A SERMON.

LUKE VII, 5.

FOR HE LOVETH OUR NATION, AND HE HATH BUILT US A SYNAGOGUE.

To this generous conduct of a Roman centurion may be applied the words of our Saviour concerning the woman, who poured an alabasterbox of very precious ointment on his head, as he sat at meat: "Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this CENTURION hath done, be told for a memorial of HIM." This centurion built a synagogue at once to God and to fame. His servant, who was dear unto him, being sick, and ready to die, he sent unto Jesus the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. Accordingly, they came to Jesus, and besought him earnestly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: FOR HE LOVETH OUR NATION, AND HE

HATH BUILT US A SYNAGOGUE. The same feeling of affection, which he cherished towards his servant, had expanded into a general love for those strangers, among whom he sojourned. During his residence at Capernaum, he had doubtless discovered the infinite superiority of the Jewish religion over the senseless idolatry prevalent in imperial Rome; and so preferred the simplicity of worshipping THE ONE JEHOVAH to the grossness of polytheism, that he testified his approbation by building a synagogue at his own charge. We cannot but much admire the grateful intercession of the Jewish elders in his behalf. The worthiness, which they so candidly acknowledged in him, he could not perceive: "I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee." The ready subjection, which he rendered to his superiors, he was accustomed to exact from those under his own authority; and he commissioned certain friends to mention his firm conviction, that with the same instantaneous promptitude, which soldiers shew in obeying a military word of command, at a powerful word from Jesus his servant should be healed. Such was the condescension, the tenderness, the humility,

the philanthropy, the munificence, the piety,in one word, the WORTHINESS, of this Roman centurion; and such was the sound sense of his personal argument, that "Jesus marvelled at him-what an incomparable honour!— and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you-what an indelible rebuke! I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." The faith of the master was immediately rewarded by the recovery of the servant.

Let this beautiful and interesting passage of evangelical history serve as no unsuitable introduction to the subject of this day's discourse; which is expressly commanded to be an EFFECTUAL EXCITEMENTto a liberal contribution for aiding the Enlargement, Building, Rebuilding, and Repairing of Churches and Chapels in England and Wales.

On Mount Sinai God ordered Moses to receive contributions for his tabernacle. " Speak now unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man, that giveth it willingly with his heart, ye shall take my offering: and let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." On Mount Zion God collected by the hands of David

contributions for a temple, that he might have a fixed residence. "Thou hast received gifts amongst men, that the Lord God might be lodged."-"Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. O Lord our God, all this store, that we have prepared to BUILD THEE AN HOUSE for thy holy name, cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee." Although the eternal and incomprehensible majesty of God, the Lord of heaven and earth, whose seat is heaven, and the earth his footstool, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; yet the material church or temple is a place appointed for the assemblies of God's people. Solomon built unto the Lord the most glorious temple ever made; "exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries." It appears, however, that