science; before whom the fervent desire of his soul continually ascends in this "Search me, O

prayer,

God, and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts; see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

SUNDAY XXVII.

CHAP. XXVII.

On the Tempers of a Christian towards God.

CARE to imitate the example which he left us, when he was manifest in the flesh, is a principal part of a Christian's temper. He watches, prays, and labours with success, to have implanted in his soul mercy, forbearance, love of righteousness, and hatred of iniquity. These excellencies in Jesus Christ, without measure, he contemplates; upon this allperfect pattern his eyes are fixed, as a limner's on an invaluable original, which he copies; and, by persevering attention, its transforming efficacy is felt in his soul.

But granting mere character, though bright as an angel's, is too refined to produce imitation, a Christian has the express command of his Lord, whom he loves to obey, enjoining him to tread in his steps. "Ye call me master and Lord, and ye say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you," John xiii.

This injunction has a strong tendency to make every temper, contrary to the mind that was in

Christ, appear to a believer deformed, and very criminal. He sees the mean hypocrisy of professing to be a follower of Christ, without conformity to his image; a conformity which manifests itself by a measure of every grace which shone in his life; and in hatred, not of one evil temper or another, but of the whole body of sin. Though some may repre-' sent this as carrying the holiness of a Christian to an unwarrantable height, we have authority incontestable to affirm, that every living member of Christ's church must shine in a real resemblance of his moral excellency. We all beholding as in a glass (in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ) the glory of the Lord, are changed into his image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of our God. And this imitation of Christ becomes easy, from the love a Christian bears towards him: for we copy with pleasure the manners of the person we admire; especially if, added to his excellencies, his generosity to us has been striking and most beneficial. This is the case between creatures, whose richest favours are but a small value, and amongst whom the brightest characters are very imperfect. How much more powerfully must a Christian's heart be affected in pondering the riches of the Saviour's love, and his unspeakable kindness! He is drawn by a secret attraction to imitate his character, who is his peace and hope, his life, and God, and all.

Such love does more than excite to imitation; it creates love to God, and supreme delight in him. Man, sunk under bodily appetites, understands not that God can be a richer source of present joy, than money, grandeur, sensuality, or even the sciences. Hence, expressions of supreme love to him, though unsullied by enthusiasm, fall under censure with the world. They will have it, that such expressions, though they abound in scripture, are without a

meaning. And what we call warmth of affection towards God is all ascribed to temperature of body, quicker circulation of the blood, or the power of imagination.

A Christian on the contrary, loves the invisible and eternal God as really as covetous men love their money, the voluptuous their gross delights, or parents their offspring. He loves him, because his name is all excellent, and his goodness eclipses, at once, all that is praised amongst men. Almighty power manifest in his works,,unerring wisdom, unblemished truth, tender mercy, holiness which cannot bear with evil; in short, every thing fitted to raise the admiration of an intelligent being is united in God, and made palpable by his revelation of himself in Christ Jesus. From these views a Christian is won to love God, and express his love, by entertaining high and adoring thoughts of him; by meditating on him with pleasure.

This love of God for his own perfections, though not commonly discerned in a Christian at first, yet, as he grows in knowledge and faith, becomes indisputable. It has a strong influence, even whilst he doubts whether he shall be saved; because he will still esteem and speak good of his name: he will constantly and zealously maintain his truth, and commend his precepts, be faithful in his service, and prize nothing so much as his favour.

Besides the incomparable excellency of God, a Christian has other motives to love him; for the more benefit we derive from any person excellent in himself, the more life we feel in our affections towards him. But the chief good to a Christian is his God; all beneath him is mean, transitory, dissatisfying. But his glory shining into the mind, and his peace enjoyed, make him cry out, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth I

desire besides thee." He cannot be happy whilst a cloud remains upon his mind, and prevents his fellowship with the Father and with the Son. The vehement desires of his soul he expresses in such requests as these: "Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit." And when he can call God his God, it animates and gives him joy, more than all riches; it satisfies him in the midst of trouble. Under false accusations and reproach, he finds comfort in the thought, that his best friend can never be deceived, but will, in due time, make his innocency shine forth. In afflictions, distresses, and necessities, it is his strong support, that the Lord knoweth his path; and when he is tried, he shall come forth as gold. In national calamities, which spread consternation on every side, a Christian finds a place of refuge, and a never-failing spring of peace, so as to possess his soul in patience, knowing he hath a treasure above the reach of all that annoys and terrifies the children of men.

Such illustrious proofs of love to God, and the all-sufficient comfort it affords, we find on record, even before the kingdom of Heaven was preached. This more full display, therefore, of divine love to men must certainly be equal to such a blessed effect. Habakkuk, strong in faith, could say, "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine; the labour of the olives shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the field, and there shall be no herd in the stall yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Could a man of like passions with ourselves experience such full consolation from the love of God, under the comparative dimness of the Jewish dispensation? Certainly, now

the day-spring from on high has visited us, the love of God will enable a Christian to feel as high delight in him. And if we see very few experience any thing comparable to this, yet the desire of all who are Christians in truth is to do so. They prove this, by condemning and opposing the first tendency in themselves to impatience, though in great tribulation. They lament the weakness of their faith, saying Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou so disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I will yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

Whether, therefore, the Christian be weak or strong, it is apparent that his love is set upon God. When he rejoices in pain and tribulation, then his love to God flames forth with astonishing brightness. When he grieves that he cannot find his heart thus honour him, it is as sure a proof of supreme love; because, otherwise, he could not possibly feel grief and shame for want of joy in the Lord at such a season. To natural men, it is a thing unintelligible. The utmost they suppose man's fortitude of mind can reach, is to bear with calmness, as our lot, the pains and troubles we meet with. A Christian's desire, therefore, to be strengthened with all might, according to God's glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness, from the knowledge of what God is to him, and has done for him, is a demonstration that he loves and delights in God.