exercise it in some few instances, in some little degrees: anon, sin revives, and leads our souls into a transient, though unwilling captivity. Now we are meek; but soon a ruffling accident intervenes, and turns our composure into a fretful disquietude. Now we are humble; soon we reflect upon some inconsiderable or imaginary superiority over others, and a sudden elatement swells our minds. Now, perhaps, we possess a clean heart, and are warm with holy love; but, Oh! how easily is the purity of our affections sullied! how soon the fervour of our gratitude cooled! And is there not something amiss even in our best moments? Something to be ashamed of in all we are; something to be repented of in all we do?

With what gladness, therefore, and adoring thankfulness, should we submit to the righteousness of "our incarnate God;" and receive as a divine gift, what cannot be acquired by human works! Rom. v. 17.; x. 3. A writer of the first distinction, and nicest discernment, styles the obedience of our glorious Surety, an everlasting righteousness, (Dan. ix. 24.); such as was subject to no interruption, nor obscured by the least blemish, but proceeded always in the same uniform tenor of the most spotless perfection. This righteousness, in another sense, answers the prophet's exalted description; as its beneficial and sovereign efficacy knows no end, but lasts through all our life; lasts in the trying hour of death; lasts at the decisive day of judgment; lasts through every generation; and will last to all eternity.

Sometimes I have seen that resplendent globe stript of her radiance; or, according to the emphatical language of Scripture," turned into blood." The earth, interposing with its opaque body, intercepted the solar rays, and cast its gloomy shadow on the moon. The malignant influence gained upon her sickening orb, extinguished more and more the feeble remainders of light, till, at length, like one in a deep swoon, no comeliness was left in her countenance-she was totally overspread with darkness. At this juncture,

what a multitude of eyes were gazing upon the rueful spectacle! even of those eyes which disregarded the empress of the night, or beheld her with indifference, when, robed in glory, and riding in her triumphal chariot, she shed a softer day through the nations. But now, under these circumstances of disgrace, they watch her motions with the most prying attention. In every place her misfortune is the object of general observation, and the prevailing topic of discourse in every company.

Is it not thus with regard to persons of eminence in their respective spheres? Kings at the head of their subjects; nobles surrounded with their dependants; and (after names of so much grandeur, may I be allowed to add?) ministers labouring among their people, are each in a conspicuous station. Their conduct in its minutest step, especially in any miscarriage, will be narrowly surveyed, and critically scanned. Can there be a louder call to ponder the paths of their feet, and to be particularly jealous over all their ways? Those who move in inferior life may grossly offend, and little alarm be given, perhaps no notice taken. But it is not to be expected that the least slip in their carriage, the least flaw in their character will pass undiscovered. Malice, with her eagle eyes, will be sure to discern them; while Censure, with her shrill trumpet, will be as far from concealing them, as Calumny, with her treacherous whispers, from extenuating them. A planet may sink below the horizon, or a star for several months withdraw its shining; and scarce one in ten thousand perceive the loss; but if the moon suffers a transient eclipse, almost half the world are spectators of her dishonour.

Very different was the case, when, at this late hour, I have taken a solitary walk on the western cliffs. At the foot of the steep mountain, the sea, all clear and smooth, spread itself into an immense plain, and held a watery mirror to the skies. Infinite heights above, the firmament stretched its azure expanse, bespangled with unnumbered stars, and adorned with the moon

"walking in brightness," Job xxxi. 26. She seemed to contemplate herself with a peculiar pleasure, while the transparent surface both received and returned her silver image. Here, instead of being covered with sackcloth, she shone with double lustre; or rather, with a lustre multiplied, in proportion to the number of beholders, and their various situations.

Such, methinks, is the effect of an exemplary behaviour in persons of exalted rank. Their course, as it is nobly distinguished, so it will be happily influential; others will catch the diffusive ray, and be ambitious to resemble a pattern so attracting, so commanding. Their amiable qualities will not terminate in themselves, but we shall see them reflected from their families, their acquaintance, their retainers. Just as we may now behold another moon, trembling in the stream, glittering in the canal, and displaying its lovely impress on every collection of

waters.

The moon, philosophy says, is a sort of sovereign over the great deep. Her orb, like a royal sceptre, sways the ocean, and actuates the fluid realms. It swells the tides, and perpetuates the reciprocal returns of ebb and flow; by which means the liquid element purges off its filth, and is preserved from being putrefied itself, and from poisoning the world. Is the moon thus operative on the vast abyss? and shall not the faith of eternal and infinite delights to come, be equally efficacious on this soul of mine? Far above her argent fields are treasures of happiness, unseen by mortal eye, by mortal ear unheard, and unconceived by any human imagination. In that desirable world, the most distinguished and exalted honours also are conferred; in comparison with which the thrones and diadems of earthly monarchs are empty pageants and childish toys. Yonder arch of sapphire, with all its spangles of gold, is but the floor of those divine abodes. What then are the apartments? what is the palace? How bright with glories! how rich with bliss!

O! ye mansions of blessedness; ye beauties of my Father's kingdom, which far outshine the lamps of the visible heaven, transmit your sweet and winning invitations to my heart. Attract and refine all my affections. Withdraw them from stagnating on the sordid shores of flesh; never suffer them to settle' upon the impure lees of sense; but impress them with emotions of restless desire after sublime and celestial joys,-joys that will proceed, still proceed, in a copious and everlasting flow, when seas shall cease to roll,-joys, that will charm every faculty with unimaginable pleasure, when the moon, with her waxing splendours, shall cheer our sight no more.

Enough for the present evening. My thoughts have been sufficiently exercised, and my steps begin to be attended with weariness. Let me obey the admonition of nature, and give respite to my meditations, slumber to my eyes. But stay-Shall I retire to the bed of sleep with as little ceremony, and with as much inattention, as the brutes to their sordid lair? Are no acknowledgments due to that divine Being, who is the support of my life, and the length of my days? Have I no farther need of his protecting care; no more occasion for the blessings of his goodness? Lepidus perhaps may laugh at the bended knee, and have a thousand darts of raillery ready to discharge on the practice of devotion. The wits, I know, are unmercifully severe on what they call the drudgery of prayer, and the fantastical rant of praise. These they leave to the illiterate labourer, and the mean mechanic; or treat them with a contemptuous sneer, as the parson's ignoble trade.

Is it then an instance of superstitious blindness to distinguish, or of whimsical zeal to celebrate, the most supereminent excellency and merit? Is it an ungraceful business, or does it argue a grovelling disposition, to magnify goodness transcendently rich and diffusive? What can be so truly becoming a dependent state, as to pay our adoring homage to the Author of all perfection; and profess our devoted allegiance

to the supreme Almighty Governor of the universe? Can anything more significantly bespeak an ingenuous temper, or administer a more real satisfaction to its finest feelings, than the exercises of penitential devotion; by which we give vent to an honest anguish, or melt into filial sorrow, for our insensibility to the best of friends, for our disobedience to the best of parents? In a word, can there be a more sublime pleasure, than to dwell in fixed contemplation on the beauties of the eternal Mind; the amiable Original of all that is fair, grand, and harmonious; the beneficent Giver of all that is convenient, comfortable, and useful? Can there be a more advantageous employ, than to present our requests to the Father of mercies; opening our minds to the irradiations of his wisdom, and all the faculties of our souls to the communications of his grace? It is strange, unaccountably strange, that the notion of dignity in sentiment, and the pursuit of refined enjoyment, should ever be disunited from devotion; that persons who make pretensions to an improved taste, and exalted genius, should neglect this most ennobling intercourse with the wisest and best of Beings, the inexhaustible source of honour and joy.

Shall I be deterred from approaching this source of the purest delight? deterred from pursuing this highest improvement of my nature? deterred from all by a formidable banter, or confuted by one irrefragable smile? No: let the moon in her resplendent sphere, and yonder pole with all its starry train, witness if I be silent even or morn; if I refrain to kindle in my heart, and breathe from my lips, the reasonable incense of praise; praise to that great and glorious God who formed the earth and built the skies, who poured from his hand the watery world, and shed the all-surrounding air abroad. "Thou

also madest the night, Maker omnipotent! and thou the day; which I, though less than the least of all thy mercies, have passed in safety, tranquillity, and comfort. When I was lost in the extravagance of