THE Hurlers (of which a sketch is given above) are well known in the neighbourhood of Liskeard. They consist of a number of large stones placed upright in a circular form, and stand on the open common southwest of Cheesewring. The general opinion is that they were so erected by the Druids; but the story goes that they once were men, who, while playing at Hurling (an oid Cornish game) on the Sabbath, were suddenly changed to stone. Although wishing to see ignorant notions and superstitions vanish away like the moor fog before the sun, we should be almost sorry to part with this story of the Hurlers; for these stones might serve, like Lot's wife, as a warning to Sabbath breakers, and give a silent hint to those who smile at the tradition, that God will not be mocked. Nonsense,' perhaps some visitor of the Hurlers might reply to the shepherd or turf cutter, who tells him that these stones were once men. And yet the change after all would not be so wonderful. These Sabbath players were, as regards spiritual things, but stones; they knew no more and felt no more about God than stones. The preached word evidently worked no more effect upon them than on stones; and many of those that

look upon them, are even like unto them. "Their heart is as firm as a stone, yea as hard as the nether millstone;" and until God takes from them that heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, neither invitation nor terrors will persuade them.

TRE.

WEAK GRACE VICTORIOUS.

(Continued from page 210.)

S. Look often back upon your state under convictions, and the first state of conversion. Measure your present complexion by your former temper. Cast up your accounts often, and see whether you thrive or decay; and renew your former dispositions. It is our Saviour's counsel; "Remember from whence thou art fallen, and do thy first works," (Rev. ii. 5,) which cannot be done without reflection upon thy wonted delight in God, thy desires for him, and the sweet communications dispensed by him. Inquire into the cause of thy decay. This is a necessary attendant upon this act of remembrance; for it is not a bare simple act of memory Christ commands, but a diligent inquisition by a practical remembrance. A timely observance of the cause of our loss, will prevent many future ones; without this act, Satan will creep in and finish his business before we are aware. It is a pleasure to reflect upon the time of danger wherein we have been, and to recount the methods God used in our delivery, and the resolutions we then entertained; "Thy heart shall meditate terror," (Isa. xxxiii. 18) i. e. thou shalt consider what thy troubles were, what the frame of thy heart was, what terrors thou hadst

in thy distress; for it is spoken of the gospel-times, when they shall see the King in his beauty.

So likewise it is useful to recall to our memory what desires, what fervency in prayer, what holy vows there were in, and upon us, when we were under a wounded spirit, and act the same fervours over again. This would restore and inflame the heart more in duty, and enable thee for the contest, by calling into thy assistance the supplies of all the habitual grace thou hast had since those first heats. Remember then the strength of thy appetite to the word; how your zeal did glow, what sprightliness in your affections, with what devotion your prayers were winged, with what stoutness your faith did breathe, how high it did climb, with what detestation you entertained the motions to sin, with what courage you entered into the lists of temptations, how quick and nimble your obedience was, what a freshness and verdure was upon all your graces. member those, and do the same works.

Re

9. Cherish any breathing of the Spirit. Man is unable to keep his knowledge and evangelical impressions upon himself without the Spirit; "That good thing which was committed unto thee, keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us." (2 Tim. i. 14.) If we cannot keep the knowledge and form of sound words, agreeable to the affection in man whereby he desires. knowledge, much less can we preserve grace in us, which is more stomached by corrupted nature. Men have a natural desire to know, but no natural desire to be gracious. Christ promised the Spirit to abide with us, and shall we slight his harbingers which come to prepare the way for a more powerful residence ?

We can never prize the assistance of the Holy Ghost, if we neglect the auxiliary force he sends us. Those heavenly motions are the Spirit's orders. How can we expect to gain the victory, when we neglect the directions and conduct of our great General?

Perseverance is no more to be ascribed to our own wills, than our first conversion. As without the Spirit we could never by the power of our own wills turn to God, so without the continuance of his efficacy, the will would never keep with God, but would start from him. We are forgetful creatures, therefore need a monitor; stupid creatures, therefore need a quickener. The main reason of our falls is a non-attendance to those motions; for we cannot ascribe them to the Spirit's carelessness, but our own. We cannot suppose him to be negligent in his office, but ourselves in our duty. Grace cannot live, if you neglect this oil put into the lamp to preserve it from expiring. The Spirit's motions are the physic he uses for the removal of that which endangers the health of our grace, and cordials to strengthen the languishing spiritual nature to a recovery of itself. Neglect him not therefore; but when you find him turning his back, withdrawing his motions, and beginning to grieve, do what you can to delight him. Beg, pray, cry, with an holy imitation of David, "Lord take not thy holy Spirit from me." (Ps. li. 11.) A heavenly enliven our

10. Take frequent views of glory. conversation will quicken our graces, duties; while the vigour of both is kept up the heart cannot flag in the ways of God. Can a man be lazy in a duty, when he considers he must pray, hear, meditate, walk for heaven? The heat of our graces

will be purer and more durable, when we approach nearest, and lie closest under the sun-beams. Glory in the eye will encourage grace in the heart, and quicken a resolution against temptations, and contempt of the foolish pleasures and enticements of the world, as the glory set before Christ made him despise the shame of the cross.

To conclude the whole.

(1.) Look to the first flagging of thy heart, thy first remissness in religious duties. Slothful proceedings become not fervent beginnings.

(2.) Be much in the duty of mortification. Shake off every weight, (Heb. xii. 1,) that may weaken thee in thy course. Those that are to run a race, or go to a battle, carry not burdens with them.

Con

(3.) Entertain wise considerations of the worst that may happen in your christian course. Prepare against. the worst, though it may never come upon you. sider the fury of persecutors, the diligence of the devil, the multitude of temptations, and what promises are suited to elevate you above them.

(4.) Remember the promise. This will still us in our wavering; "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: for he is faithful that promised." (Heb. x. 23.) (Concluded.)

A THOUGHT ON CANTICLES ii. 4. He brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love.

HADST thou been left, O my soul, to thy own will, and the way of thine own wisdom, couldst thou ever have known Jesus? though he be the Lovely One, and