Matt. xi. 29. Lear?i of me ,- for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
EVERY office which Christ sustains in the economy of redemption, is replete with encouragement to sinful man. His sufficiency as our great High-Priest to make atonement for us, and his power as our King to sub- due our enemies, are subjects of frequent meditation.
and sources of unspeakable comfort, to the true Chris- tian. His prophetic office, especially as exercised towards ourselves, is less considered by Christians in general, though it is equally necessary for us, and no less conducive to our eternal welfare. In a preceding verse our Lord has told us, that none can know the Father, except they to whom the Son should reveal him ; and, in the words before us, he invites all to come and learn of him the mysterious truths, which, though already recorded in the written word, cannot be apprehended aright, vmless he unfold them to us, and enable us to understand them.
In these words we may discern, I. Our duty —
Christ havino; undertaken to teach us the wav of safety, and the way of duty, we should learn of him,
1. With the teachableness of children —
[Children receive with the most implicit submission what- ever their teachers tell them. Thus should we learn of Christ: we should not bring our own preconceived notions to the Scriptures, or presume to try the mysteries of revelation at the bar of our own corrupt reason ; but we should believe what- ever God has spoken, and receive it simply on the authority of the speaker. Nor should the opinions of the wisest philo- sopher be of any weight with us, if tliey be clearly contrary to the voice of inspiration ^.]
2. With the dihgence of students —
[They who have a thirst for knowledge, are almost con- stantly employed in deep thought, and laborious investigation. Nor do they account any pains too great, if only they can gain that eminence and distinction, which superior attainments will ensure. Thus should we be occupied in pursuit of divine knowledge ; reading the word, " searching into it as for hidden treasures," meditating upon it day and night, and praying over it for divine illumination. While others are careful, and cumbered about many things, we should be sitting at the feet of Jesus'*, and embracing all opportunities of religious instruc- tion, whether in public or in private.]
3. With the obedience of devoted followers —
[Earthly knowledge may be. merely speculative: divine knowledge must be practical ; it is of no use at all, any further
a Isai. viii. 20. ^ Luke x. 39—42.