tions, first for overt acts, and next for undeniable thoughts, of evil; and last of all for those deficiencies, of which perhaps they would not be sensible at the beginning of their career: but they may so obtain those deep notions of individual sinfulness and error, which, when they once really take possession of the heart, humble us utterly before the searching eye, the searching word, of God; and throw us in tears and hope at the foot of the cross.

The direct and absolute cultivation of a cheerful and active tone of mind is an essential part of our duty. We shall else become a prey to imaginary evils, if the good hand of our God should lead us along a path free from those, which have been, incorrectly but intelligibly, termed the real evils of life. The greater elasticity of temper shewing itself in some men, is not so much the consequence of original constitution, as many would believe, or appear to believe, that it is always.

There are few who can hold fast their faith, without some severe struggles; and we cannot pass, quietly, from death to life. On

the other hand, we should easily stagnate in a state of death, corrupting like the waters of a dead sea, but that the Spirit of our God will at times move upon the face of them. These occasional struggles are some of the greatest trials in Christianity; but escape the scoffings, because they are not within the experience, of infidels.

The

It is very important to keep up the conviction of the special and personal superintendence of our Creator and Preserver over each individual. By the use of general terms we deprive ourselves of much consolation. means of grace, and the hope of glory, health, and power, and wealth, and every blessing of this life, pass to each possessor immediately from his God, and should be held as his immediate gift. He is now the God of each individual believer, as formerly He declared Himself to be the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.

A close enquirer will soon find, that Christian charity goes far beyond all that ideal excellence, which false superstitions, or corrupted

faith, or earthly laws, enforce and require, by present or future rewards and punishments. Without this Christian charity there does not seem any certainty how a man will conduct himself, so much of earth is mixed up with every superstition. Upon any supposed emergency, the deeds, and words, and thoughts, of any Christian are so far understood by any second person, as that second person is himself a Christian. Afflicted or prospered, the Christian acknowledges the hand of Him, who also giveth eternal life to His children. As to earthly sufferings, they are evidently aggravated to those who suffer in disobedience. And in all joy, the feeling of obligation beyond all hope of return, is the most keenly delightful of all with which the heart can be throbbing. It is not broken by calculation, or disturbed by conscience. Fear is cast out, and love prevails, and even sinners find their Enemy baffled.

The terms of our acceptance with God are essentially individual, and must be complied with in our own proper persons, and welcomed

in our own hearts. To serve Him is our privilege, and to serve Him altogether: any consideration whether such or such enjoyments be allowable, argues at once more or less approximation to a spirit of bondage. To doubt is to condemn, and but for our want of faith such a doubt could not have arisen. A Christian's perfection, for our present purpose, may be said to consist in doing all things at all times as well as he can. His power is the measure of his duty. To be less a Christian on one day, or one occasion, than another, designedly, were a contradiction in terms. Temptations from without, and weakness within, render occasional offences more than probable; but if they take away the heart from God, the character of Christianity for the time being is lost.

Throughout any community of Christians, taking the word in a more general sense, the influence of Christianity will surely and quietly shew itself. It has even done much for those who have disavowed its work. It will make manners affectionate and gentle; reasoning sound and calm; exertion habitual and requi

site.

Whatever height we gain on the earth gives us the means, and the hope, of attaining the higher points, it first discovers to our view. We are framed for eternity. We cannot in the present constitution of things maintain a station at any degree of moral character to which we may have attained, any more than we can arrest the passing moment, and hold our lives in it, without any dependence upon the past or the future. In what manner our progress will supply strength, may be conjectured in some measure from the weight of any one admitted sin; and again, from the great difference which selfish and indolent habits of body are found more or less, by unchanging experience, to work in mental energy.

Good works are occasionally spoken of as being the condition of salvation; but in one sense, which has been put upon the word condition, this assertion is unwarrantable, and calculated to mislead the incautious. There is not any promise of eternal life to those who do well, because they do well. Good works are not the cause, but the effect of grace. The