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but, then, we also say, that doctrine rightly received is the sure and only foundation of all good practice. Let every zealot for doctrine, then, remember, that there is something new to be done, in consequence of every new truth, which he receives; and that every doctrine, every precept, every mystery even of our faith, has its practical tendency, and its proper practical use. The preaching of modern ministers should, like that of CHRIST to the multitude, be so far practical as to have an evident tendency to convert men from their present practice; or, if they have, in the main, been already thus converted, to make them still go on, examining and improving their practice, in a thousand particulars. The ear to hear the minister should be a consequence of having a desire of this practical amendment in the heart.

XLVIII.

ST. MATTHEW, VII. 24—29.

SAME SUBJECT.-PART III.

IN continuing the subject of these verses; it must be borne in mind, that there is another large class, who have another way of deceiving themselves: they are practical in their ideas, both of morality and religion, and they take great credit for being so. But their sayings are not the sayings of CHRIST; they are the sayings rather of the heathen moralist, or of the prudent man of this world: their morality does not amount to Christian morality; nor their practice, to Christian practice. It may be useful to call to the recollection of such persons those Christian precepts which are contained in the Sermon on the Mount; and to point out, in what manner a truly practical hearer of those

sayings of our LORD would be likely to meditate upon them.

"I perceive," he would say to himself, "that this new Prophet, who is come into the world, and has been working so many miracles, in proof of his Messiahship, delivers a far different doctrine from that to which we, Jews, have been accustomed. How many new truths have been taught us: truths also, which He declares, that we must reduce to practice; for the conclusion of His Sermon has been one continued warning, that we are not His real disciples, unless we do the things which He hath commanded. I pecreive, that the poverty of spirit, of which He hath spoken, must be truly felt by me; that I must also know, what it is to hunger and thirst after righteousness; that I must become meek and peaceable; that I must be content to be very serious, and even to mourn for a while, if I may but be comforted hereafter; that I must acquire a disposition to show mercy, to forgive injuries, to love even my enemies; and patiently to bear such provocations as may be offered to me. I find, that I must also lend, and give away my substance, with a large and liberal spirit. I learn, that I am no longer to do any thing, to be seen of men; and that the whole fabric of my superficial and external virtue, which had been chiefly founded on a regard to character with my fellow creatures, must be pulled down, in order that it be succeeded by a principle of real purity in my very heart. How utterly have I mistaken that law of GOD, to which I had been fancying that I paid obedience.

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"I now understand, that the law requires me, not only not to kill, but not to be so much as angry, without a cause:-not on not to perjure myself, but not even to use an expression which implies want of reverence towards GOD; not only not to commit adultery, but not to indulge an unchaste idea, in my imagination. I find, also, that, if I become a follower of this JESUS, I am to expect persecution for righteousness' sake. I have been informed that my prayers, instead of being offered up, only or chiefly, in public, and consisting of vain repetitions,

must be put up daily in my secret chamber, and out of a pure and forgiving heart, for the pardon of my sins, and for the supply of the perpetually returning wants-both of my body, and of my soul. By this heavenly teacher I have also been instructed, that I must no longer lay up treasure in this world; and that, if I hope to have a treasure in heaven, my heart must be there also: that, so elevated must be my mind above earthly things, that I must lay aside all that multitude of anxieties by which I have been troubled; that I must not be careful even for my necessary food and clothing; nor for any of the things of this mortal life; but that I must acquire a new calmness, and resignation. as to all the events of this world, whether prosperous or adverse; seeking, first, the kingdom of GoD, and His righteousness; and quietly trusting, that, the greater blessings being obtained, all other things, which are really needful for the body, will be added unto me.

"Moreover, that disposition, which I have had, to judge others, must now, as I perceive, be exchanged for a disposition to judge myself. To do, also, to others, as I would they should do unto me, must, henceforth, be the great rule of my life. How exalted is that purity to which I am called :—I am to be a light of the world :—I am to be as a city set on a hill:-I am to be that salt, which is to season the whole earth. I am to be one of only a little flock for strait, I am assured, is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life; and few there be that find it. But how," he would likewise add, "shall I ever be sufficient for these things? Do thou, O my SAVIOUR, still direct and teach me. Do thou also sustain and comfort me. To whom shall I go, but unto Thee; for Thou hast the words of eternal life? Already Thou hast opened mine eyes, in some measure, to see both my past sinfulness, and my further duty. Pardon, O LORD, all that is past. Show me more clearly that way, by which I may be forgiven; and instruct me whence I may gather strength to perform those great things, which Thou requirest of me."

In some such manner as this, would the practical hearer apply the Sermon on the Mount, and meditate upon it. Such an one would continue to be found among the followers of CHRIST; his faith might fail for a time, like that of the Apostles at the trying period of the crucifixion; yet he would afterwards be numbered among the hearers of the Apostles, and among the multitude, that met together on the Day of Pentecost. This man would also be of the number of that infant Church, which continued stedfast in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. I add, that he would also be one of those persons to whom the Epistles, now extant, are addressed he would be one of the saints, the called, the sanctified in CHRIST JEsus. He would be a serious anc earnest reader of those epistles; and a partaker of tha excellent spirit with which they are written.

It is unnecessary, after giving this description, to draw a second picture of the serious and practical hearer, o reader, of the same Sermon on the Mount, who lives at the present day.

Suffice it, generally, to remark, that such an one will partake in all the same feelings, with the man whom we have just described; and also will unquestionably be dis. posed, in like manner, to attend not to this Sermon only. but to all the other words, both of CHRIST, and of His Apostles.

This point is here particularly mentioned, by way of reply to those who profess to draw the whole of their religion, from the Sermon on the Mount; assuming that all, which is material in Christianity, must of course be found there; and forgetting that saying of CHRIST Himself to His disciples, at a period subsequent to this," I have yet many things to say unto you: but ye cannot bear then now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth:-He shall glorify me; for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you."*

*St John xvi. 12-14.

The serious and practical hearer of the present day will, therefore, add-to the precepts given in the Sermon on the Mount all the other precepts of his Bible: and, to the whole preceptive part of it, he will add all that is doctrinal. Alarmed by those declarations of the spirituality and strictness of the divine law, which the Sermon on the Mount furnishes, he will receive with joy that soul-reviving truth, that "GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them."* And that "by Him, all, that believe, are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses;" for it is unquestionably one end of that searching discourse of CHRIST to prepare the mind for these doctrines.

Filled also, with a sense both of his own weakness, and of the high nature of that holiness, to which (as the same Sermon shows) it is absolutely necessary that he should attain, how earnestly will he now seek by prayer the help of God's Holy Spirit. He will put on the whole armour of God: he will search, through all parts of Scripture, for every thing which can contribute to make him wise unto salvation; he will attend in an especial manner to the afferting history of his SAVIOUR's death, and to the doctrines resulting out of it; nor will he lightly esteem the writings of those apostles, whom CHRIST sent forth for the express purpose of evangelizing the nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the Son, and of the HOLY GHOST.

This, then is the man, who builds his house upon a rock. His is a religion which shall never disappoint him. It is no baseless fabric, which shall be overthrown by the first rising storm. This man, if affliction and trouble should fall upon him, shall find the consolations of CHRIST dwelling in him if persecutions should come upon him, because of the word, he shall not be offended: if death should draw near, he shall face that king of terrors: and, when the * 2 Cor. v. 19. † Acts xiii. 39.

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