SERMON VIII,

ST. JOHN Xvii. 4.

I have glorified Thee on earth.

ROM the example of our blessed LORD

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we learn to glorify GOD by our thoughts, by our words, and by our actions. I have endeavoured to show you how we should imitate his piety, his fervent prayer, his constant attendance on all the appointed duties of religion; and we must humbly endeavour to follow his example in the reverence which he expressed for his Heavenly Father by every part of his conduct here on earth. I will mention some particulars which make a part of what is called our duty towards GOD, before I proceed to show you how we ought to glorify Him by performing our duty towards our neighbour in the manner which He has commanded.

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In the first place we should glorify God by never taking his name in vain; and I do not know a surer sign of true piety, than constant attention to this duty. The man who has a true reverence for GOD dares not profane his holy name. He will hold in abhorrence the shocking vice of swearing, that disgrace to a Christian country, by which men commit a dreadful crime against GOD, without even the temptation by which they try to excuse other crimes.

A truly pious man can never be guilty of this vice; for the fear of GOD is always before his eyes, and the love of Gop in his heart. He looks up with reverence to the great Creator of Heaven and earth, to whom all hearts are open, who hears the most secret word, and will call him to answer for it before men and angels. Though he fear not them who kill the body, he fears (and every human being ought to fear) the torments reserved for the wicked after death. But the good man is not restrained only by the fear of punishment, he is influenced by the love as well as the fear of GOD. Can such a man

wantonly offend his kind and gracious Master? Will he blaspheme that sacred name which he adores? Certainly not. When he mentions

the name of GOD, it is to bless and praise it; to tell how gracious the LORD has been to him. Will a man, who knows the terrors of the ALMIGHTY, who believes that he will assuredly punish those who despise his mercy, will he dare to call for damnation on his fellow creatures? Will his heart be capable of forming the dreadful wish, that the man who has offended him may really suffer the vengeance of eternal fire, that he may really dwell with everlasting burnings, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched? Think of this, I entreat you; and tell me, whether any heart, however wicked, is capable of wishing this? Yet such is the impious language which we continually hear amongst men who call themselves Christians; such is the inhuman wish pronounced against a man like ourselves, nay sometimes even against the poor harmless animal which God has given to assist us in our labour, against the horse worn out with work, or terrified with blows. The barbarous treatment of animals is a subject which deserves very serious consideration; but at present I am only endeavouring to point out to you the meaning of words which are often used by thoughtless men, who never consider what they

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have dared to utter, or they would fear that these horrible curses might fall on their own heads.

Secondly, we should glorify GoD in our common conversation. It is not enough that we do not take his name in vain by mentioning it without due reverence, but we must be careful that our conversation be such as becometh Christians. Let us not suppose that we are only to serve GOD on Sundays, and not to think of Him during the rest of the week. The true Christian is always engaged in the service of God. He takes every opportunity to show his zeal for his Master's honour. He tries to lead others, and particularly those who are younger than himself, to think upon GOD. One of the greatest pleasures which good men can enjoy is speaking to each other on the subject which is most interesting to them. They will never be ashamed to own that they fear GOD; on the contrary, it will be their glory that they are Christians; and much good might be done, even during the common employments of life, if they always spoke and acted in that character; if their conversation were such as becometh godliness.

Thirdly, we should glorify GoD by praising him for our daily food. We are told that our

gave

Saviour thanks before he began to eat; and every Christian ought to do the same. To the bounty of GOD we owe every blessing; and while we enjoy the gift, let us not forget the Giver. Every enjoyment for which we have offered our humble thanks to GoD will be doubly sweet. "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God."*

Lastly, we should glorify God by our thoughts. Every thought which arises in our hearts is known to GOD, though concealed from all the world. This should make us guard our hearts with the greatest care. It is, indeed, impossible, that our thoughts should be always employed on religion. Our gracious Master does not require this, but he does require us carefully to guard against those which are wicked; and He commands us frequently to make Him the object of our meditations. Wicked thoughts too often lead to wicked actions; and the man who can find pleasure in thinking of gratifying his malice, or indulging his lust or intemperance, is in great danger of committing such crimes. The man who allows himself to wish for what does not belong to him, is in great danger of

* 1 Cor. x. 31.

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