vice with the promise of bearing with it, so that it does but keep in the shade. us. But let us, finding ourselves in the state in which we are, take those means which alone are really left us, which alone become Adam, when he had sinned, and felt himself fallen, instead of honestly abandoning what he had become, would fain have hid himself. He went a step further. He did not give up what he now was, partly from dread of GoD, partly from dislike of what he had been. He had learnt to love sin and to fear God's justice. But CHRIST has purchased for us what we lost in Adam, our garment of innocence. He has bid us and enabled us to become as little children; He has purchased for us the grace of simplicity, which, though one of the highest, is very little thought about, is very little sought after. We have, indeed, a general idea what love is, and hope, and faith, and truth, and purity, though a poor idea; but we are almost blind to what is one of the first elements of Christian perfection, that simple-mindedness which springs from the heart's being whole with GoD, entire, undivided. And those who think they have an idea of it, commonly rise no higher than to mistake for it a mere weakness and softness of mind, which is but its counterfeit. To be simple is to be like the Apostles and first Christians, Our SAVIOUR says, "Be ye harmless," or simple, "as doves." And St. Paul, "I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil"." Again, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of GOD, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation 3." And he speaks of the "testimony of" his own "conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God," he had his conversation in the world and towards his disciples. Let us pray God to give us this great and precious gift; that we may blot out from our memory all that offends HIM; unlearn all that knowledge which sin has taught us; rid ourselves of selfish motives, self-conceit, and vanity, littlenesses, envying, grudgings, meannesses; turn from all cowardly, low, miserable ways; and escape from servile fears, the fear of man, vague anxieties of conscience, and superstitions. So that we may have the boldness and frankness of those who are as if they had no sin, from having been cleansed from it; the uncontaminated hearts, open countenances, and untroubled eyes of those who neither suspect, nor conceal, nor shun, nor are jealous; in a word, so that we may have confidence in HIM, that we may stay on Him, and rest in the thoughts of HIM, instead of plunging amid the thickets of this world; that we may bear His eye and His voice, and know no knowledge but the knowledge of HIM and JESUS CHRIST crucified, and desire no objects but what HE has blessed and bid us pursue. PLAIN SERMONS, BY CONTRIBUTORS TO THE "TRACTS FOR THE TIMES." "We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. "For we are glad when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, VOL. VI. LONDON: FRANCIS & JOHN RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, & WATERLOO PLACE. 1844. CONTENTS. CLXV. The Eternal New Year CLXVI. The Cure of Wilfulness CLXVII. The Wise Men following the Star CLXVIII. Apostolical Sympathy CLXIX. Christ's Purifying Presence PAGE 1 9 15 22 32 92 101 CLXXI. The hardening of Pharaoh's Heart CLXXIII. Pressing onward to the Cross CLXXIV. Saint Mary under the Cross CLXXV. The Christian Good-Night CLXXVI. Christian Uprising . CLXXVII. Christ the King of Angels CLXXVIII. One Spirit, many Gifts CLXXIX. Festival Joy . 109 . 117 CLXXX. Apostolic Generosity in encouraging Goodness 123 CLXXXI. Self-denying Loyalty to Christ CLXXXII. Charity quickened by Repentance CLXXXIII. Profit and Home forsaken for Christ CLXXXIV. Angels waiting on the Church CLXXXV. How to make much of a little CLXXXVI. Angelical Order and Obedience . CLXXXVII. The Companion of the Saints CLXXXVIII. Inward Manifestations of Christ CLXXXIX. Praise to God from all Saints |