Let every true Christian, therefore, for the honour of God and the credit of the gospel, protest against such conduct by a reverent behavior. "Let every such person too, as soon as he is satisfied that his dependence is on God's mercy through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and that he desires by God's grace to live to his glory, make public profession of his faith, submit to Christ's authority, thankfully remember his dying love, and join himself in communion with his people at the Lord's table. And, though he be not always alike comfortable there, yet let him be constant in this attendance as long as he lives, making a point not to absent himself without absolute necessity; for excuses will ever be multiplying upon him; and, so long as he is conscious that he comes in submission to Christ's authority, and with desire of his blessing, though humbled, let him not be discouraged if he do not always find sensible benefit therein: for what is honorable to the Lord must in the issue be good for our souls.” 8. ZEAL FOR RELIGION. "Christians in general are required to glorify God and do good by a prudent zeal in endeavoring to bring others to receive and obey the blessed gospel, both by their own edifying conversation or correspondence, by bringing them to hear faithful preaching, or by any other means which God has put in their power, and which consists with the relative duties of their station.Much prudence is allowed to be requisite in this matter, and many mistakes are made by those whose zeal outruns their discretion, experience, or humility; and young converts often thus hurt the cause they would promote. But I believe the Lord does vastly more approve, and will much more bless, even their imprudent zeal, than the lukewarmness and indifference of many who censure them: which is loathsome and abominable to him. A young zealous Christian will be sure to meet with so many mortifications and disappointments as will abate his too warm zeal, and probably he will not be long before he gets into the opposite extreme. But, if his heart be right with God, and true religion abounds in his soul, his love to God and man increasing, while he is continually asking and receiving from God true wisdom, he will daily gain experience and humility, will advance in the knowledge of his own heart, of human nature, and of Satan's devices; and, having a more single eye to God's glory, and a more simple dependence on his direction and blessing, in all he does, he will learn to confine himself to his own sphere, and to use such means only as are consistent with his other duties; and in this manner, without assuming what does not belong to him, or leaving his proper calling, or intruding into the ministerial office, his zeal and earnestness may be very useful.-I think many ministers have some persons who greatly strengthen their hands, and whom they will acknowledge as fellow helpers with them in the gospel; though they never in the least quit their character as laymen, never attempt to preach, nor in the least encroach on the ministerial office, or neglect their proper calling. But every person, however poor and obscure, has relations, connexions, acquaintance, a pious book put into the hands of one, a letter written to another, a word of reproof, warning, direction, or instruction to another, as opportunity offers, if weight be added to it by friendly offices, and a good example, may be the blessed means of doing good. A word spoken in due season, how good is it! How good it is, cannot be expressed.-Especially when persons are sick and under affliction; at some of those many times which there are, the mollia tempora fandi, when the mind, as it were, lies open, and invites us to speak; the same things may be spoken without offence, which at other times would excite contempt and indignation. Then to speak a suitable word, or to recommend persons to send for some pious minister, may be the means of incalculable good.-At other times we may induce them to hear the word of God. Come and let us go up to the house of the Lord.-In such ways prudent zeal and persevering endeavors will certainly be blessed and, though we should fail in a thousand instances, and at length succeed in only one, would not that one amply recompense a true Christian for all his labor? Thus, when Andrew found Christ he used his influence with his brother Peter: and Philip did the same with Nathaniel. Come and see, said he and Nathaniel came, and saw, and believed. Thus also the woman of Samaria addressed her fellow citizens, Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did: and we know the blessed effect. Thus the mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judg ment: his lips disperse knowledge, and his mouth will be a well-spring of life. This is that improvement which we ought to make of the gift of speech and utterance, according to our ability, when, through divine grace, the members of our body become instruments of righteousness unto God: and thus employed our tongue would indeed be, as the Psalmist calls it, our glory.-We know how this little member, being set on fire of hell, setteth on fire the whole course of nature, and doth infinite mischief in the world, especially in promoting profaneness, infidelity, and false religion: but, were it set on fire, as it were, of heaven; were our hearts filled with the fire of divine zeal and love; it might be in some measure a proportionable instrument of communicating the holy flame to the hearts of others, and propagating true religion in the world. "But he who would thus glorify God, and serve his generation, must not be a mere talker: his conduct must be truly Christian, or he will do much mischief. He must be much in prayer for wisdom, much in meditation, and watchful against spiritual pride: and he must cultivate and manifest a meek, disinterested, benevolent spirit. Men will never believe that we really intend the good of their souls, if they do not find that we endeavor to do them good disinterestedly in temporal things.-Finally, let me recommend to truly zealous Christians this caution: Not to reprove any person for such things as his conscience does not in some measure condemn, but ever to begin with things confessedly wrong. A man will fall under reproof for swearing, taking God's name in vain, lying, and other evils of the like kind, who would rage or scoff if you found fault with him for frequenting some diversion." * ** |