While we proceed in this precious way, and find ardent longings for a full deliverance from every thing which defiles, all prospects of gain that are not consistent with the wisdom from above, are considered as snares, and an inward concern is felt, that we may live under the cross, and faithfully attend to that Holy Spirit, which is sufficient to preserve out of them.

When I have considered that saying of Christ, Mat. vi. 19, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth;" his omnipotence hath often occurred to my mind.

While we believe that he is every where present with his people, and, that perfect goodness, wisdom, and power, are united in Him, how comfortable is the consideration.

Our wants may be great, but his power is greater. We may be oppressed and despised, but He is able to turn our patient sufferings into profit to ourselves, and to the advancement of his work on earth. His people, who feel the power of his cross, to crucify all that is selfish in them; who are engaged in outward concerns, from a convincement that it is their duty, and resign themselves and their treasures to Him; these feel that it is dangerous to give way to that in us, which craves riches and greatness in this world.

As the heart, truly contrite, earnestly desires "to know Christ, and the fellowship of his sufferings," Phil. iii. 10. so far as the Lord for gracious ends may lead into them; as such, feel that it is their interest to put their trust in God, and to seek no gain, but that which he by

his Holy Spirit, leads into; so on the contrary, they who do not reverently wait for this divine teacher, and are not humbly concerned, according to their measure, "to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ," Col. i. 24. in patiently suffering for the promoting of righteousness in the earth; but have an eye towards the power of men, and the outward advantage of wealth, these are often attentive to those employments which appear profitable, even though the gains arising from them proceed from the workings of that spirit, which is estranged from the self-denying life of an humble, contrite Christian.

While I write on this subject, I feel my mind tenderly affected towards those honestly disposed people, who have been brought up in employments attended with those difficulties.

To such I may say, in the feeling of our heavenly Father's love, and number myself with you, O that your eyes may be single to the Lord! May we reverently wait on him for strength, to lay aside all unnecessary expense of every kind, and learn contentment in a plain, simple life.

May we, in lowliness, submit to the leadings of his Spirit, and enter upon any outward employ which He graciously points out to us, and then whatever difficulties arise, in consequence of our faithfulness, I trust they will work for our good.

Small treasure to a resigned mind is sufficient, How happy is it to be content with a little, to live in humility, and to feel that in us, which

breathes out this language, Abba! Father. If that, called the wisdom of this world, had no resemblance to true wisdom, the name of wisdom, I suppose had not been given to it.

As wasting outward substance to gratify vaindesires, on one hand; so slothfulness and neg lect on the other, do often involve men and their families in trouble, and reduce them to want and distress; to shun both these opposite vices is good in itself, and hath a resemblance to wisdom; but while people, thus provident,. have it principally in view to get riches and power, and the friendship of this world, and do not humbly wait for the Spirit of truth to lead them in purity; these through an anxious care to obtain the end desired, reach forth for gain in worldly wisdom, and, in regard to their inward state, fall into temptations and snares.

And though such may think of applying wealth to good purposes, and using their power to prevent oppression, yet wealth and power are often applied otherwise; nor can we depart from the leadings of our holy Shepherd, without going into confusion.

Great wealth is frequently attended with power, which nothing but divine love can qualify the mind to use rightly; and as to the humility and uprightness of our children after us, how great is the uncertainty! If, in acquiring wealth, we take hold on the wisdom which is from beneath, and depart from the leadings of truth, and example our children herein, we have great cause to apprehend that wealth may be a snare

to them and prove an injury to others, over whom their wealth may give them power.

To be redeemed from that wisdom which is from beneath, and walk in the light of the Lord, is a precious situation; thus his people are brought to put their trust in Him; and in this humble confidence in his wisdom, goodness, and power, the righteous find a refuge in adversities, superior to the greatest outward helps, and a comfort more certain than any worldly advantages can afford.

On Schools.

"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." Mark x. 14.

To encourage children to do things with a view to get praise of men, to me appears an obstruction to their being inwardly acquainted with the Spirit of Truth. For it is the work of the Holy Spirit to direct the mind to God, that in all our proceedings we may have a single eye to him. To give alms in secret, to fast in secret, and labour to keep clear of that disposition reproved by our Saviour, "But all their works they do to be seen of men." Matt. xxiii. 5.

That divine light which enlightens all men, I believe does often shine in the minds of children very early, and humbly to wait for wisdom, that our conduct toward them may tend to forward their acquaintance with it, and strengthen them

in obedience thereto, appears to me to be a duty

on all of us.

By cherishing the spirit of pride, and the love of pride in them, I believe they may sometimes improve faster in learning, than otherwise they would, but to take measures to forward children in learning, which naturally tend to divert their minds from true humility, appears to me to savour of the wisdom of this world.

If tutors are not acquainted with sanctification of spirit, nor experienced in an humble waiting for the leadings of truth, but follow the maxims of the wisdom of this world, such children who are under their tuition, appear to me to be in danger of imbibing thoughts and apprehensions, reverse to that meekness, and lowliness of heart, which is necessary for all the true followers of Christ.

Children at an age fit for schools, are in a time of life which requires the patient attention of pious people, and if we commit them to the tuition of such, whose minds we believe are not rightly prepared to "train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," we are in danger of not acting the part of faithful parents towards them; for our heavenly Father doth not require us to do evil, that good may come of it; and it is needful that we deeply examine ourselves, lest we get entangled in the wisdom of this world, and through wrong apprehensions take such methods in education as may prove a great injury to the minds of our children.

It is a lovely sight to behold innocent children! and when they are sent to such schools