feelings of nature, as the consideration that we do it at the command and for the sake of him, who “suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously1?” -Faith believes that her sufferings can be but for a very little moment2: Hope is assured that "the Lord shall bring forth her righteousness as the light, and her judgment as the noon-day" hence it comes to pass that Christian Charity "endureth all things." -Again, "Charity envieth not, neither seeketh her own." It does not envy others the possession of worldly good, neither does it despair when deprived of its own possessions; because Faith has taught the Christian that he is a "stranger, and pilgrim on earth," and therefore that happiness cannot be secured for a moment by the possession of David's glory or Solomon's wealth; and because Hope inspires him to look for the "city which hath” eternal" foundations, whose builder and maker is God 5:" much less does he envy others the possession of the favour of God; because God's blessings are not like the bounty of earthly sovereigns, necessarily confined by their limited power to a few chosen servants : they are like the blessings of his emblem, the sun; they are sufficient to "satisfy the desire of every 11 Pet. ii. 21, 23. 4 Heb. xi. 13. 2 2 Cor. iv. 17. living thing" therefore if others gather more of the heavenly manna, he that gathers least shall have no lack 2: his own love of God is a pledge that God loves him; and therefore that he will abundantly repay all his sufferings, will satisfy his utmost wishes, from the countless stores of his heavenly treasures.— Again, how can "he vaunt himself," or be "puffed up" with self-conceit, the basis of whose religion lies deep in humility; who knows and laments that he is a miserable sinner; who confesses that he possesses nothing, either bodily or spiritually, which he has not received from God's unmerited bounty; and who finds his happiness from humbling himself in order to exalt his Saviour?-But most of all the man of Faith and Hope and Charity "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” Amidst all his imperfections at least he hates sin with a perfect hatred, because he has proved it to be the source of all the misery which he himself has suffered, because it has turned the light of God's countenance from him and he rejoices in, and loves the truth, because he has willingly embraced it and found that it has restored to him God's favour, and with it all the peace and comfort he now enjoys. Must he not deplore the prevalence of iniquity among his fellowcreatures, and rejoice with joy unfeigned, when any beams of the Sun of righteousness burst forth on their night of darkness and death? 1 Ps. cxlvi. 16. 2 Exod. xvi. 18. 31 Cor. viii. 3. But the time warns me to conclude. Charity, we have abundantly proved, is the end, the consummation of all religion, the keystone which binds together the whole fabric of God's new creation in Christ Jesus. Let each of us, as we approach the holy table, ask ourselves whether we come by Faith in the one great sacrifice offered on the cross? whether we approach with a comfortable Hope of acceptance through the merits of Christ's precious blood-shedding? whether we approach with hearts full of Love and gratitude to the ever blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, by whom this great salvation was devised, achieved, and is now applied to our souls, and full also of Charity towards the blessed company of all faithful people, who with us are members of the same mystical body, and with us are heirs through hope of the everlasting kingdom? If we receive an answer of peace, we ought to come with joy and holy confidence, assured that we shall be welcomed as worthy partakers; such pensioners on his bounty our loving and compassionate Lord will never send empty away. COLLECTS. O God, who hast prepared for them that love thee, such good things as pass man's understanding, pour into our hearts such love towards thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of Faith, Hope and Charity, and that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord, who hast taught us, that all our doings without Charity are nothing worth; send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of Charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee: Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. SERMON IX. JUSTIFICATION. JAMES ii. 20-24. "Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." To be justified by God is to be accepted by him, and treated as if we were just and righteous. It were a waste of your time to prove that in reality we are not just and righteous; that we are miserable sinners; and stand before God as supplicants for mercy, because we are sinners. God then must display some method of reconciling with his truth, his justice, and his hatred of sin, the salvation of a sinner,-otherwise we never could obtain this mercy, nor be re |