of their neighbours are, generally, the most alive to the sentiments and speeches of the neighbourhood concerning themselves. And it may be considered as a truth established by experience, that persons who in common occurrences are very anxious as to the judgement which the world may pronounce on their conduct, will be found in heart devoted, in practice conformed, to the world. If you perceive decisive indications of this anxiousness in the language and deportment of a particular individual: be prepared to expect in that individual, sometimes instances of departure from Christian moderation; sometimes compliance with ensnaring customs; sometimes an eager desire to imitate foolish, extravagant, or otherwise objectionable proceedings in the domestic habits of families in the vicinity. See that you be not that individual. In proportion as attention to be quiet and to do your own business contributes to guard you against this anxious apprehension, this sudden and lively feeling, of the animadversions and the sneers of the worldly-minded; it guards you against conformity to the world, against becoming enslaved to a worldly spirit.

In our endeavours, my brethren, conscientiously to discharge, in dependence on the

divine grace, the obligations which have now been investigated; let us look to our universal pattern, the Lord Jesus Christ. Though the office which he came as man to execute was of the most public nature; though it constrained him to move continually from village to village, from city to city; though in towns it enveloped him in overwhelming crowds, and even in deserts surrounded him with multitudes: how eminently was he distinguished by quietness in every branch of his duty! He did not cry, nor strive, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street (i). nent also was his diligence in work! He went about doing good, all that were oppressed of the Devil. He was constantly about His Father's business. It was his meat to do the will of His Father that sent Him, and to finish His Father's work (j). In all things He has given us an example, that we should do as He has done (k) Would we follow his commandments? Let us walk in his fteps. Would we reign with Him hereafter? Let us be conformed to His image here.

How emi

his proper and healing

(i) Ifa. xlii. 2. (j) Acts, x. 38. Luke, ii. 49. John, iv. 34. (*) John, xiii. 15.

SER

SERMON XVII.

On PARTIALITY.

ACTS, vi. I.

And in those Days, when the Number of the Disciples was multiplied, their arose a Murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their Widows were neglected in the daily Ministration.

A NEW commandment I give unto you, said

our Lord to the apostles on the evening before His death, that ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (a). Obedience to this commandment became an immediate and a distinguishing mark of the early Christians. Their fervent love for each other raised the astonishment and the admiration of the heathens among whom they dwelt: and contributed to win the hearts of unbelievers to the religion of Christ. One One way in which this love shewed itself was bountiful kind(a) John, xiii. 34, 35.

ness to the distressed. No sooner had the
preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost
been the means of converting three thousand
souls, than we learn that all that believed were
together, and had all things common: and the
richer among them sold their possessions and
goods, and parted them to all men, as every
man had need (b). Some time afterwards,
when the number of Christians at Jerusalem
was much enlarged, the multitude of them that
believed were of one heart, and of one soul: nei-
ther said any of them that aught of the things
which he possessed was his own; but they had all
things common. And great grace was upon
them all. Neither was there any among them
that lacked: for as many as were possessors of
lands, or houses, sold them, and brought the
prices of the things that were sold, and laid
them down at the Apostle's feet; and distribution
was made unto every man according as he had
need (c).
Wrong practices, however, or
wrong feelings, arising from that corrup-
tion of human nature which, even when
brought under subjection by divine grace, is
always striving to recover his dominion over
the heart, speedily began to take place
with respect to the distribution of this
charitable fund. There arose a murmuring
of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because

(b) Acts, ii. 44, 45.

(c) Acts, iv. 32-34.

their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. These Grecians were Jews from foreign countries, who had come to Jerusalem, and had there been converted to Christianity. The Hebrews were native Jews resident in Judæa, who had also embraced the Gospel. As the principal part of the fund from which daily support was furnished to the poor had probably been contributed by the Hebrews; it is also probable that the management and disposal of it might be left principally in their hands. The Grecians either perceived, or imagined, that the widows belonging to their body were not relieved equally with the widows of the Hebrews. They complained to the apostles; and requested them to remedy the evil. The apostles called together the whole assembly of Christians. And having publickly declared in the first place, that it would be entirely unreasonable and fruitless to expect that they themselves, to whom Christ had committed the office of preaching the gospel, should leave their special functions of prayer and of the ministry of the word, in order to superintend the distribution of provisions: they desired the multitude to look out from among themselves seven men of honest report, and full of the Holy Ghost and

Y 4