"The best offerings are good dispositions,

a

pure soul, and sincerity of speech. He "therefore supplicates God, that studies to "be harmless; he makes oblations to God, "that abstains from every dishonest prac"tice; and he slays the most eligible vic"tim, that rescues a human creature from jeopardy. These are our sacrifices, and "the rites with which we worship our God: "and thus amongst Christians, he is the “most religious man who is the justest"."

Thus conspicuous in their moral virtues, they were no less so in the fortitude with which they practised them. The love of Christ had made them moral, and that same love made them bold. Their fortitude was not constitutional; it arose from principle, was temperate and determined. They resisted temptations, and displayed a noble contempt of death. "These fourscore and "six years,” cried Polycarp, when tempted with the offer of life to abandon Christ, "These fourscore and six years serve I him, " and he never wronged me. How then can "I blaspheme my King and Saviour?" But when the Proconsul persisted in requiring

h Sect. xxxii.

him to swear by the fortunes of Cesar, he said "Since thou ostentatiously requirest me "to swear by what thou stylest the fortune "of Cæsar, as if thou wert ignorant of what "I am, hear me boldly speak, I am a Chris"tian".'

This fortitude was not confined to leaders: it was common to the company of believers, male and female, children and adults. The love of Christ imparts a courage which nothing can destroy. "The soldier of God is "not abandoned amidst his sufferings, or brought to an end by death."

Such, without enlarging, are the effects of the love of Christ on the life and conversation of those who feel it in their hearts. In vain will you look for such a motive in morality of deportment, in the beauty of virtue, in a sense of the fitness of things, in a feeling of responsibility to God. These matters read well in books, but affect not the heart. Self-interest, passion, prejudice, the fear of reproach or death, will destroy the force of any one or all of these, in the majority of those who profess to be influenced by them.

h Euseb. Hist. Eccles. lib. 4. cap. 15.

i Min. Fel. Octav. xxxvi.

A few may think that they feel their influence, and live accordingly. But which of these motives, I would ask, restrains the sins of the heart? Which of them destroys selfishness, engenders real hatred of vice, and a love of virtue? The truth is, virtue and vice, out of the Gospel, have no determinate meaning. Ancient and modern philosophers have all differed in their views on this subject, and that according to their passions and prejudices. I could mention names and quote. opinions of those who have been considered first in the schools of philosophy, as a confirmation of the above assertion, did time permit, or inclination prompt. Let it suffice to remark, that there is scarcely a vice, however gross, which has not been dignified with the title of virtue, by one or other of these characters". In the Gospel alone, the line of difference is accurately drawn, and the love of Christ constrains to a real hatred of one, and love of the other.

This was the theme upon which Paul delighted to dwell, both in his preaching and writings. He was not ashamed of proclaiming

m The reader will find abundant proof of this in Dr. Dwight's two Sermons on Infidelity.

and enlarging upon that love which passeth knowledge. In thus doing, he has set an example which all ministers ought to follow. They may preach the fear of punishment, and the hope of reward, till they are blind and deaf; but if they do not unfold the love of Christ, sinners will remain sinners. This is the grand motive, the sole persuasive to a holy life, a life of godliness; as well as the great mean of softening the heart, and constraining sinners to cast down the weapons of their rebellion".

Without it, the ruined temple of our nature cannot be restored; and unless it be restored, God cannot dwell in it by his Spirit. Man must be pardoned and accepted, before the fruits of the Spirit of God can be displayed. And to what other source can we trace these fruits, but to the constraining love of Christ?

n "You have at least taught me, that to preach Christ is the only effective way of preaching morality in all its branches; and out of your humble cottages have I gathered a lesson, which I pray God I may be enabled to carry, with all its simplicity, into a wider theatre, and to bring with it all the power of its subduing efficacy upon the vices of a Chalmer's Address to the Inhamore crowded population."

bitants of Kilmany, p. 43.

sure.

This is the object I now propose to your attention, and the prize I hold out for your exertions. It is worth all other blessings, for it includes them all. Seek then this best of gifts; seek after it as hidden treaThis love, if once shed abroad in the heart, will overawe your passions and appetites, those troublers of man will appease conscience; will diffuse contentment through the soul; will animate in the discharge of duty; will influence to the practice of every virtue; will soothe the soul in afflictions; will invigorate it in danger; will cheer it in the prospect of death. The love of Christ constraineth in every situation and circumstance. It is the only effectual remedy for the corruptions of our nature, and the disorders of our fallen state.

May we ever feel its power in our own souls. May the consolations which it imparts support us through life; and may we realize the hope it here produces, in our Father's kingdom. AMEN.