THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST.
UPON this ground was the offence taken by the Jews against our Saviour. They had great worldly expectations respecting his advent; and he, by the intentional absence of parade and pretension utterly disappointed them. A more unassuming and unambitious being never lived. "For, I am meek and lowly in mind" was the expressive language with which he designated his person and policy. The character of Jesus of Nazareth was a simple one. For, though it was a mysterious combination of humanity and divinity, yet it was that combination and nothing more. His habit was simple, and the account of his birth and death is a simple story. The same feature marks the style of language and order of illustration adopted by our Saviour, to communicate his instructions. Simple is the delineation he gave for the being and worship of God. Simple, the sacraments of perpetual obligation he instituted. Simple, the terms of salvation he published. Simple the precepts of universal observance he established. And simple the doctrines he promulgated. For, while these doctrines are confessedly mysterious and hard to be understood in all their connexions and bearings, yet, as mere matters to be credited, they are unqualifiedly simple. "The simplicity that is in Christ," is, as a theme of reflection, fruitful of practical thoughts—such as these! Are deep and learned sermons, delivered with a great flourish of oratory, most in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel! Is the superbly elegant style of architecture in our cities really becoming! What consistency is there in church members patterning after the extravagant portion of the world in house-building, furniture, equipage and dress? What more common stone of stumbling, with the educated classes, than pride of intellect? Being converted and becoming as little children, is not without reason so strenuously insisted upon in the scriptures. Complexity in the forms of religious worship and the mode of ecclesiastical government, cannot be allowed to commend that sect as a model one. Doing penance is certainly not a scriptural ordinance. The artifices practised in the scheme of "new measures," do not bear the tone and temper of our holy religion.—Central Pres.