long, and is kind :" from whence we may see that charity in us is of the same nature with charity in God ; or, in other words, that it is a conformitij of heart to God, whose name and character is love^.
It is yet further observable, that there is, in the original, a marked difference between the mode in which the general vieza of the subject is stated, and the particular parts of it are enumerated ; there being no copulative to connect the verbs. This distinction is marked also very properly in our translation ; the copulative " and" being put in italics, to shew that it is not to be found in the original.
This view of the text removes all appearances of tautology, and opens an easy way for the discussion of it.
Descending thus to the consideration of the dif- ferent particulars, we notice, that there is a marked difference also in the statement of them, in the former part, as compared with the latter part ; the former consisting wholly of negations; and the latter, of affirmations : and thus presenting to our view,
I. The evils it excludes —
These may fitly be distributed under five heads :
1. Envy : " Charity envieth not" —
[Envy is a repining at another's prosperity, or good, which we ourselves desire to possess : and it is a principle deeply rooted in our fallen nature, insomuch that it may be seen to operate with great force even in children at the breast; so true is that testimony of the Apostle, " The spirit that dwelleth in us, lusteth to envy'^." But how contrary is this to true charity! Can we conceive a mother to envy her own child any perfection it possessed, or any benefit that has been conferred upon it? or if there were such a mother, would she not, by the common consent of all men, be thought an unna- tural monster, rather than a loving parent? Real love would lead her to rejoice in all the good that accrued to her child, though she herself were not a partaker of it : and this is the invariable operation of love, wherever it exists. Know then, that, whatever distinctions or benefits any other person may attain, whilst we ourselves have failed in the pursuit of them, we should feel only pleasure in his success ; and if we grudge
^ 1 John iv. IG. •= Jam. iv. 5.