lege upon privilege have I enjoyed, but what account have I to render of their improvement? O Lord, how have I treated thee? With what baseness, folly, and ingratitude, do I stand chargeable in thy sight. Nothing short of infinite compassion would have prevented my soul being now receiving the reward of its sin. But adored be thy name, instead of being cut down as a cumberer of the ground, I am still the living to praise thee. Was there ever folly equal to mine? I have breathed in an element of blessings; blessings of providence, and what is still infinitely superior, blessings of divine grace, have I trust been experienced by me; but, oh,

"How careless to secure that crown
He purchased with his blood."

Lord, fill me with shame at the remembrance of these things, and let thy goodness lead me to repentance. Grant me indeed that "godly sorrow for sin which worketh repentance unto life."

If I enquire how have my sabbaths been spent, does not conscience testify against me. Ah, what lost opportunities! I have indeed frequented the places where prayer is wont to be made. I have occupied my place in the house of God; but what little desire of communion with God in his ordinances have I experienced or found. A present

body, but often, alas, very often, a wandering spirit; a heart like the fool's eye wandering to the ends of the earth, and but seldom, if ever, impressed with a due sense of the importance of religious worship. Oh, how often does conscience accuse me of having trifled with God and divine things. What a barren fig tree have I been encircled with privileges and ordinances, and yet fruitless amidst them all. Where has been that sacred reverence and awe of God that ought to have possessed me? Where that fervent love to his people and his ways that I ought to have testified? Alas, my leanness, my leanness! Yet these mercies are continued unto me: "My soul cleaveth unto the dust, quicken thou me according to thy word."

And with grief and concern may I add what misimprovement of time in private as well as public duty. Yes, my closet can witness to my carnality, lukewarmness, and indifference to divine things. Alas, how frequently have I there mocked my God with a solemn sound upon a thoughtless tongue? How often through imprudence and mismanagement have I been straightened for time; thus one duty has been forced to yield to another, or to be performed in a hasty inconsiderate manner. Petitions have frozen on my lips, or perhaps I have been unmindful of the blessings I sought for.

If I survey my general conduct, alas, what reason for mourning on that account. How much of my

How little have I

precious time, all important time, have I wasted in indolence and sleep, or in the pursuit of trivial or possibly unwarrantable objects? been fixed with a zeal for God's glory, or made that the chief aim of my actions? How have I sought to promote my own ease and honour, when that of my divine Jesus ought to have engrossed my attention.

If I view myself in my family is there not still reason for sorrow and compunction of heart? Have I duly fulfilled the duties of husband and of master? Have I set an example of true piety and godliness before my domestics? Have I acted in every instance as one who was deeply concerned for their eternal welfare? Have not my servants been witnesses in too many instances of improprieties in my temper and behaviour? Alas, in all these instances, conscience testifies against me, and declares me an offender.

Nor has my conversation in the world been exemplary as it ought to have been. In my intercourse with the world, there have been many spots in me. In the concerns of trade, have not I in too many instances felt at least, if not discovered, a covetous disposition, a heart grasping at glittering dust? Has there been no reason for the world to accuse me of being too closely attached to its enjoyments and pleasures? Have I studied to recommend the religion of the cross by a conversation becoming

the gospel? In all these things how far short have I come of my duty, far short indeed of the glory of God.

In the church of God have I there maintained a uniformity of conduct? Have I loved the hill of Zion, and its blessed inhabitants? Have I felt a sincere affection for all those who bear the Redeemer's image? Has my heart been filled with concern for their welfare as connected with the glory of our divine Immanuel? Has my soul exulted in Zion's prosperity, and rejoiced to see her borders enlarged? Have I remembered her in my addresses at the divine throne with earnestness and fervour of spirit, as though I felt myself deeply interested in her prosperity? In all these things I must say guilty; guilty, O Lord, in thy sight.

Have I been patient under thine afflicting hand; or have I not been ready to murmur and repine at thy dispensations? Have I been humble in prosperity, and thankful to my God? Have I improved the talents put into my hands to promote the cause of a dear Redeemer, and to spread the savour of his name to the ends of the earth? Have I loved thy sacred Word, and read it with that attention which became me? Have I not been shamefully remiss in the whole of my duty both towards God and towards man? O Lord, I am constrained to acknowledge that "I have done those things which I ought not to have done, and have

left undone those things which I ought to have done.' I am at this moment a monument of thy patience and forbearance; a living proof that "with thee is forgiveness, that thou mayest be feared." O Lord, I cannot expiate my guilt: one sin would overwhelm me in eternal ruin. But adored be God, that sinners of a scarlet and a crimson dye are encouraged to draw nigh to him through a Mediator. 'Tis in his all prevailing name that I would approach thee, and seek for blessings notwithstanding all my guilt and sin. There is I am persuaded an efficacy in his blood sufficient to atone and cleanse my spotted soul. To that fountain I would now betake myself:

Here let me wash my spotted soul

From crimes of deepest dye.

In pardon through a crucified Jesus may I ever rejoice and embrace by faith the Lord Christ as the refuge of my guilty soul. He has made peace by the blood of his cross, and sinners black as hell in themselves are made whiter than snow.

Dear Saviour, cover me with the robe of thy righteousness, and in that may I be found living, dying, and at thy bar: clad with that transcendently spotless obedience may I walk through death's dark vale and fear no evil; may I lift up my head with joy, knowing that my redemption draweth nigh. And, O Lord, I pray that I may not only confess,