none," they may add, " but such as I have, give I unto thee ;" and then may proceed to speak to them of the Saviour, through whom they may obtain all the blessings of salvation. Thus, " though poor, we may make many rich."]
3. Self-denying —
[Our blessed Lord " emptied himself of all the glory of heaven," and endured all the wrath of an offended God ; and became a curse himself, in order to deliver us from the curse which our iniquities had deserved. And shall we decline exercising our love, because it may be attended with some pain or difficulty on our part ? No : we should not hesitate even to lay down life itself, if by so doing we may promote the eternal welfare of our brethren0.]
4. Constant —
[" Whom our Lord loved, he loved to the end." There were many occasions whereon his immediate disciples dis- pleased him : but he did not therefore " withdraw his mercy from them, or shut up his loving-kindness in displeasure." There are occasions also whereon we shall be called to ex- ercise forbearance and forgiveness one towards another ; and we ought to meet those occasions with love proportioned to them. We should strive with all our might to " follow peace with all men," and to " keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."]
Address —
1. Be thankful to Christ for all the wonders of his love —
[Think how unworthy you were of all his love : for, it was " when you were yet enemies, that he died for you." Think too what must have been your state to all eternity, if He had not so " undertaken for you :" his sufferings under the hidings of his Father's face, and under the strokes of Divine justice, shew what miseries awaited you in hell for ever, if He had not become your substitute and surety to discharge your debt. O ! never for a moment lose sight of the obligations you owe to him for that " love of his, which passeth knowledge."]
2. Present yourselves as living sacrifices to him —
[This may be done ; and it is the very end for which such astonishing mercies have been vouchsafed to you d. Consider all that you are, and all that you have, as his : and let it all be devoted henceforth to the glory of his name.]
3. Endeavour to resemble him more and more —
c 1 John iii. 16. d Rom. xii. 1.