d 1 Co. x. 33. e 1 Co. iv. 5; Col. i. 24; Phi. ii. 17; 2 Ti. ii. 10; 1 Th. ii. 8; Jo. x. 11. though.. loved, he will love on and ever, though the result be so unnatural. The duty of ministers.-We may learn from this declarationI seek not yours, but you:" I. The paramount duty of ministers. A minister must seek-1. Not his own advantage. He must not "Men think they desire-(1) The favour, (2) The riches, of the men. 2. The adonly buy what they part with vantage only of his flock. Their-(1) Conversion to God; (2) money for; and Progressive edification in faith and love; (3) Final salvation. II. for those The corresponding duty of the people: 1. To seek above all things things which they pay them- the salvation of their own souls; 2. To improve the ministry with selves their all diligence.S have for nothing, souls-for, these Much money and little work.-Mr. Fletcher accepted the living they think they of Madeley in preference to another of more than double the value, which was offered him about the same time; his previous intercourse with the people having excited within him an affection which would not suffer him to be separated from them, and which remained unabated till his death. The circumstances connected as if the man ture is, that a any kind whatever. If you want knowledge, you One f C. Simeon, M.A. with his appointment were remarkable and characteristic. "The law of Na-day Mr. Hill informed him that the living of Dunham, in Cheshire, certain quantity then vacant, was at his service. "The parish," he continued, "is of work is neces- small, the duty light, the income good (£400 per annum), and it sary to produce is situated in a fine healthy sporting country." After thanking a certain quan- Mr. Hill most cordially for his kindness, Mr. Fletcher added, tity of good of "Alas! sir, Dunham will not suit me: there is too much money and too little labour." "Few clergymen make such objections," said Mr. Hill; "it is a pity to decline such a living, as I do not know that I can find you another. What shall we do? Would you like Madeley?" "That, sir, would be the very place for me." My object, Mr. Fletcher," rejoined Mr. Hill, "is to make you comfortable in your own way. If you prefer Madeley, I shall find no difficulty in persuading the present vicar to exchange it for Dunham, which is worth more than twice as much." In this way he became vicar of Madeley, with which he was so perfectly satisfied, that he never afterwards sought honour or preferment. must toil for it; if food, you must toil for it; and, if pleasure, you must toil for it." -Ruskin. catching with guile a 2 Co. vii. 2; i. 12; Ma. v. 11. a 16-18. crafty, I had a purpose in not demanding maintenance. guile, I designed to lay you under obligation to Christ, whose servant I am. did, etc., he challenges the reply. I desired, etc., our messengers, also, were animated by the same spirit of self-denial. I made no gain of you.-Although the preachers of the Gospel do not work with their own hands as Paul, but live by the altar, exercise of guile, yet this word remains for them as a principle. They ought to fest disavowal of show themselves earnest for God: I. In self-denying activity, it. It is an irony. which imports much more than necessary official duties; II. In perfect freedom from avarice.c that it is a mani The Apostle does not describe what had actually been his conduct, but that of which he stood accused by the Corinthian teachers."-A. Caught with guile.-Mr. Robert Aitkin, a bookseller of Philadelphia, was the first person who printed a Bible in that city. While he kept a bookstore, a person called on him, and inquired if he had Paine's Age of Reason for sale. He told him he had not; but having entered into conversation with him, and found that he was an infidel, he told him he had a better book than c Williger. Paine's Age of Reason, which he usually sold for a dollar, but "As Minerva is would lend it to him, if he would promise to read it; and after said to have put he had actually read it, if he did not think it worth a dollar, he a golden bridle would take it again. The man consented; and Mr. Aitkin put a that he should Bible into his hands. He smiled when he found what book he Fuller. upon Pegasus, had engaged to read; but said he would perform his engagement. He did so; and when he had finished the perusal, he came back, and expressed the deepest gratitude for Mr. Aitkin's recommendation of the book, saying it had made him what he was not before -a happy man; for he had found in it the way of salvation through Christ. Mr. Aitkin rejoiced in the event, and had the satisfaction of knowing that this reader of the Bible, from that day to the end of his life, supported the character of a consistent Christian, and died with a hope full of immortality. a not fly too fast; so our Christian discretion must put a golden bridle upon our Pegasus, that is, our zeal, lest, if it be unbridled, it make us run out of course." Cawdray. b 2 Co. xiii. 2-10. 19-21. excuse.. you? by sending Titus; and by taking all things nothing? I am not admitting absence of right. but.. edi- are done for fying, wh. we seek bef. our own interests. fear, aft. all I edification hope and have said. you.. would, not quite reformed. I..a 1 Co. x. 33. not, your wrong views of me not quite corrected. lest. tumults, I fear also lest these things should yet exist. lest, this also I fear. my.. you, by showing me how almost in vain I have laboured. and that, etc., notwithstanding all my confident boasting on your account. Crime in the Church.-I. The disorders and crimes that were found in the Church at Corinth. II. The manner in which Paul treats this: 1. He does not separate himself from them; 2. He does not persuade any others to leave them. Although the Church was full of crime, yet they were free from that which makes a separation from God, namely, heresy in doctrine, idolatry in worship.d or a c1 Co. v. 1; Ro. "Give me the tion of faults not but it is, at the same time, worse than unprofit able."-Arnold. d W. Burkitt. Effect of preaching.--Fra Rocco, a Dominican, preached celebrated penitential sermon on one occasion; when all the audience were in terror, and fell on their knees, showing every sign of contrition. Then he cried, "All who are truly penitent, hold up your hands!" Every man in the vast multitude held up e E. P. Hood. his hand. Then he said, "Holy Archangel Michael, thou who standest with adamantine sword at the judgment-seat of God, cut me off every hand which has been held up hypocritically." Every hand dropped. CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH. 1-3. third time (xii. 14). word, that I have heard to your discredit. established,a to the confusion of those who have sinned; and of others who still suffered them. I. . spare,' proper reproof and punishment. since.. me, the true proof, which they overlooked, being their existence as a Church. which.. you,d the Word of Christ was mighty in them, in convincing of sin and inciting to a new life. The Gospel witnesses.-I. The points of difference among the Apostles: 1. How they may be reconciled; 2. How they evidence the truth of the Gospel. II. Their points of agreement. They agree upon all points of: 1. Doctrine; 2. Teaching concerning the main outlines of the Christian character: (1) Its chief characteristics-love, resignation, composure of mind; (2) Its duties almsgiving, self-denial, prayer, and praise. A test of preaching.--When Massillon preached at Versailles, Louis XIV. paid the following most expressive tribute to the power of his eloquence: "Father, when I hear others preach, I have somebody he that laughs at am very well pleased with them: when I hear you, I am disme to-day will satisfied with myself." The first time he preached his sermon on to laugh at him the small number of the elect, the whole audience were, at a to-morrow."- certain part of it, seized with such violent emotion, that almost every person half rose from his seat, as if to shake off the horror of being one of the cast-out into everlasting darkness. Seneca. f Percy Anec. weakness and power of Christ 4. weakness, of that human nature wh. He assumed. he .. God, wh. raised Him fr. the dead and clothed Him with authority, etc. we.. him, our weakness partakes of the nature a Ph. ii. 7, 8; 1 of His. We are liable to persecution, death. but.. him, our new life is originated and sustained by our risen Lord. by. c 2 Co. iv. 10-12. you, our authority shall be manifested by the power of God accompanying us. Pe. iii. 18. b Ep. i. 19, 20. d 2 Co. x. 3, 4. Odyssey, we may Christ's death and resurrection.-I. His death an expression of "So that, in the weakness-actual as respects His humanity-apparent in the estiliken Homer with mation of men-voluntary in the presence of law. II. His resurjustice to the set-rection a display of power-He rose in power-reigns in powerting sun, whose lives in the power of His Word.e glory, indeed, still remains, though A preacher learns by communion with God.—It is related that the excessive one of his hearers once asked, "How is it that Mr. Bramwell always heat of his beams has something that is new to tell us when he preaches?" Why," said the person interrogated, "you see Brother Bramwell lives so near the gates of heaven that he hears a great many things that we don't get near enough to hear anything about."f has abated." Longinus. e J. Lyth, D.D. f C. H. Spurgeon. self-examination 66 5, 6. For the proof that ye seek of Christ speaking in me, examine, try, search. yourselves, heart, life. faith, i.e., a Ga. vi. 3, 4; 1 of the Gospel,-of true Christian men. prove.. selves, let the proof rest with your own characters. know..selves? the first and chief thing for any man to know. The Cors. prided themselves on their knowledge of Grecian philosophy. reprobates ? those whose experience and conduct are not suf. to prove the presence of Christ. trust.. know, etc., but very clearly be persuaded of the contrary. iii. 40; Ps. lxxvii. c1 Jo. iii. 24; Ga. ii. 20; Jo. xiv. 23; xv. 4, 5; Ep. iii. 17; Col. i. 27; Ga. iv. 19. "Know thyself." -Thales. "All our knowledge is our | Self-examination.-I. Its necessity. lation to the grand law of judgment. selves then? We all stand in some re- II. Its objects. To know if: 1. We are in the selves to know." faith; 2. Christ is in us. III. Its correct and salutary perform-Pope. "That ance. Self-examination : 1. Should not expend its chief exercise saying, 'know thyself,' has this on mere external conduct; 2. Should be exercised on a principle meaning, that you of independence of the opinions of others; 3. Should avail itself get acquainted of all circumstances which may aid in self-revelation; 4. Should with your own not disregard slight symptoms; 5. Should combine together many what you are able matters of indication and proof; 6. Must beware of making some to accomplish." doctrinal point its great test; 7. Should be powerfully enforced -Menander. by doubt or uncertainty." abilities, and with Reprobate, one prove. who cannot stand Need of daily examination.-Seneca tells of a Roman that kept proof, or trial. L. his soul as clean as the best housewife keeps her house; every reprobo- atum; night sweeping out the dust, and washing all the vessels, examinre, back; and ing his own soul: "What infirmity hast thou healed? What probo, to try or fault hast thou done, and not repented? In what degree art thou bettered?" Then he would lie down, exclaiming, "With how "Every man has welcome sleep, and how quiet rest, do I entertain the night!" in himself a continent of undis- It were to be wished that all men would do the like, keep a daycovered charac- book of all their actions and transactions with the world; comter. Happy is he mune with their own hearts; sum up the words and works of the d J. Foster. day passed with an Omnia bene! as churchwardens were wont to do when they gave up their presentments: then would their night's rest be quiet, and they lie down in safety; for God Himself would keep them." C who acts the own soul." -J. we are weak, d La. iii. 33; He. 7-10. that.. evil,a but live without sin. not. . approved, not for our sake. that.. honest, for honesty's sake. though ..reprobates, whatever ye think of us. do.. truth, not to serve any party or personal interest. but.. truth, whatever the result. weak, to punish. strong, mighty in virtue. perfection, restoration. sharpness, severity. The weakness of scepticism.-The essential truth of Chris-xii. 10. tianity never-I. Has been really denied: 1. The authenticity of the Scriptures; 2. The consequent truth of religion. II. Can be denied. Notice the doctrines of-1. Future life; 2. Retribution; 3. Supernaturalness; 4. Mediatorship; 5. Regeneration; 6. Mysteriousness; 7. Prayer; 8. The Trinity; 9. Faith; 10. Christian perfection. "Well, e Ep. vi. 10, 11; 1 Jo. ii. 14. f Macknight; cf. Alford. Ep. iv. 11-13; Col. i. 28; 2 Ti. located member to right place in body; to restore and make things whole which have been broken. Hence fitly app. to this Church. Franklin. On this Whately. i Tit. i. 13; Re.iii. 19. The earl and the farmer.-A farmer called on the Earl Fitz-iii. 16, 17. william, to represent that his crop of wheat had been seriously h The Gk. sig, to injured in a field adjoining a certain wood, where his lordship's reduce a dishounds had, during the winter, frequently met to hunt. He stated that the young wheat had been so cut up and destroyed, that, in some parts, he could not hope for any produce. my friend," said his lordship, "I am aware that we have frequently met in that field, and that we have done considerable injury; and if you can procure an estimate of the loss you have sustained, I will repay you." The farmer replied, that, anticipat- "Honesty is the ing his lordship's consideration and kindness, he had requested best policy." a friend to assist him in estimating the damage, and they thought maxim it is well that as the crop seemed quite destroyed, £50 would not more said, "But he who than repay him. The earl immediately gave him the money. acts on that prinAs the harvest, however, approached, the wheat grew, and in ciple is not an honest man." those parts of the field which were most trampled the corn was strongest and most luxuriant. The farmer went again to his lordship, and being introduced, said, "I am come, my lord, respecting the field of wheat adjoining such a wood." His lordship immediately recollected the circumstance. "Well, my friend, did not I allow you sufficient to remunerate you for your loss?" a 'Yes, my lord, I find that I have sustained no loss at all, for where the horses had most cut up the land, the crop is most promising, and I have, therefore, brought the £50 back again." "Ah," exclaimed the venerable earl, "this is what I like; this is as it should be between man and man." He then entered into conversation with the farmer, asking him some mischief.” — W. questions about his family-how many children he had, etc. His Irving. lordship then went into another room, and returning, presented & Dr. Thomas. the farmer with a check for £100, saying, "Take care of this, and Dr. Cary, surwhen your eldest son is of age, present it to him, and tell him the rounded by his occasion that produced it." We know not which to admire-the voluminous works, gave the benevolence or the wisdom displayed by this illustrious man; for secret of his sucwhile doing a noble act of generosity, he was handing down a cess thus: "I can lesson of integrity to another generation. plod." 66 b "With every exertion, the best of men can do but moderate amount of good; but it seems in the power of the most contempt ible individual to do incalculable 11-14. farewella [on Salutations, iii. 143], Gk., "may you last words rejoice!" i.e., in the Lord. perfect, be restored; i.e., by re-a Eng. "May you pentance. comfort, take comfort. be.. mind, be united in fare well." "A -yet-farewell." sound which opinion. peace, with God and ea. other. and.. you, but not makes us linger, otherwise. kiss [iii. 380]. saints, in the place where the Ep. was written. grace, favour, mercy. love.. God," manifested and felt. communion, fellowship, active communication, "wh. has come to you Gentiles, and wh. produces harmony [an admirable testimony to the Holy Trinity].' -Byron. b"Amend your selves."-Stanley. Pe. iii. 8. d 1 Jo. iv. 7—12. h Ro. v. 5; Jude 39. i Jo. iv. 14; vii. 37-39; xiv. 1618; Ro. viii. 9, 14 -17; 1 Co. iv. 19. k Bengel. 1 Rev. W. Clarke. m T. Adams. laer. "To live in a The pastor's farewell.-Let us consider the farewell in-I. The explanation it involves. The hallowed ties between a pastor and his flock are not hastily to be severed; but a minister may be justified in dissolving them by—1. The claims of his family; 2. The prospect of a more extensive usefulness; 3. The leadings of Providence. II. The recollections it revives. Recollections concerning the ministry in which he has been engaged. III. The desires it excites. The faithful pastor desires-1. Your spiritual advancement; 2. Your Christian usefulness; 3. Your final salvation. IV. The admonitions it suggests. Be-I. "Perfect;" 2. 20, 21; Ro. viii." Of good comfort; " 3. "Of one mind, and live in peace."-The city of peace.-I. Its walls-unity-concord. II. The gates: 1. Innocence; 2. Patience; 3. Beneficence; 4. Recompense or satisfaction; 5. Humility-the little postern. III. Its enemieshostility without-mutiny within. IV. The governor-God, who possesses supreme authority. V. The law-the law of Christ. VI. The palace-the temple where God is worshipped. VII. The river-prosperity. VIII. The life of the citizens-love. IX. The city's general state-universal felicity. X. The inherin Dr. Van Reusse-tance-eternal glory.m-Unity, peace, and bliss.-I. Unity—" be of one mind." With regard to-1. Doctrines, which are the family where glory of revelation; 2. Views of Christian experience; 3. Christthere is but one ian duty. II. Peace-" live in peace: 1. Its nature-love to heart, and as our brethren in Christ, and good-will to all; 2. The obligations to manygood strong it; 3. Its manifestations. In reference to-(1) Our own; (2) heads as persons, Other churches. III. Blessedness" the God of love and peace place in that en- shall be with you." To bless His Church: 1. By His Holy larged single Spirit; 2. In His providence; 3. With salvation in His glory." heart, is such a state of happiA good prayer.-Mr. Venn was on a visit at the house of a ness as I cannot very intimate friend, where a lady of great piety was ill of a danhear of without gerous and exquisitely painful disorder. The physician who feeling the utmost pleasure." attended her, one day observed to Mr. Venn, that he was quite at -Fielding. a loss to explain how she was enabled to bear such a severity of "It is with suffering, as he well knew attended her complaint, with so much Christians as tranquillity, and so little symptom of murmuring and restlessness. with burning" Can you account for it, sir?" added he. "Sir," said Mr. coals. If these Venn," that lady happily possesses what you and I ought to pray apart, one after for-the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the the other is easily fellowship of the Holy Ghost."-Close communion.-The nearer extinguished; the moon draweth into conjunction with the sun, the brighter but, when collected together, she shines towards the heavens and the earth; so, the nearer the the fire of one soul draws into communion with Jesus Christ, the comelier it is preserves that of in the eye of the Spouse, and the blacker it appears in the sight the other, and the glowing coals of the world. He that is a precious Christian to the Lord is a often ignite precious puritan to the world; he that is glorious to a heavenly that lie saint is odious to an earthly spirit. But it is a sign thou art an Egyptian, when that cloud which is a light to an Israelite is darkness to thee. It is a sign thou movest in a terrestrial orb, when thou seest no lustre in such celestial lights. and to have a are scattered far others near."-Francke. |
