moments of the air we breathe; or a few days, of the bread we eat, we fhould then with gratitude acknowledge the value of thofe bleffings which we now treat with neglect. But among all the bleffings we neglect, let not the gofpel be one. Let the thoughts of our falvation in Chrift, be always our folid comfort and amidst all the difficulties of life, through this great confolation, let us continually go on our way rejoicing.

VIII.

If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.-2 Corinthians, 8. xii.

ST. PAUL, in the chapter, from which the text is taken, had been exhorting his Corinthian converts to make a charitable contribution for their poor fellow-christians: and, in order to bring the duty home to each of them; he tells them in the text, that God will reward them not in proportion to what they give; but in proportion to the willingness with which they give. As far therefore as their charity related to God, both rich and poor might do a fervice equally acceptable.

Now this is the conftant doctrine of fcripture.Nor indeed is it confined to charity---but extended to every duty. The heart, that conceives, and fully intends the action on right motives, is what God requires: the bare external deed in his fight is nothing. In our dealings with the world indeed it is the leading figure; but in our heavenly accounts it is a cypher. It is the motive only on

which the eye of heaven is fixed. Thus one fervent ejaculation, God be merciful to me a finner! from a heart truly fmitten with a fenfe of fin, reached the throne of grace; while a thoufand prayers, with lifted eyes and hands from one fanding in the corner of a freet, were wafted by. It was the intention which gave value to the widow's mite; and would give value to a cup of cold water, on a proper motive.

Since then it is not the deed, but the willing mind, that God accepts, what a mighty encouragement is it to thofe, who have nothing but the willing mind to offer? They may do as many generous, and kind, and acceptable things in the fight of God, as if they had thousands. They may be doing friendly, and benevolent actions continually; and even reap the reward of them from God; tho they may scarce be able to expend a farthing.

But paufe a moment, my friend. That there may be no mistake in this matter, you must be well affured, that you have the willing mind. You may easily deceive yourself in this matter. It is not fitting down, and in a reverie of imagination faying to yourself, How gladly would I give to fuch, or fuch a perfon; if I had it in my power! That is a mighty eafy way of having a willing minds

Z 3

mind: and would turn the broad way into the

narrow one at once.

Try yourself therefore by the following queftions. Are you ftrictly confcientious in the performance of all other religious duties, which are in your power? If you are, it is a teft, that you would be strict also in the performance of fuch as are not in your power.

Are you always ready to affift your neighbour in fuch little offices, as are within your means? Are you ready to spare, to his greater neceffity, a little of your time, for inftance, or a little of your labour? If you are, it is probable, you would be ready to bestow upon him a little of your money alfo.

Lastly, are you content, and perfectly refigned, whatever your ftation is? If you are not, I fhould fear it were hardly poffible for you to poffefs a willing mind to affift others. For how can you have any real inclination to give to them, while you are yet diffatisfied, and have not gotten enough for yourself?

My

IX.

My grace is fufficient for thee: for my frength is made perfect in weaknefs.-2 Cor. 12. xii.

HE feveral parts of the gofpel, like thofe of

THE

a regular, and well-contrived building, are adapted to each other. If it require us to believe things, which are not immediately obvious to our reason; it gives our reafon fufficient evidence, that it has authority to promulge them. If it give us rules for our conduct, which are evidently carried higher, than human abilities can go; it hath at the fame time provided a fupernatural affiftance, which, if we manfully exert our own powers, will carry us farther than our own powers could go by themselves.

This was the apoftle Paul's cafe. He had undergone fome great trial, which he calls a thorn in the flesh, and had requested God's affiftance. The anfwer he received (in what mode of conveyance we are not informed) was in the words of the From thefe words I wish to eftablish this

text.

point