cise of moral restraint, every regulation of desire, every subjugation of temper, every sacrifice of interest and pleasure at the call of duty. Yet the self-righteous, the self-indulgent, the unfeeling, the proud, the careless, the impure, the mischievous, the slaves of popular opinion, call themselves Christians, and profess to be the followers of Christ.

To obviate the errors which prevail in the world, respecting the principles and conduct recommended and enforced in the Gospel, it is incumbent on the ministers of religion, not only to press on their hearers the fundamental doctrines of the cross, but to trace them to their practical results. It is not enough to acknowledge with our lips a crucified Saviour, if we do not "take up our cross and follow him." To " preach Christ crucified," is not merely to hold him out as the only refuge for perishing sinners; but to admonish those "who call upon his name," that they should " no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again." It is, in opposition to the seductions

tions of pleasure, to preach the mortifying restraints of conscience; in opposition to the voice of selfishness to speak the language of Christian benevolence; and, in opposition to

the pride of nature, to exalt the humility of grace. It is to follow the lead of our Saviour himself, who, in the whole of his public instructions, was chiefly anxious to draw the heart to God, to elevate the thoughts to eternity, to fix the hopes on heaven, and to destroy every corrupt principle and feeling, which might obstruct the Christian's progress, or cause him to wander from the path of life.

Let him, whose religion is a mere system of opinions; let him, who is satisfied with the false maxims, and imperfect morality, of the world; let him, who is only willing to obey, as far as is consistent with his interest, his passions, his pride, and his reputation; listen to the words of Jesus Christ. Let him read with deep attention the sermon on the mount, of which my text forms the beginning. Let him pray over it with fervour; for it is only to him that asketh the blessings of the Gos

pel,

pel, that those blessings are promised. Then, his morality will be founded on Christian principles; and it will regulate his inward disposition, as well as his outward conduct. It will be the morality of the heart; operative in the secresy of retirement, as well as under the eyes of applauding multitudes; not wavering with the uncertain breath of popular opinion, but steady and permanent as the oracles of God; not timid and fearful, but passing, calmly and quietly, yet decidedly,

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through evil report and good report," only anxious for the approbation of Heaven. It will be the morality of the heart; and will be proof against its delusions. It will not

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speak peace to the soul when there is no peace." It will not be satisfied with exercising some good dispositions, or performing some virtuous actions; while the besetting sin is indulged without effort and without compunction. "The right hand will be cut off: the right eye will be plucked out." Pride, and self-applause, and uncharitable censure; and all the inward sins, which often

pollute

pollute the souls of the outwardly decent, and correctly moral; will be opposed with constancy, and prayed against with ardour; as well as the grosser vices, which disgrace the profligate and abandoned. The language of the Christian is-" create in me a clean heart, O God! and renew a right spirit within me."

"Blessed are the poor in spirit;" says our Saviour in the commencement of his instructive and affecting discourse; " for their's is the kingdom of heaven." Such is the language of Jesus Christ: but what is the language of the world? Blessed are they, who have never felt the discouragements, and experienced the alarms of the Christian. Blessed are they, whom prosperous fortunes, and continual enjoyment, and unbroken spirits, and human respect, and all the illusions of the mind and heart, keep ignorant of their sin and misery. Blessed are they, who think themselves" rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing, and know not that they are wretched, and miserable, and poor

and

and blind, and naked." Blessed are they, who can deceive themselves as well as others, with respect to the real state of their souls; and can thank God that they are "not as other men are,” while their only hope of salvation is to cry out with the publican: "God be merciful to me, a sinner."

"Blessed are the poor in spirit!"-May not this disposition of heart be mistaken; and may not the blessing which attends it, be claimed by those who have no right to apply it to themselves? It is certain that there is no precept, however clearly defined, however excellent or beneficial, which may not be perverted by the power of self-deception. The depravity of man knows how to breathe its poison, even on the word of God: and he who seeks to be deceived, will search the Scriptures in vain. There is a poverty of spirit, which proves nothing but coldness and indifference to all that is admirable and exalted. It is satisfied with its trifling pleasures and sordid interests. It is dead to every thing important. It is regardless alike

of