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4. If piety will lead to open duties in our social meals, then it will lead to secret duties, at our solitary meals. We may have secret breathings of gratitude to God, without any visible signs of our being at prayer.But if God, who seeth our hearts, never discovers them ascending in grateful emotions, when we receive a morsel of bread, a draught of water, or some of those fruits which he has prepared to delight our taste, we give evidence to him and to ourselves, that we are unholy and unthankful.

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are treacherous. It deceives us, when it promises pleasure. This is a bait, which is frequently used to beguile men. There is doubtless a short and feverish pleasure which sinners taste; but it quickly passes and is immediately succeeded with languor and regret. The seat of sinful gratification is in the passions. From these solid satiafaction cannot arise. When irregularly indulged, they cre

5. The tables of the pious poor are better furnished than the tables of the graceless rich: Tho' the poor have not so many dainties, yet they have the blessing of the Lord, and that maketh truly rich, and he addeth no sorrow thereto. They who feed on a coarse and scanty fare, with a lively sense and acknowl-ate a deep and lasting torment edgment of the divine munificence, do, no doubt, enjoy even their meals better than those who fare sumptuously every day; but who do not look to and adore the hand that feeds them. Let not any of the poor lose this privilege of having the blessing of God, to enrich their table. Some have said, that the thanksgiving of the table was worth more than the food.

6. What a proof of prevailing impiety is the general neglect of these plain, easy and reasonable duties? How many tables in this Christian land, where our heavenly Benefactor is no more acknowledged than tho' they were furnished independently of his Providence? Is not this denying the God who made and preserves us? Do we not manifest by this, that we feel

in the mind. Sin addresses it-
self to the passions, the weaker
parts of human nature, and not
to reason and judgment. Those
are more easily deceived, and
when once perverted prove dan-
gerous. To them sinful plea-
sure is represented an impor-
tant object. But, tho' the ob-
ject in appearance be a bed of
roses, experience finds it a bed
of thorns. Ask the drunkard,
when sober, whether he found
unmixed pleasure in his cups;
whether reflection can bear the
brutish spectacle, which intem-
perance made him. Ask the
libertine, in a calm moment,
whether his pleasures are worth
what they cost; the loss of a
sound mind in a sound body.-
Will a father, who has pursued
the paths of sin in search of
pleasures, advise his son to tread

in the same treacherous road; | When the belief of heaven and

hell cannot be erased from the mind, being fixed there upon the fullest conviction, that they are both plainly, and equally plainly, revealed in the sacred scriptures; when this point cannot be gained, sin would persuade us that these eternal realities are very distant, and by their supposed distance, endeavor to diminish their restrain

will he encourage him as being in the way to happiness? A Christian country produced one such father, who taught his son vice by precept and example; but such an unnatural father is both the wonder and detestation of the world. At first, they who seek pleasures from the gratification of sense, may glide in a smooth current, but soon will find themselves on aing influence upon the mind.— tempestuous sea, whose "waters cast up mire and dirt."

When sin promises wealth as a reward of pursuing it, poverty, disgrace or both, are the real inheritance acquired.-Wealth gotten by iniquity proves a curse to its owner.

The wreath of laurel promised by sinful ambition proves but a fading flower, or a stigma of foul disgrace. All the wealth, pleasure or honor, obtained through its influence, is transitory and vanishes like the morning cloud or early dew.

In this it is deceitful; for the longest life throws them back but a little way; innumerable accidents may fix us in one of them immediately.

Sin affects to be less criminal than it is; bids the passions plead their natural propensity; calls their indulgence infirmity; begins with those acts which are less flagrant, establishes a habit; then proceeds one step further, which is likewise secured.Thus an imperceptible progress is ultimately made to a point, which would have startled the young offender. If the mind, for a moment, be alarmed by its situation, sin has a delusive opiate; it represents danger as distant, and future time more than enough to set all right.But if the time be too surely short, and the soul be just laun ching into eternity, sin still has its quieting draught, and the

But the great point, in which sin is most deceptive, is the making light of future realities. The cheat, which it practises upon men in this life; all the true pleasure of which it robs them; all the pain of body and anguish of mind, into which it plunges them here, are the dust of the balance. We can lose or suffer but little in this world.-sinking soul is braced to the last But when sin represents the joys of heaven and the sorrows of hell of trifling consequence; when it persuades us the former is easily attained, and the latter easily avoided, it is most of all deceitful. If sin can gain this point, nothing can raise a mound to stop its progress.

• Chesterfield. `

with a false representation of the divine benevolence. As future punishment is the strongest restraint upon sin, next to the animating hope of future glory, sin would persuade us that there is some escape from it, otherwise than by holiness.Its language to the tempted is, Ye shall not surely die."And if, like our first parents,

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they give heed to it, they must | as the darkness and inclemency
be awfully undeceived in the of the times, when affairs of im-
future world.
portance cannot be well concert-
Sometimes, however, the pri-ed and effected: Nor as the
soner is thought so secure in scorching heat of the sun at
the shackles of sin, that the noon, distressing and destroy.
mask is dropped, and sin itself ing his subjects by tyranny and
declares, there is no hope, and persecution. And, as the ten-
delivers over its captive to im- der grass springing out of the
mediate despair.
earth, by clear and influential
shining after rain; so, under his
benevolent, gentle and effica
cious administration, shall his
subjects flourish, prosper and
increase.

Wherefore, exhort one another daily, lest any of you be hardened thro' the deceitfulness of sin.

OBED.

For the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine.

my house, i. e. my descendants, And David said, Although who shall, in succession, sit on my throne, will not, all of them,

A Paraphrase and Note on 2 Sam. sustain such an excellent, prince

"TH

xxiii. 3, 4, 5.

THE God of Israel said, the rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men, must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure: For, this is all my salvation and all my desire, although he make it not to grow."

ly character with God; yet, under the afflictive prospect, I have this consideration for my support : with He hath made me an everlasting covenant, so wisely and graciously ordered, that whatever cometh to pass shall subserve its accomplishment. an oath, that my house and my He hath engaged, with kingdom shall be established to all generations; and that, of the fruit of my loins, according to the flesh, he will raise up the Messiah, to sit on my throne, (2 Sam. vii. 16. Psal. lxxxix. 3, 4. Acts ii. 30.) even the and everlasting Redeemer, ungreat Prince of Peace, the true der whose auspicious government, his subjects shall yield cheerful submission, shall be exceedingly numerous and un

The God of Israel, who like a rock, is their strength and refuge, spake to David, saying, Whoever is advanced to the high and important office of ruling over men, must be just, rul-speakably happy; and through ing in the fear or reverential re- whose meritorious and efficient gard of God. And he shall be grace, I, and all who trust in as the light of the morning, and obey him, shall receive eterwhen the sun riseth, even anal salvation. God hath made morning without clouds; i. e. with me this covenant; for, it he shall be discerning, wise, is so well adapted for the manimerciful and prosperous: Not festation of his own glory, and

for the security of my present and everlasting salvation, that I expect and desire no other favors, than those which result from it. And altho' he make it not to grow; i. e. though there be times, in which his providential dispensations be so dark, that his covenant does not, by sensible objects, flourish, or appear to my perception; yet, even then, do I confide in his truth and faithfulness; trusting that he will accomplish it in his own appointed way and time.

NOTE.

being fully persuaded that he was able to fulfil his promise, and would even raise Isaac from the dead, or intervene some other way, to prove himself unchangeably true in his covenant engagement.

Notwithstanding David's piety, and the success and prosperity of his reign; yet, in the course of events of divine dispensations to him, he had many pressing afflictions to endure : His prospects of the fulfilment of the divine promises were, no doubt, often obscured. But, to adduce and particularize the many passages of scripture, which lead us to this conclusion, would far exceed the intended brevity of this note. One passage, however, I may quote, in which it appears, that his mind was touched with melancholy, or distrust, and his spiritual views were much darkened.

IT is the character of true faith, to prevail and live under the pressure of trial. The good man's faith, oftentimes, appears more conspicuously in adversity than in the sunshine of outward prosperity. The stars, which cannot shine, through the effulgence of day, discover their brightness and beauty at night." My covenant will I not break, We admire the firmness and constancy of an hero, in battle, and the skill and exertion of a pilot, in a storm, at sea. Previously to the remarkable trial, through which he called his faithful Abraham to pass, God had established with him his covenant; and said, "Fear not, Abraham, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect." And the divine power and goodness were admirably manifested in the firmness and endurance of his faith. His eye of sense could not perceive how he could sacrifice his Son, in a consistency with the Messiah's advent and kingdom. Nevertheless, he staggered not at the promise thro' unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. But thou hast cast off and abhorred; thou hast been wroth with thine anointed; thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant; thou hast profaned his crown, by casting it to the ground." (Psal. lxxxix. 35, 36, 38, 39.) But, though this passage indicates, that his lively exercise of faith was much deadened; yet there are other sentences, in the same Psalm, which express the vigor of his gratitude and hope, in his celebrating the divine faithfulness and pleading with God, for the renewal of his loving kindnesses. And though he uttered these

plaintive expressions of dejection and distrust, yet his confidence, in the goodness and truth of God, was so far recovered, that he could, at the close of the Psalm, say, "Blessed be the Lord forevermore." And so firm was his reliance, that he even added to the expression of praise and adoration, his repeated Amen: Or, verily, so let it be. If God but looked through the cloud, which, at any time, intervened between his smiling face and the disconsolate soul of David; that condescending look could turn his darkness into day, his mourning into gladness; to the end or purpose, that his glory (i. e. his tongue) might sing praise to God, and not be silent. (Psalm xxx.) And the genuineness of his grateful affections often appears in that, upon his recovery from his despondency he requests others to join with him in his acknowledgements of thankfulness and adoration. "I will bless the Lord at all times--my soul shall make her boast in the Lordthe humble shall hear thereof and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together: I sought the Lord, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears."

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ness. To this agree the words of the Prophet: "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

But, through the common course of divine Providence, we are liable to so many trying occurrences, that though our hearts may not, at the time of trial, condemn us; yet we may be greatly afflicted. It is, therefore, very important, that we have respect to all the divine commands. This is the best defence against despair. Says David, "Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: For, with them hast thou quickened me."

"Great peace have they who love God's law." They are cheerful and confident in his universal government and protecting goodness. And while they rejoice, that the whole creation is at his sovereign disposal, they, through faith, delightfully view the unchangeable Redeemer accomplishing his gracious design of redemption, and causing all things to work together for good to them who love God, and who are the called, according to his purpose.The most effectual way to And though they may be desprevent a melancholy temper titute of outward wealth, yet and dejected spirit is to walk they, in the true meaning of the closely with God, and thereby expression, fossess all things. keep our consciences pure. In times of adversity, their song "Our iniquities separate be- is, "The Lord liveth; blessed tween us and our God, and our be my rock; and let the God of sins hide his face from us, that my salvation be exalted." In he will not hear." But when them is fulfilled the saying of an we, through his free grace, love ancient: "Whether a man be and obey him, he favoreth us rich or poor, if he have a good with his special presence and heart toward the Lord, he shall, mercy: He even preventeth us at all times, rejoice with a with the blessings of his good-cheerful countenance.”"

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