1. HUMILITY is formed in the heart by the power of the Holy Ghost. As a new life is communicated, so a new man is formed, in direct opposition to the old; and humility is a very distinguishing part of that new creature. Peter, who well understood this subject, asserts humility, or, which is equally the same, a meek and quiet spirit, to be the ornament of the hidden man of the heart; and is in the sight of God of great price. This gracious principle, habit, or virtue, humility, is real; seated in the heart, and distinguished from that species of temper which Paul calls voluntary humility, and connected with will-worship. This humility, produced in the heart by the Holy Ghost, is founded in true knowledge, and is in-.separably connected with faith, hope, joy, peace, love, and every grace which adorns the Christian. It makes an astonishing alteration in the views, temper, and conduct of its possessor; and leaves him no room to doubt or hesitate, that it has given a mortal stab to his carnal pride, and that God alone can be its author. It is of pure, efficacious grace, and lays the sinner in the dust of self-abasement, and exalts the Lord in the richness and glory of salvation. Having said that Gospel humility was founded in knowledge, I will attempt to show you how the Spirit of God expands, if I may so say, this principle, by progressive discoveries of the most solemn and interesting subjects revealed in the Bible, and which are familiar with every man born of God.

THE MORAL LAW. In this the holiness and justice of Jehovah is revealed, and binds the creature to perfect, personal, and perpetual obedience. It takes cognizance of the desires, thoughts, and actions of the man. By this law, says Paul, is the knowledge of sin. The person under the teachings of the Spirit, has his eyes open to

behold the majesty of his Maker in this law, and his conscience trembles on a conviction of his transgressions and his guilt. A trial now takes place before the bar of God; the law makes its demands, and, however proud nature may attempt to muster every plea in favour of merit, the sinner eventually exclaims with David, Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord, for in thy sight no flesh living shall be justified. Thus the sinner is humbled. He honours God in the requisitions of his law. The pride of human merit is dashed in pieces; and he is willing to be saved entirely in God's own way. The whole of this humbling conviction is altogether the work of that blessed Spirit of truth, promised to convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

THE SUFFERINGS AND DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST. This is a subject at which humility bows with inexpressible solemnity. The dignity of the ADORED PERSON, the greatness of his sufferings, the dreadfulness of his death: that all this was for sinners; to satisfy justice, to procure pardon, righteousness, and peace for the vilest of the vile! Here the sinner bows at the cross, and adores the grace! But, when the Spirit fulfils his office, and takes of these great blessings from a crucified Christ, and shows them in application to the heart for personal pardon, acceptance, and peace, the most profound humility is produced, and the sinner cries, Why me, Lord? Why me? O! to grace how great a debtor ! Thus is fulfilled the prediction of Isaiah; The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men. shall be bowed down; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS. This affords farther encitement to humility. Learn of me, said Jesus, for I am

meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls: for whosoever receiveth not the kingdom of heaven as a little child, shall not enter therein. The life of Christ was the perfection of humility. In his walk before his Father, and in his converse with men, meekness and humility shone with inexpressible excellence. What an example of humility did Jesus set when he washed his disciples' feet? and what an affecting scene of Christ's humility was exhibited in the garden of Gethsamene? Still more if we ascend the hill of Calvary. This scene is called his humiliation. He who thought it not robbery to be equal with God, humbled himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross! Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high; who not only humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth; but who hath assumed our nature, and died for our crimes, to raise up the poor from distress, and to crown them with glory! Who then on a visit to Calvary can indulge the least flame of pride? Who but must be clothed with humility; and through the virtues of the cross, ardently desire to walk humbly with God?

THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION. This is designed to produce humility of mind. Pride feeds upon the lusts of the flesh and the carnal pleasures of life. The children of God, as such, are called from these to enjoy holy pleasures from more noble objects. Passing through the world, the furnace of affliction becomes as necessary to prove them and to humble them, as it was to the Israelites in their passage through the wilderness. Afflictions in themselves have a natural tendency to irritate and to harden the heart of man. By nature, at best, we have but a Pharoah's heart; the more afflicted, the more proud

and rebellious. Under all the trials of the righteous, the Spirit of God, as a spirit of burning, superintends the furnace, purges away the dross, and produces subjection and humility. Thus Job was persuaded, when God had tried him, he should come forth as gold. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

After thus naming the law, the sufferings of Christ, the life of Christ, and the furnace of affliction, as the several means through which the Spirit of God produces humility, it is of importance for us to inquire, if thereby we have been humbled before the Lord? It is a solemn consideration; we must, as sinners, be humbled at the throne of grace, or, eventually, before the throne of judgment. If you have by grace, been humbled at the feet of Jesus, to you the exhortation of Peter will be highly acceptable. To inforce which, I shall now proceed,

2. Be clothed with humility. This virtue Peter compares to a garment. Not, I presume, that justifying robe of the obedience of Jesus, which is unto all, and upon all them that believe, for their justification before God; but an inner robe, which is a material part of our personal sanctification by the Spirit. It is called a clothing, because it is the apparel of the whole new man, extending to all our faculties, and to all our actions; and as it is to be worn as our daily covering, whenever we appear before God, enter into his Church, or discharge the moral duties of our family.

To enforce the exhortation, let me remind you, that humility best becomes you both as sinners in yourselves, and as saints in Christ Jesus. It will qualify you for greater usefulness in life, and never fail to give you additional lustre in every duty you are called to perform in

your family. This robe will preserve you amidst the thorns and briars in your paths, and help you to ward off many a blow from the malicious arm of calumny. In it you may have greater boldness to approach before God, for, He forgetteth not the cry of the humble. It will fail not to keep you in a dependent state upon God, and lead you to the fountain of grace for more peace, joy, and felicity; for, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. And you will, most assuredly, enjoy more sensibly the presence of God upon your souls; for thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the contrite ones.

The younger part of this family will permit me to recommend to them this charming robe of humility. Pride, especially in youth, is the forerunner of numberless evils, and never fails to gain the most condign contempt from the virtuous. Humility is usually accompanied by other amiable graces, and sets them off with double brilliance; gains the esteem of all around, and qualifies you for entering the busy scenes of public life with advantage: And what is still more valuable, if you are clothed with Gospel humility, and follow the meek and holy Jesus in his amiable example, you must certainly be pronounced unspeakably happy.