kept in mind: that, after that the world is ended, he may come, and make us to sit with him at his own board. Master. What doth Baptism represent and set before our eyes?

Scholar. That we are by the Spirit of Christ new born, and cleansed from sin that we be members and parts of his Church, received into the Communion of Saints. For water signifieth the Spirit. Baptism is also a figure of our burial in Christ, and that we shall be raised up again with him, in a new life, as I have before declared in Christ's Resurrection.

Master. What declareth and betokeneth the Supper unto us: which we solemnly use in the rememberance of the Lord?

Scholar. The Supper (as I have shewed a little before) is a certain thankful rememberance of the Death of Christ: forasmuch as the bread representeth his body, betrayed to be crucified for us: The wine standeth in stead and place of his blood, plenteously shed for us. And even as by bread and wine, our natural bodies are sustained and nour ished: so by the body, that is the flesh and blood of Christ, the soul is fed through faith, and quickened to the heavenly and godly life.

Master. How come these things to pass?

Scholar. These things come to pass by a certain secret mean, and lively working of the Spirit: when we believe that Christ hath, once for all, given up his body and blood for us, to make a sacrifice, and most pleasant offering to his heavenly Father: and also when we confess and acknowledge him our Saviour, high Bishop, Mediator, and Redeemer: to whom is due all honour and glory.

:

Master. All this thou dost well understand. For me thinketh thy mean- ing is that faith is the mouth of the soul: whereby we receive this very heavenly meat, full both of salvation and immortality, dealt among us, by means of the Holy Ghost. Now, since we have entreated of the sacraments, pass forward to the other parts of God's ser. vice.

vice.

First, our Lord Jesus Christ's will was, that there should be teachers and evangelists, that is to say, preachers of the Gospel: to this intent, that his voice might continually be heard sound in his church. He that coveteth (as all ought to covet) to bear the name of a Christian, may have no doubt that he ought with most earnest affection, and fervent desire, endeavour himself to hear and soke into his mind, the word of the Lord: not like the words of any man, but like (as it is indeed) the word of Almighty God. Secondly, because all that is good, and that ought of a Christian to be desired, cometh unto us from God, and is by him granted: therefore of him we ought to require all things and by thanksgiving acknowledge them all received of him. Which thing he so well liketh, that he esteemeth it instead of a passing pleasant sacrifice: as it is most evident by the witness of the Prophets and Apostles. (We must defer the conclusion to our next.)

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.
SIR,

THE following paper was written by
me several years ago. If in my own
case it has been productive of no more
salutary effect, it has at least contribut-
ed to make me feel my own unworthi-
ness, and my need of an Advocate with
the Father. The perusal of it may
probably suggest to some of
your read-
ers hints for self-examination, and it is
with that view I send it. I do not mean
to say, that the plan I had sketched out
for myself is exactly suited to the case
of others. There is an endless variety in
the circumstances, propensities, temp-
tations, and habits of men, which ren-
ders somewhat a different course ne-
cessary in almost every separate in-
stance; but yet there is a sufficient de-
gree of resemblance in all, to afford
room for hoping, that such a communi-
cation as the present may not be with-
out its advantages. I am, &c.

SUNDAY.

Q. F.

BEING prevented by indisposition from attending public worship, I would employ this season of more than usual retirement, in reflecting on my obliga

tions to God; engaging expressly to fulfil them, and imploring through Christ that grace, and those influences of his Spirit, which can alone enable me to do so. And may God Almighty grant, that my future life may evince my simplicity and sincerity in this exercise!

Having found by lamentable experience, how adverse the cares of the world, the hurry and distraction of worldly business, and the dissipation of worldly converse, are to the maintenance of a spiritual state of mind; and having also found how unfriendly a want of regularity in the duties of private prayer, and self-examination, and the study of the Scriptures, is to my improvement in right tempers and affections, as well towards God as towards my fellow-men, I am the more induced to form this explicit engagement in the presence of God, who knows the heart; hoping that through his mercy in Christ, its frequent perusal may be of use, in reclaiming my steps when they deviate from the right way.

I therefore, in the strength of divine grace, make the following

RESOLUTIONS:

I will regard the favour and everlasting enjoyment of God, as the end of all my plans; and study to make the consideration of them influence, as much as possible, the minutest actions of my life.

I will regard the obedience, sacrifice, mediation, and intercession of Christ, as the only procuring cause of all those spiritual blessings which conduce to that end; as the pardon of sin, peace with God, and the sanctifying influences of his Spirit.

I will continually keep in mind my obligation to walk in Christ's steps, and to be holy as he is holy: as one, which if I do not fulfil, I shall in vain hope to enter heaven; and I will ever pray for the Spirit of God, in the belief that through his operation alone, can this holy frame be produced.

I will cultivate an habitual sense of God's presence, and of my accountableness to him; of the shortness of time, and of my obligation to improve it.

I will study for the future to appear well, not so much in the sight of man

as in that of God; and to that end, will be particularly watchful against the love of human praise or distinction, and the fear of shame; desisting from my purpose when I feel these to be my only motives, and endeavouring by prayer to overcome them when I perceive them to mix with such as are more pure.

I will consider love to God and zeal for his glory as my highest duties, and study to improve daily in these divine affections; and I will judge of my pro. gress in them, not by transient fervours of the mind, but by my habitual tempers, by my punctual performance of the self-denying duties of Christianity, by my cheerful acquiescence in all God's dispensations, and by the love, the humility, and the meekness which I am enabled to exercise to those around me. I will study to live a life of dependance on Christ, and of faith in his word; making it the sole and exclusive measure of my belief and practice.

I will particularly study to restrain all wanderings of the mind, in the public and private exercises of God's worship; to banish, as much as I can, vain and worldly conversation, and vain and worldly thoughts from my mind and lips, on the Lord's-day; and to give all my household the time requisite for hallowing it.

I will guard against formality and vanity, especially in family worship; and fit myself, by previous reflection and prayer, for its due performance.

I will be particularly guarded against the intrusion of impure thoughts. I will turn away my eyes from beholding what might lead to them, shut my ears against polluting conversation, and restrain my tongue from every licentious word; and I will carefully avoid every circumstance which I know to have formerly excited improper feelings, and forbid my thoughts to dwell for a moment on past scenes of sensual pleasure.

I will watch against every rising of covetous desire; and while I carefully repress all tendency to improper expense, or the careless profusion of any of God's gifts, I will seek out proper objects with whom to share those good things of which God has made me the steward, and of which he will require

an account. I will ask every night, whose distress have I this day relieved? I will no longer put off to a future day, or leave the business of the present day or hour, but will apply myself to it, deny myself to sloth and the love of ease, and exercise a constant and self-denying attention to what is my proper work.

I will keep truth inviolate in the smallest, as well as in the greatest mat

ters.

I will in no case affect knowledge which I have not.

I will read no book but with attention; and I will read none which tend to inflame the mind, or to excite improper sentiments.

I will be ready to communicate, and also to receive knowledge; and I will be open to conviction, ever receiving correction and reproof meekly and thankfully, never questioning merely for the sake of dispute, nor ever retorting upon any reprover.

I will watch against all superciliousness in look or manner, all sourness of mind in dispute, all impatience of contradiction in my intercourse with all, whether common acquaintance or the most intimate relative, as wife, brother, &c.; and I will listen with patience and kindness to the arguments and reasonings of others, however impertinent they may appear at the moment.

I will also watch against a selfish and exclusive attachment to my own comfort, and study to be equally solicitous for the comfort of others, and to repress every rising of impatience at the trouble which this may occasion to me. I will endeavour to cultivate a temper of more benignity towards all; and I will attend more to the outward expression of love and kindness, never allowing passion to dictate what I may say, but studying to act by others as I could reasonably wish to be dealt with.

I will watch particularly against all hastiness of spirit towards inferiors, and especially those who need my help; but will listen composedly to their representations, and render them all the justice, and all the kindness in my power, consistently with my other duties.

I will not only not use railing words to any, but I will guard against every circumstance in look and manner,which

might tend unnecessarily to wound the feelings of others.

I will not allow the ill conduct' of others towards me to lessen my kindness and good will to them.

I will not reprove my servants in anger, but in love; and be more anxious to remind them of their obligations to God than to myself.

I will not chide or correct my children in passion, nor use peevish language towards them; and previous to correcting them, I will use prayer to God; and I will not be turned aside by false pity, or by indolence, from duly correcting their faults, which I will ever remind them to be sins against God.

I will never use threatening language, but by way of prevention, and without any mixture of passion; and I will study, not to allow my voice to be elevated above its ordinary tone, in talking with any.

I will guard against all excess in eating and drinking; never allowing complaisance for any to mar for a moment the clear exercise of my reason, or discompose my quiet, by leading me beyond the bounds of strict moderation.

I will, from this time forward, when not hindered by unavoidable circumstances, regularly devote at least one half hour in the morning, and one half hour in the evening, exclusively to those concerns which lie between God and my soul.

I will, every day, make the attainment of purity, humility meekness, lowliness of heart, activity, watchfulness, calmness of mind, kindness of manner, sincerity, and spiritual mindedness, being the graces in which I conceive myself more particularly defective, the subject of special and earnest supplication at the Throne of Grace.

I will read every day in private a portion of Scripture, with meditation and prayer.

I will be daily engaged in the work of intercession.

I will, at least once every day, call to mind, with due solemnity, the innumerable instances of God's providential goodness to me, recollecting with deep self-abasement what I was in-inand in-, and humbly adoring the infinite mercy of God, which has thus far caused me to differ.

I will also call to mind every day my lamentable failures in duty, my many actions whereby God has been dishonoured and my soul injured, even since it has pleased him to convince me of my obligation to love and serve him; and I will improve the rememberance as an incitement to greater watchful ness, circumspection, and self-distrust. I will consider the study of my heart as one main business of my life; and I will enter every evening, if possible, into a serious review of the past day, and of the manner in which I have kept this engagement, and into a solemn consideration of the fitness of my soul for entering on the eternal world.

I will anxiously study to reform whatever I shall find amiss; and of whatever defect in the performance of my duty I may be sensible, whatever corrupt propensity I may discover, of whatever sinful thoughts, words, or actions, I may have been guilty, I will endeavour to improve as an incite ment more deeply to repent of sin, more highly to value the love of my crucified Redeemer, and more implicitly to rely on his atoning merits, for pardon and acceptance, and on the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit, for victory over sin, and advancement in purity and holiness of heart and life. May the Spirit of all Grace fill my heart with heavenly wisdom, and form me anew in my Saviour's image! May the bright example of Jesus Christ be ever before my eyes; and may his lessons be ever graven on my heart! Through his blood may my defiled and guilty conscience be cleansed from all sin! May he reign in my heart, and ever continue the object of my ardent desire, of my undeviating reliance, of my cheerful homage, of my lively and active gratitude, and of my highest love! And may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of

SIR,

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

L. R.

"Your statement of what you believe to be the doctrines of your Church upon the subject of Baptismal Regeneration, has given me great satisfaction, and almost removed my scruples on that head; but I fear you will not be equally able to silence my doubts on the subject of the Burial Service: I feel a strong reluctance at the idea of pronouncing so unequivocal, a declaration of the truly christian state in which every one is said to depart, when the contrary is often so notoriously manifest: unless this difficulty be removed, I think I cannot conscientiously subscribe to the Liturgy as by law established. The anxious and friendly solicitude with which you have entered into this correspondence with me, induces me to hope that even on this point, (which I confess is quite a stumbling block to me at present) you will be able and willing to say something satisfactory to

Your affectionate friend,
Dec. 17, 1801.

For the Christian Observer.

C. S."

grace and peace, sanctify me wholly, and through the blood of the everlasting covenant make me perfect in every good work to do his will, that I may be enabled ever to render to the Father, Son, and Spirit, one God, the

Country Clergyman.

(Continued from P. 102.)

ON THE TRUE DIGNITY OF MAN.

Ir has been objected against Christianity, that it exhibits degrading views of human nature, injurious to virtue,

It is true that Christianity exhibits man as fallen very low; but is it not also true, that its proper end is highly to exalt him? It represents him, indeed, as degraded even unto hell; but does it not propose, as its very object, to raise him up to Heaven? How dignified do the scriptures describe him to have been in his origin! His soul inspired by the breath of the Almighty! This beauteous globe contrived and fashioned for his habitation! Every other order of creatures subjected to him as lord of all! He himself made capable of holding converse with his God, and actually admitted to his familiar intimacy and friendship! Are not these grand ideas? But one, unspeakably more grand, is yet to be mentioned. "God so loved the world, as to give his Only-Begotten Son, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life." Astonishing and dignifying consideration! The Eternal Son of God, equal with the Father, assumes our nature !-values us so highly, as thus to humble himself, that we might be exalted; and submits to death, that we might live!-rises again from the dead; ascends to heaven; and seats human nature on the very throne of God! In that nature receives the adoration of all the heavenly hosts; and officiates as our advocate in the court of Heaven!-entitles us to be called, like himself, sons of God; and, sending forth his Divine Spirit, purifies our fallen nature, and makes it meet for an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away! To these contemplations let every meaner thought give way; and if we boast, let us boast of that which constitutes our real dignity-let us boast of our religion, and of our Redeemer.

The unbeliever may perhaps call all this enthusiasm, and deem it no better

Mag. Coll. July 12th, 1755.

MY DEAREST CHARLES,

As it has pleased God, who orders every thing for the best, to separate us for a time, so that we cannot pass our hours together, as we used to do, in reading the Holy Scriptures, and talking one to another of the things God has done for us, and requires us to do for him, we have nothing left but to pray earnestly for each other, that we fall not into temptation, and communicate our thoughts in writing for the establishment of our faith. Be not discouraged, my beloved friend, at what has happened. It is not this, or that person, that has taken you from us, but he who orders and disposes all events according to his infinite wisdom, and unbounded love. And this, you may depend upon it, is done for great and glorious purposes; at least for the trial of your own faith, that being more precious than gold, it may come out brighter from the furnace of tempiation. There are two methods the enemy has of attacking the children of God, threatening and alluring. One of these the strength from above has enabled you to stand, and fear not but the same strength will make you more than conqueror over the other. The God who delivered you out of the paws of the lion, and the bear, and the uncircumcised Philistine, will (if you continually pray to him) enable you to