pretending, the schismatic and the heretic, advanced to honour, while he is degraded to shame and suffering. For the question will be,-not what proofs he can bring of an orthodox faith; but what proof his life has afforded of a tender heart and a liberal spirit. If he is deficient in this great point, his faith will avail him nothing: his portion will be assigned him among those who believe and tremble. What indeed is the advantage of thinking correctly? Is it not to guide the affections of the heart into the way of righteousness? Is it not to make the feelings move in obedience to that law of charity, which the great teacher of truth has established as the badge of his followers? And how much better is the honest, but unenlightened heathen, who, not having a law, is yet, in this respect, a law unto himself, than those who, arrogating the name of Christians, delight in anathematizing others for want of faith, whilst they are every moment showing, that they deserve to be condemned for want of charity!

What then is the conclusion? We have seen what is implied in being tender-hearted;

and we have seen also, that the qualities of such a heart are essential to the character of a Christian. Have we been endeavouring to gain and improve these qualities? Are we conscious of exhibiting them in the domestic circle; of exercising them in offices of charity among those, who are within the reach of our benevolence; of cherishing that spirit, which breathes forth wishes and prayers for the improvement and happiness of the whole human race? Blessed are ye, if this consciousness rests upon a solid foundation. Go on to increase and confirm it by works of righteousness, and labours of love. Suffer not the emotions of a tender heart, to be cramped or stifled by the growth of a worldly spirit. To do good and to communicate forget not; and if your circumstances should not be commensurate with your generosity, supply the defect, as much as possible,, by those deeds of kindness, to which wealth is not necessary. Thus it is that the heart is kept open; that its pathies are improved; that we counteract the natural tendency to selfishness, and improve that christian temper, which alone can fit us

sym

for

for the regions of perpetual love. And thus at last we shall secure that enviable, delightful, all-glorious approbation, "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord."

293

SERMON XII.

INTEGRITY THE BEST GUIDE BOTH IN

RELIGIOUS INQUIRIES AND IN MORAL
CONDUCT.

Proverbs xi. 3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

THE policy of the world, like the world itself, is fluctuating and deceitful. Uncertain both in its objects and its means, it knows nothing of that steadiness, which religious principle communicates both to mind and conduct. In danger it is confounded, in difficulty bewildered; and the intoxication of success blinds it to the folly of those measures, which are imperceptibly preparing the final overthrow of all its projects. The shifts and windings of those, who are guided by no higher views than those of pride or avarice, would