subdue, and torture in any way that he pleased. But at last God made him sensible of the enormity of his conduct. In like manner we may learn hereafter to view many parts of our conduct with far different feeHngs than we have yet done. God has borne with us indeed; but we must not consider his long- suifering as any proof of his approbation : he is recording every thing in the book of his remembrance, and will call us into judgment for it, whether it be good or evil. Let us then search and try our ways: let us pray that he will not "remember against us the sins and transgressions of our youth:" let us, like Hezekiah, " humble ourselves for the pride" or any other evil passion that has at any time been in " oiu: heart." In this way we shall avert many evils from ourselves which unlamented sin would bring upon us, and extract the sting from those which God in his providence may allot us.]
3. To abound in every good work —
[" The godly, no less than the sinner, shall be recom- pensed in the earth^:" " for godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Look into the Scriptures, and you wiU find that there is nothing that you can do for God or for your fellow-creatures, to whicli God has not annexed an appropriate reward. " Draw nigh to him, and he will draw nigh to you:" " honour him, and he will honour you:" " serve him, and he will gird himself and serve you." Visit and relieve your sick neighbour, and " God will be with you in trouble, and make all your bed in sickness^:" " nor shall even a cup of cold water given to a disciple, in any wise lose its reward." Would you then have testimonies of God's approbation here? endeavour to "abound in the work of the Lord: " and expect also, that, in proportion as you improve your talents now, shall be the weight of glory assigned to you in a better world.]
u Prov. xi. 31. and xiii. 21. ^ Ps. xli. 1, 3.