in reference to gifts, there were graces bestowed indiscriminately on all, though in different degrees, according to the will and pleasure of the Giver of them all, the Lord Jesus Christ. And thus it is at this time :
There is amongst men a great diversity both of gifts and graces —
[Some are endowed with richer talents than others origi- nally, at their first coming into the world. In early infancy, a distinction is visible, both in respect to corporeal and mental endowments ; weakness and imbecility being the lot of some, whilst strength and energy are the happy portion of others. Wealth and poverty also place men far asunder, in reference to their station in society ; insomuch that, to one who considers only the outward appearance, the most elevated and the most depressed of men seem almost to belong to different orders of creation, rather than to different ranks of the same order. Something of the same may be noticed in reference to the graces of men. I say, something of the same : for, where any portion of real grace is, there is such an elevation of character, that there is a far less distance between the extremes of those who are born of God, than there is of those who are yet in their natural and unregenerate state. But St. John speaks of " little children, young men, and fathers," in the Church ; and consequently there must of necessity be so much of dis- parity in real saints as will justify the use of these appropriate and characteristic terms.]
But, whatever be the measure of any man's gifts, he is altogether indebted to the Lord Jesus Christ, as the true source and giver of them —
[We see the truth of this observation in reference to intellectual powers ; which, even before any means have been used for the improvement of them, are found much stronger in some than in others. And, though I readily acknowledge that talent depends, in some measure, on the cultivation of the human mind, yet I must say, it is God alone who inclines or enables us to cultivate it with effect. In like manner it must be confessed, that much also may depend on our use of the means of grace ; but still I must say, that it is " God alone who gives us either to will or to do ;" and, consequently, whatever flows from our willing and doing must be his gift also. Remember then, I pray you, to whom you are in- debted for every grace you possess. Have you any measure of repentance ? it is conferred on you by the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you any measure of faith ? "it has been given you by