Let it not however be imagined that this woe attaches only to the opulent: for the lower classes of society are equally obnoxious to the same condemnation ; whilst, with less refine- ment indeed, but not an atom less of sensuality, they gratify themselves with those indulgences which every public-house supplies. I forbear to specify their enjoyments with the same minuteness as the prophet does the gratifications of the rich: but your own minds will present you with a detail of the accompaniments of carousals amongst the poor, and of the gratifications wherein they consume their time, their property, their health, their souls.]
3. Of selfish apathy —
[Swallowed up with their vain amusements, the Jews "were not grieved for the affliction of Joseph0." They laid not to heart the miseries of others; nor considered either from whom the judgments had come, or for what cause they had been inflicted. " The harp and the viol, the tabret and the pipe, and wine, were in their feasts ; but they regarded not the work of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands p." And this constitutes a very essential part of that wickedness, which a state of self-indulgent ease invariably brings with it. None feel so little for others, or for the Church of God, as those who are immersed in worldly pleasures. The chief butler, when restored to his office in Pharaoh's household, forgat the in- terests of the suffering Joseph; as all in prosperity are but too apt to do : so that it is well said by the apostle, " She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she livethV In truth, such persons are dead to all holy feelings, whether towards God or man. But this is a state of grievous criminality. We ought all of us to consider ourselves as members of one body, and to have the same care one for another, every member participating in both the joys and sorrows of all the restr. We should all be able to make to God the very same appeal as Job did: "Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? and was not my soul grieved for the poors?" But in a more especial manner ought we to be concerned for the souls of men : and when we view the lamentable condition of Jews or Gentiles, or of the souls of nominal Christians, without pity and compassion, we may well tremble, as obnoxious to the displeasure of our God, as being most unreasonably and un- mercifully " at ease in Zion." If we would have any evidence that we are right with God, we must be able, like St. Paul, to appeal to the all-seeing God, that for our perishing brethren,
0 ver. 6. p Isai. v. 12,
q Gen. xl. 23. and Esth. iii. 13, 15. with 1 Tim. v. 6.
r 1 Cor. xii. 25, 26. s Job xxx. 25.