served; so it is, with the assistance of God's holy Spirit, shining upon his law; he gives us not only to see great and enormous delinquencies, but all the seeds and varied forms of evil within us, which, though not discernible by the eye of natural conscience, they seem so small, yet appear in their true colour in the light of the Spirit and in the eye of God. I would therefore urge you to pray for more spiritual illumination and grace, and to get a clear view of the law of God in all its bearings.

Timotheus. My friend may in future, I trust, call on you whenever there is occasion to do so?

Epaphras.-The ministers of God are a species of public property, and the household of faith are welcome at all times; meanwhile, with yourelf I would speak a few words privately.

Timotheus. I shall be happy to wait. Epaphras.-How much wisdom from above is needful to reprove aright! and how much grace, that we may not wound the feelings of those we wish under God to befriend! Oh, that I could reprove with the mildness of Moses-with the equity of Samuel-with the compassion of Peter -with the patience of Job-and the wisdom of Solomon !

Timotheus.-Your hint was not lost upon me; neither did I take your reproof amiss.

Epaphras.-Thank you for receiving in kindness what was meant for the good of your friend : in parting, allow me then to offer you one word more of advice, for your own future guidance and for the good of others.

1. Beware how you comfort: it may be dealt out too soon let the law always have its perfect work many have been deeply and lastingly wounded by having their hurt healed too soon, and but slightly (Jer. vi. 14); the fittest time, indeed the only time, thoroughly to affect the soul with fear and dread, and to scare it away both from the spirit of bondage and from the reign of sin, is when it begins to feel its misery: it is when it sees the danger it is in, and not when it is over. If Joseph, for instance, tries to humble his brethren -if he intends to be an object of fear to them, he acts this part; while they look at him as a judge, and before he reveals himself as a brother; and this is the only time when it must be done; when convictions are fresh and lively, it is then the work of grace takes root, and proves a work deep and abiding.

2. Beware also how you go before God, and anticipate Christ's gracious work of his spirit. God always suits his dispensations to the disposition of his children; and this is as true of a whole nation as of one individual. He led the children of Israel, for example, by the way of the wilderness forty years about, when the journey might have been performed in a few days (there being but eleven days between Horeb and Kadesh-barnea." (Deut. i. 2.) Yet his own way of leading and of comforting them, though a long one, was the right way to rest. (Deut. viii. 2, 3, 16.) It is desirable, therefore, on all future occasions, while you neither relax your personal exertions, nor cease to strive in prayer for souls of men, not to precipitate the

work of the Lord; but to leave the good and gracious Spirit of God, who has begun the good work,

to carry it on and perfect it in his own time, by exercising that discipline, and administering that consolation, which is both safe and suitable, and most seasonable.

SECTION III.

GODLY SORROW.

PHILEMON - EPAPHRAS, &C.

Philemon. The permission, dear Sir, to speak with you on the best of things, I greatly value; indeed it is a privilege for which I can never be sufficiently thankful; and latterly, oh! how much need has there been of your friendly counsel and advice!

Epaphras.-You know the Friend of sinners (Matthew xviii. 11.), the best of teachers (John vii. 46.), and also who is called the only wise God. (1 Tim. i. 17.)

Philemon.-True; but we read "the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth." (Mal. ii. 7.)

Epaphras.-It is easy to perceive you are un

happy.

Philemon.—I am truly miserable; harassed in mind and greatly perplexed-uncertain where to look, what to do, and where to turn for comfort; ever since I fell in with certain company (and this occurred since we last met), my conscience has been much more disturbed, and my soul has no peace.

Epaphras.-What company do you speak of? Philemon.-To be short; there were present Ziba, and a man of the name of Abner (2 Sam. ii. 8.), and Joab (2 Sam. xx. 9.), and several others besides.

Epaphras.-Nothing requires more circumspection than the company we keep; the natural eye does not with more certainty catch a shade from every object presented to it, than we do from every object we come near; and as the understanding is naturally without even the form of a thought, and yet is capable of all forms; so it is with the whole man; something is sure to cleave to us from all we see, handle, and converse with: hence the greater need of continual watchfulness and holy jealousy over ourselves.

Philemon. But in yielding a little to their wishes, there did not appear to be any mischief; besides, they all seemed well disposed, and as I had not as yet any particular acquaintance with them, brotherly love led me to hope for the best.

Epaphras. It is not the first time that even the lambs of Christ's flock have been injured by worldly compliances; it is the nature of evil that it should be gilded over with the appearance of good. Men of the cast you mention, make a fair show in the flesh, but there sticks fast in them the root of bitterness; you were therefore quite in the wrong in listening to them; you know nothing as yet of the snares of the world, nor much by experience of corruptions from within. I cherish the hope, that your convictions will lead to a sound conversion; and even now you may, through mercy, be a little one in Christ, but you are very young grace, and many snares and traps are laid for your feet: such compliances as you have been telling me of are most dangerous; the sin of them is not to be measured by the first act, nor yet by the present evil coming out of them: they are not

in