that those who have common wants to be supplied should unite in asking the supply of these wants. The duty of family devotion is obviously pointed out by the daily sacrifices offered up among the Jews: "And this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually; the one lamb thou shalt offer at even. This shall be a continual burntoffering throughout your generation." This exercise is recommended to our observance by the example of the righteous in different periods of the world and different dispensations of the church; by the example of Abraham, of Job, of David, of Aquila, and many others. We learn, therefore, from the dictates of reason, from the positive appointment of the sacrifice morning and evening, from the conduct of the faithful in different countries and ages, "that it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to thy name, O Most High, to shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning and thy faithfulness every night."

3. We should serve the Lord by duly and devoutly attending the ordinances of his house. As it is our duty to serve Jehovah in secret and with our families, we are required more publicly to profess our attachment to his cause, and our subjection to his authority, by repairing to the courts of his worship; there we should appear with the ransomed of the Lord and unite our hearts

and voices, offering the tribute of praise for redeeming love; addressing the throne of grace by earnest supplication, and hearing from his ambassadors the message of peace and salvation. We are therefore admonished, not to forget the assembling of ourselves together; to enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise." As the command of God renders our attention to the ordinances of his house an incumbent duty, his children have uniformly considered it as their most exalted privilege. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts," is the ardent exclamation of one: My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will be still praising thee: For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand: I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." The sanctuary below he appears to consider as an emblem of the sanctuary above; his entering the courts of the Lord's house as an earnest of being admitted hereafter into the palace of the King to go no more out; while he unites in celebrating the praises of God, his soul is apparently transported to that hour, when mingling with ransomed immortals of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, he shall shout in eternal ardor, "salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb" But parents and masters are not to rest satisfied with their VOL. 3. Q 2

personal attendance at the house of prayer; they ought upon all occasions, if possible, to be accompanied with their families. Compassion to the souls of those who are under our inspection, requires that they be brought to Zion's mount, where the Lord promises to "command the blessing, even life for evermore." There is something truly amiable, truly dignified, when the head of a family, accompanied with his household, comes forth on the Sabbath morning and takes his seat in the sanctuary of God; when after serving Jehovah at home, he presents himself in the temple, saying, "here am I and the children and the servants whom the Lord hath given me; we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." By such behaviour he testifies that he considers the service of God as his delight, his duty and glory; that he resolves to recommend it not only by his own example, but by the example of that household of which the Holy Ghost" hath made him overseer."

4. We ought to serve the Lord by occasionally separating a portion of our time for the exercises of fasting, humiliation, and prayer. The duties already mentioned are properly stated, and should be discharged uniformly, as opportunity offers the ordinance of fasting is rather occasional, and is dictated by singular, extraordinary occurrences in providence.-This exercise has frequently been observed by the righteous

with visible and eminent success; evidences of the Lord's wrath have been removed and the light of his countenance restored. While Esther the queen, and Daniel the prophet, humbled themselves before him, in that ordinance, their prayers were speedily answered, and threatened calamities were averted. The season for fasting and humiliation, as I already mentioned, is pointed out by peculiar and extraordinary appearances of divine providence. Does the hand of the Almighty lie heavy upon our habitation in some severe affliction; have we been visitsd by any remarkable adversity; do the movements of providence appear peculiarly dark, so that we cannot find our path; or is there some singular blessing which we desire to obtain; these are proper seasons for families to approach the Lord in the solemnities of fasting and humiliation; to enquire by special prayer what is the ground of his controversy, imploring him to discover to us our secret faults which are the cause of his indignation, and in deserved wrath to remember mercy. Therefore, also, now saith the Lord, "turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, and slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."

It is equally proper, as circumstances require, to separate days for the exercises of

thanksgiving and praise. If our condition is particularly prosperous; if our families enjoy health when disease and death wave their banner around; if providence has visibly interposed and protected in the hour of peril, or if we are visited of the Lord with his covenant consolations, it becomes us, as a family, to unite in presenting the sacrifice of adoration and thanksgiving. Such was the exercise of Moses after his escape from the Egyptians, and of David the king when delivered from the rage of a persecuting Saul "Therefore," he resolves, "will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.'

1. We learn from this doctrine, that when the fear and love of Jehovah reign in the heart, they constrain to cheerful obedience in the life and conversation. In vain do we talk about our religious feelings and frames; about our love to God or zeal for his glory, unless we aim at keeping his commandments.. There may be "a form of godliness without the power," but the power cannot possibly exist without the form. A christian, without the worship of his God in one mode or another, is like a sun without light, a cloud without rain, a fountain without water, or a living body without motion or breath. When, "with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, with the tongue confession will be made unto salvation." Does a subject reverence and obey his sovereign ;