12 Cornelius, the First-fruits of the Gentiles.

ing yourself during that night to the Divine protection. Set, then, before your eyes such good examples as that of Cornelius, which we have been just now considering; the soldier "who was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."

THE END.

GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, ST. JOHN'S SQUARE, LONDON.

[701]

SOLD AT THE DEPOSITORY,

GREAT QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS,

NO. 4, ROYAL EXCHANGE;

AND BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.

1848.

These addresses, though prepared chiefly for the use of troops in India, may, it is hoped, be useful to others in whatever line of life they may be engaged.

REFLECTIONS

ON PORTIONS OF THE

SERMON ON THE MOUNT.

ST. MATTHEW Y.

I.

"THE Sermon on the Mount," as it is commonly called, was a discourse delivered by our blessed Saviour to his disciples shortly after the beginning of his public ministry. We are told by St. Matthew that "seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain and when he was set, his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them1, saying,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven."

Let us bear in mind, then, that the instructions contained in this discourse are intended for the comfort and guidance of the disciples or scholars of Christ, which, as Christians, baptized in his name, we profess ourselves to be. They are, therefore, intended for us; and, if we find in them many things contrary to the ordinary opinions and practices of men, let us reflect that they are not the words of a mortal teacher, but of the only wise God our Saviour, whose maxims cannot but be true. And let us earnestly pray for the assisting grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may not blindly prefer the false opinions of erring men to the certain truths of Scripture, but may receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save our souls.

1 Matt. v. 1, 2.

"Blessed," says our Saviour, "are the poor in spirit, for their's is the kingdom of heaven." "What!" some may perhaps think, "does the Saviour_pronounce a poor-spirited man blessed?" Yes; but He uses the word with a very different signification from that which it ordinarily has in common conversation. By a man of poor spirit, we commonly mean a despicable, contemptible person, wanting in courage, in selfrespect, in energy of mind, in all that can dignify human nature. But such is far from its meaning here. By a man 'poor in spirit" is signified one who is not proud of heart; one who does not give himself credit for excellences which he has not; but is lowly in his own eyes; who feels that he has nothing to offer to God worthy of His acceptance; and that, in a spiritual sense, he is poor indeed.

66

Man

When man was first created, he was not thus poor. God, who created him in his own image, richly endowed him with moral excellences. He was pronounced by his Maker to be "very good," and was capable of rendering Him service which was acceptable in his sight. But this blessed state did not continue. sinned against his Maker, defiled the fair image in which he was created; and as "a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit," from him proceeded a race prone to depart from the living God, going astray even from infancy, and in regard to spiritual riches, the true riches, miserably poor.

Now, the generality of mankind are not aware of this. They are not only poor, but they are blind to their poverty; their character is exactly described by our Saviour, when addressing the worldly-minded church of Laodicea; "Thou sayest, I am rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked"." But he whom our Lord intends by him that is "poor in spirit" is the man who is not

2 Rev. iii. 17.