No man loves, but he loves another more than himself. In mean instances this is apparent. If you come into an orchard with a person you love, and there be but one ripe cherry you prefer it to the other. If two lovers delight in the same piece of meat, either takes pleasure in the other, and more esteems the beloved's satisfaction. What ails men that they do not see it? In greater cases this is evident. A mother runs upon a sword to save her beloved. A father leaps into the fire to fetch out his beloved. Love brought Christ from Heaven to die for His beloved. It is in the nature of love to despise itself, and to think only of its beloved's welfare. Look to it, it is not right love that is otherwise. Moses and St. Paul were no fools. God make me one of their number. I am sure nothing is more acceptable to Him, than to love others so as to be willing to imperil even one's own soul for their benefit and welfare. |