Truly brethren, here was the humility which, whilst it disowns and discrowns self, puts the crown fully on the head which is worthy to wear it. There is no affection. Nothing but the outpouring of the sincerest convictions of the soul, telling us on the one hand that no flesh shall glory in His presence—on the other that the soul shall make her boast in the Lord.
2. Nor was the tender unselfish love less remarkable than the humility.
He realised in an uncommon degree the love shown in the coming and death of the Lord Jesus. The thought of it would often melt his soul and overpower him for the time.
Now, such love, so realised, will always produce the reality of love. No doubt there was much of tender feeling and deep affection in the natural character. But these were increased a thousand fold by Grace. You could not look at him without being struck by this. His heart looked out at his eyes, and that look was a whole sermon upon love.
Nor was it a mere sentiment. Love, to be love, must act, and you know the forms which that action took in his case.
He loved and cared much for the bodies of men. Many of you now present can testify to this. Many hereafter will rise up and call him blessed.
But he loved and cared for souls more. Nothing could exceed the affectionate desirousness or the overflowing tenderness of his love for sinners. By every means in his power he would labour to bring Christ to them, or them to Christ. I cannot dwell upon all the means he used. His care to appoint godly ministers over the churches for which he was a trustee—his open-handed support of every society which put Christ in His right place—these are as well known to you as to me.
I would rather recall his personal efforts to make known the Gospel which was his own life.
Many of you, brethren, can bear me witness that by the space of many years he did not shun to declare by lip and life, by word and walk, the whole counsel of God.
He was emphatically one of that class who, to use the words of a poor man in London, “carry their religion to other people’s houses.” You know how he exhorted, and comforted, and taught; and that nothing made him an happy as the telling out the story of the Cross, or seeing the change which it could work upon the soul.