is right in itself, not for the sake of doing right, but merely to gain some worldly end. We may, in a thousand 'instances, deceive man, but we cannot put any cheat upon God, "for he knoweth the very secrets of the heart." If then we would carefully avoid all temptation to do amiss, we must bear ever in mind, that the eye of God is constantly upon us, and that our thoughts lie open to him.

Jesus Christ, who has declared himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life"," has pointed out to us the path in which he requires us to walk, has laid open to us the truth, by proclaiming that he came into the world to save sinners, and has promised everlasting life to all who will listen to him and obey him.

We see, therefore, that all our dependence is, and must be, on him. Without his mercy we should be undone and lost for ever. What less then can we do, than make ourselves acquainted with his will, that we may carefully perform it to the best of our power?

Psalm xliv. 21.

John xiv. 6.

to Every parent expects of his child cheerful and ready obedience. If he commands him to do any thing, he looks to see him set about it immediately, and depends on finding it done at the proper time. This is so reasonable an expectation, that the child who neglected to do what his parent had commanded would be judged by all, on this very account, to deserve punish

ment.

But surely no reason can be given, why the child should be called upon to obey his parent, which does not bind Christians far more strongly to do the will of their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. The child owes indeed to his parent immediately all that he possesses, and the very power of receiving every enjoyment; for through him, to speak humanly, he was brought into the world: but then who does not know, that every thing, in reality, comes from God: he is the author and giver of every good gift, and he conveys his blessings to us by means of our fellowcreatures. He has but to speak the word, and the breath, which he has hitherto given, is kept back, so that we die; or he

can visit us with sickness every moment of our lives: the air may bring fever, and carry it through families till it has been spread over a whole neighbourhood: this we know, for we have ourselves felt this power, and have reason to be thankful that we feel it not now as formerly. But who is it that gives man strength to "go forth to his work and to his labour until the evening?" Does not this come also of the Lord? Who is it, moreover, that not only bestows strength but cheerfulness also, so that a man can go through the business of the day, and look to the return of it on the morrow, without feeling his spirits sink, or shrinking from the work that is before him? This likewise cometh from God: for man, though he may speak the words. of comfort to his neighbour, and rouse him to diligence by his example, has no power to relieve the weary, and give liveliness to his feelings. The Being who made man, and he only, can turn aside. thoughts that will give pain, and put in their place such as are cheerful and plea

sant.

We are bound then in gratitude to

study the will of Almighty God, that we may make all the return in our power for the blessings, beyond number and above all price, which he has bestowed upon us from the hour of our birth till the present moment: but it is no less our interest to study God's will, for he hath made known to us, by his Son Jesus Christ, that he has appointed a day in which he will call upon all mankind to give an account of the deeds done in the body. He has set before us what he requires at our hands, and has promised us the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen us for the performance of our daily duties, if we will enter upon our duty in earnest; if, in short, you will but take as much pains to please. God as you take to earn your daily bread.

Should any ask how this is to be done; how, that is, we are to prepare ourselves for the discharge of our daily duties, and how we may obtain the aid of the Holy Spirit; the answer to both questions will be found contained in the text: we must set ourselves to do whatever belongs to our calling, with the same trust in God, and the same desire to do, for Christ's

sake, all that we put our hands unto, which a child feels towards his parent. The child does, immediately and at once, what his parent commands: the Christian must do as readily, for Christ's sake, whatever belongs to him, whatever his master on earth bids him to do; for this will "he learn and labour truly to get his own living, and to do his duty in that state of life, unto which it has pleased God to call him."

No truth is of greater importance than this-that our whole conduct must be governed by those rules which Christ has laid down. It is not enough that the Christian watches over himself at certain times and seasons, he must be constantly on his guard. In his hours of amusement as well as business he must be careful that he offend not in thought, word, or deed. Let it not be supposed that he is set free from the laws of the Gospel in those hours of leisure which he spends with his family or friends. He may be cheerful, and yet innocent: again, mirth may lead him into sin: if in his conversation he either takes