"thed me: I was fick, and ye vifited me: "I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Let us confider, of whom were thefe multitudes to confift? Our Saviour tells us, "Of all nations:" they must likewise be of all ranks and stations; high, and low, rich, and many that have not had bread to eat. From whence, then, could they feed the hungry, clothe the naked, &c.? By having the heart and difpofition to do it, and by feeling the woes which they could not relieve in the manner they wifhed. God, who knows the heart, accepts the will, though we may not have the power of carrying it into action.

The widow's mite was more acceptable than the large contributions of the wealthy. There are very few, if indeed any, fituations in life, where a charitable difpofition may not be, in fome way or other, of use and comfort to our distressed fellow-creatures. The poor are too apt to think, that they have nothing to do with charity; generally fuppofing this extenfive virtue confined folely to almsgiving:

which, however meritorious in itself, and incumbent on those whom God has bleffed with the power, is only a twig of that luxuriant tree. St. Paul has fo beautifully and fo fully explained the meaning of the word "6 charity," that all who will read with attention the thirteenth chapter of his first Epistle to the Corinthians, will find themselves included in the duties of it. Whether high, or low, rich, or poor, every fituation equally requires the attainment of thofe divine

virtues.

The reply of the righteous, in the fubsequent verses, is well worthy of attention, not only as it abounds with true humility, but fhews that an upright and ingenuous spirit will not arrogate to itself undeferved merit: "Lord, when faw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave "thee drink? When faw we thee a

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stranger, and took thee in? or naked, "and clothed thee? Or when faw we "thee fick and in prifon, and came unto "thee?"

Their Judge, with that kindness and benignity which might be expected from him who had laid down his life to redeem them, answers: "Verily, I fay unto you,

inafmuch as ye have done it unto one “of the least of these my brethren, ye "have done it unto me."

Many good people have diftreffed themfelves when they have confidered the hiftory of those bleffed Martyrs, who so gloriously overcame the feverest sufferings for the honor of their Lord and Saviour, laying down their lives for his fake; they have alarmed themselves with apprehenfions that their own conduct on fo trying an occafion, would have been very different, and that they would not have acted with that fortitude and perfeverance which they fo much admire in the Martyrs. To fuch humble and well-meaning, though timid Chriftians, how comfortable is the prospect here held out! Can they, after this, doubt that their faithful endeavors, though imperfect, will be accepted?— that if they strive to do their duty in that

ftate

ftate of life to which the Almighty has called them, they have no reason to alarm themselves, but may reft affured that their pious wishes would have been accepted; and that they would have been enabled, by the grace of God, to fulfil any other duties he had thought proper to lay on them?

mercy

of

The remainder of the chapter which contains the denunciation of the wrath of their Judge against thofe on his left hand, or the wicked, is exactly the reverse of what I have juft related: it leads us to meditate upon the wretchedness of those who may bring themselves to fo dreadful a ftate, that even the infinite their Judge cannot confiftently with his justice, fave them from that punishment which they have wilfully drawn on themfelves. May the God of Mercy impress thefe confiderations fo deeply on their hearts, that it may deter them from all acts of impiety, and induce them to a fteady perfeverance in the great duties of religion, that, when that great and awful

day

day fhall come, they may be found amongst the number of those on the right hand of their blessed Saviour, and be admitted to his glorious kingdom!

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"30. I can of mine ownself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is juft; because I seek not mine own will, "but the will of the Father which hath " fent me."

With what humility does the Saviour of the world declare his commiffion! For though he undertook it voluntarily; tho' he was one with the Father, and might have claimed the honor due to fuch glorious actions, he declines it for the prefent: his hour was not yet arrived when he should receive all power, honor and adoration from men and angels!

"31. If I bear witness of myself, my "witnefs is not true.

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32. There is another that beareth