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SERMON XIV.

Preached in the Presbyterian church at Charleston, on St. John the Evangelist's day, before the Grand Lodge of Ancient York-Masons.

JOHN, CHAP. 15, VER. 12.

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."

THE royal law of love, which forms the basis of the christian character, comprehends two great branches, love to God, and love to man. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. The obligation of the former is so evident and powerful, that we immediately conclude him to be altogether destitute of understanding and feeling, whose heart is not warmed with gratitude, and does not glow with love to the almighty Creator and generous Benefactor of mankind. His mind resembles the barren desert where no fair flower has ever opened its blossoms to the sun's

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enlivening rays. This, therefore, is the first and great commandment of our nature. the second is like unto it, and is of no less indispensable obligation; being not only deducible from the love of God, but also impressed upon our minds by an inward feeling which teaches us to look with an eye of benevolence on the whole creation of God, but especially on those whom he has beautified with his image, and made partakers of the same nature with ourselves.

But though the love of our neighbour is part of the system of nature, and has entered into every code of laws which has been published to the world, it shines forth with resplendent lustre in the gospel alone. It is there reveal

ed with so much greater clearness than it had been in former times; it is there accompanied with such new and powerful motives, that it is justly styled a new commandment, as if it had been unknown before, or were peculiar to the religion of Jesus. I have found no passage of sacred writ wherein the precept is more clearly expressed than in the words of the text and there is none which ought to make a deeper impression on the mind, if we duly consider the affecting situation in which it was deliver

ed, or the generous motive employed to enforce it's observance.

Jesus and his small society of friends were now assembled in expectation of that fatal event which was to smite the shepherd, and to scatter the sheep. For the last time, he was now to address them: His instructions would, therefore, be such as he deemed most important and useful; and his hearers would listen to them with that attention, and obey them with that alacrity, which are due to the discourse and advice of a dying man. In this interesting situation, what language did he hold to his afflicted followers? "This is my "commandment," said he, my peculiar "commandment, about the observance of "which I am most anxious: my last and

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dying commandment, which therefore ought "to sink deepest into your hearts: my most important commandment, which will be "most useful to you when, by my departure,

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you are left as sheep without a shepherd in "the midst of wolves-THAT YE LOVE ONE 66 ANOTHER. This is the request of one who "loves you, and who is now about to give the "most convincing proof of his affection, even "to lay down his life for you. I cannot sup

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pose you so ungrateful as to disregard my commandment, or so insensible to every generous sentiment as to feel no emotion of "love and regard for him whose life has been "dedicated to your service, and the good of "mankind. But all the return I require for "this kindness, is, that ye love one another. "Let the regard which you owe to me be "transferred to your brethren; and whatever "affection and kindness you show unto them, "I will consider as done unto myself."

And is it possible, O generous and disinterested Saviour! that thy commandments are still disregarded by those who bear thy name, and thy blessed example productive of so little effect? Is it possible, while the wild beasts of the desert delight to associate with those of their kind, while the monsters of prey withhold their ravening jaws from their own species, that man should become the enemy of man, should burn with resentment, `malice and revenge against his brother, and should go forth in hostile array to exterminate his race? Yes truly so it is. Though nature teaches, and the gospel commands us to love one another, how often do we see this noble and expanding principle confined and fettered by the narrow

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and contracted one of self-love. Even where men break not out into open violence and discord, how little brotherly love or sincere goodwill actuates their conduct! What is modern politeness, but selfishness in disguise? What is modern honour, but a refined species of revenge? What avail those phrases of compliment which custom has sanctioned, but to cloak the inward malevolence, or at least indifference of the heart?

In such a situation of things, when there is so little love without dissimulation, it is not an unnecessary, however common, attempt to illustrate the nature, and enforce the cultivation of this divine principle.

I. The love of our neighbour is that principle of our nature which leads us to wish well to all mankind, and to do good to as many as are within our reach. It is, therefore, an inward feeling, and not an outward act; a disposition of soul, and not a qualification of conduct. It is not, however, an useless and inactive principle; on the contrary, it is the foundation of a virtuous character, and is, in

truth, the fulfilling of the law. exists in full force, it secures a charge of all the social duties.

For where it

complete disTo this prin

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