pray to God for that grace and assistance to obey his laws, which is promised to all those who ask it with a sincere and humble heart.nols seeds bas .seoT boD stil lomers to ancitiboo0.

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31 889220g of deiw yout bas ti basho no -sb of bred ti ban yods Joy ¿29vl9zm9d3 „201udinto eti ens tdwei di tadw edire -sup 9181 todt ei tleteienoo ti tedy nibus ON SIMPLICITY, OR SINGLENESS OF

elf 5 Srique et de sdr to vtil

HEART, AND ITS EFFECTS.

-e neved 20 T Jison to ignia doniw bum to zoutdaiqu ns zi qtioilą syrodoaib edi mi bltsq bodooтo on ex592 1. THERE is a kind of simplicity which is worldly, and which, among men,"1is ↑ accounted a fault: there is another sort of simplicity, which is an heavenly virtue. We condemn that simplicity which consists in a want of discernment, or an ignorance of people and things; andi when we have occasion to speak of this quality, we always represent the person! to whom it belongs as credulous, weak, and silly. Ive That sim simplicity which which is

A

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virtue, far from being weak, or blind, is Virgoule to

something celestial and sublime Alf usm and of lost

those who are virtuous, know and feel on to decoledi

admire and esteem it in

what it is; they admire and

others; they are sensible when they hurt

or offend it, and they wish to possess it themselves; yet they find it hard to describe what it is, what are its attributes, and in what it consists. It is that rare quality of the soul, which the calls singleness of heart. This heavenly simplicity is an uprightness of mind, which seeks no crooked paths in the discharge of its duty, no fond applauding gratification of vanity and self-love, but performs its various duties for the approbation of God alone: it is a higher virtue than sin cerity, and of a different kind. Many are sincere, without possessing this simplicity. The sincere man will say nothing that he does not believe to be true, and he desires to pass only for what he really is; and he is ever studying, and exami ning himself, lest he should should get credit with the world for what he is not. These are the distinguishing marks of sincerity; but a man may act and feel in this man345 CUM 52009 ner, and yet not possess the least of true and heavenly simplicity;-and though sin

cerity is a great virtue, yet, when it is not accompanied (at least in some degree) by simple ity, it often degenerates into very unamiable qualities ; fits becomes oppressive, teazing, precise, and constrained, with others; it is not ats ease with them, nor they with it; and we imperceptibly feel that we should love those better, who were less rigidly true, less exactly good; because we are ourselves so full of imperfections.

or singleness of heart, due simplicity,

give us a just

and proper degree of devotion to our God, and of attention to our duties in this world: it will prevent us from giving to any unworthy object the first place în our affections; and yet the influence which our natural and social ties have upon our hearts, will preserve us from that unbending and unfeeling stoicism, that intolerance of our fellow-creatures, which is apt to tincture a sincere and religious disposition, when there is no indulgence of the gentler affectionsteur

Jo2zi If we would wish our dearest friend (to be so simple, and so free in his intercourse with us, that he should even forget himself; and his own self-love, how much -more do we owe this resignation, and fif I may so express it) abandonment of our-selves to God, who is our truest and most compassionate Friend and Father? Use, therefore, your utmost exertions to attain this rare and divine quality, which is so acceptable in the sight of God. You are, perhaps, at present, far from possessing it:-no matter; let this be only an additional reason for your endeavours after it: Pray earnestly for the grace of God, and, assisted by it, you need not despair. Alas! the greater number of those who bear the name of Christians, are neither simple nor sincere, towards God or their neighbour; nor even toward themselves. The Psalmist says, that all men are naturally deceitful; and it is but too true. Even those, in whom ingehuousness and sincerity make the fairest