II. As we thus judge of the hatefulness of malice, from a consideration of the source from whence it springs; let us after the same manner proceed to appreciate the loveliness of the opposite quality, the quality of mercy and loving-kindness, by a reference to its Author. And for this purpose to whom shall we refer, but to that perfect Being, who is "the Author and Giver of all good things;" and whom the Apostle emphatically styles, "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort y ?" For what is the form, under which lovingkindness delights to show itself, of which instances are not supplied in the dealings of our almighty and most merciful Father, innumerable in quantity, and infinite in degree?-Malice is gratified by murder. Does loving-kindness take pleasure in giving and preserving life? In God "we live and move and have our being?" he called us into existence: he maintains and upholds us in it by the word of his power.Malice is envious. Does loving-kindness delight in the happiness of others? It is

a

"the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy "," and who takes pleasure in beholding us innocently enjoy them: and who, not content with showering upon us temporal blessings, and "giving us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, to fill our hearts with food and gladness"," hath moreover" according to his abundant mercy begotten us again unto a lively hope, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved for us in heaven "."

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Malice is false and calumnious. Is it the character of loving-kindness, that it rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth?" It was that he might "bear witness to the truth," that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, to give light to them that sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.-Malice is resentful and vindictive; impatient of an offence, and intemperate in requiring satisfaction. Is it the character of the opposite quality,

Acts xiv. 17. * 1 Pet. i. 3, 4. John xviii. 37.

that it “suffereth long and is kind f?" Behold that quality most signally illustrated in the Being, who himself "is love;" who in the distribution of temporal blessings, notwithstanding the perverseness and ingratitude of his creatures, "maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust1;" and who still more conspicuously "commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, and consequently his enemies, he sent his Son to die for our offences;" in that he still striveth k" with his people by his Holy Spirit; still "willeth not that any should perish';" still "waiteth that he may be gracious m" to the sinner, and "stretcheth forth his hands unto the rebellious and gainsayers";" still exerciseth "the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering," that so he may lead sinners to repentance, in order to the remission of their sins. Are we then desirous of being "followers of God as dear children P?" Do

we esteem the perfections of the Almighty in their due degree fit objects for our imitation? Let a consideration of that source, from which loving-kindness springs, induce us to cultivate the quality in our hearts and lives; to "be merciful, even as our Father in heaven is merciful;" "to be perfect" in the exercise of this heavenly grace, " even as our Father is perfect":""to be kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us."

III. From the contemplation of the Father of mercies, thus delighting in the exercise of forbearance and loving-kindness towards his creatures; let us turn for a further motive to the character and conduct of the Son of God, when he was made flesh, and dwelt among us in the likeness of men. "I have given you an example," said he to his disciples, "that should do as I have done to you." And what was that of which he had given them an example, but the most profound huni

'Luke vi. 36.

Matt. v. 48. • John xiii. 15.

ye

lity; a temper, in which malice has no portion; and which cannot exist independently of loving-kindness, and tenderness of heart? "Christ suffered for us," saith one of his Apostles, himself an eye-witness both of the sufferings which he endured, and of the disposition with which he endured them; " leaving us an example that we should follow his steps." And what was the example, which he left us to follow? and what was the peculiar quality, which it was the design of St. Peter to recommend?" When he was reviled," adds the Apostle," he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously." Infinitely worthy as he is of our imitation in all the particulars of his wonderful life, he is in no one to be contemplated as an example of holy living more than in his patience and long-suffering even to the very period of its close. His life was a constant endurance of " the contradiction of sinners againt himself"." One of the concluding acts of his life was an