BROWN’S SERMONS. 
courses form a valiable addition to 
this interesting and importans branch of 
English literature. 
This volume contains eighteen ser- 
mons, upon the following subjects : 
~—. On the duty and character of a 
ehristian preacher. (Preached at the 
author’s admission to the west church, 
Aberdeen.) II. On the love of God. 
III. On the joy and peace of believing 
and practising the gospel. IV. On the 
mature, the cattses, and the effects of ia- 
_ difference with regard to religion.— 
(Preached before the society for propa- 
ting christian knowledge in Scotland. ) 
« On the folly of procrastination with 
regard to the concerns of religion. YI. 
On the vanity of religion, unless consi- 
dered as the chief good, and accompa- 
nied with zeal and perseverance. VII. 
On the nature, the effects, and the re- 
Wards of constancy and perseverance in 
religion. VIII. On the progressive na- 
ee of religion in the soul. iX. X. XI. 
_On prudence and simplicity of character, 
AMl. XMM. XIV. On Agar’s prayer. 
MV. XVI. On pride. XVII. On hu- 
mility. And XVITI. On the unfailing 
nature of charity, as a motive to culti- 
wate it. (Preached for behoof of a so- 
ciety, instituted for the relief of the sick 
poor, and entitled, “ The sick man’s 
friend.”) Of these, though some are 
hig ebed more excellent than others, 
ere is not one which does not contain 
many important truths, illustrated and 
enforced by a vigorous and commanding 
eloquence. We could, with pleasure, 
justify this assertion, but we are compel- 
Jed to limit our quotations. We cannot, 
however, refrain from presenting our 
readers with the following: In the third 
‘sermon, amongst many other satisfac- 
tory observations, designed to rectify the 
erroneous opinions which are commonly 
entertained with respect to the moral 
bs 
‘ebligations of christianity, Dr. Brown 
Says; : 
| Jn fact, the religion of Christ contains 
ho absurd or irrational doctrine, and no pre- 
Hg but what is founded on the nature and 
ions of man, and perfective of his happi- 
ness. If, rejecting the superstitious fears, 
and enthusiastic dreams of ignorant and mis- 
Beided christians, we examine the sacred 
eriptures themselves, we shall find, that, by 
ie laws of the gospel, as well as by the 
ame of nature, their common author has 
ved happiness to virtue, and misery to 
ce; that he has prohibited only whatis re- 
Ptignant, and commanded only what is con- 
155 
ducive to our real welfare ; that our religion 
never designed to extinguish, but merely to 
tegulate our original propensities ; and that, 
within the bounds of nature and of reason, 
we are still allowed to gratify them. We 
shall find, that every doctrine of the gospel 
has a most salutary tendency in either lead- 
ing us to the right knowledge of our condt- 
tion, inspiring us with exalted ideas of the 
Christian scheme, or engaging us to virtuous 
conduct by the most generous and cogent 
motives. 
« Though we be Christians, we may cul- 
tivate our understandings, refine our imagt- 
nations, indulge our natural and social af- 
fections, nor be entitely insensibie to personal 
and selfish enjoyments. Though we be. fa- 
voured with divine instruction, we are not 
denied the bencfit of human learning. 
Though the book of revelation be laid open 
to us, the book of nature is not closed to our 
eyes. Though we be chiefly required to at- 
tend to the beauty and excellence of the 
moral character, the order and symmetry of 
material objects are not withheld from our 
obsegvation. Though we be adopted znto 
the household of faith, owr relation to thie 
great community of mankind, much less to 
those more immediately committed to us by 
rovidence, is not dissolved. "Though we 
be expectants of heaven, this does not pre- 
clude our acting in our present capacity of 
inhabitants of this world. 
«« In reality, when we honestly employ 
the means adapted to the advancement of 
our temporal prosperity, we also work ont 
our eternal salvation ; or, in other words, the 
most eligible methods of promoting the 
one will contribute to excite and confirm in 
our minds the joyful expectations of the 
other. Engaged in the business of our par- 
ticalar calling, and faithfully discharging 
the duties of the station allotted-us by provi- 
dence, we are, at the same time, serving 
God. Providing with integrity for our fami- 
lies, and gratefully bettering our cireum- 
stances, we are also qualifying ourselves for 
an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and 
that fadcth not away, reserved in the heavens. 
Recommending ourselves to the esteem and 
friendship of our fellow-men, we are thereby 
forming our souls for the society of angels, 
of the general assemlly and church of the 
Jirst-born, and of the spirits of just men made 
perfect. Preserving, by wholesome refresh- 
ment and moderate exercise, the health and 
vigour of our bodies, we are equally recreat- 
ing and invigorating our minds for rational 
and spiritual pursuits, and thus preparing 
them for a more refined and exalted state.” 
Whilst the believer feels the truth of 
the following animated passage, the man 
of taste must admire its eloquence ; 
‘« These are joys pure and substantial, 
suited to the dignity of the rational nature; 
