"When the ear heard me, then it blessed me : and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me; because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." 8

Claim, my brethren, for yourselves, a testimony like this; a testimony to be borne at last by Him, for whose sake and in whose name you have thus lived, and who " is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love."

I do not fear that the self-inquiry will lead to self-righteousness. A man is little likely to justify himself in a self-righteous spirit, who carefully examines into his life and practice. The more closely a man calculates the time which he has given to God, and the time which he has given to the world, the less ground will he find for self-complacency. The more accurately he sums up the account of his charities, and the account of his worldly expenses, the more likely he is to condemn himself as an unprofitable servant, who has not done that which it was his duty to do. But, at all events, we must blot out of the

8 Job xxix. 11-13.

Bible a large portion of its contents, unless we acknowledge that every one is bound to judge concerning his love towards God, by examining the degree of his love towards man; and to think of what he is before God, according to what he is towards his neighbour.9 For "hereby," by our loving "not in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth," we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." 1

9 ἐν τούτῳ.

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11 John iii. 19. ἐμπροσθεν αυτου.

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SERMON XIX.

LABOUR IN THE LORD.

ROм. xvi. 12.

Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

THESE words appear among the different messages and salutations which Paul sent to those among the Christians at Rome who were personally known to him. Many of them had shown their zeal in the christian cause by assistance given to it. And this he does not forget to notice, whilst he mentions them by name. "Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord."

Now we cannot but observe, that this is the language of approbation. There is no hint given, that Persis or others who were similarly engaged, were engaged in a way that need demand restraint or excite suspicion. Persis is not warned, lest she interfere in matters that are too high for her; or lest she step beyond the place assigned her in the church of God; or lest she allow her zeal to attract notice, and make her singular. The apostle, whilst he makes mention of her name, is reminded of her useful, active life, her "labour of love," and speaks of it in a manner which could not but imply that he approved her conduct, and encouraged her to proceed. Christians have still the same God to judge their actions. He changes not. They have still the same motives, inseparable from their faith as Christians. What, therefore, was approved in Christians eighteen hundred years ago, would be approved in Christians now. And it behoves us to inquire, first, the nature of that labour which St. Paul commends in Persis; next, the reasons which impel to it; and thirdly, the reward attending it.

First, what does the apostle allude to, when

he describes Persis as having laboured much in the Lord?

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We immediately perceive that he is not speaking of secular labours. He is not praising Persis because she performed the ordinary duties of life in a conscientious spirit, discharging them as unto the Lord, and not unto men." This, indeed, Persis would do; it would be part of her christian character: but such is the case with all Christians. It does not distinguish one Christian above another, that he lives unto the Lord, that he "sets God always before him."

If

Neither can the apostle speak of works of charity alone, or of temporal assistance bestowed upon the needy brethren. The phrase here used is not suited to describe such works. these had been chiefly in his thoughts, he would have praised Persis as one who was "glad to distribute;" ready "to do good:" as one who had "bestowed much labour on us;" or who had "ministered to the necessities of the saints, and yet did minister." That which is peculiarly termed labour in the Lord, was labour in promoting the knowledge and spirit. of the Gospel. Those laboured in the Lord, who, having become disciples of Christ, assisted