those who were appointed as instructors of children, in the Jewish church; he heard them attentively, and answered them with modesty; proposing himself also, such questions, as were fit for the young to ask of the aged and learned, for instruction in righteousness. And particularly remember, with what duty and cheerfulness he fulfilled the fifth commandment, which bids us to honour our father and mother. went down to Nazareth, and was subject, or obedient, to his earthly parents. He, who was Heir and Lord of all things, did not disdain the virgin's commands, or refuse the orders of Joseph.

He

Such example, of duty to God and man, was set you by the blessed Jesus, while he was passing through the state of childhood and youth. And now, that he is exalted to the right hand of God, and beholdeth all the dwellers upon earth from his throne of glory, he loves and values all those, whom he sees to be desirous of following his holy steps. No power or will is wanting in him, to defend and strengthen them. No friend, whom you have on earth, is so desirous as he is, of your true and everlasting happiness; to the hope of which he admitted and made you heirs of heavenly glory, when he received you into his family and service by baptism. Be care

you,

ful, therefore, not to cast yourselves out of this blessed family; not to forfeit your heirship, and share of an eternal inheritance, by doing evil; but strive to continue in the love of Christ, by keeping his commandments. Resolve with yourselves, that, by the grace of God, you will do nothing to displease him, but all that possibly you can to serve and honour him. Thus resolve with yourselves; and then confirm your good resolutions, before God and his church. Christ, who laid his hands on the children that were brought to him, still stretches out his hand to bless you also for the bishop is the appointed minister of Christ, to bless in his name; and what is done by his authority, and in his name, no doubt will be attended with a blessing, if you bring a suitable disposition to receive it. And may this blessing ever attend you; and as you increase in stature or age, may you increase also in wisdom, and in favour with God and man! Amen.

199

DISCOURSE XVI.

SAINT JOHN, ix. 4.

I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM THAT SENT ME, WHILE IT IS DAY: THE NIGHT COMETH, WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK.

THESE things, to use an expression of Saint Paul, are an allegory: that is, the words are true, not only in their common and familiar meaning, but under it contain another, and that, a spiritual meaning. But, according to the nature of our blessed Lord's parables, which were plain to those that would hear and understand, this spiritual meaning is easy to be discovered. For when he says, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work," — by a very natural figure of speech, day is put for the present life, and night signifies the state of death. And, as the work and labour of the day, naturally end at the coming of night, so do the work and

employment, which God hath appointed as pertaining to salvation, cease at the arrival of death, when we go hence, and are no more seen.

Christ, indeed, spake these words concerning himself; who came into the world, in a character which no other person ever bore; and to finish a work, which none besides himself could accomplish. But the same words are true likewise, in a general sense; and are applicable, not only to the Captain of our salvation, but, to all those, who have given their names to him, and enlisted under his banner, as the servants and soldiers of Christ.

For, although no man be sent into the world, to save the world, as the Son of God was; yet every man is sent into it to obey and glorify his Maker. Every Christian hath the works to do, of Him that sent us into the world: he must do them in this life, while it is called to-day; for the night, or death cometh, and then he can do those works no longer.

Taking the text in this general sense, as applicable to all Christians, I shall,

1. Briefly inquire what the works are, which are allotted us, and expected of us to be done, in the day: and,

2. Press the performance of these works, by such arguments as the subject naturally suggests.

And first, If we inquire what those works. are, for which God hath sent us into the world, and which it chiefly concerns us to perform, our blessed Lord hath given us this instruction concerning them: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him, whom He hath sent." There are many works which men set themselves to do, some with greater, and others with less eagerness, in pursuit of pleasure, profit, or honour: but all these works will end in vanity, or worse than vanity, unless our chief aim and attention be, to do the work of God; to believe on Him, whom He hath sent.

Now belief in Him, whom God hath thus sent, that is, in Jesus Christ, is not a bare belief, that he is the Son of God; that he was born of a virgin; that he suffered death, and was buried; that he rose again the third day, and, soon after, ascended into heaven. It is not a bare assent to these, and other parts of the history of Christ, that can be justly called doing the work of God, in our belief of his blessed Son. We must look further, to the end and design of his coming, as declared in the Holy Scriptures; that he came into the world, to save sinners. We must humbly acknowledge, that we ourselves are in the number of those sinners, whom he came to save; and for whom his death was necessary, as lying