as this way is, " I have shewn you a more excellent way," and would most earnestly exhort you to walk in it. The way of charity is indeed a more excellent way ; and it may well regulate you, even in the pro- secution of your studies. You will remember that the Apostle says, " Covet earnestly the best gifts." And he tells us plainly what the best gifts are : " God has set some in the Church ; first, apostles ; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that, miracles; then, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues ^" Now, here you will notice, that his judgment was in direct opposition to that of the Corinthians in general. They put the speaking with tongues in the first place, because that was the gift which excited the most admiration, and attracted the most applause : and they accounted the prophets, that is, the expounders of God's blessed word, as low in comparison of them. But the Apostle inverted that order altogether : he put the prophets and teachers next in order to the Apostles ; and placed the diversities of tongues the very lowest of all. He estimated these gifts by a very different standard from that which obtained amongst the vain ostenta- tious Corinthians : he judged of gifts by their useful- ness to the souls of men. And this is the judgment which I would recommend to you. Let not your time be so occupied with things curious, or enter- taining, or calculated to excite the admiration of men, as to neglect, or keep upon the back-ground, those things which are of practical utility to the Church of God. Learn to estimate these things, not by the world's standard, but by God's : and lay out your time and strength most in those things which will most conduce to the benefit of God's Church and people.
And this you will do, if you cultivate the grace of charity. You will act to God, and not to man. You will seek the edification of your own souls, in every thing that is amiable and praiseworthy ; and you will move in the sphere appointed you, so as most to
<■ 1 Cor.xii, 28. VOL. XVI. Y