virtue, than the shortness and uncertainty of human life.. I am well aware that to men unaccustomed to fuch a reflection, nothing can appear a more unwelcome and melancholy confideration; who has not frequently heard it obferved, as a circumstance which in fome degree alleviates the many evils incident to our condition, that the apprehenfion of what is fure to happen, fhould occur fo feldom as it does? No confideration, however, can more effectually difpofe us to moderate our worldly cares, or regulate our affections; it lightens also the weight of affliction, by convincing us that our prefent evils (are but of fhort duration, and by directing our hopes to the more lafting happiness of another life.robna omit ) The being and attributes of God are likewife, fubjects most interesting to us, and every way worthy of our frequent, meditation. The more we think of God, : the more muft we love and adore him, and delight in fo doing. Who Who can reflect on the almighty power, the infinite justice, and the awful prefence of God, and not be difpofed to behave towards him in a manner fuitable to hist dignity? Can we be mindful that he is of parer eyes than to behold iniquity? and not afpire after a ftate of purity and perfection. Who can be fenfible of the divine mercy in redeeming us from the condemnation of fin, and not feel his heart burn within him, while he communes with it on the love of God, till the fire of devotion is kindled, and breaks forth in effufions of praise and thanksgiving. On these and fuch like meditations we fhall do well to dwell frequently, till we can both relish and retain them. Practice will, in a fhort time, make them familiar and pleasing to us, till at length the happy influence of fome religious motive will, under the bleffing of God, be found ever near at hand, whereby we may be enabled to regulate and fubdue our inordinate affections. It is, indeed, much to be wifhed, that men would make it their daily practice to dedicate fome few moments when they rife to devout meditation and prayers, nor ought it ever to be omitted at the hour of rest, to close the day, by recollecting how we have paffed it. We are daily contracting guilt, and many things which ought to be repented of, may escape our notice, and hereafter fwell the account against us, if not attended to, and corrected in time. If what has been faid on this fubject, has had the defired effect of difpofing you, to form a refolution of acquainting yourfelves with God and your own confcience; leave not fuch a difpofition behind you at the Church, but carry it with you to your chamber, and your pillow. Let the thought of God, and your duty towards him be henceforth ever prefent with you night and morning. Make but a trial of this plain and fimple remedy, you will foon find it operate in every circumstance of your lives, and diffuse its influence over all all your actions. Your conduct will be every day more and more conformable to the precepts of the Gospel, and if haply through infirmity, or accident you err from them, the return will be eafy, and without delay. EPISTLE of ST. JAMES,It mails to mail or imm? oc Chapter iv. Verfes 13, 14, 15 fum cot ow Per I' Go to now, Ye that fay, To-day or to-mor row we will tinue ther0 into fuch a city, and con a year, get gain: Whereas and buy, and fell, and ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we fhall live, and do this, or that. EVER 200 ER fince the creation of the world, the conftant fucceffion of mankind has kept |