2. His zeal —
[The glory of God was that which was uppermost in the mind of Moses : and if that might but be advanced, he was quite indifferent whether his own honour were eclipsed or not. He well knew, that these two men " could have nothing ex- cept it were given them from above11; and that if God had
f Mark ix. 38. s Lev. xix. 17.
h This was John's answer ; Mark ix. 39.
conferred on them the gift of prophecy, he would overrule the exercise of it for his own glory. Instead therefore of wishing to repress it in them, he would have been glad if every person in the camp had possessed it. What a noble spirit was this ! how worthy of universal imitation ! It was precisely thus that St. Paul rejoiced, when " Christ was preached of contention." He knew the motives of the preachers to be bad ; but he knew that God would render their ministrations subservient to the increase of the Redeemer's kingdom: and therefore, however their conduct might affect his influence, he did, and would, rejoice1. Thus, beloved, should we be glad to see the Re- deemer's interests advanced, whoever be the instruments, and whatever be the means. This consideration should be para- mount to every other; and we should say, with John, " Let me, and my party, decrease, so that Christ and his kingdom may but increase V]
3. His love —
[Moses had no desire to engross or monopolize the gifts of Heaven. As Paul said to his bitterest persecutors, " I would to God that all who hear me this day were both almost and al- together such as lam, except these bonds1," so did Moses wish all the people of Israel to have the Spirit of the Lord imparted to them, as much as he himself had. The more they were benefited, the more would his happiness be increased. This is that very disposition which St. Paul himself exercised"1, and which he inculcates on us, when he says, " Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others11." In fact, this is that principle, which, more than any other, counteracts the baneful influence of envy ; " Charity envieth not0." Let universal love reign in our hearts, and, instead of envying any of our brethren, we shall be willing rather to "lay down our lives for themp."]
To improve this subject, we would recommend to you two things ;
1. Examine well your own principles —
[Do not hastily conclude that your principles are right, even though you do not know that they are wrong ; but search and try your ways, and maintain a godly jealousy over your own hearts. The Apostles themselves, on more occasions than one, " knew not what spirit they were of." Who amongst us does not see the blindness of others in relation to their principles ? Pride, and ostentation, and vanity, and envy, and malice, and a
1 Phil. i. 15—18. * John hi. 30. i Acts xxvi. 29.
m 1 Cor. iv. 9. n Phil. ii.4. »1 Cor. xiii. 4.
P 1 John hi. 16.