SERMONS: BY THE LATE REV. HENRY GAUNTLETT, VICAR OF OLNEY, BUCKS. WITH A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. THE LAW OF TRUTH WAS IN HIS MOUTH WALKED WITH ME IN PEACE AND EQUITY, AND MANY AWAY FROM INIQUITY.' HE DID TURN LONDON: R. B. SEELEY AND W. BURNSIDE, FLEET-STREET; and Deliverer. Your memory will frequently dwell upon the once crucified, now exalted Redeemer. You will view him as "the chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely." You will think with gratitude and joy on the gracious operations of the Holy Spirit, your Sanctifier and Comforter, by all things, and bring all things to your remem- brance, whatsoever Christ hath said unto you. In some such way as this, love to God will necessarily operate. Let us examine ourselves, my brethren, whether we possess the principle. If so, we may take courage and exercise hope. These are remarks St. John, speaking of himself and his fellow- christians, says, "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ." This divine fellowship is promised by Christ to all his friends. "He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself to him. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and him, and make our abode with him." This commu- nion on God's part, consists in his imparting to his people the influences of his grace, in shedding abroad their reconciled Father, and in assuring them of his paternal friendship and regard. On their parts it consists in returning him their love, in giving themselves up to him, in delighting in his ordinances, and in approaching him with liberty and boldness in their prayers and exercises of devotion. Do you, my brethren, find it good to draw nigh to God? Do you approach with confidence his throne of grace, that you may find mercy, and grace to help in time of need? Do you know what it is to experience the sacred joys of communion with God, and with his Son Jesus Christ? Do you love the worship of God? Do you delight in his ordinances? Do you commune with him in the Holy Supper, which he has appointed to shew forth his death, till he come? This is especially called the communion of the body and the blood of Christ. "The cup of blessing, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" If, my Christian friends, your hearts respond to these inquiries, you may appeal to your heart-searching God and Saviour in the words of Peter-“ Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee." (3.) If you love God, you will endeavour to please him, by obeying his will. One of the best evidences of love to God, is obedience to his commandments; and this is made a decisive proof of it by Christ himself. "If ye love me, keep my commandments. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that SERMON XI. MATTHEW Xviii. 32-35. THEN HIS LORD, AFTER THAT HE HAD CALLED HIM, SAID UNTO HIM, O THOU WICKED SERVANT, I FORGAVE THEE ALL THAT DEBT, BECAUSE THOU DESIREDST ME: SHOULDST NOT THOU ALSO HAVE HAD COMPASSION ON THY FELLOWSERVANT; EVEN AS I HAD PITY ON THEE? AND HIS LORD WAS WROTH, AND DELIVERED HIM TO THE TORMENTORS, TILL HE SHOULD PAY ALL THAT WAS DUE UNTO HIM. SO LIKEWISE SHALL MY HEAVENLY FATHER DO ALSO UNTO YOU, IF YE FROM YOUR HEARTS FORGIVE NOT EVERY ONE HIS BROTHER THEIR TRESPASSES. THE morality of the Gospel is in general but little understood, and still less practised. This is a subject with which persons in general imagine themselves to be sufficiently acquainted; but their views of it are partial, and their practice defective. Forgiveness of injuries is a duty required of us by the gospel; and in this respect the gospel stands opposed to every false religion. This is a duty which is not enjoined, and of which the terms that explain' it are not used, in any treatises on heathen ethics. The Greeks and Romans were practically and speculatively as much unacquainted with this subject, as |