views are in the main correct? and hence are they not apt to be driven about by every wind of doctrine?

Some of the books mentioned in this list are scarce and dear; but enquiry after them may lead to their being reprinted. The Clarendon press has done much for sound theology, by reprinting some valuable works of our early divines, and particularly Strype's Works.

There are many valuable works among those published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. The following are selected from their List.

Ve vise you uter hearing, to make it your aim to RECOLLUT Mat you have heard. Some for this purpose case totes iuring the sermon: though we would 206 zondemn this practice, where persons have found en enent rom t: it has. it is to be feared, a tenjene "o livert ne mind from self-application, as the minister procsevis. The practice of others to write jown vien neveturn home, the heads of the sermons, mi ne most important practical parts cannot fail to be useful. But it my cute, enter not, if possible to avoid ́t, mto vorrály company and conversation, immediately uter ne sermon. This drives away what we have resc rom our minds. As early as may be, we should sees o veu what has been preached to us, that it may be sein our memory. Endeavour to remember, at east, me eating divisions of the discourse. It is recorded of our good King Edward VI. that he took notes of the sermons which he heard. Why should you not int as much advantage in keeping memorandums of what ou hear, for your spiritual benefit, as in the word, men do in making notes of various things which they would otherwise forget, for their temporal advan

Mr. Seeley, (Fleet Street,) and other Booksellers, have published, in regular series, some very useful Divinity works :-one is entitled The British Dienres, another entitled The Miniature Edition; they contain many practical and edifying works.

Chalmers and Collins, of Glasgow, are also publishing similarly useful works, with valuable Introductions by eminent modern writers.

ye

tage. The Apostle says, ye are saved, if ye keep in memory, if hold fast, what I preached unto you. What an indescribably-important "if!" A forgotten Gospel saves not. See how St. James condemns the forgetful hearer. James i, 22-25.

Besides recollecting, MEDITATE upon the truths; ponder them, weigh them, and judge of their real value. Enter thus into their real excellence. We are told of the righteous, His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Weigh, then, by meditation, the importance of what you have heard, and consider how far it relates to you, and how you may bring it into your daily practice. Without this, a multitude of sermons may be all in vain, and much instruction still unprofitable. One sermon may drive out another, and not a doctrine be really believed and felt, not a precept obeyed. Such a continual hearing, with a wilful neglect of subsequent consideration, produces by degrees hardness of heart, and a seared conscience. It has been remarked, that more people are undone in reference to both worlds, for want of considering what they very well know, than for want of knowing what concerns their real welfare. It is not merely the quantity of food which we take that makes our bodies strong, but the proper digestion of what we eat; and more suffer from too much, than from too little food. And so with our souls, it is not merely the quantity of instruction which is given to us, that makes our souls strong, but the due consideration, and selfapplication of what we are taught. The Apostle connects meditation and divine teaching, Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. The Homily on the Scriptures thus expressly describes this duty" Let us with fear and reverence lay up in

CHAP. VIII.

The Importance of reflecting on what we have heard, with a Prayer afterwards.

THIS part of the hearer's duty is so essential to his

A

real profit, and so generally neglected, that we shall be excused for giving it a more distinct consideration. If we rest satisfied with mere hearing, without reflection, we shall never attain pure and undefiled religion. person may hear and admire at the time, and yet be merely interested for the moment; if he think not of it afterwards, he will not be the better but the worse for hearing. Every time the truths of God are declared to him, they may make less sensible impression, and leave

ess practical influence upon him; he may be less and

moved, till he becomes totally unimpressible to the 19ą solemn and affecting truths. While on the other f by divine grace he duly reflect on what he see will become more alive to the power of truth, shened under its impressions, and more influenced bis whole spirit, and character, and conduct. king description of the Virgin Mary's mind, what the Shepherds told her, She kept all and pondered them in her heart. We vour to follow her example, desiring the gab, and the heart to meditate on the cording Christ. They are worth keeping and 'n the heart.

But it is to be feared that Christians but very little attend to this duty. Let this enquiry be put by each reader to his own conscience-What is my practice after hearing the word? Do I make it a point of duty to ponder and meditate on what I hear? Do I ordinarily give a stated time for this?

Certainly, many return home to their family and friends, and enter on general conversation, or reading, totally unconnected with what they have heard. Some take up a weekly journal to pass the time, and others a trifling book; and so, in one way or other, all good thoughts are soon dissipated, and the sermon has, perhaps, hardly once after it was heard, received a passing reflection. Is it not the case with too many, that the mere act of hearing is that with which their minds and consciences are satisfied; and that the practising what they hear is a very inferior consideration? They desire, indeed, to be interested, quickened, and excited while they hear; but they are careless about a conformity of life to the doctrines and precepts. The time after hearing is a most critical moment, as it respects our salvation. The word may then become effectual to our eternal good. The seed has been sown; God is ready to give the blessing. O let us seek it; let us not by impertinent visits, worldly business, or secular pleasures, lose the rich, the invaluable blessing.

The importance of this subsequent reflection and improvement will appear, if we consider why we come to hear the word. No considerate person can surely be so ignorant as to come with the self-righteous idea of obliging God, as if He were indebted to us for coming. Hearing separated from practical influence, is neither commendable in itself, nor acceptable to God; it is in truth mere self-deception, and tends only to our ruin.