is himself the bread of life. He endures | deed, the badge of that Gospel and its prothe temptations of Satan, and answers them fessors. For thus saith the blessed Jesus to one by one from the Scriptures, who could all his disciples: "Ye have heard that it have remanded him to his chains in a mo- hath been said by them of old times, thou ment by the word of his power. With his shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine disciples he lived, not as their Lord, but the enemy. But I say unto you, love your servant of all. How tenderly did he bear enemies, and pray for them which despitewith all their ignorances and infirmities, fully use you and persecute you, that ye leading them on gently, as they were able may be the children of your Father which to follow him! And that they might never is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise refuse to do offices of kindness for each on the evil and on the good, and sendeth other, he washed all their feet, and amongst rain on the just and on the unjust." Is the them, those of Judas, froin whom he meek-mind tempted to impatience by the disaply received the kiss that betrayed him. pointment of its desires, and the loss of How patiently did he endure the contradic-worldly goods and enjoyments? The Scription of sinners; and, in his disputes with ture, to eradicate the temptation, is full of the Jews, how lovingly did he try to per- precepts enjoining us to contemn the world, suade the incredulous, and to melt by kindness the hearts that were hardened! How quietly did he submit to the insolence of the proud, and give place to the fury of the wrathful, desirous, even to the last hour, to save, if possible, those murderers of the prophets, those rebels against their God! But when the time of his passion came, what railing and revilings were patiently heard by him, what mockery and insult he patiently suffered! How was he wounded, who heals every disease? How was he crowned with thorns, who crowns his martyrs with unfading garlands? How was "he stripped naked, who clothes the field with flowers, and all the world with robes, and the whole globe with the canopy of heaven, and the dead with immortality?" How was he fed with gall and vinegar, who reaches out to his people the fruits of paradise, and the cup of salvation? Innocent and righteous, nay, innocence and righteousness itself, he was numbered with the transgressors. The truth was oppressed by false witnesses; he was judged who was to judge the world; the Word of God became dumb as a lamb before his shearers. And when at the crucifixion, the heavens were confounded, and the earth trembled, and the sun, that he might not be forced to behold the villany of the Jews, withdrew his shining, and left the world in darkness; still the blessed Jesus said nothing, and betrayed no emotion of anger, but endured without murmuring all that earth and hell could lay upon him, till he had put the last stroke to this most finished picture of perfect patience, and prayed for his murderers; whom he has been ever since, and is now, ready to receive, upon their repentance, not only to pardon, but to a participation of the glories of his kingdom.

III. The patience thus practiced by Christ is enjoined by his holy Gospel, being, in

and not to set our hearts upon things that pass away, and that cannot satisfy the soul, when it is possessed of them. If our desires after these perishable goods are immoderate, our impatience at the loss of them will be always in proportion. And then how shall he ever fulfil the royal law of charity, or willingly give away his money, who cannot part with it patiently, when God in the course of his providence is pleased to resume his own again? The worldly man is always impatient, because he prefers his body to his soul; the Christian prefers his soul to his body, and therefore knows how to give largely, and to lose patiently. Nay, he can be meek and resigned under all the injuries which malice can offer to his person; and to him who smites him on the one cheek can present the other, rejoicing that he is counted worthy to suffer something for his Saviour, who suffered so much for him; and referring the decision of his cause to the righteous judgment of God at the last day. For what are we, that we should avenge ourselves, and not rather, by giving place unto wrath, at once disappoint the malice of the enemy, and secure to ourselves the patronage of Heaven?

IV. We find all the saints of God, who have been eminent for their faith in Christ, to have been as eminent for their patience, without which their faith must have failed in the day of trial; it being not through faith alone, but, as the apostle says, "through faith and patience," that they "inherited the promises." Faith begat patience, which, like a dutiful child, proved the support of its parent. Abel, the first son of Adam celebrated for his faith, through patience continued faithful unto death, and so received the crown of life. Patience preserved Noah's faith all the time the ark was building, and while it floated upon the waters, which destroyed every thing else.

Through patience Abraham endured the se-ferings are the punishment of our sins. We verest trial that faith was ever put to, and indeed "receive the due reward of our offered up his only son; who, through the deeds;" one man only suffered, who "had same patience, neither lifted up his hand, nor done nothing amiss." In Christians it is opened his mouth against his father. Through more especially requisite, who, besides the patience, Jacob, persecuted by his brother, ordinary calamities of life, have the devil quietly departed out of his own country, and with all his wiles to resist, the flesh with all afterwards pacified him with gifts and pre- its desires to mortify, the world with all its sents. Through patience Joseph endured and temptations and terrors to overcome. The forgave the ill usage of his brethren, and fed devil cannot be resisted, the flesh cannot be them in the time of dearth. Through pa- mortified, the world cannot be overcome, tience Moses, so often abused, and insulted, without patience; by which alone repentand threatened to be stoned by a stiff-necked ance is perfected, faith is supported, hope people, still entreated the Lord for them. is preserved alive, charity is nourished, and Through patience David would not slay his all those holy tempers are formed in us implacable enemy Saul, when he had him in which Christ in his sermon on the mount his power, and afterwards revenged his death hath pronounced blessed; yea, and they ever by executing the person who slew him. shall be blessed. We, therefore, surely have Through patience Job endured the loss of all of all men the most need of patience, that things, and the utmost malice of the tempter, after we have thereby done and suffered the and came forth as choice gold from the fur- will of God, we may receive the promises; nace of adversity, an example for all ages and for the promises are these-" He that engenerations to follow. Through patience St. dureth to the end shall be saved. Be thou Paul lived a life of incessant toil and trouble, faithful unto death, and I will give thee a and rested not till he had accomplished the crown of life." But how shall we endure ministry which he had received of the Lord to the end? how shall we be faithful unto Jesus, and preached the Gospel to the heathen death, if we have not patience? as the wise world. Through patience, in a word, the man pathetically exclaims: "Woe unto you glorious company of the apostles, the goodly that have lost patience and what will ye do, fellowship of the prophets, and the noble when the Lord shall visit you ?" * Patience army of martyrs and confessors, fought the is the only armor that is proof against all asgood fight, finished their course, and kept the saults, and he who has well buckled it on, faith, neither allured nor terrified from their needeth not to fear any temptation. Money duty, but triumphing, upon the rack and in cannot tempt him who can endure poverty: the flames, over the world, the flesh, and the honor cannot corrupt him who can endure devil, and going to "the kingdom," through disgrace; pleasure cannot seduce him who "the patience of Jesus Christ." can endure pain; in short, nothing can prevail over him who can endure all things, waiting the Lord's time for his deliverance and reward. Over him the evil one hath no power; and all the comfort to be had in this world is his. It is vain to say, "Blessed is the man that hath no trouble;" for there is no such man, nor ever was, nor ever will be ; but we must say, "Blessed is the man who best beareth that portion of trouble which falleth to his share."

V. The present state of man renders the practice of this virtue absolutely necessary for him, if he would enjoy any happiness here or hereafter. Could we, indeed, live in the world without suffering, then were there no need of patience. But thus runs the universal sentence; "Cursed is the ground for thy sake. In sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life: thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return to the ground out of which thou wast taken." By this sentence are we all bound, as by a chain of adamant; and every man," from him that sitteth upon the throne to him that lieth in the dungeon," must have labor and sorrow for his portion, till he depart out of this mortal life. And to this sad truth we all bear testimony, as soon as we come into it. The cries of the new-born infant testify that it is born to sorrow. Tribulation, thus necessarily entailed upon us, admits of no remedy but patience; the reasonableness of which is strongly enforced by the consideration, that our suf

VI. The manifold inconveniences of impatience will set this truth off to great advantage. As patience is the attribute of God, impatience had its beginning from Satan. "Through envy of the devil," saith the wise man, came death into the world." And whence proceeds envy, but from impatience of beholding the happiness of another? Impatience and malice therefore had one father, and they have grown together in his children ever since. An impatient desire of the forbidden fruit lost Paradise, which patience to

Ecclus. ii. 14

adorns the woman, and approves the man; is loved in a child, praised in a young man, admired in an old man; she is beautiful in either sex, and every age. Behold her appearance and her attire. Her countenance is calm and serene as the face of heaven unspotted by the shadow of a cloud, and no wrinkle of grief or anger is seen in her forehead. Her eyes are as the eyes of doves for meekness, and on her eye-brows sit cheerfulness and joy. Her mouth is lovely in silence; her complexion and color that of innocence and security; while, like the virgin, the daughter of Sion, she shakes her head at the adversary, despising and laughing him to scorn. She is clothed in the robes of the martyrs, and in her hand she holds a sceptre in the form of a CROSS. She rides not in the whirlwind and stormy tempest of passion, but her throne is the humble and contrite heart, and her kingdom is the kingdom of peace.*

persevere in obedience to the commandment, | us, and to be the first in asking forgiveness had preserved to this day. Impatient at be- of those whom we have injured; she delights holding his brother's sacrifice accepted and the faithful, aud invites the unbelieving; she his own rejected, Cain murdered Abel. Unable, through impatience, to bear the uneasiness of hunger, Esau sold his birth-right. Through impatience the patriarchs, moved with envy at the love which Jacob bare to Joseph and the predictions of his exaltation, sold their brother into Egypt. Through impatience the Israelites, when Moses was gone up into the mount, turned aside to idolatry. Through impatience of a superior, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram became schismatics and rebels. And, to mention no more examples, through impatience of sound doctrine and wholesome reproof, the Jews killed the prophets, and crucified the Son of God. In a word, as patience is the foundation of all good, impatience is the seed-plot of all evil, which may not improperly be called "impatience of good;" as no man commences vicious, but for want of patience to persevere in virtue and to resist temptation. And as that which is the cause of sin can be but an ill cure for sorrow, he that is impatient under If, therefore, to be made like unto God; if any load which it pleases God to lay upon to be comformed to the image of Christ; if to him, only renders it heavier, and new points follow the precepts of the Gospel; if to write the thorns of the fall, that they may the more after the copies of saints; if to render our sensibly gall and afflict him. All sufferings present state comfortable, and ensure our final are infinitely aggravated by impatience, and redemption from sin and sorrow; if to avoid some owe their very being to it; insomuch the manifold inconveniences of impatience, that a peevish, fretful temper will be "vexed and enjoy the incomparable excellences and even as a thing that is raw," by every object advantages of patience; if these are things it touches; it will most ingeniously contrive desirable, let us from henceforth give ourto keep itself always on the rack, on account selves to the pursuit of this divine virtue; of trifling incidents, which, in a mind endued let us " follow after patience." And for this with the grace of patience, could not have purpose, let us adore and imitate the long produced the least shadow of uneasiness. In suffering of God; let us contemplate and this, therefore, as in other cases, God hath annexed a blessing to virtue, and hath made man's real happiness to consist in the performance of his duty.

Lastly, let me set before you, in one view, the incomparable excellences and advantages of this lovely grace of patience. Patience, then, commends us to God, and keeps us his. Patience is the guardian of faith, the preserver of peace, the cherisher of love, the teacher of humility: patience governs the flesh, strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, subdues pride; she bridles the tongue, refrains the hand, tramples upon temptations, endures persecutions, consummates martyrdom. Patience produces unity in the church, loyalty in the state, harmony in families and societies; she comforts the poor and moderates the rich; she makes. us humble in prosperity, cheerful in adversity, unmoved by calumny and reproach; she teaches us to forgive those who have injured

transcribe into our practice the patience of Jesus Christ; let us study and fulfil the precepts of the Gospel; let us look at and emulate the examples of the saints; let us consider and alleviate the sorrows of our pilgrimage; let us perceive and avoid the horrible consequences of impatience; let us court till we obtain the heavenly grace of patience, with her dowry of benefits and blessings conferred on her by Jesus Christ, into whose patience the Lord direct your hearts, until she have her perfect work in the salvation of your souls, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed, as is most due, in ail churches of the saints, blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, now and evermore. Amen.

The portrait here presented to the reader is subject, to which we owe that of CYPRIAN. This copied from TERTULLIAN'S noble treatise on the discourse is an abstract of both.

DISCOURSE XXIII.

THE GREAT ASSIZE.

ACTS, XVII. 31.

He hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained.

THE distinction between good and evil hath | But when prudence hath enacted all her stabeen from the beginning the great end of the tutes, and intrusted vigilance with the execulaw of Heaven, at sundry times and in divers tion of them, men will still continue to "put manners promulgated to the sons of men. evil for good, and good for evil." Monsters From this celestial fountain particular sys- of iniquity will creep from their dens to intems of human laws have been drawn forth, fest and annoy the public, although they canand adapted to the exigences of different ages not be dragged from thence to suffer as they and countries, by wise and good men; they deserve. Much wickedness must remain unhave been enacted by the authority of kings punished, and great misery must go unrewith the advice of senates, and carried into lieved. Avarice and ambition will conceive execution by faithful and diligent magistrates, and bring forth crimes of which no earthly "to the punishment of wickedness and vice, tribunal can take cognizance. Some sins will and to the maintenance of true religion and be too common, and some sinners too powervirtue." The advantages of these institutions, ful, to be animadverted upon in this world. and the praise and honor which are due from The prosperous villain will often die unmoall mankind to those who employ the treasure lested in his bed, and bequeath the fruits of of learning, and exert the powers of eloquence, his oppression to his heir; while injured infor the public good, must be evident to every nocence shall descend before him with sorone who thinks but a moment upon the sub- row to the grave, and quickly pass away out ject. The excellent Hooker closes a survey of remembrance. The cries of orphans will of law, in all its different departments, with still ascend to heaven; the tears will still run the following encomium, conceived and ex- down the widow's cheek; and the poor man pressed in a manner peculiar to himself: "Of will frequently find no helper upon earth. law there can be no less acknowledged, than This the royal preacher and judge of Israel that her seat is the bosom of God, her voice saw, who was so renowned through all the the harmony of the world. All things in world for his wisdom and justice; he saw and heaven and earth do her homage; the very mourned the impossibility of preventing it. least as feeling her care, and the greatest as "I considered," says he, "all the oppressions not exempt from her power. Both angels, that are done under the sun; and beheld the and men, and creatures of what condition so- tears of such as were oppressed, and they had ever, though each in different sort and man- no comforter; and on the side of their opner, yet all with uniform consent, admiring pressors there was power, but they had no her as the mother of their peace and joy." comforter." The conclusion which king Solomon drew from what he saw of this kind under the sun, must be adopted by us likewise: "I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked." The interests of virtue and justice require that many causes should be heard, which cannot be brought to a trial here below; and therefore the day will surely come, when God shall erect a tribunal universal and scrutinizing as the light of heaven; where all those offences,

But true and just altogether as this character of law in general most certainly is, yet it must be confessed, that the penal sanctions of human laws will not always come up to the necessity of the case, nor will the medicine reach the disorder, in a multitude of instances. It is in the power of the civil magistrate to chastise many public enormities, to regulate in some measure the external deportment of men, and to preserve the frame of society from suffering those convulsions which must otherwise bring on a speedy dissolution. VOL. II.

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which the best of magistrates taken from among men are necessitated to suffer and overlook, shall be inquired into by himself. And when we behold this august assembly, our thoughts are naturally carried on to that great and awful process, the consideration of which will furnish the best rules for the conduct of all who are concerned in these earthly judicatories; from whence there lieth an appeal to the judgment-seat of Christ. There every cause must be re-heard, and finally determined, until virtue and vice shall be distinguished by the voice of God adjudging them to separate habitations for evermore. "He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained."

instructive representations in the divine proceedings with regard to particular persons, cities, and kingdoms. These answer the same end with the solemn scene now before our eyes, being intended as preludes, or (if I may so speak) as rehearsals of the judgment to be finally executed upon the world of the ungodly. Thus, when the divine long suffering waited in the time of Noah; when the wicked vexed the soul of righteous Lot of Sodom; when Pharaoh oppressed the church in Egypt; when the ten tribes, revolting from the service of God and the house of David, became and continued schismatics, rebels, and idolaters; when Zedekiah threw the prophet Jeremiah into the dungeon, for declaring the will of Heaven; and when the Jews crucified Christ, and persecuted his apos

The words direct us to employ our meditations on the appointment of a day for judg-tles for the same reason; then was it, rement; the person and appearance of the judge; and the judgment itself.

spectively in each case, the day of man. But it was the day of God, when the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the antediluvian generations swept away from the face of the earth; when the windows of heaven were opened, to rain fire and brimstone upon the cities of the plain; when Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore; when Salmanazar led Ephraim away into Assyria; when Nebuchadnezzar carried Judah captive to Babylon; and when the Roman armies overthrew Jerusalem, and set fire to the gates of Zion. But the united terrors of all these partial visitations will enable us to form only a faint idea of that great and terrible day, when God "shall judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained." Let us consider the person and appearance of him who shall then come to be our judge.

Man may abuse his liberty, and transgress the law of the great King; but the punishment will follow and overtake the offence, though not immediately; nor can we deduce any inference from its being deferred, but that God is merciful, and that the sinner should repent. The day of vengeance was fixed from the foundation of the world; but it was likewise then determined that another day should precede it, commensurate to the duration of this present system, which may be called the day of man, when the earth is given into his hands, and he executes his will upon it. Now he may "rejoice, and let his heart cheer him ;" he may "walk in the ways of his heart, and in the sight of his eyes;" he may devote his youth to pleasure, sacrifice his manhood to ambition, and wear out his old age in avarice. He may corrupt the in- The text characterizes him by the words, nocent for the indulgence of the first, depo-"that man whom he [God] hath ordained." pulate kingdoms for the gratification of the The human nature of our Lord, ever intimasecond, and impoverish thousands to satisfy tely and indissolubly united to the divine, bethe cravings of the last. But let him know, ing, after his resurrection, taken up into heathat, "for all these things God will bring ven, was thereupon, in form, amidst the achim into judgment," in that day which the clamations of angels and beatified spirits, inScriptures therefore style his day, "the day vested with the glory and dominion of the of God," or "the day of the Lord." Then Godhead, to be from thenceforth displayed God shall speak, and man hear; then the viol and exercised in the government of his and the harp shall no longer lull the effemi- church, until the final act of his judgment nate in sensuality, nor the trumpet any more shall close the amazing scene, and put a rouse the warrior to the battle; and then the period to the mediatorial kingdom; which thousands of gold and silver shall have lost when the Son, the man Christ Jesus, shall all their charms in the eyes of the miser. In have delivered up to the Father, then God, that day, the merry hearted shall sigh, shame or the blessed Trinity, shall be all in all, shall be the portion of pride, and covetous- reigning and ruling to eternity, as was ness shall inherit eternal poverty. Of these the case from eternity, previous to the intwo days, the day of man and the day of God, tervention of the Christian system. In the which give so very different an aspect to the meantime, as the light which fills the cirworld and all that is therein, the sacred his- cumference of heaven, penetrating to the uttory holdeth forth to us many significant and most bounds of creation, and giving life and