for " if there be in us a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not : " but if we have not, let us not deceive ourselves with vain hopes ; for, " as unprofitable servants, we shall be cast into outer dark- ness, where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth."]
2. In reference to the occasion before us —
[The charity for which we plead has a near affinity with
that described in our text" We call upon you then to
assist it, by personal exertions, if you can, but at all events by liberal contributions. What would you do if Christ himself were now pi'esent, and soliciting your assistance? Would you send him away unpitied and unrelieved? Would you not rather vie with each other, who should be most forward, and most liberal in his relief? Know then that he is present, and will accept at your hands whatever you do for him. Know also, that the harvest which you will reap shall be proportioned to the seed you sow°.]
" The particular objects of the Charity should be here stated.
o 2 Cor. ix. 0.
Matt. xxvi. 24. It had been good for that man if he had not
been born.
" KNOWN unto God are all his works, from the foundation of the world." But the fore-ordination of God does not in any degree affect the responsibility of man. Man is altogether a free agent, in every thing that he does, whether it be good or evil. The Spirit of God may move him ; or Satan may tempt him : but he does nothincj without the concurrence of his own will. Hence, when St. Peter tells the Jews that our blessed Lord was " delivered up to death by the determinate counsel and fore-knowledge of God," he still fixes the guilt of his death on them ; saying, " Him ye have taken, and with wicked hands have crucified and slain ^" So, in the passage before us, our blessed Lord speaks to the same effect. It had been written of him, "■ Mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, hath lift up his heel against me**." And, in reference to this
» Acts ii. 23. ^ Compare ver. 28. with Ps. xli. 9.