sins such as wrath, or anger, which not unfrequently end in murder, and which, in the eyes of God, are regarded as murder. We might shew how strongly and frequently wrath is forbidden; and then shew how very often it springs from pride and is excited by the tongue; all of which would tend to exhibit still more strongly the sin of pride and evil speaking—the two sins Scripture most frequently condemns, and against which we are most frequently warned.

Of the seven evils condemned in a passage, already quoted from the Book of Proverbs, pride stands first "A proud look." The evil of the tongue is the second, and also again repeated as the last"A lying tongue ;" "A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." And these two evils are likewise connected and condemned in the context See Prov. vi. 12-19.

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It is very profitable, independently of the important and interesting feature of Divine Truth we are investigating, to observe the connection of one sin with another, and to see that in proportion as the danger is imminent, the warnings are frequent. We cannot dismiss this subject without directing attention to the connection between pride and evil speaking; though, according to human judgment, we should say pride would prevent this low offence. They are frequently connected in the Word of God.

Thus we read of the pride of man and the strife of tongues, and of lying lips which speak grievous things, proudly and contemptuously, against the righteous. See Ps. xxxi. 18, 20. "For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride; and for cursing and lying which they speak." Ps. lix. 12. "Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust; and respected not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." Ps. xl. 4. See also Ps. lxx. 6-9; and ci. 5.

CHAPTER XIII.

FAITH; HOPE; AND CHARITY, OR LOVE.

IN order clearly and conclusively to establish the principle, that every subject in the Scriptures is prominent in proportion to its importance, it is necessary not only to prove that all important subjects are prominent, but likewise to shew, as far as they practically concern us, they are prominent in proportion to their importance; or, in other words, that as there is a proportion of importance in the truths of Revelation, so there is a proportion in the prominence given to them in that Divine Chart.

It is evidently much easier to shew the direct, than the relative importance and prominence of any subject; nor do we need so much explanation, as our meaning is not so likely to be misunderstood. We know it is a very common practice, arising from the iufirmity of our nature, to endeavour to depreciate one subject in order to establish the importance of another. It is most needful, therefore, in examining the relative importance and excellency of any subject in the sacred volume, carefully to guard against

such a practice, which is evidently as unscriptural, as it is manifestly unwise; for all truths are so harmoniously blended together, that we cannot undervalue one subject without detracting from the value of another. This subject admits of the most ample proof, as will appear hereafter when we come to examine the relative importance and prominence of Faith, Hope, and Charity.

It is needless to adduce any lengthened proofs of the general importance of these three cardinal graces; the relative importance of which is hereafter to be noticed; and which the Apostle Paul asserts are left for the constant use and exercise of the Church, and which he so highly commends in his Epistles; and the possession and exercise of which formed the chief ground of his warmest gratitude to God on behalf of the Church of the Thessalonians. "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." 1 Thess. i. 1, 2.

Our Church shews the importance she attaches to these three graces in that beautiful and scriptural prayer which is offered up in behalf of those received into her bosom at baptism :-"That being stedfast in Faith, joyful through Hope, and rooted in Charity, may so pass the waves of this trouble

some world, that finally they may come to the land of everlasting life." Again, in her Collect, where she teaches us to pray "for the increase of Faith, Hope, and Charity." We need not here give more proofs of the general importance of these three graces, of which it has been justly observed-" All things are possible to them that believe, easy to them that hope, and pleasant to them that love."

What prominence then does Scripture give to these three graces? We have already seen how conspicuous is the grace of Charity, or love, in the Word of God; and all who are conversant with those sacred records, must be aware of, at least, the general prominence of Faith and Hope. In adducing proof, therefore, of the direct and general prominence of these graces, we shall confine ourselves to the Epistles, and to such passages as embody the three graces. 1 Cor. xiii. 13; Col. i. 4, 5; 1 Thess. i. 3, v. 8; Gal. v. 5, 6; Heb. vi. 9, 11, 12; 1 Pet. ii. 21, 22; 1 John iii. 3, 21; Rom. v. 1, 5, xii. 3, 10, 12.

Our object in merely quoting those passages in which Faith, Hope, and Charity, are connected and commended, will appear hereafter. The reader who wishes more clearly and fully to ascertain the general prominence the Scriptures give to these three graces, can easily do so by an attentive perusal of the Epistles. Our main design in this Chapter is to