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ness and to take away sin, than the publication of a law forbidding every kind of sin, requiring absolute purity, and supported by such glorious promises, and by threatenings so terrible?

In short; the Lamb of God taketh away the sin of the world by those numerous motives and arguments which the consideration of his sacrifice for sin affords to induce us to forsake sin and follow after holiness. But these, the length of the important service which we have in view, prevents us from illustrating. Indeed, throughout the whole discourse, we have rather suggested hints to be prosecuted in your own minds, than given a complete illustration of any of the ideas which have passed in review before us.

Enough, I hope, has been said to direct you to a proper employment of your thoughts upon this solemn occasion; to strengthen your faith in the merits of Christ's blood, and to animate you with love and gratitude to him who hath appeared once, in the end of the world, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Remember always, that, as he, once, appeared as a lamb to take away the sin of the world, he will, hereafter, appear in the character of

a judge to deliver from punishment, and admit to the possession of endless and unspeakable joys those whom he has saved from guilt and corruption; that, as he was, once, offered up to bear the sins of many, so to those who look for him he will appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

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SERMON XI.

The character of Jonathan a model for imitation.

2 SAMUEL, CHAP. 1, VER. 23.

"Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths they were not divided.”

THESE words are part of that beautiful elewhich the psalmist of Israel composed upgy on the occasion of the death of his beloved friend and companion, Jonathan. Let us, my brethren, engage in the profitable and pleasant contemplation of some of the most striking features in the character of this young prince, which is one of the most finished and perfect that occurs in the annals of the world. What was recorded in the historical parts of the Old Testament, was written for our instruction and every character in sacred writ exhibits either a pattern for us to imitate, or an example of what we ought to avoid.

First, then, we behold in Jonathan, the brave warriour and the generous hero. True courage is not an animal principle, dependent. on mere bodily strength, but is the offspring of reasoning and reflection. It is inseparable from virtue, which alone can render a man superiour to the fear of death, and enable him to brave danger without dismay. It is intimately connected with a belief of the divine superintendence, and a trust in the goodness of him who guardeth his servants as the apple of his eye, who preserveth them in the day of battle, so that "though a thousand fall by "their side, and ten thousand at their right

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hand, it doth not once come nigh unto "them." Such was the bravery of that youthful prince whom David thus extols: "The "beauty of Israel is slain upon the high pla"ces: how are the mighty fallen! From the "blood of the slain, from the feet of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not "back, and the sword of Saul returned not "empty. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions."

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The valour of Jonathan is that feature in his character with which we are first made acquainted. For when the hosts of the Philis

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tines were gathered against Israel; when many, even of the Hebrews, had deserted to them; when the rest had fled for fear, and only six hundred men remained with his father Saul, Jonathan, fired with a love of glory, and accompanied only with his armourbearer, boldly dared to attack the enemy's camp. Nor was this the effect of rashness or despair, but of a firm trust in the goodness of his cause, and in the support of the Lord of Hosts. "For Jonathan said to the young man that "bare his armour, Come, and let us go over "to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for "there is no restraint to the Lord, to save by

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many or by few." Accordingly, the Philistines fell before Jonathan, they were dismayed and discomfited; and the multitude melted away.

There is no quality which so much commands our esteem, admiration and love as that of courage, especially when accompanied with that humanity and generosity which are inseparable from true valour. It wins the heart of all who behold it. Soldiers will obey with cheerfulness, and follow with alacrity, the general whom they love; and they cannot

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