of friendship; a man may have a friend more valuable to him in the day of adversity than any earthly relative. The idea is not that a friend sticketh closer than an unworthy brother-there is no such intimation in the words; but the Holy Spirit designed to teach us, through the medium of these words, the value of a Savior. He, in an eminent degree, is the friend referred to in the text, and to him I shall now attempt to direct the attention of this audience-to that Savior who left the realms of glory on our behalf; who endured the cross, despising the shame, and who is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
I. The character of Jesus as "a friend."
1. He is a true and sincere friend. Sincerity is generally esteemed a quality highly valuable in the character of a friend. Some make professions of friendship, who are not so at heart. But Jesus is a reliable friend. He manifested his love, not in words only, but in deeds, and deeds the most amazing and wonderful. If you question his love, witness his condescension-"He who thought it not robbery to be equal with God, made himself of no reputation," &c. If you question his love, witness his blood, witness his groans, witness his death; the Lord of life dies for rebel man! O, what love! Sinner, will you despise this friend any longer? can you continue to abuse that Savior who shed his blood for you?
2. He is a kind friend-infinitely kind and tenderhearted; never was compassion manifested like his. "In all their afflictions (referring to the Jewish church) he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them,
