more inclined to be silent about their glorious Master than to confess Him before men — and do not need the bridle so much as the spnr. But still it is undeniable that there is a time for all things ; and to know the time should be one great aim of a Christian. There are good men who have more zeal than discretion, and even help the enemy of truth by unseasonable acts and words.*
Let us all pray for the Spirit of wisdom and of a sound mind. Let us seek daily to know the path of duty, and ask daily for discretion and good sense. Let us be bold as a lion in confessing Christ, and not be afraid to " speak of Him before princes," if need be. But let us never for- get that " Wisdom is profitable to direct" (Eccles. x. 11), and let us beware of doing harm by an ill-directed zeal.
* It would not be wise for a speaker at an English public meeting to proclaim the names of the families in Italy where the Bible is read, and to point out the streets and houses where these families resided. Such a speaker might be well-meaning, and full of zeal. He might really desire to glorify Christ, and publish the triumphs of His grace. But he would be guilty of a sad indiscretion, and show great igno- rance of the very lesson which the verses before us contain. The words of an old commentator on this subject deserve notice :
" In that our Saviour forbids this leper to publish this miracle at this unseasonable time, we learn that all truths are not to be professed or uttered at all times. Though we must never deny any truth, being demanded of it, or lawfully enjoined to profess it, yet there is a wise concealment of the truth, which is sometimes to be used. (Eccl. hi. 7.)
" When are we to conceal the truth ? 1. When the case stands so, that the uttering of it may bring hurt to the truth itself, as here, the publishing of this miracle was like to stop Christ's ministry. 2. When we are in the company of such persons as are more likely to cavil and scoff at the truth, than to make any good use of it. 3. When we are in the company of malicious enemies of the truth." (Matth. vii. 6.)— Petter on Mark. 16G1.
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