Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

must necessarily have its peculiar cares and trials too, let them diligently improve that disengagement, as an obligation to seek the kingdom of God with greater ardour, and to pursue its interests with more active zeal and application.

To conclude; since it appears in this respect, as well as in some others, that the gospel revokes some indulgences which the law of Moses gave, let us endeavour to form our hearts by Divine grace to a wisdom, seriousness, and spirituality, which may suit this nobler dispensation; and while we are reading the precept of the jewish legislator, let us remember we have a sublimer Master, and are to do and forbear more than others. (Matt. v. 47.)

SECTION LVIII.

MATT. XIX. 13-15. MARK X. 13—16. LUKE xviii. 15-17.

THEN were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and called them unto him, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them; and departed thence.

Let us make a pause here, that we may more attentively review this delighful and instructive sight; that we may see this compassionate Shepherd of Israel, thus gathering the lambs in his arms, and carrying them in his bosom, with all the tokens of tender regard, (Isa. xl. 11,) rebuking his disciples who forbade their coming and laying his gracious hands upon them to bless them. How condescending and engaging a behaviour! how encouraging and amiable an image!

Let his ministers view it, to teach them a becoming regard to the lambs of their flock, who should early be taken notice of and instructed; and for and with whom they should frequently pray; remembering how often Divine grace takes possession of the heart in the years of infancy, and sanctifies the children of God almost from the womb. Let every first

impression made upon their tender minds be cherished; and let not those whom Christ himself is ready to receive be disregarded by his servants, who upon all occasions should be gentle unto all, and apt to teach. (2 Tim. ii. 24.)

Let parents view this sight with pleasure and thankfulness: let it encourage them to bring their children to Christ by faith, and to commit them to him in baptism, and by prayer. And if he who has the keys of death and the unseen world, (Rev. i. 18,) see fit to remove those dear creatures from us in their early days, let the remembrance of this story comfort us, and teach us to hope that he who so graciously received these children has not forgotten ours, but that they are sweetly fallen asleep in him, and will be the everlasting objects of his care and love; for of such is the kingdom of God.

Let children especially observe this. The great and glorious Redeemer did not despise these little ones; nay, he was much displeased with those who would have prevented their being brought to him. As kindly would he, no doubt, have received you, ye dear children, who read or hear this; as kindly will he still receive you, if you go to him in the sincerity of your hearts, and ask his blessing in humble and earnest prayer. Though you see not Christ, he sees and hears you; he is now present with you, to receive you, to bless you, and to save you. Happy the weakest of you when lodged in the arms of Christ! nothing can pluck you from thence, or ever hurt you there.

In a word, let us all commit ourselves to him; and let us be disposed to become as little children, if we desire to enter into his kingdom. Let us not govern ourselves by the vain maxims of a corrupt and degenerate age. Let not pride, ambition, lust, or avarice, possess, torment, and enslave our minds; but, with the amiable simplicity of children, let us put ourselves into the wise and kind hand of Jesus, as our Guardian, and refer ourselves to his pastoral and parental care, to be clothed and fed, to be guided and disposed of, as he shall see fit. For this purpose, O God, may we be born again by thy Spirit, and formed anew by thy grace! since by this method alone we can be made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, (Col. i. 12,) and be so the children of God, as to be at length the children of the resurrection.

SECTION LIX.

MATT. XIX. 16-30. MARK X. 17-31. LUKE XVIII. 18-30.

AND when he was gone forth into the way, behold, a certain ruler came running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, saying, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? and Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou knowest the commandments, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and thy mother, and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man answered and said unto him, Master, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Now when Jesus heard these things, beholding him he loved him, and said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing; if thou wilt be perfect, go thy way, sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he was very sorrowful, and went away grieved; for he was very rich, and had great possessions. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it,

they were exceedingly amazed, and astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? but Jesus looking upon them saith, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. With men this is impossible, but not with God for with God all things are possible.

Then answered Peter, and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me in the regeneration, When the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, and for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive an hundred-fold now in this present time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Who can behold, without weeping eyes, and a bleeding heart, this lovely youth perishing in sin! What could have appeared more promising, than this solicitous concern about eternal life, in a young man, rich in the possessions, and high in the honours of the present world! To see him running with such eagerness to the feet of a Redeemer, kneeling down, with such humility before him, calling upon him by so honourable a title, and professing so sincere a desire of instruction, could not but lead us to conclude, Surely this man was not far from the kingdom of God; nor do we wonder, that Jesus beholding him loved him. Who would not have looked on such an object with complacency! Who would not have expected, that this pleasant plant should have brought forth grapes: but behold, it brought forth wild grapes! (Isa. v. 2.) So have we seen, in the compass, perhaps, of our small observation and experience, many a fair blossom fall wither.. ing to the ground. So have the hopes of ministers and parents, and other religious friends, been disappointed, with respect to many young persons, adorned with a variety of

T

amiable qualifications, yet lacking one thing, and parting with Christ when put to the trial, after all the regard they have shewn to his name, and all the pleasing expectations they have given of a willingness to serve him. O my young reader, whoever thou art, I earnestly pray, that thou mayest not be added to that number!

This unhappy youth imagined himself in the certain way of salvation, because he was free from the stains of fraud and injustice, of adultery and theft, of perjury and murder, or any other gross and infamous sin. But behold, how awful a method Christ takes, to open to him that insincerity of heart, which he seems himself not to have known. Observe, how strange a command he gives him, to sell all, and distribute to the poor. We cannot say, that the very same is directly required of us; yet by this order that was given to him, we are obliged to part with our all, when it cannot be preserved with a good conscience; and by the general rules of Christianity, and its fundamental precepts, we are in duty bound, conscientiously to use, not only a little part of our substance, but even the whole of it for God, as stewards who are another day to give up a strict account for all. And if we like not Christ and glory on these terms, our end will be no better than his. Of him we read, that after all his morality and all his zeal he went away from Christ, (though sorrowful,) because he had great possessions. Oh dear-bought wealth, which was the price of his soul !

Let us look upon him, and receive instruction; let us learn to be upon our guard against this vain world, that specious harlot, who hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. (Prov. vii. 26.) How universally are riches desired, how eagerly are they pursued, by persons in all stations and of all professions of life! Yet what do they generally prove but shining mischief and gilded ruin ! If we believe the incarnate wisdom of God, they make our salvation exceeding hazardous. Yet who does not wish for them? Who does not think that he has wisdom and grace enough to stand the danger? But God knows otherwise, and therefore he keeps, or makes, so many of his children poor. Let them be contented with their safer state; and let those who are rich be importunate with God for those influences of his grace which can effect those things that are impossible with men.

On the whole, let us not think much of any thing which Christ demands, knowing that whatever we may lose, or whatever we may resign, we shall gain far more by his favour. The testimony of a good conscience before him, a life of friendship with God, the consolations of his Spirit, and

« ElőzőTovább »