Might we not render these and similar subjects familiar to our minds, by a daily habit of religious meditation; instead of musing on things which corrupt our hearts and deprave our characters? Might we not endeavour to recollect the instructions delivered on the sabbath for our edification, and apply them to ourselves according as our several cases require reproof, correction, or instruction in righteousness? If we were sufficiently careful to treasure up the information received from the preaching of the gospel, we might thereby become both wiser and better; whereas by suffering it to slip from our remembrance, as soon as the service of the sanctuary is finished, we derive no advantage from such useful means appointed for building up saints in their most holy faith. Let us then no longer employ our precious faculty of thinking on every idea which imagination may suggest but "whatsever things are pure, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, or of good report," if there be any virtue to be attained, any praise-worthy action to be performed, let us "think of these things."

Another method, by which we may ponder the path of our feet is to consider every morning the duties and temptations which await us through the day, and prepare ourselves for discharging the one and resisting the other. After recommending ourselves to the divine protection, let us reflect that if we have the prospect of being alone, we should commune with our own hearts; if in company with others, that we should be affable and gentle in our intercourse; if we meet with a superior that we should be humble and complaisant, if with an inferior that we should be courteous and condescending: if with the poor that we should be sympathizing and charitable, and it with the afflicted that we should administer consolation. If we foresee that we may perhaps be placed in circumstances which shall endanger our virtue, let us fix in our minds such considerations as may enable us to resist stedfast in the faith, and by supposing ourselves already ell gaged with our spiritual enemies, let us take to ourselves the whole armour of God whereby we shall be enabled to

come off more than conquerors through Christ who strengtheneth us."

In order the more effectually to preserve upon our minds a sense of our several obligations, it will be a most useful exercise if we would recollect shortly every evening, the manner in which we have spent our time during the preceding day, whether we performed our devotions in the morning with seriousness and fervour; whether we have managed the business of our callings with integrity and diligence; whether we have conversed with others to their edification, without detracting from the character of others; whether we have not spent a part of our time in idleness and folly; whether we have not fallen into the same habits from which we wish to refrain, or whether we have kept a conscience void of offence; whether we have received any blessing for which we should be grateful, or met with any calamity for which we ought to be submissive to the will of Providence. These and similar topics should be subjects of our recollection in the evening; and upon discovering our defects we should renew our resolutions to amend them, or on finding ourselves improving in piety and holiness, we should give God the praise, for enabling us to will and to do his good pleasure. For this purpose it has been usual for many Christians, who would attain eminent degrees of goodness, to write a diary or daily account of the state of their hearts and the tenour of their actions, and to make such remarks respecting themselves or others, as may serve to regulate their future conduct. Such a plan is one of the most useful exercises to preserve on the mind a constant sense of those religious obligations which are incumbent upon us as men and Christians.

But as most people have neither time nor inclination for adopting this method; they should at least devote a part of the sabbath, for examining the progress they have made in the Christian life, and whether they are proceed. ing in the course prescribed for leading them to heaven. For this purpose, let them consult the scriptures, which are the standard of virtuous attainments, and compare them with the testimony of their own consciences. The

one describes the Christian character, the other reports whether we are conformable to it or not; the one exhibits the principles and actions which we should adopt, the other declares that we are either endeavouring to acquire them, or living in neglect of them altogether. If, therefore we set apart some time every sabbath for self examination; let us proceed in the following manner. Thus, if we should read such passages as the following; "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and soul, and strength and mind, and thy neighbour as thyself:" "to him that believes Christ is precious:" "they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts:" "love not the world neither the things that are in the world:" "set your affections on things above, not on things in the earth :" "repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out:" "be stedfast and immoveable and abound in the work of the Lord."-Let us ask our own hearts, do we love the Lord, and believe in Christ? Have we crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts? Do we look not so much at the things which are seen and temporal as at those which are unseen and are eternal? Have we repented of our evil habits, and do we walk in newness of life? and are we endeavouring to abound more and more in the fruits of righteousness?-Such an application of scripture to our own hearts will, if continued regularly every Sabbath, soon discover to us what manner of spirit we are of, and whether we have reason to think that we are living as becometh the gospel. We may indeed allege that this is a laborious task which is by no means necessary to undertake; but do we not deem it requisite to examine from time to time our worldly affairs. that we may discover in what state they are? we may be assured that it is no less needful to ascertain whether our hearts are right in the sight of God by adopting some such method for pondering the path of our feet that our spiritual ways may be established.

In addition to this weekly examination, which should be regularly performed, the sincere Christian will avail himself of the opportunity afforded by the days of fasting and preparation for the reception of the sacrament, to

take a general review of his past life, and call to mind the several imperfections of character and errors of conduct, which still prevail against him. He will recollect, that he performs such a duty in an unbecoming manner; that he neglects such an office which he ought to discharge; that he is not careful to improve his understanding by reading and reflection, nor to spend his leisure moments in useful occupations, nor to improve his dispositions in doing good; that such a corruption which has long gained a predominating influence, still retains its strength unimpaired, and that his purposes of amendment have not hitherto produced any alteration in his life and conversation. Therefore, on such a day, he will not fail to think of his ways, that he may turn his feet unto the divine testimonies; that he may make haste and delay not to keep God's commandments. He will consider, that "now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation," and that if he delay from one season to another to work out his salvation, and make his calling and election sure, his "heart may be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,” and he may be cut off before he has time for repentance, though he seek it carefully with tears. Therefore, he should resolve, that through assistance from on high, he will endeavour for the future to walk circumspectly, not as a fool, but as a wise man," redeeming the time because the days are evil."

Finally, as he knows not what a day nor an hour may bring forth, nor what trials are awaiting him in the future period of his life, he will devote the first sabbath of every returning year, to set before his view those scenes of distress which may befal him in his person or his family, and that final event which must ensue at his dissolution from the body. It were well that we accustomed ourselves to contemplate the probable casualties of our condition; to imagine ourselves stretched on a bed of languishing, or our friends afflicted with disease, and bidding an eternal adieu to every thing under the sun. Let us reflect, how we would bear these dispensations of our lot when they must occur to us all, either sooner or later during our earthly pilgrimage. Let us now fortify our minds with

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such considerations, as may support us when walking through the valley and the shadow of death; let us fix in our thoughts those consolations of the gospel, which are fitted to soothe our spirits under the loss of our bosom friends; that when we or they are about to go the way whence we shall not return, we may, by recollecting the sentiments which inspired us with hope and comfort, sustain the load of suffering which we must one day endure, with becoming resignation. Let us at such seasons meditate on the happiness of that unseen world, "where there is no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither is there any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Thus let us ponder the path of our feet, that our ways may be established.

Such being the manner in which this duty should be performed, we should be induced to the practice of it by considering,

III. The advantages arising from such a course of discipline.

By these means we shall gain that knowledge of our selves which maketh wise unto salvation; for if we enquire what are the ruling principles which prevail in our souls, we shall soon discover whether the grace of God be in us of a truth, or whether we have only a name to live while we are dead in trespasses and sins. We shall perceive, from this self-acquaintance, what is the state of our religious feelings and attainments; what are the blemishes which cleave to our characters; and be induced to labour after such amendment as is requisite to approve ourselves to our consciences, and obtain the approbation of God who judgeth righteously. By these means also, we shall be assisted in discharging our religious services in sincerity and truth; we shall be taught what sins to confess, what graces to implore, for what mercies to be thankful, and thus maintain that communion with God which proceeds from a due sense of our spiritual condition.-By these means we shall learn whether we are proceeding in the way of duty which he hath pointed out in his holy word; for by the constant perusal of it we shall acquire a know

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