RULES.

Never talk of religion but when you think seriously of it. Not to betray the want of it by one's discourse of it, which should be decent, grave, sober, prudent.

That our discourse of religion be practical rather than notional, or disputing; that it be devout, edifying after a hearty and affectionate manner.

That it be seasonable; that is, when men are like to be the better for it. Not in promiscuous company; not mixed with sports, hurry, business, nor with drink.

And that we join a good life to our religious conversation; and never contradict our tongue by our deeds.

"As He sat at meat, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them, and their eyes were opened."-Luke xxiv. 30.

We may know religious persons, not only in the exercise of religious actions, but even in the most common actions of life, which they convert into holy actions, by the manner of doing them, the holiness of their dispositions, by prayer, thanksgiving, &c.

We always do good or harm to others by the manner of our conversation; we either confirm them in sin, or awaken them to piety.

It is too true, that some evil passion or other, and to gratify our corruption, is the aim of most conversations. We love to speak of past troubles;

hatred and ill-will make us take pleasure in relating the evil actions of our enemies. We compare, with some degree of pride, the advantages we have over others. We recount with too sensible a pleasure, the worldly happiness we enjoy. This strengthens our passions, and increases our corruption. God grant that I may watch against a weakness, which has such evil consequences.

"Refrain not to speak when there is an occasion to do good."-Ecclus. iv. 23.

It is an extraordinary talent to be able to improve conversation to the advantage of religion, by taking some fit occasion to say something that is edifying and beneficial.

The great subject of a Christian's discourse should be, about the true way of attaining the grace of God, through the blood of Christ, and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit. But then they must say no more than what they are sure of, lest they should lead men into error. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain, and speaketh not the truth as it is in Jesus.

Let us take all opportunities of communicating our belief of Christ to others, both to bear witness and confess Him before men, and to increase our own faith and reward.

May I never hear, never repeat with pleasure, such things as may dishonour God, hurt my own character, or injure my neighbour.

"I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and

your sons and your daughters shall prophecy," &c. -Joel ii. 28, 29.

That is, their discourse shall be chiefly upon subjects of practical Christianity, of Jesus Christ, and what he has done and suffered for us, and of the way to attain eternal happiness.

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Speak not evil one of another."-James iv. 11. True humility makes us see our own faults, without concerning ourselves with the faults of others. "A word spoken in due season, how good is it !" -Proverbs xx. 23.

AGAINST SLOTH.

"Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep."-Proverbs xix. 5.

O God, who hast given me an active spirit, and many opportunities of doing Thee service, give me grace to make use of all occasions of serving Thee faithfully and doing good in my generation; make me to abhor that sloth which would lead me into an insensibility and forgetfulness of Thee and of my errand into the world; keep me from idleness, which would expose me to temptations, enfeeble my mind, and cover me with rags; make me ever sensible of the great evil of delaying to do the work in its season which Thou hast appointed me, that whatever my hand by Thy providence findeth to do, I may do it with all my might; so that whenever I am called to give an account of my labours to my great Master, may not be judged an unprofitable servant. Accept

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of my ambition of serving Thee, great God; and O, grant, that when my Lord comes He may find me so doing. Amen.

AGAINST ANGER.

"Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."-Ecclesiastes vii. 9.

O Lord, who art a God ready to pardon, slow to anger, and of great kindness, remove far from me all occasions and effects of causeless and immoderate anger; all pride and prejudice, and too much concern for the things of this world; all intemperate speeches, and indecent passions.

Give me, O Lord, a mild, a peaceable, a meek, and an humble spirit, that, remembering my own infirmities, I may bear with those of others; that I may think lowly of myself, and not be angry when others also think lowly of me; that I may be patient towards all men, gentle and easy to be entreated; that God, for Christ's sake, may be so towards me. Amen.

"Be angry, .and sin not :-Let not the sun go down upon your wrath."-Ephesians iv. 26.

"The discretion of a man deferreth his anger." -Proverbs xix. 11.

"A soft answer turneth away strife."

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city."-Proverbs xvi. 32.

"Be kindly affectioned one towards another."— Romans xii. 10.

Suppress the very beginnings of anger.

Do not use to indulge it even where there are real faults; but try the gentle way, which may probably succeed better, and, to be sure, with more ease by far.

Seldom do people vex us on purpose, and yet prejudice very often makes us think that they do.

A sense of one's own integrity will make one pass by injuries more easily.

Be not too much concerned to tell the injuries you have received.

Accustom yourself to silence, if you would learn to govern your tongue.

Nemo consilium cum clamore dat.-Seneca.

Deliver me, O God, from all violent and sinful passions, and give me grace to stand against them. "Blessed are the meek."-Matthew v. 4.

Instruct me, Lord, in this Christian virtue; Thou Who art the Master and Teacher of it.

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FOR FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES.

"Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven."-Luke vi.

O God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, show mercy to Thy servant, in forcing my corrupt nature to be obedient to Thy commands.

O God, Who hast made it my everlasting interest, as well as my duty, to forgive my neighbour whatever wrong he has done me; help me to over