their thoughts. They should not be ashamed to let men see that they have no time either to rejoice or to sorrow like others who have no hope. (1 Thess. iv. 13.) Their Master's work waits for them, and their Master's work must have the chief place in their hearts. They are God's priests in the world, and, like the priests of old, their mourning must be kept carefully within bounds. (Lev. xxi. 1.) " Weep- ii^g/' says an old divine, " must not hinder working," and mourning must not be allowed to run into excess.
The third of our Lord's sayings in this passage was addressed to one who volunteered to follow Sim, but marred the grace of his offer by interposing a request. " Lord," he said, " I will follow thee ; but let me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house." — The answer he received shows plainly that the man's heart was not yet thoroughly engaged in Christ's service, and that he was therefore unfit to be a disciple. " Jesus said unto him. No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
We leam from this saying that it is impossihle to serve Christ with a divided heart. If we are looking back to any thing in this world we are not fit to be disciples. Those who look back, like Lot's wife, want to go back. Jesus will not share His throne with any one, — no, not with our dearest relatives. He must have all our heart, or none. No doubt we are to honour father and mother, and love all around us. But when love to Christ and love to relatives come in collision, Christ must have the preference. We must be ready, like Abraham, if needs be, to come out from kindred and father's house for Christ's sake. We must be prepared in case of necessity.