ment of our own minds; and, above all, the lively hope of a joyful resurrection to an eternal day of happiness and glory-any of these particulars, and many more, which I do not mention, may furnish us with matter of pleasing reflection and cheerful praise, while we are rising.

2. For the exercise of secret devotions in the morning, which I hope will generally be our first work, I cannot prescribe an exact method to another. The constituent parts of the service are, in the general, plain. Were I to propose a particular model for those who have half or three-quarters of an hour at command (which, with prudent conduct, I suppose most may have), it should be this:

To begin the stated devotions of the day with a solemn act of praise, offered to God on your knees, and generally with a low, yet distinct, voice, acknowledging the mercies we had been reflecting on while resting; never forgetting to mention CHRIST, as the great foundation of all our enjoyments and our hopes, or to return thanks for the influences of the BLESSED SPIRIT, which have led our hearts to God, or are then engaging us to seek him. This address of praise may properly be concluded with an express renewal of our covenant with God, declaring our continued repeated resolution of being devoted to Him, and particularly of living to His glory, the ensuing day.

It may be proper, after this, to take a prospect of the day before us, so far as we can probably foresee,

in the general, where and how it may be spent: and seriously to reflect, "How shall I employ myself for God this day? What business is to be done, and in what order? What opportunities may I expect, either of doing, or of receiving, good? What temptations am I like to be assaulted with, in any place, company, or circumstance, which may probably occur? In what instances have I lately failed? And how shall I be safest now?"

After this review, it would be proper to offer up a short prayer, begging that God would quicken us to each of these foreseen duties; that he would fortify us against each of those apprehended dangers; that he would grant us success in such or such a business, undertaken for His glory; and also, that he would help us to discover and improve unforeseen opportunities, to resist unexpected temptations, and to bear patiently, and religiously, any afflictions which may surprise us in the day on which we are entering.

I would advise you, after this, to read some portion of Scripture; not a great deal, nor the whole Bible in its course; but some select lessons out of its most useful parts, perhaps ten or twelve verses; not troubling yourself much about the exact connexion, or other critical niceties, which may occur, (though, at other times, I would recommend them to your inquiry, as you have ability and opportunity,) but considering them merely in a devotional and practical view.

It might be proper to close these devotions with a

psalm or hymn; and I rejoice with you, that, through the pious care of Dr. Watts, and some other sacred poets, we are provided with so rich a variety, for the assistance of the closet and family on these occasions, as well as for the service of the sanctuary.

II. The most material directions which have occurred to me, relating to THE PROGRESS OF THE DAY, are these: That we be serious in the devotions of the day; that we be diligent in the business of it; that is, in the prosecution of our worldly callings;-that we be temperate and prudent in the recreations of it ;-that we carefully remark the providences of the day ;—that we cautiously guard against the temptations of it; that we keep up a lively and humble dependence upon the Divine influence, suitable to every emergency of it;-that we govern our thoughts well in the solitude of the day, and our discourses well in the conversations of it.

1. For seriousness in devotion, whether public or domestic. Let us take a few moments, before we enter upon such solemnities, to pause, and reflect on the perfections of the God we are addressing; on the importance of the business we are coming about; on the pleasure and advantage of a regular and devout attendance; and on the guilt and folly of an hypocritical formality. When engaged, let us maintain a strict watchfulness over our own spirits, and check the first wanderings of thought. And, when the duty is over, let us immediately reflect on the manner in which it has been performed, and ask our own con

sciences, whether we have reason to conclude that we are accepted of God in it. For there is a certain manner of going through these offices, which, our own hearts will immediately tell us, it is impossible for God to approve and if we have inadvertently fallen into it, we ought to be deeply humbled before God for it, lest our very prayer become sin.

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2. As for the hours of worldly business, whether it be that of the hands, or whether it be the labour of a learned life, not immediately relating to religious matters; let us set to the prosecution of it with a sense of God's authority, and with a regard to His glory. Let us avoid a dreaming, sluggish, indolent temper, which nods over its work, and does only the business of one hour in two or three. In opposition to this, which runs through the life of some people, who yet think they are never idle, let us endeavour to despatch as much as we well can in a little time; considering, that it is but a little we have in all. And let us be habitually sensible of the need we have of the Divine blessing, to make our labours successful.

3. For season's of diversion.-Let us take care that our recreations be well chosen; that they be pursued with a good intention, to fit us for a renewed application to the labours of life; and thus, that they be only used in subordination to the honour of God, the great end of all our actions. Let us take heed that our hearts be not estranged from God by them; and that they do not take up too much of our time: always remembering, that the faculties of human nature, and

the advantages of the Christian Revelation, were not given us in vain; but that we are always to be in pursuit of some great and honourable end, and to indulge ourselves in amusements and diversions no farther than as they make a part in a scheme of rational and manly, benevolent and pious, conduct.

4. For the observation of providences;—it will be useful to regard the Divine interposition, in our comforts, and in our afflictions. In our comforts, whether more common or extraordinary;-that we find ourselves in continued health; that we are furnished with food for support and pleasure; that we have so many agreeable ways of employing our time; that we haye so many friends, and those so good and so happy; that our business goes on prosperously; that we go out, and come in, safely; and that we enjoy composure and cheerfulness of spirit, without which nothing else could be enjoyed. All these should be regarded as providential favours: and due acknowledgments should be made to God on these accounts, as we pass through such agreeable scenes. On the other hand, Providence is to be regarded in every disappointment, in every loss, in every pain, in every instance of unkindness, from those who have professed friendship. And we should endeavour to argue ourselves into a patient submission, from this consideration, that the hand of God is always mediately, if not immediately, in each of them. It is a reflection, which we should particularly make, with relation to those little cross accidents (as we are ready to call them), and those infirmities