SERMON XXI.

LOVE TO GOD.

1 JOHN iv. 19.

We love Him because He first loved us.

THE power of the Gospel over the heart of its recipients, results from the multiplicity of emotions which it calls into action. It addresses itself not to some part and fraction only of our nature, but to the whole compound man. Have we necessities which, in order to our satisfaction, must be supplied; desires pressing upwards from the very depths of our nature, which demand fulfilment? The Gospel promises their full fruition. Have we sentiments which find on earth no scope for exercise; an admiration of the fair and good, a delight in excellence, which seek in vain their proper objects here? The Gospel proposes those objects. Have we

feelings, the very indulgence of which is happiness, and whose experience ennobles and animates the mind? The Gospel calls up these feelings, and wins them to itself.

What, for example, so blessed, what so constraining, as the sense of gratitude? And where shall we find an object to excite this sweet emotion, equal to the object which the

Gospel presents to us? Gratitude is the spontaneous result of kindness; and the depth of our gratitude is in proportion to the degree of kindness shown to us. But where is there kindness such as God has manifested in his Gospel? What degree of kindness can ever come near to that which He has shown, who gave his Son, his only Son for us? He, the great and holy One, our Maker, our Father, our God

He has loved us, so as never man can love; and therefore,―necessarily, spontaneously, without a thought further, without calculation of results or consequences, therefore we love him in return. It is not interest which actuates us here; it is not fear; it is not desire; it is not hope; it is not a reference to any thing future; but it is simply the exhibition of God's love to us, which stirs up the corresponding feeling of our love to God. The chord has been first struck by Him, and every string of the human

heart vibrates and responds to it.

And full and deep as is the note, so full and deep is the responsive voice of gratitude; in that degree in which we perceive the love of God, in that degree also shall we love him in return.

Let us consider then, Brethren, what is the degree of this divine love; let us meditate on its fulness and extent; till our gratitude be proportionably deepened, and we approach the altar of our God with wonder, love, and praise.

And First let us recollect how free is the love of God of which we speak.

The value of any kindness will depend upon the feelings which have prompted it. If there have been selfish considerations at work, if there has been any other end in view than simply our good; in proportion to the mixed character of the affection, in that proportion its worth is lessened, and justly lessened, in our eyes. But what is God's love to us, but free, spontaneous, unmixed compassion for perishing man! The sole cause assigned by Scripture, and constantly assigned, for all the wonders of grace exerted towards sinners is the divine compassion. It is a refinement in Theology altogether unscriptural to invent motives for that which

is necessarily altogether without motive: for if we talk of a motive for compassion beyond the spontaneous feeling of sympathy, it is no longer pure compassion of which we speak. No! Man was lost, wretched, miserable, needing help, needing pardon, recovery, salvation;-and this was enough for Him who is full of mercy and compassion, plenteous in goodness and truth. His eye saw and pitied us: his heart was moved towards us; He had compassion on us, and helped us. What says St. Paul? "He has predestinated us to the adoption of children," He has chosen us into his own family-" according to the good pleasure,”—that is, the kindness, the mere compassion-" of his will; to the praise of his glorious grace,"—his love and sympathy, his mere and free compassion, again, —“ wherein”—i. e. moved by which grace and this alone" He hath made us accepted in the beloved." And again, in another place, "God, who is rich in mercy," whose compassion is unbounded, who is all compassion,-" for his great love wherewith He loved us," (there is the only motive which scripture tells us of!)— "hath quickened us together with Christ; that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards

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Christ Jesus."-" God so loved the As our Lord) that He gave his only 1" and, "herein is love (says St.

that we loved Him, but that He loved ...ve himself for us." "For who (asks Cath known the mind of the Lord, -ath been his counsellor? or who hath ven to Him that it might be recompensed again? For of Him, and through Him, Him, are all things." O the freeness core of the divine compassion! O the upt sympathy of God's most gracious mind! Brethren, do you delight to think of sponeous affection towards you? Does your eurt swell at the unprompted kindness of riend, and whisper to you, "For me alone

for my sake, out of mere love and good will, because he has a kindness to me, does he thus." Does the value of goodwill seem chanced to you, the more palpably all lower motives, all thought of return, all calculation of advantage seems impossible; so that the more out of our sphere and reach the person benefiting us, the, more condescending the favours shown to us, the higher our gratitude will rise?---Then what will you feel at the love of Him who sits enthroned in glory, far above all outward motive and all human return;