“ The principle of the law is love, and its precepts are only so many directions to the proper exercise of love. We are always gratified and happy in acting suitably to our affections; and it is this free, happy, and delightful obedience, that Christ demands; "If ye love me, keep my commandments," John xiv. ”

“ Answer, All who appear religious are not really so; for many (illegible text) e very serious, who have never yet known (illegible text) e truth that makes free; and so they are (illegible text) bouring to establish their own righteousness, and are neither delivered from the guilt of sin in their consciences; nor from the dominion of sin in their hearts; consequently cannot have this peace and happiness, for they are not in Wisdom's ways (illegible text) gain, there are many who take up a profession of religion, while it never had the chief place in their hearts. ”

“ But as many false notions respecting this important matter prevail even among professors themselves, I shall endeavour briefly to analyze the constituent principles of true religion, or godliness, and evince from the very nature of the thing, as well as from the divine testimony, that it is impossible to be truly religious without being comparatively happy; and that none but such persons can possibly be so. ”

“ Time is short, and death is certain. We know that we must all soon die. In the course of a few years at most, we shall all go the way whence we shall not return. The year which has now begun its course, will doubtless be that important period of time which will introduce many us into eternity. ”

“ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love ”

“ There are few opinions which have attained greater currency in the world, than that religion is a very dull, austere, melancholy affair; and that, in order to make the Christian profession in since (illegible text) and truth, a person must bid adieu to the pleasures of life, and to every enjoyment that renders life desirable. ”

“ They cannot endure it, and hence the numerous sinful pleasures which men have contrived to kill time, and banish the reflections of futurity from their minds. In this way many succeed so long as health and prosperity are continued. But when some mortal disease seizes their body, and the king of terrors stares them in the face, they have nothing to support their mind, and nothing can defend their mortal body from the stroke of death. "The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death." ”

“ II. It is affirmed of this Wisdom, that "her ways are ways of pleasantness; and all her paths are peace." It is of the utmost consequence to be thoroughly convinced of this The love of happiness is deeply implanted in our nature by God himself, and nothing can effectually attach us to the ways of wisdom, but a strong conviction that our own true happiness is connected with walking in them. ”

“ But on the other hand, how different are the effects produced in the minds of those who disbelieve the gospel, in the prospect of death and judgment. If they reflect at all on the shortness and uncertainty of time, their minds are filled with pain and anxiety. They have no well grounded hope of appearing with safety before the Judge of the living and the dead! ”

“ The question then which each reader should ask himself is, "Am I ready to die?" and those only can answer this question in the affirmative, who have fled for refuge to the hope set before the guilty in the gospel of Christ, who are resting all their hopes on his “finished work," and rejoicing in his righteousness, as the sole ground of their hope and confidence towards God. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life ”

“ Others again who are still more hardened in their infidelity and rebellion against God, when death stares them in the face, betake themselves to the miserable doctrine of annihilation. But such a refuge or rather subterfuge, is vain. it is sure to misgive in the hour of extremity. ”

“ The cross is not unpleasant to them who love Christ. They rejoice in tribulation, and is being counted worthy to suffer shame for his name; Acts, v. 41. Rom v. 3 And surely, those must be pleasant paths which make men joyful and happy even in tribulations, which in themselves are not joyous but grievous.
4. "Sorrow and repentance for sins do not appear pleasant." It should be noticed, however, that the sorrow and business of repentance is not the native fruit duty and obedience, but of sin—nor is (illegible text) peculiar to Wisdom's, ways ”

“ To know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, is to be wise unto salvation, for it is life eternal, and with this is connected the true fear and love of God.
Further, the wisdom in our text is such as influenceth us to conform to the will of God in heart and life. This will appear from the different things connected with it, such as uprightness, righteousness, judgment, equity, every good path, Prov. ”

“ It is impossible for a guilty sinner to divest himself of the keen apprehensions of immortality, of the lively forebodings of a future state, It may with confidence be asserted, that there never was a man, that there never can be a man, who shall at all times, and in every situatiou, be completely destitute of the feeling and conviction that he is an immortal creature. ”

“ Perhaps you expect to find substantial bliss in the pleasures of the world; the gratification of your appetites and fleshly lusts, by living in softness, delicacy and effeminacy! But mark what Solomon says of this from his own experience: "All things are full of labour: man cannot utter it ”

“ Psalm, lxxxiv. 1, 2.—The joyful testimony of conscience attends the paths and ways of wisdom, which is no small source of joy. " For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation i (illegible text) the world, and more abundantly to you-ward," 2 Cor. i 12. " But let every man prove his own work and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another,"Gal. ”