[The Pharisees thought that, if Jesus merited any respect at all, his Disciples should have regarded him only with silent reverence, instead of attracting so much attention by their clamorous proceedings. But our Lord told them, that silent reverence, however great, was not sufficient ; that they were bound to give a public testimony of their affection ; and that, if they withheld it, they would be traitors to his cause. Though therefore we be not called to bear our testimony precisely in the same way, yet are we all bound to confess Christ before meng, and to let it be seen, " Whose we are, and whom we serve."
Shall it be said, That there is no such occasion now for our public acknowledgements as there was then ; we answer, That the world needs as much as ever to have their attention drawn to the Lord Jesus, and to be stimulated to love and serve him. And, if this were not the case, still it would be our duty to confess him openly, since in heaven, where he is universally known, he is universally and incessantly adored.]
Address11 —
1. Those who, like the Pharisees, have no heart to adore the Lord —
[It is not difficult to determine who would have taken part with the Disciples, and who with the Pharisees. We need only ask, What is our conduct now ? Are we frequently and fervently engaged in the secret exercises of the closet, and are we bold in confessing Christ before an ungodly world? Or are we formal in secret duties, and ready to blame the superior zeal of others ? If we be of this latter class, we should surely have joined the Pharisees in their opposition to the Disciples. To such then we say, Deceive not yourselves with vain excuses; nor think to justify yourselves by condemning others. Sup- pose for a moment that the Disciples, in their zeal, had ex- ceeded the strict bounds of prudence and propriety: was that any reason why the Pharisees should render him no praise at all ? Was less due from them, because others paid too much? Yea rather, was not their pretended zeal for propriety, a mere cloak for their own envy or indifference ? Away then with such base dispositions as they manifested ; and, instead of blaming the zeal of others, endeavour to " glorify Christ with
g Matt. x. 32, 33.
h If this be the subject of a Commemoration Sermon, the particular blessings that are commemorated should be opened in this place, and the audience be exhorted, in their carnal feasting, not to be unmind- ful of that spiritual joy which the occasion demands. In this case, the following address might be omitted.