would begin to envy us, and to wish to be partakers of our blessings. But, if they see that we are as covetous and worldly-minded, as lewd and sensual, as proud and vindictive, and, in short, as corrupt in all respects as the very heathen, shall we not prove a stumbling-block, rather than an help, to them ? And what if, whilst we ought all to be uniting with one heart and one soul in the blessed work of lead- ing them to Christ, they should find amongst us an utter indifference to their salvation ? Yea, what if they behold amongst us some (some too of whom we might hope better things) to whom the exertions of their brethren are rather a matter of offence than of joy ; some whose endeavour is rather to frustrate, than advance, our benevolent labours ? What if they behold some who, instead of labouring with us to provoke them to jealousy, are themselves provoked to an ungodly jealousy against us, on account of our exertions ; and who, like Tobiah and Sanballat of old, " are grieved that we have undertaken to seek the welfare of Israel0?" Will not our Jewish bre- thren take advantage of this ? Will they not impute this to our religion ? If they see us thus worldly, or thus malignant, will they not judge of our principles by our practice ; and, instead of envying us our pri- vileges and attainments, will they not be ready to glory over us, and to thank God they are not Chris- tians ? Oh, Brethren ! we little think what guilt we contract, while practising such abominations. It is said of many, that they are no person's enemy but their own : but this is not true ; they are enemies to all around them, whom they vitiate by their example ; they are enemies to the Jews, whom they harden in their infidelity ; and they are enemies to the heathen, whom they teach to abhor the Christian name. But let it not be so amongst us ; let us remember that to us is committed the blessed task of bringing back to God's fold his wandering, yet beloved, people. Nor let us despair of success ; " for, if we were cut out of the olive-tree which is wild by nature, and
c Neh. ii. 10.