that heavenly assistance, I shall be preserved humble, temperate, chaste, patient, thankful, self-denying, crucified to the world, and hold fast my integrity till I die; still perfecting holiness in the fear of God, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; waxing stronger from day to day, be seldomer surprised, offend less, repent more quickly, and watch more narrowly afterwards, till at last I receive the crown.

Especially, let me watch against my constitutional sins, such as I am most inclined to, and where a temptation doth most easily enter; where the devil can take the fastest hold, and be least suspected; where he hath formerly sprung a mine and made a breach. I have known some humble watchful Christians, after being recovered from their backslidings, who abhorred every temptation to that sin by which they had been defiled and wounded; they can hardly put up a prayer, but they mention it; hardly have their hearts affected in any ordinance, but they are inwardly ashamed of it; hardly hear of any one guilty of the like, but they are ready to burst out into tears.

Fix, therefore, I beseech thee, most gracious God! my unfeigned resolutions of cleaving to thee with full purpose of heart, and show thy strength in my weakness, by enabling me to do what I now resolve! To that end, teach me to watch over my heart, to keep it with all diligence, to be more conversant with my own thoughts, examine the motions that arise in my heart, whence they come, and whither they go, and what they tend to, that I may suppress the beginnings of sin. The unsearchable deceitful

ness of the heart, the rovings, stragglings, and wanderings, of the thoughts, the ungovernable motions and stirrings of the passions and affections, with the corrupt inclinations that are ready to comply with temptation, make such a constant watchfulness necessary. Let me live no longer as a stranger to myself, but by self-reflection dwell more at home, reckoning my principle work to be within doors, to keep my own vineyard. Teach me to watch over my senses, to guard the door of my lips, to govern my passions; to be wary in the choice of my company, and in the right use of it; to be circumspect in every step of my daily walk, to call myself frequently to a reckoning, to cast up my accounts at the foot of every page, (by every day's review of my actions,) to live always as in God's presence, and be awed every where by the thought of his holy eye, to shun the occasions and appearances of evil, &c.

By a neglect of this, spiritual distempers will insensibly creep upon us. There is such a venom, and malignity, in sin, to wound and weaken the soul, to put us off the hinges, to disorder and unfit us for any spiritual service, to make our hearts vain and frothy, lazy and listless, that we shall easily let slip our opportunities, lose our seasons, and languish and pine away, notwithstanding all the means of thriving and growth. And hence it is, that so many professors mourn and complain, lick the dust, and lie among the clods, are dead under the most awakening ministry, and barren under the most fruitful means. Hence it is they do little good, as well as taste little comfort; some duties are neglected, and others performed slightly; and in none of them do they meet

with that sweetness and satisfaction, that refreshment and advantage, fruit and benefit, as formerly. And all from the neglect of watchfulness, making bold with temptation, and not standing upon their guard in the use of their Christian armour.

And, because no place, no condition, no employment, is exempted from temptations, let me fortify myself every morning, against all assaults for that day, by serious prayer, as holy David was wont to do: "My voice (saith he) shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Let the law of God be my daily and delightful study, that I may be able presently to bring my words and actions to the touchstone; and know how to manage the sword of the Spirit, on all occasions, against the fiery "darts of the devil;" that, knowing the rule, I may not be doubtful, or at a loss: whenever I am tempted, I may not make a stand to parley, but immediately summon all my forces to resist and reject the snare; being assured from God, that the continuance of this warfare shall end in a most glorious victory.

"He

will shortly tread down Satan under my feet. Thanks

be to God, through Jesus Christ, my Lord."

SECTION XXVIII.

The import and obligation of our baptismal covenant. The renewal of it, by a solemn dedication of ourselves to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, exemplified and recommended.

ALL this, O my soul! which I have now resolved on, is no more than what I am obliged to by my vow in baptism, to renounce the devil and his works, the flesh and the lusts thereof, the world, and conformity to it, that I may love and serve the Lord, agreeably to the undoubted right which God. hath in me by creation, redemption, and his innumerable other benefits: but the "outward washing of baptism," and a visible profession of obedience, will not save me, "without the answer of a good conscience towards God." May I not, by the consideration of my baptismal covenant, suppose God speaking to my conscience to this effect? Will you take me for your whole portion and felicity; and my law for the constant rule of your obedience; and fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil, to your life's end? Will you believe in Jesus Christ, and receive him as a Prince and Saviour; and adhere to the faith and obedience of the gospel, how hazardous and difficult soever the profession and practice of it may be? Will you receive the blessed Spirit as your teacher, sanctifier, and comforter; and cherish all his motions, to enlighten, purify, confirm, comfort, and assist you?' It is my hearty consent

to these terms, and resolved compliance with them, which baptism obligeth to; and this is "the answer of a good conscience towards God."

I have often renewed this covenant on several occasions; but did I ever duly consider the tenor and obligations of it? How have I lied unto the God

of truth! Dealt deceitfully with him! And been false and fickle, treacherous and unfaithful, to what I promised! O let me now again repeat it, and give up myself once more to be the Lord's, more unfeignedly, more firmly, than ever I have hitherto done; that the bonds of God upon me may be strengthened, and my soul more thoroughly engaged to be the Lord's! O help me to do it with the greatest seriousness, as the most important affair of my whole life! By thine aid and grace alone, shall I be sincere and cordial in this surrender and dedication of myself. O breathe upon my soul, most Holy Spirit, ("the power of the Highest,") that there may be no hypocrisy or reservation in this so weighty and solemn transaction between God and me!

O most blessed and glorious TRINITY! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thy favour is my life, and thy loving-kindness is better than life; thy will should have been my rule, thy word my law, thy glory my end, to please thee my principal business, and, to enjoy thy love and presence, my ultimate felicity: but I am one of thy revolted creatures, who have lost thine image, and rebelled against thy law; slighted thy authority, and rejected thy grace; and deserve to be cast out of thy sight, and banished from thy presence for ever. Nevertheless, O most