This spirit and practice will be seen, among all those who are really joined to Christ, and walk in him as they have received him.

We may add, that in proportion as this spirit gains influence. among the nations of the world, it will dispose them to adjust and settle differences, without resorting to war and bloodshed. He shall speak peace unto the heathen; and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.' Such is the fruit and effect of the Spirit of Christ and all his subjects are of a peaceful disposition. 'Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.'

2. Love. This is an ardent desire in the soul, to please and honor God in all things. It is the essence and soul of all true religion, and the fulfilling of the law of God.

We love God, because he first loved us. Without this, if we understood all mysteries, and had all knowledge, and could speak all languages, we should be nothing.

But in this age of religious speculation, when many are found to put in their claims of love to God, and it is feared in many instances without authority from his written word, it is important to give some of the evidences of love, by which we may try ourselves and not be deceived. 1. Love to God will show itself, by an ardent desire to resemble him in his moral nature. God is holy. We are imperceptibly drawn to adopt the principles, imbibe the spirit, and imitate the examples of earthly friends whom we love. If we love God we shall desire to be holy, and in all things to be conformed to him.

In this state man was created in the beginning, but by transgression has fallen from it. But through Jesus Christ we have been redeemed, and called to holiness; and this only can fit us for the heavenly state. 'Be ye holy, for I am holy and without holiness no man can see the Lord.' He, therefore, that loves God, will ardently desire to be saved from the guilt and practice of sin; and to be wholly freed from the defilement of sin. And God has taught us to pray for this; and has promised it to all who seek it by faith. Deliver us from evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Such as love God will dwell on him in their thoughts with pleasure. If we have an earthly object we love in a high degree, our thoughts involuntarily fix on that object; and if at any time they are called off they quickly fly back to that object. If we truly love God, our thoughts and desires will continually centre in him. As the needle always tends to the pole, and is only at rest

while it points thither, so he that loves God dwells with great delight on this object of supreme affection. 3. This love will show itself by keeping all God's commandments. • If ye love me, keep my commandments. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father. If a man love me, he will keep my words.' There can be no genuine love to God, unless we study to know, and cheerfully do his will in all things, great and small. 4. But he who loves God, will love his neighbor also. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.' It is in this way we give proof, that we are the disciples of Christ. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.' It will be seen in all our acts of kindness and friendship towards our fellow creatures, both to their bodies and souls.

But we are not only to love the pious and good, and those who love us; for if we do only this, What do we more than others? Sinners love those who are friendly to them. But we are to love and forgive our bitterest enemies. 'Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.' The Saviour showed this disposition while on the earth, and all his followers are inspired with a degree of the same spirit.

Christians should frequently examine themselves, and see what feelings they exercise towards those who oppose them, and persecute the church of Christ. Love worketh no ill towards our fellow creatures; but is compassionate, kind, and forgiving. And this is one of the fruits of the Spirit. May we show it in our life.

3. Joy. This arises from a sense of God's mercy communicated to the soul in the pardon of sin, and the prospect of eternal glory. This joy is in the Lord. The men of this world rejoice in their wisdom, strength, riches, honors and friends, but the true believer rejoices in none of these; for they are all unsatisfactory, fading and passing away. He rejoices in God, as the never-failing source of good to all his believing people. His nature, perfections, and government afford him ground for permanent joy.

The believer also rejoices in his duty. While multitudes are ashamed to pray and speak for God, though they are not ashamed to take his name in vain, and commit sins against him and their own souls, and even glory in doing it; the Christian rejoices in taking up his cross, denying himself of all sin, coming out from the world, and performing every Christian duty, in its proper time and place. He rejoices in the privilege of following his Saviour, in all the ordinances and duties enjoined in his gospel.

God's people rejoice in their prospects. They rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.' The impenitent would pass along tolerably well, were it not for fear of the future. The very idea of meeting God in death,-going into eternity, and standing before Him in judgment, harrows up their souls, and torments them from day to day. These awful forebodings and warnings of conscience, which all feel more or less, who have not the spirit of Christ, bearing witness with their spirit that they are accepted of God, make tne condition of the sinner miserable indeed. But he who has the spirit of Christ dwelling in him enabling him to say, 'My Lord, and my God,' rejoices in the prospect of these events. The believer is assured that to die in Christ is gain; that it will put an end to all the labors and sorrows of the present life; increase his bliss; perfect his knowledge in the ways of providence; join him to the triumphant church; and eternally fix him beyond the reach of pain, sickness and death. He anticipates a happy meeting with departed friends, who have gone to heaven, and that he shall not only ser these, but Jesus Christ, his very best friend. He believes that Christ will own him as one of his friends, before his Father and the holy angels; and in the day of judgment say, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'

With these hopes and prospects, who would not rejoice at the idea of going from this to another world? And all this is the fruit of God's Spirit, in all those who are born of God, and are sealed with the spirit of promise.

4. Long-suffering. This is a patient and forbearing spirit, while suffering injuries and provocations from others, from the consideration that God has borne long with us. It is through God's longsuffering that we have not been consumed.

From the consideration of God's forbearance towards us, and its happy tendency, we should be induced to show a similar spirit towards enemies and persecutors.

The conduct and spirit of those who are under the influence of the carnal mind, is very different. They are impelled forward by the wicked spirit of retaliation and revenge. Not willing to rest their cause in the hands of a righteous God, they usurp the reins of government, and would fain punish immediately such as offend them.

Our Divine Saviour showed a very different spirit, under all the insults and provocations, which he experienced while here among the vilest of sinners. He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted; yet he opened not his mouth; he was brought as a lamb to

the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.'

This spirit is exemplified more or less in all those who have put on Christ, and are bearing the fruits of holiness. If called hard names, traduced in their characters, abused in their persons or injured in their prosperity, for Christ's sake; they remember that the servant is not greater than his Lord, and if they have done these things to Christ, his followers must expect the same. They, therefore, commit their cause into the hands of him, who will avenge his own elect-who will eventually justify them before the world, and cause shame and confusion to cover their enemies and persecutors. The long-suffering of God towards them excites the spirit of forbearance towards persecuting and blinded sinners. And as Christ has done so much for them, and they hope for so much at his hand, they count it an honor and privilege to be permitted to suffer for him; knowing that if they suffer with him, they shall also reign with him.

Long-suffering shows itself in a readiness to forgive injuries. Those who are unwilling to forgive their fellow beings, should not expect forgiveness from God. How can such offer that petition, Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us?' The most noble and generous minds are always most ready to forgive offences; and it is a mark of meanness, as well as baseness of mind, to harbor an unforgiving temper.

A Christian is ready to forgive those who have done him the greatest injuries; for he has a measure of the same spirit, which led the Saviour to say, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' Christians cannot too frequently examine themselves, and the feelings they indulge towards those who persecute and oppose them: for we should not only inquire how we do, but also how we feel towards others.

Long-suffering is manifested in bearing the sufferings of this life without murmuring or repining; and submitting cheerfully to every dispensation of God's holy providence. The state of the soul, and the Christian graces, may be tested by our conduct under afflictions. God has wisely designed to try and prove his followers, by the multiplied and varied trials of this life; and to convince Satan and all his servants, that his grace is sufficient for them at all times.

But when the heart is not right before God, we are inclined to complain, and repine under the discipline and wise government of an unerring Deity. We are disposed to consider all these things against us, when they are, in fact, wisely intended for our spiritual and everlasting good. It is often said, We could bear any affliction but this. But he who knows the heart, and from whom nothing can be concealed, knows where the distempered blood is; and there applies the lancet, however painful the operation.

This accounts for the sensitiveness which is shown, when our 'Isaacs' are taken or our idols removed.

danger where we least suspect it, and in

sonable remedy.

God sees we are often in

mercy applies the sea

Afflictions are wisely intended to quicken our pace, and urge us onward to the heavenly goal, as well as to sever the ties that bind us to earth, and make us long for that better country. And such as have a single eye, and faith in lively exercise, and the love of God burning upon their hearts, will rest assured, that these light afflictions are intended by their heavenly Father for their best good. Hence they will be enabled to say from the heart, The will of the Lord be done--What! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?' And this resignation of soul to the providential dealings of God, is one of the fruits which flow from the Holy Spirit.

5. Gentleness. Softness, or mildness of disposition and behavior. It stands opposed to harshness and severity, violence and oppression. James iii. 17. Not rigid and unyielding in things of minor importance, where no moral principle is involved. It by no means yields to the opinions or practices of others, where truth and virtue are to be sacrificed. It gives up no just right from fear, but with a firm and Christian spirit contends for truth and justice.

It shows itself in affability and urbanity of manners; modesty of deportment, sweetness of temper, and amiableness of conduct in our intercourse with the world. The grace of God, and a suitable education, will subdue the corrupt and stormy passions of the human heart; refine the affections, and direct them to their proper objects; and fit men for the different relations in society, and for a brighter world.

And how important that Christians should cultivate this grace, in their intercourse with the world: and how much more useful would many of them be, if this grace were enjoyed and practised in a higher degree! Is it not a fact, that many, whom we have reason to believe have some degree of grace, are comparatively useless in the world, by reason of rough, uncouth, and unkind manners?

Christians should endeavor, therefore, to be courteous and civil; and never unnecessarily give pain or offence to any one; but convince all, that Christianity has improved their hearts and lives, fitted them for usefulness, and for the amiable society of heaven. 6. Goodness. This is the next fruit of the Spirit.

It is an ardent and perpetual desire, and sincere study, not only to abstain from all evil, but to do all possible good to the bodies and the souls of men. And this cannot spring from a heart unre