except merely in the publication of an INSPIRED BOOK throughout the world! What further evidence can we require of the existence of a kingdom in this world, which is under the dominion of that spirit, who is called by our Saviour, "the Prince of DARKNESS;" and by St. Paul, "the god of THIS WORLD," who “hath blinded "the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is "the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Cor. iv. 4.

In the foregoing argument, we have not spoken of that extraordinary light, which imparted to men the gift of prophecy and of tongues; but of that ordinary light, which sheweth to the sinner, "the glorious Gospel of Christ;" as above expressed; and which inspired him with love to God and with faith in his Redeemer: which mortifieth evil affections, purifieth the heart, giveth to the soul a peace which passeth all understanding, and a sure and certain hope of the resurrection unto eternal life. We speak of that light, whatever it may be, which is necessary, "to open the understanding, that we may under"stand the Scriptures." Luke xxiv. 45.

We before asserted, that the spiritual light is not given to a nation or community of men by any system of education; but to individuals: even

to those, who obey the divine admonition, and supplicate "the Father of Lights," for the GOOD and PERFECT gift" Let us now proceed to enquire what was the CHARACTER of those persons whom our Saviour addressed as "the Light of "the World." For if men say, "We cannot see "this spiritual light: to us it is invisible:" we must lead their attention to that which is obvious and visible; namely, the MORAL character of "the children of Light."

The character of those who are called the Light of the World, is recorded by our Lord himself in his Sermon from the Mount; for they are the persons whose virtues are the subject of his BEATITUDES. It was on that occasion, when he had finished the enumeration of their peculiar dispositions, that he said, "Ye are the "Light of the World."

I know not any mistake so general at this day as that which regards our Lord's Sermon from the Mount. The general impression seems to be that these precepts may be obeyed by a heathen as well as by a Christian, if you merely propose them to him, without the aid of any spiritual influence from above. But, my brethren, no man can observe these precepts, or even have a just conception of the meaning of these Beatitudes, unless

he have the "the light of life.”

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For how can

we understand what it is to be " poor in spirit;" "to hunger and thirst after righteousness:" or "to rejoice and be exceeding glad when we are persecuted for righteousness sake;" or "to pray for them who speak all manner of "evil against us falsely for Christ's sake," unless the " eyes of our understanding be opened?"

Eph. i. 18.

In these Beatitudes, our Saviour exhibits to the world the character of HIS disciples. He declares the heavenly temper and consequent blessedness of those persons, who should be subjects of his spiritual kingdom, which had now commenced. For, when he saith, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of "heaven;" he saith, in effect, "Blessed are ye,

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my disciples, for ye are poor in spirit:" and so of all the other dispositions there described; "Blessed are the meek:"-" Blessed are the " merciful:"-" Blessed are the peace makers :"-"Blessed are the pure in heart :"-" Blessed are

they which hunger and thirst after righteous"ness." All these inestimable qualities of mind belong to the disciples of Christ not one of them, but ALL. They all flow from " the self"same Spirit;" like sweet waters from the same fountain. They are the characters of that great

MORAL CHANGE, which our Saviour foretold would be a frequent event under the New Dispensation.

When our Lord had given this record of the pure and heavenly dispositions of his disciples, he said unto them, "Ye are the light of the "world."

At that time there were many illustrious characters in the world :-men of great eminence, who flourished in Greece and Rome, and enlightened mankind by their science and learning; whose names are renowned at this day. But our Lord said to his unlettered disciples, "YE are the light of the world."

At that time, too, there were many in Judea, who had the revelation of God in their hands; "to whom were committed the oracles of God," and who conceived themselves to be the church and people of God. Yet, when our Saviour came, he did not find one fit instrument for his ministry among the priesthood of the Jewish Church. And he turned to his disciples, and said, "YE are the light of the world."

We have introduced this doctrine of the Divine Illumination into the exordium of the Discourse, that it may guide us in our way through the difficult subject which lies before us. You will be now prepared to consider the following propositions :

1. If you would be "The light of the world," you will draw your light from Christ, and send forth preachers bearing the CHARACTER which He hath delineated.

2. If you be instruments of "the true light," you will be zealous in adopting the most effectual MEANS of diffusing it. And it will probably appear to you, that you ought to adopt more efficient measures for this purpose, than have hitherto been employed. For it is manifest, that a new era in the Church hath arrived; which authorises you to use new means.

I. IF YOU WOULD APPROPRIATE THE APPELLATION OF OUR SAVIOUR, AND BE

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THE

LIGHT OF THE WORLD," YOU WILL DRAW Your Light FROM CHRIST, AND SEND FORTH

PREACHERS BEARING THE CHARACTER WHICH HE HATH DELINEATED.

They must be men into whose hearts "the "true light hath shined;" such preachers as our own Church approves; who "trust that they "are moved to the work by the Holy Ghost." And, with regard to their outward deportment, they must be men whose dispositions accord with those which are described in the Sermon on the Mount; such as the Hindoo Christians call" Men of the Beatitudes :" That is their proper character; and there are more persons