word in season. Do we meet with pious connexions? We shall feel towards them as brethren. We shall speak of the things touching the King. We shall not offend against the generation of the upright. Among our immediate relations, and in our family circle, we shall let the Christian appear, and maintain our consistency; but if we rebuke, it will be in the spirit of love. We shall not threaten, but rather entreat. Our religion will be seen much oftener than it is heard: and we shall expect to succeed, not so much by direct effort, as by keeping our charge constantly under the exhibition of whatsoever things are lovely and of good report. Finally. It will influence us as to the trials of the day. It will not fill us with forebodings, and prevent our enjoying the present comforts of Providence; but it will keep us from forgetting that this is a vale of tears, or thinking it strange if we are called to endure. It will teach us to look beyond instruments -to see and own the hand of God in our afflictions-to inquire wherefore he contendeth with us -to implore grace, not only to support, but to sanctify; and to enable us to honour God, and edify others, by our sufferings-and, avoiding all improper means to escape from trouble, not only hope, but quietly wait, for the salvation of God. A concern to exemplify all this, is the best evidence of our religion. It is the way of safety, and honour, and advantage. The eye of God is upon us all the day long. He is doing us good all the day long. We may die all the day long-Let us therefore be in the fear of the Lord all day long. Nov. 29.-" This is his commandment, That we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." 1 John iii. 23. THE injunction of the latter of these, has given rise to no difficulty. But much dispute has been occasioned by the commanding of the former. It is undeniable, however, that the one is enjoined as well as the other-in the same passage, and-by the very same authority. He that commands us to love one another, commands us equally to believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ. And if so, then faith is a duty. Indeed, if it be not a duty, we are not bound to obey God. If it be not a duty, unbelief is not a sin. Yet the Holy Ghost convinces us of sin-and of sin, because we believe not on Christ. Accordingly, in conviction, with the discovery of this guilt, we are principally affected; and look on him whom we have pierced, and mourn for him. Hence, unbelief is punishable, and destroys the soul. Indeed, nothing else destroys the soul, under the Gospel. For provision is there made for our fallen condition, and pressed upon our acceptance-but we neglect so great salvation; and turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven.-It is true, Divine influence is necessary. But why is it not possessed? It is sinful to be without it-if there be any truth in the Bible. But why should we seek after, or be thankful for, assistance, to enable us to do what we were under no obligation to do? This justifies ministers, in calling upon sinners to believe. There are some who condemn and ridicule them for this. But Ezekiel, in the Name of God, prophesied to the dry bones, and said unto them "Live." Paul made no scruple to admonish Simon Magus, though in the gall of bitterness and the bond of inquity, to repent and pray. And to the Jailor he said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved-for he then was not. As the love of God renders our duty our privilege; so the authority of God renders our privilege our duty. And is not this an advantage? For thus we are not left to the calls of self-love, and our own interest; but are bound to pursue our welfare by the command of God, and the peril arising from a neglect of it. This also meets the state of the conscience, and affords encouragement to awakened sinners. These, under a sense of their unworthiness and guilt, will be sure to ask-" But may I go to him, and trust in him? What warrant have I?" Now here is the warrant-the command of God. I may doubt my title to a promise; but I cannot question my obligation to obey a Divine command. This fully authorizes me— Yea, it not only secures me from presumption if I comply, but renders me chargeable with disobedience if I refuse. I am not afraid to love another-I never enquire, may I do it-I know that I ought to do it; because he has commanded it-Why then should I fear to apply to the Saviour?-And why ask, May I believe on him to life everlasting?-since this also is his commandment, That we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ? Lord, I believe-help thou mine unbelief. Nov. 30.-" Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" John ix. 35. WHOEVER thou art that readest this page, allow the writer to address this question to THEE. Art thou young-Dost thou believe on the Son of God? O that you did! How the Scripture extols and recommends early godliness! They that seek me early, says the Saviour, shall find me-find me-for there is an emphasis in the promise; find me, as others never will, never can, find me-find me, in a thousand peculiar preservations, honours, advantages, and delights. And what a favourable season do you now enjoy!-the body in health and strength-the mind in vigour-the memory retentive the affections warm-the heart tender-the cares and troubles of life scarcely begun-the days distant in which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them!" Oh! redeem the time. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Enter immediately a course that is profitable unto all things; having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Art thou old-Dost thou believe on the Son of God? Thy age demands respect; and I readily pay it but thy state! Ah! thy state demands all my fidelity. And art thou, at the end of sixty, seventy, eighty, years, ignorant of the Redeemer, whom to know is life eternal? Have all these departed seasons been passed only in vanity and vice? Is thy day rapidly closing; and thy work, thy journey, not even begun? Does thine eye, in looking back, meet with nothing but guilt; and, in looking forward, nothing but gloom? How I pity thy condition! It is time-it is high time-to awake out of sleep. And, blessed be God, it is not too late. 66 And, while the lamp holds out to burn, "The vilest sinner may return." I announce a Saviour who is able to save unto the uttermost; and who converted and pardoned the Thief at the eleventh hour-Oh! seek him while he may be found; and call upon him while he is near.But if thou art old in grace, as well as in age, thy hoary head, being found in the way of righteousness, is a crown of glory. And thy salvation nearer than when thou believedst. The night, with thee, is far spent, and the day is at hand. Yet a little while, and what a blessed deliverance "All thy sorrows left below, "And earth exchang'd for heav'n!" Till then, let faith and patience have their perfect work-Speak well of his Name-Recommend his service to others, from your own knowledge of its excellency-Take a fresh and firmer hold of him, from the proofs you have had of his faithfulness and care: and, leaning upon his arm, as you descend, say "By long experience, I have known 66 Thy sov'reign power to save; "At thy command, I venture down Dost thou Art thou indulged by Providence? believe on the Son of God? Perhaps sickness led you down to the very gates of death; and ou looked into eternity; and, without hope in that world-you trembled, and cried, Take me not off in the midst of my days-Oh! spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. And he heard your cry; and said, Return again, ye children of men. And have you returned again to folly? And have you forgotten that the Vows of God are upon you? And what is a recovered body, while the soul is full of moral disease? A reprieve, too, is not a pardon. Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return-is the sentence still suspended; the delayed execution of which will be attended with added terror and remorse. Perhaps thy business flourishes; thy grounds bring forth plentifully; thy cup of prosperity runneth over. We do not wish you to despise the bounties of Nature and Providence; yea, you ought to be thankful for them--As to their use, they are valuablebut what are they as a portion! How melancholy is the thought that you must leave them! And you know not how soon you may be torn from all your treasure. And, even in the midst of your fulness, are you not in straits? Do you not sigh over your |