The use that we may make is double : —
1. To the enemies of wisdom. Judge not of a holy life, and those that profess it, at a distance and by liearsay, but try. We are not afraid to come to the bar with our enemies : John vii. 24, ' Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.' If men would not be blinded with visible appearance, and the mask of passion, prejudice, and interest, and condemn the people of God as they are represented in a false mirror ; judge and spare not, and where you find the true spirit of Christianity, take all leave, we desire no other trial; but speak not against things you know not. Try, and judge as you find, where is the deepest sense of the other world, where the most careful preparation to get thither, the joy of faith, the love of holiness. If Christianity will allow that worldly pomp, that vanity and liberty, which others take, then judge the servants of the Lord as guilty of a foolish niceness, preciseness, and singularity ; but if we be baptized into these things, and unquestionably and indispensably bound to them, either renounce your baptism, or forbear your cen- sures, or rather choose this clear and pure way to everlasting glory. If you will not stand to God's word, stand to your own sober moods. We will make you yourselves judges, when you are serious and best able to judge of things, not in your i)assion, when lusts are stirring. When you are entering the confines of eternity, when conscience is likely to si)eak truth to you, you will wish then you were one of those poor godly men whom now you count proud, humorous, and factious.
2. To the children of wisdom. Do not scandalise the holy ways of God, but justify them ; be neither ashamed of them, nor a shame to them; till the ancient strictness be revived, wisdom will never be justified.
THE FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST MUST EXPECT TROUBLES IN THIS WORLD.
And it came to pass, that as they ivent in the loay, a certain iiian said unto him, Lord, I loill follow thee luhithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him. Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests ; hut the Son of man hath not tohere to lay his head. And he said tmto aiiotlier, Folloio me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto them, Let the dead bury their dead; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I loill folloio thee; but let me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him. No man having 'put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. — Luke IX. 57-62.
Here are three stories put together by the evangelist, to teach us in wliat manner we should address ourselves to follow Christ.
The first is of a scribe that came uncalled, but his heart was not right with God, having a temporal bias upon it.
^The second is of one called, ver. 59. Christ saith, ' Follow me.' But he would first cherish, then bury, his dying father. But Christ would have no delays, but presently sets him about his ministry and service in the gospel. This, upon the authority of Clemens Alexandrinus, who received it upon ancient tradition, is supposed to be Philip.
A third offereth himself to follow Christ ; but first he would take his farewell at home, and compose matters in his family. But when we set our faces Godward, there is no looking back ; there must be no more consulting with flesh and blood ; the divine instinct must be obeyed speedily, and wholly, and Christ followed without reserves and conditions.
Of these in their order.
I begin with the first : * And it came to pass, as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whitherso- ever thou goest,' &c.
In which words observe: —
1. The time : * It came to pass, as they tvent on the ivay, a certain man said to him.'
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114 THE FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST [LuKE IX. 57-G2.
2. A rcpolution profosseel : Lord, I will follow ihce ivldtlicr soever iJiou goesf.
3. Clirist's reply : Aiid Jesus said unto him. Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests ; hut the So7i of man hath not where to lay his head.
1. The time. In Mat. viii. 19, it is when Clirist had a mind to retire, and had declared his purpose to go into the desert; in Luke, when he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Both may agree; the one more immediately, the other more remotely ; first to the desert, then to Jeiusalem. About that time, a certain man, seeing Christ about to remove from the place where he then was, ofFereth him.self to be one of his disciples. This certain man is by St Matthew said to be a scribe. Men of that rank and order had usually a male talent^ against the gospel, and are frequently coufjled with the pharisees, men covetous and of a bitter si)irit. This man seeing Christ did great miracles, and hoping that he would set up a temporal kingdom, he puts in for a i)lace betimes that he might share in the honours of it.