Now except the Mind be preserved chaste, there is no Safety for us; but in an Estrangement from true Resignation, the Spirit of the World casts up a Way, in which Gain is many Times principally attended to, and in which there is a selfish Application of outward Treasures.
How agreeable to the true Harmony of Society, is that Exhortation of the Apostle? Look not every Man on his own Things, but every Man also on the Things of others. Let this Mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
A Person in outward Prosperity may have the Power of obtaining Riches, but the same Mind being in him which is in Christ Jesus, he may feel a Tenderness of Heart towards those of low Degree; and instead of setting himself above them, may look upon it as an unmerited Favour, that his Way through Life is more easy than the Way of many others; may improve every Opportunity of leading forth out of those Customs which have entangled the Family; employ his Time in looking into the Wants of the poor Members, and hold forth such a perfect Example of Humiliation, that the pure Witness may be reached in many Minds; and the Way opened for a harmonious walking together.
Jesus Christ, in promoting the Happiness of others, was not deficient in looking for the Helpless, who lay in Obscurity, nor did he save any Thing to render himself honourable amongst Men, which might have been of more Use to the weak Members in his Father's Family; of whose Compassion towards us I may now speak a little. He who was perfectly happy in himself, moved with infinite Love, took not upon him the Nature of Angels, but our imperfect Natures, and therein wrestled with the Temptations which attend us in this Life; and being the Son of him who is greater than Earthly Princes, yet became a Companion to poor, sincere-hearted Men; and though he gave the clearest Evidence that Divine Power attended him, yet the most unfavourable Constructions were framed by a self-righteous People; those Miracles represented as the Effect of a diabolical Power, and Endeavours used to render him hateful, as having his Mission from the Prince of Darkness; nor did their Envy cease till they took him like a Criminal, and brought him to Trial. Though some may affect to carry the Appearance of being unmoved at the Apprehension of Distress, our dear Redeemer, who was perfectly sincere, having the same human Nature which we have, and feeling, a little before he was apprehended, the Weight of that Work upon him, for which he came into the World, was sorrowful even unto Death; here the human Nature struggled to be excused from a Cup so bitter; but his Prayers centered in Resignation, Not my Will but thine be done. In this Conflict, so great was his Agony, that Sweat like Drops of Blood fell from him to the Ground.
Behold now, as foretold by the Prophet, he is in a judicial Manner numbered with the Transgressors! Behold him as some poor Man of no Reputation, standing before the High Priest and Elders, and before Herod and Pilate, where Witnesses appear against him, and he mindful of the most gracious Design of his Coming, declineth to plead in his own Defence, but as a Sheep that is dumb before the Shearer, so under many Accusations, Revilings, and Buffetings, remained silent. And though he signified to Peter, that he had Access to Power sufficient to overthrow all their outward Forces; yet retaining a Resignation to suffer for the Sins of Mankind, he exerted not that Power, but permitted them to go on in their malicious Designs, and pronounce him to be worthy of Death, even him who was perfect in Goodness; thus in his Humiliation his Judgment was taken away, and he, like some vile Criminal, led as a Lamb to the Slaughter. Under these heavy Trials (tho' poor unstable Pilate was convinced of his Innocence, yet) the People generally looked upon him as a Deceiver, a Blasphemer, and the approaching Punishment as a just Judgment upon him; They esteemed him smitten of God and afflicted. So great had been the Surprize of his Disciples, at his being taken by armed Men, that they forsook him, and fled; thus they hid their Faces from him, he was despised, and by their Conduct it appeared as though they esteemed him not.
But contrary to that Opinion, of his being smitten of God and afflicted, it was for our Sakes that he was put to Grief; he was wounded for our Transgressions; he was bruised for our Iniquities; and under the Weight of them manifesting the deepest Compassion for the Instruments of his Misery, laboured as their Advocate, and in the Deeps of Affliction, with an unconquerable Patience, cried out, Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!
Now this Mind being in us, which was in Christ Jesus, it removes from our Hearts the Desire of Superiority, Worldly Honour, or Greatness; a deep Attention is felt to the Divine Counsellor, and an ardent Engagement to promote, as far as we may be enabled, the Happiness of Mankind universally: This State, where every Motion from a selfish Spirit yieldeth to pure Love, I may, with Gratitude to the Father of Mercies acknowledge, is often opened before me as a Pearl to dig after; attended with a living Concern, that amongst the many Nations and Families on the Earth, those who believe in the Messiah, that he was manifested to destroy the Works of the Devil, and thus to take away the Sins of the World, may experience the Will of our Heavenly Father, may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Strong are the Desires I often feel, that this Holy Profession may remain unpolluted, and the Believers in Christ may so abide in the pure inward Feeling of his Spirit, that the Wisdom from above may shine forth in their Living, as a Light by which others may be instrumentally helped on their Way, in the true harmonious Walking.