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can insert this amongst his most serious thanksgivings, that while the care is incumbent on others, of watching over the public peace and safety, he may sit still and converse with God and his own sedate thoughts. How secure is he in this, that infinite wisdom governs the world! that all things shall be disposed the best way, to the best and most valuable ends: that an afflicted state shall never befall unto good men, but when it is fittest and most conducible it should do so that the prosperity carnal appetite covets, is never denied them but when it would be pernicious! How calm is he in the midst of external troubles : how placid and serene a spirit inhabits his peaceful breast! When all things are shaken round about him, he is not shaken. He bears all sorts of troubles but creates none to others, nor is disturbed by any himself. But they that delight to see this world rolling or fixed, as may most serve their private purposes, and have a perpetual quarrel with it, while it looks not kindly upon them: their life is bound up in it, and their pretences to another, are but the languid faint notions of what they never heartily believe nor desire. Upon the whole matter, nothing is more agreeable to this great reputation, than a steady restraint and moderation of our passions towards things without us; that is, all the several sorts of external objects and affairs, that so variously invite and tempt our observation and regard in this our present state."

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CHAPTER X.

ON BROTHERLY LOVE.

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It is a beautiful remark of Mr. BEVERLEY, “That if a well-instructed physiologist were to lose his way in the pathless tracts of the earth, he would nevertheless be able to divine the country through which he was wandering, by attentively considering the productions of the soil, and the appearance of animal life surrounding him." The flowers that grew in his path, or the living creatures that crossed it, would announce to him in what zone or empire he was bending his course. So it is in the land of Emmanuel, the delightful fruit found there and no where else, is LOVE, Christian love, love in Christ, the divine AGAPE of the word of God, the fruit of the Spirit, the evidence of the twice-born and redeemed people." Yes, it is indeed true, that love, in the Christian sense of the term, is found no where else beyond the kingdom of the Redeemer, for it grows in no soil but that of Christianity; so that when it is found, we may assuredly pronounce that we have reached holy land: but is this plant which is indigenous to the church of Christ found even there in profusion, in all its bloom, and beauty? Ah, no! but stinted in its growth, dismantled of its beauty, and of diminished fragrance. I join with the above mentioned writer, in acknowledging and lamenting, that there is far too little of this heavenly disposition

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among the members of Christ's church upon earth, but I am persuaded that there is more of it than Mr. B. is disposed to admit. Let us suppose," he remarks, "that by some unwonted tribulation you are bowed down with a weight of sorrow, and the cup of tears were given to you to drink in great measure— would you think of turning to that religious society of which you are a member for council and sympa. thy? Do you feel so bound to your nominal brethren, and are you so confident of the strength of their Christian love, that you have no doubt of their affectionate commiseration and tender support? And do you believe they are so anxious to fulfil the law of Christ according to the epitome of that law,"-Gal. vi. 2; "that you feel confident they will gladly bear your burden? Let every one answer this question according to his experience, his knowledge, and his serious belief." And if they were so to answer the question, myriads and myriads by tears of gratitude and smiles of joy, would testify to the kindness of their brethren in Christ, during the dark and dreary season of their sore affliction. But a few hours before this page was written, I saw the gloom of the poor man's sick chamber lighted up, and the burden of his suffering alleviated with the sunshine of his countenance, as he threw over the scene of his sor. row, his willing, grateful, and emphatic testimony to the love and sympathy of his fellow members. "And am I," he exclaimed, as the tear sparkled in his eye," under the protection of the church?" feeling surprised, not at the unfrequency, but at the greatness of this precious privilege. And it is, blessed be the God of love, who has breathed his own nature into the hearts of his own people, no uncommon reward of a pastor's labour, as he holds his official walks among the people of his charge, often to listen

to the report they make of each other's love in the spirit. O what blessed scenes have I witnessed of brotherly kindness within the wide circle of my own church, and rejoiced over them with thankfulness, as sweet and sacred proofs that I had not preached in vain the doctrine of redeeming love, nor inculcated in vain the necessary fruit of it, the love of the brethren.

Still, however, I sorrowfully confess, that among professors of every denomination, and my own among the rest, there is far, very far, too little of this God-like temper. We are all verily guilty concerning our brother. We had all need to go again to the cross of our dying Lord, to learn how he has loved us, and how we ought to love one another. The measure of tender affection with which Christians should regard each other, is so great, that what they have done in this way, seems as nothing.

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See what is said, and how much, concerning this disposition in the word of God. Scarcely any duty is enjoined with such great frequency, or in so great a variety of forms. It is the peculiar law of Christ's kingdom, This is my commandment that ye love one another, as I have loved you."—John, xv. 12. It is the identifying mark of Christ's disciples, the sign of their caste, the necessary and certain token of their discipleship. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."-John, xiii. 35. It is the fruit and evidence of our regeneration.-1 Peter, i. 22, 23. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren."—I John, iii. 14. It is the mark of spiritual prosperity in a church.-Eph. i. 15. It is the ground of apostolic eulogium in individual character. "I thank God, making mention

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of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus and all the saints."-Phil. v. It is the subject of frequent and emphatic apostolic admonition. "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ."-Gal. vi. 2. Nearly the whole of the three epistles of John were written to enforce this duty. It is dignified with the appellation of the NEW COMMANDNew in its kind, its model, its strength, its motives; as I have loved you." Moses enjoined us to love our neighbour as ourselves; Christ has commanded us to love our neighbour, in one respect, more than ourselves, for we are, if need be, "to lay down our lives for our brethren.”—1 John, iii, 16, This love is made the test of character at the judgment day; the want of it, the ground of condemnation to the wicked, and the possession of it, the ground of justification and approbation to the righteous. "Inasmuch as ye did it, or did it not, to one of the least of these, my brethren, ye did it, or did it not, to me."-Matt. xxv. Let any man read and study all these passages, and mark the vast importance which is attached to brotherly love, and then let him look round upon the church of Christ, and say if it is not yet lamentably deficient in this duty.

We should attentively consider the grounds on which this love is to be exercised. It is love to the brethren, as such; love to them for God's sake and Christ's sake-love to them as the objects of the Father's eternal, infinite, and unchangeable affection; the purchase of the Son's agonies and blood; the workmanship of the Spirit's grace. How dear the saints are to the heart of Christ and of God, none can know but the infinite mind of God. This is the ground of genuine love to Christians; this is

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