has yielded to the first solicitation to the practice of sin, its progress therein is natural and unavoidable, if unchecked by extrinsical restraint. PRINCIPIIS OBSTA, Nip sin in the bud, is a maxim, which, though it flowed from the pen of a heathen, is worthy of being written in letters of gold; and, enforced by the pen of inspiration, 1 Thess. v. 22, should be inscribed on every Christian's heart.

NOTE L. p. 41.

The exhortations, which are to be found in Scripture, to an imitation of Christ and of his apostles, are so numerous, as to make a particular reference to them unnecessary. Why do Christians bear his sacred name: why are they termed his disciples and followers; but because they are supposed to be imitators of his example? See 1 John ii. 6. John viii. 12. 1 Cor. xi. 1. Matt. xix. 28. Rev. xiv. 4. "No one can fail to see that the life of Christ was designed as a pattern for his followers, who considers how

admirably it is calculated for that purpose.And should we not find it the best compendium of morality, the most perfect and unerring rule whereby to direct ourselves in all cases, if we would only ask our own hearts before we enter on an action, how the blessed Jesus would behave in our circumstances? A conscience but moderately informed from the Gospel would seldom, perhaps, give a wrong determination. But the truth is, we are afraid of the answer; and therefore dare not ask the question." Bp. Horne's Sixteen Sermons. vol. 1, p. 9, 10.

"Let the whole world go whither it will, I am resolved to walk in the steps that my Saviour went in before me: I shall endeavour, in all places I come into, in all companies I converse with, in all duties I undertake, in all the miseries I undergo, still to behave myself as my Saviour would do, was He in my place. So that wheresoever I am, or whatsoever I am about, I shall still put the question to myself, Would my Saviour go hither? Would he do this or that? &c." Bp. Beveridge's Private Thoughts. -Leaving our Divine Master out of the ques

tion, in order to avoid the crime of blasphemy; to paint St. Paul or St. John as engaged in either of the innocent amusements which are censured in the Dialogues, would be too ridiculous to be borne, and would expose the painter to contempt, if not to a charge of profaneness.

The charge of novelty, or unnecessary preciseness, which may be adduced against the opinions stated in the Dialogue (though of no moment whatever) will be fully obviated by the 75th canon of our church; from which it is evident that the sentiments of our excellent Reformers concurred with those which are here adopted. For therein ministers are strictly prohibited, under the sanction of severe ecclesiastical censures, to spend their time IDLY, by day or by night, playing at dice, cards, or tables, or any other UNLAWFUL game. In the opinion therefore of our Church, Dice, cards, and tables, are unlawful games, and an idle mode (comp. Matt. xii. 36.) of spending time. And whereas, by abstaining from these unlawful things, the clergy are exhorted, at the close of the same canon, to be examples to the people to live well and Chris

tianly; it is plain that our church does not consider that layman as living well and Christianly, who does not abstain from them. The canon indeed is grown old and gray-headed; and the prescribed ecclesiastical censures are not inflicted with severity; nor indeed at all, according to the qualities of these offences. But the qualities of these offences continue the same; for if these things were unlawful, when the canon was made, they are unlawful still. If the founders of our church are deemed enthusiasts, the author would say to each individual of their corps, Tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam libens.

It is not to be expected that the considerations which are suggested in these pages, will have any weight with those persons whose consciences are not under the influence of the Divine word; and who, of consequence, have no concern whether their conduct be regulated by it or not. But it is hoped, that they will be tried at the bar of calm reason, and also be weighed in the balance of the Sanctuary, by all those persons, who wish to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things.

NOTE M. p. 43.

Shall I grudge to spend my life for HIM, who did not grudge to spend his own blood for me? Shall not I so live that he may be glorified on earth, who died that I may be glorified in heaven? Especially considering, that if my whole life could be sublimated into holiness, and moulded into an exact conformity to the will of the Most High, I should be happy beyond expression. O! what a heaven should I then live on earth! What ravishments of love and joy would my soul continually be possessed with? Well, I am resolved, by the grace of God, to try. And to that end do, this morning, wholly sequester and set myself apart for GOD, resolving, by the assistance of his grace, to make all and every thought, word, and action, to pay their tribute unto him. Let this man mind his profit, a second his pleasures, a third his honours, a fourth himself, and all their sins; I am resolved to mind and serve my God, so as to make him the alpha and omega, the first and

K