there is nothing from without a man, which entereth into him can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man."

If evil thoughts arise, therefore, or temptations to sin present themselves, we need not fear condemnation, if the former are speedily suppressed, and the latter instantly rejected. On such occasions, however, we may feel the full force, and acknowledge the practical utility, of the divine admonition, " Keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.'

Another important duty may be derived from our holy Redeemer's example on the present occasion. If He, before he entered on his divine ministry, thought proper to retire into the wilderness, for the purpose of anticipating, and encountering temptation, under all its more powerful varieties ;-if He, also, in addition to the spotless purity, and unblemished holiness of his own mind, deemed it expedient, to have recourse to fasting and prayer, as preparatory duties; how much more imperative must it be for us frail mortals to adopt the same means, on all occasions of importance to ourselves and

others, if we would avoid the snares of sin, and the wretched embarrassments of vice and folly?

Let the rich and powerful, therefore, and those who are invested with offices of trust, and high responsibility, for the good of others, retire frequently, not into the desert, but into the privacy of their own chambers, and meditate with the most serious attention on the nature of their respective duties, and the many temptations, which the world will present as inducements to violate or neglect them. A selfish, wicked ambition, or the love of filthy lucre, may corrupt their integrity, and lead to every species of violence, injustice, and oppression. The allurements of vanity and ostentation, idleness and pleasure, also, will meet them daily; and, in the ceaseless conflict of worldly passions and pursuits, it will be well if the awful interests of religion, together with its duties and its sanctions, be not forgotten, or regarded with indifference.

Let the poor and dependent, instead of envying their superiors, diligently labor to improve their humble, but useful condition. Let them reflect, that the goodness of divine Providence has by no means left them destitute of enjoy

ment; but, considering that their chief, and, indeed, their indispensable virtues are honesty, industry, and temperance, let them, in the hour of meditation, guard against nothing with stricter vigilance, than the temptations, which their own appetites and passions might supply, in addition to the example of dissolute and seductive companions, to violate the sacred obligations of any of these duties.

Let the aged, when in that state of retirement, which their condition of life, in a great measure imposes, consider how they may, by God's blessing, bear their growing infirmities not only with patience and resignation, but with a proper admixture of thankfulness, for what they have already received. Let them study to wean themselves from the "pomps and vanities of the world," and "set their affections on things above." In proportion as the gratifications of serise are withdrawn, or die away, the purer enjoyments of our spiritual nature should be cultivated, and we should seek, with pious ardor, "those things which chiefly belong unto our peace.'

Catching instruction from the same divine lesson, the young, who have hitherto been bred up under the wing of parental protection and

indulgence, should meditate, before they enter into the world, on the temptations and trials, the difficulties, and, perhaps, the hardships, that lie before them. Life is, at best, a sort of perilous course to the inexperienced traveller; and, instead of vanity and presumption, the young have need of modesty, circumspection, and humility. Let them reflect, that their best virtues are, indeed, of fair, but uncertain promise; and, like the blossoms of the spring, may be scattered by the first storm that rises, or else may untimely wither away. They ought to have but little confidence in their own strength, and should consider, that one of the best safe-guards of innocence is a necessary and prudent apprehension of danger.

The rational expectation of new trials, difficulties, and disappointments, as they journey through life, will be no less essential to their duty and their happiness. Let them prepare, therefore, on any change of condition, for the collision of different interests, tempers, passions, and pursuits. Let them not grieve, but rather rejoice, when their self-will is, on proper occasions, effectually controlled,-when their vanity is seasonably mortified,-when their indolence is roused to habits of useful activity, when their

excess of liberty is prudently restrained, and when their inordinate love of pleasure is kept within proper bounds. And let all of us take advantage of the present holy season, by submitting to the wholesome discipline, and serious duty of self-examination. Whatever may be our age, or condition in life, let us individually consider to what frailties and errors we are chiefly prone, to what evil habits we are unfortunately addicted, and what sins, both of omission and commission, are likely to beset us. When we have endeavoured, with pious sincerity, to satisfy ourselves with respect to these essential points, we shall know what ought to be the chief objects of our prayer, and may humbly hope, after" renewing a right spirit within us," for pardon and acceptance with God, through the merits and atonement of our Saviour Christ.

Let me add, that whenever we are thus induced to "retire into our chamber, and commune with our own hearts," for the purpose of examining into the state of our consciences, and for offering humble and earnest prayers to our heavenly Father, that we might be enabled, by his grace, to forsake our sins, and henceforth to "lead a godly, righteous, and sober life," it is no abuse of language even at present, but rather a right and pious application of it, to