ings, and persecutions, and death, and to be hated of all men, and of all nations, for his name's sake," even by all that numerous class in all ages, who "have not known the Father nor him." He distinctly told them that though "in him they should have peace" of mind, yet "he came not to send external peace on earth, but a sword;” and that "a man's foes would be those of his own household."-Yet he made no allowance for apostacy even in this extreme case: he appealed to them for the reasonableness of what he spoke, by the question, "What would a man be profited, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" For what earthly thing is so precious, as to be "6 given in exchange for the soul"?" He therefore distinctly stated the absolute necessity of stedfastness, the danger of swerving from it, and the reward and true policy of maintaining it. "He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it "."

"He

e Matt. x. 17, 22; xxiv. 9. John xv. 20; xvi. 3.
f John xvi. 33. Matt. x. 34-36.

s Matt. xvi. 26.

that is ashamed of me, and of my words,―he that shall deny me before men,-of him will I be ashamed, and him will I deny before the angels of God. Those that confess me before men, I will confess before the angels of God." He promises to those, that forsake all for his sake, that "" they shall receive manifold more in this present time, with persecutions, and in the world to come life everlasting." Now it is clear, from the very nature of the case, that all this is neither unreasonable nor unnecessary; and although we of this age and country are not called to endure such persecutions, in testimony either of our fidelity to the Gospel itself, or to its essential doctrines, yet we know not how soon it may come upon us. A generation has scarcely passed away since such a trial came upon all the professing Christians of a neighbouring nation. Though we are not likely to experience the persecuting intolerance of Paganism, nor the effects of the "exceeding madness" of a Jew's malignity against the Gospel, nor, we trust, the restoration to power of the most intolerant professors of the Christian faith, who once lighted up the fires of persecution in the cities and Universities of England, and perpetrated the most unheard of massacres ;-yet have we not found

Mark viii. 38; Matt. x. 32, 33.

Mark x. 28-30.

that Deism itself, which so proudly boasts of its philanthropy, and disclaims all bigotry and intolerance, can surpass all other systems in the "cruelty of its tender mercies," and in the deadliness of its hatred to Christianity? The intimations of those things "that are to come hereafter," recorded in the Scriptures of truth, do not permit us to hope that such scenes will never again be exhibited on this earth. Have we, then, that firm conviction of the truth of the Gospel, and of the value and certainty of its promises, and that devotedness also to the cause of God and of truth, which would enable us to retain our integrity in such a fiery trial? Those who are not ready to make such sacrifices, and to practise such self-denial, if any circumstances should arise to require them, cannot be the disciples of Jesus. Yet how many are even unable to endure the contemptuous look and the slanderous word! How many are more than ashamed of Christianity, and even are proud of their disregard both of its threats and promises! This fear of man, this unhappy vanity, this love of self and of this world, are fertile sources of infidelity and inconsistency.

Our Lord has also cautioned us against the unhappy influence of worldly wealth. "How hardly shall they that have riches-they that trust in riches-enter into the kingdom of God!" We

Mark x. 23, 24.

know too well how readily our hearts become attached to the "good things of this life,”—how soon they are "overcharged with the cares of this life," how rapidly covetousness is generated, and how firmly it seats itself in the soul,-not to understand how soon "the word of God becometh unfruitful, when choked by the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches"."-" Take heed then, and beware of covetousness";" and seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;" like the merchant in the parable, "even selling all that ye have, to purchase the pearl of great price."

But not only must the love of riches be abandoned, and "poverty of spirit" be cultivated, but purity of heart must also be maintained. The love of sin naturally disposes us to "love darkness rather than light, because our deeds are evil.” Yet the sin that most easily besets us, though as dear, and seemingly as necessary to our comfort, as "a right hand, or a right eye," must be "cut off and cast from us, that we may enter into life'." We must bring into our Christian life, not only the hatred of sin, but also the love of holiness, and a readiness to practise it, if we are rightly to

apprehend either the divinity and excellency of our religion, or to make progress therein, or not to dislike and shrink from it. "If any man be willing to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."-And we must make continual advances in every good and holy purpose, improving the graces to which we have already attained, and desiring and seeking after an increase of them. For "whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundantly; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." After we have "done all," we are but "unprofitable servants;" but he, who is "an unprofitable servant" because he hath not employed the talent committed to him, "will be cast into outer darkness."-And that the necessity of walking in all purity of heart and life may be more deeply impressed upon our minds, let us hear other declarations of our Lord. "That servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required ; and to whom men have committed much, of him

g John vii. 17.

Matt. xiii. 12.