3. The self-denying nature of his precepts —
[The very first condition imposed on his disciples was, to " deny themselves, and take up their cross daily, and follow him." He shewed them by his own example what a superiority to every thing in this world he required, and told them plainly that they must be no more of the world than he was : and finally, he warned them, that he would acknowledge none as his disciples, unless they were truly willing, at any time and in any manner, to lay down their lives for him. How offensive these declarations and injunctions were to the carnal hearts of his hearers, we may judge by the conduct of the Rich Youth, who, though convinced in his judgment that Jesus was the Christ, could not prevail upon himself to follow him, but aban- doned all his hope in Christ, rather than make the sacrifice that was demanded of him.
And what is it that at this day forms the principal ground of offence against the Gospel ? It is the purity of its precepts. If only vv^e would leave men at liberty to indulge their corrupt desires, and to retain their earthly and sensual dispositions, we might set forth the mysteries of the Gospel as strongly as we pleased : but, if we require from our hearers the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and a conformity to his heavenly example, we put a stumbling-block before them, which they fall over to their eternal ruin : they cannot, they will not endure to hear of such requisitions ; and on account of their aversion to such restraints they reject the Gospel altogether.}