For persons in such a state the faithful minister feels deeply interested : and, whilst he implores the blessing of God upon them, he points out to them the only way of life and salvation. He shews them, that, " if they will be Christ's disciples, they must deny themselves" in reference to all their former lusts and evil habits ; that they must " take up their cross daily ;" and not only bear with patience the contempt and hatred of an ungodly world, but rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer for their Redeemer's sake ; and that they must " follow Christ" in the whole of his spirit and conduct, " walking in all things as he walked."
But this, to the generality, appears too strait a path : they reply, as our Saviour's hearers did, " This is an hard saying ; Who can hear it ? " and like them also, " they go back, and walk no more with us :" thus proving, by their inconstancy, that all their former professions were no better than dissimu- lation before God. O let those who have " tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come," examine their own hearts, and see in what light they are viewed by God, if they have not followed up their convictions, and devoted themselves truly to their Lord and Saviour!]
2. Under some heavy trial or affliction —
[Affliction has a tendency to plough up, as it were, the fallow-ground of man's heart, and to prepare it for the recep- tion of the good seed. The loss of a wife, or husband, or child, or of some friend that was as one's own soul, is often the means of embittering to us all that this world can afford, and of directing our attention to a better world, where alone true happiness can be found. A succession of any other painful events will also produce a similar effect.
Religious company and conversation will, under such circum- stances, be not only tolerated, but often desired and delighted in ; and the most hopeful appearances of sound conversion will ensue. " They will pour out a prayer, when God's chas- tening is upon them ;" yea, says God, " in their affliction they will seek me early."
But in most cases the impression is but of short duration ; and the vows which they made in trouble are soon forgotten. They are like metal taken out of the furnace, which soon returns to its former hardness. Thus it was with the Jews: " When God slew them, then they sought him, and returned and inquired early after God, &c. ; nevertheless they did but flatter him with their mouth, &c. ; for their heart was not right with him, neither were thev steadfast in his covenant g." And
s Ps. lxxviii. 34—37.