before him. But, when we have presented ourselves to him as " a living sacrifice '^Z' there is not any service which we can offer, which will not be pleasing in his sight. Let us then abound in every good work, and seek to " be filled with all the fruits of righteousness, which are, by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." The duties of the closet demand our attention in the first place : for, if they be neglected, no- thing can go well : the soul will be left to its own resources, and will of necessity fall a prey to sin and Satan. Then come the duties of our place and station, whether in social or civil life. To neglect these, is to sin grievously against God, and to bring great disgrace upon religion. Every person in the family has his proper office, which he is bound to fill, not from necessity only, but for the honour of his God. Whilst the head of it is prosecuting his proper business, the mistress is to be superintending the concerns of her family ; and, whether occupied with her children or domestics, is to be discharging her duties with care and cUligence ; whilst the servants, each in his proper place, are to be executing their part with fidelity and zeal. The time that can be spared from these more appropriate avocations may well be devoted to the service of the public, in any line that may be thought most conducive to the welfare of mankind. But it is possible for men to be so engaged in cultivating the vineyards of others as to neglect their own. And this, in the present day especially, when so much time is consecrated to the maintenance of religious or benevolent societies, is a danger to which many are exposed. Care must be taken, that none who are entitled to our services be neglected ; and that, whilst some rejoice in what we do, none have reason to complain of what we leave undone. The public assemblies, too, must not be neglected : they are the appointed means of honouring God, and of bringing his blessing on our own souls. In a word, our duties both to God and man are to be harmoniously and diligently performed: and it must be the labour of all, according to their respective abilities, to " abound in every good word and work."]
But, in whatever way our own efforts are directed, we must " put our trust in the Lord" —
[It is to his grace alone that we must be indebted for strength ; to Ms mercy must we look /or acceptance before him ; and on his truth and faithfulness must we rely for our ultimate reward.
Of ourselves we can do nothing. In vain, will be all our efforts to escape from sin, or to fulfil our duty, if God do not *' strengthen us with might by his Spirit in our inward man."
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