himself becoming more dead to the world.-The world is the great idol worshipped by the generality of mankind. Its riches, honours, and pleasures constitute the chief objects of their pursuit,—the sum total of their hopes and desires. To obtain these, they account no labour too great, and no sacrifice too costly they boldly hazard their immortal interests. -But the case is different with respect to the children of God. Taught by his Spirit, they have all learned somewhat of the vanity and insignificance of this world; and, in proportion as they advance in the Divine life, the lesson is more deeply impressed on their mind. Amid the busy scenes of life, the world may occupy too much of their time, and care, and attachment; but by degrees their hearts are more and more weaned from it, till every one of them can say with Paul, "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

It is true, that the grace of God does not teach men to undervalue and despise any of his gifts. The good things of this life are to be received with thankfulness. Riches, viewed in themselves, are not an evil, but a positive good. They enlarge their possessor's sphere of usefulness. Honours, considered as the badges of office, or the just reward of meritorious services, are not to be condemned. They are commanded by God; and they operate as a stimulus to virtuous emulation. Pleasures, when innocent, and tasted with moderation and thanksgiving, are not forbidden. They tend to sweeten the cup of life. But though the people of God are far from

contemning any of these earthly blessings, yet they are equally far from over-rating them, and seeking them as their chief good. Their hearts are supremely set on more durable riches, more ennobling honours, and more blissful pleasures, which neither cloy nor decay. Compared with these, they account the most valuable enjoyments of this world unworthy of a wish.

I am far from asserting that this is always the case with every one who is a partaker of the grace of God. Too often do they feel it otherwise. Conversant as they unavoidably are with sensible objects, and deriving support, as they daily do, from worldly enjoyments, their souls too frequently cleave to the dust. But in proportion as they learn to look, not at the things which are seen and are temporal, but those things unseen by the eye of sense, yet revealed to the eye of faith, and which are eternal; their value for the former is diminished, and their estimate of the latter is increased. As their views of the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, become brighter; the things which are on earth will appear dimmer and less attractive. Stripped of their fascinating charms, they will be seen in their own colours, and cease to captivate their soul. Most willingly would they resign them all, that they might depart and be with Christ, which is far better.-When, therefore, the children of God experience this victory over the world,—an increasing persuasion of its emptiness and vanity, and a deadness to its enjoyments, they certainly are growing in grace.

2. That man is growing in grace who is becoming more alive to the importance of his salvation, and more sensible of the difficulties with which it is attended. The inestimable value of the soul, and the mighty importance of its salvation, are in some measure impressed on the minds of all believers, at their entrance on the Christian life. Unless this were the case, they could not be induced to flee to Christ for deliverance, and willingly to forsake all, and to take up their cross and follow him. But deeply as this lesson is then impressed on their heart, so deeply that it never can be effaced,—they learn it more fully as they advance in the way of holiness. The more they become acquainted with the character and work of Christ, the more they know of the value of his sacrifice, and the ineffable anguish of soul which it cost him to effectuate their redemption; the more are they made alive to the importance of working out their salvation with fear and trembling. Indeed, so increasingly does this become their experience, as they ripen apace for heaven, that all earthly concerns, in comparison with it, are regarded as the paltry toys of children. With an apostle every one of them can join in testifying, "What things were gain to me, those I count loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found

in him."

Besides, the more they become alive to the impor

tance of their salvation, the more sensible are they of the difficulties with which it is attended. These at first, in a great measure are hid from their view. Their way appears smooth and easy, and they begin to imagine that it shall always be so. But after they have made some progress, they are undeceived; and to their bitter experience they find, that "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life." Like a traveller just set out on his jour ney, who at first sees only a little portion of his way, and, because it is plain, fondly hopes the whole will resemble it; but after he approaches some lofty hill, and ascends its summit, discovers many obstructions, and rough and slippery steps, formerly hid from his view; so it is with all Christian pilgrims. Usually they have not travelled long, till they perceive and feel their difficulties. They begin to discover more of the deceitfulness of their hearts, the strength of their corruptions, and the weakness of all their resolutions and efforts. The world too, in its cares and enjoyments, and the men of the world by their unholy example and conversation, they find greater enemies to their souls than they had believ ed. And they begin to experience Satan's malignant devices. He annoys them with his temptations, tries to drive them from their trust in Christ, and to urge them to the performance of what is dishonouring to his cause, and injurious to their souls.Now, it is to be remarked, that he who is experimentally ignorant of these difficulties, if a Christian at all, is only a babe in grace. But he, on the contrary, who

is becoming more sensible of them, and yet is excited to overcome them, is certainly growing in grace.

3. A humble sense of his own weakness, and a more steady dependence on Christ, is another evidence of the Christian's growth in grace.-Young converts are usually most defective in both of these respects. Though they have been persuaded of their inability to do any thing, in the business of salvation, meritorious of the favour of God; and though they have placed their reliance wholly on the finished work of Christ for pardon and eternal life; yet still they are far from being duly sensible of their own weakness and insufficiency, and of their continual need to rely on his assistance, At first they are so full of zeal, so animated and so ardent, that they imagine, like Peter, there is no service too great for them, no temptation which they could not overcome,—no sacrifice which they would not be willing to make. Boldly they venture forward in their own strength, and are ready to chide the coldness and tardiness of others, who are far their superiors in gracious attainments, because they discover not the same rashness and impetuosity with themselves, Like children, full of spirit and self-confidence, whọ attempt to run before they have learned to walk, and refuse the aid of their nurse's hand, till they fall, and from painful experience are convinced of their own weakness; these young Christians are often so full of fervour, and so little acquainted with their need of constant dependence on the grace of Christ, that they rush onward till they too fall, and learn their