SERMON

1 TIMOTHY, vi. 6.

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

THE

HE desire of gain, in one form or another, is universal: for though no one can seek the true riches for himself, without disinterested love to God and his neighbour; yet love to himself and thirst after happiness cannot be extinguished; being essential to our nature as God originally constituted it, and not superinduced by the entrance of sin. If, however, the apostle's compendious maxim were generally believed, how many vain projects would be superseded! What fatigues, dangers, anxieties, envies, contentions, frauds, oppressions, wars, murders, and mischiefs might be prevented!

The context is worthy of our peculiar attention. The servants in those days were generally slaves ; and it frequently happened that Christians were the property of pagans. Such a condition is commonly thought very wretched, and slaves have eir own masters worthy of all honour: name of God and his doctrine be not ned." For if Christian servants berespectfully to their masters, than others Leathens would blame their religion, as nem to violate the duties of their station. y," says he, "that have believing masthem not despise them, because they are ; but rather do them service, because faithful and beloved, partakers of the No doubt the involuntary servitude ho have not, by atrocious crimes for- liberty, is inconsistent with the moral ; and if real christianity should become slavery must be finally abolished. But were not legislators or civil magistrates: s of religion, they taught men how to several situations as matters then stood: the rulers embraced the gospel, it was too should be taught their duty, and to apply a legal and regular remedy to

shewed the sources and consequen trary doctrine; exhorted Timoth from vain disputers, who " suppose godliness:" and then subjoined t text, " but godliness with conten "gain;" for, says he, "We broug "the world, and it is certain, tha "nothing out. And having foo "let us be therewith content."

In considering the subject we m

I. Notice the connexion be and contentment.

II. Shew in what respects contentment is great gain.

III. Deduce some practical

rod, according to the first table of the w; but as implying especially the dispond demeanour, suited to a sinner under a tion of mercy, and invited to reconciliah his offended God, through the Mediator

ew covenant.

this has been duly attended to it will evippear, that deep humility and unfeigned ice constitute an essential part of evangeliiness; for unless we habitually possess this mind, we cannot sincerely make those ons and supplications, or present those s of praise and thanksgiving, which are to Christianity. Now every reflecting ast perceive, that deep humility, accomwith cheering hope, exceedingly tends to contentment. A vast proportion of the nce and fretfulness of mankind results False estimate of their own merits and cone. This induces them to consider their eat, their comforts few and trivial, the

own with the centurion, "Lord, I "that thou shouldst come under m John Baptist, " I am not worthy to "latchet;" a total revolution wou all their sentiments and sensations comforts and trials, and the usage from those around them. The sh would then appear light and mom red with their deserts; the mea would be received with lively gr with the patriarch they confesse "worthy of the least of all thy mer unfavourable situation or disagreeai would be considered as better, tha right to expect: and in the grea affronts, they would submit to the who may correct or punish by w ments he pleases.

Humble thoughts of themselves