XV. Philipp. ii. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. THE Christian religion is throughout a plan of happiness, calculated as well for this world as the next. In the next world we believe this grand scheme of felicity takes place without interruption. But in this world it meets with much opposition, as may be expected, both from the natural depravity of mankind, and the unavoidable circumstances of a state of trial. Thus much, however, may with truth be asserted, that the more we practise the precepts of the Gospel, the greater sum of happiness will be produced. One might run over them all, and show how each hath a tendency to promote peace and happiness among mankind; but I shall at present only consider the precept of the text look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. The common maxim among men now is, for every man to look after his own things, knowing that if he do not look after them himself, nobody else will. But if all men lived by the precept before us, our affairs would always be in better hands than in our own. On every emergency, a number of people would be ready instantly to assist us, and would give us more effectual assistance than we could give ourselves. We have an image of this kind of benevolence in the early state of Christianity, when the multitude that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them, that aught of the things which he possessed were his own. Of course it followed, as we read farther, that there was none among them that lacked. A state of equality among pious Christians would certainly be a state of the greatest happiness on earth: but as the world is now constituted, it would be a state of the greatest misery. XVI. Mark, xii. 37. The common people heard him gladly: IT is surprising that all people did not hear him gladly. But prejudice and vice are deaf: they refuse to hear even the voice of the charmer'; wisdom is no charmer in their ears. This subject might be treated by considering what qualities are required to hear the Gospel gladly and what are the chief obstacles which prevent its being so heard. The conclusion might be drawn up in the form of a consolation to the common people. z 4 XVII. Rom. vii. 24. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. IN this passage is held out the great contrast between the voice of Nature and the voice of Grace. Nature begins with lamentable complaints. I feel myself subject to a variety of wayward passions and appetites, which are continually misleading me; and I live in a world which abounds with objects suited to them. Every sense hath its gratification; and every gratification leads to sin. I resolve one day, and fail the next. I am overwhelmed with iniquity. Wherever I look, I see the gloom of misery, nowhere the beam of hope. If there be a righ - teous teous Ruler, and a state of retribution, what have I to expect but eternal perdition! O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? To these despairing moans of Nature, Christianity graciously replies, I will deliver you. Take refuge under the promises of the gospel. Taste and see, how gracious the Lord is. The gospel will teach you how you came into this miserable state. The Gospel will shew you the remedy which God hath provided to deliver you from it. It will furnish you with motives, and with assistance also, to calm your passions, and moderate your love for the world. It will show you the necessity of repentance. It will grant you pardon for your sins, through the death of It will teach you how to die and conduct you after death to everlasting happiness. a Saviour. In this view of things, nature revives, and breaks into a song of praise. I am satisfiedI am happy-I thank my God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! |