as far as possible, " be conformed to Christ," " having the same mind as was in him," and " walking in all things as he walked." He would not willingly retain a right hand or a right eye that caused him to offend: his one labour and ambition is, to " stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." It is in this way that he " puts on the Lord Jesus Christ ;" and it is in this way that " Christ becomes all in all*^!"]
2. A corresponding conduct in their lives — [The particular things enumerated by the Psalmist are for the most part overlooked, as though they were of minor im- portance: but, in truth, they enter deeply into the Christian character, and will serve as most decisive tests of the existence and measure of our integrity. In true Christians, then, the following marks are found : —
They abstain from imcharitahle censures. — Amongst false professors, even as amongst the ungodly world, there is a lamentable want of tenderness to the characters of others : they will receive, and circulate, a false report, without ever con- sidering how great an injury they do to him who is thus calumniated. They will suffer their minds to be prejudiced against a brother without any just occasion; and will even feel more alienation from him on account of some quality which they disapprove, than attachment to him for many qualities which render him worthy of their esteem. But the true Israelite will not deal out such measure to his neighbours: he will rather put a favourable construction on the tilings which admit of doubt, and cast a veil over the faults which are too plain to be denied. He will in this matter conform himself to the golden rule, of ' Doing to others as he would have them do to him.'
They observe equity in estimating the characters of men. — They will not be lenient towards offences in the rich, which they condemn with severity in the poor ; nor will they suffer their regards to be influenced by the pride of life or the preju- dice of party. Magistrates, indeed, they will reverence as bearing an authority vested in them by God himself; but it is the office that they will reverence ; just as Paul reverenced the high priest, notwithstanding the injustice with which he exe- cuted his high office : but the contemners of God will, as such, be pitied and contemned by every true Christian ; and those who fear God will on that account be loved and honoured by him, whatever station they may fill, or to whatever party they may belong. He wiU from his inmost soid unite in the Apostle's benediction, " Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."
^ See Rom. xiii. 14. and Col. iii. 11.; which passages refer, the one to the graces of Christ, and the other to the image of Christ in the soul
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