is but elaborate impertinence; and all science, no better than pompous ignorance.-These records contain the faultless model of duty, and the noblest motives to obedience. Nothing so power. ful, to work a lively faith, and a joyful hope, as an attentive consideration of our Lord's unutter able merits: nothing so sovereign, to antidote the pestilential influence of the world, and deliver our affections from a slavery to ignoble objects, as an habitual remembrance of his extreme agonies. The genuine, the ever-fruitful source of all morality, is the unfeigned love of Christ; and the cross, the cross is the appointed altar, from which we may fetch a coal t to enkindle this sacred fire.

Behold, therefore, the man; the matchless and stupendous man; whose practice was a pattern of the most exalted virtue, and his person the mirror of every divine perfection. Examine the memoirs of his heavenly temper, and exemplary conversa. tion. Contemplate that choir of graces, which were associated in his mind, and shed the highest lustre on all his actions: familiarize to thy thoughts his instructive discourses, and enter into the very spirit of his refined doctrines: that the graces may be transfused into thy breast, and the doctrines transcribed in thy life.-Follow him to Calvary's horrid eminence, to Calvary's fatal catastrophe; where innocence, dignity, and merit, were made perfect through suffering; each shining, with all possible splendor, through the tragical scene; somewhat like his own radiant bow, then glowing with the greatest beauty, when appearing on the darkest cloud. Be thy most constant attention fixed on that lovely and sorrowful spectacle.-Behold the

And I, says our Lord, if I be lifted up from the earth, and extended on the cross, will draw all men unto me: will give such a rich and transcendent display of my love, as hall constitute the most powerful and prevailing attractive of theirs, John xii. 32.

† Alluding to Isaiah vi. 6.

spotless victim, nailed to the tree, and stabbed to the heart. Hear him pouring out prayers for his murderers, before he poured out his soul for transgressors. See the wounds that stream with for. giveness, and bleed balm for a distempered world. O! see the justice of the Almighty and his good. ness; his mercy and his vengeance; every tremendous and gracious attribute manifested; manifested with inexpressible glory, in that most ignominious, yet grandest, of transactions.

Since God is so inconceivably great, as these his marvellous works declare;

Since the great Sov'reign sends ten thousand worlds,
To tell us, He resides above them all,

In glory's unapproachable recess;

how can we forbear hastening, with Moses, bow. ing ourselves to the earth, and worshipping?

O! what an honourable, as well as advantageous employ, is prayer!-Advantageous: by prayer, we cultivate that improving correspondence with Je hovah, we carry on that gladdening intercourse with his Spirit, which must begin here, in order to be completed in eternity.-Honourable: by prayer, we have access to that mighty potentate, whose sceptre sways universal nature, and whose rich regalia fill the skies with lustre. Prayer places us in his presence-chamber, while "the

For this quotation, and several valuable hints, I ac knowledge myself indebted to those beautiful and sublime poems, intituled Night Thoughts.-Of which I shall only say, that I receive fresh pleasure, and richer improvement, from every renewed perusal. And I think, I shall have reason to bless the indulgent bestower of all wisdom, for those instructive and animating compositions, even in my last moments. Than which, nothing can more emphatically speak their superior excellence, nor give a more solid satisfaction to their worthy author.-Happy should I think myself, if these little sketches of contemplative devotion, might be honoured with the most inferior degree of the same success; might receive a testimony, not from the voice of fame, but from the dying lips of some edified Christian.

blood of sprinkling" procures us a gracious audience.

Shall I then blush to be found prostrate before the throne of grace? Shall I be ashamed to have it known, that I offer up social supplications in the family, or am conscientious in observing my private retirements? Rather let me glory in this unspeakable privilege: let me reckon it the noblest posture, to fall low on my knees before his footstool; and the highest honour, to enjoy communion with his most exalted Majesty.-Incomparably more noble, than to sit, in person, on the triumphal chariot; or to stand, in effigy, amidst the temple of worthies.

Most inestimable, in such a view, is that promise, which so often occurs in the prophetic writings, and is the crowning benefit of the new covenant; I will be thy God.-Will this supremely excellent and almighty Being vouchsafe to be my portion? To settle upon a poor sinner, not the heritage of a county, not the possession of the whole earth, but his own ever-blessed self? May I then, through his free condescending grace, and the unknown merits of his Son, look upon all these infinitely noble attributes as my treasure? May I regard the wisdom, which superintends such a multitude of worlds, as my guide; the power which produced, and preserves them in existence, as my guard; the goodness, which, by an endless communication of favours, renders them all so many habitations of happiness, as my exceeding great reward?-What a fund of felicity is included in such a blessing! How often does the Israelitish prince exult in the assurance, that this unutterable and boundless good is his own? Interested in this, he bids defiance to every evil that can be dreaded, and rests in certain expectation of every blessing that can be desired. The

Heb. viii, 10,

Lord is my light and my salvation, whom then shall fear? The Lord, with an air of exultation, he repeats both his affiance and his challenge, is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? Nothing so effectual as this appropriating faith to inspire a dignity of mind superior to transitory trifles, or to create a calmness of temper un alarmed by vulgar fears, unappalled by death it. self. The Lord is my shepherd, says the same truly gallant and heroic personage, therefore shall I lack nothing t. How is it possible he should suffer want who has the all-sufficient fulness for his supply? So long as unerring wisdom is capable of contriving the means; so long as uncontrollable power is able to execute them, such a one cannot fail of being safe and happy, whether he continue amidst the vicissitudes of time, or depart into the unchangeable eternity.

Here let us stand a moment, and humbly con template this great God, together with ourselves; in a relative view.-If we reflect on the works of material nature, their number incomprehen sible, and their extent unmeasurable: each of them, apart, so admirably framed; the conner. ions of the whole so exquisitely regulated, and al derived from one and the same glorious agentIf we recollect the far more noble accomplish ments of elegant taste, and discerning judgment, of refined affections, and exalted sentiments, which are to be found among the several orders of intelligent existence; and all of them flowing, ir rich emanations, from the one sole Fountain of intellectual light-If we farther consider this Au thor of material beauty and moral excellency as a guardian, a governor, and benefactor, to all his creatures; supporting the whole system, and pro tecting each individual by an ever-watchful Providence, presiding over the minutest affairs, and

Psal, xxvii. 1.

+ Psal. xxiii. 1.

causing all events to terminate in the most extens sive good; heaping, with unremitted liberality, his benefits upon every capable object, and making the circuit of the universe a seminary of happi ness. Is it possible for the human heart, under such captivating views, to be indifferent towards this most benign, most bountiful Original of being and of bliss? Can any be so immersed in stupi dity, as to say unto the Almighty-in the language of an irreligious temper and licentious life, to say: "Depart from us; we implore not thy favour,

nor desire the knowledge of thy ways."-Wonder, O heavens! be amazed, O earth! and let the inhabitants of both express their astonishment at this unparalleled complication of disingenuous, un grateful, destructive perverseness!

If we consider our fallen and imperfect state; frail in our bodies, enfeebled in our minds, in every part of our constitution, and in all the oc currences of life," like a tottering wall, or a "broken hedge."-If we survey our indigent and infirm state; without holiness, without spiritual strength, our possession of present conveniencies entirely dependent on God's sovereign pleasure; yea, forfeited, justly forfeited, with every future hope, by a thousand aggravated iniquities.-If we add the various disasters of our condition; agitated as we are by tumultuous passions, oppressed with dispiriting fears, held in suspense by a variety of perplexing cares, liable to pains, and exposed to

Perplexing-Those who read the original language of the New Testament, are sufficiently apprised, that such is the significancy of that benevolent dissuasive, urged by our Lord, un evale, Matt. vi. 25.-I beg leave, for the sake of the unlearned reader, to observe; that our translation, though for the most part faithful and excellent, has here misrepresented our divine Master's meaning. Take no thought for your food, for your raiment, for your bodily welfare, is not only not the true sense, but the very reverse of the scriptural doctrine. We are required to take a prudent and moderate thought for the necessaries of life. The sluggard, who neglects this decent precaution, is severely reprimanded; is sent to one of the meanest