" wrong or defraud us in any matter :" we should wish to find in all his dealings the strictest integrity. Such then should be our conduct in all our intercourse with him. We should take a lively interest in whatever relates to him, and rather suffer wrong ourselves, than commit the smallest trespass upon himb
We should extend our concern also to his character. We are extremely hurt if others take up prejudices against us, and listen to vague reports, and even by true representations lower us needlessly in the estimation of our fellow-creatures. We should therefore be candid in the construction which we put upon his actions ; and be ever ready to cast a veil over his infirmities0: we should " hope and believe all" the good of him that circumstances will admit of d
We should consult as much as possible his peace and happi- ness. There are innumerable ways in which others may grieve us without speaking any thing false, or doing any thing pal- pably unjust : and there are many ways in which they may promote the comfort of our minds. And there is no one who would not wish to see a benevolent disposition exercised to- wards him. Such then is the spirit which we should maintain towards others: we should seek our happiness in making others happy ; and if necessitated to grieve them for their good, we should feel no rest in our own minds till it was restored to theirs e ]
2. In relation to his spiritual welfare —
[Men, it is true, have but too little concern about their own souls : and therefore we must speak of the self-love that ought to exist within them, rather than of that which actually does exist. Suppose then a number of persons to be sensible of the value of their souls, and to be earnestly desirous of obtain- ing mercy ; would they not wish that one, whom they thought capable of instructing them, should labour to promote their eternal interests ? Would they not wish that he should cheer- fully endure reproach, or indeed even risk his own life, in order to effect their everlasting salvation? Such then is the concern we should express for the salvation of others ; we should " greatly long after them in the bowels of Christ f;" we should " gladly spend and be spent for them, even though the more we loved them the less we were loved g :" if we had a prospect of being " offered upon the sacrifice and service of their faith, we should consider it rather as a ground of congratulation and joy h," than of sorrow and condolence : yea, we should actualty, if called to it, " lay down our lives for the brethren1."
b 1 Cor. vi. 7. c 1 Pet. iv. 8. d 1 Cor. xiii. 7.
e 2 Cor. ii. 2. ' Phil. i. 8. e 2 Cor. xii. 15.
h Phil. ii. 17. j 1 John iii. 16.