as you seriously and earnestly believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to be your Saviour as soon as you so seriously and earnestly believe this truth, as to make it the rule of your thoughts and actions— you will begin to look forward to the bright promises which the Gospel holds forth. Instead of bounding your views by the present life, and thinking only" what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and wherewithal you shall be clothed," you will look beyond these objects, (not as despising them, for we all know that they' are not to be considered beneath our notice,) but as having better things before you, things which you value more highly, and which therefore you pursue with greater diligence. For who, my brethren, would be content to keep his eyes fixed on a narrow lane, though it might have ont each side some trees of fair growth, and might not be without flowers, scattered here and there who, I say, would be content to keep his eyes fixed on a narrow lane, when a rich country opened to his view beyond, where he might see hill and dale, fields waving with corn or covered

with grass, flocks and herds, groves of trees, and streams flowing through the valleys below

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dod But the joys of heaven far more exceed all that this world can offer of enjoyment, than light is better than darkness, or than pleasure is to be chosen before pain.co

And this is so plainly declared in the Bible, that none, who will pay attention to what they read or hear, can doubt the truth of my words.

की लागते III. St. Paul in the text speaks also of another virtue, which he declares to be more excellent than even faith and hope; and this virtue is charity: for he says, "And now remain faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

If we proceed to consider what charity is, we shall perceive why it is greater than faith and hope..

Now we cannot have a fuller description of charity, than St. Paul has given in the chapter from which the text is taken.)

"Charity," he says, "suffereth long and is kind." Instead of being hasty, and impatient, and full of complaints, the

Christian, who has learned to practise charity, bears with ungenerous treatment, and yet is himself kind: no harshness will hinder him from doing good, when it is in his power, even to the unthankful; for he considers, not so much the person to whom he performs these offices of humanity and goodness, as Jesus Christ, who has commanded him to do so for his sake. Knowing what strong claims his Saviour has on him for every service he can render to another, he is prepared even to return good for evil; for such was the conduct of Christ himself, and we are required to follow his steps.

Charity, moreover, "envieth not." If others possess advantages which he possesses not, the faithful Christian, so far from giving way to envy, and feeling uneasy that another enjoys what belongs not to him, rejoices in the good fortune of a fellowcreature, whom he is taught to regard as a brother.

Charity" vaunteth not itself." Who, that possesses the true Christian spirit, sets

himself above others, by dwelling on his own fancied merits, and seeking to lower their good qualities? It is indeed too common for people to praise themselves, and find fault with others: but then, by this very practice, they bring reproach on their own head, and shew too plainly that they know not what spirit they are of;" that they are strangers to the real state of their own hearts, and forget that "not he who commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." Such is the declaration of St. Paul himself.

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As charity "vaunteth not herself," gives herself no airs of superiority, she is "not puffed up," swells not with pride, nor behaves herself unseemly," (in an unbecoming manner.) The true Christian is so sensible of his many failings and infirmities, that he neither thinks highly of himself, nor looks down on others. A deep sense of his own unworthiness, makes him regard with indulgence the faults of his neighbours.

Charity again, so far from having an eye

d 2 Cor. x. 18.

only to her own interests, and acting on all occasions from a selfish spirit, "seeketh not her own." Nothing more strongly marks the sincere servant of Christ, than a readiness to do good to others, without thinking of his own advantage. His time, therefore, his thoughts, and his property, are employed for the benefit of his fellow-creatures; and this, not for the sake of any worldly benefit, not with a view to the praise of men, but that he may please his heavenly Master Jesus Christ, by doing good to any of his brethren.

The same love of his Saviour leads the Christian to watch over himself, that he may practise another office of charity, "that he be not easily provoked." If anger arises and arise it will at times-he bears in mind this direction of St. Paul, "be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath" he hastens therefore, by prayer, to shake off any angry feelings which may have been stirred up within him, and to be on his guard for the future.

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* Eph. iv. 6.