particular duty from the Bible, though that immediate duty be not fully explained."

"Indeed, sir," replied the shepherd, "I think I can find out the principle at least, if I bring but a willing mind. The want of that is the great hindrance. Whoso doeth

my will, he shall know of the doctrine, you know that text, sir. I believe a stubborn will makes the Bible harder to be understood than any want of learning. "Tis corrupt affections which blind the understanding, sir. The more a man hates sin, the clearer he will see his way, and the more he loves holiness the better he will understand his Bible -the more practical conviction will he get of that pleasant truth, that the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. Now, sir, suppose I had time and learning, and possessed all the books I saw at the Bishop's, where could I find out a surer way to lay the axe to the root of all covetousness, selfishness, and injustice, than the plain and ready rule, to do unto all men as I would they should do unto me. If my neighbour does me an injury, can I be at any loss how to

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proceed with him, when I recollect the parable of the unforgiving steward, who refused to pardon a debt of a hundred pence, when his own ten thousand talents had been remitted to him? I defy any man to retain ha bitual selfishness, hardness of heart, or any other allowed sin, who daily and conscientiously tries his own heart by this touchstone. The strait rule will show the crooked practice to every one who honestly tries the one by the other."

"Why you seem to make scripture a thing of general application," said Mr. Johnson, "in cases in which many I fear, do not apply it."

"It applies to every thing, sir," replied the shepherd. "When those men who are now disturbing the peace of the world, and trying to destroy the confidence of God's children in their Maker and their Saviour, when those men, I say, came to my poor hovel with their new doctrines and their new books, I would never look into one of them; for I remembered it was the first sin of the first pair to lose their innocence for the

sake of a little wicked knowledge; besides, my own book told me to fear God and honour the king-To meddle not with them who are given to change-Not to speak evil of dignities To render honour to whom honour is due. So that I was furnished with a little coat of mail, as I may say, which preserved me, while those who had no such armour fell into the snare. 99

While they were thus talking, the children who had stood very quietly behind, and had not stirred a foot, now began to scamper about all at once, and in a moment ran to the window-seat to pick up their little old hats. Mr. Johnson looked surprised at this disturbance; the shepherd asked his pardon, telling him it was the sound of the church bell which had been the cause of their rudeness; for their mother had brought them up with such fear of being too late for church, that it was but who could catch the first stroke of the bell, and be first ready. He had always taught them to think that nothing was more indecent than to get into church after it was begun; for as the service opened with an

exhortation to repentance, and a confession of sin, it looked very presumptuous not to be ready to join in it; it looked as if people did not feel themselves to be sinners. And though such as lived a great distance might plead difference of clocks as an excuse, yet those who lived within the sound of the bell, could pretend neither ignorance nor mis take.

Mary and her children set forward. Mr Johnson and the shepherd followed, taking care to talk the whole way on such subjects as might fit them for the solemn duties of the place to which they were going. 66 I have often been sorry to observe," said Mr. Johnson, "that many who are reckoned decent, good kind of people, and who would on no account neglect going to church, yet seem to care but little in what frame or temper of mind they go thither. They will talk of their worldly concerns till they get within the door, and then take them up again the very minute the sermon is over, which makes me ready to fear they lay too much stress on he mere form of going to a place of worship.

Now, for my part, I always find that it requires a little time to bring my mind into a state fit to do any common business well, much more this great and most necessary business of all." "Yes, sir," replied the shepherd, and then I think too how busy I should be in preparing my mind, if I were going into the presence of a great gentleman, or a lord, or the king; and shall the King of Kings be treated with less respect? Besides, one likes to see people feel as if going to church was a thing of choice and pleasure, as well as duty, and that they were as desirous not to be the last there, as they would be if they were going to a feast."

After service, Mr. Jenkins the minister, who was well acquainted with the character of Mr. Johnson, and had a great respect for him, accosted him with much civility; expressing his concern that he could not enjoy just now so much of his conversation as he wished, as he was obliged to visit a sick person at a distance, but hoped to have a little talk with him before he left the village. As they walked along together, Mr. Johnson made