mind for all of us is, that of the Centurion and his friends : " Now we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God™. " If we come to God " poor and hungry, we shall be filled with good things : but if we come rich and full, we shall surely be sent empty away"." " Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him."]
2. Moderation of sentiment —
[We must guard against running to extremes ; or so em- bracing any subject, as to be unwilling to weigh what is to be said against it. I do not mean by this, that we should run into scepticism, or involve ourselves in controversy ; but that we should so hold our own sentiments, as to conceive that others who differ from us may have a measure of truth on their side as well as we. We should doubtless form our own opinions on all things that come fairly before us : but we should concede the same liberty to others ; and be as willing that others should walk according to the dictates of their consciences, as we of ours. Had this disposition reigned in the apostolic Churches, how happily might those of different sentiments have lived together ! But *' the weak would judge the strong; and the strong would despise the weak°." Had each made due allowance for the other, God had been honoured, and peace preserved.]
3. Tenderness of deportment —
[Lovely is that rule which the Apostle has laid down, in his Epistle to the Romans ; " Him that is weak in the faith, receive you ; but not to doubtful disputations p." How happy would it be, if this rule were more generally observed! But the evil is, that almost every one is ready to insist on his own peculiarities, and to make them a ground of controversy and division. Surely it were far better to live under the influence of love ; and to leave matters of minor consideration to the judgment of every individual. Doubtless, about things of primary and vital importance, we must both maintain our own opinions, and inculcate them on others, with a holy zeal; according as it is written, " Ye should contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered to the saints'^." But even in this we should be careful always to "speak the truth in love;" and be studious only to " win the souls" of men, and not to proselyte them to a party. We may " have all the knowledge of men or angels ; but it will profit us nothing if it be not under the influence of love^" " Knowledge may puff us up ; but it is charitv alone that edif^eth^"]
"1 Acts X. ,3;3. " Luke i. 53. " Rom. xiv. 2, 3.
V Rom. xiv. 1. a Jude, ver. 3. <■ 1 Cor. xiii. 1,2. » ver. 1.