their temper vilified, their usefulness denied. With so much less reason to complain of the injustice of others, we are much more impatient under provocation; and we think that our slight attainments in religion should exempt us from the common lot, and draw an impenetrable veil of respectful deference around our characters.

If the consideration that "no new thing has happened unto us," fail to produce the desired effect of patient endurance; let us anticipate the glories that shall be revealed hereafter. "Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is our reward in heaven." Pass but a very few years, and it will be of no importance to us, whether we have spent the short and feverish life of man on the pinnacle of honour, or in the depth of disgrace. What we have done for eternity will then alone be valuable. What we have " suffered for righteousness' sake" will be found our greatest gain. "Cease then from man whose breath is in his nostrils, for wherein

is he to be accounted of?" Our business is

with God. His favour is the one thing needful. His protection will stand us in stead of every other. If He " be for us, who can be against us?"

But, let us not deceive ourselves, my brethren. It is possible to be hated of mankind without being beloved of God. It is possible to suffer persecution in vain. Our Saviour does not simply say-" blessed are they which are persecuted," but, "blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake." He does not say-" blessed are ye when men say all manner of evil against you," but, "blessed are ye" when they do it "falsely." If our errors and faults, if our folly and imprudence, if our spiritual pride, excite the just censure of the sober-minded and judicious, or the natural ridicule of those who see the disagreement between our professions and our conduct; we are not suf fering "like the prophets which were before us," nor must we expect their "reward in heaven." But, if we are censured by the world, because we have really renounced it;

if we are despised by the mere formalist because our religion is spiritual, or by the mere moralist because we humbly lay our sins and our virtues together at the foot of the cross; if we are belied by the advocate of a fruitless faith, because, under the guidance of the Spirit of God, we are not only advancing towards perfection, but ardent in recommending to others the duties which we practise ourselves, constantly reminding them that "he who doeth righteousness is righteous:" we "suffer according to the will of God," and we may "commit the keeping of our souls to Him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator."

SERMON IX.

On the Duty of letting our Light shine before Men to the Glory of God.

5TH. CHAP. OF ST. MATTHEW,

16TH VERSE.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

OF the numbers who attended our Sa

viour's ministry many were no doubt impelled by their own curiosity, many by the example of others; many in short were his apparent followers to whom his self-denying doctrines were unknown, and who sought in the offices of religion only the temporary amusement of their fancies, or the temporary excitement of their passions. They were like the generality of religious professors

VOL. II.

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