from insulting or injuring any one. "Envy" never leads it to take any means to ac quire what another possesses. It doth 66 not vaunt itself," or boast of its own advantages, so as to excite envy in others. It is "not puffed up," or filled with pride, so asto. wound the feelings of others, by insolent or overbearing behaviour. "It doth not be"have itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, "is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil." The man who practises charity, is the greatest hero in the world; for he conquers what it is most difficult to conquer, all bad passions; all violence of spirit; his weaknesses and infirmities; and, in one word, the corruption of his nature. He will not behave himself unseemly, by ridiculing the weaknesses or imperfections of his neighbour. He will not seek to raise his own credit, or his own fortune, on the ruin of another man's reputation or livelihood. He will not be easily provoked, or quarrel about trifles; or make use of the language of passion, in abuse, curses, or blasphemy: nor will he put a bad meaning upon his neighbours words or actions, but give him credit for as much honesty and good intention, as he himself possesses.

Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Nothing that

hurts another, in body or soul; no injury inflicted upon any man by others; and no injury which a man does to himself by folly or wickedness, gives pleasure to the charitable man: he only feels joy, when he feels himself, and sees those around him, living to the glory of GOD, and the happiness of mankind.

"Charity beareth all things, believeth "all things, hopeth. all things, endureth "all things." The life of the charitable man is a constant course of opposition to his bad inclinations. He bears with the humours of those he lives among, and converses with; seeking rather to hide their little frailties and weaknesses, than to expose them. He does not allow himself to believe the slanders which he hears to the disadvantage of his neighbour; but continues to entertain a good opinion of him as long as he possibly can.

"Charity never faileth; but whether "there be prophecies, they shall fail; "whether there be tongues, they shall cease; "whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish "away." As christian love thus excels all other advantages, so does it outlast them all. Prophecies shall be fulfilled; languages shall become unnecessary; and human knowledge, however great it may be, shall one day be useless to its possessor: but that

holy disposition, the love of GOD, and of doing good, shall continue with us for ever.

"For we know in part, and we prophesy "in part." For all the gifts and advantages which we now possess, however we may value them, are imperfect in their degree, and limited as to time; for they cannot last beyond this life, which will speedily be at an end.

"But when that which is perfect is come, "then that which is in part shall be done "away." If we be judged fit, by God's mercy, through CHRIST, to inherit the kingdom of heaven and eternal life, every thing which is connected with this world will then be done away; all its distinctions of learning, and knowledge, and riches, and power, will cease for ever. The rich and poor, the wise and ignorant, the great and small, will then meet together upon equal terms; and if they have been equally good, will be gifted with the same spiritual knowledge and happiness, and rejoice in their common Saviour through all eternity.

"When I was a child, I spake, as a "child, I understood as a child, I thought "as a child; but when I became a man, "I put away childish things." The dif ference between that knowledge, and those perfect views of GOD's goodness in CHRIST in a future state, (which will reward the exercise of charity in the present one,) and

what we can attain to in this life, may be likened to the solid knowledge of the man, compared with the idle notions and wild fancies of the child.

"For we now see through a glass darkly; "but then face to face; now I know in part, "but then shall I know, even as I am "known." In the present life, which is only an introduction to a future and an everlasting one, there is nothing perfectly clear to us, except our duty to God, to man, and to ourselves. All other sorts of knowledge must be imperfect. Some people, indeed, have the advantage of obtaining much more of it than others; and where it is used to the glory of GoD, and the good of mankind, it is both ornamental and useful. But still it is nothing to be proud of; because all the knowledge that man can attain unto, (except the knowledge of the LORD,) is at most but little; and will be all extinguished, when he dies. But not so charity, or christian love: for "now abideth "faith, hope, and charity, these three; but "the greatest of these is charity." When christian hope shall cease, by being put in possession of all its Saviour's promises; when there shall be no more room for faith, which "is the evidence of things not seen," by the humble believer "" seeing GOD as he is;"

charity, which is greater and more excellent than both, will still remain; and be exercised by those who are saved, in the perfect love of GOD, and of "the spirits of just men "made perfect," through everlasting ages.

"Follow after charity," therefore, my brethren, which is the very life and soul of the religion you profess; and let it be your earnest endeavour to shew it forth in all your words and actions. Strive to make it a rooted principle in your hearts, and it will then appear in all your outward behaviour. Constant are the occasions on which you will be called upon to exercise it, in a world which has many things to provoke, and anger, and aggravate the mind; where there are many differences of opinion, and many attacks of envy, ill-will, and bad neighbourhood. But, more especially, never lose sight of it with respect to religious belief; nor suffer any difference of opinion on this subject to make you regard those who do not think as you do, with contempt or dislike. "Who art thou that judgest another "man's servant? to his own master he "standeth or falleth." Continue steady yourselves in the faith of your forefathers; remain true to the church to which you have been bred; and love your ministers, who preach to you the words of eternal life: But