_John_ xiv 6. "No man cometh to the father but by me."

8. Make prayer a pleasure, and not a task, and then you will not forget
nor omit it. If ever you have lived in a praying family, never let it be
your fault if you do not live in one always. Believe that day, that
hour, or those minutes to be wasted and lost, which any worldly
pretences would tempt you to save out of the public worship of the
church, the certain and constant duties of the closet, or any necessary
services for God and godliness; beware lest a blast attend it, and not a
blessing. If God had not reserved one day in seven to himself, I fear
religion would have been lost out of the world; and every day of the
week is exposed to a curse which has no morning religion.

9. See that you watch and labour, as well as pray; diligence and
dependence must he united in the practice of every Christian. It is the
same wise man acquaints us, that the hand of the diligent, and the
blessing of the Lord, join together to make us rich, _Prov_. x. 4. 22.
Rich in the treasures of body or mind, of time or eternity.

It is your duty indeed, under a sense of your own weakness, to pray
daily against sin; but if you would effectually avoid it, you must also
avoid temptation, and every dangerous opportunity. Set a double guard
wheresoever you feel or suspect an enemy at hand. The world without, and
the heart within, have so much flattery and deceit in them, that we must
keep a sharp eye upon both, lest we are trapt into mischief between
them.

10. Honour, profit, and pleasure, have been sometimes called the world's
Trinity; they are its three chief idols; each of them is sufficient to
draw a soul off from God, and ruin it for ever. Beware of them,
therefore, and of all their subtle insinuations, if you would be
innocent or happy.

Remember that the honour which comes from God, the approbation of
Heaven, and your own conscience, are infinitely more valuable than all
the esteem or applause of men. Dare not venture one step out of the road
of Heaven, for fear of being laughed at for walking strictly in it, it
is a poor religion that cannot stand against a jest.

Sell not your hopes of heavenly treasures, nor any thing that belongs to
your eternal interest, for any of the advantages of the present life;
"What shall it profit a man to gain the world and lose his own soul."

Remember also the words of the wise man, "He that loveth pleasure shall
be a poor man;" he that indulg