act, lays him under the whole curse, and subjects him to perpetual punishment from the infinite guilt incurred. We can be justified in the sight of GOD by faith only, in the finished work alone of CHRIST, without the deeds of the law. His infinite righteousness and atonement is the only meritorious cause of our salvation; the electing love of GoD in CHRIST is the only original source; the influence of the HOLY SPIRIT is the only operative, and faith the instrumental cause. The fruits of the SPIRIT are the consequent effects, and therefore cannot be the cause of our justification. This is a truth which cannot be too deeply impressed on us all. Our justification must ever precede the sanctification of our hearts; for it is only "through the SPIRIT," that we can "mortify the deeds of the body."

The principle of self manifests itself also, when we are pleased with praises and compliments, of which we are conscious we are not deserving.-When

we feel annoyed at the preference shown to others. When we indulge pride in any outward appearance, or in any circumstances and events we relate to others. When we feel hurt or annoyed at any remarks tending to lower our self-esteem; although the opposite effect often arises from the influence of a rooted self-conceit.-When we use the gifts of nature or providence, or any artificial acquirements, to feed our vanity or pride. When we are desirous of speaking concerning our own affairs, are unwilling to listen to those of a brother, and feel little interest in the concerns or welfare of others.-When we feel pleasure in relating the faults and failings of others.-When we expose the injudiciousness of a brother, for the purpose of displaying our own imagined better judgment.-When we make any representations to others, which we think will tend to raise ourselves in their opinion.-When we consider our own ease and comfort upon any occasion, and feel an unwil

lingness to make any sacrifice for that of others.--When we are ready to spend in self-indulgence and sensual gratifications, what we should very reluctantly give towards the comforts of others, or the cause of religion.-When we sometimes squander money for the sake of being thought liberal.-When we are ashamed of poverty, or of any state and condition in which we are placed by Providence. When we resist any thing which tends to our own abasement.

And do not you, my poorer brethren, imagine that you have nothing to do with these manifestations of self, and with pride. There is, perhaps, more pride in the heart of some one of the poorest among you, than in that of the King.

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I have thus, brethren, enumerated some of the forms, in which self may detected. It is in these and numberless other ways, that the principle of self discovers itself in the natural man; and it also always exists, and is

often to be perceived, in those who are regenerated, although in a softened form. For although the principle of self is subdued in the child of GOD, and has yielded to the ruling motive of charity; yet, it still remains uneradicated, and gives way but gradually to the progressive sanctification of his heart by the SPIRIT of GOD.

The words of my text are addressed to all professors of religion, in whom self under any form, remains a ruling principle of action; for, if the SPIRIT has descended into the heart, it must rule there by charity. "Woe, therefore, to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria,"

It is true that self-love is a law of our nature, and implanted there by our Creator for the wisest purposes. Selflove, therefore, under certain limits, is not contrary to God's will. But we must be careful to distinguish the boundaries of its lawful actings. That it has these limits is evident from those passages of Scripture, where we are

exhorted to love our neighbour as ourselves; and where the husband is taught to love his wife according to the same rule. It is important therefore to determine these limits. Self-love centered in ourselves is sin: but centered on GOD in CHRIST, it is the renewal of that law which was originally impressed on the heart of man. To avoid then, the sin of self-love, we must love ourselves in GOD, and for GOD; we must love ourselves from the influence of our love to GOD, flowing from a sense of His love to us, as exhibited in His Son, and revealed in His written word.

In concluding my first part, I would consider the nature of the judgment which is denounced in my text. Our Saviour clearly acquaints us with the nature of that woe, which is denounced in many other passages of Scripture. When addressing the Scribes and Pharisees, He exclaimed, "Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites." Seven times did JESUS CHRIST