fection. Thus Noah, "being warned of God" of the_approaching deluge, was "moved with fear,” Heb. xi. 7. This was the expression of Josiah's tender heart in this chapter, ver. 19. When he heard the words of the law, he rent his clothes." So when the riches of grace are set before us, to have love, and gratitude, and trust in God, excited thereby to a proper exercise, is highly becoming a soul softened and ingenuously melted by the comfortable discoveries of the gospel.

And such a man frequently compares his heart and life with God's word, as one suspicious that he may have offended, and yet truly desirous not to offend, or to make his peace, and to come back to God and himself, as soon as may be, if he hath offended: "I communed, (says the psalmist,) with my own heart, and made diligent search, Psal. lxxvii. 6. “I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies," Psal. cxix. 59.

2. In relation to sin, a tender spirit eminently appears.

Conviction is more easily admitted where this is the frame of the heart. Solomon tells us, Prov. xvii. 10. that "a reproof enters more into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool." When conscience is awake, it is ready to give attention to a hint, and to make personal application. In two sad instances, which we have upon record, how far even good men may be "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, that is, Peter's denial of his Master, and David's scandalous fall, and continuance in it for so long a time; yet we have in both an instance also of the easy admission of conviction by a man habitually good. A look from the Lord Jesus darted the most pungent conviction into the mind of Peter, so that "he went out and wept bitterly," Luke xxii. 61, 62. And a word from the prophet Nathan, bowed David's heart, and brought him to confess his sin, 2 Sam. xii. 13. And in another case, the numbering of the people, "his heart smote him" without a monitor, 2 Sam. xxiv. 10. A tender heart is jealous of more sin in himself than he particularly knows, and, therefore, the language of his heart is often the same with David's, Psal. xix. 12. "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." It would, therefore, be strange if he should be unready to fall under conviction, when

his sin is set in order before him, if then he should endeavour to cover and excuse it.

Upon conviction, shame and sorrow readily flow in a tender mind. The hardened sinner "is not ashamed when he committeth abominations," Jer. vi. 15. possibly he may "glory in his shame," Phil. iii. 19. But softening grace strikes a man with deep remorse upon the remembrance of his offences, it produces "a broken and contrite heart," Psal. li. 17. He "is ashamed and blushes to lift up his face to God, because of his iniquities," Ezra ix. 6. like the publican, who stood afar off, and could hardly presume to "lift up so much as his eyes to heaven," he "smites upon his breast," full of contrition and godly sorrow, Luke xviii. 13. His soul is filled with pungent concern, and overspread with a holy confusion, he is more free to condemn himself than others can be; and that not merely because he may be liable to human punishment, or censure, but much more for his offence against God, and even in cases where men might rather commend than condemn him. The great impression made on his mind falls in with the confession of the prodigal: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." His sorrow is more animated by ingenuity than by fear. Sin is so odious and burdensome to him, that bo mourns even for the offences of others, and much more for his

own.

He is affected with known sin of every kind; the omissions of duty, as well as direct commissions of sin. The very remains of sin dwelling in him, though he has hopes that no sin has the dominion, are no small uneasiness to him, which often occasion such a complaint as that, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death."

He is very solicitous to be delivered from the guilt and the stain of the sins of which he is convinced. A soft heart cannot be easy under the sense of sin, till he can have hope of a pardon, till "his feet are washed," when they have contracted new defilement. David, come to himself, expresses the greatest importunity: "Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is ever before me," Psal. li. 2, 3. A true penitent, upon conviction in any instance of transgression,

will sue for mercy, plead the atonement, and earnestly pray for the sanctifying Spirit: "Create in me a clean heart, O God," after my new impurities; and renew a right spirit within me," ver. 10. Even suspicion of guilt will carry him to the mercyseat to supplicate mercy.

And the matter will not rest in relentings, but issue in the most essential part of repentance, ceasing to do evil, and learning to do well: "Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, never to be repented of," 2 Cor. vii. 10.

man's course.

And as a tender spirit will naturally discover itself in the proper exercises of genuine repentance for sin committed; so it will produce a cautious and habitual fear of sin through a He dares not indulge himself in a thing which he apprehends displeasing to God, though it should be ever so common, or pass among men for a trifle: he "abstains from every appearance of evil," 1 Thess. v. 22. as afraid to tread upon doubtful ground. He watches and prays, that he may not enter upon temptation;" is afraid of insnaring company, and of such actions as he finds to be generally dangerous to himself, though they may be lawful and safe to others. He is careful that he "make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof," and "keeps his heart with all diligence."

These are the proper expressions of a tender spirit, with reference to sin.

3. In relation to the events of Providence, and the circumstances of his own lot and condition. And in this matter,

When he is under the most favourable providences, he is afraid of abusing divine mercy: "Lest his table should become a snare, or he should be full and deny God:" lest he should grow secure, and forgetful of his dependence on God; or his spirit become vain and worldly; or he should put the evil day far from him; or give into any criminal indulgence of his appetites; or be lifted up with pride.

He entertains an awful fear at the apprehension of God's judgments. That was David's frame, Psal. cxix. 120. “ My flesh trembleth for fear of God, and I am afraid of his judgments." Noah was moved with fear of them, when they were at a distance and much more will a man of a tender heart be so, when God's hand is visibly stretched out, or

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when there are many moral prognostics, that God is "making a way to his anger." The least tokens of God's displeasure affect him, such as others hardly observe; while hardened sinners are unmoved under the greatest: Jer. v. 3. "Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than a rock, they have refused to

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He is desirous to understand the voice of God in his providences; that God would "shew him wherefore he contendeth with him," Job x. 2. And he endeavours, that his own temper and behaviour may comport with the providence he is under, whether they are prosperous, or afflictive. He would "know both how to be abased, and how to abound," Phil. iv. 12. The particular prospect of calamities approaching, excites him to prepare suitably to meet his God, Amos iv. 12. And his chief attention from time to time is the duty of his present condition.

4. This temper, where it is genuine, will express itself industriously in relation to the honour of God.

Such a man will do what he can himself to promote it. It is the general scope of his actions to "do all to the glory of God," 1 Cor. x. 31. All that he has and is, is sincerely. consecrated to this aim. And, according to his station, he will be active and zealous in any designs that are on foot in his day, conducing to the glory of God, and the service of religion. He guards against every thing in his own conduct, which may occasion the name of God to be blasphemed. He is willing to hazard his own honour, or interest, or life itself, if God may but be glorified; and can be content to have his own re-. putation laid in the dust, if his Master may be magnified by it.

As John the baptist "rejoiced greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice;" though he foresaw that Christ's entrance upon his minstry would eclipse the honour of his own: "He must increase, but I must decrease," John iii. 29, 30.

In any sin he commits, while insensible sinners are chiefly concerned for the dishonour done to themselves when their sin is found out, a man of a tender conscience chiefly laments the dishonour done to God by it. God by Nathan set David's sin before him in this view, 2 Sam. xii. 14. "By this deed

thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme:" and when David comes to make his acknowledg ment, he principally reflects on the same thing, Psal. li. 4. Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.'

He greatly rejoices in any thing that tends to the honour of God; if he hear of the advancement of his interest, where he hath no immediate concern in the matter; if good be done any where, though he has no hand in it; and in any service done by others, though he may seem to be lessened by it himself: as Paul rejoiced that Christ was preached, though some did it out of envy to him, Phil. i. 18.

And, on the other hand, he is deeply affected with other men's dishonouring God: "Rivers of tears run down his eyes, because men keep not God's law," Psal. cxix. 136. He mourns for abominations done in the land, which he can

not help, Ezek. ix. 4. As Hezekiah deeply resented the blasphemies of Rabshakeh, Isa. xxxvii. 1—3. And he is ready to bear his testimony against the sins of others, in all proper ways.

This is some drought of a tender spirit in its proper fer

tures.

It remains to be shewn,

III. What foundation is eminently laid for such a temper by Christianity.

You see good men in the ancient church were not strangers to it much less should we be under the gospel; for the rule of our faith and practice is more complete. Things of importance to us are no longer wrapped up in figures; but he, who was in the bosom of the Father, hath revealed him and his will. God hath spoken to us in these last days by his Son, as his fullest and finishing revelation; and, therefore," if they escaped not, who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven," Heb. xii. 25. if we are less moved and impressed by the brighter light which Christ hath brought down from heaven.

The recompences of the life to come are more fully revealed to us. Indeed the church under the Old Testament was