Rachel weeping for her children, refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Jer. xxxi. 15.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

ii. 16, 17, 18.

Matt.

Reflect on the fulfilment of prophecy, on the cruelty of Herod, and on the wonderful preservation of the new-born Saviour.

Pray to be kept from the hands of unrighteous and cruel men.

DEC. 29. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Psalm cxxvi. 3. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Cor. ix. 15.

Consider what the Lord hath done for you and for all mankind.

Pray with a thankful heart.

DEC. 30. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? Hosea xiv. 8.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols John v. 21.

Reflect on the danger and folly of worshipping idols.

Pray for grace to serve God truly, all the days of your life.

DEC. 31. The end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come. Ezek. vii. 6.

The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter iv. 7.

MEDITATION.

Time, fleeting time, has brought me at last to the conclusion of the year. Let me reflect on the year which is now drawing near to an end, and consider how swift time is flying, and how fast I am approaching to that account which I must one day give. The days, weeks, months, and years, which once were before me, are now gone for ever. Yes, they are gone, irrevocably gonethey are gone either to witness for or against me: they are gone to acquit me, if I have improved them they are gone to condemn me, if I have abused them. Alas! how have my days on earth

year

been spent? Have they been spent in such a manner as to afford me satisfaction and comfort, when languishing on a bed of sickness? or have they been spent so as to increase my sorrows and afflictions in that most important crisis? Let me lay these things seriously to heart, for "the end of all things is at hand." Thousands of my fellow-creatures, who commenced this with me, have not lived to see this concluding day. No; they have passed through time into eternity, and are now reaping either the fruits of their labours in heaven, or suffering the punishment of their sins in hell! What an awful consideration! May it lead me to search and try my heart, while yet I am here; for soon, very soon will the summons come, and then I, like all who have gone before me, will have to pay the debt of nature. I have been living hitherto as a Christian ought to live, let me not relax in the least my exertions; but, by the help of God, let me grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," as I grow in years. If I have not been living hitherto as I ought to have lived, let me determine, through God's grace, to finish this closing year, and begin the approaching new one, (should I be spared,) with amendment of life; for now, I find, "is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation."

If

Days, weeks, and months are all now past,
Of which this year was made,

But I am left to this, the last,
To see how all things fade.

Lord, teach me to improve my time,
And all my sins to hate,

Lest I be snatched hence by death,
And rue when 'tis too late.

ASH-WEDNESDAY.

Sanctify ye a fast. Joel i. 14.

When thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matt. vi. 17, 18.

Meditate on the duty of fasting, &c.

Pray for grace to use abstinence, not for the sake of ostentation, but to enable you to mortify and subdue your sinful lusts, affections, &c.

GOOD-FRIDAY.

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah liii. 5.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that wc, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter ii, 24

R