XLI.

Whofe I am, and whom I ferve.-Acts, xxvii. 3.

THIS beautiful and affecting passage gives us

St. Paul's account of the dedication of himself to God; whofe I am, says he, and whom I ferve. His property I am, and to him all my fervices are due. I am his, firft by creation: and then by redemption; and I ferve him from motives of love, gratitude, duty, and intereft.-Happy is that man, who speaking of God, can add with the holy apostle, whofe I am, and whom I serve.

XLII.

They meafuring themselves by themselves, and cam paring themfelves among themselves, are not wife.-2 Cor. x. 12.

THE apostle here reproves the practice of meafuring, and comparing ourselves among our felves. It may be done in feveral ways.

A man may compare his virtues with his defects, under an idea of exalting the former, and depreffing the latter. The proud Pharifee feems to have been well acquainted with this mode of comparison. His fafting, and giving alms feem entirely to have oc cupied his thoughts. Whereas it is the grand point of religion to engage us to dwell on our faults; and think lowly of our virtues. He who exalteth him. felf is always an object of condemnation.

People again are fometimes satisfied with their religious improvements, if they measure and com

pare

pare themselves with the improvements of others. The proud Pharifee was acquainted with this mode of comparison alfo; and was very well fatisfied if he could measure himself with a publican.-This mode of comparing, by which we endeavour to set off our own virtues by an oppofition with the vices of others, is a moft pernicious mode of comparison. Instead of producing virtue, it only encourages uncharitableness and pride.

There is another mode of comparing ourselves not indeed fo mifchievous as the laft; but often dangerous-and that is, when we fet up fome perfon before us as a pattern to imitate. Virtues are fo often blended with defects, that no human being can exhibit a perfect pattern. Unless therefore we felect with caution, and copy with care, which in the midst of prejudice, is a business of difficulty, we may eafily imitate faults, as well as virtues.

In fact, the only infallible guide we have for measuring and comparing ourselves is the fcripture, where we have the example, and the duty of a christian perfectly delineated.

There is however one mode of measuring ourfelves by ourselves, which the apostle would not call unwife: and that is, when a man, at different periods

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periods of his life, measures his improvements in religion, not by the improvement of others, but by his own. This may give him an infight into himself, which he cannot have fo well perhaps in any other way

There is an excellent little book under the title of Selfemployment in fecret, written with great fimplicity, and piety, by the late Mr. CORBET of Chichester, and printed by Rivington, which fets forth in a very affecting manner, the duty of comparing the different parts of our lives.

XLIII.

It became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many fons to glory, to make the captain of their falvation perfect through fufferings.-Hebrews, ii. 10.

THIS paffage feems to have been sometimes misunderstood, as if the character of Jefus Christ could be made more perfect by fuffering. In the words, no doubt, there is fome ambiguity: but the fenfe is clear.

The great dignity of Chrift as the Meffiah, in the beginning of the chapter, is set forth in the strongest manner. The world is put under fubjection to him; he is crowned with glory, and honour, and fet over all the works of God. Such a Being therefore had no need to be made perfect through Sufferings.

It is evident then the apoftle speaks of our Saviour in the paffage before us, as the Redeemer

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