"that if one died for all, then were all dead; "and that he died for all, that they which live "should not henceforth live unto themselves, but "unto him which died for them, and rose again." Henceforward therefore he must care for all, for whom Christ died, as he would shew his thankfulness and reverence to the Redeemer's own self, and his obedience and subjection to the Lord that bought him.

This is the explanation of that care which we profess for all the members of Christ's flock, as simply being such, even while personally strangers and may we not be well believed, such foundation?

on

And now, having seen and understood thus much that we may carry on the subject to a wider range of practical improvement, let it be added, that this view of men and things and of their common interests is not to be regarded as belonging only to the ministers of Christ, whose special business, in a certain sense, religion is. It is the only just and healthful view that can be taken of Christian society, by any man of any worldly calling. I mean to say, it is the only sound view to be taken of the end for which, and of the way in which, mankind are placed here in the world together-high and low, rich and poor,

instructed and uninstructed, one with another. We shall not faithfully discharge our part in life, under any other view of our condition in this present world. Under every view besides this, we shall most surely want-in some point or other which will spring up-either encouragement, or strength, or motive. Nothing but the love of God and of our Saviour can carry us through all our duties perseveringly; and nothing but a heart-felt sense of the great truth, that we are not our own," but his property who hath redeemed us and bought us at so high a price, can give us a sufficient love of Christ, and of our Father which is in heaven. We may do right in some particulars or shew some signs of goodness in our course, indeed, with far inferior understanding; but all the while we shall most surely want root: and what can be expected then, but that we shall as surely fall away, in the strong season of temptation? Alas! we know too certainly, it is the "waxing cold" of love that will especially withdraw so many from enduring to the end! How, then, should they endure, in whom no love was ever found at all?

When, however, we come to look upon ourselves as brethren of a common hope and calling

redeemed from both the punishment and power of sin at no less cost than " through the offering "of the body of Jesus Christ once for all," "in "whom we have redemption through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins";" thus being in a new and further sense made his, by right of purchase; thenceforward bound to live to him, according to the laws which he has given us; and (what completes the whole) enabled, too, to do his will, through his free grace and help which will be granted, if we duly seek it ;-when we learn thus to look upon ourselves, and thus to understand our calling and condition in the sight of God, then we may also learn to live as Christians ought to do, because we shall believe and hope as Christians ought to do. Then there will be a constant spring of thankfulness and love to set us on the doing of our duty; then shall we clearly see within our hands a law and rule of life intended to direct us, and to give us knowledge what is "the good, and acceptable, "and perfect, will of Godi". We shall behold the pattern of our Lord's own life as a continual object of our imitation; and the sure prospect of

Heb. x. 10. iRom. xii. 2.

h Col. i. 14.

* See Sermon IV.

the recompense of heavenly happiness will cheer the faithful on their way. All things will then become sufficiently intelligible to us, even as we see them now in this imperfect state. We shall then comprehend why there are such diversities of station, and of gifts, in this world as it now is; why some are raised or born to riches, and others subjected to poverty; why some are gifted, for a while, with ten or many talents, and others but with one; namely, that there may be a trial and a proof of all, according to a settled law of things which God hath willed, who cannot err.

Nor is this all; but we shall further see and understand, that though things outwardly seem thus unequal, yet there is no respect of persons with God; that though we thus are many members, we are yet but one body, which he hath tempered thus together for the good of all; that all the parts of it are precious in his sight; all equally partakers of his care, and of redemption by the death of Jesus Christ. When thus we learn our true distinctions and our true fellowship, there will be no more room for boasting on the one hand, nor for complaint upon the other. Το him who estimates his Christian calling thus, a

1 Cf. Rom. xii. 1 Cor. xii.

state of poverty will seem no shame, nor one of riches any ground for glorying. Each will perceive how he should honour and respect and care for the other. All will be brought to feel how they are bound in close and common interests; and hence, this true and real view of life will shew to all alike the strong necessity of doing every man the utmost that he may toward the general welfare. Each will perceive the duty of contributing his share toward the fulfilment of the divine intention, be the amount or quality of that which he can offer what it may. The slothful servant's lot, who hid his talent in the earth because it was but one, will teach him this; and shew the call on every Christian to take heed to turn the gift entrusted to his care to some

account.

For, Christians, let us understand this; that we can all do something toward the great end of furthering God's glory, if we will. Nay, we can all do much, if we are willing. I beg of you to weigh this well; and to become alive continually to the important truth of it. I will not here speak of the tendencies of false or of mistaken or of exaggerated views of doctrine, to depress or to pervert lawful endeavour. But setting these aside, it may be feared, upon

C