prevailed ! Some have thought that piety thus exercised would excite admiration in all who beheld it: but unhappily we know the contrary : for our blessed Lord exhibited it in its utmost possible perfection ; and was the more hated on account of the brightness of his example. But still there is something in this conduct that carries its own evidence along with it; and we cannot but feel, that the more it prevails, the more happiness must be diffused all around us. Only conceive, for a moment, every professor of Christianity " walking pre- cisely as Christ walked," " not pleasing himself" in any thing, but studying in all things to please, and benefit, mankind ! Conceive him to be so intent on this blessed work, as readily to bear all manner of reproaches and distresses for the furtherance of it ! Could this fail of diffusing happiness wherever he went? Let it then be our endeavour to foster, both in ourselves and others, this heavenly disposition : and " whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, let us think of these things," and practise these things'5; that so all men may " see that we are Christ's, by the Spirit which he has given us."]
2. How little is there of true religion in the world!
[In polished society we behold some semblance of this : the very essence of good breeding is, so to demean ourselves as to give no offence to any, but pleasure and satisfaction to all. And it is happy for the world, that, where higher prin- ciples are wanting, there is a substitute for piety in the esta- blished usages of mankind. But however this substitute may answer many valuable purposes in society, it is of no value in the sight of God, since it is almost always laid aside in the domestic circle, and never exercised from any principle of love to God. In truth, we cannot conceive any thing more con- trary to the deportment of the Lord Jesus Christ, than the insincere professions, which pass for politeness among men : so that it is in vain to look for any conformity to Christ in the world. Nor shall we find much even in the Church itself. There is a deplorable want of a Christian spirit amongst the generality of those who profess the Gospel. Every party, instead of endeavouring by kindness and concessions to con- ciliate others, is ready to erect a barrier against others, on purpose to prevent that harmony which should subsist amongst all the members of Christ's mystical body. " Brethren, these things ought not so to be :" they are most offensive to God, and most injurious to yourselves : and yet persons who live in the indulgence of these hateful tempers, will call themselves followers of Christ ; as if " a fountain could at the same place
« Phil. iv. 8.