meanour. And the fervour of his piety-his majestic, eloquent, and practical holiness-are more conspicuously brought forward by the Evangelist, than even the sagacity of understanding and Divine wisdom, which spoke in every action he performed, and in every word which he uttered. Meek as he was heroic, in him the lion and the lamb dwelt together. Indignant when his Father's honour was profaned, or his temple defiled-he feared not to expose, rebuke, and condemn the hypocritical Pharisee and the powerful Scribe; yet, merciful when he was himself injured, insulted, and reviled -he breathed out his soul in a prayer for his perWhere, then, shall we find a resolution so unwearied-a fortitude so invincible-a courage so enlightened?

secutors.

Redeemed by his blood, instructed by his precepts, encouraged by his example, and quickened by his Spirit, may we all diligently labour to walk in the spiritual laws which he has set before us, and to dedicate to his service all our faculties and all our powers-our reason and affections-our souls and bodies-our time and substance: thus exhibiting, in our persons, a genuine picture of true Christianity; sincere, without bigotry—and serious, without superstition. Let us recollect the agony of our Lord was real as it was tremendous,-let his bearing be our support under all the trials of pain, poverty, and grief, let us claim his promise of the Comforter-wrestle with him, like another Israel, until, by the sanctifying operations of the everlasting Spirit, we have become one with Christ, and Christ hath become one with us;-then the Spirit of Christ will speak in our souls, and meekly say, "Father, not my will, but thine be done."

London: Printed by J. Rider, 14, Bartholomew Close.

Tracts for Englishmen.

SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL

EXCELLENCE.

BY THE

REV. JOHN MILLER, M.A.

LATE FELLOW OF WORCESTER COLLEGE, OXFORD.

Social and Spiritual Excellence.

ROMANS xii. 11.

"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit."

THE point at present to be enforced is thisthat if we truly take the Scriptures for our guide and rule of life, we must endeavour to unite a social with a spiritual excellence: we must be not only creditable, but religious also.' If we are wise, we shall indeed take care to keep a conscience void of offence towards our fellow men; but much more shall we feel it to be necessary all the while to seek and to preserve a higher witness-the testimony of our conscience also, that, in the strength of the Divine Spirit, we have walked faithfully and humbly with our God. Yet, is this desirable union of religious character and practice combined with a decent worldly credit-this union of piety with daily dutyis this what we may behold commonly prevailing? I grieve to think that it is not. Around how many hearts-and that in every rank of life-where every thing that wins the praise of men appears to flourish -amongst how many whom we cannot but choose to value and respect, as neighbours, for their courtesy, their friendliness, or cheerfulness, or industry, or general integrity, and qualities of that sort, amongst how many such as these the pure flame of piety is yet wanting! How little is the first and

great commandment really thought of! I mean the true and proper love of God, leavening the heart, as the great ruling principle of life, and the foundation for the discharge of every duty, whether towards God, or towards man. How little do such persons often seem to think, or care, about the things which peculiarly are God's-the days of rest which bear his name, given us for holy and spiritual ends, and not entirely for our own pleasure-his worship-his house-his sacraments! How much less still do they consider about the image of a restored nature, presented to us as a constant pattern in the person of God's own Son, or of any of the more peculiar motives, and advantages, and obligations of the Gospel! Much as there is to like, or to respect, in very many such instances, the minister of Jesus Christ can scarcely look on them without uneasiness, and fear for things to come; lest in the day of trial they should fail, and be found wanting in the point which is alone of final consequencethe approbation of their Judge, according to "the word which he hath spoken.'

In speaking thus, it is not meant to take into account extreme cases, as of all those unhappy multitudes of men of whom it may be said too surely, that, though partakers in the letter of the Christian covenant, they are among the "enemies of the cross of Christ," being "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;" still less of open unbelievers and of scorners, who do not scruple to avow a disregard of heavenly truths, and hopes, and promises. Our present thought is of a widely different sort of men from these: it looks to instances in which the man of worldly diligence is really respectable, and worthy of the praises of his brethren as a member of society; but where the fire from heaven