X v. SERMON shall resemble the flower that smiles in spring; in another, the firmly rooted tree, that braves the winter storm. For, remember we must, that there is a season of winter, as well as of spring and summer, in human life; and it concerns us to be equally prepared for both. A HIGHER and more perfect example of such a character as I now recommend, cannot be found, than what is presented to us in the life of Jesus Christ. In him we behold all that is gentle, united with all that is respectable. It is a remarkable expression, which the Apostle Paul employs concerning him; I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ *. Well might these qualities be singled out, as those for which he was known and distinguished, We see him in his whole behaviour affable, courteous, and easy of access. He conversed familiarly with all who presented themselves; and despised not the meanest. With all the infirmities of his disciples he calmly bore; and his rebukes were mild, when their provocations were great. He wept over the * 2 Cor. x. 1. calamities XIV. calamities of his country, which persecuted SERMON him; and apologised and prayed for them who put him to death. Yet the same Jesus we behold, awful in the strictness of his virtue, inflexible in the cause of truth; uncomplying with prevailing manners, when he found them corrupt; setting his face boldly against the hypocritical leaders of the people; overawed by none of their threatenings; in the most indignant terms reproving their vices and stigmatising their characters. We behold him gentle, without being tame; firm, without being stern; courageous, without being violent. Let this mind be in us which was also in Jesus Christ; and we shall attain to honour, both with God and with man. SERMON XV. On the SACRAMENT of the LORD'S SUP- [Preached at the Celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.] XV. MATTHEW, Xxvi. 29. But I say unto you, I will not drink bence. forth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. SERMON WITH these words of our Blessed Lord the Evangelist concludes his account of the institution of the sacrament of the Supper. It is an institution which, solemn and venerable in itself, is rendered still more so by the circumstances which accompanied it. Our Lord had now, for about three years, continued to appear in his public character 285 SERMON On the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, &c. character in the land of Judea. He had, all along, been watched with a jealous eye, by his enemies; and the time was come, when they were to prevail against him. A few friends he had, from the beginning, selected, who, in every vicissitude of his state, remained faithfully attached to him. With these friends he was now meeting for the last time on the very evening in which he was betrayed and seized. He perfectly knew all that was to befal him. He knew that this was the last meal in which he was to join with those who had been the companions of all his labours, the confidants of all his griefs; among whom he had passed all the quiet and private moments of his life. He knew that within a few hours he was to be torn from this loved society, by a band of ruffians; and by to-morrow, was to be publicly arraigned as a malefactor. With a heart melting with tenderness, he said to the twelve apostles, as he sat down with them at table, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer*, And then, having gratified himself for the last time in their society, and having instiLuke, xxii. 15. XV. tuted SERMON tuted that commemoration of his death, XV. which was to continue in the Christian church until the end of ages, he took a solemn and affectionate farewell of his friends, in the words of the text; I say unto you, that I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. As these ords were uttered by our Lord, in the prospect of his sufferings; when preparing himself for death, and looking forward to a future meeting with his friends in heaven; let us, under this view, consider the sacrament, which he then instituted, as a preparation for all the sufferings of life, and, especially, a preparation for death. It is fit and proper, that such solemn prospects should enter into the service which we are this day to perform. We have no reason to imagine, that they will render it a gloomy service. A good and wise man is often disposed to look forward to the termination of life. The number of our days is determined by God; and certainly it will not tend to shorten their number, that we employ ourselves in preparing for death. On the contrary, while our |