ets. All this, it is true, is hard to be borne by flesh and blood; but if we wish to be christians, and when we die to see, GOD, we must bear it without "recompensing evil for evil." In case of any violent outrage against our persons or property, we are permitted, both by GoD and conscience, to fly for protection to those laws, which are established under GOD's authority, to preserve peace and order in society; but, certainly, with respect to all those slighter offences against us, which are so apt to excite anger, þad language, or violent behaviour, it is both christian-like and wise to pass them by without notice; and "rather give place "unte wrath; for the wrath of man work"eth not the righteousness of GOD." Do you want an example, my friends, of this forbearance under the undeserved ill-usage of your fellow-creatures? "Consider him

"that endured such contradiction of sinners "against himself, lest ye be wearied, and "faint in your minds." Do you wish for a pattern of your own conduct, when men despitefully use and persecute you; and, for a glimpse of that reward, which shall follow your patient endurance of evil? "Look unto JESUS, the author and "finisher of our faith; who, for the joy "that was set before him, endured the

"cross, despising the shame, and is now set "down at the right hand of the throne "of God."

St. Paul goes on to direct christians" to "provide things honest in the sight of men; "and if it be possible, as much as in them "lieth, to live peaceably with all men." There are many pious and worthy people in the world, my brethren, who, if they can satisfy their consciences, and do what they think is right, care little or nothing what other persons may think about them. But this is wrong; for, though we should never make the desire of pleasing men the great motive of our actions, yet it is very right, and very possible, to fulfil all our christian duties in such a manner as to preserve, at the same time, the esteem of mankind, while we are securing the favour and approbation of God. Let it be remembered, also, that there is no man so poor and humble, but that he may be of some benefit to others, by his example, if his behaviour be such as his religion enjoins; that is, if it be pious and virtuous, gentle, courteous, and kind. In this case, he will shew forth what the scripture calls "the beauty of holiness;" which is so lovely, that all must respect, and many may admire and imitate it whereas, if he be rough in his manners, gloomy in

his disposition, and careless whether he please or disgust those with whom he lives, they will probably attribute what arises only from his own disposition, to the nature of the religion he professes, and feel no desire to embrace that faith earnestly and sincerely, which his example leads them to think will not promote harmony, and good-will, and comfort, among mankind. The blessed author of our holy religion did not so practise it. He was courteous and meek to all; mixed kindly with the children of men; lived peaceably with all around him; treated their infirmities with meekness, and beheld even their prejudices with compassion. And his great apostle, St. Paul, taking his Saviour. as his example, was, in every indifferent matter, "all things to all men, that he might by "these means save some."

As a certain step towards "living peace"ably with all," the apostle, lastly, admonishes christians to avoid all feelings of malice, and all desire of revenge. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, "but rather give place unto wrath; for it "is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the LORD. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give « him drink; for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not

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"overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." The passions of the human mind, my friends, are the instruments which the Devil makes use of, when he wishes to lead us into sin, and to ruin our souls; and none are so proper for his purpose as anger and the desire of revenge, which induce men to commit actions of the deepest guilt. Against these, therefore, the scriptures carefully guard us, by many solemn commands, and threats of terrible punishment.. "Thus "saith the LORD, I will not turn away the "punishment of Edom, because he did. pursue his brother with the sword, and "did cast off all pity, and his anger did "tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath "for ever." "He that is angry with his "brother," saith CHRIST, "without a cause, "shall be in danger of the judgment; and "he that saith to his brother, Thou fool, "shall be in danger of hell-fire :" and when James and John, in the spirit of vengeance, wished to command fire to come down from neaven to consume the Samaritans, who would not receive JESUS CHRIST into their village, the Saviour turned and rebuked them, and said, "ye know not what "manner of spirit ye are of, for the Son of "man is not come to destroy men's lives, "but to save them." The christian religion,

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however, wishes to lead us to a higher point of virtue than that of merely not being wrathful when we have been offended, or of seeking to be revenged of those who have insulted us; for it tells us to "overcome "evil with good;" and to "heap coals of "fire on the heads of our enemies," or fill them with shame and remorse, by "doing "good to them that hate us, and praying "for them which despitefully use us, and

persecute us." It will not be denied, that it is a difficult thing to practise this christian grace; because, since the fall of Adam, human nature has been infinitely more inclined to revenge than to forgive; and the spirit of Cain, who rose up in passion against his brother, and slew him, has descended to all the later posterity of Adam. But, my brethren, we have not only numberless exhortations in the scriptures to fulfil this duty, but we have also many examples to shew us that it may be fulfilled, and to point out to us how it is to be performed. When JESUS was stretched upon the cross, and expiring in agony, he cried out for pardon upon his enemies, "Father, forgive "them, for they know not what they do;" and when Stephen was stoned for his defence of his religion, he uttered this prayer, in the moment of death, for his persecutors