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SERMON XII.

JOHN I. 45-49.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

"AN Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" What a testimony is this, delivered by the lips of infallible Truth, to the character of a man born like ourselves, "by nature a child of wrath, even as others!" Who is there that would not wish to have the reputation, at least, of possessing such

a character? To be reputed sincere and singlehearted-free from art, duplicity, and concealment, is indeed the direct way to secure the affections of our fellow-men. But no appearances will satisfy the great Searcher of hearts: and the manner in which he pronounces this eulogium upon Nathanael seems to imply, (what is too certainly true to need any laboured proof,) that, in his sight, many a high-sounding profession is mere imposture. Yes a man may be "of the seed of Abraham," yet no " Israelite." A man may have been baptized into the Church of Christ, and yet be "none of his." A man may profess himself a calm and 'candid enquirer after truth, while he is still completely under the influence of a dishonest mind; and thus offending Him, whom he appears desirous of honouring. It is not for us, I willingly acknowledge, to determine who are in this fearful state: that is God's prerogative alone. But it will be our wisdom to be looking forward to the day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, by him who knows them at this moment; and to ask ourselves beforehand, what probability there is, that to us the encouraging word will be addressed "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"

The brief history given in my text may assist you in conducting this self-examination. Nathanael was "an Israelite indeed;" a "guileless" searcher after truth. And the excellence of his

disposition was shewn by his manner of reading, listening, enquiring, coming, feeling, and believing, when the doctrine of a Saviour's Advent was brought before him. To each of these points in his character I shall now request your attention; and may the Spirit of Christ render them instructive to us all!

I. His READING is the first thing to be noticed. Nathanael had diligently studied the Scriptures. Both he and his friend knew what "Moses in the law, and the prophets, had written." The Old Testament was not, with them, a mass of waste paper-an obsolete document, reverently preserved indeed, but rarely consulted. It was their daily source of practical wisdom, the guide of their opinions, the foundation of all their hopes.

And you observe the confidence with which it is appealed to. We must suppose that they had satisfied themselves, on good grounds, of the authenticity of Scripture, as the word of the living God. But, having done this, they yield themselves, without a moment's hesitation, to its authority. It has raised in their minds an expectation, which they are sure will be fulfilled. Philip entertains not a shadow of doubt, that his appeal to Moses and the prophets will be instantly responded to by Nathanael.

Another circumstance may be noticed under this head. Not only the absolute truth of Scripture,

but its principal design, had been discovered by this good man. He had read therein much of instructive history, much of ceremonial enactment, many exhortations to holiness, promises for the righteous, warnings for the ungodly. And to all these, doubtless, he had given due consideration. But there was one subject, which had run like a golden thread through the whole texture of God's written word. This he had disentangled from all the rest; and he was now eagerly looking for the coming of "that Just One," who should "finish the transgression, make an end of sins, make reconciliation for iniquity, and bring in everlasting righteousness." Philip and Nathanael loved their Bible, principally, as holding forth the promise of a Saviour.

Now let me ask you, brethren-Do -Do you possess this distinctive mark of an "Israelite indeed?" The Divine Authority of Scripture you all admit; and therefore I need not press that point. But, having acknowledged it, are you acting in honest consistency with the acknowledgment? Think again. Here is a book, written, as you believe, by the finger of God-or at his express dictation; filled with declarations of his will, his demands, his purity, his love, his purposes (whether for good or evil) respecting a fallen world. Are you giving to this singular book the honour that it merits? The time has been, when the greatest reverence that could be paid to the Bible, was thought to

consist in laying it aside from familiar use -giving it to our children in garbled portions only-nay, locking it up from vulgar eyes and ears, in an unknown tongue. That folly, we may hope, has passed away at least in England. We now profess that it ought to be received by every one, aš the "lamp unto his feet, the light unto his paths.” Yet, notwithstanding this profession, who is there, I may almost ask, that daily and diligently searches the Scripture, in order to discover therein the mind and will of God? Who is there, that, even in the clearer Revelation of the Gospel, perceives with joy, that Christ, and salvation through him, are the Alpha and the Omega, the sum and substance, of all that the Lord hath spoken? while, at the same time, he lives and speaks and acts like one who, with his whole "heart, believeth unto righteousness?" Alas! with multitudes, the Bible is but one among many books, which they regard with equal indifference; nothing influenced by it, either to do or to refrain, either to hope or fear.

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pray God that this may not prove to be the case with some among us. Oh, shew yourselves "Israelites indeed," by carefully acquainting yourselves, and affectionately complying, with his one only revelation of mercy through Jesus Christ.

II. Nathanael's LISTENING is the second point in his character-his listening to the report of a pious friend, respecting the subject which they