is

can say, "O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger turned away, and thou comfortest me.'

1

The text, however, furnishes an idea which especially deserves our notice. St. John is addressing three general classes, which seem to embrace the different stages of Christian experience, "little children," in their first joys; "young men," in the vigour of their strength; and "fathers," in the maturity of their knowledge. And it is to be particularly observed, that FORGIVENESS is spoken of as the privilege and attainment of the first class. He, therefore, writes unto them, because, even in their case, a sufficient groundwork for spiritual proficiency was already laid; in them the first cheerful motives of obedience were awakened; and they were involved, with "the young men and fathers," in preserving the pure interests and high sanctity of the Church.

Let us, then, look more fully into

THE CHARACTER;

THE PRIVILEGE; and

THE GROUND OF THE PRivilege.

I. THE CHARACTER- -"little children." This was St. John's favourite term, not only for expressing the deep interest which he felt in the whole family of Christ, but for pointing out their teachableness, simplicity, and characteristic purity. In the text, however, he evidently applies it to the first stage of experience. And here, while it suggests the teachable disposition required for the attainment of this experience, it shows the necessity of attending to the first stage; of preserving the proper order, and of seeing that we do set out at the regular point; so that the whole work may thus proceed with safety, according to established rule; for a regular advancement through the whole chain of subsequent attainment, and for the security of perfection in the end. If a work be not commenced at the proper point, it is well known that the whole is in danger of being rendered imperfect. And for the same reason, in spiritual things, we shall be erroneous in our conceptions, miscalculating at every step, and perhaps never feel, or never appear to feel, really in earnest. A good foundation

is essential for the security of the whole building. And a perfect acquaintance with the letters is indispensable in our attempts to learn a language. As in the case of traine ing a child, the spiritual man must go through a regular scholarship. He must begin as with the alphabet, with the most self-evident and essential truths. And the first lesson to be made clear to his comprehension is, that, man is a sinner-a point not to be admitted in general terms, without the trouble of investigation, and the honesty of personal application; not to be taken up according to popular opinion; not to be applied only to cases of gross and well-known criminality; but a lesson, to learn which effectually, we must submit to the Divine Spirit as our Teacher, take the Bible for our text-book, and consider thoughts, inward as well as outward actions, as main points of character which must be weighed in the balance of truth, and be scrutinized in the light of heaven. Yes, and this one lesson, properly studied with true investigation of the heart; rightly learned in that light where we view

ourselves under the penetrating survey of God; and clearly understood as proving our case to be hopeless without an application to the Saviour; the one simple lesson, that man is a sinner, effectually comprehended by each, will produce all those child-like dispositions, that humility, teachableness, and single-minded sincerity, which bring down the pride of reason, break the pride of the heart, awaken real anxiety of inquiry, and carry out the true spirit of a simple scholar in the school of the Gospel; and thus centring the thoughts on the first point of actual blessedness, the FORGIVENESS OF SINS, the CHARACTER in the text will be realized, that of "little children" in the family of Jesus Christ, whose privilege and real portion it is, to have their "sins forgiven for his name's sake."

As laying down a first principle, an indispensable requisite, "Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them," to illustrate His doctrine, and said, "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." The simplicity

N

of a child's feelings very strongly indicate those dispositions which only can prepare for the enjoyment of any Gospel blessing. And, surely, a proper view of our sins must awaken considerations of sufficient weight to bring down every proud feeling to all the simplicity of child-like meekness; while the importance of that knowledge, which furnishes the prospect of pardon, must inspire all the anxiety of child-like teachableness.

Having noticed the CHARACTER of this class of Christians, let us consider

II. THEIR PRIVILEGE.-"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you."

"The forgiveness of sins" is constantly repeated as a point of belief, without being much realized as a present blessing; and the reason for this will be found very much, either in the circumstance that the first lesson, that man is a sinner, has not been properly studied; or in the want of sufficient information respecting the PRIVILEGE itself. On this last point, I wish now to fix your attention; that you may see from the New Testa