caft off by any declarations of the Saviour. But their own worldly paffions draw ruin on them, and render them infenfible to all the glory, all the grace of the evangelical offers. Oh! that men were wife, that their hearts were awed into an obedience to the gospel by the authority of GOD, were melted into contrition by the mercies of our Father in heaven, and were fired with the message and hope of eternal life! All, (piety and benevolence are gratified by the reflection,) all are not hardened against these gentle constraints, these aakening motives. Let fuch,

66

Laftly, be perfuaded to come to "CHRIST;" to approve themselves his difciples, profeffing their faith in him, and obeying his precepts. None, methinks, should resist the calls, none should be found, who would stand out against the invitations of fo kind, fo generous a Mafter. And as to all who are willing and difpofed to "learn of "CHRIST, and to take his yoke," want they any affurances of favour, any encouragement to profess and obey the gospel? Let not any fears difcourage them: let not any sense of their own unworthiness and guilt damp their

hopes. Far be it from them to doubt the mercy of God in CHRIST JESUS. Far be it from them to fufpect the efficacy and extent of the Chriftian scheme of falvation. The benevolence and grace of the gospel are not limited: why fhould the hearts of any be intimidated? The greatest finners have been among the monuments of that mercy, and the trophies of that grace, which fent CHRIST JESUS "to seek and fave that which was loft." Gracious and true are his words, moft engaging and encouraging are his offers, who declared," him that cometh unto me, I will "in no wife caft out." He was raised up to be "the author of "them that obey him." the penitent. and perfeverance of the fiacere Chriftian. Let us all be brought to this refolution, that we will receive the doctrine of CHRIST with the obedience of faith; that we will embrace the mercy of GOD, through him, with penitence and gratitude; and that we will shew ourselves his faithful difciples unto death. When this purpose is formed in the heart, and followed up in the conduct of life, hope

Let this

eternal falvation to Let this encourage animate the fidelity

ariseth in the breast, a hope that will not make us ashamed. A fure, and certain hope springeth up; that our fins will be forgiven; that our faith and obedience will not be in vain; that CHRIST JESUS, the refurrection and the life, will raise us up at the last day, and that "when he who is our life shall appear, "we shall also appear with him in glory. "For he will come to be glorified in his faints, and to be admired in all them that "believe,"

Col. ii. 4. 2 Theff. i. 10.

SERMON X.

THE DEVOTEDNESS OF CHRIST TO THE

GLORY OF GOD.

JOHN VIII. 49, 50.

I honour my Father:-and I seek not my own glory.

"R

EPUTATION," obferves an eminent writer, "is faid to accompany goodnefs as its fhadow; "but the day may be "overcaft, and the fhadow may disappear." JESUS, our heavenly Master, had full experience of this. If the fame of his great and beneficent works went throughout all Syria, abuse and calumny alfo befel him. But he had a principle within him, which enabled him to meet, with fuperiority of mind, honour and difhonour; of this the text furnisheth a proof.

Jortin's Differtations." p. 156.

When he was difcourfing with the Jews on his Meffiahship, and remonftrating with them on the folly of rejecting him, they reproached him with being a Samaritan, and having a demon. He replied in a manner which fhews that he was not disturbed by the opprobrious reflections caft upon him.

JESUS anfwered, I have not a devil," or I am not a demoniac: "I honour my Father," acting up to the commiffion which I have received from Him, "and ye do dishonour 66 me," or revile me for it. " And I feek not

my own glory:" I can more eafily support this treatment, as I do not aim to advance my own interest and reputation. He had

different aims than fuch as centered in his own influence and renown. He was fuperior to his own ease, good name, and honour, because he fought the honour of his Father. Let us make this view of his character the

fubject of our present confideration. Let us obferve and trace out the various fpecimens which the words and actions of JESUS afford of his feeking "not his own glory, but the honour of the Father who sent him."