_Charity never faileth._
NOTHING is more valuable and commendable, and yet, not one duty is
less practised, than that of charity. We often pretend concern and pity
for the misery and distress of our fellow-creatures, but yet we seldom
commiserate their condition so much as to relieve them according to
our abilities; but unless we assist them with what they may stand in
need of, for the body, as well as for the soul, all our wishes are no
more than words of no value or regard, and are not to be esteemed or
regarded: for when we hear of any deplorable circumstance, in which our
fellow-creatures are involved, be they friends or enemies; it is our
duty, as christians, to assist them to the utmost of our power.
Indeed, we are not, my brethren, to hurt ourselves or our families;
this is not that charity which is so much recommended by St. _Paul_;
no, but if we are any ways capable of relieving them without injuring
either ourselves, or families, then it is our duty to do it; and this
never faileth, where it proceeds from a right end, and with a right
view.
St. _Paul_ had been shewing, in the preceding chapter, that spiritual
gifts were divers; that GOD had disposed of one blessing to one, and
another to another; and though there was a diversity of blessings, GOD
did not bestow them to one person, but gave to one a blessing which he
denied to another, and gave a blessing, or a gift to the other which
might make him as eminent in one way, as the other’s gift made him so
in another: but though there are these divers spiritual gifts, they are
all given for some wise end, even to profit withal, and to that end
they are thus diversly bestowed. We are not, on the one hand, to hide
those gifts which GOD has given us: neither are we, on the other, to
be so lavish of them, as to spend them upon our lusts and pleasures,
to satisfy our sensual appetites, but they are to be used for the
glory of GOD, and the good of immortal souls. After he had particularly
illustrated this, he comes to shew, that all gifts, however great they
may be in themselves, are of no value unless we have charity, as you
may see particularly, by considering from the beginning of this chapter.
But before I go any further, I shall inform you what the apostle
means by charity; and that is, LOVE; if there is true love, there will
be charity; there will be an endeavour to assist, help, and relieve
according to that ability wherewith GOD has blessed us: and, since this
is so much recommended by the apostle, let us see how valuable this
charity is, and how commendable in all those who pursue it. I shall,