cerning this or that evil, Is it not a little one ? Much depends on mortifying the body. There are silent marches which the flesh will steal on us : the temper is too apt to rise : the tongue will let itself loose: the imagination, if liberty is given to it, will hurry us away. Vain company will injure the mind: carnal professors of religion especially will lower its tone: we catch a contagion from such men. Misemployment of time is injurious to the mind: when reflecting, in illness, on my past years, I have looked back with self-reproach on days spent in my study: I was wading through history, and poetry, and monthly journals; but I was in my study! Another man's trifling is notorious to all observers : but what am I doing? Nothing, perhaps, that has a reference to the spiritual good of my congregation! I do not speak against a chastised attention to literature, but the abuse of it. Avoid all idleness: Exercise thyself unto godliness : plan for God. Beware of temptation : the mind, which has dwelt on sinful objects, will be in darkness for days. Associate with spiritually-minded men: the very sight of a good man, though he says nothing, will refresh the soul. · Contemplate Christ: be much in retirement and prayer: study the honour and glory of your Master.

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ON

DECLENSION IN RELIGION.

A CHRISTIAN may decline far in religion, without being suspected. He may maintain appearances. Every thing seems to others to go on well. He suspects himself; for it requires great labour to maintain appearances; especially in a Minister. Discerning hearers will, however, often detect such declensions. He talks over his old matters. He says his things, but in a cold and unfeeling manner. He is sound, indeed, in doctrine; perhaps more sound than before; for there is a great tendency to soundness of doctrine, when appearances are to be kept up in a declining state of the heart.

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Where a man has real grace, it may be part of dispensation toward him that he is suffered to decline. He walked carelessly. He was left to decline, that he might be brought to feel his need of vigilance. If he is indulging a besetting sin, it may please God to expose him, especially if he is a high-spirited man, that he may hang down his head as long as he lives. He acted thus toward David and Hezekiah. But this is pulling down, in order to build up again.

The CAUSES of a decline in religion should be remarked :

The WORLD has always much to do in religious declension. A Minister is tempted, perhaps, to sacrifice every thing to a name. If any APPETITE is suffered to prevail, it will stupify the mind: religion is an abstract and elevated affair: The way of life is above to the wise, to depart from hell beneath. KEEP

ING ON GOOD TERMS WITH THOSE WHO RESPECT US, is a snare. A SPECULATIVE TURN OF MIND is a snare: it leads to that evil heart of unbelief which departs from the Living God. VAIN CONFIDENCE thinks himself in no danger: he knows the truth: he can dispute for the truth: What should we fear?" Why, that we have no fear. TRIFLING WITH CONSCIENCE, is a snare: no man indulges himself in any thing which his conscience tells him ought not to be done, but it will at length wear away his spirituality of mind.

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The SYMPTOMS of a religious decline are many : When a Minister begins to depart from God and to lose a spiritual mind HE BECOMES FOND SOMETIMES OF GENTEEL COMPANY, who can entertain him, and who know how to respect his character! This genteel spirit is suspicious: it is associated with pride, and delicacy, and a love of ease: in short, it is the spirit of the world. It is the reverse of condescending to mean things it is the reverse of the spirit of our Master.

It is a symptom of decline, when a man will UNNE

CESSARILY EXPOSE THE IMPERFECTIONS OF THE RELI

GIOUS WORLD. "Such a man," he will say, "is fond of praying: but he is fond of money." This is the very opposite spirit to that of St. Paul, who speaks even weeping of those who mind earthly things.

A VIOLENT SECTARIAN SPIRIT is a sign of religious declension. Honest men stand firm for the vitals of religion. If the mind were right, the circumstantials of religion would not be made matters of fierce contention. The spirit of St. Paul was of another kind. If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no meat while the world standeth lest I make my brother to of fend-One believeth that he may eat all things: another who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him, that eateth, despise him that eateth not: and let not him, which eateth not, judge him that eateth.

AVERSION FROM REPROOF marks a state of religious decline. The man cannot bear to have his state de

picted, even in the pulpit. He calls the preaching, which searches and detects him, Arminian and legal. Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? Why should he quarrel with the truth? If that truth is delivered in its just proportions, his quarrel is with God!

STUPIDITY UNDER CHASTISEMENT proves a man to be under declension. He is not disposed to ask, Wherefore dost thou contend mith me? He is kicking against the pricks. He is stricken, but has not grieved. He is chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. Such a man, too, has often a HIGH MIND. He is unhumbled boasting-stout-hearted. He is ready to censure every one but himself.

UNNECESSARY OCCUPATION is another evidence of declension. Some men are unavoidably much engaged in the world: to such men God will give especial grace, if they seek it; and they shall maintain a spirit of devotion even in the bustle and occupation of their affairs. But some men will be rich, and therefore fall into temptation and a snare: they will have shops in different parts of the town; they say they do not feel this affect their religious state: but I cannot believe them: a man is declined from God before he enters on such schemes: a spiritual and devout man will generally find the business in which he is already engaged a sufficient snare.

In short, the Symptoms may be this or that, but the disease is a dead palsy. Ephraim!--he hath mixed himself among the people: Ephraim is a cake not turned. Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth it not.

ON A

CHRISTIAN'S

ASSOCIATING WITH IRRELIGIOUS PERSONS FOR THEIR GOOD.

CHRIST is an example to us of entering into mixed society. But our imitation of him herein must admit of restrictions. A feeble man must avoid danger. If any one could go into society as Christ did, then let him go : let him attend marriage-feasts and Pharisees' houses.

Much depends on a Christian's observing his call -the openings which Providence has made before him. It is not enough to say that he frequents public company in order to retard the progress of evil.

But, when in company of people of the world, we should treat them kindly and tenderly-with feeling and compassion. They should be assisted, if they are inclined to receive assistance. But if a Christian falls into the society of a mere worldling, it must be like the meeting of two persons in rain-they will part as soon as possible. If a man loves such company, it is an evil symptom.

It is a Christian's duty to maintain a kind intercourse, if practicable, with his relatives. And he must DULY APPRECIATE THEIR STATE: if not religious, they cannot see and feel and taste his enjoyments: they accommodate themselves to him, and he accommodates himself to them. It is much a matter of accommodation on both sides.

AVOID DISGUSTING SUCH FRIENDS UNNECESSARILY. A precise man, for instance, must be humoured. Your friends set down your religion, perhaps, as a case of

humour.