rities, no affected singularities; but exhi- SERMON bits the plain and simple tenor of all those virtues for which we have most frequent occasion in ordinary life. In order to' render it of more universal benefit, our Lord fixed his residence in no particular place; he tied himself down to no particular calling, or way of living; but gives us the opportunity of viewing his behaviour, in that variety of lights which equally and indifferently regard all mankind. His life was divided between the retired and the active state. Devotion and business equally shared it. In the discharge of that high office with which he was vested, we behold the perfect model of a public character; and we behold the most beautiful example of private life, when we contemplate him among his disciples, as a father in the midst of his family.By such means he has exhibited before us specimens of every kind of virtue; and to all ranks and classes of men has afforded a pattern after which they may copy. Hardly is there any emergency which can occur in life, but from some incident in our Saviour's conduct, from some feature dis SERMON played in his character, we are enabled to say to ourselves, "Thus Christ would have VIII. spoken, thus he would have acted, thus "he would have suffered, if he had been "circumstanced as we are now." Instead, therefore, of thinking of thy neighbours around thee, and of inquiring how they behave, keep Christ in thine eye, and in thy whole conduct follow him. Follow him in his steady and conscientious discharge of duty, amidst opposition from evil men and a corrupted world. Follow him in his patient submission to his Father's will, and the calmness of his spirit under all trials. Follow him in his acts of disinterested benevolence, in his compassion to the unhappy, in his readiness to oblige, to assist, and to relieve. Imitate the mildness and gentleness of his manners. Imitate the affability and condescension which appeared in his behaviour. Imitate the uncorrupted simplicity and purity which distinguished his whole life. THESE are much worthier and nobler objects of your attention, than any of those trifling varieties which you can explore and and discover in the character of those SERMON among whom you live. By lifting your view to so high a standard, you will be preserved from descending to those futile And corrupting employments of thought, which occupy the idle, the vain, and the malignant. It is incredible, how much time and attention are thrown away by men in examining the affairs of others, and discussing their conduct. Were their time and attention thrown away only, the evil would, in some degree, be less. But they are worse than thrown away; they are not merely fruitless, but productive of much mischief. Such a habit of thought is connected with a thousand vices. It is the constant source of rash and severe cen It pro All sure. It arises from envy and jealousy. VIII. SERMON allotted. Did we suitably examine how that VIII. part was performed, we should be less dis posed to busy ourselves about the concerns of others. We should discover many a disorder to be corrected at home; many a weed to be pulled out from our own grounds; much remaining to be done, in order to render ourselves useful in this world, and fit for a world to come.Wherefore, instead of being critics on others, let us employ our criticism on ourselves. Leaving others to be judged by Him who searcheth the heart, let us implore his assistance for enabling us to act well our own part, and to follow Christ. SERMON IX. On our present IGNORANCE of the JOHN, xiii. 7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter. HESE words of our Lord were oc- SERMON THE casioned by a circumstance in his behaviour which appeared mysterious to his disciples. When about to celebrate his last passover, he meant to give them an instructive lesson of condescension and humility. The mode which he chose for delivering this instruction, was the emblematical action of washing their feet. M 2 When Simon IX. |