"A

SECTION XXIV.

AGAINST INCONSIDERATE PROFESSION.

LUKE xiv. 25-35.

ND there went great multitudes with Him; and He turned, and said unto them, 'If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.'

If

The influence of our Lord's words and works operated here as it had done in Galilee: a great concourse of people followed Him, and seemed inclined to attach themselves to Him; but, as before, He pointedly discouraged this light and superficial adhesion to Him. He knew that what was thoughtlessly taken up would be hastily laid down in those times of trial which were now so near. it was necessary, in the first period of His ministry, to warn those who wished to follow Him, that they must bear their cross if they would tread in His steps, what was it now that He was ready to be offered, and the "time of His departure" so nearly at hand? And therefore He tells them, in effect, that if there was any thing or any person whom in the secret of their souls they felt they could not bear to sacrifice, if need be, to His cause, they could not be His disciples. They must be prepared to act as if they hated everything else, even the nearest and dearest ties, in comparison of Him. Even thus did

St. Paul feel and act. "For whom" (Christ) "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him."*

It is remarkable how differently our Lord dealt with different cases. To some He gave the peremptory summons, "Follow Me."+ He admitted of no excuse, no prayer for delay, no plea for deliberation. "Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." "No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Others who were showing a wish to follow Him, He almost warns off. "If any man come to Me, and hate not" (his dearest relations)" yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." The solution is, that He knew what is in man. He saw that the one class understood indeed something of the seriousness of the venture, and were hesitating on that account; they wanted bracing up. The others were rushing into an undertaking of which they saw not the difficulties, and understood not the obligations. They needed to be brought up to look at these in the face. So our Lord first sets before these last the folly and imprudence of commencing a great and solemn work without thoughtful calculation.

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish

it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish."" Here is the first dissuasive, the disgrace of an effort which falls short of its mark. "Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace." Here is the second dissuasive, the danger of provoking a contest which we are not prepared to fight out. "So likewise whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple."

It may seem, at first sight, that this can have but little application to us in these easy days. The cost of religion to us may seem not to be great-not so great indeed as the cost of irreligion would be, as persons who are supposed to be openly godless are apt to be looked coldly at in respectable society. There may be indeed little to forsake in following with enthusiasm a particular preacher, attaching ourselves to a particular party, being zealous for missionary societies or works of charity. But, in every section or school of Christian profession, there will always come a time to the individual heart which is really in earnest, when something very dear has to be given up, if we will follow out that which we believe to be the will of God; and if on setting out in our heavenward course, we feel-" That is a thing which I could not do—I could give up everything else, but not that"-we had better-what?

Desist from following the Lord? That would be utter ruin. No; but flee to him, and say, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. I will do all things if Thou wilt but strengthen me." The Lord concludes His warning with words which He had spoken before, and which seem used here to suggest the utter worthlessness of those who are only half-and-half followers of Christ. "Salt is good but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

SECTION XXV.

JOY OVER PENITENTS-THE LOST SHEEP-THE PIECE

"THEN

OF SILVER.

LUKE XV. 1—10.

HEN drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him."

Something in the Lord's ministry at this time seems especially to have emboldened the outcasts of society to gather round Him. "And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." They were shocked at this; it appeared to them an encouragement to sin, an injury to moral and respectable persons. Our Lord explains and justifies His conduct by three parables, the first of which is as follows:"And He spake this parable unto them, saying,

'What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me: for I have found my sheep which was lost.'" Our Lord here appeals to feelings so natural, so involuntary, that we hardly stop to analyse them. Anything which we are in danger of losing appears for the time more precious and important than another thing of equal value, of which we are secure. And we show this by the way in which it engrosses our thoughts and employs our active efforts, whilst striving to preserve it, and by our joy when it is put out of danger. I say unto you❞—our Lord proceeds" that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

66

What is meant by "just persons, which need no repentance ?" Are there any such persons? any so sinless and innocent as to have nothing to repent of? Certainly not. Scripture and experience testify plainly enough to the contrary. But there is a sense in which no repentance is needed. There are persons, happily, who have turned to God, and set out on that road which leads to a home in heaven. They need not that repentance which is another word for conversion. They need not, as our Lord said to His disciples at the Last Supper, a thorough