represented in scripture as one of the gifts of the Holy Ghost. The love of God shed abroad in the heart, is described as one of the works of the spirit upon the souls of christians. Now whatever is represented in scripture to be the gift of the spirit is to be sought for by earnest and peculiar prayer. That is the practical use to be made of, and the practical consequence to be drawn from such representations: the very purpose probably for which they were delivered; the mere point of doctrine being seldom that in which scripture declarations rest. Let us not fail therefore; let us not cease to intreat the Father of mercies, that the love of him may be shed abroad in our hearts continually. It is one of the things in which we are sure, that our prayers are right in their object; in which also we may humbly hope, that, unless obstructed by ourselves, they will not be in vain.

Nor let it be said that this aid is superfluous, for as much as nature herself had provided sufficient means for exciting this sentiment.

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sentiment. This is true with respect to those, who are in the full, or in any thing near the full, enjoyment of the gifts of nature. them I do allow that nothing but a criminal stupefaction can hinder the love of God from being felt. But this is not the case with all; nor with any at all times. Afflictions, sickness, poverty, the maladies and misfortunes of life, will interrupt and damp this sensation, so far as it depends upon our actual experience of God's bounty. I do not say that the evils of life ought to have this effect: taken in connection with a future state they certainly ought not; because, when viewed in that relation, afflictions and calamities become trials, warnings, chastisements; and, when sanctified by their fruits, when made the means of weaning us from the world, bringing us nearer to God, and of purging away that dross and defilement which our souls have, contracted, are in truth amongst the first of favors and of blessings: nevertheless, as an Apostle himself confesses, they are for a season grievous: they are disheartening: and they are too apt to produce an unfavourable effect

upon

upon our gratitude. Wherefore it is upon these occasions most especially, that the aid of God's spirit may be required to maintain in our souls the love of God,

Let those therefore, who are conscious to themselves that they have not the love of God within them, as they ought to have it, endeayour to acquire and to increase this holy principle by seriousness of mind, by habitual meditation, by devout reading, devout conversaton, devout society. These are all aids and helps towards inducing upon the mind this most desirable, nay, rather let me call it, this blessed frame and temper, and of fixing us in it; and for as much as it is declared in scripture to be shed abroad in the heart by the spirit of God, let us labour in our prayers for this best gift.

The next consideration upon the subject is the fruit and effect of this disposition upon our lives. If it be asked how does the love of God operate in the production of virtuous conduct, I shall answer, that it operates exactly in the

same

same manner as affection towards a parent or gratitude towards a human benefactor operates, by stirring up a strong rebuke in the mind upon the thought of offending him. This lays a constant check upon our conduct. And this sensation is the necessary accompanyment of love; it cannot, I think, be separated from it. But it is not the whole of its influence. Love and gratitude towards a benefactor not only fill us with remorse and with internal shame whenever, by our wilful misbehaviour, we have given cause to that benefactor to be displeased with us; but also prompts us with a desire upon all occasions of doing what we believe he wills to be done, which, with respect to God, is in other cases a desire to serve him. Now this is not only a restraint from vice, but an incitement to action. Instructed as in christian countries mankind generally are, in the main articles of human duty, this motive will seldom mislead them.

In one important respect the love of God excels all moral principles whatever; and that

is in its comprehensiveness. It reaches every action it includes every duty; you cannot mention another moral principle which has this property in the same perfection. For instance, I can hardly name a better moral principle than humanity. It is a principle which every one commends, and justly yet in this very article of comprehensiveness it is deficient, when compared with the love of God. It will prompt us undoubtedly to do kind and generous and compassionate things towards our friends, our acquaintance, our neighbours and towards the poor. In our relation to, and in our intercourse with mankind, especially towards those who are dependent upon us, or over whom we have power, it will keep us from hardness and rigor and cruelty. In all this it is excellent. But it will not regulate us, as we require to be regulated, in another great branch of christian duty, self-government and self restraint. We may be exceedingly immoral and licentious in sinful indulgences without violating our principles of humanity; at least without specifically violating it, and without be