nature. Whether there be prophecies, fays he, they fhall fail; that is, they fhall be completed, and fo at an end whether there be tongues, they fhall cease the ufe of no earthly language fhall be wanted whether there be knowledge, it shall va nifh away; for, as the apoftle proceeds to argue, when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part fhall be done away. But charity, he tells us, never faileth: it is unextinguished by death-it triumphs over the grave: we carry it with us to heaven, and there only it is complete and perfect.

Upon the whole then we fee, that if we wish to please God, by living up to the religion we profefs, we must put on charity as the bond of perfectness-as that virtue which must tie all other virtues closely to us-which muft unite us with each other in this world, and with God Almighty in the next.

III. LET us then, laftly, confider-which is the great confideration of all-whether we are poffeffed of this excellent difpofition?

In the first place, have we fuch a charity as fuffereth long, and is kind? Have we learned, my brethren, that gofpel-leffon, to return evil

with good? Do we flame out into the exceffes of anger?-do we meditate revenge?-do we re joice in the misfortunes of an adversary, and liften to no offers of reconciliation? If these be the feelings of our hearts, we may depend upon it they are not yet inftructed in that charity which the gofpet requires.

Again, have we that charity that envieth notthat vaunteth not itself that is not puffed up that doth not behave itself unfeemly? Do we discover any thing like envy in our own breafts? Do we ever feel a fecret pleasure in the misfortunes of others, merely because they are richer, or better, or more taken notice of than ourselves? Let us search our hearts; and if we do, let us imme diately shut them out among the greatest dif turbers of our own quiet, and the greatest cor ruptors of every religious fentiment,

Again, if we are advanced in life, are we in folent and overbearing to our inferiors? Are we lifted up by the little advantages of station or fortune? Do we behave with that disgusting pride, which fhews the high opinion we have of ourselves, and our contempt for others? If we fuffer any of these things to get poffefsion of our

hearts,

hearts, we may affure ourselves, that we have not yet attained that charity which the apostle defcribes.

Again, let us confider whether we have fuch a charity, as secketh not its own. Do we endeavour to make others happy around us; or have we that selfishness which cares little who is in want, if we are not in want ourselves; or if we are in health, cares not who around us is fick ? If we feel in ourfelves a difpofition leading us into these selfish fentiments, we may affure ourfelves we have not yet attained that charity which the apostle describes.

Again, is our charity fuch as is not easily provoked as thinketh no evil-as rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth? Or, on the other hand, are we able to bear the little affronts and peevish humours of others; or are we apt,. on every trifling occafion, to take offence, and turn each little circumftance which has no meaning in it, or next to none, into an affront? Are wwe peevish and fullen in our families at home, diftreffing thofe with our ill-humours who are unfortunately connected with us? Can we fee a neighbour in misfortune, though brought on

by

by his own folly, and feel a pleasure in comparing our own prudence and happiness with his distress?-Or, on the other hand, does our hap+ piness arife chiefly from those fources which the truths of religion, and, of course, the offices of humanity, fuggeft?By these questions we may try our hearts, whether they poffefs that charity which the apostle deferibes.

Lastly, is our charity fuch as beareth all things -endureth all things-believeth all things-hopeth all things? Or, do we feel ourselves forward in telling abroad every bad thing we hear of an erring neighbour? Are we pleafed with an opportunity of carrying it about as news? Are we always ready to put a bad conftruction, rather than a good one, upon our neighbour's actions? Have we never any little favourable circumstance to add that may leffen his quiet? And, when the matter touches ourfelves, when any little unhandsome thing is faid of us, can we bear it patiently, leaving our good lives to beat it down? -If we cannot do all this, we may affure ourfelves we have not yet made the proficiency we ought in that charity which the apostle recom. mends.

LET

LET us then, my brethren, try ourselves in this important matter, by the rules the apostle hath given us. Thefe notices of duty are our best way-marks to lead us forward to our bleffed home. Working miracles, fpeaking with tongues, and understanding all myfteries, we are told, are of no effect without charity. Let us then, who have none of thefe gifts, endeavour to have fo much more of that virtue which is fuperior to them all, and which without them will qualify us, we hope, through the merits of Chrift, for God's favour.

On the other hand, let us reflect how noble an incitement it fhould be to us, that by the attainment of this holy difpofition, which it is in every body's power to attain, the lowest amongst us, however mean his condition and however unfurnished his mind, may make himself more pleasing in the fight of God, than even a prophet or an apostle without it.

Let us beware, however, of making compa rifons; for it is not, we know, the language of charity to cry out, God, I thank thee that I am

not as other men are.

Let us not then employ ourfelves in forming judgments of others, but in amending ourselves. The best of us will find

employ.