various shades of light. While St. John dwells most on the single principle of love; and St. James, generally, on works; and St. Paul lays the foundation of faith; and St. Peter descants on zeal; and St. Jude on the corruption of false teachers-St. John, St. Paul, St. James, St. Peter, and St. Jude, were preaching the same everlasting Gospel. Remember that Faith will soon melt into sight, and Hope pass away into actual enjoyment; but, that Charity, or Holy Love, will be the abiding perfection of redeemed souls, when we are standing, "in our lot," before the throne of God.

10. Under the Tenth Commandment, is forbidden the desire of those earthly possessions, or faculties of mind and body, which, an all-wise God hath seen it good to withhold from us. "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts;" thus testified the

Lord, who "knew what was in man1." And if we were careful to "keep the heart," as before God, "with all diligence, knowing that out of it are the issues of life 2," how many grievous sins should we escape! Do we not see, at a glance, that adultery, murder, theft, and other crimes, could not be committed, if we were watchful in subduing the first risings-of impurity, of wishes for the property of others, of vindictive feeling? But alas! like our first parent, we are tempted to be dissatisfied; forgetting that God allotteth his children that which is best for each. Forgetting, that my neighbour's abundance would perhaps be ruinous to my soul: that his elevation to honour (which he can bear) would make me bow before Satan. And that poverty, ill-health, or disappointment, are sent, as necessary, in order to forward our eternal happiness. We forget, at such moments of discontent, that we are setting ourselves

1 John ii. 25.

2 Prov. ii. 23.

above the wisdom of God; that from being dissatisfied, we shall proceed, unless we guard ourselves, to take unhallowed measures for promoting our supposed interests. That "the Judge of all the earth will do right1;" and that it is madness in the vessel to say unto the potter, "why hast thou made me thus 2?"

I pray God that our hearts may be so wrought on, by that Spirit, who convinceth of sin, that we may be humbled in comparing what we are in attainment—with what we might have been, under grace, with that pure and sublime holiness of mind, which the Lord Jesus requires us to strive after, and the Holy Spirit assists us in obtaining, as a preparation for His heavenly kingdom. I trust it has been felt that the worldly man denies God, as well as the Atheist. And that the irreverent worshipper breaks the second commandment

1 Gen. xviii. 25.

2 Rom. ix. 21.

as surely as the idolater. Under the third, is convicted the swearer; but, they that give no heed to their prayers, are justly included. The fourth speaks terror to the Sabbath breaker: but, it rebukes those who mispend any portion of the Lord's day. The same Law, from which, as a Rule, "no jot or tittle is to pass"," condemns every inward act of an undutiful mind towards parents, as well as open disrespect. We may be guilty under the sixth, by anger and malice, without having shed blood. We may have broken the seventh, though the gross act of adultery cannot be proved against us. Though not guilty of robbery, we must plead guilty under the eighth, if we have neglected or injured our neighbour's property. Scandal, and unkind remarks, and insinuations, make us culpable under the ninth, though we have not publicly uttered false witness. And discontent may have soured the mind against our lot

1 Matt. v. 18.

in life, while not actually coveting any thing that is our neighbour's.

And thus, should meditation on the closesearching word of God, "sharper than a two-edged sword'," lead us to pray more and more for the Spirit, to know ourselves. And while we are moved to cry " Lord have mercy upon us! for past sin," may we as anxiously supplicate with a view to the renewing of our souls-" Lord! incline our hearts to keep these laws."

In proportion as we become more earnest in religion, the habit of justifying ourselves will give way to lowly, abasing views of the character in which we must appear, in the sight of a perfectly Holy God. Who could bear the thought of relating every act, and imagination, and scene of life, to the dearest friend upon earth? But, are they not all known unto God, the searcher of hearts? "I am the chief of sinners 2," exclaims St.

2

1 Heb. iv. 12.

2

1 Tim. i. 15.