any part of the price of heaven? Far were such intimations from our Lord's meaning. Advert once more to the peculiar circumstances of the case. The young man had testified a high respect for Jesus, and a full confidence in his instructions. He had professed a pre-eminent regard for his own soul. He had declared his readiness to perform any additional act of obedience which might be requisite to secure the possession of eternal life. In these professions is he sincere? Bring them to the test, To complete the perfection of thy character, one thing is wanting. To ensure an admission into heaven, one act of obedience still remains to be performed. Renounce thy wealth; embrace a life of poverty and persecution; and thus exchange thy perishable riches for an enduring treasure, for an unfading crown of endless glory.' Does the mandate prove unacceptable? Does he hesitate? Does he draw back? Does he refuse compliance? Let the trial detect his self-deceit. Let it disclose to him the hidden insincerity of his professions. Let it discover to him that worldly spirit, which secretly predominates within, and with all his imaginary aspirations after heavenly objects, insensibly rivets his soul to earth.

Such was the conduct of our Lord on this memorable occasion: a conduct evidently dictated by a compassionate regard to the person who was the cause of it; admirably suited to the peculiar circumstances of his state; and eminently calculated to prove in the highest degree beneficial to his most important interest.

So far indeed as the event is known to us, the success of this attempt was not equal either to the love which prompted it, or to the wisdom with which it was executed. The young man terminates the conference. But he terminates it in a far more hopeful condition than he had commenced it. He goes away sorrowful. His presumptuous expectations have encountered a check. His favourable sentiments of his own goodness and pretensions are probably shaken. At least his thoughts on these subjects have received a new direction, which, if pursued, may eventually lead him to conclusions very different from those at which he has hitherto arrived. Of one truth he has certainly acquired the knowledge: that he is not that perfect character which he has fondly conceived himself to

pro

be. Whether the good seeds thus happily sown, in cess of time, may bring forth their proper fruit, we cannot venture to pronounce. We may hope that the lessons imparted to him, may become through the divine blessing instrumental to his eternal salvation; and that abandoning the arrogant attempt of establishing his own righteousness, he may at last submit himself to the righteousness of God. But speculations of this nature are more curious than improving. Let us more profitably employ the instructive incident to which our attention has been turned, by deducing from it some obvious and edifying reflections.

1. Let us hence take occasion to reflect on the misery of a state of self-deception. If the character which we have contemplated cannot engage our approbation, at least it must excite our pity. To behold a man wretchedly deluded on a point of such infinite importance; to behold him sleeping with presumptuous security on the brink of everlasting destruction: what an affecting sight! Justly entitled to our compassion would be the condition of a person, who, afflicted with an incurable disorder, which must speedily terminate in death, should talk of years to come, of plans of future happiness; and unconscious of the fatal malady which secretly preyed upon his vitals, should fondly cherish expectations which never can be realized. How much stronger claims then to our commiseration does he possess, who is deceived as to the state of his soul: who being spiritually dead, flatters himself that he is alive: who, blinded by the specious lustre of a promising exterior, discovers not the corruption and deformity which lurk within! Does death arrest him in his course? How terrible the consequences! To perish with a lie in his right hand; to fall at once from the pinnacle of hope into the abyss of torment and despair; to awake out of his delusive dreams, and find himself irrecoverably plunged into that lake of fire which never will be quenched: what heart can conceive the disappointment, the anguish, the horror of such a state!

But is the character under view a character rarely to be found? Is the young man of whom we have been discoursing a solitary instance of self-deceit? Alas! are there not numbers who resemble him; who " thinking

themselves to be something when they are nothing, deceive themselves:"* numbers, who like him, unacquainted with their natural depravity, boast of the goodness of their hearts, and pride themselves on their pleasing tempers, and amiable dispositions: numbers who like him limiting their duty to the precepts of the second table, and restricting even these to their literal interpretation, are ready to exclaim, "all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" What is actually the language of thousands? I have done no harm. I am not a murderer, a thief, or an adulterer. I injure no man. I pay to all their due. I am kind to my neighbours; affectionate to my relations, faithful to my friends. May I not without dismay look forward to death and judgment?' Do not the consciences of many testify that this is no feigned description? Do not the consciences of many testify that such has been their language, the language at least of their hearts? But, my brethren, if such be the language of your hearts, in what respect do you differ from this self-deceived young man? If, like him, you say that you have no sin, do you not also like him deceive yourselves? Can you discern his danger? Can you discern your own? Can you pity his state? Have you no pity for your own? Israel said, "because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. What saith the Lord? "Behold I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned." Sinner, how canst thou say, I am not polluted? See thy wayknow what thou hast done. Does not God search the heart? Canst thou hide thy sins from him? "Though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God." Be no longer deceived. Pray that your eyes may be opened. Seek to discover the depth of your iniquity. Bring your heart and life to the standard of God's word: till convicted, humbled, abased, you smite upon your breast, and cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner."

2. Let us take occasion from the subject before us to reflect, that in stripping away the specious covering, which self-deceit imposes, and in disclosing the sinner to himself, consists one important part of the duty of a

Galatians vi. 3.

minister. Such was the conduct of our Lord. Such will be the conduct of every faithful preacher of his word. Let others prophesy smooth things; let them heal the hurt of the people slightly; let them lull mankind into a false security, and buoy them up with a fallacious hope. But the pastor, who anxiously desires the eternal welfare of his flock; who would improve the talent committed to his keeping, and would deliver his own soul, cannot thus betray his trust. He cannot gratify his hearers by telling them that "All is well," while he has reason to suspect, that at the bottom they are building on a false foundation. He cannot flatter them with the delusive notions of their own sufficiency and merit. He must labour to undeceive them. He knows that until convinced of sin, they will never cordially submit to Christ. He knows, that if they continue to regard themselves with complacency and satisfaction, they must perish everlastingly. Bear then, my brethren, bear with ministers of this description. For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account. Do they strive to correct your erroneous sentiments of the goodness of your own heart? Do they unfold the spiritual import of the law, and point out your numerous transgressions of its holy precepts? Call them not your enemies. Say not, We hate them; for they do not prophesy good concerning us, but evil. They are your real friends. They love your souls. At the risk of incurring your displeasure, of provoking your animadversions, they would testify their love to your souls. Report not of them, that they take delight in dealing out reproof. If they wound, it is that you may be more effectually healed. While they wound, they tenderly sympathize in the pain which they inflict. They rejoice to bind up the broken heart. Gladly would they lead you into the paths of pleasantness and peace. They would be helpers of your joy. Suffer then from them the word of exhortation. Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Receive them as the faithful witnesses of the truth, the servants of the most high God, which shew unto you the way of salvation.

3. We may hence also take occasion to reflect on that disposition of heart, which Christ requires of his people. "Come and follow me." An unreserved submission to

his will, a readiness to part with all things at his command, to encounter all things for his sake, form indispensable features in the character of true Christians. They follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.-Whosoever, says our Lord, does not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Examine yourselves, my brethren, on this point. Is there in your heart no idol which usurps the place of Christ? Do you lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset you? Having found the pearl of great price, are you prepared to sell all that you have and buy it? Many, who receive the word with joy, in time of tribulation, when the sincerity of their professions is put to the trial, fall away. Many, who for a season have walked with Christ, have at last forsaken him, having loved this present world. Beware of imitating these examples. Beware of retaining a secret, unsuspected attachment to the things of the present life. Pray for faith. Pray for singleness of heart. Pray that being rooted and grounded in love, you may follow the Lord fully. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God, your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus,'

SERMON XII.

CHRIST THE BELOVED AND THE FRIEND OF HIS

PEOPLE.

This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. Song of Solomon v. 16.

WHAT think ye of Christ? is one of the most important inquiries which can be addressed to us. For on our just conceptions and accurate knowledge of this divine person, not only our usefulness, our consistency, our comfort, but even our very existence, as Christians, depends. "This is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent."* Blessed is * John xvii. 3.