feedeth him; if he thirst, he giveth him drink. He doth good to them that hate him; blesseth them that curse him; and prayeth for them that despitefully use him, and persecute him.

He slandereth not his neighbour, nor backbiteth with his tongue; nor imagineth evil against his brother in his heart. He raiseth not a false report; nor goeth up and down as a talebearer. He beareth not false witness against his neighbour; nor is witness against him with

out cause.

He deceiveth not, but speaketh the truth in love. He bridleth his tongue; and ruleth his spirit. No corrupt communication proceedeth out of his mouth; but that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.

He walketh circumspectly and honestly; not in rioting, and drunkenness, and wantonness, and strife. He is not slothful in business. He doth all things decently, and in order. He abstaineth from every appearance of evil. His moderation is known unto all men. followeth not a multitude to do evil. He withdraweth

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himself from every one that walketh disorderly; yet counteth him not as an enemy, but admonisheth him as a brother. He is a companion of them that fear the Lord; and of them that keep his precepts.-His light so shineth before men, that they, seeing his good works, glorify his Father, who is in heaven.

He submitteth himself to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake; whether it be to the king, as supreme; or to governors, as to them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. He speaketh not evil of the ruler of the people, nor of dignities; nor despiseth governments. He honoureth the king. He feareth the Lord, and the

king; and he meddleth not with them that are given to change. He prayeth for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

Is he a young man? He submitteth himself to the elder: he rebuketh not an elder, but entreateth him as a father. He riseth up before the hoary head, and honoureth the face of the old man. He fleeth youthful lusts. He is sober-minded.

Is he the father of a family? He commandeth his children, and his household, to keep the way of the Lord, and to do justice. He traineth them up in the way they should go. He provideth for those of his own house; and leaveth an inheritance to his children's children.

Is he an aged man? His hoary head is a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. He is grave, temperate; sound in faith, in charity, in patience; an example unto the flock.

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Is he rich? He is not high-minded; nor trusteth in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us freely all things to enjoy he is rich in good works ; ready to distribute; willing to communicate; and condescendeth to men of low estate. He showeth mercy and compassion: he oppresseth not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor. When his herds and his flocks multiply, and his silver and his gold are multiplied, and all that he hath, is multiplied; he saith not in his heart: "My power, and the might of my hand, have gotten me this wealth :" but he remembereth the Lord his God; for it is HE who giveth power to get wealth.

Is he poor? With quietness, he worketh, and eateth

his own bread; and laboureth, night and day, that he may not be chargeable to any, nor eat any man's bread for naught. He worketh with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. He doth not steal, nor covet; nor take the name of his God in vain. He is content with such things as he hath. He remembereth that it is the Lord who maketh poor, and maketh rich; who bringeth low, and lifteth up; and who regardeth not the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands: and that the poor, as well as the rich, have the Gospel preached unto them.

CHAPTER IV.

DIALOGUES.

SECTION 1.

The two daughters: a fable.

RACHEL and Phebe were two country lasses, the pride of the village where they lived: both very handsome, but exceedingly different. The unaffected Rachel's chief attention, was, to assist the infirmities of an aged parent, whom severe illness confined to his cottage. She tended his flock, by the woodside. Her hands were generally employed in some useful work: and while she knit, or spun, to procure her old father a more tolerable subsistence, the cheerfulness of her songs expressed a contented heart. Her dress, though very poor, was always neat and clean: she studied no ornament in it; and if the neighbours commended her person, she lent them very little attention.

Phebe had been brought up under a careless mother. She knew very well that she was exceedingly pretty. On holydays, nobody was so spruce as she. Her hat was wreathed with flowers, or ribands. She loved dancing, and sporting on the green. Many of the young shepherds, as thoughtless as herself, courted and admired her; and she believed every word they said. Yet she felt many a discontent. Sometimes, her head-dress would be less becoming than she wished: sometimes, she would fancy that a favourite shepherd slighted her; or that a newer face was more admired than hers. She was one morning sitting very thoughtful under a poplar, tying up a nosegay, when she heard Rachel, who was concealed

from her only by the shade of some bushes, singing with a merry heart, a song in praise of industry. Phebe could not help interrupting her in the midst of it: and when she went towards her, found her busy in plying the distaff, which was fixed to her side. The two maidens thus conversed together.

PHEBE. How is it possible, Rachel, that you should be always so cheerful, in leading a life of such drudgery? what charms can you find in it? How much better would it become your years to be dancing at the Maypole, where some rich farmer's son might probably fall in love with you!

RACHEL. I prefer this way of life; and I see you very unhappy in yours. I am sensible, I am doing what I ought. I see myself the comfort of a good father, who supported my helpless infancy; and who now, in his old age, wants this return of duty. When I have pinned the fold at night, I return home, and cheer him with my company. I dress his little supper; and partake of it with more pleasure, than you have at a feast. In the mean-time he tells me stories of his younger days; and instructs me by his experience. I often read to him the Bible, or some other good book. This, Phebe, is my life. I have no great expectations; but every cheerful hope, that can make the heart light and easy.

PHEBE. Well, Rachel, I shall not dispute your taste. My father is able enough, by his own labour, to provide for his family: and my mother never set us the example of working. It is true we are poor: but who knows what good fortune may throw in our way? Youth is the proper time for mirth, and pleasure: and I do not care how hardly I fare, provided I can get a smart gown and bonnet.