many things we all offend"-both against God and man, surely our expressions of resentment will be far more cool and moderate: since, even the least guilty of such poor, imperfect, fallible creatures as we are, may well find an extenuation for the passions of his neighbour, in those which so often disturb his own breast, and learn to extend that forgiveness to others, of which, every day—every hour, he stands in so much need himself.

Again, when we feel our angry passions beginning to rise, let us instantly try to moderate and control-to check and suppress them. Need any of us be reminded that we may easily crush that in its infancy, which if suffered to gain strength, would soon obtain the mastery of us? When therefore When therefore you find yourselves growing into an extraordinary warmth of temper, pause for a moment, and reflect.-'Is this a moderate, a becoming resentment of the ill-treatment I have received? Is it not rather, in a great measure, the effect of a violent and revengeful disposition? Can such a degree of passion be justified in one who professes to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus? Assuredly no :-Let me then instantly restrain and check it, before it becomes too unruly and headstrong.' Now, although meekness and selfgovernment may indeed be very difficult to those who have suffered habits of anger and peevish

ness to grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength; still, as with God all things are possible, so, by his blessing, this grace may be acquired by all; by his aid, the temper may be subdued, and the passions restrained within the bounds of reason and propriety. It is obvious, indeed, we want not so much the ability for this self-command, as a firm resolution to exert it: for, while we can easily restrain ourselves in the presence of a superior, whom we revere among men, might we not as easily restrain ourselves, by setting GOD always before us, and acting as under the immediate observance of his all-seeing eye?

Be persuaded, then, my Fellow-Christians, to cultivate this lovely, this attractive virtue. Beware of all violent emotions, and resolve by divine grace, to check and control their very first efforts. Let your minds be fortified with the principles of true religion, which alone can reach the heart, and keep it under due subjection. Consider this world as but a passage to another; and cherish the spirit of meekness, as an indispensable preparative for the blessedness of immortality. Above all, consider yourselves, I beseech you, as continually in the presence of Him by whom thoughts and dispositions, as well as "actions are weighed ;" who will judge you for your temper, as well as for your conduct and when in any instance, your passions are inclined

impetuously to burst forth, endeavour to restrain them, renewing, with increased ardour, your prayers for help, and your purposes of amendment and be assured, if with humility and godly sincerity, you steadily persevere in these methods of self-discipline, under the influence of that Holy Spirit whose powerful aid is always freely given to those that ask it; you will soon sensibly perceive a gradual, a happy change, both of mind and disposition; the fierceness and violence of passion will daily abate; the spirit of meekness will take possession of your breasts; you will despise the trifling disappointments and petty disturbances of this fleeting world; and vanquishing by a mightier strength, the perpetual strivings of an inherent depravity, and borne above the troubles which perplex and harass those who are unsupported by the pure faith-the blessed hope-the glorious privileges of the Gospel-whatsoever your trials, whatsoever your temptations, you will "glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's;" and subduing all violent and angry emotions, and "yielding your members servants to righteousness unto holiness," you will "purify yourselves," even as He "which hath called you is pure."

Thus will you give the most unequivocal proof that you are Christ's disciples indeed;

for thus will your whole deportment shew, that you have practically learned of Him who is "meek and lowly of heart," of "Him who hath loved you, and washed you from your sins in his own most precious blood," even of that crucified Saviour, through whose boundless merits alone, if you "continue faithful unto death," ye shall find rest-eternal "rest unto your souls."

SERMON XX.

THE SALUTARINESS OF DIVINE CORRECTION.

LAMENTATIONS III, 39.-" Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?"

It is far more easy, my brethren, for the natural man to understand the import of this expression, than to acknowledge its justice; more easy to own its justice, than to prepare the heart for that submission to the afflicting hand of God which it so forcibly inculcates. For, under trials and sufferings, is it not natural to complain? What indeed is this, but to use the expressive language which nature teaches when oppressed with woes? Accordingly, the Prophet himself, whose words you have now heard, laments, in the most moving strains, his own and his country's calamities. But then, be it ever remembered, that grace

sanctifies these