Truth. The solemn admonition of the inspired prophet is, that we should "love the truth." But persons who profess to think that one belief is as good as another, strike as it were at the very foundations of all religious truth, and instead of showing their love for it, rather do what in them lies to extirpate and root out all sense of its value from men's hearts.

Indeed, it may seem that infidelity itself could devise no more effectual mode of gaining an influence in a Christian nation, than by encouraging this notion, that one form and system of religion is as good as another. For when once it is agreed on that all are equally good, it is but one step further, and that a very natural and easy one, to assert that all are equally worthless. And this we see exemplified at this day, in the rapid progress of various wild infidel opinions in many parts of this kingdom, the effects of which have already appeared in some degree, but which will no doubt assume a more decisive character within no very long time.

As to the third case, namely, of persons who, though neither infected with the poison of infidelity, nor yet of false liberality, yet do not put their hearts and minds to the Truth, and therefore cannot by any means be said to "love" it, as in the text and in other places we are so solemnly enjoined to do,—of such persons it must be confessed, that their religion, though good so far as it goes, is yet of a very shallow and imperfect character.

They have built their house not on a rock, but in the sand; and therefore it will be no matter of wonder if, in the day of trial and temptation, they give way and fall, as we so often see to be the case, with persons too of whom much better things might have been hoped.

This shows of what consequence it is that we not only search out and follow "the truth," but more than this, that we also "love" it; that our best feelings and affections be excited in its behalf; and that we esteem it even an honour and a pleasure, when called on, to suffer in the cause of truth.

Such as this doubtless is the suitable disposition for the faithful followers of HIM who so solemnly and emphatically declared in deed as well as in word, "To this end was I born, and for this

cause came I into the world, that I might bear witness unto The Truth," with the memorable caution subjoined, "Every one that is of The Truth, heareth My voice."

And now I would add a few words of admonition to serious and thoughtful minds, not to be frightened at the name of bigotry, or any other term of reproach, but steadily to cherish in themselves a substantial love of God's holy Truth, always remembering that The Truth will stand and nothing else will; that error however for a time appearing prosperous and successful, as it often does so appear, especially to those whose hearts are too much set on this world's things, must fail us in the end.

It should be our care and anxiety to have our hopes and comforts fixed on a more substantial foundation, that so like the great Apostle, we may have no need to be ashamed, as knowing in Whom we have believed." Our conscience also bearing us witness that we have loved the truth of CHRIST JESUS, and sought in all ways to uphold and to stand fast by it.

This, I say, should be our care and anxiety, as well as our comfort, let the world go on as it may, and whether there be few or many who sympathise with us, or even if we should be left quite alone.

For Truth is somewhat firm, stedfast, and unmoveable, like its Great Author, "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever," whereas popular opinion is altogether full of change and uncertainty, and never to be depended on in matters of importance, such as are the interests of religion, and of our condition in that great eternity into which we are passing, or rather, I should say, on which we are already entered.

Certainly, it must be allowed, that there is a kind of bigotry which is quite opposed to Christian charity, and inconsistent with that temper of love and peace which is so much required of all faithful Christians. And accordingly we observe that the holy prophet was commissioned to warn God's people of the necessity which was laid upon them, to remember that their zeal must be always tempered with humility, that as the Psalmist of old said, they should "seek peace and ensue it," that is, earnestly follow after it. And, therefore, said Zechariah also, not merely "Love

the truth," but "love the truth and peace;" as much as to say, Let not your zeal for the cause of Truth ever make you to forget the obligations of Love and Charity.

Whenever then what is called a bigoted spirit leads us to judge unkindly of those whom we think in error, or to treat them with harshness, or to speak of them with scorn or contumely, we may be sure that this does not proceed from our love of the truth and peace, and therefore cannot be such a disposition as the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD will approve and bless. This is the bad kind of bigotry, as it may be called.

But there is also a good kind of bigotry, a bigotry consistent with the love of truth and peace, and indeed founded on it. This is when we resolve by God's blessing to stand firm in faith and obedience, in faith relying on God's Word, and in obedience on His will, however made known to us, whether through His Holy Scriptures, or by the voice of His Church.

This is the right kind of bigotry, the bigotry of the Apostles, Saints, and Martyrs of ancient days, who would do any thing rather than desert the cause of JESUS CHRIST, that is, the cause of truth and peace.

Of this bigotry, that is, in other words, this patient love for CHRIST, we have no need to be ashamed or to stand back from it. Rather we have reason to be ashamed, the best of us, that we have not stood more firmly up to it; that we have been too often ashamed of CHRIST crucified, and have not fought so manfully under His banner against His and our enemies as we ought to have done, and as we promised in Baptism we would do.

And it might be said to serious and thoughtful persons, let us not be surprised or think it strange if in our endeavours to know and to follow the path marked out for us by the ancient Church, we meet with scorn sometimes, and sometimes with blame, and sometimes both, as high church bigots, and other names which I need not specify. This we need not wonder at, much less be vexed at being so treated; at least our vexation should be with ourselves, that we are not more what true Churchmen should be, and what the ancient Christians were.

To love the truth and peace" should be as it were our watch-word and our guiding principle. There should be no bitter

unkind feelings against others who differ from us, but an earnest, anxious desire that we all may follow the way of Truth, and especially that all who have erred and are deceived may be led into this way, and among others, ourselves; for who is there of us that will deny, if he looks into his own heart, but that he has been too often deceived and led into error, even when he endeavoured very sincerely to go right? and this, if you consider, is a startling thought.

In conclusion, then, we have only to beseech our Heavenly FATHER, that He would look down upon us with compassion, that He would pardon our numerous faults and follies, nor suffer us to remain in that darkness and ignorance of His Truth, in which we must confess we justly deserve to be left. And then we should endeavour, more and more, to be what Christians ought to be, and what the first Christians were.

And though difficulties and perplexities will of course beset us, and this not the less, but the more, in proportion as we are in earnest in following the Truth, yet we have no reason either to be alarmed or ashamed. The cause of GoD and of His Holy Truth is sure to prosper in the end. Herein is the trial of our faith and love, and if in this trial we are but found faithful, that is and will be all to us,—all that we can expect now, all that we can wish for in the great accounting day.

VOL. X.

U

SERMON CCCXL.

THE HUMBLED CHURCHMAN.

ZEPH. iii. 11, 12.

"Thou shalt no more be haughty because of mine holy mountain.

"I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD."

MOST persons who have given attention to the Scripture History are aware, that the Jews as a nation were very proud of the honour and distinction they enjoyed, as being from old times the peculiar chosen people of JEHOVAH, the LORD of heaven and earth.

In particular may be mentioned the high thoughts of themselves which they indulged, because to them was granted the singular privilege, above all the nations of the world, that "the LORD GOD should dwell among them:" that they should be placed, as it were, as guards and sentinels round the sacred temple, city, and mountain," the place where God's honour dwelt."

To this their privilege frequent reference is made in the books of the Old Testament, especially to their having in their land that "goodly mountain" which Moses saw afar off and longed to visit, that mountain where Abraham offered up his beloved son, that mountain on which was afterwards built the gorgeous temple, and that mountain too, on which the LORD of Glory was crucified. It was then, you see, in every sense a "holy mountain," and as such it is constantly referred to, as I said, in Holy Scripture; but