the virtue, which he displayed, the love of his child and of the wife of his bosom. There is in the Iliad one scene, which was capable of being wrought up to a high pitch of tenderness and generosity; and we cannot forbear regretting that on this occasion Homer was not inspired with a portion of the godlike spirit, which animates the breast of a Christian. When we see Priam go by night to the tent of Achilles, to beg the slaughtered body of his son; when we behold the stern eye of the hero melting into tears at the view of the afflicted

pect that something noble will ensue

father, we ex

but the whole

scene ends in disappointment, and leaves a chill in the affections; for Achilles at last, though he grants his request, appears to be influenced, more by the costly presents which Priam brought, than by any compassion that he feels, or the eloquent intreaties of the wretched old man.*

In the Odyssey, which is a still more entertaining romance then the Iliad, the fidelity of Eumæus, the filial piety of Telemachus, and the chastity of Penelope merit our approbation; but Ulysses, the hero of the poem, is a plausible, subtle, and cruel man. A subtle and cruel man is a character, whom Christian must abhor; and we cannot for a every

moment rejoice in his success.

* Marmontel, after censuring with just severity the conduct of Achilles on this occasion, adds, "Heroism was never less known than in the age which has been called heroick."

The cold character of Æneas, in Virgil's elegant romance, is not, even by the majesty of verse, made interesting to the heart. His treacherous dereliction of Dido, and his unlawful attempt to deprive Turnus, not only of his kingdom, but of his betrothed wife, destroy all sympathy with a hero, who is meant to be described as a model of piety and magnanimity.

It would have been in the power of these renowned poets to have made their romances much more interesting and pathetick, if they had been acquainted with the system of morals which is contained in the gospel. It was not their fault, that they had not more exalted ideas of virtue ; but it was the misfortune of the age in which they lived, and of the religion which they professed.

The fictitious tales of the moderns are much more affecting to the heart; and they are indebted for the strong interest, which they excite, principally to the high standard of morals, which the Christian religion has raised. Tenderness and benevolence are displayed in their most popular scenes. The heroes are generous and disinterested; and the heroines, compassionate and charitable. These productions are often frivolous, and sometimes mischievous; they should therefore be selected with caution but with all their faults, as a class of books, they establish one important fact, that the moral taste of men in the present age is much more

correct, than it was in ancient times; for which no adequate cause except this can be assigned, that they are no longer gentiles, but Christians. For as the design of the authors of these books is to interest their readers, they are obliged to conform their works to prevailing opinions and feelings; and they cannot effect this purpose by any other means, than by endowing their principal characters with the sublime virtues, which are enjoined in the New Testament. Thus do they add one more proof to the many others which exist, that Christianity is the most perfect, the most improving, of all religions.

If therefore the question is asked, What has the gospel done? the answer is, that it has doomed no virtuous gentile to the abyss of everlasting destruction; for the Son of man is come, not to destroy men's lives, but to save them: it has depressed no good man, who without any fault of his own is deprived of its light; but it has exalted all, by whom it is received and obeyed. It has created a new order of beings with enlarged capacities; it has lifted their eyes to heaven, and enkindled in their souls the flame of divine love; it has raised the character of human nature higher, than it ever was before; it has refined and ennobled men, and made them kings and priests unto God.

But as man still retains his free agency, it is in the power of Christians to abuse these inestimable privileges. I would therefore exhort you, disciples of Jesus, to be mindful of your high and holy calling. Remember that you are placed on an elevated part of the mountain of God; and that if your feet slip, your fall will be deplorable. Look not behind you, but upward, before you. With heroick ardour and generous zeal press forward, and strive to attain the summit; that thence you may ascend to the regions of everlasting bliss, which are prepared for the righteous.

Epiphany.

SERMON VIII.

THE MARRIAGE IN CANA.

JOHN ii. 1, 2.

THERE WAS A MARRIAGE IN CANA OF GALILEE; AND THE MOTHER OF JESUS WAS THERE; AND BOTH JESUS WAS CALLED, AND HIS DISCIPLES, TO THE MARRIAGE.

AMONG the variety of human characters, there are two, which form a striking contrast with each other. In the first gaiety of heart is predominant. The impressions which are made on them are pleasurable, but do not reach beneath the surface. They pursue no fixed plan, and are not deeply interested in any thing which takes place. Their ear is tuned to the sharp key in musick; and their eye is formed to delight in brilliant and changing objects. Frequently innocent, and sometimes positively good, they can never be styled great; and they deserve not to be considered in a more respectable light than as children of a larger growth.

In the other characters seriousness is the prevailing trait. The impressions, which are made on these men, are deep and lasting. Not a nerve is