ourselves with instruction; and a Ac. xviii. 1-4. good, and exercise authority. as.. you, in the rightful exercise of our calling. for.. you, even to Corinth. in.. Christ, "By comparing wh. we are commissioned to publish in every place. others, we may The danger of merit.-You have read who suffered the ostracism receive profit and at Athens; and what a pretty reason the country fellow offered they may be, in why he gave his voice for the banishment of Aristides, "because the very view of he was everywhere always called the Just;" and for what reason the their walking, a Ephori laid a fine on Agesilaus, "because he possessed, above all seasonable re- other men, the hearts of the Lacedæmonians." You have read proof of the carelessness, and re- the reason why the Ephesians expelled the best of their citizens, missness, and "Nemo de nobis unus excellat, sed si quis extiterit, alio in loco et extravagance of apud alios sit;" "If any are determined to excel their neighours."-Howe. bours, let them find another place to do it." You have read that "No communi- he who conquered Hannibal saw it necessary to retire from Rome, cation or gift can that the merit of others might be more noticed. My authors tell exhaust genius, me that "at all times nothing has been more dangerous among or impoverish charity." Lava- men than too illustrious a degree of merit." But, my readers, the terror of this envy must not intimidate you. I must press yon to do good; and be so far from affrighted at it, you shall rather be generously delighted with the most envious deplumations." ter. b C. Mather. terial labour the Church's 15, 16. not.. measure, we have not trespassed on the aid in minis- diocese of another. Ecclesiastical geography not then invented. that..labours, for wherever there is a soul astray fr. Christ, there is a work for a good man to do. hope, confidence. when a Ro. xv. 20; 1.. increased, and with it your liberality. enlarged, by your gifts enabled to prosecute our enterprise. rule, wh. binds believers to help forward Christ's cause. to.. beyond, as yet unreached by the Gospel. boast, take the credit of success. in.. hand," Churches already planted. Co. iii. 10. "A prudent use of wealth conduces to the practice of liberality, and insures the means for re The faithful minister's desires.-In reference to: I. Any Church which he may have planted. He will desire their growth in: 1. lieving others; Every grace; 2. Faith, more particularly. II. The whole world. he who parts 1. He will labour personally with all his might; 2. He will look with his money for the concurrence and aid of all his people. Application: (1) foolishly, makes it the prey to Improve your own privileges; (2) Extend those privileges to all around you. every one. Democritus. b C. Simeon, M.A. "The pleasure of the religious man is an easy and portable pleasure, such an one 88 he carries Zeal of Brainerd.-So earnest was the Rev. David Brainerd's devotion to his work among the poor Indians, that he had no idea of comfort apart from the desire of promoting their salvation. "The language of my heart," said he, " was, 'Here am I, Lord, send me; and send me to the ends of the earth, send me to the. rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort on earth; send me even to death itself, if it be but in Thy service, and to extend Thy kingdom.' At the about in his same time, I had as strong and lively a sense of the value of bosom, without worldly comforts as ever I had; only I saw them infinitely suralarming either the eye or the passed by the work of Christ's kingdom, and the propagation of envy of His Gospel. I will spend my life, to my latest breath, in caves and dens of the earth, if the kingdom of Christ may thereby be advanced." the world."-South. 17, 18. glorieth,a in any work he does. Lord, who gives him the work to do, by doing it in His way. not.. himself," by his own conscience, by wise men, or by his master. but.. commendeth, since His commendation is founded upon knowledge of the heart, and not upon appearances. с c Ro. ii. 29; 1 Co. goes arro& great length, Humility. Consider-I. Its character; II. Its importance. | 6 Pr. xxvii. 2. How the spirit of pride is condemned by Christ and His Apostles. -The foolishness of pride.—This—I. Supplies a new standard of iii. 13, 14; iv. 5; authority; II. Furnishes a new test of temper; III. Shows the Ma. xxv. 21. interest taken in those who unite humility to the faculties of men; d Brentius. IV. Points out as a folly and crime, what might have passed as a feature of manliness.e-The folly and pride of boasting.-I. e Dr. Parker. Whence self-approbation arises. From-1. The over-rating the "Man's quality of our actions; 2. The judging of them by an erroneous gance standard; 3. The ascribing them to a wrong cause; 4. The over- since the slightlooking of defects. II. Its folly and danger: 1. God will not est success eleregulate His judgment by ours; 2. Instead of sanctioning, He will vates him." reprove, our conceit. III. The most effectual antidotes: 1. Study Pliny. God's Holy Law; 2. Watch the motions of your hearts; 3. Bear "If we are inin mind the strict trial you will undergo on the day of judgment. different Meanness of boasting.-If I were a pupil of Titian, and he praise, we shall should design my picture, and sketch it for me, and look over my ble to censure." work every day, and make suggestions, and then, when I had ex--Zeno. hausted my skill, he should take the brush and give the finishing C. Simeon, M.A. touches, bringing out a part here and there, and making the whole glow with beauty, and then I should hang it upon the wall "The empty vesand call it mine, what a meanness it would be! When life is the sel makes the picture, and Christ is the Designer and Master, what greater meanness is it to allow all the excellences to be attributed to ourselves! 8 CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH. Ն C to also be insensi greatest sound." Shakspeare. g H. W. Beecher. 1-3. folly," of boasting. jealousy, for you are my children simplicity in the Lord. espoused, betrothed, adorned you for. chaste, that is in Christ true, pure, faithful. means, and his devices are numerous. subtilty, with a promise of wisdom. minds, filled with conceit. a 2 Co. xii. 11. simplicity, of life and belief. v. 25-27. The simplicity that is in Christ.-A simple-I. Submission to b Ho. ii. 19; Ep. God's authority; II. Reliance on Christ's merits; III. Moral character; IV. Style of living; V. Mode of worship.e-Christian | c Col. i. 28. simplicity.-I. Simple trust in God: 1. At all times; 2. In all d Ge. iii, 1, 4—6; places; 3. Under all circumstances. II. Simple obedience to Him: Re. xii. 9; Col. ii. 1. Prompt; 2. Unquestioning; 3. Cheerful. III. Simple love to 8; Ro. xvi. 17God. Affection leads to confidence and love. Application:-1. 19; Ga. v. 4; 1 Imitate this simplicity, that you may-(1) Be true disciples; (2) Be cheerful and happy; (3) Adorn the doctrine of Christ, and so commend religion to others. 2. Beware lest Satan beguile you from it. By-(1) Tempting you to a crooked course, as more pleasant and profitable; (2) Instilling fear into your mind; and alarming you with the consequences of an open Christian profession. Ti. iv. 1. e W. W. Wythe. All the heresies which have corrupted and af the flicted the sim plicity of Scrip- Christian simplicity.-The Rev. Mr. S- an eminent divine men's departing of the Church of England, happened to dine with several other from clergymen, in the house of a pious gentleman. After dinner, the conversation turned on the prevailing faults of professing Christians. Mr. S said, that one of the most obvious sins which those of them who are wealthy are apt to indulge in, is the keep- Clarke. ing too good tables; that various courses, expensive removes, and luxurious dishes, savoured too much of the world, had af The Hive. to it." a cure & return Dr. S. am not what I "I am not what tendency to draw away the heart from God, to cherish the desires I ought to be, I of the carnal mind, and to make people fond of what is unworthy wish to be, I am of a man's attention-good eating; and then, in his plain blunt not what I hope way, he added, "I cannot help saying, that the dinner we had to be; but, by to-day was not quite agreeable to my ideas of Christian simplithe grace of God, I am not what city." The hint was taken, and though Mr. S repeatedly I was."-John afterwards dined in the same house, he never once had occasion to repeat his remark. Newton. "Praise is not readily conceded to a man of genius unless he needs at the same time our indulgence for some great fault." Seneca. is deceived re 4-6._cometh, whoever he may, and whatever his pretensions. Jesus, Saviour. if.. spirit, as of pride or worldliness. Gospel, plan of Salvation. ye.. him, ironical. suppose, conclude. behind, inferior. the Apostles, as Peter, James, John. But if P. was not a whit behind these, what becomes of the supremacy of Peter? knowledge, esp. the knowledge suited to my office. manifest,d as a true Apostle. Paul and the false teachers.-I. His great modesty "I suppose:" 1. The Apostleship was an office of equal honour; 2. But some of the Apostles did more signal services than others, and Paul was one of these. II. Before whom it is that he compares himself with the chiefest Apostles ;-not before the true, but the false apostles. III. The objections which these raise against him. Pointed sermons.-A young minister once had the celebrated Andrew Fuller as a hearer. After service, both were invited to a neighbouring house for refreshment. The preacher, who evidently thought he had made no failure, was desirous to ascertain Mr. Fuller's opinion of his effort. The veteran divine seemed unwilling to be drawn out upon that subject, and for some time took no apparent notice of his younger brother's allusions and suggestions. "He who knows At length a remark was made of so inviting a character, as that not himself, and Mr. Fuller could not well avoid making some reply; and fastening specting his own his eye intently upon the young theologian, he said, "My brother, abilities, knows I gave close attention to your sermon, and tried to ascertain what no better how to you were after; what was your object?" Several years afteropinion of other wards, that preacher referred to Mr. Fuller's inquiry as a cutting men than he does reproof which he deeply felt, and which had the effect to change essentially the character of both his motives and his labours. He prepared his sermons with the question before him as to the end which he contemplated, and the consistency of that end with the design of the Christian ministry. form a correct to estimate him self."-Socrates. e W. Burkitt, M.A. he boasts of gratuitous labour a Ac. xviii. 3. c Ph. iv. 15, 16; e 1 Co. ix. 15. C no 7-10. offence ?a against my proper dignity and office? exalted?' to the dignity of sons of God? freely ? as a free gift? I.. churches, took their gifts for my support. service, while I was at Cor. preaching to you. wanted, necessities. I.. man, of your number. for.. supplied, though they were so poor. as.. me, and as needful to be spoken. Achaia, for none shall say that I preach for gain. Honest robbery.-I. Justify the expression-the Apostle received wages from the Macedonians, especially the Philippians (Phil. iv. 10, 14-16), for service in Corinth-the Macedonians were poor, the Corinthians rich. II. Justify the act-the Apostle had ministered to the spiritual necessities of the Philippians, and was in want-what he received from them was an expression of love to himself, to God's cause, to the Corinthians-it was acceptable to God, and abundantly compensated. our away, and our Practice of self-denial.-Panting after perfection, he (Dr. Judson) exertions talents dwindle strove to subdue every sinful habit and senseward tendency. Finding that for want of funds the Mission was languishing, he cast incompetency is into the treasury his patrimonial estate. Finding that his nicety ever on the inand love of neatness interfered with his labours among the filthy crease."--Tacitus. Karens, he sought to vanquish the repugnance by nursing those g Dr. T. Hamilsick of most loathsome diseases. Finding that his youthful love ton. of fame was not utterly extinguished, he threw into the fire his correspondence, including a letter of thanks he had received from "Religion finds the love of hapthe Governor-General of India, and every document which might piness and the contribute to his posthumous renown. And finding that his soul principle of duty still clave unto the earth, he took temporary leave of all his separated in us; friends, and retired into a hut on the edge of the jungle, and, its masterpiece subsisting on a little rice, for several weeks he gave himself en--is to reunite tirely to communion with God. them."-Vinet. and its mission 11-13. wherefore ?.. not ?a is it for lack of love that I hypocritical speak of the little support you gave me? knoweth, my motive teachers is far diff. occasion,' opportunity of fleecing you in imitation a 2 Co. vii. 3 of my example. they.. we, compelled to work for nothing. xii. 15. false," pretended, self-styled. workers, working deceitfully for selfish ends. themselves, for the sake of popularity, or lucre, or as the agents of persecution. b 1 Co. ix. 12. c Col. iv. 5. False apostles.-The desire to appear good considered in-I. Its nature; II. Its origin; III. Its moral character; IV. Its unavoid-d Ma. vii. 15, 16, 19; Ro. xvi. 18; able dangers.-False prophets and teachers.-They-I. Seek to 1 Jo. iv. 1. make a gain of men whose minds are simple and credulous; II. Seek influence for sordid purposes; III. Are self-revealing. Test doctrine by example. Give them time, and watch them closely, and their corruptness will be revealed. "In what does sist? In a good satisfaction con conscience, approvable pursuits, uprightness of conduct, ties of affection, uniformity of character, and unfavours or frowns of fortune.”— Seneca. concern about the Sinister motives of hypocrites.-See yonder eagle, how it mounts! Does it care for the ethereal blue, or aspire to commune with the stars of heaven? Not a whit; such airy considerations have no weight with the ravenous bird; and yet you will not wonder that it soars aloft when you remember that it thus obtains a broader range of vision, and so becomes the more able to provide for its nest. The bird mounts towards heaven, but it keeps its eye evermore upon the outlook for its prey. No celestial impulse is needed, its love of blood suffices to bear it aloft. It soars only that it maye Draseke. flash downwards with fell swoop upon the object of its desires. Wonder not that men with the hearts of devils yet mount like f Dr. Parker. angels: there is a reason which explains it all. 14, 15. marvel, considering their master. for.. himself, to suit his purpose. is.. light, assumes much holiness and kindness (ill. temptation of Christ, when he quoted Scrip.). ministers, servants doing his work. as.. righteousness, in appearance. end.. works, ruinous, etc. Pictures of Satan.-We remember hearing the late Bishop Villiers remarking on the dangerous tendency of those old pictures, so familiar to us all, and so often exhibited to children, in which Satan was represented as some grim, dark, ugly monster, the very sight of whom was terrible to behold. A broad-shouldered Scotchman, looking at Ary Schoeffer's painting of the "Temptation of the Lord," said, as he pointed to the figure of Satan, "If that chiel cam to me in sic an ugly shape, I think he wud hae a teuch job wi' me too." "I could not," adds John de Liefde, the narra g Spurgeon. a Ma. iv. 8-9; "No player hath so many several in upon the stage, as the devil hath tion; but he is forms of temptamost dangerous when he appears dresses to come in Samuel's mantle, and sil vers his foul tongue with fair language."-- Gur-tor of the incident, "help smiling, but I felt there was much truth in the remark." nall. glorying after the flesh a 2 Co. xii. 11. b Ma. xi. 29. c Ph. iii. 4. d1 Co. iv. 10. "Ridicule is the b a 16-19. fool, for boasting thus. that.. little, let me at least boast a little after the method of the false teacher. that.. Lord, do not charge Him with inciting to this. foolishly, of myself. seeing.. also, for even on their low ground I have somewhat to say. gladly, rejoicing in your superiority. Yet people should be more glad to find their teacher above them. wise, ironical. d Boasting. It is: I. Foolish-the boaster thinks to exalt himself-but men think him a fool. II. Unchristian-it is not after the Lord, who was meek and lowly-but pre-eminently selfish and devilish. III. Degrading--because a vulgar evil-many boast with which we after the flesh. IV. Only acceptable to fools-who listen gladly, may convince because they think themselves wise-wise men laugh and are him who obtusely filled with contempt.e and pertinacious surer weapon ly adheres to er ridicule corrects Vain boasting.-A favourite of Ptolemy, King of Egypt, had roneous opinions risen to so high a degree of honour, that he used to say he had in spite of reason; but two discontentments in this life: the first was, that he could better than re- grow no greater, so great was he already become; and the second, prehension." that the king, with all his revenues, seemed to him too poor to add any sensible increase to his. Not many days after this, the upstart was detected by Ptolemy in a treacherous intrigue, condemned to be hung before his own door, and all his effects confiscated.d -Horace. e J. Lyth, D.D. conduct of b Ga. iv. 9. c Ma. xxiii. 14; Ro. xvi. 18. instituted for 20, 21. for, as a proof of your wisdom. suffer, ye endure, put up with him. if..bondage," to yourselves, confirm you in wrong habits. devour, by illegal exactions. if.. you, Gk., catch you, as in a snare. if.. exalt,d to lord it over you. if.. face, insult you. I speak, etc. (ironically), "I feel that I am much letting myself down by the confession that I was too weak even to do any of these things among you." "Rulers seem to suppose that go- Description of the hypocrite.-He speaks, it may be, like an angel, vernments were but he hath a covetous eye, or the gain of unrighteousness in his their own exclu- hand; or the hand is white, but his heart is full of rottenness; sive benefit, and full of unmortified cares, a very oven of lust, a shop of pride, the they affect to re-seat of malice. It may be, like Nebuchadnezzar's image, he hath gard the fact that a golden head, a great deal of knowledge, but he hath feet of clay, society in gene- his affections are worldly, he minds earthly things, and his way ral was the ob- and walk are sensual and carnal; you may trace him in his secret ject, as merely an haunts, and his footsteps will be found in some bye-paths of sin. -J. Alleine. the happiness of absurd notion." -Plato. Paul's b 1 Co. xv. 10. • Ac. xx. 23. d1 Co. xv. 30, 31. 22, 23. are.. Hebrews? etc.,a even on their low ground P. proves his equality in descent, and his superiority in office. I.. more, superior in all by wh. a minister of Christ may be tested. labours, as a preacher. stripes.. measure, above all they have endured. frequent, than they. deaths, oft. exposed to death.a Paul's zeal.-Let us consider his labours, and take occasion toI. Place them more distinctly before you: 1. His sufferings; 2. His dangers; 3. His privations; 4. His cares. II. Suggest such considerations as obviously arise from them: 1. The incalculable value of the soul; 2. The vast importance of the Gospel; "I begin to see that religion con3. The spirit with which alone men should enter on the minissists not so much terial office; 4. The proper influence of redeeming love. e C. Simeon, M.A. |
