has examined his history, ever been able to lay a single charge against his conduct. The temper of his soul and the tenor of his life were blameless throughout. From the first moment of his birth (which we this day commemorate) to his last agony on the cross, he never once fell into the smallest error of conduct; never once "spake unadvisedly with his lips." This is a negative kind of excellence; but observe, it is more than can be said of any person, that ever yet came into the world. But however, though a thing so extraordinary is to be found in no other man, it formed but a small part of that perfection, which belonged to our Lord Jesus. He was not only exempt from every the slightest failing, but he possessed and practised every imaginable virtue, that was consistent with his situation; and that too, in the highest degree of excellence, to which virtue is capable of being exalted. We may in particular fix upon the following points of his character; namely, his zeal for the service, his resignation to the will, his complete obedience to the commands, of his heavenly Father. These constituted his piety. Then, the compassion, the kindness, the solicitude, the tenderness, he showed for the whole human race, even for the worst of sinners, and the bitterest of his enemies. These constituted, if such qualities can constitute, unparalleled benevolence. Then again; the perfect command he had over his own passions; and the exquisite prudence, with which he eluded all the snares that were laid for him; the wisdom, the justice

of his replies; the purity and the gentleness of his manners; the sweetness, yet dignity of his deportment; the mildness with which he reproved the mistakes, the prejudices, and the failings of his disciples; the temper he preserved under the severest provocations from his enemies; the patience, and composure, and meekness, with which he endured the cruellest insults, and the grossest indignities; the fortitude he displayed under the most painful and ignominious death, that human ingenuity could devise, or human malice inflict; and that divinely charitable prayer, which he put up for his murderers in the midst of his agony, "Father, forgive them! for they know not what they do :" these concur to render the head and founder of our religion beyond comparison the greatest, according to true greatness; the wisest, according to true wisdom; and, in every sense, the best of men.

However, our Lord's proper office in the world was that of a public teacher. In that character, therefore, we ought more particularly to view him. And, in the first place, how astonishing, how inspired, and from what source inspired, must the mind of that man be, who could entertain so vast a thought in so low a condition, as that of instructing and reforming the whole world--a world, at that time more particularly, divided between atheism and superstition; but universally abandoned to sin; differing perhaps in the forms of their idolatry, but agreeing in giving loose to their passions and desires; a plan,

VOL. II.

D

I

say,

;

of teaching not a few hearers, not a few congregations, not a few towns or cities, not a single country or nation, but the whole race of mankind for to that length did his plan, not his personal ministry, but the plan of his religion, extend. Surely such a plan was only to be found in the Son of God. In the execution of this immense design, what condescension without meanness, what majesty without pride, what firmness without obstinacy, what zeal without bitterness or enthusiasm, what piety without superstition, does our Lord display! In his discourses and instructions all was calmness. No emotions, no violence, no agitation, when he delivered the most sublime and affecting doctrines, and most comfortable, or most terrifying predictions. The prophets before him fainted and sunk under the communications, which they received from above, so strong was the impression, so unequal their strength; but truths, that overwhelmed the servants of God, were familiar to his Son. He was composed upon the greatest occasions. wicked men; by the wicked one; by weak or false friends, as well as by open enemies. He proved himself superior to every artifice, to every temptation, to every difficulty.

He was tried every way; by

It was asked, and will always be asked, "whence had this man these things-and what wisdom is this, that is given unto him?" He had no means or opportunity of cultivating his understanding, or improving his heart.

He was born, as the history

testifies, in a low and indigent condition. He was without education, without learning, without any models to form himself upon, either in his own time and in his own country, or in any records of former ages, that were at all likely to fall into his hands. Yet, notwithstanding these great disadvantagesdisadvantages I mean to a mere mortal man, he supported, throughout a most singular and difficult life, such wisdom and such virtue, as were never before found united; and we may venture to say, never will be again united in any human being.

Our Lord's history is given us in the Gospels in a very plain, unornamented manner, and so much the better. There is an air of godly sincerity, of simplicity, and of solid undisguised truth in every thing, which is related. Nothing is wrought up with art: no endeavour to place things in the fairest light: no praise or panegyric, or very little: no solicitude to dwell on the most favourable, or striking, or illustrious parts of our Saviour's character. These cir cumstances added to the whole turn and tenor of the Evangelist's writings, prove that they followed truth, and fact, and nothing else. Lay open then the Bible before you, regard and contemplate the character of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is there candidly and honestly set forth.

Again, if Jesus be the Son of God, then every thing which he taught comes to us with the weight and sanction of divine authority; and demands, from every sincere disciple of Christ, implicit belief, and

implicit obedience. Christ delivered all his doctrines in the name of God: all of them, therefore, from their nature are to be received. He has given no man a license to adopt as much or as little of them as he thinks fit. He has authorised no human being to "add thereto, or diminish therefrom." We are not to receive one precept, and refuse another; we are not to receive one article of belief, and reject another article of belief; all are stamped by the same authority, and that authority is decisive. There may be truths very imperfectly apprehended by our finite understandings. There is nothing surprising in this; on the contrary, it was natural and reasonable to expect it to be so, in a revelation pertaining to that incomprehensible Being, "the High and Mighty One, that inhabiteth eternity." But we have this for our trust and consolation: we have a heavenly guide, we may put ourselves without reserve into his hands, and submit our judgments with boundless confidence to his direction; "for He is the way, and the truth, and the life:" we must obey him with our understandings, we must obey him with our wills. "Let us bring, therefore," according to the strong I expression of the Apostle, "let us bring every thought to the obedience of Christ, receiving with meekness the ingrafted word, that is able to save our souls."