2 COKINTHIANS CHAP. IV, \'ER. 15. 469
in their affections, and strengthened in their aims. They have poor aims and ends of their own. And in their aflcctious they ho straitened ; they cannot love, nor long after good things, yea, they he straitened to their own in all things. Ho is within his own circumference, within his own term ; his terminus redndivus is himself. He reduccth all to himself, and seeks himself in all things. He thinks not that he doth sin, but he doth, for it is impossible any but a Christian should seek the good of others as they should ; but as soon as [he isj a Christian, the Spirit of God maketh the heart public to seek the good of others. And the more Spirit of Christ, the more they seek the good of others ; and they that be greatest in heaven are the greatest servants. Christ is greatest in heaven, and who was more made a servant ? He became a curse to make us blessed : poor to make us rich. As he was the greatest servant that died for others, so they that be the greatest next to him have learned self-denial.
Not they that heap up great states, and are put into great places, but they that have public minds and public spirits, that seek the good of others, and abase themselves for the good of others, such as Paul is here, ' All is for you, and for your sake.'
I beseech you, therefore, make this use of it ; learn of so excellent an apostle as Saint Paul was, to hare large affections and piihlic alms and ends. Labour to discern of your conditions and states by this, that you have tho Spirit of Christ in you ; because to do good to others you can deny your- selves. ' All things are for your sake.'
This should teach us likewise to hare honoiirahleand hirfh esteems of God's people. Are they such whom Christ gave himself for, and made himself of no reputation and power for ? Are they such as heaven and earth serve, and shall we despise them ? Are they God's darlings, as dear to him as the apple of his eye ? Are they the jewels, as the Scripture sets them out in such excellent terms ? Are they his friends ? are they his heirs and fellow-heirs with Christ ? Are they such as the Holy Scriptures sets them down ? Are ' all things for their sakes ?' and shall not we have honourable esteems of them ? Let this rectify our conceits of them, that they be not worthy to live in the world, when indeed the world is not worthy of them, ' All things are for your sake.' Suppose they have nothing in possession, yet in use and service all things serve them to bring them to heaven, and direct them for their good.
They are here as princes in a strange country, that must be honoured for their father's sake, and for their country's sake. They shall be great men when they come home ; and therefore howsoever the world valueth and esteemeth them, when we see any price of grace and of the Spirit of God, think that these be yours, for the present all things be theirs. Oh but how great will they be ? These shall be Christ's, not the world's ; these shall sit and judge the world ; they shall judge me, if I be not a Christian, ere long. Now, therefore, let me take heed how I despise one of Christ's little ones, how I debase such a one that is so great in God's esteem, for whose sake the world stands ; and let this respect to them evidence to us that have another spirit than the world hath, that we know another Christ.
And again, let it comfort God's jx'.ople, ivho have some testimony that they are his, in their losses, in their crosses, in their misusaye in the icorld. Let them consider, are they so to God, are they so to Christ ? .Oh no ! Let them labour therefore for a spirit of patience and courage to go through good reports, bad reports ; good usage, bad usage ; for the worst thing that befalls them hath a command to do them good. ' Do the young man
470 COMMENTARY ON
no harm,' saitli David of Absalom, 2 Sam. xviii. 5, And so all things have a cimimaiul to do God's people no harm. Kings have a prohibition : ' Touch not mine anointed,' Ps. cv. 15. There is a prohibition given that no hurt shall bo done. They may kill them, but not hurt them ; imprison them, but not hurt them ; they may wrong them, but not hurt them ; that is, they cannot hinder their everlasting good, they cannot take away their Christ, their comfort, their peace, or touch them in their names ; but oftentimes, against their wills, do them most good when they think to do them most harm. And therefore, I beseech you, labour for a spirit of comfort, considering all things are for our sakes, if we be Christ's.
I have been something long in the point, but it is comfortable and useful. I will now haste to that which folio w(!th.