2. I shall show you the heinousness of it.
[1.] It is unreasonable. Whatsoever hindereth any man from coming to Chri.st or embracing the gospel, it is an offence not given but taken. There is nothing in Christ to make us stumble and be offended at him : — Jer. ii. 5, ' What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?' — but everything that may draw our desire or delight towards him ; yet by men's blindness and ignorance it is very frequent: Luke xix. 42, ' They do not know the things which belong to their peace in this their day.'
[2.] It is very natural. We are apt to set stumbling-blocks in our
1 An almost obsolete word, meaning ill-will. — Ed.
Mat. XL G.] the ready way to blessedness. 01
own way, and matter of offence b'efore our own feet ; and take up every obvious pretence to excuse ourselves to ourselves from hearkening to the offers of the gospel. Flesh and blood will stumble in God's })lainest ways : Hosea xiv. 9, ' The ways of the Lord are right ; the just shall walk therein, but the transgressors shall fall in them.' They will count every molehill a mountain, and be offended at everything which concerneth God, and their duty and obedience to him.
[3.] A prejudicate opinion and malice is always apt to pick quar- rels at truth and goodness : Acts xvii. 5, 6, ' The Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason, and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These which have turned the world upside down are come hither also.' So chap, xviii. 6, ' They opposed themselves and blasphemed.'
[4.] It is a dangerous sin. If we continue to be offended in Christ, Christ will be offended at us at the last day. We get nothing by dashing against the corner-stone ; we hurt not Christ but ourselves : Mat. xxi. 44, ' Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken ; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.'
3. AVhat shall we do to avoid it ?
[1.] Get a clear understanding, or a zeal according to knowledge : Kom. X. 2, and John ix. 39, ' For judgment I am come into the world, that they which see not might see, and they which see might be made blind.' This will be the effect of my coming, that the ignorant will be enlightened, and learned men will not see the things before their eyes ; they were hardened and left to their own prejudices.
[2.] Get a good measure to mete things withal. The Jews were offended in Christ, because they were leavened with a notion of a pompous Messiah ; and so judged of all things concerning Christ as they suited with that conceit. So John vii. 24, ' Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.' We judge according to appearance, but judge not righteous judgment. This is no good measure, but an idol of our hearts. Many are in an evil way, but yet Avant not their pretences. As the tradition of the elders, Mat. xix. 2 ; and succession, John viii. 33 ; the novelty .of Christ's doctrine : Mark i. 27, ' What new doctrine is this ?' The vile abject condition of Christ and his disciples. They never enter into the merits of the cause, but determine it by prejudicate opinions. A good measure, therefore, is necessary. There is mensura inensurans, and mensura mensurata, a measure measuring, and the measure that is measured. The measure that is measured is an upright unbiased mind.
[3.] Labour to get a mortified heart. They are most apt to be scandalised that have a carnal bias upon their hearts, a contrariety of affections to the gospel, Luke xvi. 14 ; John v. 44 ; xii. 42, 43 ; who are leavened with covetousness, jealousy of reputation, fear of disgrace, and the like.
[4.] Get a fervent love : Ps. cxix. 1G5, ' Great peace have they wdiich love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.' It is want of a true and hearty love that maketh us so easy and apt to take offence.
92 NOT TO BE OFFENDED IN CHRIST, ETC. [MaT. XL 6.
A second use that we make of it is this, — Be sure to take heed of prejudices against practical godliness.
1. Some take prejudice against the necessity of regeneration. But surely there is a necessity of fitting us anew to the use and end for whicii we were made. For the use see Eph. ii. 10, and for the end John iii. from the :3d to the 5th verse.
2. Another prejudice is the difficulty of a godly life : Mat. xix. 25, 'With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' Use will make it easy ; at first it is most hard and tedious.
3. Another prejudice is the persecutions which attend it. God will have his servants and graces tried. They that go to sea must look for wind and waves, but in the haven we shall have rest. In heaven we shall enjoy full and eternal rest.