1 COR. vii. 18-24.--"Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman; likewise also he that is called being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man wherein he is called therein abide with God." 156 SERMON XIV. Preached January 11, 1852. MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY. 1 COR. vii. 29-31.--"But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep as though they wept not; and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away." 169 SERMON XV. Preached January 11, 1852. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH A FAMILY. EPH. iii. 14, 15.--"Our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named." 181 SERMON XVI. Preached January 25, 1852. THE LAW OF CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE. 1 COR. viii. 7-13.--"Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some, with conscience of the idol, unto this hour, eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat are we the better; neither if we eat not are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge, sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren and wound their weak conscience ye sin against Christ. Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." 196 SERMON XVII. Preached May 16, 1852. VICTORY OVER DEATH. 1 COR. xv. 56, 57.--"The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 212 SERMON XVIII. Preached June 20, 1852. MAN'S GREATNESS AND GOD'S GREATNESS.