Apostle Paul acted : he accounted not his life dear to him : on the contrary, if called to lay it down fur his brethren, he regarded it as an occasion, not of grief, but of joy'. Ah! brethren, see how much you have acquired of that spirit ; and how much you possess of " the mind that was in Christ Jesus, who, when possessed of all the glory and felicity of heaven, emptied himself of it all for you ; and for your benefit became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross"." Self has by nature wholly occupied your minds. The proper effect of the Gospel is, to root out that hateful quality, and to fill your souls with love both to God and man. Let this, then, serve you as a test whereby to try your state ; and assure yourselves, brethren, that a work of grace is no further wrought within you than this great change is accomplished.]
2. In selecting our companions and friends — [St. Paul guards you particularly on this head : " Men will be lovers of their own selves .... from such turn AWAY^." So say I, my brethren: ^' From such turn mv ay.'' You can get no good from such men ; nor can you hope to do any good to them : and your whole intercourse with them will be productive only of pain. As Solomon says, " Make no friendship with an angry man, lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy souU ;" so I would say in reference to a selfish man. He only will be a source of comfort and benefit to you, who is divested of self, and who lives for God, and lays himself out for the good of man. That is an honourable character, worthy to be esteemed ; and an useful character, from whom you may hope to derive much benefit ; and a blessed character, with whom you may hope to spend a happy eternity. If thou find such an one, take him to thy bosom : and congratulate thyself, that, in this poor vain world, God has raised up to thee such a treasure as this, that may well be dear to thee even as thine own soul.]
t Phil. ii. 17, 18. " Phil. ii. 5—8.
X ver. 5. y Prov. xxii. 24, 25.