delay, and lose not another moment in imploring mercy at the hands of God.]
Reflections-—
1. Of what value in the sight of God is brotherly love !
[If we were to judge by the little regard shewn to it by men, we should account it of no value : but God declares, that whatever we may have, or do, or suffer, if destitute of this, we are no better than sounding brass, or tinkling cymbals ^ As far as we are possessed of this, so far we resemble him'' : as far as we are destitute of it, we resemble " the devil, who was a mur- derer from the beginning *=." Let us cultivate to the uttermost this heavenly grace ]
2. How happy would the world be if Christianity universally prevailed !
[" Love is the fulfilling both of the law" and the Gospel too. If the Gospel reigned in the hearts of all, " Judah would no more vex Ephraim, nor would Ephraim envy Judah." All would be harmony and peace throughout the world. To prove the blessedness of such a state, I need only appeal to those, who have felt at any time the disquietudes arising from anger and contention, and have at last been enabled to re-unite with their brother in cordial amity and afiection. What a difference is there in your feelings ! Instead of being harassed with in- cessant vexation, how are you now filled with tranquillity and joy ! If then we have nothing more than our own happiness in view, we should, " as much as lieth in us, live peaceably with all men" ]
3. How earnest should we be in preparing for the future judgment !
[There, not overt actions only, but tempers and dispositions, will be strictly investigated : and a sentence will be passed upon us, founded on the moral state of our minds. Let us not trifle in a matter of such importance. Let us not be satisfied with saying, " I forgive all;" but let us inquire whether there be
any person of whom we have not asked forgiveness?
Our proud hearts are very averse to stoop ; but if we do not humble ourselves now before God and man, the time will come when we shall " find no place of repentance, though we should seek it carefully with tears'^."]
a 1 Cor. xiii. 1—3. ^ 1 John iv. 7, 8, IG.
<: 1 John iii. 14, 15. with John viii. 44. <! Heb. xii. 17. Matt. xxv. 10 — 12.