Jacob's Cod, and Zion's King might blefs them : and when his diffolution drew nigh, like the bleffed Redeemer, who, when hleffmg his difci- fles, was parted from them ; fo he joined hands with his relations, prayed for bleffings upon them, and with the greateft compofure and fulleft afTurance, with eyes lifted up to heaven, refigned his fpirit to God who gave it. In fhort, in whatever point of light we reprefent Mr. Hender- son, there is fomething amiable about him. Were we to view him in his domeftic capacity; we will find he was a loving and an affec- tionate hufband, a tender and an indulgent parent : if we confider him in his relative capacity; he was a conflant friend and an ind ear- ing relation : if we were to point him forth in his fecial qualities ; we would fee him a benevolent brother, and an agreeable companion. But, it is not fo much the man as his writings we are at prefent concerned with ; in regard an account of the Author is wrote by the minifter of the place where he refided ; moft of which is founded upon perfonal knowledge of him : and therefore we muft not here anticipate or repeat what is there faid concerning him. As the work is poflhumous, fo it takes away any imputation of vanity in the Author. Neither is lucrative views aimed at in the publication, but the public good. G LAS COW, NOV. 7 ITT c „ 15th, 1763. s A SHORT ACCOUNT O F T H E AUTHOR m THE Author of the following Meditations, having been but little known in the world, when alive, thofe concerned in the publication of them, thought it might not be improper to give fome account of him to the public, for whofe benefit fome of his writings are now printed. He was born at Borrowftminnefs, May 25th 1686; and as he appeared to have a good genius, his parents propofed to give him a liberal education ; but, having been feverely whipped by his matter for a fault, of which he had not been guilty, he refufed to go any more to fchool, which he often afterwards fpokeof to his friends, with deep regret and concern. He went to fea, anno 1700; and, after ferving an apprentice- fliip to Captain Alexander Stark, he continued in the fea-faring way, till anno 1739; when, upon account of bodily indifpofition, he was obliged to ftay at home. Immediately after his apprenticefhip was ended, he failed for feveral years in foreign vejfels, or infbips of war, and privateers. "Whence, converfing with loofe and dhTolute company, he, for fbmetime, indulged himfelf in their corrupt practices ; though, as he afterwards told a friend, the good infractions that he had re- ceived, particularly from his mother, before he went to fea, were often a reflraint upon him, and did not allow him, to fin with that freedom that others did. At what particular time he became truly religious, we cannot precifely fay ; only it appears, from fome of his writings, that it was in his youth ; for then he emploj^ed himfelf, in obferving the various occurrences of divine Providence towards him, and com- pofed many poems, on the deliverances, that God was gracioufly pleafed to favour him with.. His Bible was his conjlant companion, which he carried with him where-ever he went; and he would have rather parted with every thing in the world, than with it. Of this he gave the fol- lowing ftrong proof. When in time of war, he was taken by the enemy, and was ftripped of all his clothes, he patiently bore the lofs of them : bwt when a Spaniard took his Bible from him, and a 4 at- xil A 'SHORT ''ACCOUNT attempted to throw it into the fire, faying, in his language, // was not good ; he run and ihatched it "from him, faying, It was good : which .he Spaniard was io far from refenting, that he flood mute. "When at lea, he was a careful obierver of divine Providence ; and much affected with the many favourable interpofitions of it in his behalf: many of which he has recorded in his writings. .•For fometime before he left the fea, he was majier of a merchant Jloip s and while in that flattop "was often expofeel to great immi- nent dangers, and favoured/, with many remarkable deliverances, for which he exprefled his nxpft grateful fenie of the divine good- nefs ; an d earneflly defir'ed he might be enabled to make a fuitable improvement of it. After he was obliged, through bodily indifpofition, to give p- ver going to fea, he was employed at Borrowftounnefs in fever al different offices; the duties of all which he difcharged with the greatelt fidelity and exaftnels, in obedience to the command, and from a regard to 'the authority of his God : as indeed he evidently appeared to make confeience of every commanded duty, both with, regard to God and man. He was frequently engaged in the duties of piety and devotion, when his ordinary bufineis in life would permit. As often as he conveniently could, he retired to his clofet, where he employed much of his time in meditating upon divine and fpiritual fubjects, as appears from what is now publifhed, which contains only a 'final! part of what he wrote; for he has compofed many Poems on the Perfctlions of God, the Ten commandments ; on our Redemp- tion by Jefiis Chri/l ; and the various Graces of the Holy Spirit. He wrote many Acrojlics on the name Jesus Christ; a name peculiarly dear to him ; and feveral verfes, in which he fpirituali- zes Navigation ; which he feems to have fully underflood. What is now pub lified, and many other Meditations, wrote by him, now in the hands of his Daughi er, he compofed, as he laid himfelf, to keep his hand from wandering and fix it upon di- vine and fpiritual fubj efts. It is probable he never defigned they fhouil come abroad into the world; though, when under a levere' indifpofition, fome months before his death, being afked by one, whether, if his furviving relations fhould think fit to publilh any of his writings, after his death, he would agree to it ; he anfwer- ed, Jujl as they plea fe. His Daughter therefore, (now fpoufe to Mr. JamesThom- Son, merchant in Edinburgh) having fhown them to feveral per- fbns of judgment and piety, they were of opinion, that though Mr. Henderson's writings might not be fo accurate as the ,\ s, who had greater advantages of education and time, to at - OF THE AUTHOR. 35 range their thoughts, and though they could not be revifed by him, with a view to their being publilhed, yet they might, through the bleffing of God, be of great ule to many, as they contain fuch plain proofs and evidences of the Author's being taught, by the Holy Spirit, the reality of religion, and the clear views that true Chriftians may have, both oi the doctrines and duties of it, though deprived of the advantages of human learning ; and as they mow, how he, who was many years much abroad, and when at home, was engaged in a variety of worldly bufmefs, employed his leifure hours, and carefully redeemed time ; and at how great pains he was to have his mind fixed on divine andfpiritual things. And they parti- culaflv hope, that thefe his writings, may be of ufe to Sailors, efpc* dally to thofe who knew and were acquainted with him, when alive. What is now publilhed, fhows, that he had the highejland majt. exalted thoughts of God ; and, indeed, he difcovered thefe on all occafions : for he never fpoke of him, but with the greateft awe and reverence : and when employed in pious and devout exercifes with others, in the duties of prayer, praife, or hearing the word of God, he was then all reverence and attention; all life ?,nd fpirit, and devotion : particularly in all the different parts of prayer, he exprefTed himfelf in the mofl devout and proper, and affecting man- ner ; and was always deeply affected himfelt. He mowed the moft: inviolable regard for 'the Lord's day: and not only performed the fecret and private duties required on ir, but likewile regularly attended upon the public ordinances of the gofpel ; and plainly difcovered, that he waited on them, as the or- dinances of Chrift, and depended upon him, and not on the difpenfers of them, for fuccefs unto them, as he never allowed himfelf to be carried about with every wind of doctrine, nor difcovered thefe Itch - ing ears, which too many give way to. It was his great care to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. When he was deprived of opportunities of attending upon the preaching of the gofpel, he applied himfelf to the fecret duties of re- ligion, on the Lord's day, where-ever he was, whether at home of abroad, in which God was gracioufly pleafed to favour him with fbme diftinguifhing manifeitations of his grace and mercy. One re- markable inflance of this he has recorded in one of his journals \ viz. anno 1720. being atArundale, in Norway, as he had not con- venience for long retirement, on board the fhip, he ufed to goon K fhoar, on the Lord's day morning, and employ himfelf through the day, in reading, meditation, and prayer, among the rocks: and in the above mentioned journal he thus writes; " I ought to re- " member, that during our ftay at Arundale, upon the fides of the " barren adjacent rock?,, or hills, I was favoured with fbme gra- " clous Xiv A SHORT ACCOUNT ** clous difcoveries of the covenant of grace, fuch as I never had be- " fprej neither, with refpecl: to continuance, have I ever had the " like fince." In his behaviour towards men, he was moft harmlefs and inno- fenfive ; carefully fhunning to give offence to any, and ready to do whatever acts and offices of kindnefs were in his power, to all. When he was injured b\ others, he patiently bore it, and was ne- ver known to refent it : and if at any time he was furprized into paflion, by a fudden and unexpected injury, he bitterly bewailed it ; and would fpeak of his being off his guard with the greateft concern, and deep regret. He was, in a particular manner, remarkable for his humility, modefiy, and felf denial : and often fpoke in the moft feeling man- ner of pride and felf having fo much fway over him ; though none of his moft intimate friends or acquaintances could ever juftly charge him with either. He was for many years a member of the kirk-fejfion of Borrow- Jloimncfs ; and was moft careful and diligent in the duties of his office, always mewing a fuitable concern for the intereft of religion, and fuccefs of the gofpel, and care to difcourage fin and wicked- nefs ; though, through a modefty, almoft peculiar to himfelf, he was flow in giving his opinion about many things, of which he was a very competent judge. It pleafed God to exercife him with a variety of afflitlions . At fixteen years of age, he loft the fight of one of his eyes, by a fall into a fhip's hold ; he laboured under a flux for two years and two months together ; was afflicted with the lofs of children, and grand- children ; and went through feveral other very diftreffing fcenes of life : all which he endured with the greateft patience, and fubmif- flon to the will of God; and never murmured or repined, even under the heavieft afflictions. In November, anno 1757. he was feized with a fevere pain in his left fide ; which he thought might end in death, and then wrote his daughter in the following manner. " If it is the will of " my God, and his appointed time is come, I wifh he may fit " me to a chearful fubmiffion to his good and holy will : my hope " is in his own word ; and I have all my dependence fixed on his " fbvereign free grace, I commit my foul, and all, to his wife " and well-ordering providence. He has been, and will be my -' guide, through time, and my complete portion, throughout the " endlefs ages of eternity. O ! that his Chrift may be my Jefus, " his»Holy Spirit my Monitor and Manager, and fupport me while ** here in this valley of tears. Remember me at a throne of grace, " when you are admitted free accefs there/' About OF THE AUTHOR, x? About this time too, viz. in December the fame year, he wrote the following verfes, which, becaufc they (hew how he was exer- cited under his afflictions, are here fubjoined. I'm now approach'd the brink of paffing time ; Save me, fweet Jefus, by thy pow'r fublime. Be thou at my right-hand j before thy face Cloath'd let me be, with thy pure righteoufnefs. Dip me in fountain of thy precious blood. Lord, make me holy, pure, and truly good. Is't now thy time ? O come and carry me Safe in thy arms, thro' Jordan's raging lea. Her foaming billows calm, and make them ftiU, And bring me fafe to Zion's upper hill. Till there, till then, my poor diftreffed foul Can never right enjoy thy favour full. Jefus, the "Wifdom and the Pow'r of God, Knew this full well, when for a fafe abode Of his elect, to God he did propofe. His will 'twas, Father, O do thou difpofe, That where I am, they may be, and behold Me in my glory cpnfummate enroll'd. 'Tis in God's prefence, paradife divine ! Chrift does exift, there does his glory fliine I 'Tis there redeemed fouls rejoice, and fing Frefh notes of praife, to Jefus Chrift the King, 'Tis there, my foul, the promis'd reft is given To elect fouls, and denizons of heav'n. 'Tis there they're at their everlafting home : Eternal joy their portion's now become. 'Tis there they're lovely, and with great delight . They love and praife th' eternal God of might. Renowned angels, fix'd in glory's ftate, And faints, themfelves, thy now afTociate. O happy ! yea, thrice happy mull they be, Who mail poflefs fuch an eternity ! Lord, grant, thro' Chrift, that I thy fon become, And take me hence into that heav'nly home. Jefus moft fweet be now my guardian : Embrace my foul, make me true Chriftian. Come, while I hover on the brim of time ; Honour me with the marriage moft fublime. Revive my foul ; for comfort tell to me, In pajadife that thou wilt meet with me, Since xt! A SHORT ACCOUNT. Since there it is that bleffings are complete That tend the life, both conjugal and fweet. In the month of May, anno 1758, having gone to Edinburgh, to fee his daughter, and her hufband, after flaying a few days there, he was feized with what is called an Iliac pajjion ; the pain of which he endured with the greateff calmneis and lerenity. When under this trouble, his daughter afked him, ' If he frill adhered to what 'he had formerly believed, concerning the way of falvation by ' Jefus Chrift ?' To which he anfwered, " I know no other way; " I defire no other way ; I will feek no other way ; I defpife all " other ways." And the laft words he uttered were thele, My Lord, and my God, for immediately after, he died without a llgh or groan, or any change in his countenance, in the feventy fecond of year his age. Mark the perfetl man, and behold the upright ; end of that man is peace. Thus I have given this fhort account of Mr. Henderson, of which a great part is founded upon perfonal knowledge, and feveral years intimate acquaintance with him; but the following Medi- tations will give a more juft and full view of his temper and behaviour, than any thing I can write concerning him. I fincerely wifh that both may be blefl of God to all into whofe hands they may come. Pat. Baillie. Borrowikmnnefs, 7 March* 1763. 5 ERRATA and CORRIGENDA. Page 3. line 5. from the foot, dele/elf. P. 8. 1. 1. for breathed, r. breathed/l. Ibid. 1. 1 1. for enjoined, r. didfi enjoin. P. 1 1 . 1. 36. for independing, r. independent. P. 14. 1. 19. after revealed, r. in. lb. for cannot, r. canjl not. If any think the figurative expreffion, p. 15. 1. 40. do live, and breath, and walk, too ftrong, they may read, are clearly difccvered. THE [ xvii ] THE CONTENTS. INTRODUTION, Containing the View the Author takes of himfelf, both in the Glafs of the Law and the Gofpel; with the Solemn Tranfattion that pafled betwixt him and God, p. xxi Sett. I. The Soul's taking a View of it/elf in the Glafs if the Law, ibid . 2. The Soul's viewing itfelf in the Glafs of the Gofpel, xxvi 3. The Soul's Solemn Tranfaclion with God, xxxii A Morning Hymn, xl FART L Containing an Introductory Soliloquy to the Work; with Meditations on the Unity of God, a Trinity of Perfons in the Unity of ElTence, and the Neceiiity of a Sa- viour, 1 Sett. 1 . An Introductory Soliloquy to the whole Work, ib 2. Soliloquy on the Unity of God, - 2 3. Soliloquy on the Trinity of Perfons in the Unity ofEffence, 4 4. No Hope without a Saviour, 7 PART TI. Containing Contemplations on the Being, Attributes, Per- fections, Excellencies, &c. of God the Father, 10 Sett. 1. Soliloquy on the Effence of God, ib. 2. Soliloquy on the Inviftbility of God, 13 3. Soliloquy on the Eternity of God, 16 4. Soliloquy on the Unchangeablenefs of God, 20 5. Soliloquy on God's Independency. 23 6. Soliloquy on the Sovereignty of God, 27 7. Soliloquy on Gods Univerfal Monarchy, 30 8. Soliloquy on the Ruling Decree, 33 9. Soliloquy on Election, ■ fl fc: 37 a ^H id, So- xviii CONTENTS. Se&. 10. Soliloquy on the Super eminency of God, p. 39 1 1 . Soliloquy on God's Royal Government, 43 1 1 . Soliloquy on the Supremacy of God, 46 13. Soliloquy on the Jujlice of God, 50 14. Soliloquy on God's Righteoufnefs, 54 15. Solihquy on the Holinefs of God, 57 16. Soliloquy on the Infinite Love of God, 60 17. Soliloquy on the Unlimited Mercy of God t 64 18. Soliloquy on God's Compajfion, 6j 19. Soliloquy on God's Treaty with his Son, 71 20. Soliloquy on God's Indemnity, 76 2 1 . Soliloquy on the Super abounding Goodnefs of God, 79 22. Soliloquy on God's Sufficiency , 82 23. Soliloquy on the Inexhauftible Fulnefs of God, 86 24. Soliloquy on the Long-jufferuig Patience of God x 90 25. Soliloquy on the Terriblenefs of God, 93 26. Soliloquy on God's Conduct in Providence, 96 27. Soliloquy on God's providential Care, 100 28. Soliloquy on God's Safe Protection, 103 29. Soliloquy on the Statutes of God, 106 30. Soliloquy on God's Houfe, 1 10 31. Soliloquy on Goer's Honourable Day, 1 14 32. Soliloquy on the Suaviloquy of God's Word, 118 33. Soliloquy on the Tribunal of God, J2i PART III. Compofed of Contemplations on the Undertakings,. Quali- fications, Performances, &c. of God the Son, 125- Se p. $ ' ;:! INTRODUCTION. 330 ' 334 1 That the Reader may have a more ample View of the pious Difpofition of Mr. Henderson, we mall here, by Way of Introduction to the following Meditations, fet before him the accurate View that he takes of him- felf, both in the Glafs of the Law and the Gospel; and the Solemn Tranfadion that patted between God and his Soul, in avouching him to be the Lord his God, taking hold of him for his everlafting Portion, and de- dicating himfelf wholly to him; with a Morning Hymn. SEC» I. The Souls taking a View of it/elf in the Glafs of the Law. r\ MY foul, thou haft fpent fome finall portion of thy time, in ^-^ reflecting upon, and collecting fome remarkable occurrences, reprives, and merciful deliverances thou haft met^and been favoured with, in the kingdom of God's providence: though, no doubt, marry are here omitted, and many have efcaped thy memory, and ly buried in oblivion ; yet even thefe few recorded*, plead die ut- moft exertion of thy power, accurately and impartially to fearch thy heart, and try thy ways, with refpedT to thy behaviour, under the difpenfation of God's kind providence to thee. See Mic. vi. 8. He hath Jhewed thee, man, -what is good : and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to dojujlly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God? This is the precept given under the law, and again in the gofpel, as Tit. ii. 1 r. For the grace of God, that bringeth faU vation, hath appeared to all men i teaching us, that denying ungod- linefs * What follows, prefixed as an Introdu&ion, is extracted from a large Diary, in which the Author had narrated many remarkable occurrences, providential interpofitions, and merciful deliverances that he had met with, in the courfe of adorable providence, with a variety of very agree- able obfervations thereupon ; yet the printing of thefe is fuperfeded, at lcaft for a time, in regard they would fwejl the prefect performance to too great an extent. xxii THE SOUL's VIEWING ITSELF Introd. iinefs and worldly lujls, we JJjould live foberly, righteoufly, and god- ly in this prefent -world: looking for that ble [fed hope, and the glo- rious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jefus Chrift ■ who gave himfelffor us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, a.nd purify unto himfelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Now, my foul, in thefe texts of facred writ, thou mayft obferve what is thy duty, and what is injoined upon thee by the ffreat Sovereign, who has Jretched out the heavens, and founded the earth ; it is this glorious he who has created thee, and through his free grace, and boundlefs goodnefs, has taken care of, preferved, and provided for thee. Look to him, with the eye of faith, and be perfuaded, O my foal, henowbeholdethth.ee; therefore, act now as in the fight of the all-feeing, and heart-fearching God ; and, with a trembling heart, enter the lifts With thyfelf: look upon thyfelf as unworthy, and a monfter of ingratitude, under the re- peated inltances of God's kind providence to thee, in his care of, and kindnefs to fuch a mean, bafe, filly, impure, impotent, ungrate- ful creature, as thy confcience declares to thee thou art. Blufh, and be affiamed, O my foul, at the amazing condefcendency and love of Goi, that infread wr nis jtfagmcfiis bckig fpeedlly executed upon tnee, as thy due defert, thou art yet fpared a living monu- ment of his mercy, and long-fufFering patience. He has changed thee from veffel to veffel ; but, alas ! thy fcent is not yet clean. And, for thy further con virion hereof, and humiliation therefore, view thyfelf in the glafs of God's holy law .- and there thou mayft plainly difcover thy deformity and ingratitude; for, although, through the righteoufnefs and obedience of the Lord Jefus Chrift, the believer be redeemed and freed from the moral law'j with re- fpeit to j unification, yet he is bound thereto as a rule of life, as it is the law of Chrift ; and in imitation of the bleffed Jefus, who gave perfect obedience thereto : as an expreffion of his gratitude, he ftands obliged to comply therewith ; and if, from a principle of faith, and with a fincere heart, he endeavours fo to do, it is then accounted gofpel-obedience ; and the Redeemer has inferted it as a true mark of being his difciples, John xiv. 15. If ye love me, keep my c&mmandments. And, certainly, they who, in obedience to this command, are molt ftricl in the obfervance of the precepts of the moral law, do thereby only promote their own or neighbour's intereft ; for, the great God can nowife be profited by any deed of the creature : therefore, try thyfelf by this rule. 1. O my foul, art thou not guilty of much heart and praclical atheifm, calling often in queftion the being and providence of the one only true and living God, d ffiding of him and his word, and confiding too much in thy vain inventions, allowing the creature, the Sect. I. IN THE GLASS OF THE LAW. xxiii the world, and carnal felf, the pre-eminence in thy heart, before (yea, much more than) the Creator ; hereby facr'tficing to thine oun net, 'and burning incenfe to thine own dreg ? 2. Art thou not guilty of much fpiritual idolatry, (though thou never bendeft thy knee to no gilded, or carved, flocks or (tones) by thy wrong ideas, or falie conceptions, of the eternal and invi- fible God, by not receiving, obferving, keeping pure, and entire, fuch religious worfhip and ordinances as are of divine inftitution,; by formality, hypocrily, (loth, and indolency ? When bowing at the footflool of thy great Creator, doff thou not feel them as can- ker-worms and caterpillars, eating out the very vitals of the divine life ? yea, they flop the fprings of the fpiritual life from their pro- per influence upon the actions of the moral life. Hadft thou no fin, but the fins of holy things, thefe arefufficient to keep thee humble all thy days, and make thee go down mourning to the grave. 3. Haft thou not been guilty of taking the name of God in vain, by raftily and irrcverentiy pronouncing that holy name of the moll: high God ? \ ea, bv curling and fwearing ; by carelefs reading or hearing of God's word, the holy fciiptures ; by preiuming lbme- times to make ufe of God's word to fet off thy profane converfe; by perjury and perfidy, dealing treacheroufly with thy Maker and Redeemer; forfeiting thy baptifmal, folemn, fecret, and public vows, refolutions, promifes, and proteflations ? 4. Hail thou not, and doff thou not, weekly profane the Lord's day, by not preparing therefore ; by omiffion or carelefs perfor- mance of duties required thereon ; profaning the fame by idlenefs, floth, vain, wandering, and inordinate thoughts, when attending public worfhip •, and by undecent and unfuitable converfe, and ir- regular walking, when going from ordinances ? Yea, when thou haft been expofed to labour, through the week, thou haft wearied for the Sabbath, that thou mighteft be freed from that yoke, and for other bafe ends ? And when, at other times, thou has clofely, for fome time, attended ordinances, canft thou refufe, O my foul, but that thou haft wifhed for the Sabbath to be over ? 5. Doft thou not daily fail with regard to relative andjlational duties, by not paying that due homage to political and civil pa- rents ; by not duly efteeming the perlbns, and fincerely obeying the dire