1st, We are forgetful of God. He is our Creator, and "in him we live, and move, and have our being."* He preserves us alive, feeds us by his bounty, and guards us by his providence; yet, who thinks of these things? Are not our minds almost continually occupied with trifles, unnecessary even to our present happiness? But, suppose that God should forget us, as we forget him, and, only for a moment, withhold his sustaining hand. Then, as it is said Job xxxiv. 14, "If he gather to himself his spirit, and his breath, all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust." We must acknowledge, that while we, times without number, have been regardless of God, he has been regardful of us, and may reckon it as a great mercy, that we are still living to repent of our folly, and implore his pardon.

2ndly, We are irreverent. It becomes us, surely, not only to acknowledge that God is ever present, but to conduct ourselves in such a manner as to prove, that we verily believe, that to him all desires are known, and that from him no secrets are hid. Can we believe that he is holy, just, and good, of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and yet. cherish it in our hearts? What arrogance! What presumption! But, what do I say of cherishing

* Acts xvii, 28.

iniquity. Can we presume to harbour one distant wish for that, which is contrary to his most Holy Will? Yet, have not anger, lust, covetousness, and other unlawful dispositions been frequently in our hearts? But, still we are spared, still we live; certainly as monuments of the loving kindness of our God.

3rdly, We are neglectful. God is infinitely good, and bestows his goodness upon mankind through his son Jesus Christ our Lord. Without him we are in a miserable situation; our enjoyments are uncertain, and we have no hope beyond the grave; but the Gospel, by which life and immortality are brought to light, not only alleviates the sorrows of the life, which now is, but secures us that which is to come, and invites all, who hear the joyful sound, to become partakers of the blessings which it confers; yet, by how many have these glad tidings been considered as idle tales! God has sent his own son into the world for our salvation; his son has died that we may live, and his spirit has been sent forth to strive with men, by signs, and wonders, and gifts of the Holy Ghost: but neither the might of the Father, the love of the Son, nor the influence of the Spirit, make a due impression upon us. We are very busy about temporal concerns, which appear to be innocent; yet are they not

so, if they occupy so much of our time, as to make us neglect the great salvation. Oh! if God were to neglect us, as we have neglected him, who could be partaker of his Redemption from sin, and death, and hell? Well may we say, considering our sins of omission only, "Lord have mercy upon us miserable sinners."

But, now, seeing we live, that we are favoured with innumerable blessings, and are still invited to become partakers of everlasting life, what shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? Must we not be impelled by the motives of love and gratitude to devote ourselves to his service, and reckon it our honour and happiness to be animated by those tempers, which shone brilliantly in the life of Christ our Saviour, and which he recommends to all those, who call upon his name and profess themselves. to be his disciples. Having, then, such a mo◄ tive to be merciful, let us see in what that holy disposition consists.

1st, It may be observed in the forgiveness of all injuries. As Christ went about doing good: to all mankind without distinction, as he suffered for the salvation of the world, and prayed for his bitterest enemies, yea, for his very murderers, so must the Christian. "How oft (says Peter) shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?"

" I

say not unto thee (replied Christ) until seven times, but until seventy times seven”*—that is, forgive him without any restriction; for never canst thou forgive to thy fellow creature the half, no, nor the ten thousandth part of what thy God has forgiven thee. We may not, without such a temper, use our daily prayer, in which we say "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." How can the man, who does not pardon his brother from his heart, take such words into his lips? Surely, it becomes every one, who bears the name of a Christian, to examine himself concerning this matter, lest he should be asking for curses instead of blessings, from Almighty God; for, to say "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us,” while we harbour the smallest portion of illwill to any person living, is as much as to say, "Lord, we do not pardon our enemies, therefore, do not thou pardon us.'

2ndly, The temper of mercifulness consists in the communication of good. As the Chris. tian considers that he owes his very being, as such, to Christ, and, as, without him, he is weak and helpless, but, by him, strong and powerful, he desires that the life of Christ may be manifested in him, prays that all selfishness

* Mat. xviii. 21, 22.

may be overcome, and that the glory of God may be displayed in every action; while, at the same time, he says most sincerely “It is by the grace of God alone that I am enabled to glorify his holy name.' ." Hence, with much cheerfulness and alacrity he will imitate the example of his blessed Master, by going about doing good, and never rejoice more than when he has an opportunity of shewing his love to him who hath loved him, and given himself for him. But, if he be sincere in his religious profession, he must serve his Lord faithfully, devoting to him his Time, his Talents, and his Possessions.

1st, His Time must be devoted to God. Every man has his calling in life, and is commanded not to be slothful in business; yet, one reason why he is commanded to be diligent is, that he "May have to give to him that needeth ;"* for, if he love not his neighbour, and do not to all men as he would they should do unto him, he can know little of the love of God. Many complain of want of time, who, if they would take more pains to redeem it, would find many opportunities for benevolent purposes. They might then visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and wipe away many a tear from the mourner's eye.

* Eph. iv. 28.