them as brethren; assiduously imitating their manners, and tenderly ministering to their necessities? If these be the genuine feelings of our heart towards the saints that are upon earth, we may then safely conclude, that their God and our God will give us to see the felicity of his chosen, to rejoice in the gladness of his people, and to give thanks with his inheritance. This is a consideration full of comfort and encouragement, and such as may, on some occasions, be made the ground of a holy confidence more inestimable than a thousand worlds. Let us then bless God for pointing out to his anxious children so plain and definite a test of existing grace. And if at any time a distressing doubt should be excited in our mind, respecting the final issue of our christian profession, let us thankfully take up the firm and authorized language of my text-We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, in

all knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

192

SERMON XII.

MATT. V. 3.

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

THIS and the two following chapters contain, what is usually denominated, our Lord's Sermon on the Mount. And this portion of Scripture has probably obtained that distinguishing title, on account of its being the most elaborate and connected discourse, that ever fell from our Master's lips. It commences in the most benign and encouraging terms, and in a manner peculiarly adapted to signify the gracious nature of that kingdom, which was about to be established among men. Certain classes of mankind are here pointed out, upon each of which an appropriate benediction is pronounced: and happy is the man, who, upon deliberate exa

mination, finds sufficient grounds to satisfy himself, that his own particular character is included in any one of these classes.

It is well known among those, who know any thing of the nature and spirit of the gospel dispensation, that there are certain tempers and dispositions, with which every professing Christian ought to be adorned. All these tempers and dispositions will in different degrees, manifest their influence upon the sincere disciples of Christ; though it must necessarily happen, that according to their peculiar complexions and habits, they will always excel each other, some in one partiticular grace, and some in another. To be perfect in all the graces of the Spirit, is a felicity that belongs not to the present state; and how far it may belong to the future world, cannot now be determined. But that it becomes us, in every state, very earnestly to seek after whatsoever things are amiable, excellent, or praise-worthy, all mankind are agreed.

Poverty of spirit is that peculiar temper of mind, which is pointed out in my text: and to this inestimable quality I would now direct your attention. This holy disposition of soul is not only an important, but an essential ingredient in the religion of Jesus. The whole plan of the gospel, every thing ap

pertaining to the new covenant, and all the dispensations of God towards fallen man, are calculated to produce and foster in us this heavenly grace. They who are destitute of this, it may be confidently affirmed, have no true religion, whatever profession they may make, or whatever attainments they may possess. And that this is a reasonable conclusion, appears manifest from some of the plainest passages in the sacred volume; which assures us, that God will chiefly have respect to this grace in the character of his saints, and that, where this is not, he will look upon nothing else with acceptance. Thus it is said, in a certain place, The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. And in another part it is written, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. If therefore, we would make the Holy Scriptures our rule in judging of spiritual things, we must needs allow unfeigned humiliation of soul to constitute a very material part of the christian character.

But as some of you, very probably, have only a confused idea of what may be signi