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I have now done with the exposition of my text, and shall close the discourse by a few remarks which the subject offers to our consideration.

First. It is impossible to regard, with serious attention, the passage before us, without feeling unfeigned sorrow at the lamentable deficiency of this moral perfection among Christians. I speak the "words of truth and soberness," when I affirm, that many who call themselves by this honourable but much dishonoured name, have no idea of its true character, and that they are altogether destitute of that benignant spirit which constitutes its very existence. They see nothing sinful in many of the vices which the gospel condemns; or any thing "lovely and of good report," in many of the sublime qualities which it requires. Ah! how painful it is, that such multitudes should profess to call God their father, while they resemble him so little! They profess fellowship with him, while they are slaves to appetite and passion. They profess relation to his Son, while they "walk according to the course of this world." They profess to be moved by the Spirit of God to religious duties, while they bring forth none of his fruits. Instead of gentleness, they are full of irritation and resentment: and while they profess Christianity, they have scarcely a common degree of humanity in their natures. They desire to be numbered among the faithful followers of a compassionate Redeemer, "whose heart was made of tenderness," while they are wholly unpossessed of that good will, of that placid and amiable disposition, of that meek and submissive spirit which so distinguished Him, and which is so interwoven with the vital reception of all the essential truths of Revelation. Indeed, provided they discharge a few of the ordinary duties of life, and observe some of the outward forms of religion, they think themselves "perfect," although in acts of benevolence to their fellow men, they are inferior to many heathens! They have on their

tongues the most amazing instances of divine mercy and forgiveness; while they are envious, malicious, implacable and unmerciful in their hearts! In case they are not first in the offence, they imagine themselves at full liberty to speak as bitterly and act as unkindly as their passions dictate, towards those who have done them disservice! In a word,-civility to friends, and hatred to foes, are essential articles of faith and practice in the Christianity of thousands! "What do they more than others? Do not even the publicans the same?" Let them drop the name of Christ, or else exemplify its import.

Secondly. We may learn lessons of holy wisdom from every thing around us. From the examples of publicans and heathens our Lord takes occasion to show us our duty, and excite us to its performance. We are so apt to forget that which we ought chiefly to remember, that we should make every place a school, and every object a book—to teach us the necessity of diligence in "whatever our hand findeth to do." The brute creation is frequently presented to our notice, either to reprove us for neglect, or admonish us to the discharge of religious obligations. Solomon sends the slothful to the ant for wisdom: "Go to the ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise; which, having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."* Isaiah sends the ungrateful to the ox and the ass for instruction: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider."+ Jeremiah produces the example of the fowls of heaven, to reprove the unwatchful and thoughtless: "Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow, observe the time of their coming; but my people

* Prov. vi. 6-8.

+ Isaiah i. 3.

Hath a

know not the judgment of the Lord." So the Saviour bids us learn a cheerful dependence on providence from the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. The heathens are likewise mentioned as setting us better examples than many professors follow. "Pass over the isles of Chittim, and see: and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. nation changed their gods which are yet no gods? people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit." And also the publicans, men of the lowest character, by showing a spirit of courtesy to such as are courteous to them, teach us to rest in nothing short of extending our love to enemies,-if we would rise above themselves, and resemble our Father which is in heaven,"who maketh the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

But my

Finally. No accuracy of theological creed will supersede the duty of Christian charity. By the term charity, I mean not barely the giving of alms, but the exercise of a a cordial and comprehensive beneficence, both towards enemies and friends. We are called to "put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness;" "to be conformed to the image of his Son," and to behold the glory of God, that we may be "changed into the same image from glory to glory." This is the high standard at which we are to aim, and by which we are to direct our steps. But what is this image? Let us hear David: "The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works." And what is the thing that he has chosen? Let us hear Isaiah: "Is it not to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the

Jer. viii. 7.

+ lbid. ii. 10, 11.

Psalm exlv. 9.

hungry: and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh."* Nothing renders us more conformable to the divine and perfect pattern than the evangelical display of such benevolence. And no zeal for doctrines, confessedly important, or attention to the outward forms of devotion, however scriptural, will be accepted instead of this. The solemn decision is " He shall have judgment without mercy who hath shewed no mercy;"+ and that "whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also cry himself, but shall not be heard." In a word, these are the works of mercy, without which" faith is dead, being alone." To the constant imitation of the unlimited benignity of your "Father which is in heaven," I now exhort you. To this course of holiness and happiness we are all invited and called, by obligations, examples, threatenings, promises, and advantages. The subject shows us at once our unworthiness as creatures,―our vast deficiencies and unprofitableness as the professed disciples of Christ, and children of God,—our duty to strive after a nearer conformity to the most perfect model set before us, and our great necessity "for the mercy of God unto eternal life." "Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy, and find grace to help us"§ in making the blessed attainment. Amen.

• Isaiah lviii. 6, 7.

James ii. 13.

Prov. xxi. 13.

§ Heb. iv. 16.

Z

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