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tion of all, indeed the sum of all is this; that since the world is so generally corrupted, and every man's private sins add something to the great mass of corruption, therefore every private man is bound, as much as in him lies, to contribute something to a general cure: and that not only by restraining his own vices, but also by promoting virtue in other men, and instilling good principles into his brethren; and correcting those that want instruction, by instructing those that stand in need to be corrected.

But then, this work being very nice, we must be sure to do it with great accuracy of judgment, and a very tender hand: that we may not harden them by violent unseasonable reproofs, and imprudent unnecessary provocations, but reclaim them by a friendly conversation, and an affectionate concern; forasmuch as there are many men, who will, easily, be led into virtue, but will be, very hardly, driven.

But above all, we must be sure to give them a good example, and shew an instance in ourselves, of those virtues which we recommend to others. For this is the most natural, most powerful argument, that can be used, and seldom fails of success. Then we may

"teach and exhort," with good effect, when we can say, like St. Paul, and that without vanity, " I would to God that all that hear me were such as I

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Nay, then we may "rebuke also with good au"thority," and our rebukes will be taken in good part. "Let the righteous smite me, and it shall be a kind"ness," says the Psalmist; " let him reprove me, and it shall be an excellent oil that shall not break

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my

head."

Instead

Instead of contesting and reviling, defending and proving against one another, could men but once be brought to comply with this peaceable method, and follow this amiable example of the Apostle in the text, we should, quickly, find more piety in the Church, and more quietness in the state, more honor to the Name of God, and more safety to the souls of men.

Which God of his great Mercy grant.

SERMON

D 4

SERMON IV.

THE PURIFICATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY.

THIS Festival is kept in memory of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. For it was a precept that "every male "that openeth the womb"-every first-born son-" should "be holy unto the Lord."-(Exod. xiii. 2—15.) The first-born of the cattle were to be reserved for sacrifices for God and the first-born children were to attend in the service of the temple or tabernacle, or were to be redeemed by an offering of money, or sacrifice. (Numb. xviii. 16.) And besides, the mother was obliged to separate herself forty days from the congregation, after the birth of a mile, and eighty after the birth of a female; and then was to present a lamb, if in good circumstances, or a couple of pigeons, if she was poor. (Levit. xii.) This was exactly performed after the birth of our Saviour, who came to "fulfil all righteousness;" and was willing in all particulars of His life, that a just obedience should be paid to the public ordinances of His religion and country.

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The Greeks called this Feast by the name of Hypante, or the

Meeting, because Simeon and Anna met our Lord in the temple this day. This festival was celebrated in the Church in the days of St. Chrysostom, anno 398.

LUKE

LUXE ii. 22, 23, 24.

When the days of her purification, according to the Law of Moses, were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord;

As it is written in the Law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called boly to the Lord; And to offer a sacrifice, according to that which is said in the Law, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

HAT is called by our Church the Purification

WHAT

of St. Mary the Virgin, comprizes certain ceremonies prescribed in the Law of Moses. That Law directed that every woman, after child-birth, should, as soon as the days of her purifying were fulfilled, "bring a lamb of the first year, or if she were not ablé to bring a lamb, then she should bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, unto the door of the taber"nacle of the congregation, unto the priest, who was to offer them before the Lord, the one for a burnt"offering, and the other for a sin-offering, and make

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an atonement for her." Another ceremony to be observed, was confined to male-children, and among them to the first-born, whom the parents were under an obligation of presenting to the Lord; they afterwards purchased, or redeemed, their child by a sum of money, thereby acknowleging that all the first-born were the peculiar property of God. "Sanctify unto me,' said the Lord unto Moses, "all the first-born, whatso"ever openeth the womb among the children of Israel,

* Bossuet.

" both

"both of man and beast; IT IS MINE. Thou shalt "sacrifice to the Lord both the first-born of man and "the first-born of beasts, being males; but all the "first-born of thy children thou mayst redeem." In these several ceremonies consists, in my judgment, the whole meaning of the feast we this day celebrate. The exposition of so remarkable a custom, accompanied with some brief reflections, may, by divine assistance, produce edification to your hearts, as well as information to your understandings.

Let us, briefly, consider some of the circumstances previous to the presentation of Christ Jesus in the temple.

We are first to observe, that the angel announced to His mother, that, "having found favor with God, "she should conceive and bring forth a son, who "should be great, and should be called the Son of "the Highest ;" and who should be born contrary to the ordinary law of the children of Adam: no sooner was the Blessed Jesus born, than the fhepherds, who heard" the heavenly host praising God, went to Beth

And

lehem to see the thing which was come to pass, "which the Lord had made known unto them. "when they had seen it, and had made known abroad "what was told them; when all wondered, Mary kept "all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Notwithstanding her exemption from the general lot of women, she submitted to the law of purification, and offered a sacrifice for a sin-offering. She heard, she observed, she meditated; " she pondered in her heart "the great things which He who is mighty, had done "to her," but she neither declared them by her words, nor intimated them by her suggestions. Who would

not

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