sons of such an instructer? What he has done for us entitles him surely to some regard; his perfect excellence may claim at least a faint imitation. Can we desire to be greater or more honourable than Our Saviour? Can we doubt that he well knew how to appreciate and to attain both true greatness and lasting honour? Or be it that he has called us to shame and degradation; to the abandonment of many things we could have desired, and a submission even to some indignities: The path to which we are invited has been trodden by our Redeemer and our God. We walk, as it were, on hallowed earth; every step is consecrated by the memorials of his presence. There is something in the constitution of nature, which to a generous mind makes the renunciation of those things which are com monly desired for the sake of a beloved object, more delightful, as it is far more ennobling, than the satisfaction of possessing them. And such, in a still higher measure, is every sacrifice, even the " loss of all," that we "may win Christ." To partake willingly in his humility and abasement here, while it forms us to a capacity for the highest enjoyments; will afford, I am persuaded, the truest foretaste of the happiness prepared for us in the participation of his glory hereafter.

Excepting Love, which is "the fulfilling of the Law," Humility is perhaps the most comprehensive of all the Christian graces. It resembles indeed that first of virtues, in this striking peculiarity, that, diffusing its influence in different directions, it em

braces the relations which connect us both to God

and to man, nefactor it implies the feeling acknowledgment of our guilt and unworthiness; filial Reverence and Fear; an entire reliance upon the merits of our Saviour; a willing Submission to the dictates and impressions of the Spirit; Patience under God's fatherly chastisements; perfect Resignation to his holy will. In respect to Man, it supposes a Readiness to yield the superiority to others, and an Inclination to believe them to be wiser and better than ourselves; a hearty Indifference both for ourselves and our families, to the possession of rank, station, honours, wealth, and whatever is allied to worldly consequence and applause; Meekness under every provocation; Contentment in every condition. Humility is in truth the expression of many heavenly graces; like that original white in the natural world, which includes in its composition the other colours, and is itself the purest of them all.

With reference to our Heavenly Be

It cannot reasonably surprize us, that a temper so excellent as this, should in general be acquired rather slowly, and seldom be found on earth in its perfect state. The Teachers of Religion have always complained of the difficulty they experience in persuading men thoroughly to renounce all selfrighteousness, and receive the offers of free grace as unworthy sinners; and it is probable that this repugnance to the humbling doctrines of the Gospel, has been the reason why some have been too apt to consider the acceptance of those truths, as alone de

ciding the character, and comprehending almost the whole of Religion. Yet without questioning in any degree the indisposition of men to the reception of these truths, it may reasonably be doubted whether that branch of Humility which respects our fellow-creatures, is not practically the most difficult of attainment. God is so excellent, and man in his own nature so evil, that it is really astonishing that the doctrine of Salvation by free grace should find much opposition; it is as if one tottering under a palsy, or sinking under an atrophy, should refuse cordials from a confidence in the strength of his constitution. Submission also to the Divine authority is powerfully taught, by that necessity which none can resist, and of which all are conscious; and it is the less offensive to us, because between man and his Maker there can be no semblance of equality. But when we descend to the field of earthly competitions, the character of the question alters. Here we are surrounded by thousands who are only a little stronger or weaker a little more knowing or more ignorant than ourselves. We act with beings of whom many are proud, and vain, and selfish, and unreasonable, and unfeeling. We see artificial distinctions allied to natural imbecility, and powerful qualities debased by vice. All these things dispose us to sustain with some jealousy our claims to consideration; and unhappily we have the example of multitudes, acting as if nothing was insupportable but the want of worldly consequence. It is no easy matter to resist entirely

the contagion of such a distemper. Yet the renunciation of lofty thoughts and projects, is but the first lesson of Christian meekness. What self-denial, what self-discipline are necessary before we acquire that fine edge and temper of soul, which can resist the sharpest provocations; that benign humility which receives an affront and a courtesy almost with equal sweetness? How spiritual; how holy, how elevated must be that mind, which can contemplate exaltation and obscurity, poverty and riches, with an equal aspect; or rather which can prefer the conditions which others fear, because they are most congenial to the character and most favourable to the cultivation of a true lowliness. Perfect Humility is perfect disinterestedness; the annihilation of every selfish desire, imagination, and action. It is the foundation and best ally of true Benevolence, banishing all those anxieties and competitions which obstruct the diffusion of affectionate sentiments; opening every source of Love, and give ing it to flow around in a full and tranquil stream of benignant happiness.

Yet let not the extent and perfection of this grace tempt us to suppose that it is unattainable, or that few can be expected to aspire to such a height in Holiness. A considerable measure of true Humility is essential to the very existence of Religion; nor have we any solid reason for believing that it is possessed even in the smallest degree, except there is a hearty desire to possess it in the greatest.

Let us consider also how greatly this blessed disposition is honoured by the word of God himself. It was the temper of mind which our Saviour selected, as it were, out of all the graces which adorned his character, and proposed for the imitation of hs followers. It is that which has been exalted and consecrated by the peculiar testimony of Jehovah.

Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity; I dwell in the high and holy place;-with him also that is of an humble and contrite spirit." The loftiest flight of ambition is up to the thrones of Princes; its widest range is the admiration of a few of the perishing generations of men: But humility is honoured by the presence of the King of Kings; by His approbation and applause who is from everlasting to everlasting.

It is not unimportant to observe that the Lowli ness of mind which is inculcated by the Gospel, should never either in character or speculation, be separated from that perfect confidence in our God and Saviour, to which it is most naturally allied. In itself it is undoubtedly a principle of abasement, not of exaltation; of submission, not of energy; it rather neutralizes what is evil in man, than animates to action his nobler faculties and powers: so that in ts solitary influence some colour might be afforded for the old reproach of Infidelity, that Christians are a groveling low-spirited race, unfit for the efforts and collisions of busy life. But Humility united to Faith, assumes a very different character. Like