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We should have been irrevocably doomed to dwell with the fallen angels

Nor should we ever have heard one more offer of mercy from our offended God

Let us then bless and adore our Lord for this distinguishing favour

And let his love constrain us to turn unto him with our whole hearts]

2. How earnest should we be in improving the present moment!

[Many are dead who lately seemed as likely to live as ourselves

But when their time was come they could not resist the stroke of death

Nor can any who are now alive, tell how long a respite shall be granted them

It is probable that many of us will be gone before the expiration of this year

And whenever the fixed period shall arrive, all intercessions will be in vain

Let us then redeem the time with all earnestness and zealAnd accomplish the great work, before the night cometh to terminate our labours-]

• 2 Pet. i. 5-8.

P Perhaps one in twenty.

CCLII. THE AMBITIOUS GUEST.

Luke xiv. 7—10. And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief room; saying unto them, when thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him, come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

THE Christian is not prohibited from occasionally joining in carnal festivity

But he should carefully watch his own spirit and conduct when he ventures upon such dangerous ground

And should improve his intercourse with worldly company for the spiritual edification of himself and othersOur blessed Lord was sometimes present at feasts; but his conversation at those seasons was always pious and instructive

The things which occurred never failed to furnish him with abundant matter for useful observation

Having noticed at a wedding the indecent ambition of the guests, he animadverted on their conduct in the parable before us

I. The principle here inculcated

Our Lord did not intend these words merely as a maxim for the regulating of our conduct in one particular, but as a parable that should be applied to the whole of our deportment in social life

The scope of the text, whether as originally delivered by Solomon, or as quoted and applied by our Lord, is to recommend humility

But to enter fully into its meaning, we must analyse, as it were, the principle here inculcated; which implies 1. A deep sense of our own unworthiness

[If we stand high in our own estimation, we cannot but expect a degree of homage from others

And shall be ready to claim precedence among our equals But if we have an humiliating sense of our own extreme vileness, we shall readily concede pre-eminence to others, and take the lowest place as that which properly belongs to usSuch a disposition cannot but spring from self-knowledge; nor can it fail of operating in this manner"]

2. An utter contempt of worldly distinctions

[While we "love that honour which cometh of man," we cannot but aspire after it, when it comes within our reachBut we are taught to the dead, yea crucified, to the worldAnd this once obtained, we shall despise the baubles that are so much the objects of rivalship and contention-].

3. A readiness to give honour to whom honour is due [Though religion teaches us an indifference to man's ap-. plause, it does not warrant us to level the established orders of society

God requires us to "honour those that are in authority,” as well as to serve and honour him—

a

Compare Prov. xxv. 6, 7, with ver. 11. c Gal. vi. 14.

b Phil. ii. 3.

d Rom. xiii. 7.

While therefore a sense of duty will keep us from coveting human distinctions for ourselves, it will induce us cheerfully to pay to others the tribute due to their rank and station-]

Excellent however as this principle is, it needs to be limited by prudence, and exercised with care

[Though this principle can never operate to too great an extent, it may exert itself in a very absurd manner

There are certain decencies in society that ought not to be violated, as would be the case if the great and noble should literally take the lowest place among those who are of very inferior rank

Besides, it is possible that we may be actuated by pride, while we thus put on an appearance of humility

We need therefore take heed both to our hearts and ways, that in obeying this precept we act with sincerity and discretion-]

Having endeavoured to explain the principle, we shall point out

II. Its importance in human life

Humility is to the graces of a Christian what holiness is to the attributes of the Deity, the beauty and perfection of them all

1. It conduces in the highest degree to the comfort of mankind

[Nothing tends more to the happiness of our own minds— What a source of vexation and anguish is pride!

With what envy are they beheld to whom precedence has been given!

What indignation do they excite, who overlook our superior claims!e

A slight, whether real or supposed, will often fill us with rancour as much as the most serious injury could have done— But let humility possess our minds, and this source of uneasiness is destroyed

If we be willing to give honour to others, and be indifferent to it ourselves, and especially if we count ourselves unworthy of it, we shall feel no pain at seeing others preferred before

us

Nor does any thing more tend to the peace and comfort of society

What is it but pride that makes every neighbourhood a scene of contention?f

e This idea will be fully understood by those who have ever mixed in public assemblies. f James iii. 14-16.

What is it but pride that creates such factions in a state?What is it but pride that involves nations in war and desolations

Even the church of God itself is often torn and distracted by this fatal principle—

Let humility once gain a proper ascendant in the hearts of men, and universal harmony will reign

Surely the importance of this principle cannot be too highly rated, or expressed in too energetic terms]

2. It is that whereby men most eminently adorn the gospel

[The avowed scope of the gospel is to improve the principles and practice of mankind

And they who receive the truth, are expected to excel in every thing that is amiable and praiseworthy

How unseemly did the ambition of the sons of Zebedee appear!h

The ungodly themselves do not hesitate to pronounce them hypocrites who, while they profess religion, are under the dominion of pride and ambition

On the other hand, humility irresistibly commends itself to all

Who does not admire the concessions made by Abraham to his nephew Lot?i

Who does not adore the condescension of our Lord in washing his disciples' feet?—

Even those who are most elated with pride themselves, are constrained to applaud humility in others

And though nothing but the grace of God can induce any to embrace the gospel, a suitable deportment in its professors will often silence the cavils, and disarm the prejudices, of those who ignorantly reject it']

This subject will naturally lead us to CONTEMPLATE 1. The folly of sin

sin

[There is really as much folly, as there is sinfulness, in

In how many instances do men attain by integrity and humility, what others in vain seek for by dishonesty and arrogance!

This is well illustrated in the parable before us—

Let us then simply endeavour to glorify God by an holy conversation

And leave our temporal advancement to his all-wise disposal-]

g James iv. 1. John xiii. 4, 5.

h Matt. xx. 20-28.
11 Pet. ii. 13-15.

i Gen. xiii. 9.

2. The excellence of religion

[Religion does not merely impose rules for our conduct towards God, but should regulate every disposition of our minds, and every action of our lives

Where it has its full influence, it gives a polish, which is but poorly mimicked by the refinements of modern polite

ness

It will not indeed convert a clown into a courtier; but it will teach every one to act as becomes his station

Let us then exhibit in our respective spheres that simplicity of mind and manners, that while it adorns the gospel, shall disarm the malice of our enemies, and, if possible, conciliate their esteem-]

m Rom. xii. 10. 1 Pet. v. 5.

CCLIII. THE GREAT SUPPER.

Luke xiv. 16-18. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servant at supper-time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for All things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse.

PERSONS, who are very ignorant of true religion, often express a desire to participate its blessings

Wherever we find them thus open to instruction, we should endeavour to teach them the way of God more perfectly

This was the uniform practice of our blessed Saviour3— The person, that addressed our Lord, seemed but little acquainted with the nature of the Messiah's kingdom'— Our Lord took occasion to rectify his apprehensions on that subject

And to shew him, under the idea of a feast, that the provisions of his gospel would be slighted by that 'whole nation

The parable in this view declares the rejection of the Jews and the call of the Gentiles

But it is also applicable to nominal Christians in all ages-→→→

a See John iv. 15, 31. and vi. 34. 35.

b Ver. 15.

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