For

suffered such things. That it was for us. us sinners who had departed from Godwho had rebelled against him-who were utterly undeserving of his regard-and utterly indisposed to seek his favour. It was to ransom our never-dying souls from unutterable woe, that Jesus thus suffered. It was to deliver us from that everlasting wrath of God, which our transgressions had deserved; and to raise us to "glory, and honour, and "immortality," in the kingdom of heaven, that the Saviour endured such things. Think then, my brethren, of your obligations to that Saviour. Trace all your hopes of escaping everlasting woe to the cross of Christ, as the source from which they proceed; and then consider how you may shew your gratitude to him, who has conferred such favours upon you. The proof of gratitude which he demands, is, that you should copy his example, and become like him that you should tread in his steps, and," as he that hath called you is holy, so

you should be holy in all manner of con

"versation."

But we must not forget, that this subject affords us a rule by which we may examine ourselves, and form a correct opinion of our own state and character: for so far only as we are followers of the example of Christ, have

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we good reason to believe that we are his real disciples; and that we shall in the end be partakers of those blessings which he purchased for his faithful people. I would call upon you then, in the Apostle's words, to "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the "faith." You call yourselves christians-you profess to be the disciples of Christ-but do you copy his example? Are you daily becoming more like him? Does the same love both to God and man, which marked the character of Jesus, shew forth itself in you? Do you delight in doing the will of God? Do you desire to promote the divine glory? Do you love the ordinances of God? Do you find pleasure in worshiping him-in reading and hearing his word, and in pouring out your hearts before him in humble fervent prayer? Is it your aim and purpose, as far as in you lies, to do good unto all men-to soothe the sufferings of those around you--to promote their comfort-and above all, to lead them to choose everlasting blessings as their portion, and to seek them in the way which God has appointed? Do your tempers and conduct towards men, resemble those of the meek and lowly Jesus? Are you made like unto him in his meekness, in his forbearance, in his patience under insults and injuries?

Alas! have we not but too much cause to

fear, that there are many who can trace no resemblance of this kind, between their character and that of the Saviour?-Who love the world more than their God-Who are glad of excuses for neglecting his worship-Who are selfishly attached to their own interest-Who indulge in proud, revengeful, and malignant dispositions→ Who are unforgiving towards those who behave amiss to them:-whose whole character, in short, is altogether opposed to that of Jesus? Hear, my brethren, the declaration of St. Paul," If any man have not the spirit " of Christ, he is none of his." The man who does not make it the aim and purpose of his life to resemble Christ, has no proof whatever that he is his true disciple. He has not the preparation for the enjoyment of heaven, and therefore, he has no reason whatever to expect to be admitted there. If then you are conscious that this is your character, I would address to you, St. Peter's words-" Repent

ye therefore, and be converted." Humble yourselves before God for your past sins. Seek the forgiveness of them through that Saviour, who suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, "that he might bring us to God."2

And, finally, my brethren, if you have reason

1

Acts iii, 19.

2

1 Pet. iii, 18.

to hope, that your faith is genuine, because it leads you to holy obedience; let me call upon you to be still more diligent in copying the example of your divine Master-" Where"unto you have already attained, walk by the

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same rule, mind the same things."1 Giving "all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and "to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge

temperance; and to temperance patience; "and to patience godliness; and to godliness "brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kind"ness charity. For if ye do these things, ye "shall never fall: for so an entrance shall "be ministered unto you abundantly into "the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and "Saviour Jesus Christ."2

Phil. iii, 16.

22 Pet. i, 5--7, 10, 11.

SERMON XXIII

THE SANCTIFYING INFLUENCE OF
EVANGELICAL HOPE.

1 JOHN iii, 3.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

THE revelation of love and mercy, which God has graciously made to us in his holy word, proposes to confer upon us the most invaluable blessings in the way best suited to meet our wants; and it assures us, that they who truly receive its gracious offers, are raised to the possession of the most exalted privileges. St. John declares in the first chapter of his gospel, that to such persons is given "the power to become the sons of God:" and with his mind filled with admiration of their happy state, he begins the chapter, of which our text forms a part, by exclaiming, "Behold, what manner of love the Father