thoughts, over which you could exercise no control. What emotions would you feel in his presence! What intense anxiety would you betray, as well as feel, to repress the very first rising of thoughts, which you might deem unworthy of your character, and, in his estimation, disgraceful! But are you not, at every moment, and in every situation, whether acting, or speaking, or thinking, under the inspection of an omniscient and omnipresent eye? And is it not with Him, as "the Judge of all," that, in a sense inapplicable to any human observer, "you have especially to do?" Let, then the emphatic words of Hagar dwell "for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of your hearts"-"Thou,

God, seest me!" Enter deeply into the spirit which regulated the thoughts of the Psalmist:-O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting, and mine uprising; thou understandest my

thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways."

Lastly, It is requisite, that we frequently take a retrospect of the history of our thoughts, for the purpose of self-examination.

With unfeigned sincerity may we say to Him, who knows the recesses of our hearts, far better than we know them ourselves, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see (and enable me

to see) if there be any

wicked way

in

me; and lead me in the way everlasting." Awfully hypocritical would it be to offer these petitions, without the most determined efforts of scrutinizing self-inspection. At the close of every day, and still more strenuously at the close of every ampler period of our time, let us call ourselves to render an account of the employment of our thoughts. Let the detection of evil thoughts produce its proper and legitimate effects. Let it humble us in the dust of abasement; let it conduct us to the cross of the Redeemer; let it rouse us to greater watchfulness in guarding against the intrusion of vain and evil thoughts; and let it urge us to more earnest prayer that the God of

all grace would effectually control and sanctify the thoughts of our hearts, by (6 working in us all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power."

In conclusion, let me suggest the inquiry, whether the considerations which have been adduced, ought not to excite in the minds of some who have thought but little on the subject, serious misgivings and apprehensions, with regard to their character in the sight of God. Does not conscience, at this moment, bring against you a most appalling charge? Does it not charge you with innumerable iniquities of thought? Does it not charge you with the additional guilt of thinking lightly of those iniquities? You

cannot deny, that sins of thought are the very spring and fountain of sins in conduct. You cannot deny, that many of your sinful thoughts have been rapidly maturing into principles of action, and have wanted only the force of a besetting temptation to bring them into practical development. You cannot deny, that among the countless multitude of thoughts, which have crowded the entire space between the morning and the evening of many a day, there have been instances in which not one single thought of God, of Christ, or of eternity, obtained admission! Yet is it not specified, as one of the decided characteristics of those who are unfit for heaven, and exposed to endless woe, that "God is