Book I.] a treatise of self-dental. 293
and expense of spirit, and it is an advantage to us, as well as benefit to them, that we have an occasion to go to God. David, you know, fasted for his enemies, Ps. xxv, and Abraham prayed for Sodom ; but alas ! few are nowadays touched Avith the miseries of others. If we be free from trouble, we care not what others suffer. Now the apostle saith, Hel). xiii. 3, ' Eemember them that are in bonds, as bound with them ; and them which suffer adversities, as being yourselves also in the body.' We that are at liberty, must not forget them that are in bonds, but esteem them as oui- own, till God set them free. Canst thou be a member, and not be affected ? The children of God, when they have been in a flourishing condition themselves, have always laid to heart the miseries of others of God's children that have been in a suf- fering condition. Nehemiah was a favourite at court, the king's cup- bearer, yet he is sensible of the affliction of his country, chap. i. And Daniel, a great prince in Babylon, yet how affectionately doth he plead with God for Sion : we are to implead their case with God, though we are never so well. (2.) Another way is by counsel. Thou art not to suffer sin upon thy brother, no more than upon thy own soul, for every man is made his brother's guardian and keeper : Heb. iii. 13, ' Exhort one another daily while it is called to-day, lest you be hardened tlirough the deceitfulness of sin.' Take heed not only lest you yourselves, but lest any of your body and society be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. It is true, we have charge and trust enough of ourselves, but yet God hath laid this duty upon us too, therefore we should bo much in spiritual counsel, though we spend ourselves, and be spent ; it is a great part of self-denial, that is required of us. John iv., Jesus Christ was weary, yet he treats with the woman of Samaria about conversion. (3.) This love is to be manifested by sensible acts of charity and relief. You had need be much in this, for Christ takes notice of it as done to himself If Christ lay languishing upon his bed, we all pretend we would go and visit him. 'What you do to these little ones, you do to me,' saith Christ. He tries the young man by that, Mark x. 31, ' Go, sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor.' It is the doctrine of self-denial to the young man, as if self-denial and giving to the poor were terms equivalent. I press it the rather because men love a cheap religion, pretend to pray for others, but yet stick at those costly acts of charity ; can give good words and counsel, but will not relieve and clothe; but we cannot satisfy God with mere words, as you cannot pay debts with the noise of money ; there must be some real bounty, by which you should ap- prove your heart to God. It is the main thing Christ taketh notice of in the day of judgment.
3. When in acts of charily to others men only regard tlieir own re- lations and friends. This is but a natural love, because relations and friends, they are but self-multiplied, and dilated, and ' If you only love them that love you, what reward have you ? ' Mat. v. 4G. Who will give you thanks for this ; for the mere motion of nature. But it is according to the pattern, when you can ' love enemies,' and love those that wrong you. Christ loved us when we were his enemies, and chikh-en of wrath ; and when we had oflended God, he loved us, and gave his soul as a propitiation for our sins. Therefore you are not
294 A TREATISE OP SELF-DENIAL. [BoOK I.
only to love your own relations and allies, but enemies may come in as your neighbour, Luke x. 29. It is a higli prerogative to be a forgiver. Therefore let us not lose this crown of honour. Let us try which will be most weary, they in offending, or we in pardoning. Secondly, It reproves self-seekers. And here —
1. They are guilty that seek their private benefit, though it be with the public loss : that make a prey and merchandise of the calamity of the times ; that trouble the water, that they may fish in it ; that feather their own nests with public spoils ; set an house on fire to roast theii eggs : set on foot innovations to promote themselves. Men had need look to themselves in such cases. We read, Nehem. v. 14, though by the allowance of the king of Persia, Nehemiah had a standing course of diet allowed for him and his friends, yet, saith he, * I took not the bread of the governor.' We should not carve out such large portions to ourselves, in times of distress and calamity. We see Joseph had a gi'eat trust in Egypt, yet he had made no provision for himself. There- fore it is the glory of a man in a public place rather to depart from his own right, than to make a merchandise of the times, and a prey of his brethren.