Sayfadaki görseller
PDF
ePub

if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do

ye.

And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Children, obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.-Colossians iii. 8. 12—14. 18–22. iv. 1.

The graces pre-eminently requisite in conjugal and domestic life, are, Humility and Love. They belong, indeed, to every Christian; being an essential part of that train of graces, which should ever adorn his spirit and conversation here, however, in the nearest and most endearing relations of life, they have a peculiar place allotted to them,

:

But, what.Humility! and what Love! The wife, subject to her husband, as the Church is subject to Christ! -and the husband loving his wife, even as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it! (Ephesians v. 21— 33.) This is no common Humility, no common Love! They are deep, and pure, and spiritual affections, beyond the power of nature; typifying one of the greatest of all mysteries, the union of Christ with His Church.

In all the other family-relations, the same graces are

L

to rule, respectively, in the superior and the inferior stations: Love softening the gravity of the father, and the strictness of the master; Humility seconding the tenderness of the child, the dutifulness of the servant.

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.-1 Thessalonians iv. 11.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.-v. 23.

I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.-1 Timothy ii. 8.

Godliness with contentment is great gain.—vi. 6.

1

True godliness leads to contentment. An ungodly man discovers many sources of sadness and dissatisfaction: a godly man, on the contrary, dwells on every consideration that may tend to settle him into perfect peace.

The discontented man torments his imagination with such thoughts as these :-"I am not so well off as I once was; or, as I deserve to be; or, as I might have been; or, as other persons of less merit are: nor am I so high as I yet aspire to be." Thus, by making comparisons in a bad spirit, men succeed in rendering themselves wretched.

The humble, contented man says "I am far better off than I deserve to be: I deserved Hell hereafter, disgrace here. Am I but little advanced? True; but how many opportunities of self-improvement have I squandered away, in youth, and oftentimes since-time, talents, gifts wasted: in all this, it is my Saviour that I have grieved! Moreover, if the Lord has kept me back from honour, wealth, &c., he knew my spirit could not bear them safely: I might have

been tempted to forget Him, to launch out, and live for this world. My circumstances, moreover, being ordered of the Lord, I have special cause to believe that He intends His own glory by the appointment of them.-And then, what kind of lot did my adorable Redeemer choose on earth? Oh, how does that thought turn every murmur into silent raptures of wonder and love!”

Thus he, who has the mind of Christ, is hushed into true contentment, whatever be his situation; and, while he feasts on the promise of the world to come, most truly enjoys this.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.-2 Timothy ii. 3.

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.—ii. 22-24.

The great and arduous work committed to Ministers, is to labour to extend the Redeemer's kingdom, by endeavouring to save souls. If Satan can draw aside their attention to some needless controversy, or if he can provoke them to do their office in any angry temper, he knows that it is so much lost to their work of mercy. Oh, for more of the descending influences of the Holy Spirit on the altar of our hearts, to give all the fire and force of overcoming love! Social exercises of devotion, “with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart," contribute greatly to this most excellent spirit; while they tend also to expel all foul imaginations and tempers.

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.-ii. 25.

"There will come a time, when three words, uttered with Charity and Meekness, shall receive a far more blessed reward than three thousand Volumes, written with disdainful sharpness of wit."-(Hooker's Preface to the Ecclesiastical Polity; Section 2, sub finem.)

Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.Titus ii. 6.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.-James i. 4.

The "perfect work" of patience can only be accomplished by enduring to the end, waiting God's time. His. time is best: His way is best: His will is best! The Hebrew reading of Psalm xl. 1. as given in the margin of our Bibles, is very beautiful : "In waiting I waited." There is such a thing as impatient waiting.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.-i. 19, 20.

It might be well, if, on entering into large parties convened for discussion, each individual should imagine himself met by a "Remembrancer"; whose office it should be, to repeat to him these few words-SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK. But the divine motto must be borne in mind, all through the discussion; especially if debate should run high.-How rarely do we find occasion to repent our having said too little! how often may we regret the having uttered at least one sentence too much! how beautiful in itself, and how winning upon others, is "a refraining spirit."!

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

[ocr errors]

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.'

But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.-James iii. 1, 2. 13—18.

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price.-1 Peter iii. 4.

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. iii. 8.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the

« ÖncekiDevam »