as

from mount Sinai; and He, who ordained it, has a right to difpenfe with to modify, or alter it, as He pleafes. It was, therefore, a fufficient vindication of his followers, in the circumftances now mentioned, that they acted in his fervice and by his permiffion. It becomes us, alfo, to regard "the Son of man" "the Lord of the Sabbath." In this view, we fhould obferve that facred feafon out of obedience to his command, and seek the enjoyment of his prefence and favour, as the grand object of it. We believe it to have been agreeable to his will, if not by his exprefs directions, that a change should be introduced, and that the first, instead of the laft, day of the week fhould be kept holy to Him. This is now diftinguished by a new and more honourable name," the Lord's day:" He claims it as his own, in a peculiar manner; and he has laid us under fresh and greater obligations to fanctify it, by rifing from the dead, and bleffing his Church with the miraculous effufions of his Spirit, on that very day. In this alteration it is not implied, that the fabbath itself is abrogated, or that any thing is taken away, effential to the original inftitution, which prescribes fuch a portion of our time to be fet apart for God. But rather, according to this reprefentation, if Jefus be "the Lord of the fabbath," the appointment is confirmed, and its continuance among Chriftians is ordained by him.

Soon after the incident laft mentioned, we find him combating the fame, or fimilar, objections of the Pharifees. "On another fabbath," probably in fome city of Galilee, he attended the public worship of God at the fynagogue, as his custom was; and there alfo he took the opportunity of teaching the people*. Here again we are inftructed to be thankful, that we have a house of prayer, to which we can refort, and that divine ordinances are adminiftered among our

* Mat. xii. 9-21. Mark iii, 1—12. Luke vi, 6—11.

4

felves.

if we are not, in one refpect or another, actuated by a fimilar fpirit. What, then, will the iffue be? What can you expect, in profecuting a contest against Him, who has all power in his hands? O "kifs the Son, left he be angry, and ye perifh from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little * !"

It should seem, that, even in our own times, fome unfair and mischievous conclufions have been drawn from our Lord's conduct upon the fabbath, and his vindication of himself. Many, clearly, think themfelves authorized to pursue their worldly projects of bufinefs and pleasure. But is there any thing, in what he has faid or done, to countenance fuch a practice? Do we perceive in him any contempt of the facred day? Or can we infer more from his example, than this, that works of piety, charity, and neceffity may be attended to? We afk, then, Are these the only calls, which you regard on the feafon, fet apart for holy reft? Have you not taken pains to explain away all obligations to a ftrict and serious obfervance of the fabbath; as if, at leaft, the Gospel had fo far released us from them, that every man is now at liberty to profecute his own plans, as intereft or convenience, fashion or inclination may lead him? You may inveigh against superstition; but are you not, in this way, pleading for profaneness? We are aware, that infidelity is defirous to throw down that strong barrier of religion, the fanctification of every feventh day; for, this being effected, there is nothing to prevent the floods of impiety and wickedness from overflowing and defolating the world. Should we not, hen, make a bold ftand against every fuch attack, d maintain the important duty of devoting that ortion of our time to the Lord, without abatement, hich he requires? And can we help lamenting, that who profefs to be followers of Jefus, habi

Pfal. ii. 12.

tually

tually neglect and fhamefully violate the duty? We fee them deferting the house and miniftry of God, ready to join in every fcheme of idlenefs, vanity, and diffipation, or else fo engroffed with fecular cares, that their thoughts and affections cannot be raised to any higher objects; and yet they wish to be complimented as good Chriftians. How ftrange and grievous an inconfiftency is this!

The fame ardent zeal, for the glory of God and the falvation of men, continued to actuate the Saviour. Intending to appoint certain perfons, out of his conftant attendants, to the Apostleship, he previoufly retired for fecret prayer to a mountain, where probably an oratory was erected, that he might engage the divine bleffing upon the inftitution: and fo fervent was his devotion, that he remained all night in the fame fpiritual exercife +. A whole night spent in importunate fupplications to God! Ah! at how great a distance do we ftand from this eminent example! Would not a fingle hour, fo employed, feem a weariness to us? Yet furely we must allow the propriety and neceffity of confecrating fome portions of our time to the fame pious purpofe. Efpecially, when our minds are fixed upon any important fcheme or undertaking (and what can be more important than the ordination of perfons for the work of the facred ministry?) a more than common length of holy retirement, and an unusual earnestness in prayer, will be requifite, that we may proceed to it with right principles, and prevail with our God to affift and profper us in it.

After fuch a preparation, very early in the morning Jefus called together his difciples, or stated followers, who by their previous acquaintance with him had been in fome measure trained up for the fervice;

*Prid. Connect. vol. iv. p. 557.

† Mark iii. 13-19. Luke vi. 12—49.

and

tain remarkable paffages of the fermon, which he had preached fome months before, probably in a diftant place, and to a different audience. As that fermon has been already confidered, it may be fufficient briefly to fuggeft the principal topics, on which our Lord infifted at this time; not as if they were of small moment, but becaufe they have fo lately engaged our ferious meditation.

With a view to encourage his true difciples, and perhaps thofe more especially whom he had just appointed to the facred function," he lifted up his eyes on them," as if rejoicing over them, and expreffing his peculiar affection towards them. He then defcribed their character, their exalted privileges and happiness, notwithstanding all they might fuffer, and, with the language of authority as well as love, pronounced them bleffed. This is perfectly applicable to his fincere followers in every age. They are

poor," it may be in worldly things, as they certainly are " in fpirit;" but they are the favoured fubjects of Chrift's kingdom, and heaven, with all its

its and glory, fhall be their inheritance. They may fuffer the extremity of want, fo as to be deftitute of food, for the fake of the Gospel, after the bleffings of which they "hunger," more than after their neceffary fupport; but they fhall be fupplied with every thing truly good for them, and fatisfied with all spiritual enjoyments. They may endure mach diftrefs upon earth, oppreffed with penitential forrow, no lefs than with the calamities of life; but the time of their deliverance and exultation is at hand. They may be treated with hatred and contempt, and feparated from the fociety of their nearest friends; but on this very account they ought to rejoice and triumph, because the Lord God hath put an honour upon them, and will diftinguifh them with marks of peculiar regard, at the refurrection of the juft.

But,

But, turning to others of an oppofite character, he. described their awful cafe, and denounced the most tremendous woes against them. Let thofe, in the present day, who are deftitute of true religion, hear their doom declared, and fear for themselves. They perceive not their need of any fpiritual bleffings, nor feel any ardent desires to obtain the grace revealed in the Gospel. Whatever temporal advantages, therefore, or fenfual pleafures they may now enjoy, they are wretched; fince they "have neither part nor lot in this matter.” Poffibly, they may abound in wealth, and be able to command every gratification, which a carnal heart may covet; they may live in fplendour, gaiety, and diffipation; they may be admired and applauded amongst men; but the day of their calamity is coming; for their expiring breath will conclude all their comfort and their glory, nor can any thing await them beyond the grave, except tribulation and anguish, fhame and everlasting contempt.

After fuch alarming declarations, Jefus proceeded to deliver various precepts, which prove the peculiar holinefs of his religion, and are of general ufe to all his profeffed difciples, for the regulation of their tempers and conduct.

He enjoined the exercife of forgiveness and love towards the most violent and malignant perfecutors, together with the practice of univerfal and difinterefted benevolence. But to return kindness for injuries, bleffings for curfes, how opposite to the pride, envy, anger, and refentment of our fallen nature! To do good, without the profpect of prefent recompence or advantage, and without exception of perfons, how contrary to the felfish, contracted notions of men! Yet only by fuch an enlarged beneficence can we prove ourselves to be partakers of the grace of Chrift, and the children of the Higheft, who extends his benefits to all.

He