in the true believer. Evil habits, corrupt propensities, bad connexions, and strong temptations are not casily broken off and mastered; and our resolution is found by experience to be unequal to the conflict: but the promised assistance of the Holy Spirit enables the Christian to surmount every obstacle, and to resist and overcome all his enemies. He feels he can do nothing of himself; but he finds, "that he can do all

things through Christ who strengtheneth him."— Thus by "waiting on the Lord he renews his "strength," and rises superior to those difficulties, which all other men find in the event to be insurmountable.

The assurances, made of an abundant present and future recompence, to those who renounce temporal things for the sake of Christ and the gospel; the supports afforded in seasons of trial and affliction; the authoritative and perfect example set before us; the obligations conferred upon us, and the glorious prospects that open to our view, are all of them exceedingly influential on the believer's spirit and conduct. But we must proceed,

III. To mention some leading particulars, in which "a conversation becoming the gospel of Christ," more especially consists.

Every doctrine of the gospel requires, and is suited to produce, humility in all its variety of exercises. The whole seems arranged on purpose to lay us low in self-abasement, to exclude all boasting and glorying in ourselves, to produce deep repentance, to render us poor in spirit and contrite in heart, and to form our dispositions teachable, lowly, unambitious and

unassuming. When therefore we speak and act in this manner, our conversation is consistent with our principles, and becomes our profession: but self-confidence, self-importance, vain-glorious vaunting, desire of praise or pre-eminence, and an unteachable, dogmatizing, or overbearing deportment, are more unbecoming and odious in one who professes to believe the gospel, than in any other person.

From this deep humility, patience, contentment, and thankfulness must proportionably arise. "It is "of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed:" our sufferings are less than our iniquities; our mercies are invaluable and unmerited; our situation is appointed by God our Saviour, in perfect wisdom, truth, and love: our light afflictions are counterbalanced by divine consolations; and they "work for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." So that it becomes us to be resigned, satisfied and thankful, in every circumstance: and repining, fretfulness and discontent, are entirely inconsistent with evangelical principles.

Confidence in God likewise peculiarly becometh the gospel of Christ. "The Lord is our Light, and <6 our Salvation: whom then shall we fear?" "If God "be for us, who can be against us?" To be calm and collected in perilous situations; to recognize the hand of God in the alarming events of life, and hence to assume courage and cheerful expectation; to rely on his providential care amidst temporal losses and difficulties; and in every case to say, "It is the Lord, "let him do what seemeth him good;" becomes the character of his redeemed people. But too often he VOL. I.

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may rebuke us and say, "Why are ye so fearful, O ye of little faith?"-We act also consistently with our principles, when we take pleasure in attending on the ordinances of God; when we count the holy day of rest honourable and delightful; when we are glad to have it said to us, "Let us go unto the house of "the Lord;" and when we prefer his courts, and the communion of the saints, above all other places of resort, and every other kind of society. It becomes the professors of the gospel, to abound in praises, and thanksgivings; to reverence the name and the word of God; to worship him in their families with evident alacrity as well as punctuality; to seek his blessing on every undertaking; to praise him for every deliverance and benefit; to act habitually as in his presence; to devote themselves to his service; and to seek all their happiness from him: and, whatever is contrary to this is unbecoming the gospel, and dishonourable to our profession.

Even worldly men,, while they charge our doctrines with a licentious tendency, expect more from us in our conduct towards them, than they do from each other. This evidently appears to be the case: for a single instance of immorality, in one that professes the gospel, excites general attention, and becomes a topick of discourse; while the numberless crimes of other men are very slightly noticed.-This should remind us, that strict integrity, veracity, sincerity, and punctuality to our engagements, become our profession: and that both the world and the church will charge us with inconsistency, if we at all deviate from this direct uprightness of conduct and conversation.

An inoffensive deportment is likewise necessary, if we would walk "worthy of God," and "as it be"cometh saints." We must no more injure a man, from heedlessness, than from selfishness: We must not wound any person's character, interrupt his domestick comfort, or needlessly disquiet his mind. We should carefully avoid exciting men's passions, provoking them to anger, or tempting them to envy, ambition, or discontent. We should "study to be "quiet and mind our own business," without intermeddling with other men's matters; and to be peaceable, orderly, and industrious neighbours and members of the community. We ought so to avoid evil, and the appearance of evil, that none may have any. thing to say against us, except it be for our religious peculiarities.

General benevolence also becomes the gospel of rich grace and mercy. Every man almost, may at some times, by retrenching superfluities, do a little to shew his compassion and good-will to his afflicted neighbours. From those to whom much is given "much is required." There are likewise various other methods, by which a friendly disposition may be manifested; and this is peculiarly ornamental to the gospel. The more entirely we renounce all dependence on our good works, the greater alacrity and zeal we should manifest in performing them: and this will be our disposition, if, indeed "we know the

grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," and understand our obligations to him, who "loved us, and washed "us from our sins in his own blood." Indeed, even in this lukewarm age, the excellency of the gospe!

does appear in this respect; for the liberality of those, who profess to rely on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, is vastly greater, in proportion to their circumstances, than that of such persons, as expect in part at least to atone for their own sins and to purchase heaven, by their good works. But "we beseech you, brethren, to abound more and more."

We should also exercise meekness, forgiveness of injuries, and unwearied perseverance in endeavouring to overcome evil with good: for these things peculiarly become those, who own themselves so deeply indebted to the pardoning mercy and abundant grace of God our Saviour. An exact attention to every relative duty: a condescending, affable, and modest demeanour, "in honour preferring one another:" a constant endeavour to "keep the unity of the Spirit in "the bond of peace;" to promote brotherly love; and to concur in every design, for advancing the purity and enlargement of the Church, and the benefit of mankind, are evidently and eminently becoming the pel of Christ.

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To these we should add, habits of strict sobriety and temperance; moderation and regard to expediency in the use of things lawful, and in every worldly pursuit; and indifference about external decoration; an entire disregard to those frivolous amusements, in which numbers waste their time and substance; a disinterested conduct, remote from all suspicion of covetousness; a strict government of the passions; and a tongue bridled and refrained from vain and improper discourse, but prepared to speak such things as are edifying and useful. These are evidently parts of that