arises, as I said before, from this: that we will be contented to judge ourselves by the conduct of others whom we see around us, instead of considering whether we are such as God would have us be, such as Christ commands us to be in His gospel.

Are any amongst ourselves guilty of this unwarrantable, this strictly forbidden sin? Let us look into our own bosoms and be humbled. Or, if this be not sufficient, if the weaknesses, the evil thoughts, the sinful inclinations which we shall find there, be not sufficient to prevent our boasting before God and man of our own goodness, and trusting to ourselves that we are righteous, and despising others, let us turn to the pages of the gospel, to that bright and perfect example of all that is pure, lovely, great, and good, which was set before us by our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us do this humbly and sincerely, and the best man that breathes will have too much. reason to confess his wickedness and be sorry for his sins to be ashamed to think how very far he falls short of that most perfect pat

tern, to smite upon his breast and cry, God be merciful to me a sinner! Do we think ourselves good? Our Saviour's own words may shew us our folly: He assures us positively that there is none good but one: that is God.

It is to be feared, my brethren, that the heart which willingly harbours the uncharitable and vain-glorious thoughts and feelings which are reproved by our Saviour in the text, knows but little or nothing of sincere love to God: for love to God always produces love and good-will to man. That love to God which is caused by our feeling how unspeakably great, and at the same time undeserved, His goodness to us has been, cannot fail to make us lowly with regard to ourselves, and charitable towards every body else: and if you, or I, or any of us, feel differently, the love of God ist not in us. But can this be? can we for a moment think of all that He has done for us, the blessings which we daily enjoy, the hopes and encouragements which are set before us, the glories of heaven to which we

are called can we think of His wonderful love, in sending His only, and well-beloved Son to die for our sins, and the no less wonderful love of that Son in willingly offering Himself upon the cross for our pardon can we, I say, for a moment think of these things, and not feel too much ashamed at our own sins to pass judgment upon others too much dissatisfied at the returns which we have ever made, to trust in, or to boast of, our righteousness? Rather let us join the repentant publican in his prayer to God for mercy. And may His grace enable us to root out all sin and vanity from our hearts, that we may go on our way as christians ought, seeking for our own forgiveness instead of trusting to our own goodness, and praying for the pardon of our fellowcreatures instead of judging and condemning them. And when we are tempted to indulge, like the Pharisee in the parable, thoughts and opinions of others which no man's goodness can warrant him to give way to, may we always consider, that, for any thing we know, they may be as humble

in their hearts and as acceptable to God as the poor publican was, or we may be ourselves. May we get rid of thoughts which we cannot encourage with safety, remembering that it is written, Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.

SERMON XV.

JOB Xxii. 21.

Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.

WHEN we turn our thoughts, as we too seldom do, from the concerns and cares of this present life, and fix them upon that future everlasting state, into which we must all one day pass: when we think soberly, as we ought to think, of that tremendous change which sooner or later awaits us: when we consider what a great and mighty Being God is, and what poor helpless creatures we are ourselves: it is impossible for us not to feel fully persuaded, that all our happiness, both in this world and the world to come, depends upon this: whether that Almighty Being loves us or not. Of this,

I

say, when we think seriously we cannot