be more unconnected or inconclusive, than the argument, if argument it can be called which is here presented to us. The passage in 1 John iii. 16, 17, is no less decisive. "Hereby perceive we," says the apostle, "the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" Now, if the expression " of God," in the 16th verse, were in the original, the assertion of Christ's divinity would be palpable at once. But seeing that it is not in the original, let us examine how the reasoning stands without it: and it will appear, after a moment's consideration, altogether founded on the principle, that Christ is God. "Hereby perceive we the love" (of Christ-allow this to be the meaning, as it surely must be) "because he laid laid down his life for us." The inference which the apostle draws from this, is, that as Christ is our example, and to bear his image is the badge of our discipleship, and as the claims of our fellow-sinners, are so much greater upon us, than they could have been upon him; "we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." If, then, this conformity to the mind and to the conduct of our great exemplar; if that love which was manifested in him, and which, by being partakers of his nature, we derive from him-if love requires us to part even with life for the brethren ; can that man be a true disciple, can he possess any portion of that love which dwelt in the bosom of his Saviour, if he refuses, out of his abundance, to relieve the wants and miseries, to which God's children are so frequently exposed? "Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him," what resemblance does such a character bear to Christ? How infinitely removed is he from that devotedness, which, after his example, would die for the brethren! "How dwelleth the love of God" (that is of Christ; love answering to his love) “ in him?” 283 SERMONS. SERMON I. HEBREWS, Xi. 1. "Now FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR; THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN." I AM confident that any person who would fairly and candidly bring his mind to the subject could not fail to perceive that there is an extraordinary inconsistency between the professed belief and the general practice of Christians; an inconsistency so extreme, as to be utterly unaccountable on any common principle. If men rejected the Scriptures and led a sinful, or a worldly life, however wrong that state might be, it would be, nevertheless, accountable, and of a piece. But for men to receive a revelation as coming from the great God, and to treat that with practicable attention, is what no one could believe possible, if facts did not irrefragably prove it. I am anxious to direct your attention to this point. For I am convinced, that seeing this |