30. And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31. And they that use this world as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32. But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33. But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36. But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not : let them marry. 37. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well: but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. 39. The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40. But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. The danger which St. Paul fears and guards I suppose: i. e. I know. The original phrase is not one which implies doubt, but expresses certainty. against will not be incurred by those who attend to the instruction here given. Let them marry: only in the Lord. Let them "not be unequally yoked together:" the "children of light," with "the children of this generation." Two cannot "walk together except they be agreed." 8 One cannot serve God, whilst the other is serving Mammon, without constant distraction: and it is very difficult to keep the main object stedfastly before us, and "to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," in company with those who "have their portion in this world." It must have added sorely to the painfulness of Job's trial, when "his wife came to him and said, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die." Only one who was largely endowed with the Spirit of holiness, could have answered as Job answered: "Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What! shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? "9 Therefore Paul says, I would have you without carefulness. I would have you free from the anxiety with which you may be too probably perplexed, if united to a partner who is not like-minded with yourselves. For then two duties clash together: the duty to God, and the duty to wife or husband. The commandment is, that "husbands love their wives," and that "wives be subject to their own husbands in everything." And whilst each careth equally for the things of the Lord: as long as the great purpose is, that the union which has been commenced on 7 2 Cor. vi. 14. 9 Job ii. 9, 10. Amos iii. 3. 1 Eph. v. 22-25. earth should last for ever in heaven: then each helps the other on the way, as they journey towards "Zion with their faces thitherward."2 But if one care for the things of the world, it becomes difficult for the other to please the Lord, to attend upon the Lord, without distraction. Take the case, for instance, of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. It happened that they were but too well agreed in their hypocrisy. But suppose, as we may easily suppose, that Ananias had been prepared, with all the self-denial of Joses,* to sell his possessions, and lay the price at the apostles' feet: whilst Sapphira clung to the world and the things of the world, and was not disposed to give up lands or houses for the gospel's sake. Then would occur the difficulty which St. Paul foresees and fears. He that is married, careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. A rival interest, and a rival affection, makes it doubly difficult to please the Lord. All therefore is to be resolved into that consideration, Brethren, the time is short. Keep free from any other anxiety, than how best to pass through things temporal so as not to lose things eternal. The time is short, during which possessions can be occupied, the world indulged in, the endearments of a family enjoyed. It remaineth, that we "set our affections on things above, and not on things of the earth:" that we so use earthly things, as to be ready to resign them. For the fashion of this world passeth away. And there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brother, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold 4 Acts iv. 37. 2 Jer. 1. 5. 3 Acts. v. 1-8. more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."5 LECTURE LXVI. IDOLATROUS FEASTS TO BE AVOIDED BY 1 COR. viii. 1. Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. A common mode of worship among the heathens was first to sacrifice the victim, and afterwards to feast upon the victim which had been so sacrificed. Those who had been converted from idolatry, took, of course, no part in the ceremony of sacrificing. It became a question, whether they were at liberty to partake of the feast which followed. What is an idol? some said. We all have knowledge that an idol is nothing in the world. And therefore the food is not altered, though it may have been offered in sacrifice; and we may eat of it as well as of any other food. Some, it appears, were proud of this knowledge; boasted of being above prejudices; and despised the weaker brethren who had scruples. St. 5 Matt. xviii. 29, 30. Paul reminds them, that knowledge is good, but charity is better. It is well to be convinced of the vanity of idols: but mere knowledge puffeth up: that charity, which is afraid of injuring or offending a brother, is truly edifying: it is the proper use of knowledge. And if any man boast of his knowledge, think that he knoweth any thing, he has still everything to learn: he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. Humility, not self-conceit, is the fruit of real knowledge. The first and greatest knowledge is the knowledge of God: happy is any man who has been taught not only to despise idols, but to know "Him that is true." If any man love God, the same is known of him. God, unto whom all hearts are open, "knoweth them that are his :" knoweth those who have set their hearts upon him, though it may be in much weakness and fear. He knows also whether it is true acquaintance with him, or rather a desire of self-indulgence, which prompts to the partaking of the sacrifice. And certainly that man would deceive himself, who should profess to love God, and yet disregard his brother. 3 4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 4 6. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 1 1 John v. 20. 4 2 Tim. ii. 19. 3 1 John iv. 20. Many so esteemed and styled among the heathens. |