often, in cold and nakedness8." But what effect did they produce on him ? Was he deterred by them from following the Lord? No: " None of these things move me," says he, " neither count I my life dear unto me, so that I may but finish my course with joyh." And is this the spirit that obtains amongst us? Alas! alas! if we were called to en- dure but a twentieth part of his difficulties, it is much to be feared that the generality amongst us would utterly faint and fail ; and, like John Mark, would turn back from the service of our God1.]
2. Of zeal for God- fin persons redeemed by the blood of God's only dear
Son, one might expect that there should be one constant inquiry, " What shall I render to my Lord ? " and that the performance of one service should be regarded only as an introduction to another. Laborious as was the Apostle Paul, he never thought that he had done any thing, as long as any thing remained for him to do. " Like a racer in his course, he forgot what was behind, and reached forward to that which was before." Whatever the service was to which he was called, " he conferred not with flesh and blood," and said im- mediately, " Here am I; send mek." But how little of this ardour do we see in the great mass of professing Christians ! The advancement of Christ's kingdom appears to them a matter too remote to engage their attention ; and they cloke their own indifference under the specious garb of conscious inability.]
3. Of love to man —
[This was particularly in the mind of the Apostle as a very chief ground of his censure : " I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state." A concern for the welfare of men's souls was scarcely found amongst them, especially such a tender concern as a person feels for the wel- fare of his dearest relative1. Were we to behold one who was dear to us in imminent danger, we should feel acutely for him : but we see millions perishing in their sins, and yet lay it not to heart, and are scarcely more grieved about them than if we had reason to believe them in a state pf perfect safety. Far different is the manner in which we regard our own things. If we were doomed to suffer the loss but of a finger only, it would press with considerable weight upon our minds : but we can behold persons, on every side of us, going down to perdition, without making any serious effort to deliver them.]
e 2 Cor. xi. 23—27. h Acts xx. 24.
1 Acts xiii. 13. and xv. 38. k Isai. vi. 8. > yvr)oiioe.