and time; but, as his ways are above our ways, and his thoughts above our thoughts, so, imaginary wants are different from these things which he knoweth that we have need of.

As my meditations have been on these things, compassion hath filled my heart toward my fellowcreatures, involved in customs, grown up in "the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God," I Cor. iii. 19; and, O that the youth may be so thoroughly experienced in an humble walking before the Lord, that they may be his children, and know Him to be their refuge, their safe unfailing refuge through the various dangers attending this uncertain state of being!

If those whose minds are redeemed from the love of wealth, and who are content with a plain simple way of living, do yet find that to conduct the affairs of a family, without giving countenance to unrighteous proceedings, or having fellowship with works of darkness, the most diligent care is

necessary.

If customs, distinguishable from universal righteousness, and opposite to the true self-denying life, are now prevalent, and so mixed with trade, and with almost every employ, that it is only through humble waiting on the inward guidance of Truth, that we may reasonably hope to walk safely, and support an uniform testimony to the peaceable government of Christ.

If this be the case, how lamentably do they expose themselves to temptations, who give way to

the love of riches, conform to expensive living, and reach forth for gain to support customs, which our holy Shepherd leads not into.

On serving the Lord in our outward employments.

UNDER the humbling dispensations of the Father of mercies, I have felt an inward labour for the good of my fellow creatures, and a concern that the holy spirit, which alone can restore mankind to a state of true harmony, may with singleness of heart,be waited for and followed.

I trust there are many under that visitation, which, if faithfully attended to, will make them quick of understanding in the fear of the Lord, and qualify with firmness to be true patterns of the christian life, who in living and walking may hold forth an invitation to others, to come out of the entanglements of the spirit of this world.

And that which I feel first to express is a care for those who are in circumstances which appear difficult, with respect to supporting their families in a way answerable to pure wisdom, that they may not be discouraged, but remember that, in humbly obeying the leading of Christ, he owneth us as his friends; "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you;" and to be a friend to Christ is to be united to him who hath all power in heaven and in earth;

and, though a woman may forget her sucking child, yet will he not forget his faithful ones.

The condition of many who dwell in cities hath often affected me with a brotherly sympathy, attended with a desire that resignation may be laboured for; and where the holy leader directeth to a coun-, try life or some change of employ, he may be faithfully followed; for under the refining hand of the Lord I have seen, that the inhabitants of some cities are greatly encreased through some branches of business which his holy spirit doth not lead into, and that being entangled in these things, tends to bring a cloud over the minds of people convinced of the leadings of this holy leader, and obstructs the coming of the kingdom of Christ on earth as it is in heaven.

Now if we indulge a desire to imitate our neighbours in those things which harmonize not with the true Christian walking, these entanglements may. hold fast to us, and some who, in an awakening time, feel tender scruples, with respect to their manner of life, may look on the example of others more noted in the church, who yet may not be refined from every degree of dross. By looking on these. examples, and desiring to support their families in a way pleasant to the natural mind, there may be danger of the worldly wisdom gaining strength in them, and of their departure from that pure feeling of truth, which, if faithfully attended to, would teach contentment in the divine will, even in a very low

estate.

One formerly speaking on the profitableness of true humility, saith, "He that troubles not himself with anxious thoughts for more than is necessary, lives little less than the life of angels, whilst hy a mind content with little, he imitates their want of nothing." Cave's primitive christianity, page 31.

"It is not enough, says Tertullian, that a christian be chaste and modest, but he must appear to be so a virtue of which he should have so great a store, that it should flow from his mind upon bis habit, and break from the retirements of his conscience into the superficies of his life." Ibid p. 43.

"The garments we wear, says Clemens, ought to be mean and frugal: that is true simplicity of habit which takes away what is vain and superfluous; that the best and most solid garment which is the farthest from curiosity." Ibid p. 49.

Though the change from day to night is by a motion so gradual as scarcely to be perceived, yet when night is come, we behold it very different from the day; and thus, as people become wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight, customs rise up from the spirit of this world, and spread, by little and little, till a departure from the simplicity that there is in Christ, be comes as distinguishable as light from darkness, to such as are crucified to the world.

Our holy Shepherd to encourage his flock in firmness and perseverance, reminds them of his love for them, "As the Father hath loved ine, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love;" and, in ano

ther place graciously points out the danger of departing therefrom, by going into unsuitable employments. This he represents in the similitude of offence from that useful, active member, the hand; and to fix the instruction the deeper, names the right hand: 66 If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee." If thou feelest offence in thy employment, humbly follow him who leads into all truth, and is a strong and faithful friend to those who are resigned to him.

Again, he points out those things which, appearing pleasant to the natural mind, are not best for us, in the similitude of offence from the eye, "If thy right eye offend thee pluck it out, and cast it from thee." To pluck out the eye, or to cut off the hand, is attended with sharp pain; and how precious is the instruction which our Redeemer thus opens to us, that we may not faint under the most painful trials, but put our trust in Him, even in Him who sent an angel to feed Elijah in the wilderness, who fed a multitude with a few barley loaves, and is now as attentive to the wants of his people as ever.

The prophet Isaiah represents the unrighteous doings of the Israelites toward the poor as the fruits of an effeminate life, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them; what mean ye that ye beat my people to piec, es, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God." Then he mentions the haughtiness of the daughters of Sion, and enumerates many ornaments