one's proper place in society; peevishness and anger are independence and courage; backbiting and slander is impartial love of truth; the dishonest prodigal is generous, the covetous frugal, and wantonness is innocent mirth. Another step brands real worth with the false title and ignominy of guilt: virtue in humble garb is contemptuously overlooked; the modest is called a clown; the contented and temperate is mean-spirited and a coward; and he who will not play the sycophant to men dressed in a brief authority, is thrust into the corners of obscurity, as unmeet for converse with what is refined and elevated in society. And how many are made the dupes of such false pretences! of how many is it the fate to look back with vain regrets upon their intercourse with depravity, that wore the mask of a little talent or grandeur! And when once caught in the toils, they have not been suffered to escape. The fly struggles hard in the spider's web, but the treacherous destroyer en

compasses the insect in new meshes, that he may secure and devour an unresisting prey.

Once more, some are ambitious rather of the name of Christians, than of living by the rules which Christianity enjoins. They "do all their works for to be seen of men;" and presently self-flattery, and the insinuating illusions of self-love, lead them into a serious persuasion, that they are the happy favourites of Heaven, though they do but little of what Heaven enjoins. In this they are faithful antitypes of the old Pharisees. They bear the cross without the sacrifice of one appetite, of one enjoyment, or one possession in the world. Others, by persevering in protracted industry, are content to struggle on to wisdom, and glad if at last it will make them wise unto salvation; but they at an easier and cheaper rate become proficient in understanding, and perfect in holiness. The flattering unction is laid upon the pride, idleness, and vanity of weak imaginations.

The seductive humour is indulged. And, setting up a private spirit as its only master, the wayward will becomes the real guide, and would, if it were possible, make laws for others.

To all such professors of Christianity, who do not practise its precepts, whether it is from misapprehension they err, or from inadvertency, or from perverse disposition and wrong affections, it cannot be an inappropriate exercise to examine the written law of God, to ascertain in some sort the force and import of his commandments, and to try their application to present circumstances and habits of life. Ask of our blessed Lord the marks of a true member of his kingdom; his answer is short and full, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Consult St. Paul for the characteristics of those who are led by the Spirit of God: "The fruit of the Spirit," says he, "is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law." Consult

St. John throughout his Epistle: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin:" "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God." It is the manner of life, and conscience void of offence, by which a man may be known, and may know himself. Try yourself by the commandments. Do you obey the law written in the Gospel? "If we say that we have fellowship with God, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." "And hereby do we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." These are the unerring marks, which every good Christian has, and every bad one has not. "In many things we offend all :" but in many things also we may obey. And when accident or infirmity falls into sin, our part is to confess, repent, amend, and be renewed in holiness. The cross of Christ is our remedy; and to bear that

1

1 1 Johu, i. ii.

To

cross truly is to be assured of cure. attempt escape by devices of man's invention, is an enterprise as futile as it is presumptuous.

Not to dwell on that love of God, which worships him in spirit and in truth, which reveres his name, believes his word, and does its utmost to impart a knowledge and reverence of him to otherswhich leans on his power, trusts in his goodness, hopes in his mercy, and awaits his eternity-consider that other precept, to love our neighbour as ourselves, which should be our guide in all intercourse with our fellow-men, and the corrective principle of all the actions of our lives. Hence charity unshaken by injuries or interests: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Hence almsgiving: "Sell all thou hast, and give to the poor." Hence the pardon of others, the condition of the pardon of God. Hence mercy preferred to sacrifice, and reconciliation with an angry brother the necessary preparation to approach the altar. Charity