But benevolence soon triumphed, and formed, III. The ultimate decision of his mind —
[Whether God made any revelation to him on the subject, or he inferred the purposes of God from the effects of divine grace operating on his soul, we know not : but he knew that he should abide and continue with the Church for some time longer; and he cordially acquiesced in this appointment. His mind was instantly assimilated to the mind and will of God : and he was willing to bear more, that he might do more ; and to postpone his own enjoyment even of heaven itself, that he might bring others to enjoy it with him.
Blessed disposition of mind ! how honourable to the Chris- tian character ! how worthy to be imitated by all who name the name of Christ ! Yes ; thus should we all " seek not our own things, but the things of Jesus Christ ;" and " not our own wealth, but the wealth of others " ]
This subject furnishes abundant matter,
1. For painful reflection —
[How few are there, even of the people of God, who attain to this heavenly state of mind ! As for the ignorant ungodly world, they are indeed often reduced to a strait, not knowing whether it is better to protract their miserable existence on earth, or to terminate it at once by some act of suicide. And if they choose life rather than death, it is not from love to God and to their fellow-creatures, but from the fear of that vengeance which awaits them on their departure hence. Ah ! terrible dilemma ! yet how common ! The people of God, it is true, are, for the most part, far enough removed from this. What they may for a moment be brought to, under some extraordinary weight of trial and temptation, we presume not to say : for Job, that holy and perfect man, has sufficiently shewn us what is in the human heart. But peace and joy are the usual attendants on a state of acceptance with God : and it is the believer's own fault, if he possess not such foretastes of heaven, as to make him long for death, as the door of entrance into perfect bliss. O my brethren, why is not this your state ? Is it not owing to your retaining too much the love of this world in your hearts ? Is it not owing to secret declensions from God, and to your not meditating sufficiently on the glories of heaven ? Let me entreat you to gird up the loins of your mind, to take continual surveys of your future inheritance, and so to live in habitual fellowship with Christ, that death may be disarmed of its sting, and be numbered by you amongst your richest treasures0.]
<•■ 1 Cor. iii. 21,-22.