There is much peril in thinking upon and representing to our mind imaginary scenes of sin and vanity, which never can come to pass, visions in which our passions or pride shape themselves to their own world of spiritual wickedness in high places, and show us what we should be if our merciful Creator had not placed limits to our course of sin, and bounds which

it shall not pass. We may commit in a few hours in thought sins which, if allowed in act, would occupy a lifetime. A pious and solemn watch over the mind is constantly required, not only to control its desire of vain things that are visible, but to sanctify its more frequent exercises, its contemplations of things that are unseen. "We wrestle not against flesh and

blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world"." May we be able to say, with St. Paul, "With the mind I myself serve the law of God.”

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matt. iv. 8-10.

III.

Thoughts will return, not to the

3 Eph. vi. 12.

4 Rom. vii. 25.

heart in which they have been strangers, but to the mind in which they have often dwelt and found their home. For this reason doth our blessed Saviour warn us so earnestly against "evil thoughts.". We do not now suffer so much from their effect and influence as we shall suffer some future year when they assail our weakness, they will then distress a sick bed with shame, and breathe their corruptions to a departing spirit. None of us but would in this respect "die the death of the righteous," undisturbed by the flittings to and fro of abhorred remembrances: none but would have his last thoughts (which will be, what they have been habitually,) peaceful and pure, so that he may sink into his rest in unconsciousness of sin, and pass in the breath of some thought inspired by the Holy

Spirit into the presence of a Holy God.

O Jerusalem, how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? for a voice declareth and publisheth affliction. Jer. iv. 14, 15.

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, my soul hath not been polluted. Ezek. iv. 14.

In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul. Ps. xciv. 19.

IV.

Stay not till holy reflections come of themselves, but set apart daily some time for meditation - meditation in which we so often find the fruit and benefit of our prayers, and feel every remembered scripture more affecting. We cannot convert our

selves, but we may consider of such awful truths as will lead to our conversion. We may retire into our secret chamber, and there reflect upon the solemn revelations of the word of God, and its fulfilment in the changes of the world; and on the change which has for some time been coming to pass in our hearts and minds. Whilst we are engaged in the devout meditation, God will manifest such further truths to us, and suggest such resolutions for the future, as we shall have reason to bless Him for through all eternity.

How many have begun to run well, and what hath hindered them that they fell short? but the neglect of that retired and solemn duty of meditation in which the divine grace is silently nurtured in the soul; in which we endeavour to profit by that which has been given us, and are thank

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