give, as you hope to be forgiven. Do it generously, do it instantly. If you feel that you are unwilling to do this, suspect your own heart, and humbly on your knees entreat that GOD would give you grace to conquer that pride, which is the ruin of your peace and happiness This will compose your mind; you will see things in the true light, you will feel that you were yourself to blame, and you will make every atonement in your power.

Fourthly, when you have really been injured by any person, whether a stranger or a friend, put yourself in his place, and fairly and calmly consider what could be the motives of his conduct. In most instances you will find that the fault was not from the heart, but that he acted under some mistaken idea of his own rights, or at worst under the influence of passions which his cooler judg ment would condemn. In all such cases, if it be possible that a calm explanation, by yourself or by some other friend, might remove such mistakes, Christian charity requires that it should be done without delay. If his conduct do not admit of this excuse, and you have reason to believe that he has injured you from deliberate malice; you must guard against the effects of this malice, and always remember that the worst effect it

possibly could have, would be making you share in the guilt of such wicked passions. Carefully guard your own heart, and let no degree of resentment transport you beyond the bounds of Christian charity. Let it never prevent your doing every good office in your power, even to those who have most deeply injured you. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink."* Such are the commands of Him, who "when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered he threatened not; but committed himself to Him who judgeth righteously."t

Fifthly, avoid all scenes where you are likely to be drawn into quarrels; and for that reason, amongst others, avoid every kind of vice. It is in the ale-house, it is at the gaming-table, it is in scenes of riot and unlawful pleasure, that quarrels commonly arise. "Who hath woe, who hath sorrow, who hath contention, who hath babbling, who hath wounds without cause? They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine." It is in bad company that we fall into danger of every kind; and corrupt as the world is, we may generally pass quietly through it, if we are prudent in the choice of our companions. Even if it should happen that a man is mad enough to attack

Rom. xii. 20. † 1 Peter ii, 23. ↑ Prov. xxiii, 29

you without any provocation, yet if you are yourself calm and composed, and ́perfectly master of your temper, it gives you a very great advantage over him. Every man who is in a passion is mad, and like other madmen should be avoided and pitied; though like other madmen he is dangerous, and in some cases he must be restrained from doing. mischief. In general, however, there will be no quarrel, unless both parties are to blame. Guard your own conduct, learn to command your own temper, and you will not often be engaged in disputes.

Lastly, my beloved brethren, let me sum up all by giving you one general rule, which is applicable to all cases, from the greatest to the most trifling offences; and which I wish to impress strongly on the memory of all who hear me, as the surest guard against immoderate anger and unchristian resentment. If you think yourself injured by any person, before you take any method to bring him to punishment; and, if possible, before you allow yourself to express your resentment, to him or any one else; retire for a moment,. and throwing yourself on your knees before GOD, pray for the happiness of that person in this world and in the next. If you cannot do this from your heart, your heart is not right before GOD; and the malice which.

dwells there may make you more guilty in his sight, than the person who has injured you. If, on the contrary, you can sincerely pray for your enemy, there is reason to hope, that anger or resentment will never lead you into any action unworthy of the faithful disciple of Him, who, while we were yet sinners, died for our salvation; and in whose mercy we trust, that it will plead for us all, as it did for his murderers, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!"

To Him, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be glory now and for ever. Amen.

SERMON XVI.

ST. LUKE ii. 37. 38.

AND SHE WAS A WIDOW OF ABOUT FOURSCORE AND FOUR YEARS, WHICH DEPARTED NOT FROM THE TEMPLE, BUT SERVED GOD WITH FASTINGS AND PRAYERS, NIGHT AND DAY. AND SHE, COMING IN THAT INSTANT, GAVE THANKS LIKEWISE UNTO THE LORD, AND SPAKE OF HIM TO ALL THIM THAT LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM.

HAVE now, to the best of my abilities, endeavoured to explain the duties towards GoD and towards man, which are required of every human being. I have recommended the sacred word of God as the only light of our paths. I have enforced the necessity of