IV.

To help us in this constant watchfulness over our inmost thoughts, that no evil principles or impure desires gain admittance or be harboured there, we must further be careful that we are always innocently if not usefully employed.

We are creatures that cannot be wholly inactive; our thoughts, at least, will be busy about one thing or other; and if they be not turned to that which is good and useful, they will wander and fix themselves upon what is

worse.

It was the laudable practice of the ancient

Jews

that Mr. Hale could do to prevent it, he went on in his excess till he fell down as dead before them, so that all that were present were not a little affrighted at it, who did what they could to bring him to himself again. This did particularly affect Mr. Hale; who thereupon went into another room, and, shutting the door, fell on his knees and prayed earnestly to God, both for his friend, that he might be restored to life again, and that himself might be forgiven for giving such countenance to so much excess; and he vowed to God that he would never again keep company in that manner. His friend recovered, and he most religiously observed his vow to his dying day. This wrought an entire change on him. Now he forsook all vain company, and divided himself between the duties of religion and the

studies

Jews to bring up all persons to some ingenious mechanic trade, even those who were destined for learned professions, or who were in the most affluent circumstances. Their view in it was to provide against the uncertainty of human things, that they might always have some beneficial employment, to which they might turn themselves for their maintenance and support; and also to prevent the baneful effects of idleness, and of having nothing to do in their intervals of leisure, which they wisely looked upon as one great inlet to the depravity of human nature, and the mischiefs produced by it in the world. And, by the way, it may perhaps account for their descendants, the present race of Jews among us, the lower sort of them I mean (the same which may be said of many Christians like them), being so generally profligate

studies of his profession in the former of which he was so regular, that for six-and-thirty years he never once failed attending public worship on the Lord's day: this observation he made when an ague first interrupted that constant course; and he reflected on it, as an acknowledgement of God's great goodness to him, in so long a continuance of his health." An example in all respects worthy of imitation.

and

and unprincipled, because they have no fixed constant employment, but lead a wandering unsettled life, and fall into all wickedness, for want of something to keep them out of idleness and constantly engaged.

To be more particular on this important lesson of purity and virtue, there is this further call for virtuous diligence, with a view to moral purity, for our being always active and employed about something useful or innocent; because, by having nothing to do, we contract a slothful disposition and aversion to labour, which makes us the easy prey of every vain suggestion and temptation, and also unfits us for the discharge of the duty which we owe to our Maker.

For this demands a searching inquiring mind; that we may be able to discover him in his works and in his revealed word. It requires pains and industry to come at this necessary knowledge, as indeed there is nothing valuable in the world to be attained without it.

And it is moreover obvious, that by slothfulness and disuse our mental powers are enfeebled, and we become incapable of

any

act

act of manly resolution or vigorous exertion, when we have to resist powerful allurements and incitements to vice, and the various temptations with which we are surrounded.

Of such vast consequence is it to the preservation and attainment of purity of heart, to have our time always taken up in some ingenuous useful study and employ; and so happily has the divine goodness provided for the most numerous part of his creatures who are destined to earn their bread by their la bours, that this lot of hard labour is in general the happiest and most favourable lot both for this world and another, in keeping out vain thoughts which would mislead and disturb them in the road of innocence and of their duty; which leads to comfort and peace here and for ever.

V.

Our Lord, in his sermon on the Mount, declares the reward which will belong to those who are possessed of that pureness of heart which he here recommends-" They shall see God:"-not see him with their bodily organs, for he is not the object of them: He is to be apprehended only by the mind and understand

ing.

ing. But it often signifies the being favoured with the knowledge of his will and gracious designs of goodness for his creatures; on which account our Lord says, comparatively speaking, that no man had seen God but himself, because he had the fullest communications of knowledge and divine powers above all other men.

It implies also what the sacred writer would signify when he says, "Acquaint thyself with God, and be at peace;" if, with reverence be it always spoken, the creature may use such familiar language of its great Creator.

It is seeing him as one whom we have a supreme pleasure in approaching and feeling ourselves the objects of his condescending goodness, as living in his presence and under his protection, and with whom also we have hope to be for ever: to which St. Paul alludes when he says, (Heb. xii.) "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord."

Every thought of this Almighty parent, every attention of mind towards such a gracious being, will minister joy and pleasure to well disposed, virtuous minds; as they know that while they thus sincerely endeavour to purify their hearts before him, they are advancing

VOL. II.

F