3. Though it be by divine grace, that the saints persevere; yea, though it be the same as a continuation of the great work of regeneration; yet it requires the appointed means and motives of the gospel. "God worketh all

things after the counsel of his own will;" but always in the use of proper means and motives. Mankind, being free moral agents, never act, but in the view, and under the influence of motives. It is therefore of the utmost importance, to present, constantly, to the minds of Christians, the most powerful motives to perseverance. For to prove that they are Christians indeed, they must 66 grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; to whom be glory, both now and for ever.".....AMEN.

ESSAY XXII.

Self-Denial, and True Benevolence.

Ar the head of all that is experimental and practical in religion, stands the important doctrine of self-denial; which is manifested in acts of pure benevolence, or holiness. Holiness, as we have found, comprises the whole moral character of God; and it equally comprises all that is morally excellent in man. For love is the fulfill ing of the law." Pure love, or benevolence, is holiness; and to understand its nature and operations, is to understand the nature of true religion. Errors concerning the nature of holiness, or true benevolence, involve a general system of error, respecting both doctrine and practice.

The contrast to holy love, is selfishness; and it is easy to see, that the principle of selfishness is subversive, not only of the law, but of the gospel. Had Christ acted on the selfish principle, he would never have come down from heaven, to die for sinners. And had all mankind acted on the selfish principle, no one would ever have been a believer and follower of Christ. For his testimony is; "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." The selfish principle stands directly opposed to every doctrine which has been exhibited, and which will be exhi

bited, in the system of truth before us. Of course, selfdenial is the basis of all doctrinal and practical religion. The essence of the whole is pure benevolence, or holy love-pure, impartial, disinterested affection.

But, if it still be inquired, what is self-denial? It is a denial of self-interest. It is that holy disposition of heart, which was most clearly manifested, by the humiliation, sufferings, and death of the Saviour for sinners.. No verbal definition of self-denial and true benevolence, can present the subject to our minds more clearly, than it is done by the examples of the blessed Redeemer. Acting in the capacity of a man, he evidently sought not his own glory; but the glory of him that sent him. Christ evidently, pleased not himself. He went about doing good, both to the bodies and souls of men; rather than seeking any private benefit. He laboured and suffered, not for his own private advantage; but for the honour of God, and for the salvation of perishing sinners. For them he lived, as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and for them he died, the accursed death of the cross. He made himself an offering, and a sacrifice for sin, Here we discover an astonishing instance of self-denial and pure benevolence. The marvellous condescension of the Saviour, in descending from his infinite dignity in heaven, to the death of the cross, is stated by the Apostle, expressly, as an example of self-denial, which we are required to imitate. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant; and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." In this statement, we discover the nature of self-denial, and true benevolence.

me."

Self-denial is taught, not only by the examples, but by the precepts of Christ. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow "He that loveth his life shall lose it; but he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal." If any man come to me, and" (comparatively speaking) "hate not his father, and mother, and wife and children, and brethren, and sisters; yea, and his own life

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also, he cannot be my disciple." "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." The doctrine of self-denial is also strongly expressed by the beloved Apostle John. "Hereby perceive we the love of God," or of Christ, "because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.". To lay down our lives for the good of our fellow-men, or for the defence and support of the cause and kingdom of Christ, is one of the strongest expressions of self-denial.

In the illustration of this important duty, let it be understood, that, by self-denial is not meant, a malevolent disposition towards ourselves; nor a disregard of our own interest and welfare. All that is meant by it is, that we be willing to make sacrifices of our own interest and welfare, and even of our own lives, as cases may require, for the sake of the greater interest of others, or the greater general good. Self-denial does by no means imply, that we are regardless of ourselves; but that we impartially regard others as we do ourselves. This is the very idea of the doctrine under consideration and this is according to the spirit of the divine law. In the scriptures, we find particular laws and statutes, almost innumerable; but, all are comprehended in this saying, namely, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.""Love worketh no ill to his neighbour, therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." Selfishness, on the other hand, naturally worketh ill to his neighbour; and is, therefore, the violation of the whole law. Every step we take, on the selfish principle, exposes our neighbour's interest or character; and, what is infinitely more to be dreaded is, that it is reproachful to the ever blessed God; even to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. It is reproachful to the law, to the gospel, and to the grace of God. Thus evident it is, that holy love appears and operates, in works of selfdenial, and pure disinterested benevolence.

The doctrine of self-denial, though derided by the wise men of the world as an affectation of being righteous overmuch; is clearly a fundamental and practical doctrine of the holy scriptures. It is also a plain dictate of reason It is a doctrine which distinguishes between virtue and vice; and which commends itself to the consciences of all the friends of truth and godliness. This holy princi

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pie is celebrated by the Apostle, under the name of charity; and it is called the bond of perfectness. The highest attainments in wisdom and knowledge, the most splendid gifts of utterance, and even the gift of miracles and prophecy; the greatest possible liberality to the poor, and even the sacrifice of life in the best of all causes, without charity, or holy love, are accounted as nothing. Charity alone contains the essence of religion. Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseently, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth: beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." It is added, that " charity never faileth." It shall abide for ever, while faith and hope shall terminate in vision and fruition.

From the view of what the Apostle denominates charity, "which is the bond of perfectness," it is evident, that self-denial is a leading feature in the real christian's character. He suffereth long, and is kind. "Charity seeketh not her own." Christian self-denial, which consists in a denial of selfishness, consists in regarding all rational, and even all sensitive beings, with a candid and impartial eye; and in regarding all interests and objects according to their intrinsic value and importance. Private good is, by no means, to be neglected, because it is private, and not public good. "He that provideth not for his own, and especially for them of his own house;" whether it be in spiritual or temporal things, "hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Private good is as necessary to the man of true benevolence as to others. But in his view, its importance does not consist in its being his own private good, so much as in its being a real good. If it comes to himself, he rejoices, and is thankful for it. And if it comes to others, he also rejoices and is thankful. For, in some good measure, he loves his neighbour as himself.

On the subject of self-denial, we may further observe, that a very great and distinguishing part of this duty consists in love to our enemies. On the selfish principle, which is now, as it was in the time of Christ's ministry, a very popular principle; the moral law is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour," that is, thy friendly neighbour,

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"and hate thine enemy. But on the principle which is now advocated, the moral law, as uttered by the mouth of the Saviour, is "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you." This important command is enforced irresistibly, by the example of our Heavenly Father. "For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good; and sendeth rain on the just, and on the unjust.” All, both bad and good, friends and enemies, share alike, and in common, the bounties and blessings of a merciful providence. Yea, the divine example of love to enemies extends further. For, says the beloved John, "God commendeth his love towards us, in that when we were sinners, Christ died for us." We are required to love the most vile and ungrateful--" to do good and lend, hoping for nothing again.' For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? Sinners also love those that love them." And do not even the publicans so?" The duty of love to enemies, gives ample support to the doctrine of self-denial. And this love is most evidently holy and disinterested. By this love, wherever it appears, christians are clearly distinguished from the ungodly world. By this, Christ distinguished himself, as the holy and merciful Saviour. For, so ardent was his love to his enemies, that he spent his last breath, under their torturing hands, in prayer for them: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," Is it possible, that any man, who has heard of the life and death of the blessed Redeemer, should reject, for a moment, the great doctrine of self-denial, and love to enemies? In this, above all things, Christ was distinguished; and "If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

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By all that has been said, however, respecting self-denial and love to enemies, it is not to be understood, that we are to have delight in them; or to love them, with a love of complacency. To love them with delight, or complacency, would exclude the idea of self-denial; and would imply, that we ourselves possess the same odious character, and are pursuing the same wicked courses. The holy Psalmist, speaking of the enemies of God, expressed, in the strongest terms, his utter abhorrence of them.

"Do I not hate them, O Lord! that hate thee?