say, " I am ignorant : I am sinful : I, as a female, am un- authorized to speak." Though every one is not authorized to preach, every one, in his own proper circle, is bound to declare what God has done for his soul : and if every one would exert himself as this woman did, especially in bringing others to the means of grace, that they may hear for them- selves, we should see conversions far more numerous, and blessings far more widely diffused through the world. The lepers of Samaria, when they found plenty in the deserted camp of the Syrians, said, They did not well to keep the glad tidings to themselves. And can we, after having found salva- tion, do well in keeping it to ourselves? No: we should in- vite others to participate the blessings we enjoy; and, being converted ourselves, should do all in our power to strengthen and to save our brethren f.]
f Luke xxii. 32,
Christ's diligence in serving god.
John iv. 34. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
OUR blessed Lord, throughout his whole life, was the most illustrious pattern of condescension to man and of fidelity to God. Both these dispositions were eminently displayed in the history before us. Not- withstanding he was already exhausted with a long and fatiguing journey, he had been labouring for the salvation of a most abandoned adulteress : and when urged to intermit his exertions for a little while in order to recruit his strength by some necessary re- freshment, he declared, that food was not so delight- ful to a famished body, as the prosecuting of the great ends of his ministry was to his soul.
From his words we shall take occasion to, I. Consider our Lord's example —
Jesus, in his human and mediatorial capacity, was the Father's servant. And the work assigned him was, to reveal in a more perfect manner the will of Gnd, and to save mankind bv his own obedience unto death.
1020. J Christ's diligence in serving god. 307
In this work he engaged,
1. With fervent affection —
[Nothing could exceed, the delight with which he under- took the arduous taska: nothing the zeal with which he accom- plished itb. Whether we view his private addresses to Godc, or his public ministrations among mend, we shall see that in him was that prophecy accomplished, " The zeal of thine house hath eaten me upe."]
2. With indefatigable diligence —
[From the commencement of his ministry to the end of it not a day was unemployed. Frequently, after having la- boured all the day, he spent the night in prayer, and resumed his labours with the returning light. Like the sun in the firmament, he proceeded in one steady course through all the cities, towns, and villages ; nor ever ceased from his work, till he could say, " It is finished."]
3. With undaunted resolution —
[What " continual opposition" did he endure! He was truly " a sign spoken against," or a butt of contradiction f. There was not any thing however perverse, scandalous, or con- temptuous, but his ears were assailed with it from day to day. From the very first discourse he uttered till the hour of his crucifixion, his enemies never ceased to seek his lifeg. Yet did he "persevere in the face of every danger, and at last complete his obedience, by surrendering up his life upon the cross.]
That we may profit from this great example, we will, II. Propose it for your imitation —
We also have a work to do for God —
[Our work is great ; but O! how different from that which was committed to our Lord ! We have not to satisfy the demands of justice, or to endure the wrath due to sin : blessed be God ! that was the Redeemer's work ; and it has been finished by him on our behalf. The work which we have to do is to believe in Christh, and, from a sense of his love to us, to devote ourselves unreservedly to his service1.]