But how is it with us? Do we pray in private? Do we pray in public? Do we love prayer? And is our prayer always connected with other acts of pure worship? God grant that this may ever be the case with us all, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour! Amen.

SERMON CXXXVII.

THE BENEVOLENT CONDUCT OF JESUS.

Who went about doing good. ACTS x, 38.

MANY fine examples, both of faith and practice, are recorded in the Word of God. Enoch and Noah walked with God; Abraham was the friend of God; Moses was meek above all men ; and Job was a proverb of patience. Others had many excellencies; but all had their defects. The only perfect example is that of Jesus. In him there was no sin. His life, particularly after he appeared in public, was spent in doing good. Of this our text bears witness, saying, "He went about doing good." Observe, First, Jesus did much good; and, Secondly, the good that He did was widely extended.

I. JESUS DID MUCH GOOD.

The good that our Lord wrought, in the days of his flesh, may be summed up in three particulars: his miracles; his ministry; and his example.

The miracles of Jesus did good. He opened the eyes of the blind; he enabled the lame to walk; he cleansed the lepers; he gave hearing to the deaf; he cast out devils; and he raised the dead. These miracles promoted human comfort; and afforded strong proof of his power to save the souls of men. Two miracles which he wrought are somewhat different: the one was the destruction of a herd of swine; and the other the sentence which he passed on a barren fig-tree; but both were calculated to do good, to men of understanding and reflection. That of the swine was a monitory lesson to those persons who transgressed the law of God relating to that unclean animal; and the withered fig-tree was an emblem of approaching judgments on the Jewish people, who did not bear fruit to the glory of God.

Much good was done by the ministry of Jesus. He gave instruction to the ignorant on subjects of vital importance. He reproved the guilty, and warned the careless, that they might repent and turn to God. He preached glad tidings to the meek, bound up the broken-hearted, proclaimed liberty to the captives, and the opening of prison to them that were bound. By his blessed ministry mourning penitents were comforted; wavering believers were confirmed and established; and excellent rules of moral conduct were given to all men. All his discourses were delivered in a plain, simple style, so that the most illiterate might

understand him and yet there was a dignity and sublimity in his observations that will ever be admired by all correct judges. The happy effects of his invaluable ministry have run on from age to age; and the pure stream still flows in many nations of the earth.

And the example of Jesus did much good. His temper was humble and unassuming; meek and gentle; patient and quiet; ardent and zealous; merciful and kind; loving and tender; but firm and unshaken. His words were correct; and all his actions great and noble. The beauty and grandeur of pure religion appeared to great advantage in all he said and did; and he showed to all who knew him, what man would have been had he retained his primeval innocence. His fine example must have had an astonishing influence on all who loved him; and its effects followed his disciples all the days of their lives. Even in our day, though eighteen hundred years have passed away, his example produces the most blessed effects on all his pious followers. It is held in the highest estimation; and is copied with the most exact scrupulosity.

All the motives of our Lord in doing good were pure and perfect. He was moved by the transcendent goodness of his nature to acts of kindness. The pressing wants and painful sufferings of men excited his pity and tender compassion; and all his works, of every kind, were directed to the glory of God. Too many seek the praise of men in their good works; but Jesus sought the honour of God. They aim at their own glory; but he at the good of his creatures. They are partial to a few; but he was good to all.

Some men do good for a time; but Jesus persevered in doing good. It was his constant employment; and he was never weary of it. Even when he hung upon the cross, he prayed for his enemies, and saved the penitent thief. And his death on the accursed tree, where he suffered as a sacrifice for sin, was an act of sublime and unparalleled love. That crowned all the other displays of his goodness. "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Rom. v, 7, 8. Thus, in all the works and ways of Jesus, his lovely temper, and amiable conduct, shone with resplendent glory. How unlike the renowned conquerors and tyrants of this world, whose glory has been acquired by blood and slaughter, and whose power and influence have been maintained by cruelty and oppression! Nothing exalts the human character more than acts of disinterested love; but Jesus was more than human, and the good which he did was more than any mere man can do. Nevertheless, there are many things in which we are bound to imitate him, and particularly in his patient and innocent sufferings; "for Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." 1 Pet. ii, 21.

II. THE GOOD WHICH JESUS DID WAS WIDELY EXTENDED.

We speak particularly of his public ministry. Very little is known of his early life. The whole of what is recorded on that subject, may be summed up in the following particulars: he was strong in spirit; he was filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. When

he was twelve years old, he sat in the temple with the Jewish Doctors, and asked questions which astonished all that heard him. He was obedient to his parents; and grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke ii, 40–52.

But after he entered on his public ministry, to which he had been anointed by the Holy Ghost, he "went about doing good." He was an itinerant preacher. When persons applied to him for special blessings, he granted their requests, and sent them away rejoicing; yet he did not wait for such applications, but went forth, with the finest feelings of benevolence and love, to seek and to save that which was lost. To accomplish his merciful designs, he frequently visited large and populous places, and places of public resort. There he exerted himself to do good, though his character was misrepresented, and his life exposed to imminent danger.

Three things are observable in the ministry of our Lord: first, his unwearied diligence; secondly, his self-denial; and, thirdly, his love for perishing sinners.

First, his unwearied diligence. His journeys were long and tiresome; his attendance on public worship, both in the temple and in the synagogue, was constant; his discourses in private were numerous and important; and his discourses in public, delivered to large multitudes, were often repeated. Day after day we find him engaged in the great work of mercy and love. He shurned no toil, either of body or mind, in his arduous undertakings. Labour was his delight. On one occasion, he said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." John iv, 34. And he said to his disciples, when he was about to open the eyes of a blind man, "I must work the works of him

that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.” John ix, 4.

Secondly, his self-denial. He might have occupied a palace; but he had not where to lay his head. He fasted forty days in the wilderness, when he was about to contend with the devil, and afterwards "was an hungered." Matt. iv, 2. He might have enjoyed all the rich delicacies of life; but he preferred hunger and want. When he cursed the fig-tree, on his way from Bethany to Jerusalem, he was hungry; and in many other instances that might be named, he was hungry and weary. Many supposed he was about to restore the kingdom to Israel; and they would needs have proclaimed him as their king: but "when" he perceived that they would "come and make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone," to engage in solemn prayer to his God and Father. John vi, 15. He never sought the company, or the countenance and support, of the rich and the great; but was with the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, the lowly and the meek.

Thirdly, his love for perishing sinners. He wept over Jerusalem; he invited all who laboured and were heavy laden to come to him; and whosoever applied to him were graciously received. He saved Mary Magdalene, who had seven devils; he saved Zaccheus, a publican; and others were brought out of darkness into marvellous light. He

never ceased to exhort the people to repent of their sins, and to turn to God, that they might obtain mercy. All his discourses were designed to instruct the ignorant; to soften the hard hearts of sinners; and to save the wandering sons of men from death and hell. For them he groaned in spirit; for them he wept; and for them he prayed. Souls were dear to him; he gave his life a ransom for them; and exerted all his love and power to bring them into the kingdom of God.

That we may copy his example, let us study his character and conduct, both in public and in private life. There are three infallible sources of information on this subject: the ancient prophecies; the holy gospels; and the apostolical epistles. The Prophets foretold his character; the Evangelists recorded it with artless simplicity; and the Apostles, who knew him well, have confirmed the whole. By this course of study, our information on the temper and conduct of our Lord will be correct and complete.

But we cannot copy the fine example of Jesus, unless we have that mind which was in him." Phil. ii, 5. The source of human conduct is in the heart; and if that be impure, the life will be depraved. We must be born again. Then grace will reign; and we shall be under the influence of pure and holy principles.

We cannot imitate the miracles of Jesus. The attempt would be presumptuous. But let us follow him in diligence and zeal, in pure benevolence, and in disinterested love. Let us go about, as we may have opportunity, and do good to all. We should visit the sick, relieve the needy, and direct perishing sinners to Christ.

Every one should do what he can. More than this is not required; and less than this will not be accepted. No person will perish who does what he can. It was the opinion of pious MATTHEW HENRY, that "there is not a damned sinner in hell, but if he had done well, as he might have done, had been a glorified saint in heaven." See his note on Gen. iv, 7. This sentiment was liberal; and did honour both to his head and his heart.

An imitation of Jesus is highly honourable. It resembles the work of angels, who come down from heaven on errands of love to the heirs of salvation! It has been attempted by the greatest and the best of men in our world; and it will be pursued as long as genuine Christianity has a place in the hearts of men.

But how are we employed? Are we doing good? Do we go about to do good? Perhaps we cannot undertake long journeys; but there are many whom we might visit in our own neighbourhood. There, were we to go from house to house, we should find out the ignorant, the poor, and the afflicted. Let us not imagine that this is the exclu sive work of a minister. All the followers of Jesus are required to labour in the field of usefulness. "And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. vi, 9. Amen. 2T 2

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SERMON CXXXVIII.

THE BEST EXERCISE.

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men. Acts xxiv, 16.

THE apostle Paul was a strenuous advocate for the doctrines of grace; but he did not turn the grace of God to wantonness. He taught the purest morality; and he practised what he taught. He trusted in Christ for salvation; but was careful to maintain good works. Christians of every name should follow his example, exercising themselves "to have a conscience always void of offence toward God and toward ." Then that stale objection to the doctrines of grace, that they subvert good morals, will be done away with for ever. In this discourse, we shall make a few general observations on the conscience; inquire when it may be said to be void of offence; and state that exercise which is necessary to secure this desirable state of mind.

men.

I. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE CONSCIENCE.

It has been thought, but very erroneously, that conscience is a distinct faculty of the soul; but in reality it is the exercise of reason, on the subject of religion and morality, according to the light which a man enjoys. In other words, it is the secret judgment of the soul, which approves of things that appear to be good, and which condemns those that appear to be evil. It examines sin and duty; draws the line of duty by some law or rule; pronounces what is good or bad: and either acquits or condemns. It checks and admonishes, upbraids and reproves, and is a constant source either of happiness or misery.

There is a good conscience. In allusion to this, the apostle Paul says, "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." Acts xxiii, 1. We have a good conscience, when we sincerely follow the light which we have, with a view to our own salvation and the glory of God. This is a great support to the mind in suffering circumstances, and under the vile slanders and undeserved reproaches of unholy men.

And there is a pure conscience, which has been cleansed by the blood of Christ, and that loves holiness both of heart and life. This should always be found in strict accordance with a profession of faith in the deep mysteries of our holy religion. Thus we unite faith and practice, "holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience," and obeying the precepts of Christianity from pure and holy motives. 1 Tim. iii, 9.

But there is an evil conscience, which is loaded with guilt, and condemned by its own sentence. He who has an evil conscience cannot bear his own reflections; he is terrified with fearful apprehensions; he runs into company to stifle his own convictions; and he has no peace or rest in his soul. But all true believers in Christ Jesus have had their hearts "sprinkled from an evil conscience, and their bodies washed with pure water." Heb. x, 22.