end and design of the Christian Sabbath, and likewise what kind of worship God expects, what sort of tempers and dispositions are necessary to true worshippers, and sing a few verses, and pray with them. When this is over, it will be time to attend the morning sermon, when there is any, as is the case in most large towns; and sermons at that time either are or ought to be, adapted to the state of serious people, and consequently the most experimental.

9. LET the subject of discourse, during the breakfast, be upon what has been heard, not in a captious criticising manner, but such things as may be most profitable, and suitable to your own state, or the states of such as are about you. No one can tell how useful it is to speak in a serious manner of what we hear from time to time; it not only helps the understanding, but also impresses it upon the memory, and has a tendency to make a deep and lasting impression upon the mind.

10. LET as little be done in the way of dressing meat as possible; so that none be hindered from attending public worship; and upon your return from church, take a little time to meditate again upon that which you have heard, or speak of it at your table, so that every common meal may be converted into a kind of an ordinance. Eat a sparing dinner to prevent drowsiness, and let the interval of public worship be

spent either in reading, meditation, or spiritual conversation. Heads of families will find employment enough among their children and servants.

11. As there is a sermon in many towns, in the evening, at six o'clock, it would be well to bring all the family with you who can go, and, indeed, invite every one to attend; for the Sunday evening sermons are, or ought to be, calculated for people unawakened; therefore if you love the Lord, and your fellow-sinners, labour to persuade all you can to give attendance.

12. As soon as you come home, retirę for a time, and call over the principal things in your own mind which you have heard and enquire how your own heart has been affected; note down any thing which you believe would be particularly useful, either by way of caution, encouragement, or exhortation. Lay your defects before the Lord in humble prayer; such as wandering thoughts, coldness, inattention, forgetfulness, or carelessness. Give thanks for any good you may have received, begging that it may abide and be useful in every future period of life; and it might be well to have a little book to make memorandums in, and note down whatever may be of service, which may be a help to your memory, and may have recourse to it afterwards.

13. BEFORE supper, call your family toghether, sing a few verses, and in a lov

ing manner make enquiry how they have spent the day, and what account they can give of what they heard. Mildly reprove what you have seen amiss in them, such as sleepiness, trifling or inattention. Commend, in a prudent manner, whatever may be praiseworthy in any of them, that they may have all encouragement you possibly can give; then recapitulate the substance of what you have heard in the House of God, shewing in one view the whole subject, what it condemns, and what it encourages, and then subjoin a short exhortation, how it ought to affect the practice of each one the ensuing week. Close the whole with solemn prayer, suited to the business of the day.

14. AFTER supper, let every one spend the remainder of the evening in such exercises, either in private or familiar conversation, as may have a tendency to impress every thing useful upon the mind; so that the Sabbath here on earth, may be a happy emblem of that eternal rest, which remains for the people of God. Then all our toil shall cease, and sorrow shall be no more, but one uninterrupted scene of praise for ever. Thus may our time pass away in humbleness and fear, in fellowship below with God, his people, ways and ordinances, till we join the church triumphant above.

15. THE time of night, and a weak body, may now call for repose; some hints upon

L

the same, by way of meditation, may not be unsuitable.

A Meditation on putting off your apparel.

my

"Am I now putting off these badges of sin and shame? Just so, O my soul, wilt thou put off this vile body, and stand uncloathed before the Judge of the living and the dead. But, O my soul, hast thou put off the old man and his deeds? Hast thou put off pride, unbelief, envy, hatred, malice, evil desire, vain-glory, hypocrisy, covetousness, self-righteousness, with every abomination? Hast thou put off the guilt of sin? Is it done away in the precious blood of the Lamb, so that thou dost not lie down under the heavy guilt of one unpardoned sin? Hast thou put on the Lord Jesus ? Hast thou put on his strength, wisdom, righteousness, meekness, patience, humility, love, zeal, sincerity and truth? Is he the joy of thy heart, and thy portion for ever? O then, let me praise him, let every breath be spent in praise, and every power and faculty be devoted to him for ever.'

16. AT laying down :-" And does this frail body call for refreshing repose? Is it wearied with its various infirmities? Must it stretch its wearied limbs, and soon pass

into a state of insensibility? Just so must it lie down in the silent grave,

"The dreary regions of the dead,
"Where all things are forgot."

"The necessity of sleep seems to be the effect of sin, and therefore an awful image of death, the wages of sin. But, O my soul, art thou safe in the hands of thy saviour? Then fear not death, let not thy frail flesh tremble at the thoughts of dissolution; for though it is sown in dishonour, it shall be raised in glory; though it is sown in corruption, it shall be raised in incorruption; though it is sown a natural body, it shall be raised a spiritual body; then fear not, O my soul, commit thy All into his hands who gave himself a ransom for thee; he will not leave thy body finally to perish in the grave, but will raise it once again; fashion it like his own glorious body, and make it a meet inhabitant of the New Jerusalem. Therefore will I lay me down in peace, and take my rest, for it is thou, Lord, who makest me to sleep in safety."

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17. ON covering yourself in bed "Thus will this frail body be covered, in a little time, in the cold grave, with its vile original," ashes to ashes, dust to dust," but blessed be God, it is" in sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection to life eternal."