which of his evil
dispositions or affections it is that is yet unsubdued. This rebellious
enemy he vigilantly sets himself to watch against, to struggle with,
and, through divine grace, to conquer. The test of his sincerity does
not so much consist in avoiding many faults to which he has no
temptation, as in conquering that one to which his natural bent and bias
forcibly impel him."

Lady Belfield said, "But is it not impossible to bring every part of our
nature under this absolute dominion? Suppose a man is very passionate,
and yet very charitable; would you look upon that person to be in a
dangerous state?"

"It is not my province, madam, to decide," replied Mr. Stanley. "'God,'
as Bishop Sanderson says, 'reserves this _royalty_ to himself of being
the searcher of hearts.' I can not judge how far he resists anger, nor
what are his secret struggles against it. God, who expects not
perfection, expects sincerity. Though complete, unmixed goodness is not
to be attained in this imperfect state, yet the earnest desire after it
is the only sure criterion of the sincerity we profess. If the man you
allude to does not watch, and pray, and strive against the passion of
anger, which is his natural infirmity, I should doubt whether any of his
affections were really renewed; and I should fear that his charity was
rather a mere habitual feeling, though a most amiable one, than a
Christian grace. He indulges in charity, because it is a constitutional
bias, and costs him nothing. He indulges in passion, because it is a
natural bias also; and to set about a victory over it would cost him a
great deal. This should put him on a strict self-examination; when he
would probably find that, while he gives the uncontrolled reins to any
one wrong inclination, his religion, even when he does right things, is
questionable. True religion is seated in the heart; that is the centre
from which all the lines of right practice must diverge. It is the great
duty and chief business of a Christian to labor to make all his
affections, with all their motives, tendencies, and operations,
subservient to the word and will of God. His irregular passions, which
are still apt to start out into disorder, will require vigilance to the
end. He must not think all is safe, because the more tractable ones are
not rebellious; but he may entertain a cheerful hope, when those which
were once rebellious are become tractable."

"I feel the importance of what you say," r