attachment, that would deftroy my higheft, my eternal intereft. No ties that fubfift amongft human creatures, can be fo ftrong, can be fo dear, or ought to be fo indiffoluble, as thofe which for ever bind us to our Creator and Redeemer.

Next to the bonds of nature, are those of choice. Married perfons are bound to the obfervance of very facred vows, and ought therefore often to recollect them. Among other things, they fhould carefully confider, whether they have fo ftrict a guard upon their temper as they ought, now the happiness of another perfon is made fo greatly to depend on their eafy behaviour, and good humour and cheerfulness. Whether they affift and improve one another; and whether they

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are ready to receive affiftance and advice as kindly as to give it. Whether they preferve a delicacy of behaviour, a neatness of appearance, a gentleness of manners, a mildness of fpeech whether they enter kindly and affec tionately into one another's interefts and concerns.

Friends fhould confider what engagements they are entered into with each other; how ftrictly they are bound diligently to promote each other's welfare: to think of one another candidly and kindly to overlook little offences: to bear infirmities: to repay kindneffes a thoufand fold: to be watchful over each other's conduct to be true, fincere, faithful, obliging, open, conftant: and to have the generous courage of reproving C 5

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and oppofing each other's follies and faults.

All perfons fhould confider to whom they are accountable for their time, their labour, the fuperfluity of their fortune to masters, to friends, to society in general, to the deferving, or the helpless poor. Rich perfons owe a due portion of their riches to works of charity, and to the public: the great owe their protection to merit; and all people owe it to themselves, to improve every moment, and every opportunity, this life affords them.

Surely, while I am making thefe reflections, I cannot omit more literal debts, and more immediate duties.Do I owe money I am not able to pay? let me retrench every fuperfluous expence,

pense, till my real debts are paid-let me work and labour indefatigably, till I am enabled to be honeft; and let me not be one moment eafy, while I unjuftly live at the expence of other people, and am hurtful to the fociety that cught to be the better for me.

It is worth confidering too, what promises I have made. Were they ever fo rash, if they engaged me in nothing contrary to innocence, it is my duty to fulfil them. Happy if it teaches me the wisdom to be more cautious. for the future.

FRIDAY.

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN, FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.

ALAS! does it not feem from this, and many other paffages of fcripture, worthy of all obfervance, and of alk acceptation, as if it were our bounden duty in this world to lead a melancholy, wretched, uncomfortable life? And can this be the will of Him who delighteth in mercy ? who filleth our hearts with food and gladness, and has, not in a few places, exprefsly commanded us to rejoice evermore? Is there then, an inconfiftency in the duties of religion? God forbid! Yet fhort-fighted men, capable of taking into one view, but a part of the vast

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