Let

From such sorrows only godliness with contentment can keep you free. contentment then with godliness be your highest ambition. No Christian grace, no eminence of purity or devotion, is placed out of your reach by poverty, however low. The single loaf may be eaten with no less thankfulness, than the abundant meal. The plainest attire may be put on with no less modesty, neatness, cleanliness, and propriety, than the most costly dress. The unlearned tongue may no less than the most eloquent either speak truth, or effectually promote by an edifying conversation the welfare of a friend or neighbour. The " cup of cold water," (Matt. 10. 42.) or "the widow's mite," (Matt. 12. 42.) may be given to the brother that is in need with no less charity in the heart, and no less approbation of Him that seeth in secret, than the most ample donation of the rich. The life that is occupied in labour most hard, or offices most menial, may be none the less hallowed by daily prayer, ennobled by the love of God and man, and sanc

tified by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

And when the few years of trial are at an end, how little will then avail the pomp of burial! How little will it signify to our peace, whether our bones are laid beneath some costly monument, or deposited in the lowly grave which is usually allotted to the poor! Many a Lazarus will then be borne by angels to rest in the bosom of Abraham; and many a rich man then in torments have to hear

the grievous reproof, Son, remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." (Luke 16. 26.) How glorious the change, from want, to abundance; from the cottage, to the courts of heaven; from the contempt of man, to the approbation of God! What gain then can be greater than the gain of godliness; what joy more lively than the joy of contentment; what difference of station for a time be compared with the equal dispensation of God's grace, the equal inheritance of his endless glory!

I

"Let the brother of low degree rejoice that he is" thus "exalted;" (James 1. 9.) exalted by the revelation of Jesus Christ to equal privileges, to an equal hope of life and immortality, and to an equal covenant of salvation through Christ. Let him fix his whole heart on treasure in heaven. Let him live as in the enjoyment of the riches of Christ, diligent in labour, patient in tribulation, cheerful in want, thankful under every privation he endures, glorying in his lowest need, to be the more made like unto that blessed Lord, who had not "where to lay his head." (Matt. 8. 20.) That when all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ, high and low, rich and poor, one with another, the gain of his godliness and contentment may be fulfilled in that gracious sentence, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matt. 25. 21.)

SERMON IX.

THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN SUBJECT.

MATT. 22. 21.

Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

IT was pretended by the Jews, that these two precepts were at variance; that to tribute to Cæsar the Roman emperor, pay was treason to their King Jehovah. They were however at this time subject to the Roman government; they used the Roman money; and by the very image and superscription on that money, our Lord confuted their vain pretences, and avoided the snare they had laid for him " in his talk." (ver. 15.) Is it," say they, "lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?" (ver. 17.) designing, whichever way He answered, to

make Him obnoxious either to the Romans or to the Jews. Yet out of their own mouth does He in this text convict them ; teaching us at the same time, that his religion interferes not with obedience to the civil magistrate, but rather requires it as a part of our obedience to God. "Render," saith he, "unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's." All things, properly speaking, are indeed "God's ;" but if He have given some things for Cæsar to count as his, these we are on no pretence to withhold; these we are to render unto him, under the same obligation with which we would render unto God what He hath reserved for his own.

Let us then now enquire what things are in this sense Cæsar's, what duty we, as Christians, owe to all who are in authority over us, and on what principle we ought as Christians to discharge it. I say, specially as Christians, for I speak a Christian minister to a Christian congregation; and on a subject with which I can have no concern in this place,