for exhibiting it by high endowments which we do not poffefs, and communications of the fpirit without measure which we cannot expect; and it is, on this account, defs fitted to influence us. On other accounts, however, it is more forcible in proportion to his fuperiority; and this is true, in particular, of his condefcenfion, humility, meeknefs, and patience under fufferings. The greater he was the more we are obliged to admire these virtues in him; and the more we must be incited to practise them.-But there is one part of his example which, being founded on his pre-exiftent dignity, is loft entirely in the Socinian scheme. I mean his quitting that dignity, and degrading himself to the condition of a mortal man in order to fave men. This is an inftance of benevolence to which we can

to our own level, makes his example, in fome respects, more an encouragement to us, and more fit to be proposed to our imitation. See the note in page J33.

conceive no parallel; which is probably the admiration of angels; and which (were it duly believed and attended to) would make us incapable of not being ourselves examples of condefcenfion and benevolence. This is the part of Christ's example which St. Paul has particularly recommended to our imitation in the pasfage in Phillippians which I have already quoted. Let this mind be in you which was alfo in Chrift Jefus ; who, being in the form of God, did not affect to retain that form, but emptied himself of it, and took on him the form of a man and a fervant, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God bath highly exalted him, and given bim a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jefus every knee should bow and every tongue confefs that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.—I reckon this one of the most striking paffages in the New Teftament.-Let us comply with the exhortation delivered in it, and be always

ready

ready to spend and be spent in doing good, that we may rise as Christ rose,

I shall conclude with the following reflection.

If Chrift was indeed poffeft of that superiority of nature which I have been asferting, how important muft the fervice be which he came to perform. Would one fo high have ftooped fo low to do only what a meaner agent might have done? I often feel myself deeply impreffed by this confideration. The dignity of the Service, and the dignity of the agent, imply and prove one another.-Think, Chriftians, how dreadful the danger must be which Chrift left heaven to fave you from; and neglect not fo great a salvation. Remember that, at an expence greater than can be defcribed, you have been raised to the hope of a refurrection from death to an endless life of ever-increafing happiness. Take care that you do not lose a benefit fo tranfcendent, and fink at

laft

laft into a death from which there will be no redemption. This cannot happen except through your own fault. But should it happen, Chrift will not lofe the fruits of his labour; for though you should have no share in them others will, and myriads delivered by him from fin and death will hereafter unite in raifing fongs of praise and triumph, and afcribing bleffing, and glory, and honour, and power to the Lamb that was flain, and who hath redeemed us to God by his blood.

SER

SERMON V.

OF THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST AS THE

SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.

1 JOHN iv. 14.

We have seen, and do teftify, that the Father Sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

I

HAVE thought it a proper part of the duty of my office in this place to give you a particular account of my ideas of that Gospel which we all profefs, and on which we build our hopes of a future happy immortality. I have, already, proceeded a good way in the execution of this defign. Before I proceed farther, I must