let him carry that admiration for the virtues of his life which by the doctrines of his creed he could not carry-And thus what he did not by his expostnlations, he might do by his example and by his prayers.

It were well that we had a conscience altogether clear in this matter-that we stood fully acquitted of what we owe to each others' souls-that we could lay our hands upon our hearts; and say that we had done all which we ought, for the purpose of rescuing from the delusion that is unto death, him who is ready to perish-that we held faithful and intrepid discourse with our fellow-pilgrims on the high topics of eternity; and did whatever wisdom could approve, even among those that are without for awakening them from the lethargy of nature, and impressing that movement upon their spirits by which they might turn from the world unto God. We know that there are difficulties and delicacies in the way; but we also know how gladly it is that many a desirous Christian takes shelter under them. We know that the formal attempt to Christianise has often misgiven; and that there have been occasions, when the whole effect of a rash and misguided enterprise has been just to call forth from the heart the reaction of a stouter and more resolute hostility than before. And, upon this consideration, there are men, even of religious earnestness, who have exonerated themselves from the task of religious conversation altogether. Now there may in this be a guilty cowardice. God knoweth. There

may, in this inveterate silence before men, be the cruellest indifference to the fate of their eternity. The benevolence of nature may expatiate among all the kindnesses and courtesies of the life that now is-while the benevolence of faith is most profoundly asleep to the momentous interests of the life that is to come. In a word, because of our criminal reserve, souls may have perished everlastingly; and, just because Christianity is left out by us in conversation, many perhaps there are who have been confirmed in the habit of leaving it out of their concern altogether. Surely that which even the friends of the gospel deem not worthy of a place among the other topics of science or of taste or of politics or of trade or of agriculture, which take their respective turns in every party-we may well deem not worthy of any large or very prominent place in the general system of our affairs. It is thus that by our shrinking timidity, a countenance is given to that spirit of worldliness wherewith the earth throughout all its companies is overspread; and, just because Christians are not so free and frequent in their avowals as they should, the mischief is propagated more widely and settled more inveterately than before. We are aware, at the same time, that evil might ensue from unbridled and unreasonable urgencies of talk upon this subject; and that there is a time to refrain, as well as a time to venture forward. It were well, however, if amid the excuses and exonerations of which we are so fain to avail ourselves, we, like Paul, could

vouch to our own consciences for the perfect sincerity wherewith we longed after the salvation of those who are around us. He could speak for himself in this matter-his conscience bearing him witness in the Holy Ghost. This heavenly judge is now looking towards us; and, agreeably to that impressive passage from the book of Proverbs, He knows whether to charge us with the barbarity that would neglect the means of averting from others their awful and everlasting condemnation. thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest Behold we knew it not-doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul doth not he know it?-And shall not he render to every man according to his works?"

"If

It were well if what I have said should subserve, not merely its own proper and immediate purpose, but should serve the purpose of a general conviction regarding the state of your own souls. Ere you can be practically in good earnest about the eternity of your children, you must have in your own spirit a sense of the worth of eternal things. Ere you can labour for the good of their immortality, there must be a faith in that immortality-even the faith which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Ere you can make a distinct and business object of their conversion from sin unto the Saviour, you must be imprest with the guilt and danger of the one, as well as the all-sufficiency of the other. And, on the

other hand, your habitual listlessness in the matter of family religion, is an experimental proof that you are destitute of all these things. From a thing so familiar, as just your domestic and daily habit in reference to those of your own house; and from a thing so accessible, as just the state of your own heart in regard to the affection which it bears for the souls of your children-from these we may gather the evidences, we fear, of the entire spiritual destitution of many who are here present. In urging the Christian duty which lies upon you of watching over their souls, we feel as if we had to go back to a duty more elementary still-that is, of fleeing, for yourselves, from the wrath that shall come upon all those of carnal and unrenewed nature, who have not yet made the transition from death unto life; nor taken refuge in that Saviour whose blood alone can make atonement for the past, whose Spirit alone can revive and rectify the future.

349

LECTURE LXX.

ROMANS, ix, 3.

"For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh."

BEFORE bidding a final adieu to this topic on which I have at such length detained you, I may take notice of another interesting aspect which it opens to our view. You will observe that the fervency of affection professed by Paul in this passage, is all in behalf of his own countrymen; and yet none more zealous and more indefatigable than he, in the labours of a Christian missionary among the distant climes and countries of the world. What gives more importance to this remark is the tendency in our own day to place these two causes in opposition to each other-as if they were conflicting interests that could not both be befriended by the same heart, or helped forward by one and the same hand. It might serve as a useful corrective, to look at Paul and the one comprehensive affection which actuated his bosom-cleaving with utmost tenacity, and with all the devotedness of a thorough patriot, to the families of his own land; and yet carrying him abroad and beyond the limits.