by himself in his description of the day of judgment, in which he dwells, with so much emphasis, upon the feeding of the hungry, the clothing of the naked, the relieving of the sick, upon active sympathy, in short, in every species of distress. But the more conspicuous part still of our Redeemer's charity, was that shewn to the souls of men. For man's temporal comfort he wrought miracles; for our eternal salvation he suffered death; in this most especially "commending his love to us, in that while we were yet sinners, he died for us." Our salvation was indeed the immediate object of all that he did or suffered in his incarnate state. For this purpose he submitted to become our example, by being in all points tempted and tried as we are, yet without sin. For this also he taught mankind, having compassion upon the ignorance of the soul, still more than upon the blindness of the body; and herein leaving an example to his ministers more especially to follow the steps of his unwearied diligence, of his sober and salutary doctrine, of his affectionate earnestness for the reclaiming of erring souls to God and happiTo his ministers, I say, more especially, but not to them alone. Our Lord has manifested to us, by his own earnestness in the cause, the supreme importance of religious instruction; and though he has committed the immediate duty of public teaching to comparatively a few, yet the ness. diffusion of Christian knowledge is an end in which all should feel a paramount interest, and which according to their station and ability they should endeavour directly or indirectly to promote. Such was the charity of our Lord; and such its force as an example to ourselves. "By this," saith our Saviour himself, "shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." "Walk in love," saith St. Paul," as Christ also loved us." Let us consider, finally, the patience of our Redeemer. "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps." Not only in the severity of his sufferings is he an example of patient endurance, but more especially in this, that his sufferings were, in respect of himself, as unmerited, as they were unequalled. “ He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." It was for us he suffered, and the just penalty of our demerit, that he bare in his body upon the cross. How apt are we Christians to suppose, that if we suffer any thing wrongfully, we are not only justified, but even. called upon, to resent it! Is not this the doc. trine of the world? And is not the world, on this point, directly at issue with its Lord and future Judge, Jesus Christ? Look to his example; "when he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not." What then did he do? did he not by such submission in a manner compromise the cause of righteousness, in indulgence to the iniquity of man? No; he committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously; and who will one day set to right all these seeming irregularities. In that day no meek Christian, who in a spirit of genuine patience gives up the imaginary right of retaliation, shall repent of his forbearance. Following the example of the Judge of all men, he shall rejoice in the day of his appearing. By studying in this manner the life of Christ, we may derive encouragement and instruction under any circumstances in which we may be placed. His example is of universal application. To the young he is a pattern of obedience and early piety; to those who are tempted of resolute faith in God's word; to the rich, and those who have the means of doing good, he is an example of beneficence; to his ministers, of diligence in teaching; to the afflicted, of patience; to the injured, of meekness; to those under authority, of submission; and to all his followers, of diligence in their callings, of habitual prayer, of overflowing charity, and, above all, of a supreme devotedness to the will of God, which was, if we may so speak, the ruling passion of Christ, the master principle of his character. We are Christ's in profession; oh! that we could make his virtues ours in practice! that instead of being conformed so much to the world in its anti christian prejudices and practices, we were 'transformed in the renewing of our minds' according to the pattern set us in his holy life! So might we entertain a well grounded hope of seeing Him again with joy, and of being made like to Him in glory. The resemblance must begin here, if it is to be carried on in heaven; the further too it is carried now, the more will it then be advanced and the greater our progress in the imitation of Christ, the brighter will be our prospect of sharing his glory. SERMON VII. FAITH IN GOD, OR THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY 2 COR. xiii. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. THE doctrine of the ever-blessed Trinity may be considered either speculatively or practically: speculatively, to confirm our faith; practically, to influence our conduct. It is in the latter view that I propose to contemplate it on the present occasion. Not that I would disparage a humble inquiry into this doctrine, as far as it is revealed in Scripture. Truth in itself is an object of the first importance, and especially sacred truth, to beings, like ourselves, endowed with understanding, and made capable of knowing God. To love truth is a sign of an ingenuous and, I may add, of a Christian mind. "The fruit of the H |