especially directed to such characters, as have gained these titles and honors, in the field of successful battle; and by frequent bloody triumphs: but, my Christian Friends, our blessed Lord himself has told us, that, what is of "high esteem amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God." Christ came into the world to be a peace-makerto reconcile our fallen race to an insulted God, and to obtain for us, his mercy, pardon, acceptance, and approbation: and, in the next place, to spread peace and good-will amongst men: and he has declared, in the Beatitude which I have just read to you, that, the most glorious title which can be conferred on man: that of being "called the Sons of God," shall not be given to the disturbers or destroyers of mankind; but, to the "Peace-makers" to those who study and endeavour to heal dissension: to "set at one" those who contend: to reconcile angry disputants: to cultivate in themselves, and to promote in others, quietness; concord; friendship; benevolence; orderly behaviour; and obedience to "the powers that are ordained of God."

This tranquil, peaceable, gentle, and patient disposition and behaviour, my Brethren, will produce that holy resignation, and pure Christian frame of mind, which will render us meet objects, for the enjoyment of the last blessing pronounced by Jesus, in that solemn portion of Scripture, to which I am

now, more immediately directing your attention : "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you: and, shall say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake, rejoice and be exceeeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven." The early Christians, my brethren, were placed in very trying circumstances. All the governing powers in the world were opposed to them; and as the Jews told St. Paul at Rome, "this sect was every where spoken against." They, therefore, required more especial encouragement, under that persecution for righteousness sake; and that slander, calumny, and evil speaking, to which they were exposed for the sake of Christ, than Christians of the present day; who run no risk of persecution on the score of Religion; as Christianity is the Religion of their country, and is protected and honoured by the law of the landand this encouragement the early Christians had – for they were promised, by the lips of him, who cannot lie, that their patient endurance unto the end, should be rewarded with the Kingdom of Heaven. But, the faithful Christian, even in our own days, may be exposed to trials on account of his faith; and may stand in need of the spiritual support, which was held out to the first believers in Christ, by the promise of a lasting inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven-a promise which was made, not only to them; but "to us and our children

after us, as many as the Lord our God shall call," to the end of time.-We, my Brethren, in these highly civilized, but extensively irreligious days; may be persecuted, in a certain way, and to a certain extent, for a contempt of the world, its principles, prejudices, pursuits, and fashions: for a faithfull allegiance to Christ; and a steady endeavour to practise the precepts of his gospel.-The wicked; the profane; and the carnally minded; that" great crowd which no man can number," may ridicule, deride, despise, and hate us, for our earnest struggle, against the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the Devil: for our sober, peaceful, quiet conduct for our sacred observance of the Lord's day, and of all the ordinances of God's worship: and for our" doing to all men, as we would wish that all men should do unto us"-but, let us be in nothing afraid: "He that is with us, is greater than he that is against us."-Let us buckle on "the whole armour of God," and march on boldly, firmly, and steadily, in the path of Christian duty-not "trusting in our own righteousness," but in the grace and assistance of him, who is "mighty to save:" whose strength is made perfect in our weakness: and who will" bring us off from the field of battle more than conquerors;" and, in the end, give us our final reward and rest, "in the Kingdom of Heaven."

DISCOURSE III.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.

MATTHEW, C. v., v. 16.-" Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works; and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."

I proceed, my Christian Brethren, with the short course of Sabbath Afternoon Sermons, which I promised, (with the divine permission and assistance,) to deliver from this place, on that most important and edifying subject-our blessed Lord's SERMON ON THE MOUNT.

After having enumerated the several dispositions of heart, and graces of character, which, (however they may be despised, by the pride and obduracy of man's fallen nature,) are regarded by God with approbation; and rewarded with his blessing—such as poverty, or lowliness of spirit-meekness of temper, and gentleness in manners-hungering and thirsting after righteousness; or, an earnest desire to know and practise the will of God-mercy, com

passion, and humanity--purity of heart-the love of peace, and the study to preserve it-patience and submission, under persecution, calumny, and derision, on account of Religion, (subjects on which I discoursed, in my last Sermon)-after our Saviour's general teaching, I repeat, had proceeded thus far-he addressed a few admonitions and exhortations, to those particular disciples, whom he had chosen and called, to accompany his person : to hear his sayings: to see his miracles: and, at a future time, to preach the tidings of his great salvation, to the Jews, and the Heathens; to, and through, all lands, even unto the ends of the earth. The office of these commissioned preachers of the Gospel, was holy: their responsibility, awful: and the exercise of their duty, would be full of danger, from the wickedness and hard-heartedness, of the untoward generation, in which they lived. It was highly necessary, therefore, that they should be "wise as serpents, but harmless as doves:" that their prudence should be great: their conduct inoffensive and, above all, that their example should be irreproachable—that they should show forth, in their own behaviour, those virtues which they exhorted others to practise-"Ye are," says Jesus, "the salt of the earth; but, if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is, therefore, good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men-ye are the light of the world: a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid: