First, Let it be the primary object of solicitude, that the heart be renewed and controlled, by the power of sanctifying grace.

Christian morals must have their foundation in Christian principles; and the effectual control of the temper must have its origin in the renovation of the heart, by the power of the regenerating Spirit. Not more true is it, that unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, than it is true, that except a man be born again, he cannot display "the mind which was in Christ Jesus." He may, indeed, on philosophic principles, acquire a certain degree of control over the external indication of feelings, but never will the temper

of his secret soul bear resemblance to that of our Divine Exemplar, or be conformed to the requirements of the law of love, unless it be formed and moulded by the influence of the gospel, and the power of renewing grace.

It is under this influence alone that genuine and unfeigned humility is cherished in any human heart; and where this grace of primary importance has no place in the mind, there can be no security for the due control of the temper, even for a single hour. Sins of temper usually spring from the sin of pride--that "root of bitterness" which produces so much bitter fruit. In every rank of life, man is apt greatly to overrate his own im

portance and his own claims. He is but the creature of yesterday ;-a feeble, dependent, polluted, dying worm; and yet he is disposed to erect and elevate himself into a kind of subordinate deity; and, having thus idolized himself, to demand a correspondent homage from others. If they display not the respectful deference and the yielding spirit which he considers due to his character, or his station, or his talents, he betrays angry and indignant resentment. apostle, therefore, strikes at the very root of the evil, in that admirable injunction which he addressed to the Philippian believers, and enforced by the example of our blessed Redeemer himself: "Let nothing be done

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through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves.-Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Perhaps there are no defects or feelings, to which, more frequently than those of temper, the mournful complaints are applicable, which an apostle thus poured forth: "That

which I do, I allow not; for what I would, that do I not: but what I hate, that do I. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not: For the good that I would I do not; but the evil that I would not, that I do."

How powerful, then, is the inducement to pray without ceasing, that He who has all power over the spirit of man, would exert over our feelings a salutary control, and in the moment of exposure to unholy irritation and excitement, would preserve us in perfect peace. This entire control, it would be too much to expect from the unaided efforts of our own minds;