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 heroic ardor 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 X.

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 gayety 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 anything which takes place. Their ear is tuned to the sharp key in music; 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 touched, but it vibrates through their whole frame. They are charmed with the sublime objects of nature, with solemn and melancholy sounds. They delight in retiring into a desert

or to the summit of a high mountain to pray; and they frequently almost lose sight of the material world, whilst their minds are absorbed in God. Their designs are in a high degree important; and their manners and conduct are uniformly grave and dignified.

The

Of this latter cast of character was Jesus Christ. majesty of seriousness reigned in his mind. He sometimes wept but no sentiment of levity, no instance of gayety, no sprightly sally, is recorded by the writers of his life. The important business, which his Father assigned him, precluded all light thoughts. A consciousness that he was acting under the eye of God seems constantly to have filled his mind; and with this sacred persuasion, overlooking every trifling object, the awe of devotion, the sublimity of great designs occupied his heart.

Besides, the idea of the painful death which he was ordained to suffer, and which he clearly foresaw, must often have oppressed his soul with the deepest melancholy. How could a man be cheerful, who knew that he was soon to expire on a cross; and who was compelled by his overwhelming fears to utter such language as this Father, let this cup pass from me; Father, save me from this hour?

The character of Jesus was grave and serious, melancholy and sublime; but it was not sullen and rigid. He did not forbid others to be cheerful. It has been common in the founders of false religions to affect a remarkable degree of austerity; but the author of our religion can on no occasion be accused of this affectation. He joined in innocent festivals; and readily accepted the invitations, which he received, to partake of entertainments. Of this several instances are given by the evangelists; and they are written for our instruction, that we may

learn from them, that true religion does not consist in austerity of manners, penances, and mortification, but in purity of heart, sanctity of morals, and unaffected devotion.

Omitting the other instances, which are recorded in the Gospels, I would request your attention to the narrative, which has furnished me with the subject of my discourse. It exhibits a feature of our Saviour's character; and like every other part of his perfect example, it indirectly conveys several important precepts.

There was in Cana a marriage feast, to which Jesus, his mother, and disciples were invited. Though he knew that on such occasions, the hearts of the guests are commonly very cheerful, yet he did not refuse the invitation and he appears to have made no attempt to interrupt the innocent mirth of the company. The wine, which was provided for the entertainment, being exhausted, the mother of Jesus informed him of the circumstance; and doubting not that he would be graciously pleased to afford his assistance, she called the servants to her, and bade them to do whatever he should order. Jesus commanded them to fill six large water-pots with water: which being done, it was immediately changed into the purest wine.

Thus did the great Messiah, not only sanction by his presence the cheerfulness of an innocent feast, but even exert his miraculous power to augment the joy of the guests. Thus did he demonstrate that he is no enemy to the happiness of man; and that his religion is not designed to abridge our social pleasures, or to deprive us of a single source of rational enjoyment.

This miracle was exhibited before he entered on his

public ministry; and he manifested the same indulgent spirit, after his time was come, and he openly showed himself as the Messiah. The solemn and hypocritical Pharisees, who disfigured their faces, for a pretence made long prayers, and appeared outwardly religious, objected against him a conduct, which was such a severe censure on their own. They charged him with being a glutton and drunkard, and a friend of publicans and sinners; but the purity of his character defeated these insinuations. As they dealt only in general invectives, and could not allege against him any act of intemperance, the slander fell on the head of its authors. It is true, that he was a friend of publicans and sinners; he conversed with them, however, not for the sake of authorizing their corrupt practices, but of reforming and saving them. His benignity was diffused on all; but it resembled the pure element of light, which is not contaminated by the objects on which it shines.

If we compare the unaffected and indulgent conduct of Jesus with the part performed by some of the ancient heathen philosophers, who by their rigid maxims and savage austerity of manners endeavored to gain admirers, the character of the author of our religion will rise exceedingly in our estimation. The founders of the Cynic sect of philosophers clothed themselves in vile and ragged garments; in summer they rolled themselves on the burning sand; in winter they walked with naked feet on the ice, and at all seasons ate the most unpalatable food. They taught their disciples to despise, not merely luxury, but everything which adorns human society, such as poetry, eloquence, architecture, and in general all the elegant sciences and ornamental arts. Whilst we justly