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is the case when we are angry at sin. This he who was the Holy One of God felt and expressed. It is our duty and honour to resemble him; and it is a proof that we are of one spirit, if what offended him offends us, and we cannot bear them that are evil.

Yet anger should be always attended with grief. We should grieve to see men suffering, but we should grieve more to see them sinning. We should feel more to see a man proud than poor, to see him led captive by vice than laid in irons. No character is so truly pitiable as the wretch who is destroying himself for ever. David felt this, and said, I beheld the transgressors and was grieved. Jesus was here grieved at the hardness of their hearts. Fools only make a mock of sin. To laugh at a man who is inflicting upon his soul the torments of hell, is far more cruel than to turn into sport and merriment the tortures of a fellow-creature on the rack. Paul, in his climax, considers our "having pleasure" in the sins of others a greater instance of depravity than "doing them" ourselves; and the reason is, because we may have powerful temptations to the one, whereas the other results from pure congeniality: nothing shews what we are more than that which can yield us pleasure. So, on the other hand, the purest grief is that which we feel for the sins of others. Selfish respect may have some place in concern for our own sins, because they endanger us; but we shall not be punished for the sins of others. When therefore we suffer for them, we sorrow after a godly sort; we are affected with sin as sin; and evince the truest benevolence. And so pleasing to God is such a disposition, that in times of public calamity he ordered "a mark" of

preservation to be imposed "upon the foreheads of the men that sighed and cried for all the abominations that are done in the midst of the land."

In our Lord we see the finest moral harmony arising from the perfect union of diverse feelings and affections. His zeal was not without discretion; his prudence was not without fervour. His authority dignified his condescension; his kindness softened and endeared his power. His compassion was not without censure; his censure was not without pity. He distinguished between the sin and the sinner; and at once displayed his displeasure and his distress"He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts." So should it be with us.

Let us beware that our tenderness does not degenerate into connivance at evil. Adam was too complaisant, even to a wife, when he refused not the forbidden fruit, though presented by Eve. And what judgments did Eli draw down upon himself and family, because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not! The Scripture does not speak with commendation of "men in whose mouth are no reproofs." Yea, it says, "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him."

Let us also take heed that our faithfulness does not deprive us of the meekness and gentleness of Jesus Christ, or annihilate our concern for the offender in our hatred of the offence. Some Christians are sadly defective here. It might be supposed that they had never read the injunction; "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering

thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

JULY 3.-MORNING.

"Faint-" JUDGES Viii. 4.

WHAT war is there that has in it nothing to depress? Nothing to animate? And that does not furnish a diversity of feelings in those who carry it on? Christians resemble these followers of Gideon and pursuers of the Amalekites-Faint, yet pursuing.

Yes-while engaged in this good fight of faith, they may be faint. We need not wonder at this, if we consider the enemies they have to vanquish. These are, bodily appetites; filthiness of spirit; a depraved nature; all sin and error; the present evil world; the Devil, and his angels. If we also consider the qualities of their adversaries; their number; their malignity; their power; their policy; their success; for they have cast down many mighty; yea, many strong men have been slain by them. When we think of the heroes, the statesmen, the princes, the philosophers, the divines, and all the myriads they have enslaved and destroyed, who is not ready to tremble, and exclaim, "I shall one day perish!"

There is also the length of the service. It is not for a season only, but for life. We are not allowed to receive any proposals of peace. We cannot enter into a truce-no, not even to bury the dead-Let the dead bury their dead. We are to fight on through summer and winter-by day and night-in every situation and condition. He that endureth to the

end, the same only shall be saved. In conversion we throw away the scabbard; in death only we lay down the sword. While we are here, something is still to be done; something still to be avoided—in company-in solitude-in health-in sickness. And is it nothing to watch in all things! To pray without ceasing! In every thing to give thanks! To be always abounding in the work of the Lord!

There are also occasional difficulties too common to be overlooked. It is easy to suppose a few of them. What marvel if the soldier is faint-when the road is rough and thorny-and the weather is warm and oppressive-and he hungers and thirsts for want of seasonable refreshments and supplies, which are interrupted, if not cut off-and he feels a loss of strength, occasioned by a wound from without, or an indisposition from within? Is this talking parables? There is not a Christian on earth whose religious experience will not easily explain it.

And if this, therefore, be my experience-let me remember that there is nothing ominous, nor even peculiar in it. Every subject of divine grace is weil acquainted with the heart's bitterness-and must know it—or much of the Scripture could not be applied to him, either in a way of description, or comfort.

-And let me be thankful that to will is present with me, though how to perform that which is good I find not. If I faint, I do not flee. Faint-yet

PURSUING.

JULY 3.-EVENING.

"-Yet pursuing." JUDGES Viii. 4.

THE life and experience of the Christian are full of contrasts. He resembles the bush of Moses, which was seen burning, but not consumed. And his language is, Cast down, but not destroyed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as dying, and, behold, we live. We are now viewing him as a soldier. In our last page, we saw him faint: but we shall now find him, amidst all that is grievous, feeling no disposition to give up. Faint-yet pursuing.

And there is much to encourage and animate him. There is something in himself, and which is nothing less than a principle of divine grace. Every thing else will decline when it meets with its proper temptation. Natural and merely moral resources are as the morning cloud, and the early dew, which soon passeth away. But we are confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in us, will perform it. That which is divine is durable, is invincible. That which is born of God, overcometh the world.

There is also much to encourage him in his Cause. It is a good warfare. It will bear examination. Conscience entirely approves of it. Angels applaud it. There is therefore nothing to make us waver, or hesitate. Every thing in the conflict feeds courage. We ought to engage and persevere. It is the cause of truth, of righteousness, of glory-of real glory. It would be more honourable to be foiled in this cause than to conquer in any other.

There is also much in his Leader and Commander.

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