eclipfed by the glory of the man, when we fee remorse for his fin, and love for his people, prompting these generous fentiments: I have finned; but for thefe Jheep what have they done? Let thy hand be against me, and against my father's houfe. How amiable is the character of the moft patient man, who, in the depth of his diftrefs, was able to make this noble appeal to Heaven: Did I not weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my foul grieved for the poor? I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame; the bleffing of him that was ready to perifh came upon me, and I caufed the widow's heart to fing for joy. But above all, how divinely engaging is the character of Christ Jefus, who fhewed the most illuftrious inftance of good-will to men that the world ever faw; for he came to be a ransom for many, and to purchase their redemption: he led a life of unexampled forrow, and fuffered a death overwhelming to all the powers of humanity. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends; but God commendeth his

love

1

bi Chron. xxi. 17.

© Job xxx. 25.

d Job xxxi. 13. 15.

1

love to us, in that while we were yet finners Chrift died for use. O Jefus, let all nations bow down before thee, and let all people praise thee, for thy love to mankind is inexpreffible!

But finally, brethren, confider, as a motive to engage you to univerfal good-will and to all the offices of kindness and charity, that this is the only way truly to shew yourfelves the disciples of Chrift Jefus. By this fball all men know that ye are my difciples, if ye love one another. This, faith he, is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I bave loved you; and again, a new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another. Deceive not yourselves; if the fpirit of love dwelleth not in you, ye are strangers to the power of Christ's religion. You may wear the appearance of religion; but if you be addicted to ill-will, hatred, revenge, uncharitablenefs, though you fhould artfully endeavour to conceal them, in the fight of God you are at beft but whited fepulchres, and to you the New Teftament applies all the woes pronounced against the Pharifees, thofe

* John xv. 13.

1

Rom. v. 8. 8 John xiii. 34. 35.

thofe hypocrites of old, by the infallible Teacher of mankind. Above all things, then, my brethren, have fervent charity, and remember that this commandment we have from Chrift, that he who loveth God, love his brother alfo". If you have any refentments, now lay them afide. If you have a contracted fpirit, give yourselves no rest till you overcome it; and put on as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longSuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Chrift forgave you, Jo alfo do ye; and above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness',

h I-John iv. 21.

i Col. iii. 12, 13, 14.

SERMON

SERMON VIII.

COLOSSIANS iii. 14.

And above all these things, put on Charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

THE fame word which in this verse, and in several other parts of the New Testament, is tranflated charity, is alfo frequently rendered love. Thus, Walk in love: follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love. I may further remark to you, that the word is derived from that which our Saviour uses in the following paffages, and many others of the fame import: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. This is my commandlove one another. By this expreffion, the bond of perfectness, is meant, that this love or charity is the most perfect bond of human society; that it is that virtue which, if properly exerted, would retain

ment, that

ye

inen in the practice of all those duties which they owe to one another, and prevent those vices which occafion fo much disturbance and present misery.

From these words, I might properly draw feveral fubjects of difcourfe; but I purpose only, at this time, to explain the nature and properties of Christian charity.

Charity may be defined that difpofition which inclines us to think and speak well of our fellow-creatures, and to deal kindly with them. Mere benevolence, or good-will, regards the beneficence of our actions, and our disposition to do good. Charity includes this, but refpects, more immediately, the fentiments and affections which we feel towards others. Under the definition now given, are comprehended various virtues, to which, in the ordinary intercourse of life, we give different names. Thus it comprehends candour in our judgments, fairness in our actions, humanity and kindness in our whole behaviour. It alfo implies the absence of feveral of the blackeft vices of human nature, malice, envy, falfenefs, deceit, cruelty, oppreffion, flander. Charity, in this respect, may be compared to a liberal fountain, giving