2. Towards our Brethren of the Church in parti- cular—
[There is an especial duty towards those who are united to the Church of Christ: "We are to do good unto all men, but especially unto them that are of the household of faith.'* We owe to them a pre-eminent degree of love, because ihey are so near to us, and because they are so dear to God, and more especially because there is such an identity oj^ interest hetiveen Christ and them. They are our Brethren in a higher sense than others, being children of the same heavenly Father, and heirs of the same glorious inheritance. From all eternity have they been objects of God's electing love ; and now, the monu- ments of his grace, the very temples in which he deigns to dwell. Every one of them is a member of Christ's mystical body, yea, " one spirit with him :" so that whatever we do for them, we do for Christ himself, as much as if he were per- sonally present with us, and the visible object of our atten- tions. What love then do we not owe to these P I hesitate not to say, that our very life should be of small estimation with us in comparison of their welfare; and that martyrdom itself, if endured for the benefit of their souls, ought not to be VOL. xr. s an
2riS 1 joiix, rri. 16. [118T.
an object of dread, so much as of desire and joyful self- congratulation. ^^'e see this love in Aquila and Priscilla^ and in l'4niphroditus also'"; but more especially in the apostle Paul, who was contented to be "hi deaj^is oft" for the benefit of tiie Church, and who, in the near expectation of martyr- dom, could say, " If I be offered upon the sacrifice and ser- vice of your faith, I joy and rejoice Avith you all',"]
For the further improvement of the subject,
1 . Let us contemplate our obligations —
[The love of God, which ought to be ever uppermost in onr minds, alas ! how light an impression does it make upon us ! Even the mystery of the incarnation of God's only dear Son, and of " his laying down his life for us," is heard with- out any emotion, and regarded v.ith little more concern, than if it were only " a cunningly-devised fable." ^Miat shall I say then. Brethren ? Must tliere not be something essentially wrong, where such insensibility exists? are we not ashamed ? are we not confounded, when we consider the state of our souls in this respect ? Let us rise to a sense of our duty. Let us view our obligations to Almighty God : let us dwell upon them night and day : and let us never rest till our whole souls go forth in love to him, who has loved us, and given himself for us.]
2. Let ns address ourselves to our duties —
[jMethinks, the duty of love should be no burthen to us : it is in itself most delightful ; and brings always its own re- ward along with it. Let us then exercise it in all its branches. Let every disposition contrary to love be mortified and sub- dued : all envy, liatred, malice, wrath, uncharitableness, let it all be banished from our hearts ; and let the love which hopeth all things, belleveth all things, endureth all things, be the one reigning principle in our souls.
Let this principle too be brought into activity for the benefit of all mankind. Our time, our talents, our property, our very life, let it all be consecrated to the Lord for the glory of his name, and for the welfare of his Church and people. Let us not be indulging vain excuses, and saying, ' This will require sacrifices, which I am imAvilling to make : ihnt will require abilities, which I do not possess.' What sa- crifice is there beyond that of Kfe ? Even that it is our duty to make for the worhl and for the Cluu'ch; and therefore every subordinate sacrifice should be of no account. And as for talents and abilities, if only we will use those which we have, God Avill glorify himself by them, and render them