mercy and piety—

 Be careful to distinguish between mercy and piety— [It is possible for persons to be of a merciful disposition, whilst they are utter strangers to real piety. Natural constitution has made some more tender than others; and education has formed some to better habits. But it often happens, that persons of benevolent minds imagine all religion to consist in acts of kindness to their fellow-creatures. They found this notion even on the word of God itself: but they sadly misinterpret that passage, and entirely overlook the duty of "walking humbly with God." But this is no less necessary than acts of justice and of mercy: yea, without it all our virtues will be no better than splendid sins d ] 2. Be careful at the same time to combine mercy with piety— [Piety cannot exist without mercy. "The wisdom that is from above is full of mercy and good fruits0." "The tree that bringer forth not good fruit is fit only to be hewn down and cast into the fire." It is by " bearing one another's burdens that we fulfil the law of Christ." We may talk love 'Rom. iv. 4. • Heb. vi. 10. * Prov. xix. 17. "Matt. x. 42. x Matt. xxv. 34—46. i 2 Cor. ix. 6. * 1 Cor. iii. 11. » Luke xvi. 9. » 1 Tim. vi. 17—19. 0 Mic. vi. 8. d Han. i. 16. • Jam. iii. 17. 'Gal. v. 2. to God, but we cannot possess it, if we delight not in every act and exercise of love*. We may give good words to our indigent neighbour; but, if we do not administer relief at the same time, he will be no better for us: and as our pretences to love will be of no benefit to him, so neither will our pretences to faith be of any benefit to ourselvesh. If we have not learned to "weep with them that weep 1," it is to no purpose to call ourselves Christians: we only deceive our own souls" Charles Simeon

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