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bless thy dispensations; so, in all future states, to which we reverently hope thy goodness will raise us, grant that we may continue praising, admiring, venerating, worshipping thee more and more, through worlds without number, and ages without end."

CONCLUSION.

and the only

THE Reader, before he closes this volume, will naturally pause, and encourage reflections adapted to the subject. He has been presented with the testimonies and experience of a number of his fellow-creatures, of different periods, countries, professions, and situations in life. He has found them all uniting in their attestation to the power and excellence of true religion, as our surest guide and consolation through time, means of securing eternal happiness. This solemn and concurrent testimony is of great importance. Much of it proceeds from some of the most eminent persons that have ever appeared in the world, whether we consider their station, their abilities, or their virtue. It is on a subject of the most interesting nature and claims our serious and reverent attention, as the sentiments of men, who were too much enlightened to be deceived themselves, and too deeply affected, as well as too virtuous, to deceive others. They expressed their genuine feelings, and their unbiased views of things, at the most awful period of life.

Some of the persons mentioned in these me moirs seem not to have been deeply impressed with religious considerations, till near the termination of their days: they had then to lament the misapplication of their time, and the delay of the great work for which they were brought into existence. Others appear to have made an early, or more seasonable choice of virtue and goodnest for their portion; and to have spent a great part of their lives in the fear and love of God, and in do ing good to mankind. They enjoyed that peace of mind which the world could neither give nor take away and a cheering well-grounded hope accompanied them to the closing scene, that there was reserved for them a crown of immortal honour. What an evidence on behalf of piety and virtue! What a dissuasive from vice and folly! And how animating to weary travellers, to persevere in the paths of goodness, and to keep their eyes fixed on that happy country, where they too shall rest for ever from all their labours !

But we live in a world of danger and temptation. Propensities to evil are powerful. The riches, honours, and pleasures of life, are continually alluring us to an immoderate love ard pursuit of them. The subtle enemy of all good is perpetually on the watch, to avail himself of our weakness and exposure, and to ensnare and destroy us. Our safety, therefore, consists in

being always on our guard and in steadfastly resisting every approach of evil.

But who is sufficient for these things? In this situation, how shall we preserve our innocence, maintain the warfare, and finally become victorious? There is not a more evident and important truth, than that the power of accomplishing these great ends of life, is not of ourselves. It proceeds from the grace of God; unto whom we are directed to apply daily, for preservation in temptation, and deliverance from evil. The perusal of valuable books, reflection, conversation, and other means of moral and intellectual improvement, are indeed of great use and importance. Besides enlarging the mind, and promoting our temporal comfort and advantage, they may spread before us a pleasing view of the beauty and excellence of religion; and may occasion some desires for the possession of that happiness which it confers: but unless the DIVINE AID be sought for and superadded, they will not be able to produce that strength of resolution, and steady perseverance, which are necessary to crown our labours with success. Interest, passion, depraved inclination, and the love of the world, in constant operation, are too powerful to be controlled, by slight and temporary convictions of mind, or feeble and transient wishes of the heart.

May we, therefore, never rest satisfied with clear apprehensions of our duty, just sentiments of the beauty and excellence of Religion, and frequent desires to become its disciples, and to partake of its felicity! May we be earnestly and steadfastly concerned to apply, through the Re deemer of mankind, to the Giver of all good, for the assistance of his Holy Spirit, as the only power which can sanctify and render effectual our endeavours to please him, and produce in us the highest perfection of our nature!

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He that formed our spirits, who is constantly present with us, and without whose superintendence not a sparrow falls to the ground, knows all our wants and frailties; and is not only able, but abundantly disposed, to grant all our humble and pious requests, and to give us every necessary support and comfort. 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Let us not, therefore, be dismayed by the perils of our situation, whatever they may be, or by the feebleness of our powers. With humble confidence, let us implore the God of love and mercy, to forgive all our offences; to conduct us safely through the present life; and to prepare us for a happy immortality

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