A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

Ryle, J. C. (John Charles), 1816–1900 • SECTION 133

MATTHEW, CHAP. XII. 127

← Expository Thoughts on the Gospels — St. Matthew

who are ready to despair of tlieir own salvation, because their strength seems so small. They are fall of fears and despondency, because their knowledge, and faith, and hope, and love, appear so dwarfish and diminutive. Let them drink comfort out of this text. Let them know that weak faith gives a man as real and true an interest in Christ as strong faith, though it may not give him the same joy. There is life in an infant as truly as in a grown up man. There is fire in a spark as truly as in a burning flame. The least degree of grace is an ever- lasting possession. It comes down from heaven. It is precious in our Lord's eyes. It shall never be over- thrown.

Does Satan make light of the beginnings of repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ ? No ! indeed ! he does not. ^ He has great wrath, because he sees his time is short. — Do the angels of God think lightly of the first signs of penitence and feeling after God in Christ ? No ! indeed ! ^' there is joy" among them, when they behold the sight. — Does the Lord Jesus regard no faith and repentance with interest, unless they are strong and mighty ? No ! indeed ! As soon as that bruised reed, Saul of Tarsus, begins to cry to Him, He sends Ananias to him, saying, " Behold he prayeth." (Acts ix. 11.) We err greatly if we do not encourage the very first movements of a soul towards Christ. Let the ignorant world scoff and mock, if it will. We may be sure that " bruised reeds" and " smoking flax" are very precious in our Lord's eyes.

May we all lay these things to heart, and use them in time of need, both for ourselves and others. It should

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Public-domain historical edition (1857). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.

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