SERMON XXXVI.

ON GOOD FRIDAY.

HEBREWS, CHAp. x. Ver. 14. By one offering, he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

IF any blessing for which we have been indebted to the goodness of God, hath at any time raised in our minds a spirit of devotion and gratitude, that particular act of mercy which we this day commemorate, surely demands the warmest tribute of praise and thanksgiving. Whether we consider the nature of the kindness itself,

the dignity of him who did it, or the unworthiness of those for whom it was done every circumstance is equally replete with wonder and amazement,

That God, by nature incapable of sufferings and death, should condescend to become mortal man, to qualify himself for enduring the most bitter afflictions!-that the miseries of those who had deserved his utmost wrath and indignation should move his compassion to save their souls at the expence of his own life;-that, in the midst of sorrows and agonies, of pains and tortures, he should still persevere in this most gracious purpose, and not accept a deliverance till he had finished his laborious undertaking;-that he should embrace poverty and hardship, disgrace and infamy, bodily anguish and death, with a ready and chearful mind, when all the powers of Satan could never have conpelled him to one single pang! This is

such an instance of unqualified mercy and loving kindness, as far exceeds the utmost extent of human tenderness; and therefore, we are of all creatures the most inexcusable, the most insensible, if we do not apply this example warmly to our conscience, if we can read the history of this day, without aching hearts, and a multitude of self-condemning reproaches.

But the better to prepare ourselves for those pious reflections, which are most suitable to this occasion, it may not be improper to recall to our minds the principal and most striking circumstances in this day's event: let us then consider, Ist. the necessity of Christ's suffering; 2dly, the manner of his death; and 3dly, the advantage we derive from it. To the weak and narrow reasoner, or to the bold and hardened sinner, it may seem unnecessary that any atonement for the sins of men should be required from that

should understand the great truths, the fundamental doctrines of the religion of which they are members.

If

Let no one imagine that this part of education is of little consequence ;-this is arguing very superficially, and shews want of reflection and experience. proper precautions are not taken in time, and children are suffered to enter into the world with unsafe or unsteady principles, they will grow old in vice. Good and bad habits are formed in infancy, and ripen with years. The first impressions are the strongest, and the principles they have imbibed in the early part of life will never afterwards be effaced. But besides the duty incumbent upon them with regard to their children, parents owe it to themselves also to train them up in the path of religion and virtue; their own interest is immediately concerned in it, as well as the welfare of their offspring.

By enforcing their duty to God, they increase their own authority; in teaching them to reverence and obey their heavenly Father, they instruct them in the respect and submission that is due to their earthly parents. On every account then, the attention to the religion of a child is of the utmost consequence, and they are much deceived who think it can be dispensed with; nature and reason require it at their hands, and when they neglect it, they fail in the first duty of a parent. To encourage their children to worship God in his holy temple, and there to repeat at stated times the articles of their Christian faith, can be no disgrace to those of the highest rank in life; and those of an inferior situation may be glad to embrace every opportunity that offers of hearing the word of God and having the gospel preached unto them. These are some of the considerations I would earnestly recommend to the attention of all