CHAPTER III.

WATCHFULNESS AND PRAYER.

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Religious Life one of Exertion.-Contention of Flesh and Spirit.—

Saviour's Direction.-Paul's Representation.-Works of Flesh

and Spirit contrasted. - Christian's Duty, - WATCHFULNESS.—

The Christian must act against various adverse Influences. -

Growth of Religion in the Soul. — Progression. - Two Rep-

resentations of Christian Life: the Race and Combat: Re-

marks on them.- Christian in Danger of Falling. — Resolu-

tions recommended. — PRAYER. — Saviour's Injunction.— His

Example. Nature and Design of Prayer. God Unchange-

able. Influence of Prayer on Man. - Lord's Prayer: Re-

marks thereon.- Utility of Prayer under all Circumstances.-

Secret Prayer: its Advantages. — Neglect of Prayer: Evil

Effects of it. A Question. Answer to it in Language of a

popular Writer. Unbelief caused by restraining Prayer.—

Seasons of Prayer. - Directions to be observed.

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CHAPTER IV.

GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE.

Apostle's Description.- Evils of the Tongue.-1. Gossip. Un-
profitable Talk. - Remarks on others. - How to be made.-
Gossipping a great social Evil.-2. SLANDER. Causes of it. -
Example cited. - Silence, under certain Circumstances, crim-
inal. — Slander among contending Sects: in the Religious and
Political World. - Evil Conduct of others sometimes to be no-

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ticed. How to speak of their Failings. A good Remark. –
Anecdote of Peter the Great. Story of Pambus. - Example
of Jesus.3. LYING. Christians in Danger of this Sin. — An
Example. Mrs. Opie's Classification of Lies. - Aristotle's
Remark. Addison's Statement. - Dr. Johnson's Opinion and
Practice. - Paley's Definition. — Duty of the Christian drawn
from the Scriptures. -4. CURSING and SWEARING. Cursing
contrary to the Spirit of Christianity. The Christian's Im-
precation. Prevalence of Swearing. Strange Facts in rela-
tion to it. Directions of Scripture. — Sinfulness of Swear-

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ing made evident. - Its pernicious Tendency. - Tillotson's

Saying. Speech to be used in Honor and Praise of God. -

Vulgarity and corrupting Communications to be avoided. -

Apostle's Direction.

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66

CHAPTER V.

CULTURE OF THE MIND.

A Popular Mistake. — Christian Growth required. Directions

from the Scriptures.

ercised. - Extract.

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All the Faculties and Powers to be ex-

The Mind the Seat of Enjoyment.

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Connexion of Body and Mind. - Health to be studied.

Obedience to Physical Laws requisite. Neglect of this.

Living to Christ. — Religion to be carried into the Whole of

Life. Extract. An Error of Christians.-The whole Man

to be influenced. — DUTIES. Suppression of sinful Desires. —

Control of the Passions. Correction of wrong Habits.- $

MEANS. Books. Extract. - Bacon's Direction. - Meditation.

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Social Intercourse. - Intervals of Life to be improved.

Paley's Remark. - Extract. — Christianity as connected with

Human Learning. Infidel and Christian moral Greatness.

- Extract. - Union of Philosophy and Religion.

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82

CHAPTER VI.

IMPROVEMENT OF TIME.

Flight of Time. - Shortness of Life. - Importance of wisely im-

proving Time. Scripture Commands. - Christian's Duty. -

Old and New Testament Teachings.

Apostolic Example. — Christian Religion implies Diligence.

How shall Time be most advantageously employed? --- Habit-

ual waste of Time in the various Departments of Life. Two

Things to be observed. —1. Early Rising. A Doctrine of the

Scriptures. Practised by Men of Eminence ar Usefulness.-

Buffon's Testimony.-Frederick of Prussia.-Peter the Great.-

Dr. Doddridge.-Morning a fit Season for Business or Devotion.

Mr. Robinson's impressive Language. - Morning a Season

of peculiar Interest to the Christian. — 2. Proper Arrangement

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S.

of Time

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- Need of this. - Examples cited. — Bonaparte. ·
Washington.-Franklin. — Wesley: Anecdote of him.-

cumstances.

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Dr. Johnson's View of Time. - Allowance for individual Cir-
- A prevalent Error considered. It should be
Extract. Fraginents of Time to be improved. -

overcome. -

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A Case in Point. — Living well: what is it? - Poverty of the

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READING OF THE SCRIPTURES.

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Importance of Acquaintance with the Scriptures. - Testimony of

Eminent good Men. Investigation of Scripture. — Objects.

-1. To enlighten the Understanding. - Free Inquiry. — Dr.

Clarke's Testimony. - Errors of Christians in relation to the

Study of the Scriptures. — Their Duty. — A practical Contra-

diction. - General Directions. - Extract. -2. To improve

the Heart. Practices to be observed. 1. Read with Atten-

tion. Miss Sedgwick's Remarks. -H. Newcomb's. — 2.

Read alone, if possible. - Retirement favorable to moral Im-

provement. -3. Read with a prayerful Spirit. - Encourage-

ment to do this. Reason why many are not guided into the

Truth by reading the Scriptures.-4. Read with Humility. -

Extract. Lack of Humility a Cause of Skepticism.-5.

Read to apply the Truth to ourselves. - Plainness of the Scrip-

tures.-6. Regular stated Seasons to be employed in reading

them.-Shameful Neglect of this Duty.-An Appeal. - Con-

clusion.

€ 120

CHAPTER VIII.

CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS.

An Error. -THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. - Public Worship. —

THE CHRISTIA MINISTRY: Support of it. A Fault. - Mur-

ray's Opinion. Punctual Payment necessary. Hearing No-

ted Preachers.- ATTENDANCE ON PUBLIC WORSHIP. Certain
Characters noticed. - Extract.- Causes of neglect of Public
Worship. Lack of Inclination. - Dislike of Preacher. - Ex-

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tract.- False Pride.- Conceited Wisdom.- Giving Attention
to the Word.-Parable of the Sower. Thought requisite.-
Short Memories.- Extract from Buck.- CONFERENCE MEET-
INGS.- - They should be encouraged. - Difficulties. - Benefits
of Social Meetings. Advice to Believers. - Examples cited.
-THE CHURCH INSTITUTION.- Objection to the Formation
of Churches. - Reasons in Favor. - THE LORD'S SUPPER.
-Who should join in its Observance. Scruples and Doubts
considered. - Church Relationship. - Dealing with offending
Members.-Extract from Rev. Mr. Innes.- BAPTISM.- DED-
ICATION OF CHILDREN. - SABBATH SCHOOLS.- Vindication

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of them. Their great Utility. — Extracts.—Christian Zeal. 140

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CHAPTER IX.

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT.

1. LOVE. Apostle's Definition of it. - Its universal Application.

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- Lack of it among Christians in past Ages.

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jection considered.

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the present Day. - Love to God. — Great Mistake on this
Subject. Poetic Illustration. - Christians should love all.
Effect of this among all professing Christians.-2. Joy. Ha-
bitual Gloom incompatible with Religion. A Mistake. -
Scripture Language. Christians should be truly Joyful. -
Reasons.-3. PEACE. Scriptural Representations. An Ob-
Christianity opposed to War, Per-
secution, and Violence. Causes of Wars and Conflicts.—
Happy Effects of Christianity. - A Definition of Chris
tian Peace. 4. LONG-SUFFERING. Forbearance: Content-
ment: Cheerful Submission to the Allotments of Provi-
dence.-5. GENTLENESS. Its Nature. — Divine Origin.
Christian's Neglect in this Matter. - Dr. Clarke's Language.

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Mistake in Living. — 6. GOODNESS. Definition. - Benevo-
lence. Directions from Scripture. Covetousness among
Christians. Allan Cunningham's Remark. - Profession and
Principle contrasted.-7. FAITH. Importance of Fidelity.
- God's Faithfulness. Faithfulness of Jesus, and his Apos-
tles. Inference.-8. MEEKNESS. Illustrated by Scripture
Contrasts. Anger subdued by Meekness. — Just Indignation.
- Scripture Directions.-Humility allied to Meekness. - Lack

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of these Virtues. Meekness not opposed to moral Courage.
-Bishop Hall's Remarks.-9. TEMPERANCE. Meaning of the
Apostle. Erroneous Views.- Bad Practices of professing
Christians.Temperance and Health connected. - Present
Duty of Christians. — A crying Evil.— Drunkenness denounc-
ed in the Scriptures. - Temperance needful in all Things.

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CHAPTER X.

THE CHRISTIAN'S GAIN.

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Great Advantage of the Believer.—1. He is taught of God: in

Nature and in Revelation: in his Character and Attributes.

His WISDOM in Creation. Scripture Language.- Provision

for Man's spiritual Welfare. — Heavenly Wisdom defined.-

His POWER: in his Works. Language of the Scriptures..

Moral Power. - Its Work made known in the Gospel. — His

GOODNESS: Scripture Proofs. -Divine Goodness taught most

clearly in the Gospel. Believer's View of it. His JUSTICE:

the Foundation of Christian Hope. - Scripture Language..

His MERCY: most clearly taught in the Scriptures. Practi-

cal Tendency of the Doctrine of Mercy. His TRUTH: The

Promises. Believer's Assurance. The Bible. Believer's

Security and Prayer.—2. He rejoices in the Government of

God. — All Things for Good to Believers. — Apostolic Exam-

ples. Existence of Evil. Believer's View of it - An Il-

lustration. God a Father. - Influence of this Truth.-3.

He has Faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the World. -

Statement of this Faith - Views of Christ. - Of other Chris-

tian Denominations. Importance of the Gospel. - Present

Salvation. - Bread of Life. - Institutions.-4. He seeks to

be spiritually minded. — Reasons why - His Inquiry. — His

Private Devotions. 5. He seeks to enjoy the present Life. —

By avoiding Sin. - By doing Good.- Right View and Enjoy-

ment of Life. -6. He triumphs over Death. Ground of his

Hope. — Its Inspiration. — The Gospel Believer represented.

Conclusion.

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. 187