high : his convictions are only intellectual ; and they can never be productive of what is spiritual. Even in their moral effects they operate to but a small extent : but, in respect of spiritual sympathy, they bear no fruit at all. O, brethren, see from hence how poor and defective that religion is which generally passes under the name of Christianity : it is Christi- anity without Christ, in its principles ; it is Christianity with- out love, in its effects. It boasts itself to have proceeded from the Sun of Righteousness ; but it has neither the light nor heat that proceed from his glorious rays : it is a shadow without a substance ; a name without a reality. If it proceeded really from Christ, it would make us to resemble him in our spirit and our conduct.]
2. How lovely and operative is the religion of Christ!
[Sympathy is of the very essence of Christ's religion : " Bear ye one another's burthens," says the Apostle, " and so fulfil the law of ChristV Yes: he has taught us this both by precept and example : he bids us " love one another, as he has loved us%." And how has he loved us? He pitied us in our fallen state, and came down from the bosom of his Father to seek and save us. And during the whole of his abode upon earth, but more especially in his last hours, " he bare our infirmities, and carried our sorrows4." And at this present moment we are authorized to say, that " he is touched with the feeling of our infirmities11," and that there is neither a benefit nor an injury that we receive, but he feels it as done immediately to himself x. Such is the effect which the Gospel produces upon all who receive it in spirit and in truth. Let a sense of Christ's love to us be duly impressed on our hearts ; and it will immediately excite in us a love to all mankind, though in a more especial manner to the household of faith. See, with your own eyes, brethren ; What is it that has given birth to Bible Societies, and Mission Societies, and to num- berless other institutions that respect the welfare of men's souls ? It is the Gospel : the Gospel, faithfully administered, and affectionately received. Such ever was, and ever will be, the fruit of faith ; for " faith worketh by love." Seek ye then to become possessed of a true and living faith : and know, that the more entirely you live by faith on the Son of God, as having loved you, and given himself for you, the more you will drink into his spirit, and be transformed into his blessed image : nor will you fix any other bounds to your sympathies, than he has affixed to bisy.]
r Gal. vi. 2. s John xv. 12. i Isai. liii. 4. Matt. viii. 17. u Heb. iv. 15. x Matt. xxv. 4. Acts ix. 4. Zecli. ii. 8. y Here open and recommend any Charitable Institution, as affording an occasion for the exercise of this virtue.