there are none so wicked as to justify your placing yourself above them. Hence you will constantly watch against self-complacency, a subtle enemy to your soul. You will repel its insinuations whenever you see the wickedness, or hear the faults of those around you. You will be jealous lest pride should be fostered by consciousness of what God has done for you, and be afraid of nothing more than the vanity of your own mind; remembering the righteous decree, which truth itself has thrice proclaimed, "Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

From the representation now given of a Christian in his tempers towards his fellow-creatures, it is evident that he must prove a blessing to every one about him. Who would not rejoice to have that man for his superior, or relation, his acquaintance, neighbour, or domestic servant, in whom so many excellent qualities unite? who is sincere, just, mer. ciful, meek, candid, benevolent, and ready to for. give every wrong done to him; yet, in the possession of so much substantial goodness, is free from all self-admiration or vanity, amidst the applause he receives; not preferring himself to others, or even thinking he has attained, but pressing forwards, ashamed of his small progress; and, penetrated with a sense of his own vileness, taking the lowest place. What Jewish enmity against Christ, what infernal hatred of righteousness and true holiness must fill the heart, which does not delight in such a character, and extol, as the rich gift of God, that gospel which forms and supports it!

Such is not the ideal picture of what a Christian should be, but the daily life of thousands, and of all who have a scripture title to that highly venerable name. Faith in the Son of God, as their atoning sacrifice, and the Lord their righteousness, through

H H

the influence of the Holy Ghost, produces this divine transformation of soul, this new creation in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER,

Suited to the preceding Subject.

WE bless thee, O Lord our God, for all thy loving kindness to the children of men. We thank thee that we are so strictly charged to abhor all that is hurtful to our fellow-creatures, and practice whatever is beneficial to them. When we call to remembrance the time past, we feel, alas! much cause to be ashamed. Every relation, friend, and neighbour, testify against us. How destitute were we once of all Christian tempers, and how sadly defec tive in them are we still! We cannot tell how often we have offended against truth, justice, and love, always due from us to our neighbour. We remember these our faults, we are ashamed, and abase ourselves, and look to our great and merciful High-priest, to obtain our pardon through his blood. Never let us forget how often we have done evil, how often neglected to do good to thy creatures, whom we ought to have loved as we do ourselves. Desirous of offending thee no more, by sinning against our neighbour, we beg thy help to conquer our cor ruption. May we never more deceive or dissemble; never be injurious to others for filthy lucre sake. In every hour of peculiar temptation to dishonesty, withhold us from doing evil. Open our eyes to see so clearly that it will provoke thy displeasure, and ruin our souls, that we may be ever kept from being unrighteous, either in a great matter or a small. May all who live with us be witnesses to

our integrity. To integrity may we add brotherly kindness and charity; be glad to contribute to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, to instruct the ignorant, give protection to the injured, and deliverance to those oppressed with wrong. Above all, may our bowels yearn over those who are ready to perish; may we watch for opportunities to do good to their souls, and fervently commend them to thy

mercy.

Form and fashion us to exercise charity in judging of the characters of men. Help here, Lord, with all might; O quench that hellish fire within, which inflames our tongues with bitterness. Deliver us from that hypocrisy, which instantly takes great offence at the mote in our brother's eye, whilst the beam is in our own. By thy almighty grace save us from this hateful spirit. Make us kind, tenderhearted, and very pitiful. Set before us the example of the meek and lowly Jesus, that we may be ashamed of peevishness and passion; that we may be galled with self-reproach, and confess how much we grieve the Spirit of God, when our actions, words, or looks, are not governed by the law of kindness.

Whatever we suffer from the contempt, hatred, or malice of men, may we, through the help of our God, bear it with patience, and return good for evil. What is impossible with men, enable us to do, through the knowledge of Christ, crucified for his enemies, and praying for his murderers. And after we have persevered in the constant observance of truth and justice, in the exercise of meekness, mercy, and love to all men, O may we be found clothed with humility; may we take the lowest place, and esteem every one better than ourselves.

Thus, as trees of righteousness of the Lord's plant

ing, may we bring forth every good fruit, that men, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father which is in Heaven. Grant these our requests, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

SUNDAY XXXIV.

CHAP. XXXIV.

The Duty of a Christian in a married State.

WE have taken a view of the Christian in those tempers which he bears towards all mankind, sincerity, justice, mercy, meekness, candour, love, and humility. We proceed to consider him in the discharge of duties which he owes from a peculiar nearness of relation, in the married state, and with respect to his kindred and servants. These connexions are ordained by divine Providence, in order that a mutual observation of the duties arising from them might prove a source of greater comfort than could otherwise be enjoyed.

In each of these relations the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is of singular advantage, not only by pointing out the extent of each relative duty with more clearness, but my making a violation of it appear more criminal than it ever does to men ignorant of Christian principles.

With regard to the married state, the mutual duties of husbands and wives are fidelity and love; the distinct support and government on the husband's part; on the wife's, assistance and obedience.

Fidelity to the marriage-bed is equally bound on

both parties by the marriage-covenant; because, by this union, they become each others property; so that, if either yield to the embraces of another, the covenant is annulled, a divorce ought to follow, and the high displeasure of God is incurred; "For whoremongers and adulterers he will judge."

In the eyes of all, therefore, who revere the authority of God, lewdness in the marriage-state is a crime of great enormity. So far must Christian husbands and wives be from injuring each other by defiling the marriage-bed, that they must be free from every thing in their air, dress, or discourse which savours of wantonness, or would encourage loose desires. Whatever has this tendency, however fashionable, they will shun as of hateful tendency, contrary to the marriage-contract. judgment it will be no sufficient observation of conjugal fidelity barely to abstain from adulterous commerce; they must maintain a purity of heart, and detest what betrays the want of it, foolish jesting.

In their

Nothing less than this is required on the man's part to keep his marriage vow inviolate; and on the woman's, to shew a chaste conversation, a duty equally incumbent on both and for either to transgress here, is to despise the plain command of God, and his benevolent, everlasting ordinance.

To fidelity must be added mutual love, for love is the life of marriage, without which it differs as much from the comfortable society our gracious God intended to establish by it, as servitude from freedom. When this union was first made in paradise, it was immediately declared, that as soon as ever the bonds of marriage took place amongst the posterities of Adam, they should prove stronger than the bonds of nature: "A man shall forsake even his father and mother, and cleave to his wife." Like