412 MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS. laughed at for walking strictly in it. It is a poor religion that cannot stand against a jest. Sell not your hopes of heavenly treasures, nor any thing that belongs to your eternal interest, for any of the advantages of the present life: " What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?" Remember also the wordsof the wise man, " He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man ; he that indulges himself in wine and oil, that is, in drinking, in feasting, and in sensual gratifi- cations, shall not be rich." It is one of St. Paul's characters of almost degenerate age, when men become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. = And that fleshly lusts war against the soul, is St. Peter's caveat to the christians of his time. XI. Preserve your conscience always soft and sensible. If but one sin forces its way into that tender part of the soul, and dwell easy there, the road is paved for a thousand iniquities. And take heed that tinder any scruple, doubt or temptation whatsoever, you never let any reasonings satisfy your conscience, which will not be a sufficient answer or apology to the great Judge at the last day. XII. Keep this thought ever in your mind, it is a world of vanity and vexation in which you live; the flatteries and pro - mises of it are vain and deceitful ; prepare therefore to meet dis- appointments. Many of its occurrences are teazing and vexa- tious. In every ruffling storm without, possess your spirit in patience, and let all be calm and serene within. Clouds and tempests are only found in the lower skies ; the heavens above are ever bright and clear. Let your heart and hope dwell much in these serene regions ; live as a stranger here on earth, but as a citizen of heaven, if you will maintain a soul at ease. XIII. Since in many things we offend all, and there is not a day pisses which is perfectly free from sin, let repentance to- wards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, be your daily work. A frequent renewal of these exercises which make a christian at first, will be a constant evidence of your sincere chris- tianity, and give you peace in life, and hope in death. XIV. Ever carry about with you such a sense of the un- certainty of every thing in this life, and of life itself, as to put .nothing off till to-morrow, which you can conveniently do to- day. Dilatory persons are frequently exposed to surprise and hurry in every thing that belongs to them : the time is come, and they are unprepared. Let the concerns of your soul and your shop, your trade and your religion, lie always in such order, as far as possible, that death at a short warning may be no occasion of a disquieting tumult in your spirit, and that you may escape the anguish of a bitter repentance in a dying hour. Farewell.
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