Are members of the family of God-Have joyous prospects-Re- joicing a duty they owe to God, to religion, to the world-The perilous condition of those who are seeking happiness in the world The christian's peace-Reconciliation to God-Peace with his conscience-Peace with men-Spiritual peace a Divine legacy— A solace amidst toil and suffering-A pledge of future happiness -The effects which this peace produces-Lays the foundation of national prosperity and concord-Invests character with surpassing excellence-Gives a commanding influence to example-Additional force to active efforts-Moderates attachment to earthly things— The duty of those who possess this blessing-A false peace des- Implies submission and resignation-Forbearance - Is mani- fested by christians when persecuted-When Divinely chastised -When difficulties perplex the mind-Its advantages-It smooths the path of life-Gives sobriety to the judgment-Enables its pos- sessors to overcome difficulties-Tends to preserve union in the church-Reasons for the cultivation of this virtue-Afflictions Consists in a fixed principle in the heart-Mildness-Inoffen- siveness-Affability-Lowliness-Is essential to ministers and of- ficials in the administration of church discipline-To heads of families in the parental capacity-To teachers in communicating instruction to the young---To controvertists---To those who are in authority---Its worth--- Benefits---Directions to aid its acquisition---Temptations to be resisted---Cleaving to the Lord Christians are to manifest a spirit of benevolence-Objects of benevolence-The principles by which they must be actuated-It must be from a sense of duty-From a principle of humanity- Justice-Religion-The reward such conduct secures-Personal satisfaction-Success in the enterprise of benevolence-The as- surance of Divine love-Incentives to christian generosity-None Consists in the improvement of our talents-Time-Abilities- Its principles developed - Separation-Humility-Docility— Forgiveness-The arguments by which the importance of its principles are indicated-Is included in the list of social virtues— The models we have to imitate-The blessings with which it is accompanied―The exemplification of its principles a duty-Must ascertain whether we possess this virtue-Courage and self-pos- session-Dependence on Christ-Constant watchfulness. Page 144 Its meaning defined-Moderation in the use of the blessings of Providence-In the government of the temper and conversation ---In dress---Honesty---Circumspection---Modesty---Economy- Nonconformity to be observed---In the desires and imaginations ---The subject viewed specially in relation to intoxicating drinks Is necessary---Desirable---Important---Indispensable--How this grace may be cultivated in general---May be promoted in particu- lar---By precept---Example---Exertion---Discretion---Conclusion LECTURE I. LOVE. "Art thou a christian? Is the moving cause, And sit upon thy lip, and in thy bosom tremble? THE sacred scriptures fully and clearly demonstrate the truth of the christian religion. Every book, chapter and paragraph, supply indubitable evidence both as to their antiquity and divine inspiration. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." The folly of some men has been apparent in their avowed opposition to christianity, and much cunning and sophistry have been employed for the purpose of sapping the foundation and burying in ruins the great temple of truth. But all their theorisings, scepticism, and denunciations against the religion of the Bible have only exposed the feebleness of their reasonings, the irrationality of their arguments, and the fallacy of their conclusions; and may be regarded as fleeting memorials of their own infatuation. But christianity is of God; and, B therefore, men and demons cannot overthrow it. It has survived the storms of ages, and reared its immutable form above the waves of opposition, retaining its glory untarnished and undiminished while numbers of its foes have sunken into oblivion. "As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm Where christianity is embraced the results are the most glorious and beneficial. Philosophic or ecclesiastical codes and human inventions, when compared with it, dwindle into insignificance. In point of magnitude, interest and durability, it stands unrivalled. Where its benign influences have been felt, it has changed the moral aspect of society. It expels darkness from the mind, penetrates and softens the heart of adamant, subdues the rebellious will, civilizes the barbarian, transforms the lion into a lamb, and converts the soul. It reaches man in the depths of his iniquity, compasses him in all the measures of his guilt; it has stood by the penitent when imploring pardon, and freely bestowed the "oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." And, like an angel of light, it has shed a celestial radiance over the christian in his final struggle-pointed him to a world of light, and accompanied the triumphant spirit in its towerings to an immortality of blessedness. Christianity implies the knowledge, possession, and influence of the Holy Spirit, for we are "born again of the Spirit." The operation of the Spirit on the human mind is imperceptible and mysterious, but the results of that operation are intelligible and satisfactory; inasmuch as it invariably imparts to every believer a "knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins;" for this has been the distinguished privilege of Christians in every age and in every nation. |