beneficence in which the world has for a season rejoiced, if it be his philanthropy that made a Howard, his heaven that inspired a Milton, his purity that touched the soul of a Fenelon; then has he imparted the best gifts of God to man, and "in him the love of God is perfected" towards us.

And the disciple of Christ, too, may glorify the Father's name. If his Lord's miracles and teachings are not imitable, his character is. Upon what principle can the Christian appeal to any other measure of moral good? How does he dare, in questions of right and wrong, to plead the laws of fashion and the approving sentiments of the world?" What would the Lord Jesus think?" "How would the Lord Jesus do?" are questions which supersede all reference to inferior oracles of duty. If from the heart of life's activities, if from the depth of its cares, if from the shadows of its griefs, our imaginations now and then placed suddenly before them Jesus with his meek serenity, the fruit, of communion with God and eternity, he would rise before us, a living conscience, to rebuke, to enlighten, to purify. How would the grasp of avarice be relaxed by the frequent remembrance of him who spake of imperishable treasures! How would the eager chase of honor be moderated by the thought of him who, amid the hosannas of the multitude, wept over his fated country! How would the passions which centre on the present be cooled by the vision of him whom we see standing on the confines of the grave, and inviting our spirits to their home! How would the selfishness which chills our hearts be melted by the habitual thought of him whose benevolence was the image of the God that dwelleth in love! How

would the fears and despondency of nature be dissipated by the remembrance of Jesus, who found in a filial devotion, a peace which no tempest could disturb; who saw, that the. whole system of human wo is but the machinery of love, and in affectionate patience waited for the great issue. Happy those whose retrospect is on cherished thoughts like these. Happy those who, when thesoul is troubled," can hear the voice of conscience and of trust, telling of the name of God, not in thunder but in love," I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

PRAYER.

O Most adorable and incomprehenisble Being! whose splendor no eye can bear, no thought conceive, whose power rideth on the whirlwind, whose wisdom discerneth the hidden things of darkness, whose goodness poureth on our hearts their gladness; whom to adore is solemn joy, whom to trust is unfailing safety, whom to love is peace eternal: before Thee we are nothing; without Thee we can do nothing. In dependence on Thee is all our strength; in the beamings of thy glory is all our light; in prostrating our wills before thine is our noblest elevation.

O God of love, whose glory pervadeth all things! whose presence is the light of other worlds, and whose mercy dwelleth among the abodes of men; we trace thy footsteps throughout creation, thy providence in all events; but we delight to seek Thee, Thou infinite

Father, through Jesus Christ, the purest image of Thy-, self. Amid the weaknesses and wants of our nature, may we look on him who hath taken away our infirmities, and be healed. In the consciousness, of frailty and sin, may we remember the Saviour, wlose meat it was to do thy will, and finish thy work; and, in that we have loved him much, may we be forgiven, and go and sin no more. When our minds are too much engrossed by the perishable interests of life, and our hearts too eagerly engaged in its scenes, may we meditate on him who hath overcome the world, and passed into the heavens for us; and with spirits elevated by affectionate reverence for his heavenly patience, may we run and not be weary, and walk and not faint. In dark and trying moments of duty, in anxiety, in bereavement, in the wasting of nature and the hour of death, may we rise above our doubts and fears, in the thought of that land of rest and recompense amid whose blessedness our forerunner lives. O Thou everlasting, Fountain of holiness and peace! Thou faithful and paternal Being, whose highest glory is thy children's good! enable us to discern and pursue our true and noblest happiness. Impart to us the heavenly wisdom of pure, well-ordered, and awakened affections. By active beneficence, by a generous, thoughtful, and compassionate love of others, by self-culture and vigilance, by filial devotion towards Thee, inspiring us with energy in every duty, and serenity in every suffering, may we glorify Thee on earth and then, O Father, who hast raised up Jesus, to be the Lord of life, glorify us with Thyself, in that unfading world of which Thou art the everlasting light. Every blessing we seek in

the name of Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life; and through him ascribe unto Thee glory and praise eternal. Amen.

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SERMON XVIII.

ON SINCERITY.

2 Corinthians i. 12.

"OUR REJOICING IS THIS, THE TESTIMONY OF OUR CONSCIENCE, THAT IN SIMPLICITY AND GODLY SINCERITY, NOT WITH FLESHLY WISDOM, BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE HAVE HAD OUR CONVERSATION IN THE WORLD."

ANOTHER Would have said, My rejoicing is this, the testimony of the world, that by my knowledge of its ways and an adroit use of circumstances, I have suċceeded in my favorite projects of amassing wealth, of increasing my power, of rising to a high elevation on the steeps of ambition. But what does the great Apostle say is the subject of his self-gratulation? The testimony-not of the world, not of partial friends or interested admirers-but of that faithful monitor and honest judge which dwelt in his own heart. This was to him a source of ineffable, inexhaustible delight. And what did this monitor and judge testify? That in simplicity, or singleness of heart, and in such sincerity as might be witnessed and approved by the spirit of truth-not by that carnal policy which the world calls wisdom, but in the laudable exercise of those talents, in the proper use