dants of his death. His voluntary submission to sufferings, and death in the stead of the guilty was an instance of grace unparalleled. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend; but Jesus died for enemies."We admire the generous pity of him who for the relief of the miserable, bestows his wealth, his wisdom, and his labors; but Jesus bought our salvation by the anguish of his soul, and the shedding of his blood. "He died the just, for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." "He made peace by the blood of his cross." His body was broken for you; and his blood was shed for the remission of sins.

How abundant the grace of Christ is, will still more fully appear, if we consider the nature, and measure of that glory, and blessedness to which he designs to raise redeemed sinners. They "are washed, and justified, and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God,"-have "the peace of God which passeth understanding," the consolations of God which are neither few, nor small; and in sure reversion "an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading" with "fulness of joy, and pleasures forevermore."

I proceed to remark, that the fulness of grace in our Redeemer was accompanied with the perfection, and unblemished purity of truth. His love, and pity, as we have seen, were not a professional, and empty show, but substantial, and costly beneficence. His favor was not bestowed by a sacrifice of truth, and righteousness, but by their maintenance, and glorious vindication. He was "the light of the world," "the faithful, and true witness." The substance of the Jewish types, the deliverer from error, and falsehood, the perfect example of candor, sincerity, and unyielding integrity. He was full of truth

1st. Inasmuch as he was, in all respects, what he claimed to be, the promised Messiah, the fulfilment of prophecy, the merciful redeemer of lost men. "To him all the Prophets gave witness." Signs, and wonders, and divers gifts, and miracles attested his divine mission. Although he was not that temporal prince which the Jews vainly, expected; yet, he was more, he was that

spiritual Saviour which God had promised.

Although he was not that illustrious conqueror which carnal expectation had anticipated; yet, he was the destroyer of the works of the devil, and ransomed sinners from hell and the grave. He procured for the slaves of sin the liberty of the sons of God, and from every ill, brought in an eternal redemption. He affirmed that he was sent of God, and in proof could appeal, not only, to a long series of prophecy designating the time, the character, and life of the Messiah fulfilled in him but he could say, behold, and make this report to all who inquire " The blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, and to the poor the gospel is preached."

Moreover 2dly he was "full of truth" inasmuch as he revealed to the world the most important, and most needful truth, and all he taught was perfect truth. The Jews had perverted, and misinterpreted the Scriptures, and had substituted forms, and ceremonies for vital, and practical godliness. One great design of

his coming was to teach the way of life in truth: to bring mankind back to truth, and duty from which they had widely strayed, to restore the spiritual worship of the one only living and true God. Long had the world been buried in ignorance, and idolatry, in darkness, and superstition. They were wandering in a wilderness of delusion, and false religions. He came to give light to them that sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death: to guide our feet into the way of peace: " to give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sin through the tender mercy of our God." He came to proclaim "peace on earth, good will to men and glory to God in the highest :" "to bring life, and immortality to light;" to reveal the whole counsel of God, to tell us what to believe, and how to live. His religion is the science of truth, and duty-the art of living virtuously in time, and happily in eternity. Under his teachings we need not fear delusion; from his gospel arises the purest joy. The doctrines which he taught are the truth of God. The ordinances which he instituted are wise in their character, beneficial in their effects, and designed by God to illustrate his wisdom, and power: if received, and

improved in love, and faith, they are the means of eternal salvation.

3d. The abundant truth of our Redeemer is worthy to be extolled, and admired in another view. His promises are faithful, safe to be relied on, and sure to be accomplished. He cannot be deceived himself, neither is he capable of deceiving others. Men may utter falsehood through mistake, and ignorance; or even when they know the truth, they may be induced by selfish reasons to conceal, or disguise it. But neither of these causes of distrust is applicable to our Lord. His knowledge is unlimited, and absolutely perfect; and his infinite self-sufficiency and independence raise him above all temptation to dissimulation, or artifice. He never flattered the prejudices of men. To worldly greatness he made no court. Obscurity, and poverty he did not overlook. Error, however venerated, he faithfully exposed; truth however unacceptable he openly declared. When he promised he meant as he spake; and never did, nor ever will fail to do as he has said. These faithful promises " are exceeding great and precious." Every fearful, and anxious spirit they meet with these encouragements-"Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." To the soul oppressed by conscious guilt, and ill desert, the gospel announces-" There is redemption through the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." To him who is alarmed by the apprehension of impending dangers it proclaims, "When thou passest through the fire, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." To the sorrowful, and the dying this gracious, faithful Saviour says, "Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me; in my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, there ye may be also."

Firm as the earth thy gospel stands,

My Lord, my hope, my trust;

If I am found in Jesus' hands

My soul can ne'er be lost.

INFERENCES.

1. This subject should constrain us to admire the condescension of the Saviour, and the riches of his grace. His mysterious incarnation unites us to God; his unspotted life restores us to a blissful immortality: his bitter agonies give us calm repose: his bloody sweat washes away our manifold pollutions; his deep wounds distil the balm which heals our spiritual maladies: his cruel death is the spring of our immortal life, his grave the gate to heaven-his resurrection, and exaltation the pledge of our final, and interminable glory.

2. We should be led to glory in our Redeemer on account of his divine perfections, and gracious achievements. His name and character as a Saviour render him precious in our esteem: but his own personal glories and honors deserve our veneration, and our love, our worship and our praise. The most excellent, and most honored of the mere sons of men are nothing, compared with him, either in personal excellence, or illustrious achievements. In individual character, or works of beneficence. Christ is great and glorious, even in his deepest humiliation—for it was voluntary, disinterested, and for purposes of infinite importance and mercy. These he has triumphantly accomplished, and is at God's right hand exalted as a Prince and a Saviour.

3. What think ye of Christ? We propose him to the faith, and hope, the help, and joy of every needy and perishing sinner. If not yet reconciled, pardoned, and accepted-flee for refuge to this hope which is set before you. It is safe-all others are refuges of lies. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved."

If you have obtained mercy, and tasted that God is gracious— live on him, live near to him, and live for him.

SERMON XIX.

CHARACTER OF NATHANAEL.

JOHN 1. 47.- Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.

THE circumstances by which men are distinguished are very various. Some owe all their distinction to wealth, the amount of their treasures, or the extent of their possessions. They are rich men, and in this alone they excel. Some acquire prominence by their insignia of office, and the possession of a little brief authority. Many inherit all their glory from their ancestors, and claim notice, and importance from a relation to those whose worth and virtues they do not possess, and whose honorable course of life they do not follow. A few become eminent by mental powers, and literary acquisitions, by adding to the general stock of knowledge, by the inventions of art, or extended discoveries in science. Not a few reap their honors from the fields of war; and others from the more tranquil scenes of civil life.

But all these are distinctions of comparatively little impor

Considered in themselves, in their display, and in their effects they are temporary. They have respect only to this world, the fashion of which is transient, and the whole duration of which is comparatively short,

The little value of these things is farther manifest from the fact, that they have no certain connexion with the purity or felicity of their possessor. Authority, wealth, and all those things to which I have referred, may, and often have been the trappings of wicked men, and the attributes of those whose souls were strangers to solid peace, and enjoyment. The worth of these distinctions may be examined by another test. What is their value in the estimation of God? They are talents, acquisitions, and achievements which