NOTE.

These Sermons are not "published by urgent request." They owe their appearance simply to the anxiety of the writer to contribute something towards the good work in which he and his people are now engaged, and any profits which may accrue will be entirely devoted to the Building Fund of the New Church. They are affectionately dedicated to the Members of the Church and Congregation to which the writer ministers, with the earnest prayer that they may be counted worthy to convey help and blessing to all who read them.

LINCOLN, April, 1875.

W. F. C.

I.

THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS.

Matthew X., 24, 25.

"The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.

Luke vi., 40.

"The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master."

In both these passages we have the same saying,— one of the most touching ever uttered by the LORD Jesus, but with a different application. The one refers to similarity of outward condition; the other to similarity of character. To borrow a phrase from the vocabulary of political strife, the one is a "levelling down" of the disciples to the position which Jesus was content to occupy,-the other is a "levelling up" of their imperfect character to the Divine purity and holiness which He displayed. This two-fold application has its lesson for us as for them.

I. THE SAYING IN MATTHEW.

It occurs in the. Ordination Charge which Jesus gave to His disciples. They are just starting on their mission, and receive directions concerning their present tour, and their future work. Our text introduces the third part of the discourse, namely, a description of the condition and labours of all the disciples of Christ.