sure, which the possession of riches or any other talent can afford, that it renders me capable of being a greater blessing, and doing more extensive good to others? Is it not in the power of malice itself to turn away my love, but am I led to love my very enemies? Can I overlook their injuries; or if too great to be overlooked, can I forgive them, heartily forgive them, and design no other revenge upon them, than to “ overcome their evil with good," and to constrain them, if possible, to a better temper, by seeking every opportunity to do them service? Is that sacred precept so strange, so hard to corrupt Nature, "If thine enemy hunger feed him, if he thirst give him drink," wrought by the blessed Spirit into my very heart; and am I led by him,

smaller efforts of benevolence which their circumstances admit. The liberality of a poor disciple of Christ is often seen in his kind attention to his sick neighbours, in his solicitude to interest others in their behalf, and in his superiority to the envy which frequently reigns among the poor. He that does what he can, and rejoices to see others do what he cannot, may remember with pleasure that he is to be judged by that Saviour who set a higher value upon the poor widow's farthing than upon the rich men's offerings.

8 Unless we possess this forgiving Spirit, how can we offer up prayer according to the model which our Lord has given us, saying, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Some, indeed, take the liberty of altering, in order as they think, to mend their Lord's prayer. But let us remember that it is said, "every word of God is thou not to his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou pure; add be found a liar." Nor would the alteration avail any

the Spirit of Love, sweetly and readily to conform to it as occasion offers, and thus prove myself to be the child of my Father which is in heaven, who "is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

§ 9. Am I led to heaven? Am I led to such believing views of the glory and happiness of the heavenly world, as to beget in my heart the highest esteem of it, the most ardent desires. after it, and the greatest solicitude and concern to obtain it? Am I led to God with the most incessant prayers, the most ardent cries, that he would prepare me for heaven, and bring me to it? And am I importunate with him in this matter from day to day, nor can I let him go, nor can I be easy in myself, without having some humble hope of heaven, and feeling some degree of meetness for it? Am I led to the greatest seriousness, diligence, and zeal in seeking heaven, and do I think no labour too much, no pains too great, in order to obtain it? Am I Jed to look upon all the splendor and glory, all the pleasures and enjoyments of this world, as not

thing for our relief, while other words of Christ remain, for he has solemnly declared that our heavenly Father will punish us for our sins, unless we from our hearts forgive men their trespasses. Indeed a spirit of forgiveness is so much the necessary result of that experience of divine mercy which flows from faith in Christ, that the implacable and revengeful prove themselves unbelievers whose prayers are an abomina, tion in the sight of God.

worth a single thought or wish, when compared with heaven; and could I willingly renounce my all below, to be assured of my interest in the joys above? Am I led to consider the happiness of heaven as consisting in the knowledge and likeness, in the love and enjoyment of the blessed God; and in this view does it appear most amiable and delightful to me, and do I most ardently aspire to it, most earnestly wish to be made partaker of it? Am I led to fix all my hopes and expectations of heaven upon the divine promises, and am I by these promises endeavouring daily to "cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God? Am I led to delight in the work and business of heaven, in the holy contemplation of God, and in meditation on the grace and glories of the blessed Redeemer; and are approaches to and converse with God, through Christ, in the duties of religious worship, esteemed by me as the sweetest pleasures I know h?"Am I led to exercise the greatest care and watchfulness, lest a promise being left me of heaven and

h The degree of enjoyment which the closet and public ordinances afford, depends much upon the eminence of religion at which we have arrived. They who are constant in the excercises of devotion, and set their hearts upon enjoying God in them, will usually find that he fulfils the desire of them that fear him." But there are peculiar seasons of divine enjoyment, which may be called "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord," that recur not every day.

eternal life," I should at last come short of it, through a heart of unbelief, and a prevailing love to this world? Do I feel no fear, do I dread no evil, so great as this; and is it my daily prayer to God, that of his infinite mercy he would prevent it? Am I led at times to some humble hope of Heaven, and to enjoy some sweet foretaste of it; and does this lift me above every thing of this world, inspire me with the greatest joy, and make me forget all my troubles by the way? In those happy moments am I ready to spread my joyful wings, and long to take my heavenly flight; nor is there any one enjoyment on earth, for the sake of which I could desire a longer stay here? Am I led only to expect heaven in the way of holiness and obedience, and yet not in the least to hope for it for the sake of my holiness and obedience, being sensible the strictest is deficient, and the best is polluted? When I have done all, am I led to expect, and made willing to receive eternal life as the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord? At the hands of free grace do I hope and desire to receive my crown, and at the feet of that grace to cast it in humble and everlasting thankfulness?

Are these the marks of salvation? Are they, not the imaginations of men, but what God has laid down as the genuine characters of his peo

ple? If then I have been enabled to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; if I have received him in all the characters in which he is represented in the gospel; I indeed love him, and am led by his Spirit, I may then comfortably conclude that I belong to his family; that I was given to him by the Father, purchased by the blood of the Son, and am now under the real sanctifying influences of the Spirit, that I may be fitted for the enjoyment of God in heaven. And may I draw this conclusion? "Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me?" Lift up thy head What is the and see, salvation is drawing near. consequence of faith but salvation; a complete and everlasting salvation? They are Christ's own words, the words of him who cannot lie, "He that believeth shall be saved," Mark xvi. 16. See, my soul, thou art a son, a child of God. This, this is the distinguishing honour, which he has put upon all who have received Christ, and are led by his Spirit. And has God put this mark and distinction upon me; a creature in every view so unworthy of his notice? How rich, how amazing the grace! What matter of rejoicing! A son of God! Let me dwell upon the sound! What honour, what happiness can be greater! If I am a child of God, I shall be the constant care of his providence here, shall have every want supplied, and be safe living and dying and