4. To exert ourselves in bringing others to a par- ticipation of the benefits which we enjoy —
[" Our light is not to be put under a bed, or under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that all around us may receive the benefit." The importance of this in relation to the bless- ings of civilization is generally acknowledged : and is it less
ni 1 Cor. iv. 7. "2 Cor. v. 5. ° Ezek. xvi. 5, 6.
P 1 John iii. 1. ^ Ps. ciii. 1 — 3.
' 1 Pet. ii. 9. the Greek. « 2 Cor. vi. 14—18.
t Phil. ii. 14, 1'). This passage must be particularly marked.
important in reference to the blessings of salvation? Let every one of us then say with the Church of old, " Draw me, and we will come after thee ;" that is, if God draw me, I will not come alone, but will draw all I can along with me. If men despise our efforts, and shew an utter disregard of the blessings which we hold out to them, let it only stir us up to augmented zeal, and plead with us the more powerfully to exert ourselves the more in their behalf. Let us expostulate with them, as the prophet does, " Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." And then, if they requite your labours only with hatred and persecution, determine through grace, that you " will gladly spend and be spent for them, though the more abundantly you love them, the less you be loved."]