efforts to recover the former frame, but in vain. He seemed to say, "My visits must not be slighted."

'Return unto thy rest, O my soul :'-I feel this is the grand secret for obtaining peace, in a world of sin and sorrow. When the heart turns away from the confusions and disturbances to which it is continually exposed; and, taking wings, flies to the bosom of God:-when the voice of Christ, walking in the night on the troubled waters, is heard-It is I, be not afraid :-This is peace! And this, too, is his own direction for obtaining it: In the world ye shall have tribulation; but, in me, ye shall have peace. Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.'

After so many years of uninterrupted activity, to be imprisoned, to be silenced, and almost incapable of writing or reading, is more wearisome than even the pain that often accompanies it. And yet hence the following instruction may be gathered:

1. How much activity belongs to some natures; and that this nature is often mistaken for

grace.

2. How much we are called to suffer, as well as do, the will of God. When I have bid one of my children sit down quietly, and remain silent during my pleasure, I enjoin him a much more difficult task than the most active service; and yet I expected it to be done, because I ordered it. How is it, that I have not yet learnt to sit still when I am bid.

3. While life is wasting, and souls are perishing, I may yet earnestly plead, with the Psalmist, Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name.' 1 may sing with the poet,

"My stock lies dead, and no increase
Does my dull husbandry inprove :
Oh let thy graces, without cease,

Drop from above!

Death is still working like a mole,
And digs my grave at each remove :
Let Grace work too, and on my soul
Drop from above!

"Oh come, for thou dost know the way;
Or, if to me thou wilt not move,
Remove me where I need not say
Drop from above!"

Lying on my couch at an interval of ease, I form a project of some work: I trace the good effects which it ought to produce; and say to myself, Why do we sit still till we die? I start up, to find pen and paper; and, at the moment, my painful complaint arrests the me afresh. While I, fainting, recline again, I seem to hear "Know, feeble worm, that even God's work must wait for God's call, and time and strength."

I am shocked to think, that throughout my louring and threatening dispensation, I still am ready to kindle and explode when the temptation comes. Mr. Henry's remark on Abimilech, who wished his armour bearer to dispatch him, lest it should be said he died by the hand of a woman, may on other accounts, be applied to me : -Homo moritur, at superbia non moritur.

The many mercies mixed with my pains, ought to strangle every peevish thought in its very birth. How am I surrounded with every thing that can meet and mitigate my case! What kind friends, with their sympathy and assistance!-What excellent supplies for my pulpit! What intervals of ease!-What a Bible, full of directions and encouragements !-What opportunity for reflection and prayer!-What a prospect, after a short night of sorrow!-Complain with all these!-Get thee hence, Satan!

Ah! my dear angry Lord,

Since thou dost love, yet strike;
Cast down, yet help afford;
Sure I will do the like.

"I will complain, yet praise;
Bewail, and yet approve:
And all my sour-sweet days,
I will lament and love."

REMAINS

OF THE

REV. RICHARD CECIL.

VOL. III.

21

INTRODUCTION.

- He, that has the happy talent of parlour-preaching,” says Dr. Watts,* " has sometimes done more for Christ and souls in the space of a few minutes, than by the labour of many hours and days in the usual course of preaching in the pulpit.”

On my first intercourse with Mr. Cecil, now upward of fifteen years since, when in the full vigour of his mind, I was so struck with the wisdom and originality of his remarks, that I considered it my duty to record what seemed to me most likely to be useful to others.

It should be observed that Mr. Cecil is made to speak often of himself ; and, to persons who do not consider the circumstances of the case, there may appear much egotism in the quantity of such remarks here put together, and in the manner in which his things are said: but this will be treating him with the most flagrant injustice ; for it must be remembered that the remarks of this nature were chiefly made by him, from time to time, in answer to my particular inquiries into his judgment and habits on certain points of doctrine or practice.

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