and follies in the temper and conduct of our intimate friends, which may else be ready to discompose us. And it is the more necessary to guard our minds here; as wise and good men often lose the command of themselves on these comparatively little occasions ; who, calling up reason and religion to their assistance, stand the shock of great calamities with fortitude and resolution.

5. For watchfulness against temptations;-it is necessary, when changing our place, or our employment, to reflect, "What snares attend me here?" And, as this should be our habitual care, so we should especially guard against those snares which, in the morning, we foresaw. And, when we are entering on those circumstances in which we expected the assault, we should reflect, especially if it be a matter of great importance, "Now the combat is going to begin: now God and the blessed angels are observing what constancy, what fortitude, there is in my soul; and how far the Divine authority, and the remembrance of my own prayers and resolutions, will weigh with me, when it comes to a trial."

6. As for dependence on Divine grace and influence; it must be universal: and, since we always need it, we must never forget that necessity. A moment spent in humble fervent breathings, after the communications of the Divine assistance, may do more good than many minutes spent in mere reasonings: and though, indeed, this should not be neglected, since the light of reason is a kind of Divine illumination, yet

still it ought to be pursued in a due sense of our dependence on the Father of Lights: or, where we think ourselves wisest, we may become vain in our imaginations. Let us therefore always call upon God; and say, for instance, when we are going to pray, “Lord, fix my attention! Awaken my holy affections, and pour out upon me the spirit of grace and of supplication!" When taking up the Bible, or any other good book: " Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law! Enlighten mine understanding! Warm my heart! May my good resolutions be confirmed, and all the course of my life in a proper manner regulated!" When addressing ourselves to any worldly business: "Lord, prosper thou the work of my hands upon me, and give Thy blessing to my honest endeavours!" When going to any kind of recreation: "Lord, bless my refreshments! Let me not forget Thee in them, but still keep Thy glory in view!" When coming into company:

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Lord, may I do, and get, good! Let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers!" When entering upon difficulties: " Lord, give me that wisdom which is profitable to direct! Teach me Thy way, and lead me in a plain path !" When encountering with temptations: "Let Thy strength, O gracious Redeemer, be made perfect in my weakness!" These instances may illustrate the design of this direction; though they be

far from a complete enumeration of all the circumstances in which it is to be regarded.

7. For the government of our thoughts in solitude : Let us accustom ourselves, on all occasions, to exercise a due command over our thoughts. Let us take care of those enlargements of passion, and those attachments to any present interest and view, which would deprive us of our power over them. Let us set before us some profitable subject of thought; such as, the perfections of the blessed God, the love of Christ, the value of time, the certainty and importance of death and judgment, and the eternity of happiness or misery which is to follow. Let us also, at such intervals, reflect on what we have observed, as to the state of our own souls, with regard to the advance or decline of religion; or, on the last sermon we have heard, or the last portion of Scripture we have read. It might be very useful to select some one verse of Scripture, which we had met with in the morning; and to treasure it up in our mind, resolving to think of that at any time, when we are at a loss for matter of pious reflection, in any intervals of leisure for entering upon it. This will often be as a spring, from whence many profitable and delightful thoughts may rise, which, perhaps, we did not before see in that connexion and force.

8. Lastly, For the government of our discourse in company; we should take great care that nothing may escape us, which can expose us, or our Christian

profession, to censure or reproach; nothing injurious to those that are absent, or to those that are present; nothing malignant, nothing insincere, nothing which may corrupt, nothing which may provoke, nothing which may mislead those about us. Nor should we, by any means, be content that what we say is innocent: it should be our desire that it may be edifying to ourselves and others. In this view, we should endeavour to have some subject of useful discourse always ready; in which we may be assisted by the hints given about furniture for thought, under the former head. We should watch for decent opportunities of introducing useful reflections; and, if a pious friend attempt to do it, we should endeavour to second it immediately.

III. The directions for a religious CLOSING OF THE DAY, which I shall here mention, are only two.-Let us see to it, that the secret duties of the evening be well performed. And, let us lie down on our beds in a pious frame.

1. For secret devotion in the evening*, I would

* A simple and excellent form of Self-examination is here drawn out by Dr. Doddridge; being, in fact, an epitome of the counsels given above. It is as follows:

"Did I awake, as with God, this morning, and rise with a grateful sense of His goodness? How were the secret devotions of the morning performed? Did I offer my solemn praises, and renew the dedication of myself to God, with becoming attention and suitable affections? Did I lay my scheme for the business of the day wisely and well? How did I read the Scripture, and any other devotional or prac

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propose a method something different from that in the morning; but still, as then, with due allowances for circumstances, which may make unthought-of

tical piece, which I might afterwards conveniently review ? Did it do my heart good? or was it a mere amusement?

"How have the other stated devotions of the day been attended to, whether in the family or in public ?-Have I pursued the common business of the day with diligence and spirituality; doing every thing in season, and with all convenient dispatch, and as unto the Lord ?-What time have I lost this day, in the morning, or the forenoon; in the afternoon, or the evening? (for these divisions will assist your recollection) and what has occasioned the loss of itWith what temper, and under what regulations, have the recreations of this day been pursued ?-Have I seen the hand of God in my mercies; health, cheerfulness, food, clothing, books, preservation in journeys, success of business, conversation and kindness of friends, &c.? Have I seen it in afflictions; and particularly in little things, which had a tendency to vex and disquiet me? And, with regard to this interposition, have I received my comforts thankfully, and my afflictions submissively?-How have I guarded against the temptations of the day, particularly against this or that temptation, which I foresaw in the morning? Have I maintained an humble dependence on Divine influences? Have I lived by faith in the Son of God; and regarded Christ this day as my teacher and governor, my atonement and intercessor, my example and guardian, my strength and forerunner? Have I been looking forward to death and eternity this day, and considered myself as a probationer for Heaven, and, through grace, an expectant of it ?-Have I governed my thoughts well, especially in such or such an interval of solitude? How was my subject of thought this day chosen; and how was it regarded ?-Have I governed my discourses well, in such and such company? Did I say nothing passionate, mischievous, slanderous, imprudent,