gium upon their character. "These were more noble "than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the "word, with all readiness of mind, and searched the " Scriptures daily, whether these things were so." The lively interest they took in this important subject, their freedom from the influence of prejudice or passion, their candour, integrity, and diligence, in the search of truth, are a display of true elevation and magnanimity of mind; and will receive the applauses of the wise and the good, as long as the records of the Bible live. We have before us, an example of genuine greatness of character. It is pronounced so, by the infallible testimony of inspiration. All who possess their elevation and nobleness of mind, will, in similar circumstances, follow their example.

We may, then, lay it down as a doctrine drawn from our text, that true greatness of mind will dispose every person, who lives in a Christian country, impartially, and studiously, to examine the Christian religion; that he may determine whether it is from God, and become acquainted with its principles.

This greatness, does not necessarily suppose an uncommon share of genius. Men of the highest talents, are sometimes a disgrace to themselves, and to the human race. It is opposed to that narrow bigotry, which believes because it believes; which feels no conviction from demonstration; and which is capable of seeing nothing but darkness in the blaze of the sun! It stands opposed to that contemptible spirit of self-conceit, which is always too wise to be instructed; and to that ridiculous vanity, which bias the understanding, and hold so large a portion of mankind in the chains of ignorance and folly.

True greatness belongs to the man, who, sensible of the frailty of human nature, feels the need and the desire of instruction; who opens his eyes to receive the light; who, in pursuit of truth and duty, breaks loose from every improper restraint, rises superior to those low and unmanly considerations, which set boundaries to the knowledge and exertion of little minds.

This greatness appears in an openness, candour, and ingenuousness of mind. It gives to every subject its merited importance. And knowing that truth must be essential to human happiness, in the spirit of a truly wise man, he solemnly resolves, ardently to pursue, and cordially to embrace it, wherever it may be found. Those subjects which more especially involve the present and future interests of men, will receive his first, most serious, and diligent attention.

These are some of the characteristics of real greatness. And every man to whom they belong, will be disposed to give Christianity, a dispassionate, and thorough examination.

Various considerations will induce a man of genuine greatness of mind, impartially, and studiously, to examine the Christian religion.

First-He must either receive or reject Christianity; neither of which can be done by an elevated mind, without a previous and thorough investigation.

Blindly to receive it, as a Divine revelation, would be weakness: blindly to reject it. as an imposition on the mination, to discover whether it is true or false, and especially an opinion represented to be highly important to human happiness, he deems disengenuous and uncandid. Christianity is before him; a religion represented as involving every thing which is dear to men. How will he act? Can he receive it with his eyes shut? Can he turn from it, with indifference and contempt? No. Every generous and noble principle of his nature, will impel him to a serious and dispassionate examination of this religion; that he may know, whether it is founded in truth, and what are its principles.

Secondly-Our obvious need of a revelation from God, will also excite him to examine the Christian Religion. No man of candour and reflection, can doubt for a moment, that our world greatly needs a revelation from Heaven. He finds assurance of it, in every system of Pagan religion; and in every volume of Pagan history. The most enlightened Heathen nations, have worshipped a host of gods, and attributed to them, all the frailties and vices of men. They have been involved in wretched perplexity and darkness, respecting a future world, a way of reconciliation with God, and all that is dear to an immortal being. Their religion and their lives may, with very little qualification, be pronounced a disgrace to huBut the man of real wisdom, has no occasion to go abroad for arguments. Finding in himself and in all around him, melancholy proof of the frailty and corruption of our fallen nature, he discovers the absolute need of all the light which revelation pours upon the a Divine teacher, at some future period, would appear in our world, to impart that instruction to mankind, which could be derived from no other source. The man who possesses, in a Christian country, a small share of the understanding and candour of Socrates, will more clearly discover, that our world needs a revelation from God. Impressed with this belief, he will eagerly turn his attention to the Christian religion; with the expectation, or hope, of finding there, such a revelation. "It is cer"tain," he will say, "that the best interests of our world, " require some instructions from Heaven. It is, there"fore, rational to expect a communication from God. "But when, or where, shall we look for it, if it is not to "be found in the Bible ?"

The existence of the Christian religion, in a world where intelligence from Heaven is so much needed, will afford him presumptive evidence at least, that it came from God; and excite him to a very serious examination of the evidences by which it is supported.

Thirdly-He will examine the Christian religion, because it professes to be that very revelation which we need. Christianity declares itself to have come from Heaven; and to bring salvation to a ruined world. It takes a stand, far above all the systems of heathen philosophy, and heathen religion. It professes to delineate the character of the only living and true God; to describe the obligations and conditions of our fellow men; and to reveal a glorious plan of redemption, from sin, and from woe. In short, it professes to impart all that religious instruc. tion, which is necessary to the present and everlasting compassion over the miseries of the human race, reject this religion, without serious examination? Will not every man, who has any claim to the noble character of the Bereans, "search the Scriptures daily, whether these " things are so."

Fourthly-He will examine the Christian religion, because it professes to give the most satisfactory evidence of its Divine original.

Christianity does not call for a blind faith, or a blind obedience. She does not, with false systems of religion, make darkness her protection. She loves the light; places herself, without disguise, before the eye of the world; and invites investigation. She requires us to believe nothing which she cannot support by the most incontestible arguments. In proof of her divine origin, she presents before us the glorious doctrines and precepts which rise infinitely above every thing which the world had been able to produce; and which sink into everlasting disgrace, all the systems of Heathen religion. She appeals to a series of miracles, wrought in face of the whole world, and attested by the best authorities, both among her friends and her enemies. She appeals to prophecies, delivered hundreds and thousands of years ago; which have been fulfilling, in every subsequent period of time; and are now fulfilling, with wonderful minuteness, before the eyes of all men. She appeals also to the history of her rise and progress in the world; -a history so well authenticated, and so visibly marked with the finger of God, that I may venture to say, it has never been care