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to convert them into parasites and flatterers; to render them very indulgent to the vices of the rich and great; or even to tempt them to become the instruments of accomplishing their ambitious or licentious designs: and no small part of the selfishness and artifices of the clergy, which are now made a pretext for abolishing the order, and even for renouncing christianity, have in fact originated from this fatal mistake. In proportion as the same principle is adopted by ministers of any description, similar effects will follow; and a degree of dependence, inconsistent with unembarrassed faithfulness, must be the consequence: nor can we in all cases, and without respect of persons, "declare the whole counsel of GOD," unless we be willing, if required, to be, and appear as, the poor followers of him "who had not where to lay his head."

..11. Let us...Inexperienced believers are very liable to be seduced by the example and persuasions of hypocrites; and to deviate from the direct path, in order to obtain worldly advantages, by means that many deem fair and honourable. In this case the counsel and warnings of an experienced companion are of the greatest moment.

134..20. But above...It is indeed most wonderful, that men, who profess to believe the bible, can so confidently attempt to reconcile the love of the world with the service of GOD; when the instructions, warnings, and examples in scripture, which show the fatal consequences of such endeavours, are so numerous, express, and affecting! If Lor's wife, who merely hankered after the possessions she had left behind in SODOM, and looked back with a design of returning, was made a monument of the Lord's vengeance, and a warning to all future ages, what will be the doom of those professors of the gospel who habitually prefer worldly gain, or the vain pomp and indulgence that may be purchased with it, to the honour of CHRIST, and obedience to his most reasonable commandments? The true cause of this infatuation is here assigned.

135..28. Pleasant...When ABRAHAM had given place to

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his nephew LOT, and receded from his interest for the credit of his religion, he was immediately favoured with a most encouraging vision'. Thus the pilgrims, having been enabled to resist the temptation to turn aside for lucre, were indulged with more abundant spiritual consolations'. The Holy Spirit, the inexhaustible source of life, light, holiness, and joy, is represented by "the river of GOD;" even that "river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out "of the throne of GOD, and of the Lamb3." All believers partake of his sacred influences, which prepare the soul for heavenly felicity, and are earnests and pledges of it: but there are seasons when he communicates his holy comforts in larger measure; when the christian sees such glory in the salvation of CHRIST, so clearly ascertains his interest in it, and realizes his obligations and privileges, with such lively exercises of adoring love, gratitude, and joy, that he is raised above his darkness and difficulties; enjoys sweet communion with GOD; forgets, for the moment, the pain of former conflicts, and the prospect of future trials; finds his inbred corruptions reduced to a state of subjection, and his maladies healed by lively exercises of faith in the Son of GOD; and anticipates with unspeakable delight the glory that shall be revealed. Then communion with humble believers (the lilies that adorn the banks of the river) is very pleasant; and the soul's rest in GOD and his service is safe. as well as happy; being widely different from every species of carnal security.-Had this river meant the blessings of pardon, justification, and adoption, it would not have been thus occasionally introduced: for these belong to believers at all times, without any interruption or variation; but the more abundant consolations of the Spirit are not vouchsafed in the same manner, and on them the actual enjoyment of our privileges in a great measure depends.

136..23. Now the way...Believers, even when in the path of duty, walking by faith, and supported by the sanctifying Mark x. 23-30. 3 Rev, xxii. I.

Gen. xiii.

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influences of the Spirit, may be abridged of those holy consolations which they have experienced: and if this trial be accompanied with temporal losses, poverty, sickness, the unkindness of friends, or ill usage from the world, they may be greatly discouraged; and SATAN may have a special advantage in tempting them to discontent, distrust, envy, or coveting. Thus, being more disposed to wish for a better 'way,' than to pray earnestly for an increase of faith and patience, they will be tempted to look out for some method of declining the cross, or shifting the difficulty which wearies them: nor will it be long before some expedient for a temporary relief will be suggested. The path of duty being rough, a by-path is discovered, which seems to lead the same way: but, if they will thus turn aside, (though they need not break through an hedge) they must go over a stile. The commandments of GOD mark out the path of holiness and safety but a deviation from the exact strictness of them may sometimes be plausibly made, and circumstances seem to invite to it. Men imagine some providential interposition, giving ease to the weary; and they think that the precept may be interpreted with some latitude; that prudence should be exercised; and that scrupulousness about little things is a mark of legality. Thus by leaning to their own understandings and trusting in their own hearts, instead of asking counsel of the Lord, they hearken to the tempter. Nor is it uncommon for christians of deeper experience, and more established reputation, to mislead their juniors, by turning aside from the direct line of obedience. For the Lord leaves them to themselves, to repress their self-confidence, and keep them entirely dependent on him; and thus teaches young converts to follow no man further than he follows CHRIST.

137..9. Look...It would not be politic in SATAN to tempt believers at first to flagrant crimes, at which their hearts would revolt: but he draws them aside, under specious pretences, into such plausible deviations as seem to be of no bad repute or material consequence: but every wrong step

makes way for further temptations, and tends to render other sins apparently necessary; and if it be a deliberate violation of the least precept in the smallest instance, from carnal motives, it involves such self-will, unbelief, ingratitude, and worldly idolatry, as will most certainly expose the believer to sharp rebukes and painful corrections. The example

also of professors, of whom perhaps at the first interview too favourable an opinion has been formed, helps to bolster up the vain-confidence of him who has departed from the path of obedience: for these men express the strongest assurance, and venture to violate the precepts of CHRIST, under pretence of honouring his free grace, and knowing their liberty and privilege! But darkness must soon envelope those who follow such guides, and the most extreme distress and danger are directly in the way they take.

..24. Fell...This circumstance perhaps represents the salutary effects which are sometimes produced in the hearts of offending believers, by the awful death of some vaih-glorious professor, to whom they have given too much attention. The Lord, however, will deliver his servants from the temporary prevalence of vain-confidence, while presumptuous hypocrites perish in the pit of darkness and despair.

138.4. And now...The holy law condemns every transgression when the christian, therefore, hath fallen into any wilful sin, he is often led to fear that his faith is dead, that he is still under the law, and that his person is condemned by it as well as his conduct; and thus he is brought back again, as it were, to the tempest, thunder, and lightning of mount SINAI.-The following dialogue is very natural and instructive, and exhibits that spirit of mutual tenderness, forbearance, and sympathy, which becomes christians in such perplexing circumstances, They, who have misled others into sin, should not only ask forgiveness of GOD, but of them also; and they who have been drawn aside by the example and persuasion of their brethren, should be careful

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not to upbraid or discourage them, when they become sensible of their fault.

..30. Let thine... When such as have turned aside are called upon in scripture to return to GOD and his ways, the exhortation implies a promise of acceptance to all who comply with it, and may be considered as immediately addressed to every one with whose character and situation it corresponds. It might be thought indeed, that an experienced believer, when convinced of any sin, would find little difficulty in returning to his duty, and recovering his peace. But experience inculcates a very different instruction: a deliberate transgression, however trivial it might seem at at the moment, appears upon the retrospect to be an act of most ungrateful and aggravated rebellion; so that it brings such darkness upon the soul, and guilt on the conscience, as frequently causes a man to suspect that his experiences have been a delusion. And, when he would attempt to set out anew, it occurs to him, that if all his past endeavours and expectations, for many years, have been frustrated, he can entertain little hope of better success hereafter; as he knows not how to use other means, or greater earnestness, than he hath already employed to no purpose. Nor will SATAN ever fail, in these circumstances, to pour in such suggestions as may overwhelm the soul with an apprehension that the case is hopeless, and GOD inexorable. The believer will not, indeed, be prevailed upon by these discouragements wholly to neglect all attempts to recover his ground: but he will often resemble a man who is groping in the dark and cannot find his way; or who is passing through a deep and rapid stream, and struggling hard to keep his head above water. Thus the desire of present relief from intolerable distress will occupy his thoughts, and expose him to the danger of quieting his conscience in an unauthorized manner, by some erroneous opinion or conclusion.

139.11. Shelter...When DAVID had fallen into the depths of sin and distress, he cried most earnestly to the