curate self-examination, more cause for deep humiliation that we suspect.

But it would exceed the bounds assigned to this treatise, should the subject of offences be considered in a manner suitable to its importance: Yet, before we proceed further, it may be proper to call the reader's attention to that source of scandals, which our Lord hath especially selected, namely, discords and contentions among his disciples. Bitter controversies among professors of the gospel; mutual accusations, if not invectives and slanders; appeals to the world in print of one party against another; and many other effects of pride, selfishness, and resentment, too common at this day, are not only deviations from the rules which our Lord hath prescribed in this case, but, diametrically opposite to them; and constitute offences of the most pernicious and lamentable kind. But growth in grace proportionably destroys the root of this bitterness; and renders men cautious not to disgrace the common cause, by an eagerness to vindicate their own characters, secure their own interests, or expose the crimes of their opponents. It renders them averse to controversy when it can be avoided; and when constrained to contend for the truth, it dictates candour, meekness, modesty, and benevolence; mortifies the desire of victory and applause; and inspires zeal for the honour of God and the salvation of souls. It ! Matt. xviii.

is, therefore, evident, that this is one important part of growth in grace, though it be seldom duly valued and inculcated.

6. The apostle concludes with these words, "That ye may be filled with the fruits of righte

ousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise "and glory of God:" and this evidently comprises another particular of great importance in this enquiry. The care, expence, and labour of planting, grafting, pruning, and tending the tree, have respect to the fruit expected from it; without which no man would be satisfied with its stately growth, redundant foliage, or beautiful blossoms. The whole plan of redemption, the humiliation and sufferings of the divine Saviour, the inspiration of the holy scriptures, the preaching of the gospel, and the instituted ordinances, are entirely designed to render men fruitful in good works; and if this end be not answered in those who profess the truth, the whole as to them has hitherto been ineffectual. "What could I have done more

to my vineyard that I have not done in it? "wherefore, when I looked that it should bring "forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes.'

Even the work of the Holy Spirit, in regenerating, illuminating, convincing, and comforting the soul, is entirely subservient to the Lord's design of rendering it holy and fruitful: nor is any knowledge, experience, faith, joy, or confidence

genuine, which is not connected with fruitfulness,

or productive of it.. Every tree, that bringeth "not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into "the fire."

Whatever part of a believer's conduct tends to make known the glorious perfections and works of God, and to promote the credit of the gospel, the conversion of sinners, and the peace or purity of the church; whatever may diminish the sum total of ignorance, error, vice, and misery in the world, or increase that of true knowledge, wisdom, holi ness, and felicity; in short, whatever does real good to mankind, in their temporal or spiritual concerns, is good fruit: all else should be counted but as leaves and blossoms. An upright, faithful, blameless, benevolent, peaceful, forgiving, pure, and holy conversation; a cheerful, thankful, resigned, and patient spirit; a reverential, and stated attendance on the ordinances of públick and family worship; a conscientious regard to the will of God, in our dealings with men, and in our behaviour towards all who are in any way related to us, even when they neglect their reciprocal duties; and an habitual moderation, in all the pursuits, interests, and pleasures of life, have a manifest tendency thus to adorn our profession and benefit mankind. To these we may add a faithful improvement of the talents committed to our stewardship; whatever measure of authority, influence, abilities, learning, or riches, may be as

signed to us by our common Master: for with such talents we may do proportionable good; provided we be influenced by evangelical principles, avail ourselves of advantages and opportunities, and ask wisdom of God to direct us in our endeavours. All those liberal acts of piety and charity, which christians perform with that portion of their time, attention, or property, that others waste or abuse, are fruits of righteousness, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. And when we connect with these things, an holy boldness in professing the truth, and constancy, chearfulness, and meekness, in suffering for it; we have the general out-lines of Christian fruitfulness.

The good ground "brought forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold." All believers are in some measure fruitful, when their principles have had time to produce the proper effect: but the apostle prayed for his beloved people," that they might be filled with the fruits "of righteousness." He earnestly desired, that they might produce all the fruits of the Spirit,' in a degree fully adequate to their abilities and opportunities; that none of their talents might be buried or misemployed, nor any thing neglected, or left unattempted, by which they might glorify God and do good to men. We cannot think ourselves perfect in this life, without being justly chargeable with pride; nor can we neglect to

1 Gal. v. 22, 23.

pray for perfection and follow after it, without criminal negligence, and toleration of sin in our hearts and lives.

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Professors of the gospel too often resemble those trees, which must be very carefully examined, before it can be determined, whether they bear any fruit or no. But the apostle could not be satisfied with such ambiguous characters; he wished to see his people, like such fruit-trees as attract the notice and admiration of every traveller, while at one glance he sees all the branches loaded with the valuable produce. It must then be manifest that the increase of fruitfulness is one essential branch of the believer's growth in grace; nay indeed, that all the other particulars are principally important because of their subserviency to this grand object. This might be more copiously proved and illustrated, but it seems too obvious to require it. Our Lord declares, he had "chosen "and ordained his apostles, that they should "bring forth fruit, and that their fruit should re"main" and whoever duly considers the instruction conveyed by the parable of the vine and the branches, will be ready to conclude, that no man is a living branch of that true Vine, who does not bring forth more and more fruit, during his continuance in this world; and will at least determine, that when the reverse takes place, the individual's state and character become proportionably ambiguous.