and anticipate the pleasures of a more per fect state of existence.

The reliance of man on his own powers for rectitude of life, a favourite principle of those who study only the religion of nature, offers a mere shadow of peace. A sudden impulse of passion destroys his integrity, and he knows not how to re-instate the dignity of his nature in the favour of the Author of his being. But it is the happiness of a Christian, to possess a never-failing source of comfort: this is, the assurance of his restoration to spiritual life by that Saviour, who "his own self bare our sins in "his own body on the tree, that we being. "dead to sin should live unto righteous

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ness, by whose stripes we were healed." Under this gospel assurance, our peace is made with God, and our soul remains in tranquillity. Being justified by faith. we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of "the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing.

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"that

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that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience hope; and hope maketh [us] not ashamed [of our sufferings as if they were vain] "because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

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Hence then springs that peace of soul, which gilds the days of the good man with happiness. Assured of a restoration to divine favour through the benevolent merits and infinite love of an heavenly deliverer, he feels a transformation of heart which raises him above those casualties which disturb the tranquillity of worldly men. Secure in his hope, confirmed in his faith, he makes charity the rule of all his actions, and becomes possessed of that greatest of all blessings, a religious mind.

Here we have no picture of speculative goodness. Peace of soul implies not indolence and inaction; it rests not satisfied with contemplation, but expands itself into every branch of christian duty. How delightful are those sensations which arise. from a true sense of religion! The eye is

pleased

pleased with every object from whence instruction may be drawn, and the heart rejoices at the prospect of immortality. We behold the race of men with tenderness; we consider them as fellow-heirs of eternal glory, and are in all respects as ready, as alert, to do them good, as we are to succour and to comfort ourselves. This benevolence of heart raises all nature into importance.

"Not a breeze

"Flies o'er the meadow, not a cloud imbibes
"The setting sun's effulgence, not a strain
"From all the tenants of the warbling shades
“Ascends, but whence his bosom can partake
"Fresh pleasure unreproved *."

:. Possessed of this internal peace, the earth exhibits to our view something more than a steril-promontory. It is a fruitful and luxuriant landscape. We see the chain of love with which the God of nature connects all his creatures. We are charmed with those feelings reflected on our souls by a ray of his divinity. We endeavour to imitate the spotless perfection of our great Creator: we

* Akenside's Pleasures of the Imagination..

are

are encouraged to do so by the book of glad tidings, and by the image of himself which beamed upon the world in the

of Jesus Christ.

"We feel within ourselves

"His energy divine: he tells the heart,
"He meant, he made us to behold and love
"What he beholds and loves, the general orb

"Of life and being; to be great like him

Beneficent and active. Thus the men

person

"Whom nature's works can charm with God himself
"Hold converse; grow familiar, day by day,
"With his conceptions, act upon his plan,
"And form to his the relish of their souls."

When the essence of religion is thus incorporated with the heart of man, we see before our eyes a different being from that which nature, independent of this principle, presented to us. Instead of boisterous and tumultuous passions, behold righteousness and peace! Instead of wars and fightings, see! gentleness and joy. This is not an imaginary contrast. Christianity every where assures us of its truth. Its principles tend directly to this delightful point, and sometimes, alas! but sometimes, we behold it realized. That this conduct is not general,

should

should be no discouragement to attempt it. Every advance towards it brings its own comforts with it. It is " a tree of life to "them that lay hold upon it, and happy "is every one that retaineth it."

Το possess a mind thus tempered by the pure spirit of the gospel, is to experience all the enjoyments which nothing but such a possession can bestow. Internal peace comprehends every blessing, and is not to be ruffled by the contentions of the world. Public quarrels such a character will avoid, as the general disturbers of the earth; and he will keep himself free from private animosities, as not only evil in themselves, but the root and origin of a thousand other evils. His conversation is in heaven; his thoughts are turned towards his Maker from the dawn of the morning, to the last and deepest shade of the evening. Every inward meditation confirms his heart in goodness, and every prospect of the world opens his sensibilities to all his fellow-creatures. Such the man whom the Lord delighteth to honour. He converses in the world, for the world's benefit, and his own; but he is

neither