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 indulges himself in “wine and oil,” that is, in drinking, in feasting, and in sensual gratifications, “shall not be rich.”  It is one of St. Paul’s characters of a most degenerate age, when “men become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.”  And that “fleshly lusts war against the soul,” is St. Peter’s caveat to the Christians of his time.

11.  Preserve your conscience always soft and sensible; if but one sin force its way into that tender part of the soul, and dwell easy there, the road is paved for a thousand; iniquities.

And take heed that under any scruple, doubt, or temptation whatsoever, you never let any reasonings satisfy your conscience, which will not be a sufficient answer of apology to the great Judge at the last day.

12.  Keep this thought ever in your mind.  It is a world of vanity and vexation in which you live; the flatteries and promises of it are vain and deceitful; prepare, therefore, to meet disappointments.  Many of its occurrences are teazing and vexatious.  In every ruffling storm without, possess your spirit in patience, and let all be calm and serene within.  Clouds and tempests are only found in the lower skies; the heavens above are ever bright and clear.  Let your heart and hope dwell much in these serene regions; live as a stranger here on earth, but as a citizen of heaven, if you will maintain a soul at ease.