SERMON L. 569 proaehful language, by with-holding his grace from thee in the next hour of temptation : and then thy own fall and guilt shall upbraid thee with inward and hitter reflections, for thy sharp censures of thy weak and tempted brother. This life is the only time wherein we can pity the infirmities of our bre- thren and bear their burdens. This law of Christ must beful- filled in this world, for there is no room for it in the next ; where- fore bearye one another's burdens, and so fülfil the law cf Clu st; Gal. vi. 2. This world is the only place where different opinions and doctrines are found amongst the saints ; Disagreeing forms of de- votion, and sects, and parties, have no place on high ; None of these things can interrupt the worship or the peace of heaven. See to it then, that you practise this grace of charity here, and lóve thy brother, and receive him into thyheart in holy fellow- ship, though he may be weak in faith, though he may observe days and times, and may feed upon herbs, and indulge some spperstitious follies while thou art strong in fitith, and well ac- quainted with the liberty of the gospel. Let not little things provoke you to diyide communions on earth ; but by this sort of charity, and a catholic spirit, honour the Saviour and his church here in this world ; for since there are no parties, nor sects, no contrary sentiments among the church in heaven, this christian virtue cannever find any róom for exercise there. This kindof charity ends at death. V. Sympathy with mourners, and pity and relief to those that are oppressed with many sorrows, is a virtue that belongs only to the saints on earth. There are no sorrowful christians in heaven, and the various methods of comfort, which we practise toward our suffering brethren here below; are therefore imprac- ticable in the upper world. " The Godof all comfort is hewho pomforteth us in our tribulations, for this reason, that we may be able to comfort those that are oppressed with their heavy afflic- tions ;" 2 Cor. i. 4. G° This is pure religion and undefiled ; to visit the fatherless and the widows -in their afflictions, as well as to keep yourselves unspotted from the world ;" James i. 27 But itis the religion of the churçh on earth, not the religion of heaven. Go, then and visit thy brother in distress, visit poor afflicted and suffering`christiaris : Go mentionthe promises of divine grace that belong to them 'in a suffering state, and lead them to rest upon some happy promise : Go teach them the benefit of afflictive circumstances : Let the twelfth chapter to the Hebrews be your text, and raise many a sweet inference for the support of sufferers: Tell them of the fruits of holiness that grow upon the bitter tree of earthly sorrows ; and that the wood
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=