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SERMON V.

Fifth Beatitude.

5TH. CHAP. OF ST. MATTHEW, 7TH. VERSE.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

HEN the ministers of the Gospel un

WHEN

fold any particular precept, and recommend it to the attention and practice of their hearers; it is their duty to guard against the idea, that it can be acceptably and meritoriously performed, by those who are destitute of the principles of true religion. For want of this caution, dangerous errors have no doubt been deduced, even from the words of eternal truth. We read in the Bible, for example, that " he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law; and, as far as our duty to our neighbour is concerned, we see the reasonableness and propriety of

the

the declaration.

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He that loveth another,"

will be careful to exercise the particular dispositions, and perform the particular actions, which flow from the principle of brotherly love. But if, instead of confining the Apostle's words to the idea which they were intended to convey, we give to them a meaning which he would disown, and which is contrary to the general tenor of the Scriptures; if we substitute a part of Christian duty for the whole, or confound the consequences of justification with the means; we are guilty of a dangerous error. It is evident that, from natural disposition or acquired habits, a man may be gentle and courteous in his demeanour, kind and benevolent in his feelings, just and charitable in his actions. But, while he is self-indulgent, devoted to some worldly object, and absorbed in some worldly pursuit; while he is careless of eternity, indifferent to the concerns of the soul, and regardless of God; while the repentance of the Gospel is unknown to him; the atonement of Jesus Christ forgotten,

and

and the influence of the Spirit of holiness unsought he will perform his duty to his neighbour in vain. In like manner any other particular precept must be understood. It must never be suffered to supersede injunctions of equal importance. Its performance must not be supposed to atone for the neglect of duties, which, resting on the same authority, are equally binding. It must be considered a religious exercise, only when performed on religious principles: when it springs from love to God, and gratitude to Jesus Christ: when it is done in dependance on the merits of a crucified Saviour, and in reliance on the inspiration of Divine grace. When however it is thus guarded by the momentous doctrines of the Christian faith, every virtue which is exercised on earth, will add lustre to the crown of glory which is reserved for the believer in heaven. And when we thus explain and enforce the morality of the Gospel, we fulfil one of our most important duties: we speak the language of the Bible: we do what Christ and his apo

stles

stles did before us. When the foundation of Christian principle is laid, much has been done, but not all. It remains to point out its practical results: to show its legitimate influence on the temper and the life; and the bright constellation of virtues by which it is attended. I know that it is alleged by some, that, where the principle of genuine faith is implanted, all the fruits of faith will necessarily and inevitably follow. This is true with respect to the desire which such a heart will feel, to follow the Spirit by whom it has been awakened, to obey the Saviour by whom it has been redeemed; in short, to do and suffer the whole will of God. But, because the feelings are touched; does it follow that the reason does not require to be instructed? Because we are anxious to perform our duty; does it follow that it is unnecessary that our duty should be explained? Have we not known characters, who have been impressed, deeply and effectually impressed, with religious truth; while, in some points of conduct, they have been greatly

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