in worldly company, and get no stain or soil. Situation, circumstances, &c, must all be taken into consideration. But this may be said, that he only mixes with the world with safety, who does it not from inclination, but necessity.

'As to amusements, and what are called recreations, a really awakened Christian will neither find taste nor leisure for them. Religion furnishes the mind with objects sufficient to fill up every vacancy. Yet as you name them, I would have you mark carefully every thing that disposes or indisposes the mind to holy pursuits. Persons of tender health are very careful to avoid whatever is hurtful; such as damps-infectious roomsblighting winds. They attend to the injunctions of their physicians, the cautions of their friends, &c. If people were but as careful about their spiritual health as they are of their bodily health, we should see much stronger and taller Christians.

COUNT THE COST.

'Above all, before you become a pilgrim, sit down and Your journey is up-hill every step of the way. You have foes within, ready to join with foes without, to hinder, perplex, alarm, and distress you. Wisdom in the fight, is only to be gained by fighting. If the young convert could learn from the old Christian, what experience alone can teach, he might have a far easier journey; but each one must learn it for himself, and often by very painful discipline. Nor must we think our case hard, if we are made to pass through much tribulation; since it is the way of all believers-nay of Christ himself.

'No doubt God could have led his people by an easier method. But since he has chosen this, it must be the best. He could have brought the Israelites into the land of promise by a shorter and a smoother way: but what

he did was intended to prove them; to shew them what was in their hearts-and to be a lesson to us.

'Take care that you never harbour hard thoughts of God. It is one of Satan's chief devices, to make you think dishonourably of God. Nothing is more displeasing to God, nor more injurious to the life of religion. See the slothful servant in the Gospel.

'Throughout the Scriptures you see how gracious God is: How he stoops to the poorest creature that comes to him through a mediator: How small an offering he will accept; if there can be but a small one. A single sigh from a contrite heart will penetrate his ear.

'Wherever God gives faith he will try it; and whoever becomes a follower of Christ, must deny himself, and take up his cross-must make great sacrifices-such as right hands, and right eyes: must expect opposition, persecution, mortification, cruel scoffings,-not only from the world, but from nearest and dearest friends. A man's sharpest and bitterest foes are "those of his own household." You must set your face like a flint against threatenings, and against allurements.

'But I would warn you of another danger arising from a quarter you may least expect-namely, from THE RELIGIOUS WORLD ITSELF. There are stumbling-blocks even in the church; there are many professors, who when they see a person setting out in religion, will advise, one this course, and one that. One sort says, "religion is in its best estate among us." Another sort says, among us," and the young convert, having a tender conscience, desirous of being right, is often greatly perplexed; for he finds that in the religious world there is a party spirit. Instead of obtaining the milk of the word, he has to distinguish between bones of

doctrine; till at last he begins to doubt if there be any true spirit of religion at all.

'Do not form too high expectations from the professing world. Do not be in haste to form connexions—to make acquaintances-to place confidence-to turn to every professor and say, lead me.

'Do not enter into the list of religious gossips; who may not only puzzle you about hard points of doctrine, but may lead you to waste your time to no purpose, in going from house to house, talking, instead of getting into the spirit of unity. There are too many of this sort; whose chief religion lies in going from church to church to hear, and from house to house to prate; but who are too seldom in their closets, too seldom in close converse with God. Retired Christianity is the truest. It is easy to fill the head with notions; but to sit still like Mary, at Christ's feet, and be a learner, is far better. Always be afraid of a specious religion.

However high the cost may be of becoming a pilgrim, do not be disheartened. Remember, greater is He that is for you, than he that is against you. The Gospel requires nothing which it does not give you strength to perform. You must either wear Christ's yoke, or the devil's yoke; and it need not be told you which is the easiest. Godliness is great riches even in this world; and what shall you share in the next? If you be heartily on God's side, he will be on yours.'

Ques. "But suppose I should be in the number of such as shall seek to enter in, and not be able?'"

Ans. Observe, there is a material difference between one that only seeks to enter in—and one that strives to enter in. It is said, "strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many shall seek, and not be able." Here

striving is distinguished from seeking. Do not be a listless uncertain seeker: but strive determinately-constantly-earnestly. Be like the merchant, whose head and heart are always on his merchandise. He watches wind and weather-seizes every favourable turn in business. He is all energy-all pursuit-nothing can divert him from his point. They that thus strive to enter in at the strait gate, taking God's way and help, shall never fail.

'But the Christian must wait as well as pursue. He must exercise faith and patience as well as diligence. The husbandman waiteth long for the harvest. You must have patience with yourself. You must have patience with God. There is nothing which young Christians are more apt to fall into than impatience. If they do not immediately see an answer to their prayers, they say, "The Lord does not hear he does not regard." Whereas, you must fix your faith in the promise and word of God; which declares, he does hear, whatever appearances may be. He may not answer your prayers in your time, but he will answer them in the best time. Do not judge from your frames and feelings; but by the word of God, which says, "I will hear them that call upon me."—" Faithful is he that hath promised."

Ques. "How far those persons are right, who insist upon our ascertaining the precise time, and manner, when the pardon of sin is actually received?"

Ans. The best evidence of the pardon of sin, is, that we bring forth the fruits of righteousness. Evidence is the child of experience. Those who talk of sudden and instantaneous assurance, talk at random. Assurance is a fruit and effect of righteousness. It is progressive.'

Ques. "How far I might, with safety, indulge my strong passion for music?"

"Mr. Cecil replied with solemnity, 'You may indulge that as well as every other taste, as far as it tends to the glory of God, and does not interfere with the progress of the soul in divine things.'

"I feel self-condemnation, and captivity. But by, Divine help, I will endeavour to set this rule before me ; and will make a stand, whatever it may cost me, against what I think I may call my ruling passion.

"I count it a snare, and a misfortune, for a young woman to be in the habit of exhibiting any talent she is peculiarly famed for. I have felt its evil, and I know that a good voice has many temptations. Mothers and friends are too apt to gratify themselves and their daughters, at the expense of discretion and propriety. Not that this was the case with my dear and honoured mother; for she never would allow me, if she knew it, to sing any thing but Psalms and Hymns. But alas! this did not satisfy me. I now see my folly."*

The next extracts mark the entire change of character and taste which a true reception of the Gospel will always effect; as well as that opposition frequently manifested by those who are unacquainted with its efficacy.

April 1789.-" Certain friends who have been in the habit of dining, and dawdling away the Sunday with us, think I am mad, or at least that I am a dreadful bigot. I used,' they say, to be amiable and obliging. Why not, as formerly, go to the Foundling-the Asylum -the Magdalen-or drive in the park. Off to Church in the morning-hurry over your dinner, off again in the afternoon-then off to Church again in the evening! It is too much of a thing. Mr. H. ought not to

* MRS. HAWKES observed to a friend, that the singing of songs was a part of worldly conformity-the last she was able to give up.