need not be taught in the times of the Gospel. It is confessed that Christ is "the end of the law." But what end? An end not consuming but consummating: as Himself said, "I came not to destroy the law, but to teach and do it."

Our neighbours and acquaintance will judge of us as Christians, more by what they see in our practice, than by what they understand of our principles.

Apud nos, religiosior est ille qui justior.[At qui Nos 2-Ed.]

Some think that God only looks at their hearts and the doctrine of justification by faith alone and not by works, misunderstood, doth make them go on in wickedness, and think, they believe, and then all is safe! These Tertullian speaks of: Sed aiunt quidam, &c. Some persons pretend, that it is enough that their heart and intention is towards God, although they fall short in action. But we consider such to be rebellious and obstinate offenders, who not merely fall into occasional sin through the infirmity of human nature, but who delight and wallow in evil. Whom neither shame nor fear, neither the reproof of men, nor the dreadful threatenings of God himself, fol

lowed by his judgments, can recall from their wicked ways. [There is surely no other evidence, even to ourselves, that the heart is right with God, than a correspondent course of action. A good tree (said our blessed Lord) bringeth not forth evil fruit, neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore (say what they will about their belief) by their fruits ye shall know them.-Ed.]

It is said of a good man of late times, Bishop Tillotson, that he rather chose to live to the good of others than to himself; and thought that to do an act of charity, or even of tenderness and kindness, was of more value, both in itself and in the sight of God, than to pursue the showy parts of learning-how much soever his own genius might lead him to it.

Turning our eyes from difficult speculations, we should fix them on the moral and practical precepts of the Gospel. These it most concerns us to know these therefore let us study. Such is the frailty of our nature, such the strength and number of our temptations to evil, that in reducing the Gospel morality to practice, we shall find full employment.

R

While we wrangle here in the dark we are dying, and passing to the world that will decide all our controversies. And the safest passage thither is by peaceable holiness.-Baxter.

Fides justificans a bonis operibus sejungi nequit.

Outward good works spring from inward spiritual life. As in nature, so in grace, the cause must precede the effect: the tree must be made good, ere it can bring forth good fruit. Hence Christianity is rather a nature by Jesus Christ, than a name from him. It is not a mere speculation of him, but a creation in him: not a form in profession and letter, but a life in spirit and truth.

The Apostle recites many evil practices which hinder us from entering into a blessed and happy Eternity such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. He plainly declares that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. By this is to be understood that whoever is in the practice of any one of these evils, and is not so

grieved for it that he seeks by all possible means to avoid it for the time to come, and also prays for Divine assistance, he may sing to himself, Spero; I hope, I hope; but this hope is indeed none at all; it is mere rashness and presumption. It is the greatest of all evils: it is hoping in words and despairing in works.

That which is most pleasing to God should be most pleasant to us: and as He hath bid us not forget to do good and to communicate, because with such sacrifice He is well pleased, so He hath told us that he delighteth in the exercise of loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. He hath shewed us what is good, and what doth he require of us, but to do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with our God? and therefore he commandeth Israel,-Turn thee to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait upon thy God continually.

Obedience: Diligence.

It is the nature of true faith to be active: and faith in Christ's promises would make thee diligent in the use of means: and God would bless the means to thy relief in the end.

When we have ceased to do evil, we must not then stand idle, but learn to do well: we must be doing, and what we do must be well done, in a right manner and for right ends: and this must be learnt-we must be inquisitive about it and in care concerning it and accustom ourselves to it; that we may be readily furnished for every good word and work.

We cannot without God, and He will not without us.

We are called upon to take up our cross, but never to lay it down this only can be done when we lay down life and cross together.