ness of sound religion. It is not at all uncommon for men, particularly of susceptible imaginations, whenever they have acquired any strong impressions, of the truth and the importance of Christianity, immediately to suppose, that it is their duty to give up all their customary connections and occupations in society, and to take upon themselves some spiritual mission for the general good of the human race. This is thought by many to be the truest sign of a strong and lively faith, and they will scarcely admit any to be really Christians who do not, at the same time, attempt to become Apostles.

In the passage before us, our Saviour seems to give a very instructive admonition to persons of this character. In the warmth of his gratitude, the poor man who had been possessed was desirous to quit all his original pursuits, and

to dedicate himself solely to the ministry of Christ; but his gracious Master saw probably that a person whose mind had suffered so severe a shock, was not the fittest instrument that could be chosen for a service, which, while it required men to be "harmless as doves," required them likewise to be "wise as serpents:" at all events, he saw that this individual would both be happier in the quiet of domestic society, and might likewise be much more useful, while to those who could sympathize with all his feelings, and had suffered so much from the spectacle of his calamity, he would often relate, with tears of grateful Faith, "how great things "the Lord had done for him," and what compassion he had on him.

It is by a departure from this simple line of conduct that many men of sensibility and of warm imaginations, who receive, perhaps, sudden impulses respecting Di

vine truth, so often run into enthusiastic delusions, and apparently do all they can to render themselves and their religion objects of ridicule to the world. They are too apt to conceive, that their sudden convictions are of a miraculous nature, and contain a call to them to forsake all and to follow Christ. They thus set out upon extravagant schemes, to which the situation of society is not adapted; they degrade religion by mistaking their own low and grovelling conceptions for the inspirations of Heaven; and, in the meantime, they give up all the mighty opportunities of doing good, which they might have pursued in a quiet and gentle course, by insinuating into the hearts of those with whom they are connected, throughout the silent progress of a good life, a sense of "the great things which the Lord "had done for them, and of the compas"sion which he had on them." The

true spirit of Christian faith is often, indeed, much better shewn, by retiring from public view, and giving ourselves up to the concerns of the little sphere in which we naturally live, than in attempts to instruct whole communities of men, with whom we have scarcely any bond of union, and who are, probably, very indifferent both to us and to our doctrines.

In the next incident, we have a picture of faith, of a still more private and less communicative kind. It is that of the diseased woman, who, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind and touched his garment; for she said, "If I may but touch his clothes I "shall be whole." It seemed to be the wish of this woman that her disease and her cure should be equally unknown ; and, assured as she was of the power of Him whom she approached, and grateful as she must have been for the remedy

which she experienced, yet she would, probably, had she not been drawn forth from her concealment, have kept the whole transaction to herself, and might, to all outward appearance, have remained little distinguished from the multitude around her. Although such might be her views, her Lord was yet pleased with her secret faith," and he said unto "her, Daughter, thy faith hath made "thee whole; go in peace, and be whole " of thy plague."

Far be it from me, my brethren, to insinuate that a Christian is not under an obligation to make his "light shine before men." Yet it is rather by the "good works" of the Gospel, than by a display of his inward experiences and illuminations, that he is directed so to let his light shine; and there are, I believe, many simple Christian characters, who, applying their