monies, with which the temple-worship of the Jews abounded. Many of them appeared to me ftrange, and affected; and what still tended more to increase my doubts, the prophets, in many parts of their writings, fpeak flightingly of them.-Now, all my doubts are vanished. I see these ceremonies, and facrifices, leading me, as it were by the hand, to a more effectual atonement. I fee the obfcure veil of prophecy removed; and all the truths of the gospel opening to mine eyes. I fee the malignity of fin; and the only way, in which the trefpaffes of man can hope to be forgiven. A future world is opened to my view-a state of happiness; of which I had no conception before.-God grant, that that faith in Chrift, which I have just profeffed, may lead me to a holy life! May it give me fuch fanctity of manners, as may make me a new-born creature; and enable me to obtain that gracious inheritance, which the gospel hath promised!

Thus this holy convert went on his way rejoicing. Let not us who are baptized into this faith in our infancy, confider it with lefs joy. The commonness of a bleffing is apt to take from the enjoyment of it. If we should be deprived only a few moments of the air we breathe;

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breathe; or a few days, of the bread we eat, we should then with gratitude acknowledge the value of those bleffings, which we now treat with neglect. But among all the bleffings we neglect, let not the gofpel be one. Let the thoughts of our falvation in Christ, be always our folid comfort: and amidst all the difficulties of life, through this great confolation, let us continually go on aur way rejoicing.

VIII.

If there be firft a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.-2 Corinthians, viii. 12.

ST. PAUL, in the chapter, from which the

text is taken, had been exhorting his Corinthian converts to make a charitable contribution for their poor fellow-christians: and, in order to bring the duty home to each of them; he tells them in the text, that God will reward them; not in proportion to what they give; but in proportion to the willingness with which they give. As far therefore as their charity related to God, both rich and poor might perform a fervice equally acceptable.

Now this is the conftant doctrine of fcrip- . ture.-Nor indeed is it confined to charity. It is extended to every duty. The heart, that conceives, and fully intends the action on right motives, is what God requires: the bare external deed in his fight is nothing. In our dealings with the world indeed it is the leading figure; but in our heavenly accounts it is a cypher. It

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is the motive only on which the eye of Heaven is fixed. Thus one fervent ejaculation, God be merciful to me a finner! from a heart truly fmitten with a sense of fin, reached the throne grace; while a thousand prayers, with lifted eyes and hands, from one standing in the corner of a street, were wafted by. It was the intention which gave value to the widow's mite; and would give value to a cup of cold water, on a proper motive.

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Since then it is not the deed, but the willing mind, that God accepts, what a mighty encouragement is it to thofe, who have nothing but the willing mind to offer? They may do' as many generous, and kind, and acceptable things in the fight of God, as if they had thousands. They may be doing friendly, and benevolent actions continually; and even reap the reward of them from God; though they may scarce be able to expend a farthing.

But pause a moment, my friend. That there may be no mistake in this matter, you must be well affured, that you have the willing mind. You may easily deceive yourself in this matter. It is not fitting down, and in a reverie of imagination faying to yourself, How gladly would I give to fuch, or fuch a perfon; if I had it in

my power! That is a mighty easy way of having a willing mind: and would turn the broad way into the narrow one at once.

Try yourfelf therefore by the following quef. tions. Are you strictly conscientious in the performance of all other religious duties, which are in your power? If you are, it is a test, that you would be ftrict alfo in the performance of fuch as are not in your power.

Are you always ready to affift your neighbour in fuch little offices, as are within your means? Are you ready to fpare, to his greater neceffity, a little of your time, for inftance, or a little of your labour? If you are, it is probable, you would be ready to bestow upon him a little of your money also.

Lastly, are you content, and perfectly refigned, whatever your ftation is? If you are not, I fhould fear it were hardly poffible for you to poffefs a willing mind to affift others. For how can you have any real inclination to give to them, while you are yet diffatisfied, and have not gotten enough for yourself?

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