of all; Do we find that the Apostle's views of Christ are common? Do we find many so filled with admiring and adoring thoughts of this mystery, as to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of it; and to say, like him, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ?" On the contrary, do we not find that there is an almost universal jealousy on the subject of the gospel : that those who most labour to tread in the Apostle's steps, are often most branded with opprobrious names? Do we not find that his views of the gospel are calumniated now, precisely as they were in the days of the Apostle himself? Verily, we should be glad to be found false witnesses in relation to these things, and would most joyfully retract our assertions, if it could be shewn that they are not founded in truth. We do hope however that there is an increasing love to the gospel pervading the whole land and I pray God it may prevail more and more, and be em- " braced by every one of us, not superficially, partially, theoretically, but clearly, fully, practically.

Secondly, Let us adopt the Apostle's de. termination for ourselves. Doubtless, as men and members of society, there are many other things which we are concerned to know. Whatever be our office in life, we ought to be well acquainted with it, in order that we may perform its duties to the advantage of ourselves and others; and we would most particularly be understood to say, that the time that is destined for the acquisition of useful knowledge, ought to be diligently and conscientiously employed. But, as Christians, we have one object of pursuit, which deserves all our care and all our labour: yes, we may all with great propriety determine to know nothing but Christ and him crucified. This is the subject which even "the angels in heaven are ever desiring to look into," and which we may investigate for our whole lives, and yet leave depths and heights unfathomed and unknown. St. Paul, after preaching Christ for twenty years, did not conceive himself yet awhile to have attained all that he might, and therefore still desired to know Christ

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more and more "in the power of his resurrection, and in the fellowship of his sufferings." This therefore we may well desire, and count all things but loss in comparison of it.

Lastly, Let us make manifest the wisdom of our determination by the holiness of our lives.

The doctrine of Christ crucified, ever did, and ever will appear "foolishness" in the eyes of ungodly men; so that, if it be preached by an Apostle himself, he shall be accounted by them a babbler and deceiver. But there is one way of displaying its excellency open to us, a way in which we may effectually "put to silence the ignorance of foolish men;" namely, "by well-doing" that is, by shewing the sanctifying and transforming efficacy of this doctrine. St. Paul tells us, that "by the cross of Christ the world was crucified unto him, and he unto the world :"* and such is the

* Gal. vi. 14.

effect that it should produce on us:

should shew that we are men of another world, and men too of a more excellent spirit:" we should shew the fruits of our faith in every relation of life: and, in so doing, we may hope to "win by our good conversation" many, who would never have submitted to the preached word.

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But we must never forget where strength is, or on whose aid we must entirely rely. The Prophet Isaiah reminds us of this; "Surely shall one say, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength:" and our Lord himself plainly tells us, that "without him we can do nothing." Since then "we have no sufficiency in ourselves to help ourselves," and "God has laid help for us upon One that is mighty," let us, "live by faith on the Son of God," "receiving daily out of his fulness that grace" that shall be sufficient for us." Let us bear in mind, that this is a very principal part of the knowledge of Christ crucified : for, as "all our fresh springs are in Christ,"