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Christians, fall short of the spirit of the injunction of doing all things in his name! In the thoughts of how many, occupied by worldly pursuits and pleasures, does he only occasionally find a place ? How many fail in that lively faith in his merits, and dependence on his grace, which are among the most important marks of doing all things in his name? Where is the heart, which fervently and supremely invokes him for illumination, sanctification, comfort, and strength? Where is the life which uniformly exhibits the lustre of his example, an entire conformity to his laws? Where is the Christian always devoted to his honour, and rendering him supreme reverence and love? Alas! we all fall short of the spirit of the precept of doing all things in the name of our divine Lord and Master. And yet, were he some illustrious human personage, armed with power to punish, with honors to reward; elevated in talents, distinguished by virtue-how sedulous should we be in cultivating his favour, in imitating his virtues-how devoted to his service-how watchful of his fame-how grateful for his honors. Christians--“ above every name that is named in Heaven and in earth," is the "name of Jesus;" above all human virtue, his spotless perfection; above all human rewards, the felicity which he dispenses-tremendous, beyond all human punishment, the vengeance which he inflicts on his adversaries. Act then consistently with your pro

fession, and do all things in his name. Habitually contemplate his character and offices; trust to his merits and his grace; invoke his power; follow his footsteps; obey his injunctions; seek supremely his honor; and revere and love him with your whole hearts. The vengeance, with which the Saviour will vindicate his insulted glories, you shall escape; the rewards of bliss and immortality shall be yours. Exalted to that "place whither he has gone before," you shall see him as he is. His " name," his grace, his power, his mercy, his perfection, shall be the subject of your contemplation through eternal ages; and fill you with increasing and unspeakable rapture and joy.

e. John xiv. 2:

SERMON XVI.

MIRACLES.

[SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY.]

ACTS ii. 22.

Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.

THE Church has been occupied through the past season, with the celebration of the incarnation of the Son of God, and his manifestation as the Saviour of the world. And all these wonderful events took place for us men, and for our salvation. But it may be natural to ask, what proof have we of the divine pretensions of Jesus of Nazareth. We answer, the evidence of his divine mission is contained in the account given of him in the words of the Apostle in his address to the Jews, "Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye your

selves also know." The miracles which Jesus wrought, and to the performance of which divine power was necessary, proves that he was sent by God.

The excellence of the religion of Jesus proclaims its divine origin. So clear and forcible is it in the delineation of the attributes and will of the Being who made us; so pure and rational in its precepts and spirit; so accommodated to the necessities of sinful and mortal creatures, in the revelation which it affords of the pardon of sin, of the sanctification of our natures, of the hopes of immortality; that the Gospel, by its internal excellence, recommends itself to the cordial reception of mankind.

It has pleased God, however, to surround it with the most powerful external evidence. The "signs and wonders" wrought by Jesus and his Apostles, incontestibly prove, that God was with them, and claim, for the doctrines which they promulgated, implicit reverence. For he who changes or controls the order of nature, must derive his power from that divine Being who gave to nature its laws.

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Brethren, if God has indeed" spoken unto us by his Son," awfully important must be the truths promulgated by this divine Messenger; and tremendous the punishment which awaits those who will not hearken to his voice. It deeply concerns us, therefore, frequently to consider the evidences of this fact.

In proportion to the strength of our conviction of the force of this evidence, will be the strength of our faith, and our sense of the infinite importance of the truths and promises of the Gospel, of the duty of our implicit obedience to it, and of the peril of contemning or rejecting it. "Jesus of Nazareth was approved of God, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God wrought by him in the midst of the people."

The evidence which miracles yield, in the truth of the Gospel, shall at this time be briefly illustrated.

The course of argument on this subject shall embrace the following points.

That miracles are possible.

That they are probable.

That they have been actually wrought by Christ and his Apostles, in proof of that Gospel which they promulgated, and

That we must therefore consider Jesus Christ as" a man approved of God."

I. We assert that miracles are possible.

To deny this position, would be to limit the omnipotence of God. Miracles are a suspension of the established laws of nature; events plainly contrary to the regular operation of these laws; works, undeniably above human power.

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