or to suffer, in the cause of Christian duty, there is not perhaps time for such consideration, or our faculties are in a state not fit for it, or they may be unequal to the task of reasoning clearly, and deciding fairly on the subject, and therefore an express command promulgated by one whose authority is acknowledged, and whose wisdom is revered, must be of the greatest use, in all such cases, not only to those of slender capacity and limited information, but to the wisest and best instructed of the human race. It is always at hand, and may be called to our recollection in a moment. The precepts of our Lord which enjoin patience, fortitude, steadfastness, resignation, charity, and forgiveness of injuries, are short and easily retained in the memory; whereas the principles of our nature from which we infer the same virtues, require time and reflection and some skill in reasoning to render their force and obligation apparent, and the least wrong step in our deductions might fatally mislead us in our practice. So that, as I have said, we have the greatest reason to be thankful, that the Lord whom we serve hath given express precepts and rules for our direction in all cases that can occur to us, and in every situation in which we may happen to be placed, as thereby the improvement of our character, our peace of mind, our respectability, and our best interests with respect to both worlds are evidently best consulted. And this naturally leads us to consider, fourthly, The promises of reward annexed to the virtues recommended in the text.

Suffice it to observe upon this part of our subject, that, as our Saviour foresaw that his first disciples would meet with many severe trials, he was at the greatest pains to fortify and prepare them for enduring those trials, pressing upon them the motives to constancy, with the utmost earnestness and affection. "Blessed are ye," says he," and great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

The recollection of these gracious assurances from their Master's own lips, would thereafter, when the time of trial and persecution arrived, when men reviled them, and persecuted them, and said all manner of evil against them falsely for his sake,-would, I say, inspire them not only with resolution and fortitude superior to the utmost malice and cruelty of their persecutors, but with joy unspeakable that they should be counted worthy to suffer on his account, who had done and suffered so much upon theirs. And we, brethren, may lay hold of these gracious assurances of our Saviour, and the comfort they afford, with as much confidence as if we had heard them with our ears. We are not exposed to persecution for professing Christ; but still he who would live godly in the world must meet with many trials of his constancy, which, though not so severe as those of the apostles and first Christians, are perhaps not less dangerous to virtue; and if we acquit ourselves under them as we ought, we shall have as much cause as they had to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. The true Christian, if every other hope

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On Persecution for Righteousness' Sake.

and comfort should fail him, and if, in the estimation of the world, he should be of all men the most miserable, has this hope remaining, that great shall be his reward in heaven-that his light affliction which is but for a moment shall work for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Animated by this glorious hope, let us all be instant at a throne of grace for strength from on high to enable us to live suitably to it, to withstand temptation in whatever shape it may assail us, and to hold fast our integrity, and possess our souls in patience when we are falsely accused, or meet with undeserved illtreatment. Let it be habitually remembered, and deeply impressed upon our hearts, how infinitely it concerns us to be steadfast and immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, seeing that, if we faint not, we shall assuredly reap a glorious and everlasting reward.

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SERMON X.

ON FALSE TEACHERS.

MATT. VII. 15-23.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophecied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

THE great and gracious ends of revelation are, first, the advancement of God's glory; and secondly, the conversion, comfort, and sanctification, and final salvation of mankind.

Revelation advances the glory of God, by giving just and elevated apprehensions of his nature and

attributes, and by instructing men, how they are to express these apprehensions in acts of worship and obedience. And it evidently abounds every where with arguments and threatenings to reclaim us from sin, and with precepts and promises, which are intended and well fitted to build us up,-after we are reclaimed,--in holiness and comfort, unto eternal

life.

But, though it is evident that these are the two great ends which Scripture has in view, yet it is well known, that by false glosses and interpretations, it has often been perverted to very different purposes, to deceive and mislead the weak and the ignorant,-to forward the ambitious views, and to be a cloak to the pride and covetousness, of wicked and designing men. And hence the wisdom, utility, and even necessity, of the caution given by our Lord in the passage before us, are abundantly apparent: "Beware," says he, "of false prophets," that is, of false teachers, "which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." If a man's faith be agreeable to the doctrines delivered in the Gospel, and if his faith be not merely speculative, but a steady and uniform principle of action, then it is certain, that his practice will also be conformable to the precepts of the Gospel, except in those instances where the remains of the corrupt man occasionally overpower his better convictions, and hurry him into sin; and even then he will, with the utmost shame and sorrow for his transgression, soon return to the path of duty.