abstain from eating and drinking as much as the appetite would seem to require. The reason why I advise this practice is, that full eating, and drinking either malt liquors or wine, tends to stupify or dull the bodily powers, and renders them slothful and inactive, and consequently unfits the mind for spiritual exercises; whereas, if abstinence were practised at every meal on the sabbath day, there would not be any bodily languor or oppression felt; the duties of the day would be prosecuted with increased pleasure; the bodily health would be promoted, the strength increased, and both body and mind would be ready to enter upon the avocations of the coming week with increased vigour and activity.

Although we are not to pretend to imitate the example of Jesus Christ by acting out a mock fast, we are expected to follow his high example in doing the will of our heavenly Father. And what is his will? What the great end of all his works, either of creation or redemption? Is it not his own glory? A Christian, if true to his name, is an instrument in promoting the welfare and happiness of mankind in this world with reference to the next; and every individual has an influence in his own circle, whether he uses it or not. If he lives to himself, and seeks his own gratification, and is indifferent to the spiritual welfare of others, he does not the will of his heavenly Father. Whether such an one 66 keeps Lent" or not, he will be found wanting in the day of final accounts.

Reader, it is not only not desirable to keep Lent, but it positively savours of popery! Those outward observances had better be left alone which are not only not commanded by our Saviour, but in their practice tend to render you satisfied with your own doings. Let the aim of your life be to be conformed

to the moral image of our Lord in all things, in your every-day duties and business; and be very suspicious of, and watchful over, pleasures which, though they appear to be bright and enticing in prospect, yet when they are not such as a believer may lawfully enter into, have been a thousand times proved to be vain and unsatisfactory when realized; therefore, be advised to examine all your engagements by the light of the word of God before you enter into them, and if any one of them is of a doubtful nature, renounce it.

By adopting this scrutiny, you will be gaining an acquaintance with your own heart, and with the word of God," which is able to make you wise unto salvation."

211

THE EMPIRE OF THE WICKED ONE.

IT may be thought useful to consider, among other subjects, the government and policy of our great spiritual adversary; for it is said that "knowledge is strength," and if so, to be acquainted with the wily arts of an enemy may prove to be advantageous.

His scripture titles are very various and very expressive. He is called twice by our Saviour, "THE PRINCE of this world." "And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them ; for that is delivered unto me, AND TO WHOMSOEVER I WILL, I GIVE IT." It would appear that the riches and honours of the world are not desirable, especially when we read in the word of God the saying of Jesus Christ: "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"

He is called "THE GOD of this world," because he rules in the hearts of wicked men. Other titles given to him are, 66 prince of darkness," "deceiver," "destroyer," "tempter," &c., implying that his constant employment is to lure, to beguile, to destroy the eternal happiness of the immortal mind of man.

Of his government, the leading feature is DECEPTION. He is a wily adversary of the human race, a rancorous

and implacable foe; and so subtle as to be able to deceive the most wary, when destitute of the grace of God. Indeed, his powers are every way superior to those of men.

In every age of the world, idol worship has had a pre-eminence; it has a pre-eminence now; and in proof thereof, we need only direct our attention to China and India. And this worship is an invention of the wicked one; the policy of which appears to be, that mankind requires some form of worship to satisfy the conscience, and if the great enemy of souls can institute a form for a reality, he succeeds in deceiving. It is to be feared that the form of religion only is maintained in many of the British churches; which is all that is necessary, and quite sufficient to satisfy the deluded worshippers, for thousands of them evidence a hatred of real holiness by the general tenor of their lives. Think how much it must gladden the heart of the wicked one, when a card-playing, hunting, tippling, or dancing clergyman gets possession of a living; because he well knows that then he shall beguile the churchgoers of that parish, for "like priest, like people." They persevere in an evil way, either thoughtlessly, or they attend church because it is creditable, as this is an age of profession; but they do not keep holy the sabbath day, for if they did they would fear being called saints or methodists; therefore, after going to church, they walk and talk of every vanity, they visit and feast, play cards and sacred music, but only for the sake of the harmony, or to get rid of the tedious hours; in short, all orders of society make the sabbath of the Lord a holiday! thus adopting a form of worship to satisfy the conscience." Ye said, also, Behold what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts."

If we will take the pains to examine into the round of dissipation and the vain pleasures in which the people of the world engage, we cannot fail to discern that there is an enemy in the back ground prompting and urging them onward. Midnight parties, balls, &c., which put all things out of their natural order, are pre-eminent instances.

The object of the "god of this world" is to beguile his subjects in such a way as to prevent their thinking, but especially to prevent their thinking of the end of life; accordingly, he contrives that one engagement or party of pleasure shall so quickly follow another as to keep them constantly employed about trifles; for he well knows that if he can but lead them on till they are considerably advanced in years, there will not only be no fear of losing them as his subjects, but they will also train their children to run the same downward course to eternal perdition.

This, then, is his policy; and it is the wish of the writer to expose it, that mankind may not go hoodwinked to hell, for

"Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die."

WHO ARE HIS SUBJECTS? Not those who live in the commission of gross sins, but those also "WHO ARE LOVERS OF PLEASURE MORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD." This is a marked distinction, and it is at the same time a caution to "the lovers of God" to separate themselves from those who would endanger their souls, as is elsewhere in Scripture recommended: "Come out from among them; be ye separate."

Hence, also, it appears that "worldly pleasures," which are gambling, (including cards, raffles, &c.,) horse-racing, dancing, balls, theatrical amusements, &c., sabbath excursions for pleasure, whether taken on