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rious and amiIs what manner ensure to ourf creation, the gh Christ, the the Comforter, terrors of God's 'asting life ;-all htly considered, ent of spiritual s of God's apI will excite in Thus the Lord truth; and we t in converting 1 enlightening

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As to ourselves, we should consider how sad and wretched its effects will be;-how sick and how ghastly is the hue with which it overspreads the countenance ;-how malignant is that glance of the eye, which betrays the lurking venom of the heart ;— how fatal it is to the cheerfulness of our spirits, and to the soundness of our health. There is a connexion between the mind and the body; so that they act and re-act upon each other. When the one suffers, the other suffers also:-and hence we perceive the truth of the Scripture maxim, that "a sound heart is the life of the flesh, but that envy is the rottenness of the bones."

In regard to others, we should reflect how unacceptable and unwelcome it makes us as companions; for we give pain instead of pleasure wherever we go; and how sadly it disqualifies us for the intercourses of social life. It makes us fretful and impatient; so that we are scarcely to be endured. Our expressions are peevish-our commendations, if we must give any, are forced and reluctant; and where we can find any pretext for blaming, we vent our censures with a malicious pleasure. We delight in slandering those, against whom we are piqued,—putting wrong constructions on their actions, and ascribing them to evil or improper motives. How much, therefore, must it lower us in the esteem of all cool and impartial observers ! We become objects of merited aversion; and all who value their own quiet and safety, will learn to avoid us.

Here also our other selfish passions should be brought in aid, to restrain and extinguish this predominant one; since our inward peace, our bodily health, and the lengthening of our lives, depend so much upon it. For, as it is powerfully expressed in the book of Job,-" Envy slayeth the silly one," who surrenders himself to it; because it incapacitates him not only for the functions of social life, but even for those of a bodily nature.

But if envy be grown so predominant as not to be allayed by reason, nothing then remains but for the infected person to withdraw his attention from the objects of his pain and torment, to others which he may deem to be beneath his chagrin. Let him turn his thoughts to that part of mankind who are manifestly inferior to himself, and reflect, though some men are in a better condition, as to some points, than he is, yet there are multitudes who are in a worse. This may tend to restore the balance of the mind, and to bring the affections back to something like a healthy tone; so that the breast which has been overspread with gloom, may feel the return of joy and cheerfulness.

Woe indeed to that person, who has given himself up as a prey to his headstrong passions! Let him guard most sedulously against the peril of making his own mind a scene of torment. Let him daily and fervently pray to the Almighty, through the merits of Christ, to heal his corrupted heart, and not to give him up judicially as a victim to sin. Nothing is so

inconsistent with the spirit of Christianity-nothing

so contrary to its precepts, nothing so irreconcilable to its holiness and charity as a wayward, sullen, and malignant temper. With such the gifts of grace dwell not. To such the great Comforter of the soul denies his influences. Yet "when the wicked turn away from their wickednesses,”. when the envious or the malicious are roused to reflection, and softened to repentance, God is able to bend the stubborn knees, and to melt the hardened heart. "With Him is mercy, and with Him is plentious redemption." Them, who approach Him in faith and sincerity, without wrath or doubting, He will forgive, though their sins may have been more numerous than tongue can tell. He alone is the Fortress, the Rock of salvation, to whom all must seek for refuge; but particularly those, who through perverseness and folly, have exposed themselves to the powerful stratagems of the enemy of their souls. With Him, therefore, let all acquaint themselves ; and be at peace.

SERMON XX.

THE PURE IN HEART.

MATTHEW v. 8.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

THE Gospel enforces a divine principle of morality, and estimates our actions by our motives. It will not be satisfied with the appearance of goodness, but requires from us the reality. Our blessed Lord, who came from heaven as a Lawgiver and as a Teacher, has explained to us the spiritual nature of religion, and has shewn us how we may rightly fulfil all our duties. To his instructions he has annexed also the richest promises; so that, in proportion as we learn the divine will, we are encouraged to obey it. He has addressed himself both to our reason and our feelings; for" knowing whereof we are made,”— knowing that our hearts are not always inclined to follow what our judgment approves, and that the inherent weakness and corruption of our nature require to be overborne by some powerful exertion of