right and wrong; wherein cherubim, seraphim, angel and archangel cry to
Him for ever, not merely Mighty, mighty, mighty, but "Holy, holy, holy."
How awful to poor creatures like us. For then comes in the question--not
merely is God good? but, am not I bad? Is God sinless? but, am not I a
sinner? Is God pure? but am not I impure? Is God wise? then am not I a
fool? And when once that thought has crossed our minds, must we not
tremble, must we not say with Isaiah of old, "Woe is me! for I am undone;
because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people
of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts."

Yes; awful as is the thought of God's perfection in the material world
about us, more awful still is the thought of His perfection in the
spiritual world. So awful, that we might well be overwhelmed with dread
and horror at the sight of God's righteousness and our sinfulness; were
it not for the gracious message of revelation that tells us, that God,
the Father of heaven, is OUR Father likewise, who so loved us that He
gave for us His only begotten, God the Son; that for His sake our sins
might be freely forgiven us; that God the Son is our Atonement, our
Redeemer, our King, our Intercessor, our Example, our Saviour in life and
death; and God the Holy Ghost, our Comforter, our Guide, our Inspirer,
who will give to our souls the eternal life which will never perish, even
as He gives to our bodies the mortal life which must perish.

On the mercy and the love of the ever blessed Trinity, shown forth in
Christ upon His cross, we can cast ourselves with all our sins; we can
cry to Him, and not in vain, for forgiveness and for sanctification; for
a clean heart and a right spirit; and that we may become holy and humble
men of heart. We can join our feeble praises to that hymn of praise
which goes up for ever to God from suns and stars, clouds and showers,
beasts and birds, and every living thing, giving Him thanks for ever for
His great glory. O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; praise
Him and magnify Him for ever. O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless
ye the Lord; praise Him and magnify Him for ever.

SERMON XVII. LOVE OF GOD AND MAN

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

Eversley. Chester Cathedral, 1872.

1 John iv. 16, 21. "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth
in God, and God in him. . . . And this commandment have