It is interesting to remark the quiet; firm perseverance of our Lord, in the face of all discouragements. None of these things moved Him. The slanderous suggestions of enemies, and the well-meant remonstrances of ignorant friends, were alike powerless to turn Him from His course. He had set His face as a flint towards the cross and the crown. He knew the work He had come into the world to do. He had a baptism to be baptized, and was straitened till it was accomplished. (Luke xii. 50.)
So let it be with all true servants of Christ. Let nothing turn them for a moment out of the narrow way, or make them stop and look back. Let them not heed the ill-natured remarks of enemies. Let them not give way to the well-intentioned but mistaken entreaties of unconverted relations and friends. Let them reply in the words of Nehemiah, " I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down." (Neh. vi. 3.) Let them say, " I have taken up the cross, and I will not cast it away."
surely not to religious confidence and worship." It is difficult to men- tion any doctrine more completely destitute of Scriptural founda- tion, than the Romish doctrine of the efficacy of the Virgin Mary's intercession, or the utility of addressing our prayers to her. As to the doctrine of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, which has been lately accredited by the Romish Church, it is a mere man-made figment, without a single word of Scripture to support it. Holy and full of grace as the Virgin Mary was, it is plain that she regarded herself as one "born in sin," and needing a Saviour. We have her own remarkable words in evidence of this last point : M My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke i. 47.)
As to the opinion of the Fathers on the conduct of the mother of our Lord in this place, Whitby has collected some curious expres- sions : — " Theophylact taxes her with vain-glory and guilt, in en- deavoring to draw Jesus from teaching the word, Tertullian pro- nounceth her guilty of incredulity — Chrysostom of vain-glory, in- firmity and madness, for this very thing."