SERMON XXXIII. 405 of relief for others that we would have .applied to ourselves ?" And the preachers of the gospel should place themselves in the room of their hearers, and say, " Do we labour in our closets, in our secret hours of retirement, and in our public ministrations, for the conversion and salvation of thosewhohearus, aswe would have ministers do for us, if we were perishing in our sins, and in danger of eternal death ? Do we take such pains to awaken the slumberers upon the borders of hell, as we ourselves would have others take, inorder to awaken us out of suchfatal slumbers ? Do we study and contrive with what divine cordials we shall re,. fresh and comfortthe mourners in Zion, even as we should desire to be comforted and refreshed ?" Such sort of self-enquiries as these, will lead us to the practice of our present duty, and solve manya difficult case of conscience better than turning over the largest volumes: VIII. This sacred rule is a most comprehensive one, with regard to all the actions and duties that concern our neighbours. It is not confined merely to the practice of justice, but it extends muchwider and farther : It is of mighty influence in the direction and practice of meekness, of patience, of charity, of truth and faithfulness, and everykind of social virtue, and a most happy guard against every social vice. It would be endless to enter into all thespecial cases of vice and virtue, which relaté to the social life, and to shew how much they are affected by this rule, and what divine advantages we may attain for the practice of morality, by keeping thisone sentence ever upon our thoughts. Yet I cannot pass over so important a theme, without giving a short specimen of some of these advantages. This golden precept would teachus how to regulate our tem- per and general behaviour in the world. Am I not willing to be treatedin an affable and civil manner by those who conversewith ane? Let me treat others then with all becoming civility, and make it appear that christianity is a religion of true honour, and that a christian is indeed a well-bred man. Do I think it unrea- sonable that my neighbour, though he be my superior, should as- sume haughty airs and disdain me? Let me watch therefore against all suchscornful speeches and disdainful airs, when I con- verse with one, who is inferior to me. Do I think it a grievous thing, that .a man should break out into sudden passion against me, if I happen to speak aword contrary to his sentiment, or to set himself in a rage for a trifle ? Let me set a strict guard then over all my passionate powers, and learnto bear opposition with- out impatience. Let me quench the first risings of sudden anger, lest they kindle into an ungoverned flame, and hurry me on to the practice of what I condemn in others. 11 h2
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=