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We are in consequence of this which were indifferent, or in carried back from the first of which he could lawfully do it; April to January and February cautiously avoiding, so far as he when some of these judgments could with a good conscience, were brought about. But these whatever was stumbling or offenwere the coldest months in sive to any; laboring, at the exEgypt, and the most ungenial pense of his present convenience of any; so that, as I have be- and worldly interest, to gain fore said, none of these noxious their attention to the most im animals, brought upon the coun-portant truth, under the most try, could have been produced favorable circumstances for at such a season in a natural bringing them to the belief and way. This must have been ap-reception of it. This is evident parent not only to the Egyp-from the preceding context; tians, but to the Israelites, for and from chapter ix. 19-22. whose sakes these judgments were displayed; and who must have seen the hand of God triumphing visibly over the pow-own accommodation, ease, aders of darkness.

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CLEAR understanding of Paul's meaning in these words, may contribute very considerably towards giving us just and clear ideas of that charity or love, which is so often and so abundantly inculcated in the New Testament, as containing the essence of gospel holiness of all true religion.

In conducting thus, the apos tle sought not his own profit. That is, he did not aim at his

vantage, or worldly interest, or at any such personal interest, as might consist in competition with the best good of others, or with opposition to their true herein sought the profit of many and real happiness. But he

that they might be saved. their real spiritual benefit,

For the sake of the spiritual advantage of many, and to con tribute to their salvation, he was careful to please them, at the expense of his present convenience; and by laborious ser vices and painful sufferings, involving great self-denial, he did all in his power for the accom plishment of their salvation.This he sought in contradistinc tion from, or at least in preference to, any interest or advantage of his own, from such sources as were distinct from, or opposed to, their true interest and real happiness.

By his pleasing all men in all This, however, did not imply, things, the apostle meant, in that Paul had no regard to, or general, that he accommodated aim at his own pleasure and hap himself to their humors, preju-piness, in all that he did for the dices,and weaknesses,in all things profit of others, that they might

be saved.

also to see you therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith " 2 Cor. xii. 15. "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you the less I be loved." And Philip. ii. 17.

It only implied, that he was of such a disposition, that he experienced greater satisfaction and pleasure in the happiness of many, and in contributing to promote it, though with great labor, expense and self-denial, than in any mere personal enjoyments independent of, and unconnected with the happiness of others, and especially, in opposition to it: or in other words, that the real happiness of many was a source of greater pleasure and happiness to him, than any personal accommodations or enjoyments, which were wholly independent of, and unconnected with their" And if I be offered upon the happiness.

Paul was of such a peculiar disposition, that the happiness of others was a source of the most sublime joy and happiness to him. His happiness was, so to speak, bound up in the happiness of others-in their true spiritual welfare and felicity. In seeing this, and contributing to promote it, he experienced such pleasure and satisfaction-such joy and happiness, as no worldly accommodations or enjoyments could produce, nor any worldly losses or personal sufferings destroy. How forcibly doth he repeatedly express this in his epistles ?

See I Thess. iii. 5-10. "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest, by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain. But now, when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we

sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all."

Hence it is undeniably evident, that Paul was of such a temper and disposition, that the happiness of others was a source of peculiar satisfaction and joy to his heart; and therefore, that in seeking, even by laborious services, painful sufferings, and great self-denial, not his own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved, he did not act in opposition to his own pleasure, on the whole; but from the leading inclination of his heart, and most effectually promoted his own pleasure and happiness.

This may be, in some measure, illustrated by the following similitude. The chief magistrate of a nation, by whatever name he is called whether King, Emperor, or President, is in such circumstances, that if so disposed, he might live in ease and pleasure, and collect a vast estate, at his country's expense. But he is of such a

public, benevolent spirit, that he is thereby enabled to do for these things are no source of the nation-If he is highly eshappiness to him, in compari-teemed and greatly respected son with, and especially in oppo-abroad, as well as at home, he resition to, the real interest, wel-joices in it, principally, as it refare and happiness of the peo- dounds to and serves to promote ple, with whose government he the honor and happiness of the is entrusted. No interest lies nation. And in proportion as so near his heart, as the welfare he beholds the people free, prosand happiness of this people.perous, wise, virtuous, and hapNothing else would afford hin. pv, he is happy himself-happy such consummate pleasure and in their happiness, by whatever joy, as to see their interest and pains and expense to himself it happiness secured, and estab-has been attained and secured. lished on a permanent basis; Such a supreme ruler, it is and nothing else would be so evident at first view, seeks not painful to his heart, and so com- his own profit, but the profit pletely destroy all his happiness, of his nation, that they may be as to see them deprived of their happy. And yet, it is equally most valuable rights and privile-evident, that he doth not act ges, and reduced to a state of against the leading inclination of the most abject wretchedness. his heart, but exactly agreeable Hence, instead of indulging to it, so as to afford it the highcase and pleasure, or employing est gratification, and most effec the advantages of his situationtually to promote his own pleas for amassing wealth, and ag-ure and happiness. grandizing himself and family, So the apostle Paul, whilst to the neglect and detriment of he pleased all men the national weal, he applies himself, with indefatigable industry, to the discharge of the duties of his station and office for the good of the nation. To this object all his studies, and all his exertions are steadily directed, and with such intenseness and ardor, as frequently to in-boring night and day for their trude upon the ordinary hours of refreshment and rest.

in all

things, seeking not his own pro fit but the profit of many, that they might be saved, denying himself of many things, to ac commodate their weaknesses, humours, and prejudices, that he might the more readily gain their attention to the truth, la

benefit, and submitting to nu merous hardships, dangers, and sufferings, to promote their spiritual and eternal happiness, acted not in opposition to the leading propensity or inclination of his heart; but in conformity to it, and for the gratification of

If he is furnished with an ample support he values and esteems it, principally, as it puts it in his power to be more useful and do more good, than he would otherwise be in a situation to do. If his authority and in- it, so as did very eminently profluence are very great and ex- mote his own pleasure and haptensive, he takes pleasure there-piness. For, like the benevo in, on account of the greater lent ruler, he was of such a disand more extensive good, which position, that living in ease and

f

pleasure, wealth and slpendor, then, was of such a nature, as was no source of joy or happi-led him to desire and seek and ness to him, in comparison with rejoice in the greatest attainable the spiritual advantage, the ho- good of intelligent being, comliness and happiness of his fel-prising the glory of God, and low creatures. And, therefore, the happiness of creatures, and in seeking and promoting this, particularly of mankind, in the and seeing it obtained, though greatest extent and degree that at the expense of his worldly can be consistently accomplishease and interest, by laborious ed. services and painful sufferings, he experienced a far higher gratification, and much greater pleasure and happiness, than he could possibly have obtained by a contrary conduct.

In these respects, Paul's benevolent spirit differed very widely from the regard which some parents have for their children, and which some men have for their country and nation.

Paul's differed from theirs with respect to the extent of its object. The object of their benevolent regard is, often, very limited, and comprises but a small proportion of the human race.

Thus, in labouring and suffering and denying himself for the profit of many, that they might be saved, Paul had a steady view to that interest which was most dear to his heart, a source of the greatest joy and satisfaction to him, and in the attainment of which he obtained his own hap-gard for their children and such piness, the very happiness which he desired and sought. It may be proper to observe once

more,

Parents often have a great re

as are particularly friendly to them, whilst they have no disinterested good will to the rest of mankind. And some men The many, whose profit Paul have a high regard for the welsought, were not confined to a fare of their own nation, not onfamily or nation; but were peo-ly in distinction from, but even ple of every family, nation and in opposition to, that of other country, Jews and Gentiles, nations. But Paul's benevolent Greeks and Romans, Barbari-affection extended to and emans, Scythians, Bond and Free, braced the whole human race, wherever, and to whomsoever, yea, the whole intellectual syshe could obtain access to preach tem; and sought the best good the gospel. And the profit, the and greatest happiness of the good, which he sought for them, whole; and of the several parts was not such as men of a car-and individuals, as far as might nal, worldly temper are wont to be obtained or effected consistentdesire and seek; but those spir-ly with the greatest good of the itual blessings that holy salva- whole. tion-that eternal life, which consists in and results from the true knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he

hath sent.

Paul's benevolent affection,
VOL. I. NO. 6.

Paul's benevolent spirit differed also, very widely from that of many parents and zealous parents, with respect to the nature and source of the happiness, which he principally desired

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and sought for the objects of his | and lose his own soul? or, what friendly regard, and in which shall a man give in exchange he principally rejoiced. for his soul?"

Holiness is not essential to and makes no part of the good or happiness, which many affectionate parents desire and seek for their children, and many patriots for their country or nation. The good things of this world, its riches and treasures, honors and pleasures, constitute the good principally sought by many for their children, or their nation. But Paul, as hath been shown, principally desired for the many, whose profit he sought, those spiritual blessings which are of a holy nature and endless duration-the eternal life, which consists in and results from the knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent ; and which, of course, has an indissoluble connection with the glory of God and the best good and greatest happiness of the moral system. That such, as has been represented, was the apostle's disposition, appears not only from his own declarations; but also, from the whole tenor of his conduct, from the time of his conversion to the end of his life.

PRESBYTES.

[To be continued.]

WH

PART I.

HEN a child is born into the world, possessed of a rational soul, endued with the essential principles or faculties of a moral agent, an existence is commenced, which is not to terminate with the life of the body; nor to cease with the dissolution of the visible heavens and earth. It will survive the ruins of this world. It will continue, after the heavens shall have passed away with a great noise, and the elements shall have melted with fervent heat, and the earth and the works which are therein shall have been burnt up. The past part of its duration will, even then, be as nothing in comparison with what will still be future. For it will never come to an end. It will continue as long as the everliving God endures.

The capacity of this living, spiritual principle, called the soul, for understanding and knowledge, love or hatred, joy or sorrow, happiness or misery, is inconceivably great.

In the early stages of its existence it appears, indeed, to be extremely small. But the child,

it grows in stature, generally discovers a growing capacity for Thoughts respecting the incon- knowledge, rational exercise, ceivable worth of the soul of and mental pleasure or pain. man, and the immense evil in- This visible growth or envolved in the loss of it; sug-largement of the human soul, gested by Christ's words in may ordinarily be expected to Matthew xvi. 26.

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world,

be greater or less, more rapid or slow, in some proportion to the opportunities, means, and advantages for instruction and

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