But as those who know Christ only "after the flesh" find themselves condemned as wrong by real christians, not only because of their vicious lives and earthly-mindedness, but also because of their self-righteousness, and their trusting in their own works for acceptance with God, hence a bitter hatred and enmity must arise, which has led, in all ages, those who " are born after the flesh to persecute those who are born after the Spirit." Hence the cross of persecution. Hence so much is spoken in the Scripture of the duty of christians to bear with patience the evil things said and done against them; to show meekness and long-suffering under the ill treatment to which they are exposed, "not returning railing for railing, but overcoming evil with good;" and to consider the Lord Jesus, " who endured so much contradiction," lest they should be faint and weary in their minds. Hence also the many comfortable promises of inward strength and guidance given to christians, to keep them from being swallowed up with the spirit of heaviness; and the directions to keep themselves unspotted from the world, and not to be ashamed of Christ in the midst of an adulterous generation. This is their duty, though the cross of Christ be foolishness in the eyes of the world, and the choicest truths and excellencies of the real religion of Christ be scoffed at, and the persons of those who espouse them be held up as the most ridiculous and contemptible of all characters.

From this circumstance of contempt, a great trial arises to a real christian. It is no little matter to bear the contempt of all around us. They may call

it a little matter, who have never been tried with it; but those who have, know what it means. When the outward profession of religion abounds so much, as to take away, in a great measure, this cross, the evidences of christianity grow less easy to be seen. Such sort of converts as join themselves to a great multitude, or very large party, which keep them in countenance, have no idea of the trials of those who were not ashamed of Christ crucified, when they stood almost alone. It therefore highly behoveth those, in our days, who begin to profess godliness, to see that they have a different ground for glorying, than in a numerous sect or party, by whatever name it be called. Let them examine themselves whether they " be in the faith," and whether they can bear the cross of shame and contempt, when called to it. If men can do so in a right manner, it must be because they are alive to God. But men void of life have no idea of the duty of bearing this cross, nor do their circumstances point out to them the propriety of patience under persecution and ill usage for the name of Christ. They say that such things belong only to the first christians. They might just as properly say, that all the consolations of godliness, and even heaven itself, belonged only to the first christians. But let it be remembered, that Christ, his Gospel, and human nature, are the same in all ages, and therefore that all Scripture was written for our learning, as well as for that of the first ages.

Let the real christian consider the nature of true religion as it is described in this, and the foregoing chapters of St. Paul's 2d Epistle to the Corinthians.

He who knows Christ spiritually has the law of God written, by the Spirit, on his heart. He feels his own insufficiency; knows the SPIRIT of the New Testament, and is sensible that the LETTER will not save, but destroy men's souls. He is delivered from the ministration of death, rejoices in Christ Jesus, and has no confidence in the flesh. He beholds heaven opened, and God reconciled through Christ. The veil is removed from his heart. The god of this world holds him no more in blindness. What a difference between the state of the earth when in darkness, and when God said, " Let there be light, and there was light." Such is the difference between his state, as now renewed and illuminated, from what it was in a state of nature. He rejoices in the prospect of being with Jesus and sharing in his resurrection. He can enter into the full meaning of the Apostle's words, in the close of the foregoing chapter, with which I shall conclude -" We also believe, and therefore speak, knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

SERMON XII.

THE CONVERSION OF ST. MATTHEW.

Luke, ch. v. ver. 27--33.

After these things he went forth, and saw a publican named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me, and he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of Publicans, and of others that sat down with them. But their Scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with Publicans and Sinners? And Jesus answering, said unto them, They that are whole, need not a Physician; but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

THIS story is full of instruction: Very much of the power of true grace is displayed in it; of grace as it is in the Most High, effectually converting one dead in trespasses and sins; and grace as it is experimentally exercised in the heart and practice of a true convert. The holy, meek, condescending, and gracious character of the divine Saviour is exhibited, to the great encouragement of needy, broken-hearted sinners. The nature of true repentance also evinces itself in a renunciation of all self-righteous hopes, and in a hearty, thankful embracing of so suitable a Saviour as Jesus is briefly,

yet strongly, declared to be. We likewise see the Pharisaic spirit of those who are too good to need the Son of God to shed his blood for them, and too righteous to want converting grace, exposed or

rebuked.

These topics have all, from time to time, been laid before you; but there are different lights and views in which the same things may be exhibited; and variety may yet be displayed, even on those gospel subjects which have the greatest unity and simplicity. Our present plan then shall be to go through a plain expository view of this narrative. It may please God to impress us as we go along with views adapted to each part of the story, and to furnish us with suitable matter of comfort, instruction, rebuke, and correction.

I said " a plain expository view." To be very studious in quest of the ornaments of speech ill becomes, in general, a Minister of Christ, and is ill adapted to christian subjects. But in what relates to heart-work, to the application of divine things to the conscience, it is peculiarly unsuitable. "My speech and my preaching," says the Apostle, " was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." A negligent plainness will most powerfully reach those hearts, who are likely to be benefited by thoughts which are purely spiritual. As for those who love to have their ears tickled with smooth language, and are looking only for entertainment in well-turned periods, instead of desiring the words of eternal life, they ought not to be gratified; nor can they but at the expence of divine truth itself. For