SERMON XXIX. 401' of itou, that are christians, suffer as an evil-doer, or as a busy body in, outer men's nzattevs. _ He himself once fell under thecen- sure of Christ our Lord, for this inquisitive and needless eurio- -sity. John xxi. 21, 22. When St. Peter had received a üro-, phecy from his master concerning his own martyrdom, he had: also an express noticewhat his own business was, viz: to follow his master. But Peterhad a mind to know what should become of John too ; " Lord, says he, and what shall this man do or sutler ?_ What if I will, says our blessed Lord,. that he-tarry till Z come again?.lf'hat is that to thee? Is.that thy business, Peter, to knowwhat shall befal John ? Mind thyown duty, and follow thou me; A wise and divine rebuke from our risen Saviour ! After this, St. Peter Well knew how to censure such ímperti- nence, and to reprove busy- bodies. Of the same mind is the apostle Paul. He advises women how to behave themselves, that they may net fall under this charge. Let themguide the house, says he, and employ themselves in domestic affairs : for if they neglect this work, they learnto be idle, wandering, about from house to house; andnot only idle, but tattlers also, and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not; gatheringup matter for slander of their neighbours at their next visit, where everyone is ashamed to be silent, and therefore each is ready to furnish thecompany with their share. But this practice, in the opinion of the sacred writer furnishes the adver- sary with daily occasion to slander christianity, and tospeak re- proaclfùlly of the gospel, and it is a thing of very ill fame; 1 Tim. v. 13, 14. II. A public spirit is another thing ofgood report. Though christians must be diligent in their business, yet they should not confine all their cares within the narrowcircleof self, but have a- hearty solicitude for the welfare ofthe nation in which they dwell, for the neighbours among whom they inhabit, for the church of Christ in the world, and extend their concern to the happiness of mankind : The apostle directs Timothy to make supplications, praljers, and intercessiomìsfor all men, and to take such a satisfac- tion in the mercies they receive, as to give thanks to God upon their account; 1 Tim. ii.'1. He exhorts the Ephesians toprayer and supplication for all the saints Eph. vi. I8. And what he taught, he also practised in an eminent and glorious manner; the rare of all the churches came daily upon him: And you find him in the beginning of his epistles lifting up his petitions and his praises to heaven continually for the churches to whom he writes. We should rejoice with them that rejoice, andweep with them that weep, and share withour fellow-christians in their joys and nd3
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