love of Christ, in obedience to his plain command, "This do, in remembrance of me," are ashamed of Christ.

Let us consider

II. The greatness of this sin.

And here I would first inquire, how much are sinners ashamed of Christ? The power of this passion, it is true, may be stronger in some, than in others. This, however, is true of all sinners;-they are more ashamed of Christ, than they are of their sins.

I need not say that some who are ashamed of Christ, are not at all ashamed of their ignorance of the Bible, or of their sin in neglecting it. Some, who have only been suspected of being under serious concern for their souls, have been offended, and have pretended that they considered themselves slandered. They would sport and jest, and adopt the most silly methods to do away the suspicion, and to show to others how little they cared about God, or Christ, or heaven, or hell. Although ashamed of Christ, they are not at all ashamed of these heaven-daring sins; but even glory in their shame.

Would you estimate the strength of this passion, set the greatness of the blessing lost on the one hand, and the littleness of the object gained on the other. Some whose judgment and conscience are well informed, who acknowledge the overwhelming importance of the subject, and who are anxious for their souls, are yet so ashamed of Christ, that they had rather stifle conviction, grieve the Holy Spirit, tell a lie to conceal their feelings, offend God, and expose themselves to the damnation of hell, than-than what?—what mighty object is to be gained?-than to endure the

reproach of a wicked companion. Yes, the sinner is so ashamed of Christ, that he will do all this, rather than be pointed at by an enemy of God--a child of the devil-a worm of the dust. Some are so ashamed of Christ, that though God hath commanded, "Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord;" yet they dare not obey the command. Though forbidden to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, or to stand in the way of sinners, or to sit in the seat of the scornful; yet they dare do no other, than walk in their counsel, stand in their way, and sit in their seat. They dread the reproach of sinners far more than they do the displeasure of God. When Christ in his gospel invites them one way, and sinful companions another, they immediately begin to inquire, "If we listen to Christ and refuse to listen to them, what will they think? What will they say? Will they not be offended?" But how seldom do they inquire, what will angels-what will the Saviour-what will the omniscient God think?

Why is it, my hearers, that so many are ready to listen to the enticements of wicked companions, and yet profess a respect for religion. It is a fact, as clear as the noon-day sun, that they are far more afraid of offending the devil, or one of his children, than they are of offending the Saviour himself. Though other sinful causes may operate; yet with those whose consciences are at times alarmed, the principal difficulty in renouncing the world, is this; they are ashamed of Christ. And though the motives be ever so strongthough God has declared, that "the companion of fools shall be destroyed;" yet it makes no difference. Though the mercies of God, and the terrors of his

wrath be set in array before them; yet the passion of shame bears them away with the thoughtless multitude, down the broad road to ruin.

Again-Sinners are more ashamed of Christ, than they are of the vilest of characters. How many are ready cheerfully to celebrate the declaration of civil independence in concert with the thoughtless, and even the intemperate, and openly profane; who would be ashamed to unite with Christians around the table of their Lord, who died to emancipate the soul from the bondage of sin and Satan, and to purchase freedom from the pains of hell. With what cheerfulness. do thousands celebrate the birth-day of the hero and the statesman, who utterly disregard the dying injunction of the Saviour, "This do in remembrance of me." Hence it appears, that sinners are more ashamed of Christ, than they are of sin, or of sinners. So deeply rooted is this passion in the hearts of the young, that although they might march with courage up to the mouth of a cannon; yet they tremble and are afraid, when pointed at by the finger of scorn.

Many are so ashamed of Christ, that they will never attend in earnest to the concerns of their souls, though urged by all the motives which can be drawn from heaven, earth, and hell. More youth will, in all probability, lose their souls through the influence of this passion, than from any other cause whatever. They will continue to yield, and yield to its influence, until, at last, it may be said, that this, and that youth, were fairly shamed out of heaven.

And now, my hearers, would you see the sin as it is, think of the character of which the sinner is ashamed. Were it of a good man, merely, it would not be so crim

inal. Were it of his parents only, kind, tender and affectionate as they are, the crime would be small. Were it of the wisest and best man on earth, invested with all the honors of royalty, still the crime would be comparatively small. But it is of the Lord of glorythe Creator of the Universe, whom all the angels of God worship-of him "who is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his person"It is of him that the sinner is ashamed. Measure the crime, by the dignity of his character. Sinner, you are are ashamed of the God who made you!

But this is not all. compassion for sinners.

Think of his love-his boundless Think of your vileness-the number and aggravation of your sins; and yet the Saviour has laid down his life for you. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son❞—And what returns have you made for this unspeakable gift? You have been ashamed of him. Were you justly condemned to die by the laws of the state; and at the awful crisis, should some kind friend step forward and offer to die in your stead; and with his dying breath, request an affectionate remembrance; would not the bare mention of his name, bring tears into your eyes? But what has the Saviour done? Groaned and died under the weight of all your sins, to deliver you not from the momentary pangs of death; but from the fire that shall never be quenched. And what returns have you made? You have been ashamed of him. "Scarcely for a righteous man will one die." "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." How ungrateful to be ashamed of Christ!

Nor is this all. As though it were not enough to

lay down his life, he comes and knocks at your door. "Behold I stand at the door and knock"-And thus he has stood, pleading for admission, until his head is filled with the dew, and his locks with the drops of the night. And all the answer you have made, is, "go thy way for this time." "Depart from me, I desire not the knowledge of thy ways." You have shut the door against him, while wicked companions and sinful thoughts have ever met with a welcome reception. Let us consider

III. The consequences of this sin.

Those who are ashamed of Christ, are often led into the greatest inconsistencies of conduct. To avoid reproach, they often act against the convictions of conscience. Being ashamed of Christ, and yet ashamed to own it, they are led to act the part of a hypocrite. They wish to treat religion with respect, and at the same time, hold friendship with the world. But this is impossible. "No man can serve two masters." Such duplicity is often detected, and even now, brings with it double disgrace.

But this sin is threatened with a dreadful punishment hereafter. Consider the nature of the punishment. It will be retributive-the nature of the punishment answering to the nature of the crime-Shame rendered for shame. "Of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed."

By neglecting duty, and violating conscience, the sinner may, for the present, escape the reproaches of a sinful world. But all that disgrace which he now so much dreads, and thinks to avoid by shunning duty, will soon meet him with vengeance from another quarter. Every duty thus neglected, will ere long, bring