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was not only" harmless as the dove," but "wise as the serpent." He shunned the breath of popularity; suffered not his admirers to make him a king; forbade the premature publication of his office as the Messiah; and often retired into desert and solitary places. He would not tempt God by casting himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, when duty did not call for the sacrifice." The divine wisdom of Jesus was also manifested in the skill with which he silenced the cavils of his opposers, in the exquisite simplicity and appositeness of his parables, and in his converting every object which attracted his attention into a fresh channel for instruction.

Closely connected with the quality of courage, is that of fortitude. The latter virtue was displayed by our Lord in a wonderful manner after he had been betrayed into the hands of his enemies. The conflicts which he had undergone in the garden of Gethsemane, and his solemn communion there with his heavenly Father, appeared to be a preparation for that calm fearlessness which he afterwards displayed in meeting a cruel and ignominious death. It was a signal proof of the firmness with which

he endured his agonies, as well as of the kindness of his spirit, that while he was hanging on the cross, his mind was directed even to the temporal welfare of his friends: "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!"

The moderate enjoyment of temporal blessings, with giving of thanks, Jesus encouraged by his example. When he mingled with the joyful company at Cana, and turned the water into wine, and when he so multiplied the loaves and fishes, that they became the super-abundant food of thousands, he displayed a holy liberality. Yet he triumphed over bodily indulgence, and willingly submitted to the severest personal privations, for righteousness' sake. "The foxes had holes, and the birds of the air had nests, but the Son of man" had "not where to lay his head." What could surpass the sublime selfdenial of his answer, when, after he had been fasting forty days and forty nights, the devil tempted him to convert the stones into bread? "It is written, man shall not live by bread

alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

*

He was absolutely free from worldliness and ambition; refused all the honours and kingdoms which "the prince of this world" could offer him, and chose a life of deep poverty. His whole career was marked by a perfect disinterestedness. But we must follow him to Gethsemane, and mark his agony and bloody sweat ; we must behold him crowned with thorns, mocked by his enemies and bowing under the weight of his cross; we must go with him to Mount Calvary, and reflect on the anguish and dark horrors of his death, when the sins of all mankind were resting upon him; and with these depths of humiliation and suffering, we must compare his former elevation, -the unspeakable happiness and glory from which he abstained. Thus, and thus alone, can we form any adequate notion of his selfrenunciation.

This self-renunciation was prompted by pure benevolence, a quality which abounded in the character of our Saviour. His soul was filled with tenderness, and overflowed with love. He

* Matt. iv, 9, 10. Comp. John xiv, 30.

wept over the woes of Jerusalem, and over the grave of Lazarus. His miracles were for the most part works of mercy and compassion, as well as of power. His benevolence was indeed productive of unceasing beneficence. "He went about doing good," preaching the gospel to the poor, feeding the hungry, giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, strength to the withered, health to the sick, and life to the very dead. Nor was his love restricted to his friends; it flowed freely towards his enemies. In the midst of the bitterness of death, he prayed for his persecutors, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

His tenderness towards children was a remarkable trait in his character. He would suffer no man to drive them from him, but took them up in his arms and blessed them. He said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them. not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

The righteous indignation which Jesus displayed in the reproof of vicious men, may be profitably compared with his meekness and quietness in suffering. "When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threat

ened not." He bore the contradiction of sinners and the taunts of his opposers, with immoveable patience. He appears to have possessed an absolute command over all his feelings. His temper was like the dove's—incapable of being ruffled.

Another instructive contrast may be drawn between the dignity and lowliness of Jesus. He never forgot that just self-respect which leads to the inviolate maintenance of the rightful post of duty. Wherever he went, he carried about with him the dignity of a perfect virtue, and to this were often added the mysterious influence and authority of a divine power. Yet he was "lowly in heart." He came not "to be ministered unto, but to minister." He "took upon him the form of a servant." He was obedient, during his youth, to his earthly parents. He paid tribute to Cæsar, as a faithful subject. He performed for his disciples the lowest offices of kindness and courtesy.

Christianity teaches us that the love of God is the foundation of all moral excellence; and Jesus exemplified this doctrine in his whole life, which was one of unexampled, uninterrupted, godliness. He delighted in communion.

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