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sinfulness, and strange it is if he find not from time to time new sources of contrition, new arguments for humility. As it seems true in the dispensations of Providence that passions are usually proportioned in individuals to strength of mind and the power of contending with them, so is it found in the economy of grace that temptations are proportioned to the circumstances and spiritual strength of those who have to encounter them. St. Paul himself was not without a thorn in the flesh; the best of Christians are not without their failings; nor will they cease any more than the trials (26) of their Master, until the time when angels shall come and minister unto them.:

Turn therefore with renewed severity the eyes of censure on yourself, and you will there find better arguments for humility 'than I can furnish.

Turn with awakened

Gospel, and you will there find the best illustration of the required quality, and that rest of soul which accompanies its attainment!

I am aware that there are many cases in which an earnest Christian may find small duties practicable though he yet labour under a liability to great offences, and that he is quite right in doing first what he can do easiest, so long as he is at the same time attempting to do what is more difficult. There is therefore no hypocrisy in being precise in outward conduct whilst the heart may be far from subdued unto inward devotion. But there is much want of humility in obtruding this precision of behaviour on others, in taking as it were the highest seats at the feast of the kingdom of heaven. In that kingdom "the first shall be last and the last first;" no one who thinks seriously of its nature as in the Gospel described, can hope to be received

graciously by the King himself, unless clothed with the garm

s garment of humility! Let not then the arts, the sophistry, the errors, the unintentional mistakes, or the ill ex. ample of others ever pervert your view of this most important feature in the Christian character. Doubt not that pride is in every shape hateful to God, and especially when it is connected with pretensions to religious excellence. And be assured that an uncharitable and haughty temper may be and most likely will be as fearfully increased by withdrawing yourself from, as by mixing with, the society to which you belong. Receive in conclusion the advice most continually applicable to all the subjects of our enquiry, the principle most steadily to be kept in view throughout all your progress, that advice, that principle which cannot be too often repeated-learn of Christ to be" meek and lowly!"

I add a sincere prayer that in the study

and pursuit of his example you may find "rest unto your soul." May you learn to love more cordially those to whom you are by, nature bound, and to behave to them more affectionately, as you advance in your Christian progress. May you so practise examination of self as to tremble at the thought of judging others. May you extend the influence of Christ's Gospel by the light of a charitable, humble, and pure example. May you find the strait gate by the narrow way, and be united in secret communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, with the spirits of just men made perfect, and with that vast unknown multitude of saints now in the flesh who through evil report and good report are, of every age, and in every station, pressing onwards to the prize of their high calling in Jesus Christ our Lord.