1104- CHRISTIAN MORALITY. their sorrows, that we may thereby double their joys, and lighten the weight of their sorrows by a blessed sympathy. Rom. xii. 15. We should bear one another's burdens, and sofulfil the law of Christ; Gal. vi. 2. And in 1 Cor. x. 24. he saith, " Let no man seek his own, but everyman another's wealth, or welfare ;" that is, " Let noman be so wholly swallowed up in his own profit and peace, as utterly to neglect the peace and profit of his neigh- bour." But though this be so honourable and becominga prat- tice, yet it has 'ever been too much neglected, even among the professors of the gospel; for St. Paul tellsthe Philippians, that Timothy was a singular instance of this goodquality; Phil. ii. 20, 21. I have no man likeminded, who will naturally carefon your state ; for all seek their own, not the things whichare 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 supported 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 christi nity, but is worse than an infidel, or one that has denied the faith ; 1 Tim. v. 8. But there are many sacred and civil services may be done for the neighbourhood, the church; and the nation, without any culpable hinderance toour 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 whenthere is a day of dis- tress or trouble come upon our friends, upon the land wherein we dwell, or the churches of Christ in the world, when virtue and religion are in sinking circumstances, we are called sorntimes to lay out a larger part of our time and strength, our interest and our substance, for the welfare of the public, which otherwise per- haps might be due to ourselves, and our own family. In such cases as these, christian prudencemust direct us how to distinguish wisely, and determine how far this self-denial is to be.exer- vised, in order to promote the happiness of mankind, and the public honour of Christ. This is a thing of good report in the church and in the world, and it will turn to our honour in theday of the Lord. But let no man deceive himself, and vainly imagine that he may lay claim to the honour of a public spirit, because he 'spends halfhis daysin places of public resort, and in fruitless enquiries 9nd chátterings about the affairs-ofgovernment, and the business
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