justly entitled to royalty, and to command subjection: but this was not his object; it was altogether of another kind: "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich*." This should teach us,

1. The emptiness of earthly greatness.-How was it estimated by Him who had all riches, all honours in his power? In a moment, had he pleased, he could have commanded the treasures of nature, and have appeared infinitely higher in splendour than all he monarchs of the world; but this he utterly disregarded, and looked down on what multitudes supremely value and ardently desire, with the coolest indifference, if not contempt. "Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not." They are not worth the search. At best they are "vanity," and frequently "vexation of spirit." They cannot yield the smallest degree of true happiness in this life, nor are they of the least avail in the life which is to come. -It should teach us,

2. Contentment in our situation.-The Lord Jesus was perfectly content in his, otherwise he could easily have altered it. His condition, as the Son of Man, was humble indeed-it was that of poverty, dependence, toil, and suffering-yet he murmured not: he was entirely satisfied. We are ready to imagine, that, could we attain so much of the world, or reach such a point in regard to its enjoyments, we should be content, we should want no more. Let us blush at the error of our feelings, at the fretfulness of our tempers, and the impatience of our spirits. "We want, we know not what ;" and were all our

imaginary wants relieved, we should instantly create a thousand more, unless Divine Grace subdue the heart, and regulate its wishes. "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man had not where to lay his head*." It is not so with us. And have not we unnumbered comforts, of which our Lord and Saviour was destitute? Away, then, with restless dissatisfaction: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; especially as God all-sufficient hath said, "I will never, never leave thee; no, I will never forsake theet."

II. The Son of Man came "TO MINISTER."

That is, to serve;-to serve his heavenly Father: "Behold my servant whom I uphold;"-and to serve the sons of men, whatever their indigence or distresses might be: hence it is said of him, "Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant §." And was not his whole life a confirmation of this text? Where do we find him, but he is serving others? Whither do we follow him, but he is " "going about doing good?" His disciples shared in his constant service: he washed their feet; but we read not of their washing his feet. And not his disciples only did he serve; the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf, the most destitute, diseased, and wretched of our fellow-creatures, were the objects of his compassionate regard and his seasonable help. Whatever affliction of body or of mind any laboured under, he was ready to relieve them. By him the most ignorant

Luke ix. 58. + Heb. xiii. 5. Is. liv. 2. § Philip. ii. 6, 7.

were taught, the most wicked were warned, the most prejudiced and proud were admonished, the greatest enemies were transformed into disciples and friends. Had men known their spiritual disease, as well as they knew their temporal wants, gladly would he have ministered to their cure, and restored their comfort. When did he refuse his favour, or restrain his beneficence from those who earnestly sought him, however abject and miserable their condition? He attended continually on this very thing." He journeyed from place to place; he associated with characters of all descriptions; he denied himself food by day, and rest by night, that he might minister to the necessities of men, and serve the most indigent of our race. From this we learn,

1. To be diligent in doing good.-There is a very serious defect in this diligence. Is not doing good the grand end of life, next to the glory of God? And is it not most intimately connected with his glory, and subservient to it? What do we live for, as men, and as members of society, but to be useful to one another, and to all around us? Let us not be satisfied with occasional and accidental acts of service, but fix it as a principle of life not to be " weary in well-doing;" and, "as we have opportunity, to do good unto all, especially to them that are of the household of faith*." Is not the direction plain? Is not the obligation clear? And has not Christ the Lord left us "an example, that we should follow his steps?" We learn also,

2. To condescend to the meanest in acts of kindness. As none are beneath the notice of the Most High, surely none ought to be beneath ours; as

* Gal. vi. 10.

and

none were denied by the Saviour, surely none ought to be denied by us. We live among the poor needy: let us not pass them by, but administer to their relief: " pure religion" much consists in this, and is, evidenced in this, " to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction *. We live among the ignorant and the wicked: let us not look on them with cool indifference and neglect. Can nothing be done to rescue them from ruin? much may be done.

Yes, with a heart inclined, This inclination of heart,

prompting to the use of proper means, and accompanied with due dependence on God for his blessing, may secure the most valuable effects.

When we speak of usefulness, and urge each other to do good, we often mistake the subject. Doing good does not, in general, consist in doing great things, but rather small things. Duty does not require what is beyond our power, but what is within it. If a man cannot build a place of worship, he may cast in his mite towards it: if he cannot preach to a congregation, he may instruct a child: if he cannot feed and clothe many families, he may afford some help to a few individuals: if he cannot distribute Bibles, he may give away a Tract. Doing good does not often require us to rise-more frequently it calls us to stoop; to condescend to men "of low estate," and to children, of still lower. Did not Jesus Christ minister to children? Yes; he listened to their Hosannas with pleasure: he laid his hand on them; he took them in his arms, and he blessed them. He said, "The poor have the Gospel preached unto them;" and the things of the Gospel he "revealed unto babes." Let us, therefore, not slight the young

* James i. 27.

est, the meanest of our kind; but ever be active, and deem it our honour, to do them good.

Have you thought of the Domestic Character of Jesus Christ? He ministered to the benefit of others, not only in public, but in private, and in all his social intercourse. The Apostles were his family; and mark his constant, his affectionate attention to them! When, retired to a mountain, when walking by the way, or when resting at the house of a friend, he was still instructing his family. "When they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples;" he taught them as they were "able to bear" it; and "opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures t."-Parents, does not this suggest something useful to you? Minister to your families: talk to your children and servants about their sins, their souls, and the Saviour; instil into their minds Christian principles, and labour to impress these principles on their hearts; admonish them of that which is evil, encourage them in that which is good, and ever go before them: lead the way in what is laudable and right. They hear these exhortations given to you: what must they think if you disregard them? They must perceive that your duty is neglected; and can you wonder if they neglect theirs? You feel your obligation. May you resolve, and have grace with affectionate readiness to comply with it!

III. The Son of Man came A RANSOM FOR MANY."

TO GIVE HIS LIFE

In this sentence every word is weighty.

He that

came, not to be ministered unto but to minister,