and confirmed by the examination of almost any page in the history of idolatry.

3. Consider, thirdly, the evidences to the same truth to be collected from the history of religion among the nations of Christendom.-It is indisputable, that during the worst ages of Popery the doctrine of a crucified Saviour had fallen into disuse or contempt. I do not say that the outward emblems of this doctrine-the Cross and the holy Sacraments-were not exhibited in the Church of Rome. It is an evidence of the value of outward forms in religion, that, in the most abject and corrupt state of that church, their ceremonies remained to reproach them with their apostacy, and to serve as a rallying point for the love and devotion of serious Christians. But the Church of Rome, whilst they retained the shadow, in too many instances had sacrificed the substance. They had substituted many mediators for the one great Mediator between God and man, the "man Christ Jesus." They had in a great measure substituted, for the doctrine of justification by faith in the blood of a Redeemer, which is properly the doctrine of the Cross, that of justification by human works, merits, and penances. And in proportion as they thus disguised or disfigured the peculiar truths of the Gospel, both piety and morality decayed. Devotion refused to stay, where the claims of her Lord were forgotten, and his name and office confounded with those of his creatures. And let it be remembered, that religion never lifted up her head, or broke from the chains in which superstition had bound her, or produced any striking effect upon the conduct and character of men, till the Reformers, taking the doctrines of the Cross as the inscription on their banner, came forth to combat in the name and in the strength of the Captain of our salvation. Other attempts had been more than once made to cleanse the Church of Rome from her corruptions, and to revive the decayed piety of Christendom; but all failed, because they

carried not the Cross in the front of the battle; because they contended rather for a rectified morality than a pure Gospel; because they chose "excellency of speech and wisdom," when they should have" determined not to know any thing save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

4. But, lastly, let us consider the power of the truths we have been considering upon the hearts of individuals. -Tell us, you who feel the influence of religion upon your own souls, in changing, improving, moralizing, and sanctifying the character, whether this effect has not been wrought by the power of these doctrines. Tell us, whether the transformation was accomplished either by the mere maxims of morality, or by dry reasonings on the beauty of virtue. Tell us, whether it was not wrought by the tidings of your lost estate as sinners, and of the full and free redemption purchased on the cross for a ruined world. Tell us, whether it was not on the altar on which our Redeemer was offered that you laid down, if they are laid down, your bad passions and tempers; your selfishness and worldliness; your pride and covetousness; your dishonesty to the public, and your unkindness in your families. Tell us, if conviction and experience do not constrain you to exclaim, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world!"—As the instructers of others, have not some of us ascertained the impotence of every other doctrine? As private Christians, have we not discovered, that, although a "stumbling-block" to some, and "foolishness" others, this crucified Lord is, to "those who believe, Christ the wisdom of God and the power of God?" If so, to us at least no demonstration can be necessary of the wisdom of the Apostle's resolution to "preach Christ crucified."

But, my Christian brethren, it is time to relinquish

a subject infinitely too large and important to be grasped in any single discourse. I would claim permission, however, very briefly to touch upon a few, out of the many, practical lessons suggested to us by the previous discussion.

1. And here, in the first place, what instruction does the text convey to the ministers of religion!-It is, indeed, our positive duty, as ministers and as men, in no single instance to neglect the prescribed forms and ceremonial of religion. It is our duty to dwell, at all times and in all places, upon the great principles of morality, and to insist upon the essential and delightful duties which arise out of them. It is a primary law of our religion, "Let every man that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." But if we stop here, we stop at a point where our ministrations will fail of their object; and where, like the magicians of Egypt, we shall be made to feel the impotence of all instruments but those which God puts into our hands. "Wo is me," says the Apostle, "if I preach not the Gospel :" and wherever the same offence is committed, the "wo" will follow. A neglect of the essential and peculiar truths of the Gospel is, in many instances, the secret curse which is withering the prosperity of churches, and destroying the souls of individuals.

2. What a lesson is here conveyed to the parent, or to the instructer of youth!-Persons so employed often lament the inefficacy of their labours on the hearts of those they love the best; and wonder that the stern and awful exhibitions, which perhaps they have thought it right to present, of the Divine character and law, fail to startle the young mind, to arrest it in its course of sin, and force it into the path of duty. Let such individuals be induced to change their mode of instruction. Let them proclaim to these young persons "Christ crucified." Let them labour to win those who will not be compelled. Let them strive to melt the heart which no violence will subdue. Show your children

the cross of Christ. Tell them of his "agony and bloody sweat; of his cross and passion; of his precious death and burial; of his glorious resurrection and ascension;" and see whether the experience of all ages will not be your own, and whether the display of the Cross will not be the deliverance and the salvation of the sinner.

3. And, finally, my Christian brethren, how important a lesson is supplied by the text to ourselves as individuals!-How often do we appear to have let down the net, and to have taken nothing; to have sought the correction of our tempers or our habits altogether without success! If this is the case, let us try the experiment suggested by the text, and seek this correction at the foot of the Cross. Let us implore Him, now that He is "lifted up," to "draw" us to himself. Of such an approach to our crucified Lord the success is certain. Whenever the happy period shall arrive in which the deep and living interest of the first disciples of Jesus in the great topics of his love, his sufferings, and his death, shall revive, then also will their general dispositions and practices, their self-denial, lowliness, suavity of temper, and magnanimity, return to this comparatively barren world; then shall the desert once more "rejoice and blossom as the rose: it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and of Sharon." Then, also, shall the triumphs and joys of the Church keep pace with its improvement: "the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come again to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads! they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Hasten, O Lord, that glorious hour when "all thy children shall know" thee and love thee, "and great shall be the peace of thy children."

WHEN we survey the page of history, and consider the myriads who in past times have crowded the marts of commerce or the fields of war; or when, turning from books to the common walks of life, we enter our own church-yard, and fix our eye on the green heaps which cover each the ashes of a human being: the question of the text, or questions analogous to it, almost irresistibly force themselves on the mind: "Your fathers, where are they?" What is become of those uncounted multitudes? whither are they gone? Has the mind perished with the body; or, if not, in what part of the regions of infinite space is it to be found? Is it miserable or happy? Is it dwelling in tranquillity and purity with God; or is it cast into the pit of which the smoke ascendeth for ever and ever? Our "fathers, where are they?"

At first sight, all attempts to answer such questions as these would appear to be extravagant. And, as far as respects individuals, every attempt to reply to them must, under all circumstances, be considered as not merely extravagant, but criminal. Let no man be in haste to decide upon the case of another; "To his own Master he standeth or falleth;" and the command to us is, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."