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genitor, we are sinners against the majesty of Heaven. The prince of this world hath received from us too ready a compliance with his desires; and we have always been more disposed to listen to his temptations, than to obey the commands of the Almighty. Now as Jesus came to deliver us from this state of bondage, he expects that we should submit our affections to the influence of his grace, and be directed by his spirit. Nor does he exact any hard service at our hands, or propose any unreasonable terms for our obedience. For are any precepts plainer to the understanding, more easy to be followed, or better adapted to promote our peace and happiness, than those which Christ has left in his Gospel? Besides, what gracious assurances does our Lord give us of his directing grace, to assist us in that obedience which he requires from us; and what rich consolations does he pour into the hearts of his disciples to cheer them in their pilgrimage! In the services of his sanctuary, in the preaching of his word, and above all, in the holy Eucharist, he holds communion with his faithful servants now, and will do so to the end of the world. Thus in his service, they experience inexpressible delight; and though a licentious generation may despise the cross as foolishness, and consider religion as a burden too heavy for liberal minds, they who have felt the value of their souls, who have duly considered the heinous nature of sin, and who look upon eternity as a very awful state, will regard the religion of Jesus as "the pearl of inestimable price."

The pleasures, honours, and wealth, of this world are no longer desirable in their estimation; for all these things, which are so eagerly courted by the generality of mankind, are lighter than vanity, embittered with innumerable cares, and dissipated by a breath; while the "unsearchable riches of Christ will endure for ever."

They who would enjoy the crown of righteousness, which the Lord of life hath prepared for them

that love him, must cheerfully take his yoke upon them, and learn of him to be meek and lowly of heart. The life of Christ is a lesson of practical virtue and holiness, which must be studied and carried into exercise by every one who is called to be his disciple. Christians have a perfect examplar for their imitation; and they possess this advantage also peculiar to their holy vocation, that they are not left to follow him in their own wisdom and ability, but are guided and supported by the "good shepherd" who "giveth power to the faint: and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Isaiah xl. 29.

Our blessed Redeemer, before his ascension, left this promise with his little flock, for their consolation, and in words which also give us an equal interest in the gracious declaration; "Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world."

This is the foundation of that holy church which he has instituted for the conveyance of those blessings purchased by him for the salvation of mankind. Here he meets his faithful followers, and renews his covenant of pardon and promise with them, healing their infirmities, dispelling their fears, strengthening them against the devices and temptations of the adversary, and raising them above the world.

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And at the termination of their course, when the night cometh in which no man can work," Jesus supports their spirits in the "valley of the shadow of death;" by guiding them through the perplexities of that awful state, and cheering them with the prospect of immortality.

Such being the advantages of the religion which God hath appointed, as the only means whereby we can gain his favour, and be admitted into his presence, let it be our earnest care to secure this great salvation.

When we hear so many voices calling to us out of heaven, and saying, "Come up hither," our souls ought to be fired with an exalted spirit of emulation,

to tread the path which leads to the same glorious inheritance."Let us then lay. aside every weight, and the sin which doth most easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. xii. 1, 2.

ST. PETER.

Suffered martyrdom about Anno Domini 65. THE establishment of Christianity, by the minis

tration of a few men who were called from the lowest occupations, and without having had any of the acquirements necessary to the propagation of a new system, may be safely produced as a strong evidence of the Divine origin of our religion.

This evidence receives additional force from the character of these men, and the circumstances in which they were placed. They had from the beginning the most sanguine expectations of a temporal kingdom to be set up by the Messiah; and they could not patiently submit to the declaration of their Lord when he corrected their error, by showing them that he 66 must suffer many things, be killed by the chief priests and the elders, and be raised again the third day." Nay more, he told them that they should be themselves the objects of persecution, and be excommunicated by the chiefs of their nation; "yea," said he, "the time cometh that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth God service."

We read, it is true, that in consequence of these hard sayings," many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." The wonder is, not that some of his followers became faint-hearted with such

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prospects; but that any should remain attached to his person and doctrine when they found that, instead of grandeur and riches, they must endure reproach and poverty, suffering and death for his name's sake. When, therefore, we hear our Lord, after the defection of some of his disciples, say to the twelve, Will ye also go away?" we cannot but consider it as a very trying question, and as one that put every struggling interest in exercise. On the one side they had their personal ease; the support of their families, and the esteem of their countrymen, pleading with flesh and blood; on the other, they had only a beloved master without any worldly friend but themselves, and now verging, according to his own account, upon a tremendous scene of ignominious sufferings. The alternative was painful, and the trial deep; but the issue manifested the power of God over the hearts of men; for nothing short of the conviction that this power was with Jesus, could have produced the answer of Simon Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art Christ, the son of the living God."

This confession, delivered under such circumstances, is a proof that nothing but the principle of religious sincerity could have induced the apostles to forsake all they possessed in this world, for the cross of Christ and the kingdom of heaven.

The declaration of Peter, naturally leads us to a consideration of his character; the particular view of which will serve to show more clearly the truth of a cause in which he early distinguished his zeal, and for which he finally laid down his life.

This great apostle was a native of Bethsaida, a city of Upper Galilee, situated upon a lake famous for its fishery, which was the employment of Peter, Andrew his brother, and their father Jonas.

Andrew was a disciple of the Baptist, and hearing nis master announce Jesus as the promised Saviour, by the appellation of the "Lamb of God which

taketh away the sins of the world," he quitted John, and abode with our Lord the remainder of that day. Early in the morning, Andrew hastened to acquaint his brother Simon with the important tidings, saying, in the fulness of his joy, "We have found

the Messias."

Andrew was not more eager to communicate the discovery he had made, than Peter was to share in the blessing. There was no scrupulous doubt, no cautious jealousy, no fearful apprehension in the mind of Peter, with regard to the truth of the report. He immediately followed his brother; and when Jesus saw him, he said, "Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas, or Peter, which is, by interpretation, a rock.'

How long these brothers continued with our Lord, does not appear; though it was probably but a short time, as they returned again to their former employment, till they were expressly called by Christ to a constant attendance upon his person, that they might become "fishers of men."

They were afterwards enrolled among the twelve apostles; and in the evangelical enumeration, Peter stands first in order, though he had no superiority of power; all of them being equal in rank, and all endued with the same apostolical privileges.

Three out of the twelve were indeed admitted to the special confidence of their master, and upon particular occasions they alone accompanied him, especially when he was transfigured on the mount. These were Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, John the evangelist, and James called the great.

There appears in the character of St. Peter, an impetuosity of spirit which prompted him on all occasions to manifest his zeal beyond his brethren. This honest disposition, though it arose out of the fervour of love to his master, sometimes exceeded the boundaries of prudence, and required correction. One of the earliest instances of his fervid temper occurred after the miracle which our Lord wrought

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