480 CHRISTIAN MORALITY', VIZ. 'DRAM. XXIX. blessed sympathy. RM. xii. 15. "'We should bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ," Gal. vi. 2. And in 1 Cor. x. 24. he saith, " Let no man seekhis own, but every man another's wealth, or wel- fare ;" that is, " Let no man be so wholly swallowed up in his own profit and peace, as utterly to neglect the peace and profit of his neighbour." But though this be so honourable and becoming a practice, yet it has ever been too much neglected, even among the professors of the gospel; for St. Paul tells the Philippians, that Timo- thywas a singular instance of this good quality; Phil. íi. 20, 21. I have no man like minded, who will natu- rally care for your state; for all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Some may be ready to raise an objectionhere, and say, " How is this consistent with the former character and practice which I recommended, namely, that every man mind his own business?" I grant that this ought generally to be our first care, that we fulfil the duties of our own particular station well, and see to it, that ourselves and our household be. sup- ported : This is usually the loudest call of providence, for he that provides not for those of his own house, when it is in his power, does not answer the demands of chris- tianity, but is worse than an infidel, or one that has de- nied the faith, 1 Tim. v. 8. But there are many sacred and civil services may be done for the neighbour- hood, the church, and the nation, without any culpable hinderance to our own affairs. So much time may be easily redeemed from sloth and slumber, from useless and impertinent conversation, as the public may call for at our hands. And when there is a day of distress or trouble come upon our friends, upon the landwherein we dwell, or the churches of Christ in the world, when virtue and religion are in sinking circumstances, we are called sometimes to layout a larger part of our time and strength, our interest and our substance, for the welfare of the public, which otherwise perhaps might be due to ourselves, and our own family. In such cases as these, christian prudence must direct us how to distinguish wisely, and determine how far this self-denial is to be exercised, in order to promote the happiness of man-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=