for by diligent prayer, and by obeying and participating in the divine ordinances Seek then by these means to have your hearts established in the faith, that you may be strong in that grace which will enable you to bridle in the whole body; so shall you be spiritually united to that glorious body, of which you ought to be living members. Let us endeavour to be so guarded in all our expressions, that the way of truth may not be evil spoken of. Let us pray with the psalmist, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips!" O let not mine heart be inclined to speak any evil, and that I may keep my mouth as it were with a bridle; for, as St. James saith, "The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." "Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have fallen by the tongue."

I shall now, in applying what hath been said, endeavour to call your attention to those practical inferences which the subject we have been considering naturally suggest. And first I must observe, that in many of those points already noticed, we have all more or less grievously transgressed, not only in thought, in word, but many, it is to be feared, even in deed; and if our religious: character were now to be decided by the

manner in which we have hitherto governed our tongue, how few of us could bear such a test! If we have not absolutely perjured ourselves, defrauded any one, nor openly blasphemed; yet, who hath not spoken or devised evil? Who hath not come into the courts of God irreverently, or taken his name in vain? Even since entering this sanctuary, how have we been confessing the sacred name of the Deity with our lips whilst our heart was far from him? It may be said, "that few of us can so wholly abstract our minds that no wandering or irreverent thoughts shall intrude;" and this is in some degree true, and often proceeds from natural infirmity; but in many, I fear, there is the form without the power of godliness; the letter, but not the spirit: and how few of us strive and watch against vain and wandering thoughts, which war against and hurt the soul!

Let us pray more earnestly, that the Holy Spirit would help our infirmities, and cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, that our prayers and praises may be accepted through the merits and intercession of our Saviour Christ. Let us remember, that it is not only the profane or false swearer, but the false and hypocritical worshipper, who is an abomination to the Lord; and that all

foolish and vain conversation which is not convenient, should be avoided, and more especially on this holy day for we are enjoined by the prophet, not even to speak our own words on this sacred day. Let us therefore seek to edify and admonish one another, and devote ourselves to the service of the sanctuary and the closet, and not spend our time in paying or receiving idle visits, which insensibly lead to idle conversation.

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Again, who is there that hath not flattered with his tongue? Who hath not had recourse to the most disingenuous, deceitful, and palpable evasions, from pique and illhumor, or for sinister ends and purposes? Nay, even amongst high professing Christians, there is frequently such evasive subterfuges, disingenuousness, and acrimony, both in speaking and writing, as may really be said to libel Christianity, and is a disgrace to the name of Christian!

And though such conduct does not make them absolutely amenable to the law, they may be assured, that there is a tribunal from which there will be no escape or appeal, and at that bar all must appear to give an account of the deeds done in the body. Lastly, We know that even the beloved of the ancient people of God were punished

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in various ways, for deception: and every deviation from the divine commands. And even Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land for speaking unadvisedly with his lips, though provoked: of what punishment then will not they be thought worthy who have blasphemed and spoken against the Most High, and also their Sa viour, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us ;" and account the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and have done despite to the Spirit of grace?

And I would here caution those who may have tasted of the good word of eternal life, to beware how any root of bitterness spring up in their hearts, and choke the word, that they become not only unfruitful, but unprofitable and vain.

I would also exhort those who are be ginning to show forth out of a good conversation their works with the meekness of wisdom, that they cultivate assiduously a spirit of meekness and love, and avoid the society of the idle, the frivolous, and the vain. Shun all those who speak dightly of religion, or evince a dislike to religious ordinances, or even to serious conversation. Such characters are to be met with in even what is called by the worlds "good com pany," and amongst "polite people," &c. and

from such the danger is greater, and the poison more insidiously transfused into the youthful mind; as many of those, I would warn you, are called correct and moral in their general conduct, and whom you may find not only good-humored and obliging, but even charitable in their dispositions. And some young men, I am sorry to observe, are to be met with in the daily walks of life, who have taken upon themselves the sacred office of the ministry, who glory in what ought to be their shame, and should make them shunned and despised by the virtuous and discerning, if not for their own sakes, yet surely they should for the glory and honor of our God. And to such who cast obloquy upon that sacred religion, which they have solemnly pledged themselves to defend, I scarcely know how or in what terms they should be addressed or admonished. They surely forget the awful denunciations in the Scriptures against unfaithful pastors, and that at their hands will be required every soul committed to their charge; and also the command thrice given by Christ to Simon, and that as a proof of his love he must feed his flock, which is equally incumbent on all who now minister in holy places; and that they ought to be blameless,