THE PURPLE CROCUS. 183 



ions, happy it is lhat the blessedness embraces the 

 poor in spirit also — that, though not many, yet 

 some rich, some wise, some noble are called, and 

 made partakers of the like precious faith. Exter- 

 nal things never appeared to me so valueless, nor 

 eternal things more important. Who would not 

 inhabit the pauper's dwelling, subsist by labour, or 

 on charity, through life, and owe at last a coffin 

 and a grave to the hand of casual bounty, so that 

 he might but ' read his title clear to mansions in 

 the skies.' Who would be trusted with wealth, or 

 be surrounded by pleasurable allurements, calcula 

 ted to steal away his heart from God ? Oh, it is a 

 mighty power put forth by Omnipotence itself, that 

 raises the base, and brings down the lofty to the 

 same safe level ! The work is marvellous, worthy 

 to be had in daily and hourly remembrance, that 

 takes away the stony heart out of our flesh, and 

 gives us a heart of flesh. Behold a mixed multi- 

 tude, in any given place, not set apart for uses de- 

 cidedly sinful, or exclusively spiritual, but where 

 the denizens of the district are thrown together, and 

 consider the awful line of demarcation which sep- 

 arates them into two companies, — however in man's 

 sight they are blended in one — distinct as heaven and 

 hell. A full acquaintance with the private history and 

 experience of each, would show that the operations 

 of sovereign grace are totally irrespective of every na- 

 ural or incidental d i stinction . It would prove, beyond 



