but rejoiceth in unfeigned displays of sincerity and truth.'1 6. It is to the very end of our days a struggle between our reason and our temper, which shall have the empire over us. However, this is very much to be helped by circumspection, and a constant alarm against the first onsets of passion... I sat down with an intention to represent to my reader how pernicious, how sudden, and how fatal, surprises of passion are to the mind of man; and that in the more intimate commerces of life they are more liable to arise, even in our most sedate and indolent hours. Occurrences of this kind have had very terrible effects; and when one reflects upon them, we cannot but tremble to consider, what we are capable of being wrought up to, against all the ties of nature, love, honour, reason and religion, though the man who breaks through them all, had, an hour before he did so, a lively and virtuous sense of their dictates.' 2 7. In the circumstances in which you are placed it is of the utmost importance to cultivate command of temper, and to strive as much as possible to watch over your spirit and whole demeanour, lest by any means you should increase the offence of the cross.' 3 8. Watchfulness, which is always necessary, is chiefly so when the first assaults are made. For the enemy is most easily repulsed, if we never suffer him to get within us; but upon the very first approach draw up our forces, and fight him without the gate: and this will be more manifest, if we observe by what methods and degrees temp1 Guide to Domestic Happiness. 2 Steel. 3 Christian Guardian for Sept. 1832. tations grow upon us. The first thing that presents itself to the mind is a plain single thought; this straight is improved into a strong imagination; that again, enforced by a sensible delight; then follow evil motions; and when these are once stirred, there wants nothing but the assent of the will, and then the work is finished. Now the first steps to this are seldom thought worth our care; sometimes not taken notice of; so that the enemy is frequently got close upon us, and even within our trenches before we observe him.'1 9. I scarcely need inform my reader that by the garrison in man is meant the HEART, with its multifarious evils. He then who would imitate the vigilance of a sentinel, must, like him, have particular knowledge of his charge, and of the nature and position of its enemies and its dangers. Hence, touching the true character, and the vulnerable points of this garrison we have the most ample and correct information. He who cannot lie, and who knew what was in man, says,-" From within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evils come from within, and defile the man." "2 Jeremiah sums up the same truth in fewer words,-"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked who can know it?" How appropriate then is the advice of Solomon,-" Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth: and 1 Thomas à Kempis. 2 Mark vii. 19-24. See Gal. v. 19-22. Rom. iii. perverse lips put far from thee. Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established." 1 The prayers of David on this subject deserve our attention and imitation: "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips... Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer." 2 1 Prov. iv. 23. 2 Psa. xix. 14; cxli. 3. CHAPTER XIV. 66 PRAY CONSTANTLY. 1. WHAT I remarked as to the union of temperance and exercise, will equally apply to watchfulness and prayer. Jesus himself has coupled them Take heed, watch and pray." "1 It is the Christian only that has a proper sense of the privilege and efficacy of prayer. Yet, even the best Christians are wont to be infrequent, brief, and cold in this holy exercise. Nevertheless he is fully sensible of his entire dependence on divine strength. He freely confesses, with the apostle"By the grace of God I am what I am." "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." To encourage us in the exercise of prayer, we have many precious promises. Jesus said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee, and my strength is made perfect in weakness."4 Again, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you." 5 Again, 2. In the exercise of prayer it is proper, and 1 Mark xiii. 33. 21 Cor. xv. 10. 3 Phil, iv. 13. 66 highly important that we should have some specific subject and object-some individual want, or particular request: then, in the spirit of faith, we may come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." A particular failing, or an easily besetting sin, or any peculiar temptation, may be among the subjects of our petitions. To confirm this, the apostle speaks of " Watching unto prayer with all perseverance." 2 From which we clearly infer that prayer is not to be a heedless transitory effusion of the lips, as if the thing asked were a matter of indifference: and it should not only be statedly exercised in the closet, but ejaculatory also at the "time of need." 3. Wise and good men are agreed that prayer is an excellent means for amending and sustaining the temper. The famous Dr. Boerhaave was once asked by a friend, who admired his patience under provocations, whether he knew what it was to be angry, and by what means he had so entirely suppressed that impetuous and ungovernable passion?' He answered with the utmost frankness and sincerity, that he was naturally quick of resentment, but that he had by daily prayer and meditation, at length, attained to this mastery over himself." 4. If any one is convinced that he has in these respects (wrong tempers) offended, and is truly desirous to get the mastery over his temper, I recommend him to adopt such methods as will certainly be found of use. Prayer is of course the foremost; but it must not be a prayer which is 1 Heb. iv. 16. 2 Eph. vi. 18. |