away for want of firmness in keeping their attention that way. It is most unchristian ingratitude for the great mercies which ALMIGHTY GOD has bestowed on them, not so much as to cast an eye towards the crown of glory which He holds out, promising HIMSELF to be our shield, and our exceeding great reward." But, it will be fancied, "This rule is too hard and strict for every-day life. It will take away all the pleasant freedom of thought, and happy carelessness, which made our childish days so delightful. Surely, if we mean no harm, we may enjoy ourselves without the trouble of considering whether we actually mean well or no."

So it may seem beforehand. But if you would give God's command a fair trial, you would find it very far otherwise. The watchfulness and wakefulness which He enjoins, does not mean that you should be always in a state of painful alarm. At first, of course, it must be an effort, but the longer and more regularly you go on with it, the easier and more natural will you find it. He will help you to the habit of watching yourself, and restraining your inclinations, more and more entirely as a good rider restrains an unruly horse that he is used to.

One reason why watching and controlling one's self seems to most men a hard and painful task is, the irregular and unsteady way in which it is too commonly practised. Those who have long done it most effectually, are least seen to do it: their goodness sits easy upon them. But those who do it only now and then, and then suffer themselves to fall into their former carelessness, are of course discontented and uncomfortable in themselves, and can afford but little temptation to others to follow their example. The way for them to mend themselves, and to do good to their neighbours, is to follow the second part of this apostolical advice, and not only to watch themselves continually, to be always awake to their duty, but also "to stand fast in the faith, to quit them like men, and be strong." In other words, not only to think of their duty, but to do it without delay, as soon as ever it is made known to them what God would have them to do.

"I made haste," says the Psalmist, "and prolonged not the time, to keep thy commandments." This is the only secret for being watchful and comfortable at once. Once make up your

mind never to stand waiting and hesitating when your conscience

tells you what you ought to do, and you have got the key to every blessing that a sinner can reasonably hope for. Then you may, by God's blessing, experience even in this world how true those promises are, which are scattered up and down the Scriptures, of the happy effects of Christian obedience; such, for instance, as the following verses of the Proverbs of Solomon: "My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."

This delightful sense of God's presence and guardian care, which in the common course of things accompanies our sincere and steady endeavours to please HIM, is surely enough, being remembered, to overpower that common objection to Christian obedience, that it brings with it a constant strain and weariness, turning our thoughts at all times exactly the same way; so that it is supposed impossible, but that one should get more and more tired of it. It cannot be altogether denied, that we must expect to meet with something of weariness and painfulness, even in the course of Christian love and duty. It is the condition of human life; a part of the cross appointed for us to bear in imitation of JESUS CHRIST. It is in vain to think of escaping it, and happy he who bears it best. But then it is equally plain, that when once the fresh spirits of early youth are past, there is the same weariness and painfulness to be looked for in every other service, as well as in GoD's. All men have their dull and irksome hours to endure only he who stands fast in the faith, finds them pass more lightly over him than others, so far as he is more deeply impressed with the remembrance of the presence of his MAKER, and the hope of eternal life.

Neither can a man have any idea, before he has tried, of the constant variety which may be found, even in the soberest exercise of our duty to GoD and man, in the quietest walks of life. Suppose, for instance, a man only bound himself to recollect, in all his dealings with others, that plain and easy rule,

which every child is acquainted with: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them." No two persons that we meet with being exactly like one another, it is evident our conduct to each would be different; and here would be one continual exercise of our Christian wisdom-to consider how we might best suit the reasonable wishes of each out of so many various persons, some more and some less near to us. Still further; scarce any person could be found, whose condition and circumstances are exactly the same for two days together; so that here, too, will be continual employment for our discretion and Christian charity, in changing the manner of our kindness according to the change of their wishes and necessities. It is easy then to see, that we need not be afraid of want of variety, in the happy art of keeping God's commandments. Once set your heart upon that task, and you will not long complain of its being dull and wearisome, or of its keeping you too much under restraint, and checking the natural spring and freedom of our affections.

Christian watchfulness, then, and standing fast in the faith, would effectually overcome those inward feelings, which stand most in the way of our perfection and happiness. Join to them Christian courage, which is the virtue next recommended by St. Paul,-"Quit you like men, be strong,"-and you will be equally armed against the worst of those outward difficulties, which are sure, from time to time, to embarrass and distress you. You will not be moved by foolish objections, or apprehensions merely relating to this world, from doing your very best for yourself and others. "What will people say or think of me? how will they bear to have such and such things said and done, so different from what they are accustomed to say and do?"-these are questions very proper to be asked and considered, when we are considering how we may employ what God has given us to the best purposes. But they are not considerations which ought to frighten or stop us, when we are once convinced that saying or doing so and so is on higher accounts our duty. We may safely follow St. Peter's example, and make appeal, on such points as these, to the common sense of the world itself. Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." If we show ourselves steady

and resolute in the sober discharge of our duty, we shall find ourselves not only more comfortable within, but more quiet also from without; less disturbed by other people, than if we were unsteady in our good meanings, and only went half way in religion. "Let men alone, and they will let you alone," was a wise and kind warning; to all those, especially (and they are not a few), who are apt to look anxiously around, and watch what their neighbours are thinking of them.

It may sometimes happen, that though a man is certain by GOD's word what it is his duty to do, he shall find himself puzzled and embarrassed by the difficulties and objections of other men, not because he fears they may be true, but because he cannot find proper words, or distinct thoughts, to answer and silence them with. Something of this sort appears to have befallen the prophet Jeremiah, when "the word of the LORD was made unto him a reproach and a derision daily." He said to himself, "I will not make mention of HIM, nor speak any more in His Name." There was the temptation; but the sense of duty, duty which had become natural to him by long practice, very soon prevailed against it. "His word," says he, "was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." A resolute, practical sense of duty is the one thing needful in such a case. It is not possible, perhaps, to help being annoyed, if you find men disliking or mocking you, either for doing your duty, or for some indifferent trifle in the manner of your doing it. But it is very possible, and the only safe and comfortable way, to apply yourself to the same duty the more diligently for all their scorn and dislike: and to many people it is surely rather an advantage than not, to have little power of talking well on serious subjects. If they had that power, it is but too likely they would content themselves with merely talking. This ought to satisfy them and make them thankful in their want of it; only taking care to glorify God the more constantly by their lives, the less they are able to glorify HIM with their lips.

It seems, then, there is no danger, either from within or from without, which we may not overcome, if we will, by Christian watchfulness, perseverance, and courage. For if ridicule and mockery can be so overcome, we may be sure every thing else

may. And all the excuses which we daily hear in the mouths of others, and perhaps still oftener make to ourselves, of the world being too hard for us, though we wish to keep the commandments, come in the end to no better than this: That we should

be

very well content to serve God, if it cost us little or nothing. If you would not die in such a temper as this towards your FATHER and your SAVIOUR, there is but one thing for you to do. Though that which makes you sin be your right eye-the thing you are most used to and love best in this world—you must pluck it out and cast it from you: For it is better for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."