ness and provocations will daily beset us. Our nature on this woakl swell and rage, returning evil for evil, and railing for railing.' But the soul taught of God hath learnt a different lesson; 'forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us' (Eph. iv. 32.) and this not until seventimes, but until seventy times seven.' (Matt. xvii. 22.) It is true, we shall find a corrupted: heart rising up and saying, 'Do I not well to be angry?' But we shall be enabled to suppress these perverse motions of sin in our members;' and set a guard, not only on the words of our tongue, or the features of our countenance, but on the very thoughts of our heart; that so, not only evil speaking, but all inward bitterness and anger and wrath may be put away from us, as becometh saints. (Eph. iv. 31.v. 3.) If we mect with ill usage from men without, we shall forgive, pity and pray for them. We shall not

so much as wish their hurt. We shall remember "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Rom. xii. 19.) If we are crossed at home ;: (and in our own families usually lies the chief exercise of our long-suffering) if we find thosewho are under as perverse, self-willed, stubborn, undutiful; or those set over us imperious, haugh-ty, and capriciously out of humour; we shall seek to overcome the one by patience, forbear-, ance and kindness towards them; and the other, by that 'yielding which pacifieth wrath;' (Eccl. x. 4.) by that submissiveness, that silence which extinguishes the coals of anger. "Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath;' (Eph. vi. 4.). servants obey your masters, not answering again; (Titus ii. 9.) are the express marks St. Paul instances of the exercise of this blessed temper.To walk thus will shew that we have receivad

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the grace of God in truth,' and drank into his Spirit, who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, (Heb. xii. 3.) yet opened not his mouth, except in pity and prayer for his murderers. Need I remark how little this spirit is seen in the world, where rage, impatience and self-will disturb the earth, and raise perpetual storms ?

But are none who pretend to I know not what goodness and the spirit, as impatient and fretful as those whom they pharisaically stile their carnal neighbours? Perhaps they are. But their calling themselves christians will not prove them to be such; if they have not the spirit of long-suffering, they are not of Christ. Their professions are but delusions, and their hope the hope of the hypocrite which perisheth.' (Job viii. 13.]

5. Meekness, gentleness; these are parts of righteousness nearly allied. If they be considered separately, meekness may intimate the tem per, and gentleness the expression of it in the conduct. This was what the blessed Jesus recommended so strongly to his disciples imitation, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart; (Matt. xi. 29.) and all who are his sheep hear his voice and follow him;' (John x. 27.) and where the temper is thus kind and softened, gentleness will speak in every word and action. No bitterness, or clamour, or fierce disputes will be in our lips, the law of kindness will dwell there; and words, soft as descending suows, drop from the good treasure of the heart. And in the life it will be seen; not in the ceremonious compliments of the lip and knee, not in the mere sounding professions of respect, not in the false civilities which have no meaning or a bad one; but in the ingenuous openness of the

countenance; the simplicity and sincerity of the conduct; and the unaffected benevolence towards those who we know dislike and injure us. And at home especially it will make us kind and courteous to all about us, tender over them, assiduous to serve them, and pleased with the task. I know no part of a christian's conduct which makes him appear more amiable than the exercise of these graces, and which so effectually disarms the malice of those who cruelly, dis-- · dainfully and despitefully speak against him.' (Peal, xxxi. 18.) Nor is the absence of this spirit but among the sad proofs of an unrenewed heart; and to be a lion in our house, and frantic among our servants, is as much an evidence of sin's dominion, as to swear or lie.

6. Goodness. To this word many lay pretensions, but its meaning few understand and fewer practise. Were you to hear a man of this world describe the character of goodness, he would represent it as consisting in taking care of what is called the main chance; advancing somewhat in the world; paying every man his due; doing no harm; and being an honest man.» And so good he flatters himself he is. Again, the goodness of pharisaical formality consists in an exterior of decency, devotion and charity. The regular appearance at church, or the daily service. at home, with something bestowed to the relief of the necessitous, afford a righteousness, which, from the concurring testimony of the world, it would seem almost presumption to question. But I have before laboured to expose the folly of these pretences. The honesty of the worldling, and the forms of the devotee, have just as much genuine goodness in them, as the love of the world hath of heavenly-mindedness, and ignorance and pride of humility and spiritual under

standing. But there is a real goodness which the spirit of God works in the heart, which it becomes each soul to prove in himself. A goodness, not wrought by and out of ourselves; (for in us, that is, in our flesh, dwelleth no good thing;') [Rom. vii. 18.] but the emanation of that divine nature of which, through the Holy Ghost, we have been made partakers. It consists in the approbation and conformity of the heart to that law of God which is holy and just and good.' [Rom. vii. 12.] It appears in an uniform practice of whatsoever things are excellent and of good report; it makes us patterns of self-denial, spirituality, and, close walking with God. It urges us to seek the salvation of all men, and prompts us to every labour of love for their souls or bodies. It acts from a principle of pure love, and simply regards the honour of Jesus, and the good of mankind. A goodness, which outside religion hath nothing to do with; and the world cannot receive; but in which the soul that is in Christ must be daily exhorted to abide and abound.

7. Faith. This is the fruit of the spirit.' The word faith in scripture admits of different interpretations. Here it stands for veracity and fidelity veracity in all our words and promises. So far as we are in him who is the faithful and true witness, we shall seek to speak the truth from our heart.' (Psal.xv.2.) We shall abhor 'lying lips and a deceitful tongue.' (Psal. cxx. 2.) We shall use "no flattering speeches; (1 Thess. ii. 5. no cloke of guile; but speak the truth as in his presence, who searchest the heart and the

reins.'

A christian's word is sacred: the spirit of truth guides him. Need I observe then whose spirit they follow, who think good breeding binds them to hypocrisy, or who pretend the

business of the world could never be carried on without dissimulation; That to ask more than they intend to take, to commend their merchandise above its real value, is allowable in trade. So true is the son of Sirach's observation, as the nail sticketh fast between the joining of the stones, so doth lying between buying and selling. (Ecclus. xiii. 8.) These are of their father the devil, and the works of their father they will do. He was a liar from the beginning.' (John viii. 44.)

Fidelity in our engagements is here included in faith. We shall be true and just in all our dealings; not slothful in business;' (Rom. xii. 11.) not needing another's eye to quicken our diligence; but conformable to the confidence reposed in us, fulfilling punctually whatever we have engaged for, though we are losers by the bargain; ready to pay what we owe at the time stipulated, and acting with men as we would do with the Lord himself if he were upon earth. Why are there so many complaints of knavery, idleness, and imposition? Why can you scarcely go into a shop where you must not guard against being cheated? or employ a workman who will not neglect your business unless your eye is over him? It is because the heart is a stranger to the grace of God, and has none of that fruit of the spirit, which is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.'

8. Temperance. If you walk after the spirit, you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.' (Gal. v. 16.) As 'your conversation will be in heaven,' you will be very temperate in the use of all things upon earth. If you possess abundance, you will use this world as not abusing it.' [1 Cor. vii. 31.] If your station be distinguished in life, you will not be conformed to the vain