occasions, that, which, if resisted in the first moment, might have been easily overcome, has, by being harboured in the mind, acquired an ascendant over him, and defied his utmost efforts to subdue it. He will have seen, especially, how he has been betrayed, by unwatchfulness, into sins to which he had no na- tural propensity; and that there is not an evil in the human heart against which he has not reason to watch and pray. In a word, he will feel the need of committing himself wholly to the guidance of his God, and of crying continually, " Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe."]
From this subject, then, we may learn,
1. What use to make of the present season *= — [There are seasons which seem to claim somewhat more
than an ordinary regard. The commencement of a new year, or the return of our natal day, may well lead us to a review of the past year, and consequently of our whole lives : and, were it so improved, how far more profitable should we find the season, than if it were spent in carnal mirth ! I may add, too, how important is this suggestion in reference to eternity ! Thousands go into the eternal world without having ever, in their whole lives, devoted one single day to the revision of their lives, and to humiliation for their sins. God forbid, my brethren, that you should be of that unhappy number ! Let me recommend it to you all to begin, this day, to call your ways to remembrance ; to enter minutely into the sins of your eai'ly youth, and of every succeeding year, even to the present hour. Let me recommend you to mark, not merely the sins of greater enormity, but those which the world accounts slight and venial. Let me recommend to you to notice the sins of omission, as well as of commission ; and the sins of defect, as well as those of utter neglect. Could you be prevailed upon to take such a retrospect, it could not fail of being attended with the best consequences to your spiritual edification in this life, and to your eternal welfare in the life to come.]
2. What especially to aim at, in all the exercises of your souls —
[There is a frame of mind peculiarly characteristic of the advanced Christian : and which, I conceive, is suggested by the considerations of my text. You have seen that the most pious of God's people, no less than others, were to observe a day in every year for the special purpose of remembering their past sins, and of aflBicting their souls on account of them ; whilst, at the same time, they were to renew their applications to God
^ It would be a proper subject for New-Year s Day or Lent, or a Fast Day, or Birth Day^