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other persons, with whom he conversed; even to that of his own Apostles.

In the same generous manner he treated the publicans; regarded by their countrymen as the vilest of sinners. In the same manner, also, he treated the Samaritans; against whom the Jews exercised the most furious hatred, and with whom they refused to have any dealings; even those of the most indifferent and necessary kind.

The same disposition he showed with respect to doctrines, opinions, and customs. No specimen can be produced, from the history of his life, of bigoted attachment to his own doctrines, or those of his nation, or those of his friends; of prejudice against those of strangers or enemies; of favouritism or party spirit; of contracted regard to any custom because sanctioned by public usage, or general respect, of reluctance to conform to any innocent practice, by whomsoever adopted; or of any narrowness of mind whatever.

When invited to a marriage, he cheerfully went; when bidden to a feast, he readily consented to become a guest. Nor did it make any difference, because the host was on the one hand Matthew or Zaccheus, a publican; or, on the other, Simon, a Pharisee. In a word, he adopted, and commended, nothing, except what was true and right; and neither refused, nor condemned, any thing, except that which was false and evil. Nor did it make the least difference with him, whether that which was approved, or censured, was adopted by friends, or enemies.

Thirdly. His Prudence was consummate on all occasions. Particularly was it manifested in avoiding the wiles, and open assaults, of the Jews. Notwithstanding the invincible firmness of mind, universally displayed by our Saviour; notwithstanding he lost no opportunity of doing good; yet he never wantonly exposed himself to any suffering: discovering clearly, on every occasion, a total opposition, to that vain and idle fool-hardiness, which rushes into danger, merely to gain the reputation of being courageous.

The same prudence is strongly evinced in teaching his disciples, and others, as their minds were able to receive his instruc

tions; giving milk to babes, and strong meat to men; opening new doctrines, and duties, by degrees; and never pouring new wine into old bottles. At the same time, he commended his precepts, both to the heart and the understanding, by their form. At one time, he communicated them in short aphorisms; easily understood, deeply felt, long remembered, and readily applied to practice. At another, he conveyed them in parables; simple, beautiful, natural, and affecting; catching the imagination and feelings, as well as convincing the understanding. At another, he entered into plain, but profound, curious, and unanswerable, reasonings showing, both from the works and the word of God, that his precepts were just, and his doctrines true. Thus he charmed by variety and novelty, as well as proved by argument and evidence; and became, innocently, all things to all men; that at least he might gain some.

The same character he discovered in a manner, not less remarkable, in answering the questions, and resolving the cases, proposed to him by the Pharisees and Sadducees. In every instance of this nature he refuted their arguments, exploded their opinions, defeated their crafty designs against him, and publicly put them to shame and to silence. Thus he beautifully illustrated the truth of that memorable declaration, which he had anciently made concerning himself, I, wisdom, dwell with prudence.

The same truth he still more strikingly illustrated by the uniform tenour of his life. This was such, as to defeat all the malicious accusations of his numerous and bitter enemies; and to place his character beyond a doubt of its innocence and uprightness. To this end it was not sufficient, that he was really innocent and upright. It was additionally necessary, that he should be consummately prudent. In proportion to their want of prudence, all men are endangered in this respect; and most become sufferers. But Christ was regularly considered as an innocent man by all persons, even of moderate candour; had a high reputation for worth in the eyes of the public; and, when tried, on the accusation of enemies and villains, before a malignant and unprincipled tribunal, was pronounced clear of every imputation. Equal proof of prudence, as well as innocence, was never furnished in the present world.

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Fourthly. His Integrity was equally perfect.

This dignified characteristic is strongly visible in several of the things already recited as proofs of his Candour: candour itself being no other, than a particular mode of exercising integrity. Of this nature are his impartial censures and commendations of his friends and his enemies. The same spirit is conspicuous in his reproofs, which, on the one hand, were bold, open, and sincere, and, on the other, were perfectly free from selfishness and ill nature. It is also strikingly evident in the perfect simplicity of his instructions and conversation. In them all, there cannot be found a single instance of flattery, sarcasm, ambiguity, affectation, vanity, arrogance, or ill-will. Nay, nothing is enhanced beyond the strictest bounds of propriety. Nothing is so coloured as to deceive; nothing left so defective as to mislead. The strongest specimen, ever given of integrity in the manner of communication, is found in the instructions of Christ.

Many persons have been distinguished for their integrity; and so distinguished, as to leave behind them, in their history, little or no stain upon their reputation in this respect. But Christ differs, evidently, from them all in the degree, in which he manifested this attribute; and so differs from them, as that simplicity and openness of communication forms a remarkable characteristic of the style, in which he spoke; and constitutes, eminently, what may be called his own original manner. As this runs through all his discourses, as recited by the several Evangelists; it is evident from this fact, that it was his own manner, and not theirs.

The same illustrious attribute was, in the same manner, evinced in all his conduct. By applause he was never allured: by obloquy he was never driven. Popular favour he never covet. ed: popular odium he never dreaded. To friends and enemies, to the populace and the Sanhedrim, he declared truth, and proclaimed their duty, without favour or fear. When he stood before the Sanhedrim, and was on trial for his life; being adjured by the high priest to declare whether he was the Son of God; he boldly said, though he knew, that death would be the consequence, I am. And, to place the declaration beyond all reasona

ble doubt, subjoined, And ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. In a word, he treated all men, while he was teaching, exhorting, and reproving them, as being merely rational and immortal beings; and not as friends or enemies; nor as members of any sect, party, or nation. In this manner he left a noble example to every succeeding Teacher of mankind.

5thly. His Benevolence, also, was without an example.

Many of the observations, already made, strongly illustrate this glorious attribute of the Redeemer. It will, however, be useful to mention other things, more particularly, as exemplifications of this disposition. Among the numerous miracles, wrought by Christ, there is not one, which was not performed for the direct purpose of lessening distress, or danger, or producing safety, comfort, and happiness, to mankind. Many of these miracles, also, were wrought for those, whom he knew to be his enemies; with the full conviction, on his part, that they would continue to be his enemies. While his life was filled up with that peculiarly bitter provocation, which arises from ingratitude, daily repeated, never wearied, and even increased by the very kindness, which should have melted the heart; even this provocation never slackened his hand, nor moved his resentment. When he came in sight of that ungrateful city, Jerusalem, where so many prophets had been killed, where so many of his benevolent offices, and so many of his wonderful miracles, had been performed in vain; notwithstanding all the injuries, which he had received from the inhabitants; notwithstanding they were now employed in devising means to take away his life; he wept over the guilty, abandoned spot; and cried with inexpressible tenderness, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! that killest the prophets, and stonest them who are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings; and ye would not. On the Cross he forgave, and prayed, and secured eternal life, for murderers, while they were imbruing their hands in his blood, and rendering a most bitter death still more bitter by adding insult to agony. At the same time, he communicated faith, and peace, and hope, the forgiveness of sin, and an earnest of immortal glory, to the misera

ble malefactor, who, by his side, hung over the burnings of devouring fire.

6thly. Equally wonderful was his disinterestedness.

This attribute, though often considered as the same with benevolence, is really a qualification of benevolence: as is evident from the mere phraseology, so customarily adopted, of disinterested benevolence. But it is the crown, the glory, the finishing, of this character.

There is not an instance, in which Christ appears to have proposed his own private, separate good, as the end either of his actions or sufferings. He came, to live, and die, for others; and those, enemies, and sinners. From them he needed, and could receive, nothing. From him they needed every thing; and from him alone could they receive that which they needed. For such beings all his labours, instructions, and sorrows, were planned, and completed. The objects, which he had in view, were the most disinterested, public, and honourable, which the Universe has ever known; the deliverance of mankind from sin and misery, their elevation to virtue and happiness, and the supreme glory of God in this divine and most wonderful work. These objects he accomplished with extreme difficulty and self-denial, and with immense expense on his own part. This arduous work he began with a fixed purpose; pursued with unshaken constancy; and triumphantly completed, in spite of every discouragement, difficulty, and danger. On all his progress heaven looked with wonder and gratulation; and, at his return to that happy world, the ransomed of the Lord exclaimed, and will for ever exclaim, Worthy is the Lamb, that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

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