themselves like a poor publican, but that they may justly expect from God some peculiar favour on account of their own inherent righteousness. This was the habit of the Apostle's mind, previous to his conversion ; and it is that which is at this day the greatest obstacle to the conversion of thousands. Even spiritual gifts, too, are often, through the suggestions of our great adversaiy, made occasions of self-preference and self-complacency ; when every sentiment which the Gospel contains has a direct tendency to humble us in the dust.]
But modesty and sobriety should, under all cir- cumstances, regulate our self-esteem —
[We are all members of one body: and, whatever gifts we possess, they are bestowed by God for the good of the whole. The kind and measure of them are determined by the Donor himself; and the person possessing them has no more right to pride himself upon them, than the eye or ear has to arrogate to itself any merit above the hand or foot. All that any man has to do, is, to improve his talents for the good of the whole, precisely as the various members of our body do. The eye sees not for itself; nor does the ear hear for itself; nor does the hand or foot consult its own exclusive welfare in its motions and acts. So we, " having gifts differ- ing according to the grace that is given to us," must employ them all for the ends for which they have been bestowed. Whether our gift be of a higher or lower order, we are not to concern ourselves about that, either in a way of self-eleva- tion or of self-depression ; but we must diligently, according to our ability, improve it, to the glory of God, and the edifica- tion of his Church and people.]
To every one of you, therefore, I address the cau- tion in our text —
[There is no one who does not need it : there is no one who has not occasion for it : there is no one who has not, in his own conceit at least, something whereof to glory, and something which gives him an ideal superiority over others of his own rank, and age, and circumstances. But, in all, pride is alike hateful, and alike unreasonable : for, granting that we do differ from others, " what have we that we have not re- ceived ? And, if we have received it, how absurd is it to glory as if we had not received itd!"]
But that this caution may be laid to heart, I will proceed to point out,
II. The importance of it —
d 1 Cor. iv. 7.