Page images
PDF
EPUB

things." In their case he will be led more eagerly to consider not only that the general character of his fellow creatures is inscrutable to him, but that their good qualities especially are as difficult to estimate as those which are bad. He will remember how often his own better intentions have been by others misconstrued, and will in his heart give them credit for many a repentant tear which he is not allowed to see, and many a virtuous struggle which he is not enabled to witness. The impulses of natural affection will be thus strengthened by the feelings of Christian fellowship; and though even in cases of closest intimacy he must ever acknowledge at least as much uncertainty as must attend his enquiries into his own state, he will yet amongst the different degrees of hope entertain that which is most lively and

most strong for those in whose behalf his wishes are most earnest.

Amongst the offices of this spiritual fellowship I must not omit to mention the community of prayers, and the duty of joining in those petitions which God has especially promised to grant to all who agree in asking in his Son's name. That duty may be most strictly and most properly fulfilled by a punctual and earnest attendance on the opportunities of Christian worship offered to us by the institutions of our excellent Church. Herein we may join in the same petitions which have expressed the devotions of saints and martyrs, which have wafted to the throne of grace the piety of a Hooker, the resignation of a Hammond, the contrite sighs, the anxious desires, and the heartfelt thanks of countless thousands who through all the ages (1)

of Christianity, but especially in times. and places nearest to our own, have knelt down before Him that heareth prayer to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

To this must be added when in our power the practice of family devotion; a practice of which it becomes every master of a family to weigh well the advantages and obligation. On his conscience lies the responsibility of its neglect; it is not then for those who live under his authority to interfere in its exercise, or judge harshly of the principles by which it is regulated. In every case there is a further duty of private devotion; nor is the exercise of this duty without its share in the blessings of spiritual communion. There is an unity of faith of sentiment and of zeal which binds together the true worshippers in every region under heaven.

Under the influence of that holy tie may all we through whose hands these papers pass partake of the common privilege, uniting to pray to Almighty God that He would give his blessing to this our enquiry, and establish in our hearts that true faith in Him which will most surely lead us to love one another!

DISCOURSE VI.

ON SCANDALS.

ROм. xiv. 16, 17.

Let not then your good be evil spoken of. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

ST. PAUL in this chapter discoursing on the lawfulness of different kinds of food as well as in other passages where he treats of the same subject, has laid down certain principles of conduct relating to the scandalizing or offending our neighbour which are of frequent and important application in the intercourse of life. A scandal is strictly speaking a stumbling-block, any thing which causes

« PreviousContinue »