offensive, and perhaps more so, in the sight of thy MAKER.

"Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?"* Shall we be perpetually cavilling at the mote in our brother's eye, and forget the beam in our own? Humility would teach us to be more anxious to extract the one, than to remove the other.

A just sense of our own imperfections, would have the desirable effect of increasing our good opinion of, and affection for others; and from these benevolent feelings spring our sweetest mental happiness.

An humble and Christian temper will defend us from those poisoners of peace and comfort,-envy and competition:

* Romans ii. 21.

the first will teach us, that others are more deserving than ourselves, and the latter will enable us to rejoice in their prosperity.

By humility, we shall be spared those turbulent feelings of ambition, and those corroding cares of anxiety, which so embitter and distract our existence; and by humility we shall be saved from those contests about the trifling gratifications of the world, which sow discord in society.

Humility must be the leading virtue of a Christian character; it was constantly exemplified in our SAVIOUR'S CONduct, and the frequent subject of His exhortations: He promises rest and comfort to the meek and lowly*, and pro

* Matt. xi. 29.

nounces a distinct blessing on the humble state of mind.

A rigid examination of our actions, and their motives and springs; and, above all things, an attentive observance of the movements and thoughts of the heart, are the best incentives to humility: but here, self-love and partiality produce self-deceit; we are very apt to examine ourselves by a comparison with others, instead of searching the Scriptures, and comparing our conduct with their precepts. We may think ourselves superior to the generality of our acquaintance, and yet be far from the way of Salvation; and such a comparison may serve to excite our pride, instead of increasing our humility.

Let us examine ourselves by the strict letter of the Christian law; and the best of us will find, that "all men sin,

and fall woefully short of the duties they are called on to perform." Every one will find that he has some particular besetting sin, the enemy of his Salvation, which he must daily and hourly fight against; he will perceive, that every thing he does, is imperfect; and that the Christian life is a constant warfare and struggle with bad passions, and corrupt inclinations. We are told we must strive to enter into the kingdom of Heaven: for, merely seeking it, will not attain it;* and that we must watch and pray continually.†

I am well aware of one popular expression, that has lately been opposed to

* Luke xiii. 24.

+ Matt. xxiv. 41.-See Bishop Huntingford's admirable Discourse on this text; Vol. I.

the labours of zealous Christians, for the good of society,-"that all this is too strict; it cannot be attained."-No human being, I should imagine, would presume to say that the Bible is too strict, or that the precepts contained in it are too difficult to follow: I therefore entreat my readers, to refer to the texts of Scripture I have marked in the notes, and judge themselves, whether I have strained a single precept above its pitch.

Then, it is urged again, "we cannot attain all this; we must be short of perfection."-The knowledge of this unhappy truth, is only applied by pious Christians in one way,-to increase their humility and self-abasement; and their faith in, and gratitude for, the GREAT PROPITIATION for the sins of the world.

For such sinners, CHRIST died; not for the careless and worldly-minded,