7TH REASON. The fool-hardy rush into danger heedlessly, the over-cautious delay till the opportunity passes by him, but the truly brave know their strength, choose their time deliberately; and seem to be Fortune's favourites, because they wait for the flood, and then "ride upon the tide."

SIMILES.

HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS.

QUOTATIONS.-When the carter prayed to Hercules for help, because his waggon had stuck fast in the mire, the god told him, "To put his shoulder to the wheel, for Jove never helped those that did not help themselves."—Esop's fables.

But screw your courage to the sticking-place,

And we'll not fail.-Shakspeare.

The timid are stung by a nettle, but the bold grasp it firmly and escape its venom.

Resist [even] the devil, and he will flee from you.James, iv. 7.

Be strong and quit yourselves like men, that ye be not servants unto [your enemies].-1 Sam. iv. 9.

Those who are resolutely minded in a good cause, seldom fail in their endeavours.-Plutarch.

Seneca expresses the same sentiment, when he says, "Fortune dreads the brave, and is terrible only to the coward."

Wonderful is the case of boldness in civil business: What first? boldness. What second and third? bold

ness.-Lord Bacon.

Our doubts are traitors;

And make us lose the good we oft might win,

By fearing to attempt it.--Shakspeare.

To him who wills, ways are seldom wanting.- Maun

der's proverbe.

Where there's a will there's a way.

He who resolves, has God on his side.-Fielding's proverbs.

Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.-Ray's proverbs.

God helps those who help themselves.

Faint heart never won fair lady.

Ja couard n'aura belle amie.

Audaces Fortuna juvat, timidosque repellit.

Fata volentem ducunt, nolentem trahunt.-Horace.

Ignavis precibus Fortuna repugnat.

In re mala, animo si bono utare, juvat.

Fortes Fortuna juvat.

Timidi nunquam statuere tropæum.-Suidas ex Eupolide.

CONCLUSION.

THEME CXI. Follow not a Multitude to do Evil.

INTRODUCTION.

1ST REASON. Because no evil is sanctified or rendered less sinful by the sanction of many transgressors.

2ND REASON.-Multitudes cannot ward off the remorse of conscience, which accompanies every evil deed.

3RD REASON.-Companions in iniquity cannot wash away the stain of sin.

4TH REASON. A multitude may entice others into evil by persuasion or example, but cannot redeem a single soul from its fearful consequences, or ward off retributive

vengeance.

5TH REASON.-Follow not a multitude to do evil, for we shall not be judged hereafter in companies or masses,

but individually and independently; every one must give an account of himself, and by his own acts must he stand or fall.

6TH REASON.-Punishment for sin will not be less severe, because many have deserved it, but rather the contrariwise; the king will think greater severity needful, since so many have dared to rebel against him.

7TH REASON.--Multitudes punished by the same sentence will not relieve the pain which each individual must personally suffer under sentence of condemnation.

SIMILES..

HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS.-See Gen. vii. 1. xix. 4. 7. xxxii. 1, 2. Josh. xxiv. 15. 1 Kings, xix. 10. Matt. xxvii. 24-26. Acts, xxiv. 27.

QUOTATIONS.--In matters of practice walk by rule and not by example. Look at truth and not at numbers. Regard not what is done, but what ought to be done.Jer. Taylor.

A slender comfort it would be for the felon going to execution, to see many followers going with him to the same punishment.-T. Burgess.

Walk with the most, and perish with the most.—Jer. Taylor.

Undivided companies in sin cannot be divided in the punishment thereof.-Jer. Taylor.

If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.-Matt. xv. 14.

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.Prov. i. 10.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor ståndeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.-Ps. i. 1.

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.-Eph. v. 11.

See Jeremiah, xliv. 21, 22.

I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. -1 Cor. x. 20.

See 2 Corinthians, vi. 11-18.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly.-2 Thes. iii. 6.

Enter not into the path of. the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.-Prov. iv. 14, 15.

So Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus to be crucified.— Mark, xv. 15.

CONCLUSION.

THEME CXII. Religion makes the Mind cheerful and happy.

INTRODUCTION.

1ST REASON. Because it makes the mind contented. 2ND REASON.-It " brings under" the boisterous passions, and unruly lusts of the flesh.

3RD REASON.-It sets before the mind an object capable of attainment, and worthy its highest regards.

4TH REASON.-It assures the sinner of God's perfect reconciliation.

5TH REASON. It is the joy of pardon to the sinner, health to the diseased, and life to the dying.

6TH REASON.-The communion of God, the fellowship of angels, and the joy of the Holy Ghost, add unspeakable comfort to the truly religious mind.

7TH REASON. The sure promises of God, that "all things shall work together for the good of those that love

Him," and that abiding happiness is in store for them hereafter, make all earthly sorrows but "light afflictions," when weighed "in the balance of the sanctuary."

QUOTATIONS.-Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.—Prov. iii. 17.

Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Matt. xi. 29, 30.

It is a great disgrace to religion to imagine, that it is an enemy to mirth and cheerfulness, and a severe exacter of pensive looks and solemn faces.-Serj. Palmer's apho risms and maxims.

His commandments are not grievous.-1 John, v. 3. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.-James, iii. 18.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.-Ps. xcvii. 11.

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.-Ps. iv. 8.

Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice! -Phil. iv. 4.

Rejoice evermore.-1 Thes. v. 16.; see also 2 Cor. vi. 10.

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, (for) ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits