vid therefore resolves, "my voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up: O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee."

It may be profitable, as opportunity offers, to pass over in your imagination the different stages of the day; to consider the duties you may be called to discharge, or the temptations you may be called to resist, and then humbly look to the blessed Advocate, that he would communicate "grace to help in time of need."—It is of unspeakable importance to know before. hand any particular snare to which you may be exposed; the mind is thereby prepared for the shock, and with a firm reliance on divine strength, may collect all its powers in fortifying against it. The soldier is by no means so liable to be defeated, when he has considered not only the force of his enemy, but the very time when, and the very place where the assault will most probably be made.

2. Endeavor to preserve a devout, spiritual frame amidst the various pursuits and enjoyments of the day. A mind deeply exercised to godliness may gather instruction from every incident and employment of life. In receiving the common bread for nourishing our bodies, we may reflect on our spiritual wants, and the necessity of improving that bread which came down from heaven, and gives life to the world: While we are

preparing or putting on the natural raiment to adorn the outward man, we are reminded of our spiritual nakedness, and the necessity of applying that garment of salvation, that robe of righteousness which is brought near by Jehovah the Redeemer: In pursuing our usual labors, we may consider the great work of salvation to be completed, the corruptions to be mortified, the enemies to be subdued, and the graces to be perfected. In travelling from place to place, our attention may be directed to the journey of life which we are constantly performing, and that every day and hour we are approaching nearer the end of our course. În conversing with our natural friends, we may examine whether we have " fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ ;" and whether, like the apostle, tion is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour." As a means of promoting this spirituality of heart, you may be occasionally presenting your silent supplications to God for the enlivening influences of his Spirit, or revolving in your thoughts some portion of his sacred word. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

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our conversa

Be careful to allow yourself in no amusement that appears unlawful or even doubtful: By indulgencies of this nature the DI

VINE SPIRIT is grieved, the voice of conscience is enfeebled, and this monitor is discouraged from renewing his remonstrances: Besides, a righteous God frequently chastises one transgression in his people by leaving them to the commission of another more odious and aggravated. Uncleanness in David was corrected by permitting him to add deliberate murder; presumption and false confidence in Peter were chastised by leaving him not only to the open denial of his Master, but to aggravate that denial with cursing and swearing. We are therefore admonished to abstain" from all appearance of evil; to take heed lest at any time the heart be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and that day come upon us unawares.'

4. Before you retire in the evening, call yourself to an impartial account respecting the duties of the day; survey with care the stages through which you have passed, and examine how you was enabled to conduct; inquire how you behaved towards God the Judge of all, and whether you acted as under his all-seeing, all-searching eye; how you behaved towards Jesus the Mediator of the covenant, whether you exercised faith upon him in all his offices, looking to him as a prophet for direction in every undertaking, as a priest to pardon all your imperfections, as a king to subdue each rising lust, and to support under every difficulty; examine how you conducted towards man,

whether in all your intercourse your conversation was with grace, tending to edification; see whether you attained to some measure of patience amidst the seeming frowns of providence, and forbearance to any who may have injured you. Be not discouraged, although ten thousand failures appear to your view; but improve "the Lamb that was slain" for the remission of your past transgressions, and trust on the plenitude of his grace for the more perfect discharge of duty hereafter: In the blood of his cross "there is plenteous redemption;" it is a fountain eternally flowing both for pardon and purification.

In reclining upon your bed, aim at cherishing some profitable meditation: How seasonable, how sweet, while we cease from the labors of the day and retire to rest, to contemplate the repose of the grave, where the weary" christian "will be at rest;" where he shall cease from all the vexations and sorrows of life, and shall enjoy undisturbed repose; or, to reflect on the future resurrection, when "this corruptible shall put on incorruption," and those that " sleep in Jesus shall awake to everlasting life." We are thus commanded to "commune with our own hearts on our beds and be silent."

دو

Such are the advantages of a life spent in the fear of Jehovah and communion with HIM, and such are the means of promoting it. With these directions I must now commend thee to the blessing of God the Spirit, 2 c 2

VOL. 3.

from whom alone I either expect or ask the increase: Should HE condescend to render them effectual to thy spiritual establishment or consolation, new obligations will be imposed on thee and me to adore the riches of his sovereignty and grace; then the present will be indeed a happy NEW-YEAR; it will be a precious pledge of that more glorious period when the necessity of ordinances shall be superseded by the immediate presence of the God of ordinances; when "he that soweth" instruction and "he that reapeth" these instructions shall rejoice together, and GoD "shall be all and in all." -AMEN.

SERMON XIII.

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CONCLUSION.

2. PETER 1, 10, 11.

If ye do these things ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

THESE verses are properly a promise annexed to particular duties recommended in the preceding verses. The apostle had been exhorting these christians to " abound in the work of the Lord; to add