SERMON XVI.

ON THE

LOVE OF OUR NEIGHBOUR.

MATT. XXII. 39.

And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

THESE words are the concluding part of our Lord's answer to a Pharisee, who came to inquire what was the great and most important commandment of the divine law. This our Lord declared, was the love of God. But as a necessary concomitant, he subjoins that the love of our neighbour is no less necessary, as a disposition which every disciple of his should possess and exercise. Indeed, the love of God and man are both obligatory, from the relation in which they stand to us, and the duties which arise from our mutual connection. For, as God is our Creator, he is entitled to our honour and obedience; and as mankind are our fellow-creatures, they have a right to our affectionate regard. If, indeed, we were altogether indedependent upon either God or man, we might think ourselves at liberty neither to fear the one, nor to have any concern for the other. But since we feel that we are not sufficient for our own happiness; that our lives, and health, and fortune are in the hands of our Creator; hence arises a persuasion that we should acknowledge him in all our ways; and since we are mutually connected with each other in society, therefore it is requisite to esta blish some rules for rendering our intercourse pleasant and beneficial. Hence proceed those duties we owe to God, which, for the sake of distinction, have been called reli

gion; and the duties which are required of us to one another, are generally known by the name of morality.

These obligations are founded on the circumstances in which we are placed; and are therefore indispensable, if we would act according to the relations which are established for directing our conduct.-Nay, the love of God, and benevolence to men, are the natural dictates of our own minds, and original principles in human nature. For, we are taught by our instinctive feelings, to venerate the power, admire the wisdom, and be thankful for the goodness of the Almighty. Thus, a foundation is laid in the constitution of our souls for divine love, which is the first and great commandment. And there is a propensity equally strong for loving and esteeming our fellow-creatures. Accordingly we find, that in childhood, before the selfish passions begin to contract our hearts, we cherish the most disinterested affection for those with whom we associate. But soon does the principle of self-love exert its influence in our breasts; soon do we lay schemes for promoting our own interest, and lose sight of attending to the welfare of others. Hence it becomes necessary to check the prevalence of an undue regard to that individual happiness, which would take entire possession of the mind. Hence Christianity enjoins us "to look not every one at his own things, but also at the things of others;" to be "kindly affectioned one towards another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another; and to love our neighbour as ourselves." This being the duty required in the text, it may be useful to investigate in the following discourse,

I. Who are the proper objects of our love, included under the general term neighbour.

II. The extent of the duty here expressed, that we love them as ourselves.

III. The great importance of cherishing this affection for the improvement of the Christian temper.

IV. The obligations arising from reason and scripture, for the exercise of love or benenolence.

Apply the subject to practice.

I. The objects which have a claim upon our affectionate regard, are every one placed within the reach of our influence. These may either be our immediate neighbours, or others more remote, to whom we can impart any benefit. We ought not indeed, from a chimerical disposition of universal philanthrophy, to entertain the idea of extending our beneficence beyond all practicable bounds. Yet, persons removed from us at a great distance, may sometimes receive important favours, by our contributions for supplying their necessitics. However far removed the place of their habitation; however unknown to us by name; however strange by nation or language; they are still our brethren, and thereby entitled to our fellow-feeling and sympathetic concern. But, as in general, we have it only in our power to bestow our benevolent regards on those of whom we have personal acquaintance; therefore it is necessary to consider the objects which may more properly be designated our neighbours.-The first that must occur to every one's observation, are our kindred and relations according to the flesh. Parents should love and cherish those who are bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh; wives should honour and esteem their husbands; and children should obey their parents in all things, as this is well-pleasing in God's sight.-Brethren and sisters should dwell together in unity, and be mutual helpers of cach others' joy, by those offices of kindness and tender affection, which are so necessary to promote domestic happiness. They should avoid all those jealousies and animosities, which so often embitter the lives of those who should associate together in terms of mutual friendship.

The next objects which claim our attention, are our neighbours with whom we live in habits of social intimacy. To these we should express our esteem by cour teous and affable behaviour; by a reciprocation of sentiments in innocent conversation; and by all those little endearments which tend to the cultivation of mutual goodwill. Let not contrariety of opinions, nor rivalship of interests, ever interrupt the friendship which should subsist betwixt those who are so nearly connected with each

other in society. Let us consider, that divine providence hath placed them within our reach, to afford us an opportunity of cherishing the generous and benevolent affections, which should adorn our respective characters.—If also those who live in our vicinity, should be afflicted with any domestic misfortune; let us condole with them in their tribulation; and suggest such considerations as may soothe their sorrows. Or, if they are oppressed with personal and family sickness, let us visit them for the purpose of ministering relief, by those humane attentions which we can easily afford; or, at least of inspiring them with sentiments of patience and resignation to the divine will. If any with whom we are acquainted, are in circumstances of poverty and wretchedness; let us display our love to them by such pecuniary relief, as we can spare from our ordinary expenses; or, at least by such a supply of provisions, or articles of accommodation, as may be needful for the body. Let us "not harden our heart, nor shut up our bowels of compassion" against our poor brother; but let us surely "give him what is sufficient for his need, and the Lord will reward us."-If also, a stranger sojourn among us, who may be in a condition which requires our kindness and compassion, he is an object from whom we should not withhold such relief as we can bestow from the treasures of our liberality. Let us not suffer a wretched and unfortunate individual, who solicits our bounty, to depart without receiving some small pittance, for satisfying his present necessities.

As we should thus love and do good to those, who require our aid in a temporal point of view; so should we be no less earnest to promote the spiritual welfare of those, who are brethren, according to the relations established by the gospel. Christians should regard one another as members of the same great family, and united together by the ties of brotherly love; and therefore should be" of one accord, and of one mind." They should not suffer lesser differences of opinion, to alienate their affection; but by mutual concessions, endeavour "to hold the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." They should also love one another for those good disposi

tions, which they observe in those with whom they are acquainted. Let them be ready to acknowledge, that others possess certain virtues of character, which render them estimable: that this man is pious, that man patient; this one beneficent, and that one peaceable; and that, however much they may disagree with us in points of doubtful disputation, they are worthy of commendation for their exemplary conduct.-Nay, as Christians, we are even required to love and do good to our enemies, and "those who despitefully use us, and persecute us." Such is the benevolent temper of our holy religion, that abusive treatment and reproachful indignities, are not sufficient causes to alienate our affections from others; but we are instructed both by precept and example, to forgive them the injuries which they have committed against us, and pray for their conversion to a better mind.

These are general duties which we owe to men as our Christian brethren, in every rank of life; but our regard for them will exhibit itself also in performing those vari ous offices which their respective stations require at our hands. If, by the distributions of providence, we are elevated above others, and can command the services of our inferiors; we shall not exercise authority with supercilious haughtiness, but "condescend to men of low estate." This we shall reckon necessary, to render their condition as comfortable as a state of servitude permits.If, on the contrary, we are placed under the superintendence of a superior; we shall be careful to please him, by discharging with fidelity the duties of our station; and yield submission to him in every lawful instance, without reluctance, and without complaint. This we shall regard as a necessary tribute of respect to him, whom providence has set over us in our secular profession. In like manner, we shall render obedience to the higher powers, whether temporal or spiritual, who are invested with authority to rule over the community, for promoting the public welfare. In short, whatever duty a superior or inferior knows to be incumbent on him, to those with whom he is connected, he will endeavour to perform; as a branch of