SEEM.'XXVIII.] A LOVELY CARRIAGE, &C. 473 pel, are become christians indeed, and are made all over amiable, and soft, And obliging .in their deportment ; when they carry it like new creatures, like persons that are changed indeed, that have much of the spirit of love in them, the temper of the gospel, and the temper of heaven ! It is this gospel, as I bave said before, that turns lions into lambs, and ravens into doves, the most savage creatures into mild and gentle. While we are thus engaged in the practice of love, we have no need to abandon our zeal for the truth ; but we should separate our divine zeal from all our own guilty passions, lest instead of honouring God, we should de- stroy his children. The'servant of the Lord maybe bold and stedfast in the defence of the gospel, but he must be gentle towards all men, ready to teach, and patient un- der injuries. " He must not strive like a hero for victo- ry, but when any oppose themselves to the truth, he must instruct them inmeekness," 2Tim.ii. 24, 25. 'Whileweare peaceful and harmless, we may be at the same time pru- dent and wise; our Lord Jesus has joined these two characters ; Mat. x. l 6. And it is a very lovely inscrip- tion for a disciple of Christ to wear in' all his public and private conversation; " wise as serpents, and harmless as doves Thus we may guard ourselves from the malice of the world, while we attempt to win them by all the sacred methods of humanity and divine goodness. HYMNFOR SERMONXXVIII. CHRISTIAN MORALITY; viz, A LOVELY CARRIAGE, COMMON METRE. 0 'TIS a lovely thing to see A manof prudent heart, Whose thoughts, and lips and life agree To act a useful part. When envy, strife, and wars begin In little angry souls ; Mark how the sons of peace come in, And quench the kindling coals. Their minds are humble, mild, and meek; Nor let their fury rise; Nor passion moves their lips to speak,, or pride exalts their eyes, Their frame is prudence mix'd with love Good works fulfil their day ; They join the serpentwith thèdove, But cast the sting away. Such was the Saviour ofmankind, Such pleasures he pursu'd ; His flesh and blood were all refired, His soul divinely good. Lord, can theseplants ofvirtuegrow! In such a soul as mine? Thy grace can form my nature so And snake my heart like thine.
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