Milton, and of Bishop Lowth, here spontaneously present themselves. And the author trusts he will be forgiven, for inserting a very inadequate translation, of a favourite passage, from a favourite writer, the great Saint Basil. A man, who, at once, most strongly recommends, and most prudently guards, the study of the Gentile classics; the chastity of whose style evinces, that he had himself closely studied those masters of eloquence; and the sanctity of whose morals proves, that he had so studied, without contracting a single spot or blemish.

'A conflict lies before us, the greatest of all conflicts; for which, by all possible exertion, we must prepare our minds. We must be conversant with poets, and orators, and rhetoricians, and all manner of persons, from whom we may derive assistance in the cultivation of the soul. As dyers, therefore, first prepare their cloth with certain medicaments, and then superinduce the purple, or whatever other colour they desire; so we, if it be our wish to retain indelible the lustre of eternal beauty, must first initiate ourselves in those external studies, and then approach the sacred mysteries of revealed truth. In this manner, as persons inure themselves to behold the sun, by first beholding its reflection on the waters, we shall, also, be enabled to lift up our eyes, unto the fountain of spiritual light.'

Hom. xxiv. Tom. i. p. 571.

SERMON XII.

(PREACHED IN THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF CASHEL, OCTOBER 16. 1806; AT THE ORDINARY VISITATION OF THE MOST REV. CHARLES, ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL; ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED, IN OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMAND OF HIS GRACE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUEST OF HIS CLERGY).

2 TIMOTHY, II. 15.

STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.

IT is evident, from the whole tenor of Scripture, that the glorious and gracious God has one great work, if we may so express ourselves, peculiarly at heart; that, in this lower world, it is his prime

object, to restore fallen man to the image of his own perfections. For this purpose, we are told, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil; that he might bless us, in turning away every one of us from our iniquities; that he might purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; that, through his exceeding great and precious promises, we might become partakers of the Divine nature.

This work, if it effected the redemption but of a single human being, would surpass even the creation of the worlds. For one imperishable soul is of more value, than the whole material universe. But God's operations are conducted on a great scale; the salvation of one individual, almost uniformly involves the salvation of numbers. A kind Providence has so linked man with man, and so wisely ordered the connexions and dependencies of life, that the iufluence of each real Christian must infallibly diffuse itself; and thus, the very laws of nature

pro

act subserviently to Divine grace, in moting that sure, though gradual advancement, of our Saviour's kingdom, which will issue in the final happiness of multitudes, that no man can number, from all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.

Thus, every private Christian is called to be a worker together with God. There is none exempt. For there is none, however narrow his sphere, who may not exert some salutary influence; who may not assist in turning some sinner, from the error of his way; who may not, at least, in attempting to improve others, effect some improvement in himself. But we, my brethren of the ministry, are under very special obligations. As private individuals, we may do much; as Christian ministers, we should do more. solemnities with which we were dedicated to Christ's service; the promises which we made, in the presence of God, and of his church; the studies, to which we pledged ourselves; the renunciations

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which we made; the spiritual illumination, which we implored; and, above all, the unspeakable majesty of that tribunal, before which we must, every one, account, for the talents committed to our charge, .. these are, surely, considerations which must speak to our hearts, with more than human force; with these in our view, (and, at what moment, can we safely lose sight of them?) we must surely account it the great object, of our thoughts, our wishes, our efforts, and our prayers, that we may shew ourselves, approved unto God; workmen that need not be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth.

I. Study to shew thyself approved unto God.' This apostolic injunction goes, at once, to the original source of all right feeling, and, consequently, of all right conduct. It appeals to that intimate conviction of a Supreme Being, on whom we depend, and to whom we are accountable, which is the first principle of all true religion. And what motive, indeed, could the most zealous of apostles have