m
Wb should observe in these verses, that men may disagree an the leaser paints af religion, while they agree an its weightier matters. We have this brought out in the alleged difference between the disciples of John the Bap- tist, and the disciples of Christ. The question was put to our Lord, "Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees, but thine eat and drink P '^
We cannot suppose that there was any essential differ- ence between the doctrines held by these two parties of disciples. The teaching of John the Baptist was doubt- less clear and explicit upon all the main points necessary to salvation. The man who could say of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world," was not likely to teach his followers anything contrary to the Gospel. His teaching of course lacked the fulness and perfection of his divine Master's teaching, but it is absurd to suppose that it contradicted it. Neverthe- less there were points of practice on which his disciples differed from those of Christ. Agreeing, as they doubt- less did, about the necessity of repentance, and faith, and holiness, they disagreed about such matters as fast- ing, eating, drinking, and manner of public devotion. One in heart, and hope, and aim, as they were about the weightier matters of inward religion, they were not entirely of one mind about outward matters.
We must make up our minds to see differences of this kind among Christians so long as the world stands. We may regret them much, because of the handle they give to an ignorant and prejudiced world. But they will exist, and are one of the many evidences of our fallen
154 BXPOSnOBY THOUGHTS.
condition. About church goyemmenty about the manner of conducting public worship, about fasts and feasts, and saint's days, and ceremonials, Christians have never been entirely of one mind, even from the days of the apostles. On all these points the holiest and ablest servants of God have arrived at different conclusions. Argument, reasoning, persuasion, persecution, have all alike proved unable to produce unity.
Let us, however, bless God that there are many points on which all true servants of God are thoroughly agreed. About sin and salvation, about repentance, and faith, and holi- ness, there is a mighty unity among all believers, of every name, and nation, and people, and tongue. Let us make much of these points in our own personal religion. These, after all, are the principal things which we shall think of in the hour of death, and the day of judgment. On other matters we must agree to differ. It will signify little at the last day what we thought about fasting, and eating, and drinking, and ceremonies. Did we repent, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance P Did we behold the Lamb of God by faith, and receive Him as our Saviour P All, of every church, who are found right on these points, will be saved. All, of every church, who are found wrong on these points, will be lost for evermore.
We should observe, secondly, in these verses, the name by tohich our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of Simself. Twice He caUs Himself " the Bridegroom." ^
The name " bridegroom," like every name applied to our Lord in the Bible, is full of instruction. It is a name peculiarly comforting and encouraging to aU true