redeemed by Christ, it runs through the Christian law. He is not a good Christian, who" does wrong" to one of his brethren, to one of his fellow creatures, whether he be the aggressor or retaliate the injury. The world indeed will tell us otherwise: it will often justify aggression; it will enjoin revenge as a duty. But "the spirit which reigneth in the children of the world," is not the spirit of "the children of light." That blessed Spirit commands us to "do good unto all men;"" as much as lieth in us, to live peaceably with all men;" to avenge not ourselves P." Do we give this proof of the Spirit abiding in us? 66 3. Lastly; the conduct of Joseph in the capacities of a servant, a subject, and a ruler; as one, acting under the command of others, and as one, invested with authority himself; leads us to consider the manner, in which we conduct ourselves under similar circumstances. As a servant, he was faithful to his master; as a subject, he was obedient to his sovereign; as a ruler, he studied to promote the interests of those committed to his charge. According as we are placed in any or all of these situations, does our conduct give proof of the same honesty and integrity? If our lot be that of a servant, do we "obey in all things our masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God, and as the servants of Christ; heartily and with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free?" It was this sense of his responsibility to God, as I have before remarked, which preserved Joseph true to his duty towards his master in a season of great temptation; and it is the same sense, which St. Paul is anxious to impress on those in the like situation; doubtless for this reason, that religion is the only sure defence of morality. As subjects, are we obedient" to the higher powers "," submissive to the laws, and respectful to those who are intrusted with the execution of r Col. iii. 22. Eph. vi. 5. г Rom. xiii. 1. them ;-and that not only "for wrath, but also for conscience sake;" not only for fear of "the sword which the ruler beareth, to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil;" but because we know obedience to be our duty, which we cannot fail in to man, without displeasing God? If we be intrusted with power, do we exercise it justly and mercifully? justly, in compliance with the law, whence the authority is derived; mercifully, out of regard to those towards whom it is to be exercised? The ruler, the officer of the law, in whatever department he may be stationed, is "the minister of God for good" to those who are the subjects of the law. Is it our study then to promote the good of those to whom our authority extends? to correct and reform the vicious; to protect the innocent and the distressed; and to reward the virtuous and deserving? In a word, whether we be servants, subjects, or rulers, our respective stations are stewardships, for which we are accountable, and in which we shall be required to be found faithful" they are talents, with which we are 66 intrusted, and which we are expected to improve to the glory of God, the salvation of our souls, and the benefit of others. Is it our conscientious endeavour so to imthem? prove I have thus endeavoured to direct your thoughts to those heads of self-examination, which are most naturally suggested by the story of Joseph the son of Jacob. From those "fruits of the Spirit,” which we have seen manifested in his conduct, we reasonably infer that he was “a man in whom was the Spirit of God:" and when we perceive the same fruits manifested in our own conduct, we may reasonably trust that the same Spirit is in us. It is hardly necessary to remark, that it has not been my intention to bring forward all those fruits, which the scriptures ascribe to the Holy Spirit; but those, to which the subject before us has more immediately directed my thoughts, as being most signally evidenced in the character of this virtuous Patriarch. Thus much however may perhaps safely be affirmed; that where these fruits of the Spirit are produced, the |