2. It farther implies in it, our using endeavours to promote the good of all, whom we converse with; and thereby rendering ourselves a blessing to mankind. It does not, indeed, exclude self-love, which it supposes to be a duty; but obliges us to love others as well as ourselves, in things that relate to their spiritual and temporal good. This leads us to enquire,
(1.) Whether we ought to love others better than ourselves; or what the apostle intends, when he says, Let each esteem other better than themselves? Phil. ii. 3.
Answ. [1.] It cannot be hereby intended, that they, who have attained a great measure of the knowledge of the truths of God, should reckon themselves as ignorant of, or unstable in, the doctrines of the gospel, as those who never made them the subject of their study and enquiry; nor, that they, who have had large experience of the grace of God, should conclude that they have no more experience thereof than those who are unregenerate, and have not taken one step heavenward. But,
[2.] The meaning is, that the greatest saint should not think himself better than the least, any otherwise than as he has received more from the discriminating grace of God; as the apostle says, Who maketh thee to differ from another; and what hast thou, that thou didst not receive? 1 Cor. iv. 7. And, indeed, such an one may see more sin in himself than he can see in any other; and therefore, may have reason to reckon himself, as the apostle speaks, the chief of sinners, 1 Tim. i. 15.
[3.] The best saints would have been as bad as the vilest of men, had they been left to themselves; and it may be, some of them who have had less grace, have had fewer talents, and opportunities of grace, than they have had; which they have improved better, in proportion to what they have received, than they have, the many advantages which God has been pleased to bestow on them.
(1.) Our next enquiry may be, whether our love to our neighbour should extend so far, as that we should be willing, were it needful, to lay down our lives for them; as it is said, in 1 John iii. 16. We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren; and in Rom. v. 7. Peradventure, for a good man some would even dare to die.
Answ. [1.] By laying down our lives in these scriptures, is principally intended hazarding our lives, or exposing ourselves to the utmost danger, even of death itself, for others. But,
[2.] We are not to do this rashly, and at all times; but when God, who is the sovereign Lord of our lives, calls us to it. And,
[3.] This ought not to be for every one, but for the brethren, especially for those who are more eminently useful in the church of God than ourselves or others. Accordingly the apostle says, for a good man; that is, one who is a common good, or a blessing to many others, one would even dare to die.
[4.] This must be, at such times, when in exposing ourselves for the sake of others, we give our testimony to the gospel; and, in defending them, plead the injured cause of Christ and religion.