yet are they singularly instructive, and applicable to every human being. They serve in a peculiar manner to put us on our guard against two destructive errors, precijntancy on the one hand, and procrastinatio7i on the other: they guard us, I say, against, I. Precipitancy —
This is a common and fatal error in the Christian world —
[The Scribe here mentioned was manifestly guilty of it. He came to our Lord professing a determination, which he was but ill qualified to execute. Doubtless his intention was good: he came in a very respectful manner, and voluntarily engaged himself to become a stated follower of Christ : but it is probable that he thought his office and talents, as a Scribe, would pro- cure him a more elevated station among the disciples : and it is evident that he expected to find his adherence to Christ rewarded with an abundance of earthly comforts. Our Lord therefore rectified his mistake, and told him, that his followers must expect no better fare than he himself had, which yet in some respects was inferior to that which the wildest animals enjoyed : for " foxes had their holes, and birds of the air their nests ; whereas the Son of Man, though Lord of all, had not where to lay his head."
The same fault obtains very commonly amongst ourselves. Multitudes take up a profession of religion upon grounds equally mistaken : they expect to find ease, and interest, and honour, as their portion here: and, because such things are promised to the believer in a spiritual view, they are ready to look for them altogether in a worldly view. They see that vital religion ennobles the soul ; and therefore they expect the world to estimate it according to its true value. But they are much mistaken : and]
It is of great importance that this error should be
rectified —
[Before any person makes a profession of religion, it is rec[uisite that he should consider carefully, what duties are required of him, and what difficulties are to he encountered by him. Now the duties are, not such as the Scribe apprehended : namely, to wait upon Christ in an external profession of his religion (for we may go to the outward ordinances with the greatest punctuality imaginable, and yet be as far from Christ as ever) ; but to mortify the whole body of sin ; to crucify the old man with the affections and lusts ; to be altogether dead to the world, and alive unto God ; and to have the same mind as was in Christ Jesus, viewing every thing as he viewed it,