ing us, doth put into our minds good desires, will, by his continual help, enable us to bring the same to good effect, through Jesus Christ our Lord."* * Collect for Easter Sunday. NOTES. (1) Page 231. The part of Christian parents.] "Parents must give good example, and reverent deportment, in the face of their children. And all those instances of charity, which usually endear each other, sweetness of conversation, affability, frequent admonition, all significations of love and tenderness, care and watchfulness, must be expressed towards children; that they may look upon their parents as their friends and patrons, their defence and sanctuary, their treasure and their guide." BISHOP TAYLOR. Holy Living, Chap. iii. § 2. (2) Page 235. Newly baptized presented, penitents restored, at Easter.] See Bingham's Antiquities of the Christian Church. Book xi. c. vi. § 7. Book xii. c. iv. § 1-3. Book xix. c. ii. § 11. Book xxi. c. i. $ 12, 13. (3) Page 241. How may we ascertain our title to the character of true believers?] An answer is given to this momentous question, by a man, above most others, both mentally and morally qualified for the discussion; the pious and profoundly learned JOSEPH MEDE. "A tree is known by its fruit: the workman is known by his work. Whosoever, then, shews these works, and brings forth these fruits, hath an infallible argument, that the spirit of God, the earnest of his salvation, dwells in his heart; that his faith is a true saving faith; that his believing is no presumption, no false conceit, no delusion of the devil, but the true and certain motion of God's own spirit. The rising of the sun, is known by the shining beams; the fire, is known by its burning; the life of the body, is known by its moving. Even so certainly, is the presence of God's spirit known, by the shining light of a holy conversation. Even so certainly, the purging fire of grace, is known by the burning zeal against sin, and a fervent desire to keep God's commandments. Even so certainly, the life, and liveliness of faith, is known by the good motions of the heart, by the bestirring of all the powers both of soul and body, to do whatsoever God wills as to be doing, as soon as we once know he would have us do it. He that hath this evidence, hath a bulwark against despair, and may dare the devil to his face. He that hath this, hath the broad seal of eternal life; and such a man shall live for ever." MEDE'S WORKS, Vol. i. p. 401. SERMON X. (PREACHED IN THE CHAPEL OF THE MAGDALEN ASYLUM, DUBLIN, FEBRUARY 11,1810. WHEN A COLLECTION WAS MADE, IN BEHALF OF THAT INSTITUTION.) SAINT JOHN, VIII. 11. AND JESUS SAID UNTO HER, NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE: GO; AND SIN no more. IT T is an acknowledged truth, that the most yielding, are also the most powerful agents in the natural world. Those finer elements, which scarcely afford perceptible resistance to our touch, are yet, in the hands of Omnipotence, the great movers of this earthly system; and we learn from late discoveries, that their energy increases, exactly as their sub stance is attenuated and refined; whilst we are equally assured, that the hardest, the most resisting, and most impenetrable bodies, are absolutely void of all intrinsic power. And thus it is, also, in the spiritual world. For who does not feel, that harshness is the vain resource of conscious imbecility, and gentleness the most effectual instrument of moral strength? The one, both dreading and provoking a resistance which it cannot overcome. The other, calmly relying on its power to mollify the passions, and gain the best affections of the soul. "Love is strong as death," says an inspired writer; "many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it." And never is this master principle more gloriously triumphant, than when it is exerted to reclaim, restore, and purify the wandering spirit. For, wherever there is a heart to be won, it will be won by kindness; and, whereever there is a spark of virtuous sensibility, it will be cherished and enkindled |