or an obelisk, which may fall in his way. He views it but on one side, and many of its minuter parts may escape his observation; but a very inferior artist, living on the spot, will give a far more accurate idea; he will examine closely, and in every point of view; he will see it in all lights, in all directions, in all circumstances; and he will probably give a more correct likeness, though the colouring may not be so brilliant.

In the course of my ministry among you, I have frequently adopted this method;-during thirty-six years many have been the topics thus discussed. Some may possibly recollect, that nearly at the commencement of my ministerial labours, I treated at large the grand essential duties of religion, both natural and revealed. In a following year, I discoursed upon social and relative duties, all of which were explained and enforced.

The evidences of a future state, its nature, its employments, and its glories, were brought forward in another season. We have devoted one series of discourses to that admirable composition, the 119th Psalm; another, to endeavour to point out and establish the connexion between the Old Testament and the New. Many of our Lord's parables were afterwards selected and discoursed upon; and we have more recently exhibited the

influence of religion on the mind of man, under the various situations and circumstances in which he may be placed.

We are now about to commence a train on a subject peculiarly solemn and affecting. It is my intention particularly to notice, and endeavour to improve, every expression which our Lord uttered, while on the cross.* From the harmonies of Whiston and Doddridge, which I have carefully consulted, it appears, that these expressions are no farther connected, than by the period in which they were spoken. The first in order of time, is that affecting petition for his murderers, which I have read as my text; "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

I. Let us view the transaction itself.

II. Let us consider what improvement we are to derive from it.

I. Let us view these words as they respect the transaction itself.

The words of a dying man are generally impressive. A celebrated Scotch writer has observed, "Man is never so much a patriot

* The plan proposed was completed in six sermons, only the two first of which are here given.

of the world, as upon his death bed." He may have had his party, his sect, his little circle, his peculiar associates; all are sunk at that awful moment; he is winging his flight to that world, where all such distinctions will for ever cease, and the prayer of that man will be the most patriotic that can be breathed.

How peculiarly solemn and affecting is that expression of our Lord's, which we are now to consider!

In reviewing the transaction, let us,

1. Consider the enemies of our Saviour. 2. Reflect on the prayer he offered for them.

3. Point out the generous plea with which he enforced the petition.

1. View the enemies of our Lord. How inveterate, how malicious, how implacable, and (as it respected the Roman power) how successful! From the period when he entered upon his public ministry, how greatly did he suffer! He was persecuted from city to city, and from town to town. The Gadarenes besought him to depart out of their coasts; and it has often been remarked, that he did not suffer so much from actual poverty, as from hostility. But it is his last agonies to

which I would particularly, at this time, direct your attention;-it is the dismal scene of Calvary we are called upon to contemplate, for, at that awful period, those expressions passed his lips, which we are now to improve. View him in the garden of Gethsemane, betrayed by one of his own disciples, and brought before the high priest, then led to Pilate, treated with all the indignity that malice could invent, or cruelty execute, and at last condemned to crucifixion,-the punishment inflicted on the vilest malefactors. See him arrayed in gorgeous robes, and by way of mockery, a reed put into his hand, his head encircled with a crown of thorns, and compelled to carry that cross, which was to be the instrument of torture, till fainting nature could support it no longer. His enemies exulted in his humiliation. Well might it be said, "This was their hour, and the power of darkness."

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Many who hear me, will recollect a remark I have often made, especially at the Lord's table, how extraordinary it is to reflect, that out of the multitudes whom he had healed and relieved, not one should appear in his behalf, not one should come forward to prove his miraculous powers. The lame could walk, the blind could see, the deaf could hear, and yet none had the courage to stand before

Pilate, and to plead his cause. Strange midnight of infernal darkness!

There is a circumstance relative to crucifixion, which, though trifling in itself, deserves to be mentioned, since it throws light on one of our Lord's prophecies relating to himself. The cross was laid upon the ground, and there the criminal was fastened to it; the arms were extended, and the ancles perforated together, it was then reared up. Does not this strikingly illustrate the remark and prediction of our Lord; "And I, if I be lifted up, shall draw all men unto me."

Let us now, secondly, consider the interesting petition he offered up for his murderers. When the dreadful ceremony was accomplished, of fastening to the cross, this horrid engine was then raised up, and either placed in its accustomed socket, or a hole dug in the ground for the purpose. In that moment of agony, did our compassionate Redeemer breathe that affectionate and comprehensive intercession, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Has it ever been urged as a difficulty to forgive an injury? Christians, look to your Saviour, and behold how he exemplified the precept! In the midst of cruel sufferings, his first thoughts were for the safety of his murderers, and