its room a difinterefted benevolence for all mankind. He that cherishes in his heart the fublimeft, nay, the aggregate of all virtues, the true Chriftian dyan, which is tranflated charity, not only weeps with them that weep, not only feels deeply for human wo, but he alfo rejoices with them that do rejoice; he feels a pleasant fatisfaction in another's joy. This is that generous ἀγάπη, which brings us to a near refemblance to our heavenly Father, who delights in doing good, and who promifes the immenfe reward of eternal life in blifs, to all thofe who strive to imitate him in this his all-glorious perfection.

Lastly, A serious confideration of our future ftate, wherein every one of us fhall receive according to his work, would alone filence all repining thoughts concerning ourfelves and others. This world, we do well know, is not the place that can determine qur happiness or our mifery. Whatsoever our condition be here, whether good or bad, it must shortly have an end; and then we shall enter on a new exiftence, where all the pomp, the dazzle, the glory of this world, will be not at all regarded. Let us confider then

that

that we are Chriftians, in a covenant with God for an eternal inheritance, for an incorruptible crown; and fhall we envy any one the fading fatisfactions of this life, when it is in our power, affifted by divine gface, to foar aloft, far, far above this earthly sphere? If we look beyond this world, we shall fee all men standing on equal terms. The everlasting doors of the heavenly Jerufalem stand open to all; and every one that thirfteth may there drink of that fountain of living waters, without money and without price.

True honour and happinefs then is in every one's reach; for as we excel here in the right management of our will, fo fhall we excel in glory hereafter. At our last trial, at the day of judgment, we shall be valued only for our virtue. All the advantages of genius and learning, all the privileges of birth and fortune, will there have no influence; for the beggar fhall be advanced above his prince, and the fervant above his master, if he have acted better. Is this our belief? Why then let it be the principal bufinefs of our lives to do our duty juftly and confcientiously, that fo we may be exalted and not degraded in the other world. Would we

but perfevere in this conduct, as we should have neither leifure nor inclination to envy other men, fo we should not anxiously defire fuch a state of life here as might raise the envy of others, but fubmit to God's wisdom, who knoweth what is good for us better than we do ourselves. And fince it is no great matter what condition God is pleased to allot us in this world (as the fashion of it fo foon paffeth away, and we are gone) let us put away all envy, malice, and contention, from amongst us; and as we are fellow-labourers in the fame vineyard, let us all fo ftrive to execute our work, that when our Master cometh, he may fay to each of us, "Well done, thou good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Now to God the Father, &c.

SER

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Phárifee, and the other a publican. The Pharifee food and prayed thus with himfelf, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I faft twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I poffefs. And the publican, ftanding afar off, would not lift up fo much as his eyes unto heaven, but fmote upon his breaft, faying, God, be merciful unto me a finner. I tell you, this man went down to his houfe juftified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abafed; and be that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

WH

HEN we fairly confider the many evils and errors that arife from partial arguments in favour of ourselves, we

shall have great reason to diftruft our own righteoufnefs and wifdom, and to avoid the fin of defpifing others. Inftead of giving indulgence to a reafoning pride, which always argues on its own fide, we fhall nobly fcrutinize the fecret motives of our best actions, and every one of us, in deep humility, must fay with the contrite publican, "God, be merciful unto me a finner." The proud Pharifee, indeed, fafted twice in the week, he gave tithes of all that he poffeffed; but he thanked God that he was not like other men, like that truly devout publican, like the good Zaccheus, who gave the half of his goods to and if he had done wrong to any man, he was willing to reftore unto him fourfold.

the

poor,

How do we turn away our eyes with hatred and fcorn from the oftentatious Pharifee? How do we abhor him in all the infolence of his power, and despise the meannefs, the narrowness of his felf-congratulations? And yet are not some of us like him? Do not fome of us, by base comparisons, condemn our neighbours and juftify ourselves? Do we not, in the pride of our morality, by every mifchievous means in our power, perpetuate and enlarge

the