land. Is it then to us the same inestimable treasure which it appeared to the first Christians? Alas! far otherwise. The world, in drawing near to it, and crowding into it, has too often flung over it the shadow of its own bad principles and unrighteous practices, and thereby has partially obscured its brightness. Here and there the few who live by faith behold the holy Brotherhood as it really is. But the eyes of the multitude, and the eyes of the great and the powerful, are covered with a thick mist, and they have no knowledge of its hidden life. Many even of its own children regard it rather as a useful instrument of man, than as a great unsearchable Mystery of God. But still, we humbly trust, the Presence of the Lord abideth in it. Still it has peace and plenteousness for those who will repose in it with calm believing hearts. True it is that it puts not forth the same unclouded light, the same unconquerable strength, which once in Apostolic times confounded and subdued its foes, and cheered with hope and joy unspeakable its own true sons. But this withdrawal of some portion of its grace and glory, sad though it be, cometh still from

Him who is full of mercy and compassion, and whose very judgments are blessings to those who will repent. Only let us have faith to use the light and strength which yet remains;—and more may perhaps be given us. Only let us

"love the Brotherhood" in the day of its humiliation, and shew our love by eschewing those things that are contrary to our profession and following all such things as are agreeable to the same; and then, unworthy as we are, we may even be allowed to contribute something, if it be but a prayer, towards the renewal of its life and vigour. We know one thing at least to pray for, which if desired in penitence and faith cannot but be pleasing to the Prince of Peace,I mean the gift of love and unity, "that as there is but one Body, and one Spirit, and one Hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may henceforth be all of one heart, and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

SERMON V.

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF SERVING

TWO MASTERS.

St. Matt. vi, 24.

NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS.

THAT we are born to some kind of servitude our very nature teaches us. We have many natural gifts and powers, both of soul and body-we have reason, speech, affections, limbs to move, and senses to perceive, and all these, nature itself teaches us to use in some way; because it is a part of their nature to grow stronger and firmer if they are used, and to grow weaker and weaker if they are not used. Thus the very constitution of our nature teaches us that our souls and bodies were intended to be

employed to some purpose or end; and when they are employed to any purpose, such an employment is called their service; they are said to serve such a purpose.

But, again, we are not only born to some kind of servitude, but this servitude, whatever it be, is a voluntary one. We cannot, indeed, choose whether we will serve or no: but we can choose whom and how we will serve. The things which are without life around us, the plants and trees of the field, and even the hard stones, have also some purpose to serve, just as we have; but then they cannot do it either with their will, or against it, for they have no will; whereas we have. And therefore, having a will, we do not move our limbs or fix our affections or exercise our reason at random, or by compulsion; but by some impulse; some law or motive within us, and this is what makes our service voluntary. We must obey some Master; but it is for ourselves to choose who that Master shall be.

Once more; having learnt that we must from our very nature engage in some service, and that we must do this not merely by the outward

act, as if we were machines, but from within also, by an act of our own will; the next thing to be considered is, whom are we thus freely and heartily to serve? For upon this, I need scarcely tell you, every thing depends. To look again to the things without life; even these may teach us how essential it is to our well-being that we should not choose a wrong service—a service contrary to the purpose for which we were born. For if we take a plant and put it into the ground without any regard to the soil, or the time, or the manner, in which it was intended to grow, we know what will happen. It will not grow to perfection if it be turned aside from the law of its nature. It may seem to flourish for a little while; but it will soon lose its beauty and strength, and at length will fade away and perish utterly. Even so we, if we choose to obey any law and serve any Master contrary to that law, and that Master whom of right we are bound to serve and obey, how can we expect any thing but loss and destruction?

Now we well know that the Master whom we ought to serve, and whose service we ought to love with all our hearts, is the Lord God