sors may be careless of observation, and, in their shame, seek no disguise: but in general, the offender courts secrecy. He knows his reputation is at stake; and that nothing lowers a man more in common estimation than improper temper and conduct towards the most claimful of all relations. He therefore tries as much as possible to cloak it. he is often full of pretensions. haps, the most endearing expressions; and while the sufferer is conscious of the falseness of all this display, he passes for a respectable, perhaps a fond husband. But not with Him whose eyes are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. He sets his secret sins in the light of his countenance.

Before others,
He uses, per-

It would be well for us always to remember that God sees us; and the less we are under the cognizance of others, the more, in a way of motive and influence, we need to realize the inspection of our witness in heaven and our record on high. In the world and in the. church we are more upon our guard, because there are many to observe us; but in our dwellings we give ourselves more latitudes.

But God is there; and therefore we should walk within our house with a perfect heart, and set no wicked thing before our eyes, and hate the work of them that turn aside. He knoweth our down-sitting, and our up-rising. He compasseth about our path; and is acquainted with all our ways. He is a witness between us and our servants; a witness between us and our children; a witness between us and our wives; a constant witness; an unerring witness; a witness who is at the same time the lawgiver whose orders we contemn; and the judge who will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.

What mysteries of iniquity will that day make manifest! How many tyrants have despatched their victims in dungeons, or by assassins whose employers were never known! How many seducers have entangled and ruined the innocent and unwary, the discovery of whom was suppressed by power or bribery! How many husbands have destroyed the peace, the comfort, the health, the life of those who ought to have been dear to them as their own

souls, uncensured, and even unsuspected! But the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the heart. Yet in wrath he remembers mercy; and before he destroys, he warns and admonishes. Hence,

of all evil.

all begins

Heal

IV. THE MEANS OF PREVENTION. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.' Here we are led immediately to the source Take heed to your spirit.' There and there is no sanctifying the life without an attention to the heart. Therefore says Solomon, 'Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.' the spring, and the streams will be wholesome. Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good. Renew the heart, and upon the tongue is the law of kindness. Replenish the heart, and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 'A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure, bringeth forth evil things.'

But the meaning is, not only that we should attend to our principles if we would regulate our practice, but that we should never overlook or neglect the very first risings of evil. Evil is spreading like leaven, and a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. It may be too late to assail the enemy when he has advanced and gathered force from success. Attack him at the outset, while yet his strength is small; and no strong-hold is taken; and no pass is even seized. When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Crush, therefore, the cocatrice in the egg, lest it break forth, and become a fiery flying serpent.

Again. All are concerned in this caution; and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.'

Are Levites excepted? They are chiefly the persons here complained of. Their lips are indeed to keep knowledge; but they are to do, as well as to teach. They are to be examples, to illustrate and recommend their own doctrine. The snuffers in the tabernacle were to be made of pure gold. They who

reprove others are to be blameless themselves. Their exhortations, dishonoured by their own temper and practice, will not only be unavailing, but repulsive; and all the convictions they would fix in the conscience, will drop like arrows from an impenetrable shield. 'Behold, thou knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructer of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou, therefore, which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking. the law dishonourest thou God?' Who revolts not at receiving his food from a leprous hand? If the bad husband disgraces the good preacher, men will abhor the offering of the Lord.

Are the upper ranks above this injunction?