The Folly and Danger of parting with CHRIST for the Pleasures and Profits of Life.
MATTHEW viii. 23, to the End.
_And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: But he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us, we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! And when he was come to the other side into the country of the |Gergesenes|, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was, a good way off from them, an herd of many swine, feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go: And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine; and behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. And they that kept them, fled and went their ways into the city, and told every thing; and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts._
IF we were but sensible of the great necessity there is, in this our day, of being real christians, sure we should not be contented with being nominal ones; but we are sunk into I know not what; we are no better than baptised heathens: And how amazing is it, that we should profess the name of CHRIST, and yet so little converse about him; surely, this name whereby we are called, should be the theme of our discourse here, and of our eternal _Hallellujahs_ in a world to come. But is it not more amazing, to consider, that instead of the name of JESUS, whereby we are to have salvation, we are taught to look for it in ourselves, and that there must be a fitness in us before GOD bestows his grace and favour upon us. But what doctrine is this? Not the doctrine of the scripture, not the doctrine of JESUS, not that of the primitive christians, not that of the reformation, nor that of the articles of the church of _England_: No, it is the doctrine of the devil: this is making CHRIST but half a Saviour, and driving man into an error of the greatest consequence, in making him go to JESUS in his own strength, and not in the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST: But, my brethren, unless you go in the strength of JESUS CHRIST; unless you depend only upon him for salvation; unless he is your wisdom, righteousness and sanctification, he will never be your redemption. Our salvation is the free gift of GOD; it is owing to his free love, and the free grace of JESUS CHRIST, that ever you are saved.
Do not flatter yourselves of being good enough, because you are morally so; because you go to church, say the prayers, and take the sacrament, therefore you think no more is required: alas, you are deceiving your own souls; and if GOD, in his free grace and mercy, does not shew you your error, it will only be leading you a softer way to your eternal ruin; but GOD forbid that any of you, to whom I am now speaking, should imagine this; no, you must be abased, and GOD must be exalted, or you will never begin at the right end, you will never see JESUS with comfort or satisfaction, unless you go to him only on the account of what he has done and suffered.
Is it not plain to a demonstration, that we are acting the part of the _Gergesenes_, who came and desired JESUS to depart from them: Let us consider the words, and then we shall see how exactly we are performing the part of these men over again.
_And when he was entered into a ship his disciples followed him._
CHRIST had been working of many miracles, as we read a few verses before; and as he continually went about doing good, so now he was going to the country of the _Gergesenes_ to dispossess two, who were possessed with devils; and his disciples followed him: No doubt they were reproached and pointed at, for following such a babbler, as the Scribes and Pharisees esteemed the LORD JESUS CHRIST: Doubtless they were pointed at, jeered, scoffed, and esteemed madmen, enthusiasts, and a parcel of rabble; but still they followed the LORD JESUS CHRIST, they did not mind a little reproach; no, they loved their Master too well to forbear following him for the sake of a little persecution. And if you do but love the LORD JESUS CHRIST, love him above all, you will follow him in spight of the malice of all the Scribes and Pharisees of this generation.
_And behold there arose a great tempest on the sea._