in the Scriptures, they grow while he sleeps, and when he is not aware, and with a rapid as well as unperceived vegetation.

Temptations to the indulgence of all these passions exist every moment, and in every place. The natural longing for such objects, the sight of others continually engrossed by them, the regard paid by the multitude to those who acquire them; all unite to cherish, and strengthen, their importance in his own feelings. In most companies he hears no conversation, except concerning these objects. They are dwelt on, as the only solid good, by men of sober years; and painted with the charms of fascination in the ardent language of youth. To unite in the chase of them, is to unite with a world: to decline it, is to be left alone. Strong resolution is therefore required, to resist so powerful allurements. But his resolution is strong; and the additional strength, which he needs, he asks and receives from God.

With an original watchfulness, vigour, and firmness, he commences his opposition to these passions; and, every day he lives, renews his efforts with a determination to overcome. In so difficult a contest he is compelled to struggle hard; but this advantage attends all his labours; that every instance of success enables him more easily to succeed again Every victory is pleasant, also, at the time of gaining it; and this pleasure soon renders the labour, necessary to gain the victory, unregarded, and in the end delightful. What, therefore, seemed at first a Herculean task, becomes at length no more than a common exertion.

Another important advantage he early secures to himself, which is unthought of by the preceding characters; viz. the direction of all his efforts towards the controul of his thoughts. A watchful attention to his moral concerns easily convinces him, that his chief danger lies in his mind. When, therefore, improper thoughts spring up there, he watches them at their commencement; when resistance will be neither doubtful, nor difficult. Attacked in this early, feeble state, they are easily overcome; whereas, after their full growth and frequent indulgence, they become irresistible.

In this conflict he daily calls to his aid the Scriptures of Truth. These furnish him motives, endless in multitude, and infinite in degree, to continue the warfare with unremitted endeavours to the end of his life. From the Scriptures he retires to his closet:

and, bowing his knees to the Father of all mercies, supplicates that divine aid, which is never long withheld; and finds in the very employment of praying, a part of that strength, for which he prays. From his closet he goes to the common duties of the day, prepared to discharge them faithfully, and fortified against a thousand temptations, by which his companions are assailed, and overpowered. In every situation, like David, he makes it his rule to set the Lord alway before his face. This realized presence of his Maker is, on the one hand, a source of continual delight; and, on the other, a continual guard against the intruding temptation, and the approaching sin.

In every act of his duty he finds a peace which he covets to find again; and, to find which, he proceeds to perform his duty anew. The consciousness of being thus employed is a source of self-approbation, which is gained from no other employment; of a delight in self-examination, which none of the preceding characters ever knew; of dignity inherent, independent, and noble; of hope, which maketh not ashamed, an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast.

In the mean time, the promises of the Gospel proffer to his acceptance a crown of endless rejoicing. All around him is God: all before him is heaven. In trials and conflicts, in adversity and languor, in fear and sorrow, God is present, to sustain, refresh, and deliver him; and, after a little period, will be more gloriously present, to terminate all his cares, and to change his sorrows into joys unmingled and everlasting. A great part of all his business is to do good to his fellow-creatures: an employment, sweet, noble, and divine: a destiny, suited to an immortal being: a commission, worthy of the Infinite Mind: a well of water springing up to everlasting life. This business begins with the little, but eminently endeared, circle of his family; where it extends to the regulation and provision of all things, necessary for their support and comfort, their education and usefulness, their piety and salvation. Thence it reaches the wider circle of his neighbours, where it daily appears in that cheerful communication of kind, just, sincere, and faithful offices, which render life a blessing; and which, as a powerful example, charm others to go, and do likewise. From his neighbourhood it extends to his country; where it is

employed in honourable and public spirited efforts, and fervent prayers, for its welfare; ip promoting peace and good order; in encouraging useful knowledge; and in diffusing, as far as in him lies, undefiled religion. From his country it spreads also over the world; in unceasing supplications for the deliverance of his fellow-men from the bondage of corruption, and their translation into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. From this world it makes excursions also at times into the distant regions of the Universe, on the wings of ardent good-will; with delightful premonitions of that happy period, when his own mind shall be actively and eternally engaged in producing and communicating blessings throughout the immeasurable kingdom of virtue. Like the slothful man, he seeks for daily ease; but it is the ease, which flows from the efforts of a diligent mind, and rewards the labours of an industrious life. Like the prodigal he scatters abundantly; but he scatters blessings, and not curses, to himself and to others. Like the ambitious man, he seeks for honour and distinction; but it is for the honour of immortality, and the distinction attached to the sons of God. Like the avaricious man, he continually hoards up; but it is treasure in the heavens. Like the man of Science, he applies eagerly to the attainment of knowledge; but it is the knowledge of God, of Christ, and of Heaven; the knowledge of his duty, of his soul, and of his end. Like the accomplished man, he aims at grace and elegance; but it is elegance of mind, and the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. Like the man of moderation and decency, he aims at being safe and comfortable, peaceful and beloved; but it is the peace of forgiven sin; the comfort of an approving conscience; the safety which is found in Christ; and the love of Christians, of Angels, and of God.

To him it is of little import, in what station of life he is found; if it be the most useful station, for which he is qualified. If it be humble, he is satisfied; because it is appointed by Him, who knows and chooses far better than he himself can choose. If more elevated; he only becomes more careful to fill the station with usefulness and duty. Hence the cares and fears, the disappointments and mortifications, which harass his companions, are removed far from him. Troubles he must unquestionably find. Of

Defects he will undoubtedly be the subject. His disposition to perform his duty is imperfect; and produces its proper effects, therefore, in an imperfect degree. Still, this is his prevailing, increasing disposition; and gives birth to consequences, numerous, great, and desirable. To glorify his Maker, and to do good to his fellow-creatures, is his chief aim; the principal employment of his life. To that divine Saviour; by whose precepts he is instructed, by whose blood he is redeemed, by whose Spirit he is sanctified, and by whose intercession he is received to eternal glory, he consecrates all his life and labours; and esteems that all unspeakably too little to show the grateful sense which he feels of his obligations to him, and the supreme delight which he finds in doing his pleasure.

Thus he passes through life, not in a dull stagnation, but in an active, cheerful serenity of Soul; not in thoughtless and guilty prodigality, but in a rational and uninterrupted diffusion of blessings; not in a career of frantic ambition, but in a steady pursuit of eternal glory; not in sordid and swinish avarice, but in an industrious accumulation of celestial riches; not in acquiring vain philosophy, and knowledge which only puffeth up, but in enlarging his views of God, of his own mind, duty, and interest, and of the qualifications, and employments, of just men made perfect; not in a whimsical attention to form, and dress, and appearance, but in ardently gaining refined thought, elegance of affection, and beauty of mind; not in exhibiting mere decency of exterior, moderation of conduct, and regularity of life, to the eye of man, but in presenting to the eye of God that well regulated soul, that becoming life, that patient submission to his pleasure, which amiable and excellent in itself, will be remembered by him with everlasting love.

While this man lives, he is a blessing to all around him. It is good for the world that he was born, and that he has sojourned here below. Throughout eternity, governed by the same spirit, he will prove an accession to the universe; a blessing to the great kingdom of Jehovah.

Like the rest of mankind, he must however die. From this vale of tears he must be released; and Death is the method of release appointed by his Maker. As a release he regards it from

pain and fear, from sin and sorrow. Familiar to his eye by daily contemplation, and disarmed by the Mediation of Christ. Death, to him, has ceased be the king of terrors. On the contrary, he is considered as a messenger from Heaven, rude indeed, and rough, and forbidding; but sent on a benevolent errand, and bringing merely the summons to call him home. With the peace, which Christ left as a rich legacy to all his faithful followers, he closes his eyes in sleep, and calmly resigns up his Spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father.

This man, in my view, has so run in the race of life, as to obtain THE PRIZE.