How amiable and praiseworthy was this heavenly disposition !
[Certainly the love of Christ in dying for us, infinitely exceeds all that ever was manifested by any human being. But, next to Christ, St. Paul seems to have most abounded in love to man. He was indeed a very bright resemblance of his Divine Master. And what a world would this be, if all were actuated by the same spirit and temper! Even those who cultivate least of this spirit themselves, must confess, that
a Rom. xi. 5. b 2 Thess. ii. 13. <= Rom. ix. 1—3.
d Gal. vi. 10. ^ 2 Cor. xi. 23—28. ^ Acts xx. 24.
s Col. i. 24. 1' 2 Cor. xii. 15. '1 Thess. ii. 8. k Phil. ii. 17.
the universal prevalence of it w^ould make a very heaven upon earth.]
But the Apostle's regard to the elect was not a mere carnal affection, as we shall see, if we consider,
II. The end he aimed at on their behalf —
The happiness provided for the elect, is exceeding great and glorious —
[For them is reserved " salvation," even salvation from sin and Satan, death and hell. It is, moreover, a salvation " with o-lory ;" not a mere exemption from punishment, but an unspeakable felicity in the immediate vision and fruition of their God. Nor is it ever to come to an end : its duration will continue as long as the soul itself shall exist. To crown the whole, it is a salvation in Christ Jesus, not merely as it is purchased by his blood (though that will infinitely enhance its value) but as it is treasured up in him, and shall be enjoyed in and through him, as the one medium of its communication for ever and ever.]
That they might obtain this, was the great object of his desires, the one scope of his labours —
[He had no doubt at all respecting his own salvation ^ But could he be content to go to heaven alone? No; he would gladly have drawn all he could along with him'". It was for this end that he became all things to all men": and to this he looked forward as his joy, his hope, his crown of rejoicing". There was not one weak, but he sympathized with him ; not one turned aside, but he burned with an ardent desire to restore him p. To such a degi'ee was his soul bound up in the welfare of the elect, that he could say, " Now I live, if ye stand fast in the Lord :" nor did any thing appear too great for him either to do, or suffer, provided he might be instrumental in accomplishing this blessed end^.]
Infer —
1. What reason have most professors of rehgion to be ashamed of their attainments !
[Beyond a doubt, the Apostle's spirit ought to be the spirit of all Christians'. But how little of it is seen in the Cln-istian Church ! How many are there who are ready to " bite and devour one another," instead of being willing to lay down their lives for each other! And how little self-denial is
1 2 Cor. V. 1. ™ So the church. Cant. i. 4.
" I Cor. ix. 22. ° 1 Thess.ii. 19. P 2 Cor. xi. 29.
1 1 Thess. iii. 7—9. ' 1 John iii. 16.
2247.1 EQUITY OF god's PROCEDURE. ^9
there even in the best of us ! How little will we do, or suffer, either for the temporal or spiritual welfare of our brethren ! Lfct us blush at our want of love ; and labour henceforth to benefit the bodies, and more especially to save the souls, of all around us.]
2. How infatuated are they who have no concern for their own souls !
[Wherefore was Paul so earnest for the salvation of others, but because he knew somewhat of the value of a soul ? He knew its happiness, if saved ; and its misery, if lost. Shall another then be more concerned for us, than we for ourselves ? Shall another be ready to do and suffer all things for us, and we be unwilling to do or suffer any thing for our own good ? Let us remember, that no present gratifications can compensate for the loss of salvation ; and that eternal glory will infinitely over-balance all that can be endured in the pursuit of it.]