CONSCIENCE, when it points out the good or evil of the action premeditated, may be considered as the warning voice of God; and ought so to operate on our reason and conduct, as to resolve us to do that which seemeth right, and to leave undone that which we disapprove. But man is prone to evil from his birth; and, as St. Paul saith," the good that he would, he doeth not; but the evil which he would not, that he doeth."

Though the dictates of reason be never so strong to turn him from his purpose, he will sometimes assent to the matter in deliberation, and in spite of his better judgment, do a thousand things that afterwards he would give the world, if he had it at his disposal, to have undone. Then

it is, that this faithful monitor becomes a troublesome companion. The ill-affections that she cautioned you against, by neglecting her counsel, are turned into voluntary errors; and the sting they leave behind, can never be eradicated. How deplorable that man, the noblest work of the creation, should war against his senses thus-degrade his nature and disdain the honest precepts of his guardian Angel !-'tis strange !-'tis wond'rous strange!!!

But, while we comment on the conduct of others, let us not forget to look into the diary of our own life, and set a guard upon our actions. We are too apt to place all to the account of the Devil, and to excuse ourselves by saying-he instigated me to this, or urged me on to that. Should this be the language of a rational being, made after the likeness of his Great Creator? Ought he not rather to maintain his dignity, and endeavour to resist this declared foe to mankind ? He is endued with reasonable faculties to see the good from ill; and shall he only make use of them to discover that he is going wrong, and not exert them to deter him from falling into errors which he would fain persuade himself he cannot avoid? Fatal delusion! that thus misleads the image of Perfection, against the conviction of his senses; and brings him to the level of a brute, that is guided only by instinct.

How reasonably this simple endowment seems to operate on the senses of the latter. Without

miynen, Fricut racionality, without being tuprei, les mœei a is xrotector, he is tender D 18 smi, mi s seitom scueful without a cause. bstant seems o vai bun, what man is unwling x aught by reason. Man is too fond ÀISTES I Le fem up; and then pretends nat le cums, vinout nee making the experiwest. Fe ivis non fem as inseparable from his rature, and tuner submits to the delusion. Devening, periars, i he merry of his Creator, one nellacen off his Redeemer to pacify the wrun of Sara Vun dependance! we are Mugih v delere, dar men certain conditions. livelies a is emicons, iudess will be the arupt v sudsantiate our carus when, at the Just great an avid lay, we must render up an DOVODE DỀ QUr deals heure de tribunal of that canisciert Jake ww s u pronotace our senkene. And yet we are so stupid as to disregard His Indy wirings, therì He inspires us with a horred to the very thing we re about to do, or an admiration for dus wich we emit doing. If then necessity, or rather our nature, compel us to act in direct opposition to what we feel and know to be right; let us at least, when we have violated the dictates of conscience, set ourselves to work, and endeavour to relieve the anguish of the sting. Though it may be difficult to cure the wound, the torture of it may be abated by palliatives; and the mind may be relieved from the horrors of the threatening evil, if mortals, who are endowed with

reason, will but exercise their judgment, and make an effort, at least, to save themselves. But for a rational being to say, "I am compelled to do this, or restrained from doing that, by some invisible power that has an unconquerable ascendency over me, and 'tis in vain to combat against it," is surely the height of folly. It is likening himself to a piece of machinery, that is moved by clock-work. It is abusing the heavenly gifts with which his Divine Original pre-eminently distinguished him from every other part of His creation. He was made altogether like unto God; with intellect to discern, and will to determine; and on this account was given dominion over every living creature. Shall he indolently resign these blessings, and say, "I am fallen, and have no power to raise myself up again?" The common actions of a man's life bear evidence against this absurd hypothesis; however he may endeavour to excuse himself, by defending it with his tongue. Upon the slightest occasions where his worldly interest is concerned, he denies it by his conduct, and determines upon that which appears to him to promise the greatest benefit. Since he has the judgment, then, to decide for his present welfare, it behoves him more particularly to attend to the whisperings of conscience, whenever his scruples are awakened by them, for the benefit of his soul hereafter. And in cases where his strength faileth, let him earnestly crave the assistance of that gracious Being

who gave him those noble faculties which dignify human nature, and elevate it above the brute creation. He will enable him to exercise his faculties to the best advantage, and to will and to do the deeds of a rational creature; for He has provided means for our eternal welfare, and it is our duty to invoke that Power who can alone make them effectual. The laws of Christianity equally forbid a presumptuous confidence in God's mercy, without an effort to obtain it; as they condemn a slothful negligence, whereby HIS protection must be forfeited. For to Him we ascribe all power, and honor, and glory; as without Him no good thing is, nor can be done.

"This proves, then, that we have no power of ourselves," says the caviller immediately, "and that we have no will of our own, to direct our choice of good or evil steps. We are all sinners, and must look to God for mercy, through the mediation of our Redeemer." Presumptuous man! to appease thy conscience thus, without an effort towards thine own salvation! Knowest thou not that God hath bestowed upon thee senses to discriminate? and if thou dost not indolently give thyself up to Satan and his devices, He will uphold thee in all thy ways. But remember, if thou neglect Him, He will forsake thee. Rouse then from thy stupor, and exercise the faculties God hath bestowed upon thee, not only for the good of thy body, but for the more essential consideration-the salvation of thy soul !