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"bad." In that day, "unto whomfoever "much hath been given, of him also much "will be required:" and the unprofitable fervant, who did not improve the talent committed to him, but buried it under ground, or wrapt it in a napkin, shall be caft" into outer darknefs: there fhall be "weeping, and gnafhing of teeth."

Seeing, then, these things are fo, ought we not to reckon it an additional ground of thankfulness to God, when, befides the favours conferred upon us, he is at any time pleafed to afford us an opportunity of employing the fruits of his liberality in fuch a manner as contributes most effectually to anfwer the highest and most important purposes for which they were beftowed? An opportunity of this kind is just now prefented to you by the much to be refpected Managers of the Orphan Hofpital, at whose defire I addrefs you this day. The objects of their care are there placed in your view and furely to provide for the Christian education of fo many helpless children, and for their decent clothing and maintenance, till they be trained up to earn a subsistence

for

for themselves, as it is an

exercife of the

cannot fail to

trueft mercy to them, fo it be highly acceptable to that God who dif dains not to style himself the Father of the fatherlefs.

The peculiar excellencies of this species of charity were fully illuftrated, on a former occafion of this kind, from that prayer of the Pfalmift in behalf of the Jewish nation, (Pfal. cxliv. 12.), " That our fons may "be as plants grown up in their youth; "that our daughters may be as corner"ftones, polifhed after the fimilitude of a "palace *. Then it was fhown, That a permanent provifion for the Christian education of deftitute children, is a charity which tends to prevent mifery; and muft therefore be preferable to that which only alleviates prefent diftrefs, or procures it a fhort and uncertain relief. This is charity to the fouls of our fellow-creatures, and the nobleft imitation of Him who came from heaven to earth, to feek and to fave that

* Dr Erfkine's Sermon, preached before the Managers of the Orphan Hofpital at Edinburgh, May 18. 1774.

that which was loft. Befides, it is a charity which, of all others, is in leaft danger of being mifapplied or defeated. This renders the profpect of doing good by it in the highest degree probable. And then its influence is of the largest extent; for while it ferves to advance the glory of God, and the interefts of pure and undefiled religion in the world, it promotes at the fame time, in the most effectual manner, the fpiritual improvement and happiness of individuals, and even the temporal profperity of the nation to which we belong.

To fuch powerful recommendations any addition would be fuperfluous. And they who, influenced by thefe motives, contribute according to their ability for the fupport of an institution so pious and falutary, may be assured, that what they give is, in the most proper fenfe of Solomon's words, "lent to the Lord, and that which they give "will he pay them again."

Upon the whole, then, let it be our first care, to have our own hearts filled with love to God, as the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and our Father in Chrift; for un

lefs

lefs this be the fource of our charity to others, our beneficence may be profitable to them, but cannot avail ourfelves. And if once this principle be deeply rooted in our hearts, then it will become eafy, and delightful to us, to communicate good to our fellow-men, in obedience to the command of God, and in imitation of his example. Let us always bear in mind "the grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who,

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though he was rich, yet for our fakes beແ came poor, that we, through his poverty, "might be rich." Let us confider the uncertainty of all earthly things, and this will difpofe us to employ them with greater. cheerfulness for the relief and comfort of our needy brethren, before they be taken from us, or we by death be divorced from them. Above all, let us beg of God the influences of his Spirit, which alone can vanquish that selfishness which is the great oppofer of charity, and inclines our hearts to all thofe acts of compaffion and kindness. which adorn our Chriftian profeffion, and by their beauty and usefulness engage others

to glorify our heavenly Father.

SER

312

SERMON XIV.

JOHN X. II.

I am the good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

HOUGH Chrift is in

view every

Tous to them that believe, yet

prefome

of the characters which he fuftains, prefent him to us in a milder light than others, and render him comparatively more lovely and eftimable. And amidst the variety of titles given him in Scripture, there is perhaps none more expreffive of condefcenfion and grace, than that which he is pleased to asfume in my text.

As many of the Jews were fhepherds by occupation, the language of this defcription would be obvious to them all. And they who were enlightened by the Spirit of God, would not only perceive the propriety,

but

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