fied by poverty of spirit, I shall endeavour to set that state before you in a just and scriptural point of view, with this preliminary observation-that poverty of spirit is to be carefully distinguished from poverty in a man's outward estate. A needy condition, as to the good things of the present world, by no means argues any of those peculiar tempers and feelings, which characterize the poor in spirit: but, on the contrary, it is frequently associated with a vicious course of life, and an odious depravity of manners. Nor can it be denied, that, beneath the rags of penury, a proud and unsubdued spirit is very often concealed: insomuch, that the meanest and most indigent of mankind occasionally afford convincing evidence, that they are of a fierce and uncontrollable temper, of a contemptuous and scornful carriage, destitute at once of all respect for man, and all reverence for God. The outward condition, then, hath no necessary connexion with this inward habit: poverty cannot produce it, neither can riches prevent its taking root in the soul. Happily, even among the most affluent and elevated ranks of society, there are thousands to be found, who, like David

and Daniel under the law, and like Gaius and Philemon under the gospel, adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour by a deportment of the most amiable, modest, and lowly description. Moreover, as poverty of spirit grows not out of a state of penury and want, so neither does it consist in a base and cringing temper of mind. There are many among us, who, when they have a suit to press, or menace to disarm, can bend and crouch, can fawn and flatter, with an air of servility degrading to human nature. But this abjectness of spirit, which would sometimes pass itself off as a christian grace, bespeaks a state of mind from which nothing excellent or commendable is to be expected. It is a vile and sordid disposition, hateful both to God and man, not only obsequiously bowing down to every specious appearance, but very frequently debasing itself to the lowest courses of criminality. The natural man, even amid all the refinements of which he is capable, can never exhibit that choice kind of fruit, which now occupies our attention. True poverty of spirit, is exclusively the product of divine grace, and must be every where preceded by the great work of

regeneration, being discoverable only upon those who are described by an apostle as born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

But I proceed to lay before you a plain description of that christian class of men, who are termed in my text, the poor in spirit. And here I have to observe,

First-That the poor in spirit possess a humble and lowly heart. A man of this description is an utter stranger to pride. He minds not high things. He claims no extraordinary marks of respect. He aspires not to high places or employments. He has a mean opinion of his own attainments, and counts himself wholly unqualified for great undertakings. He is content that others should be noticed, approved, and rewarded, while he himself is slighted, passed by, and disdained. He is satisfied with all the appointments of God, and would have nothing otherwise than he has determined it. He desires no greater portion of the world than that which providence has assigned him; and he esteems his present station in it, whatever that station may be, as best adapted to his сара

city and habits. He considers all his crosses, trials and disappointments, as so many indubitable discoveries of his heavenly Father's will concerning him, unfeignedly humbling himself, on all occasions, under the mighty hand of God. Nor is this mode of thinking and acting peculiar to him at certain times and seasons; but it is the settled temper and habit of his soul, at all periods, and in all places, and amid all the accidents and changes through which he is appointed to pass. He desires nothing greater, nothing happier, than to dwell unseen and unknown in the divine presence, exclaiming often with all the sincerity and ardour of the psalmist-O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of hosts! My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. For one day in thy courts is better than a thousand; yea, I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.

Secondly-The poor in spirit are meek and gentle in their whole carriage. It is observable, that many even of those who profess

the religion of Jesus, have a rough and overbearing manner of doing whatever they are called to do, whether in public or in private. They require, at least, a tacit acknowledgement of their own superiority, from every man they meet. They have a scornful eye, and a supercilious air; and the language of their lips is the language of arrogance and conceit. But he who is poor in spirit presents a totally different appearance. Such a man never puts on a bold or assuming demeanour. He is not forward to manage great affairs, or to take a part in public transactions: and if at any time it becomes necessary that he should do so, his meekness and moderation are rendered strikingly manifest to all around him. He is not loud and authoritative in giving his opinion, nor vain and self-assuming in his mode of address. His highest ambition is to conduct himself as a sheep of Christ's fold. The shepherd of the fold himself was termed the Lamb of God; and through the whole course of his sojourn upon earth, he displayed the most distinguishing characteristics of that sacred appellation. He condescended to men of low degree. He mixed familiarly with the

poor,