ere we have ability to do it without violating
justice. Yea, it will cause us to do it with pleasure, rendering us
like God, who "delights in mercy."

Acts of mercy may proceed from other principles beside the love of
mercy, but these do not answer to the divine requirement. In the view
of him who sees the heart they are not characteristic of renovation,
or a heart right with God.

The third particular here mentioned as constituting the finishing part
of the good man's character, is humility--_that he walks humbly with,
his God_--that he is sensible of his imperfection, and of his need of
mercy from God. This always makes a part of the good man's character.

The good man, while he is just to all, and while kind and benevolent,
and disposed to do good to all, as he hath opportunity and ability,
retains a sense of his defects, of his remaining depravity--that he
but too often deviates from his own principles--that in every thing he
comes short of his duty. Therefore doth he confess himself "an
unprofitable servant"--that he lays God under no obligation--yea, that
he lives on mercy--that all the good things which he receives, are
unmerited, the gifts of divine grace--that was mercy denied him,
and "the reward of his hands given to him, it would be ill with him"
--he should be undone forever.

Such is the character drawn by the Eastern soothsayer in the last
verse of our text: And it is the perfect character of a child of God,
in this state of imperfection, trial, and improvement, where he is
pressing on towards that perfection which he never attains till he
"puts off the body, and is clothed on with his house which is from
heaven." Then "the spirits of just men are made perfect," and not
till then.

"The spirits of just men"--The words are expressive, plainly implying
that none who allow themselves in injustice are the children of God
--that all the saints will eventually be found, to be "Israelites
indeed in whom there is no guile."

Thus did Balaam instruct Balak, or remind him of what God required.
Balak did not regard him. He could not be persuaded to make such
sacrifices as these. He would give all the treasures of his kingdom,
and even the fruit of his body, to procure the favor of God; but to
sacrifice his corruptions, and put on the temper of a saint!--These
were hard requirements--he must be excused! Therefore did he dismiss
his instructor, who hitherto had "spoken only the word which God had
put into his