his holy table, only because it is a customary practice in which I was educated? or do I go with gladness to pray to him, and praise him, as in a place consecrated to his worship, where Christ has promised to be in the midst of them who pray to him in sincerity and truth; and with sorrow for my sins, to petition at his altar for forgiveness, and for an increase of support and strength against the temptations to come? Do I pray with the lips only, when the heart is far away? or do I heartily desire what I seem earnestly to pray for?-I ask for the Spirit of God, for wisdom and a right judgment in all things; and do I endeavour after that godly wisdom which passeth all understanding?-I pray for humility; and do I not think, that to entertain a low opinion of myself would be doing myself injustice, and would argue a poorness of spirit? -I pray for contrition; and yet when I feel depressed, do I not long to be comforted, and seek to drive away the recollection of faults which gave me uneasiness?-I pray that God may be first in my thoughts; but do not the things of the world occupy the place of God?— I pray against covetousness, pride, envy, uncharitableness, hypocrisy, anger, and every deadly sin; am I therefore contented, humble, patient, sincere, kind, and charitable?-Great sins are easily discoverable, for the world attaches censure to them, and we are soon ashamed of them; but the faults which the world does not see are those which we are to search into; our carelessness in our devotions;

our tendency to think evil of our neighbours; to make no allowance for failings, the causes of which we do not know, and to think too little of their good qualities; our neglect of the opportunities which we have of doing good; our proneness to anger, to pride, to self-conceit; and our neglect of that examination of, and watchfulness over ourselves, which would of itself be sufficient occupation for the concern of our whole lives. Another subject of examination is, the management of our time. Every person has business or amusements to fill up his hours; but we should consider of how great consequence it is, how they are filled up; upon the employment of our time here, depends our happiness in eternity; and if we are to give an account of every idle word, of what essential importance is it that, in whatever manner we allot the disposal of our time, we should do all to the glory of God and the good of our own souls; and that neither business nor pleasure should engross our attention more than is absolutely expedient, but that, as far as is possible, God should be all in all.

Here are subjects enough of inquiry; and happy indeed should we be, if, upon strict and impartial examination, we should find ourselves in a state of certain progression in a life of holiness; that where we were strong, we have continued firm; where we were weak, we have received support; that neither prosperity nor adversity, employment nor retirement, public offices nor household cares, have disturbed our

duty to God, to our fellow creatures, and to ourselves; but that faith, humility, and charity, have gone hand in hand, preparing us, by a Christian life on earth, for the eternal bliss of the life of angels in heaven.

Prayer.

O ETERNAL and glorious God, who dwellest in heaven, ruling over all things from the beginning, thou art on high, and yet humblest thyself to listen to the prayers of thy sinful creatures upon earth. Thou hast searched me and known me; thou art about my path, and about my bed, and spiest out all my ways. There is not a word in my tongue, but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether. I beseech thee to set all my sins before me. Enable me to examine the state of my own mind-to compare my actions with the rule of thy laws, that nothing contrary to thy holy will may ever take root in my soul. Thou knowest the load of impiety and guilt under which I lie help me so impartially to judge and condemn myself, so humbly to repent of all my sins, that I may not be condemned at thy dreadful tribunal. But, alas! after the most strict examination we can make, who can number his impieties? who can tell how oft he offendeth? Cleanse me, therefore, O my God, from all my secret faults; keep me also from presumptuous sins. Give me a knowledge

of my infirmities, that I may guard against them; discover to me all my weaknesses, that I may reform them; and whatsoever is wanting in me, whereby I may please thee and perfect my duty, I pray may also be revealed unto me. Teach me to judge with charity concerning all my fellow-creatures, but to exercise over myself a severe and ingenuous spirit, condemning in myself what is criminal, suspecting what seems allowable, and watching over even what seems good, that, by the assistance of thy grace, I may correct whatsoever is amiss, and improve whatsoever is right in me; and, above all, give me such a sense of thine all-seeing eye, that my thoughts and actions may ever be so directed in the ways of thy laws and the works of thy commandments, that, in the great day of examination of all the world, I may be accepted by thee, and may be reckoned amongst the elect in thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday.

Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead.-ROMANS, vi., 13.

To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.-ROMANS, vi., 16. There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit; for if ye live after the flesh ye shall die, but if ye, through the spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.-ROMANS, viii., 1, 13.

On the duty of Repentance.

HERE is no duty more constantly enforced, both in the Old and New Testament, than Repentance; and for this evident reason, that mankind have always sinned by their disobedience to the positive commands of God; and as peace of mind in this world, and hopes of happiness in the next, are promised to them only who repent of and correct their sins, how can they, who feel no sorrow for their sins, nor endeavour to overcome them,