yourselves. You must consider, under all circumstances, how you may best advance the welfare of men's souls; and then act as in the sight of God, so as most to promote that great object. That is what Christ did, when he left the bosom of his Father, and died upon the cross : and in so doing you will fulfil those injunctions which he has given you ; " Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others •*:" and that also, in a few verses before the text, " Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth '."]
2. How you may best approve yourselves to the heart-searching God —
[The mode of conduct which we have recommended will, to superficial observers, lay you open to the charge of incon- sistency: for, if you will observe rites, or not observe them, according as others may stand affected towards them, you must of necessity appear to many to be. destitute of any fixed principle. But God sees the fixed principle which men cannot see ; and he will approve that which perhaps your fellow-creatures will condemn. But, for your conduct in circumstances of more than ordinary difficulty, I would suggest three rules ; which, though, when separately taken, they may be insufficient for your direction, will, when taken together, effectually preserve you from any material error. Ask your- selves three questions : What would an ungodly man do in my circumstances? That I will not do. Next, What ivould he agreeable to my own corrupt heart? That I will not do. Lastly, What would my Lord or the Apostle Paul do, in my circumstances 1 That I will do. Now I say again, that though no one of these, separately, will suffice, all of them together will prove an easy and a safe directory. It will be impossible for you greatly to err, if these questions be sin- cerely asked, and faithfully answered by you. If, in prose- cuting this line of conduct, you be misunderstood and blamed, then say, with the Apostle, " It is a small matter to me to be judged of you, or of man's judgment : yea, I judge not mine own self; but he that judgeth me is the Lord*^." Thus will you ensure the approbation of your God, and enjoy the testi- mony of your own conscience that you have pleased him.]
h Phil. ii. 4. * 1 Cor. x. 24. ^ i Cor. iv. .3, 4.
vor.. XVI.