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of St. Peter, "he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him ;" and above all, by the gracious promise of his incarnate Lord," he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

It is thus, my brethren, that "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit," practically and experimentally," that we are the children of God;" even by the evidence of Christian virtues and dispositions wrought by that Spirit in our souls things which every man's own heart and conscience can easily ascertain, and which bear undoubted testimony to the residence and operation of God's Holy Spirit within us.

Thus then may we safely assure our hearts, and know that we are of the truth, when we hold the truth in righteousness-when we "hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." The signs of our faith will thus be clear and unequivocal; and when it sends forth the pure streams of goodness and Christian charity— when it works by love both of God and man— when it is manifested in fervent and regular devotion to God, in a sober and temperate government of ourselves, in a spirit of justice, humanity, and kindness to our neighbours, it will indeed be a health-giving fountain, springing up into everlasting life.

In short, true Christian faith will be naturally accompanied, it will be proved and verified by

these its blessed effects: it will make us pious, and mild, and merciful: it will keep our tempers serene, and our conduct unblemished: it will make our lives exemplary, our deaths peaceful, and our prospects of immortality glorious.

Let us all then earnestly beseech Almighty God, the inspirer of every thing that is good, of his infinite mercy, to vouchsafe unto us this sanctifying grace unto salvation-to increase in us this right faith, and to produce in us the blessed fruits of his Holy Spirit, that so, being cleansed from all impurities of the flesh and spirit, and making it our constant and earnest endeavour to be "perfecting holiness in the fear of God," we may finally be found meet to be partakers of that everlasting life, which He has graciously promised to the humble, believing followers of his dear Son, our alone Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

SERMON XIX.

ON MEEKNESS.

MATTHEW XI. 29.—“ Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart."

AMONG the many virtues enjoined upon us by our blessed Saviour, none seems more worthy of our attention than that of meekness. This Christian grace is not the result of any weakness of mind; neither, we may be assured, does it consist in a mean, cowardly temper, which submits to every encroachment; or in that servile behaviour, which gives an unhesitating assent to every opinion, however erroneous and absurd. By becoming Christians, we do not cease to be men; and though endued with that meekness and lowliness of mind which the Gospel so frequently recommends, we may, and ought to

have, a just concern for our own character, and maintain a requisite firmness of conduct, in opposition to any improper ideas and practices that may prevail in the world. Christian meekness consists in an easy, placid state of mind, under any real or imaginary circumstances of provocation. It is an habitual gentleness of spirit, regulating the general conduct, especially under the excitements of anger or revenge.

The man of a meek and quiet spirit, though he must sensibly feel injurious treatment, and will use all proper means of averting or removing it, yet refers all his concerns to that Wisdom which is perfect, and to that Goodness which is unlimited and unchangeable:-far from thinking that God hath forsaken him, and given him over into the hands of his enemies, he considers what his condition would have been, had God permitted them to treat him according to his deserts; he reflects on his past experience of the divine goodness; looks round upon the mercies which are still graciously vouchsafed to him— and regards his present troubles as the instruments of his final his eternal benefit: as only blessings in disguise-as the correction of a parent, whose intentions are always kind, even when his discipline seems most severe: and, firmly persuaded that, from the lowest depths of sorrow, oppression, and anguish, God is able, if it be his pleasure, to raise him up-and that he

will assuredly "make all things ultimately work together for his good," he bows before him with love and reverence, kisses the rod, and submits without repining; and in all the changes and chances of this mortal life, will, with sincerity, say to his heavenly Father, "thy will be done." Such a man is likewise studious to perform all the relative duties of life: respectful to his superiors, rendering honour and obedience to whom they are due; treating his inferiors with humanity and condescension, and his equals with affability, kindness, and courtesy,-shewing meekness to all men,-cautiously avoiding every thing which may promote or increase disputes and dissensions,-ever unwilling to contend about trifles, about things of an indifferent nature and of no moment: and even where the point is of importance, and deserves to be insisted on,-acting with such candour and moderation of spirit, as not to offend those with whom he cannot conscientiously agree.

Though fixed, and holding fast to those sentiments and opinions, whether civil or religious, which he believes to be founded in truth,—yet, is the man imbued with Christian meekness, ever mild and courteous to those who differ from him on such subjects; and, making allowances for the weakness of human reason, and the strength of human prejudice, he can hear with patience what they have to offer in behalf of

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