things to disturb us. On this head therefore, we ought to be particularly on our guard. And as the angry man, who is boiling over on every little occafion, has it continually in his mouth, that he cannot get the better of his propenfity to paffion, I fhould beg leave to ask him, if he do not think, or rather, if he be not certain, he could command himself, before his fuperiors: or if a fum of mo ney depended on it? Do not let him then pretend to fay, he cannot do it. What he means is, that it may be difficult; but he

could do it, if he either

had the fame reverence for God, that he has for an earthly superior; or the fame regard for the laws of the gofpel, which he has for a fum of money.If therefore he can check his paffion in one instance, he may in another; and if so, he may form a habit of checking it. By ftriving against paffion, he will grow habitually more calm; and lefs ready to fall into it on every trifling occafion. There is nothing indeed fo difficult, which habit, or custom will not render eafy. It governs our thoughts-it biaffes our judgment-it fways our actions-it influences our paffions: even prejudices it will conquer even the force of nature it will overcome. By it therefore we are happily enabled to correct all our bad propenfities; and turn our paffions into

their proper channels. The conftitutions of men undoubtedly differ. Some are naturally warmer than others, and must take more pains in conquering their peculiar infirmities. But it is a truth, that they, who are even naturally most warm, may by a ftrenuous endeavour, confiderably overcome an irritable temper.

But in all the difficulties, which arise from the management of our paffions, and appetites, we may be affifted by the Holy Spirit of God, if we earnestly pray for it, and carefully use our own best endeavours. What may be impoffible with men, is poffible with God.

Let our anger then be the anger of men, and not of beafts. Moderate anger, on proper occafions, we fee, is not the thing that is blamed in us. But if we do not immediately put it under the direction of reason, we become guilty of that anger, which the text, and every other part of fcripture, calls finful.

Let us then in the apostle's language, put away from us on every trifling occafion, all anger; and on every occafion, malice and revenge. We are all the children of one parent. We are all in pursuit of nobler things, than the things of this

world; which are not, in fact, worth the difturb ance they give us. We all ought, by getting the better of our unruly paffions, to fit ourselves for that state, where all is gentleness and love. Let us then be kind one to another, and tenderhearted; forgiving one another little injuries; even as God, for Chrift's fake, hath forgiven us the greatest.

UR bleffed Saviour giving his difciples that celebrated form of prayer, called the Lord's prayer, at the conclufion of it inserts a petition, which was not very agreeable to the common notions of mankind; and was particularly offenfive to the Jews: Forgive us our trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trefpafs against us. Accordingly, when he had ended the prayer, he added, in the words of the text, as laying a particular ftrefs on this part of the petition, For if ye

forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will

alfo forgive you.

From these words I fhall firft explain to you the duty of forgivenefs; and fecondly, point out the motives, that should engage you to practise it.

By forgiving an injury, is meant, in general remitting that punishment, which in ftrict juftice it deferves. In fome cafes, fuch remiffion would be improper. All injuries, in the first place, that pass under the name of crimes, and tend to the ruin of fociety, as murder, adultery, and theft, ought never to be paffed over. If you have it in your power to bring an action of this kind to justice, you ought by all means to do it. By not doing it, you encourage bad men to continue their wickednefs-you fuffer fin to triumph-you are, in degree, answerable for the crimes, fuch men may afterwards commit. Chrift certainly never meant to fill the world with wickedness; but by enjoining us to forgive little offences, to diffuse gentleness and happiness among mankind.

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There may be injuries too of a very high nature, tho' they relate only to ourselves, which we are not required to overlook. Our property may be invaded fo deeply, as to require the affistance of the

law