תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub

401 themselves for you cannot but know, that, in human sciences, there are many things which, if they were stated to you with the greatest clearness, you would not be able to comprehend: and therefore you may well expect the same in that deepest of all mysteries, the redemption of the world by the blood and righteousness of our incarnate God. The truth is, that this mystery cannot be understood, unless our eyes be opened by the Son of God, and a spiritual understanding be given to us, whereby to discern the things of the Spirit'. Let me, then, guard you against precipitancy in judging of the things which you are not able to comprehend: but lift up your hearts to God in prayer, that his Spirit may be given you, and that by that Spirit you may be guided into all truth. Perhaps the images of Scripture may offend you; or the declarations of it may appear too harsh. But remember, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you, says our Lord, are spirit and life." Though therefore, if taken in a carnal sense, they may be, as doubtless in many cases they are, foolishness itself, yet, viewed according to their true import, they are "the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth"."]

1 1 John v. 20.

m 1 Cor. ii. 14.

n Rom. i. 16.

MDCXLIII.

CHRIST THE ONE SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE.

John vi. 67-69.

also go away?

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

66

IT was said of our Lord by the aged patriarch who took him in his arms at his presentation in the temple, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be spoken against; that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed:" and this discovery of men's characters was universally produced by his ministrations. Nor was it occasioned by his doctrines only, but frequently by the manner in which they were promulgated. His discourses abounded much in parabolical and figurative representations, which cast a

[blocks in formation]

veil of obscurity over them, and served as a touchstone to try the spirits of those who heard him. His statement of the new birth was for a time a stumblingblock to Nicodemus, who knew not what interpretation to put upon his words: and in like manner, his discourse respecting "eating his flesh and drinking his blood" offended many; insomuch that "they went back, and walked no more with him." His own Apostles scarcely knew how to receive his word; so that it seemed as if they also would depart from him. But they were of a more humble and teachable spirit; and therefore, when our Lord asked, if they also intended to forsake him, they expressed their abhorrence of such an idea, and their determination to adhere to him at all events.

I. The question which our Lord put to his Disciples demands our first consideration

Though it related to one particular occasion, it is suited to convey much general instruction. It shews

us,

1. That the best of men are liable to depart from God

[This is a truth of infinite importance, which yet many are very averse to hear. But who can doubt it in reference to himself? Who does not feel that he himself may fall, and that too into grievous sin, and into final condemnation? Advocates for human systems may say what they please on this subject; but there is not an humble Christian in the universe who does not feel this to be true in reference to himself: and if any choose to deny it, we shall oppose to him the example of the Apostle Paul, who "kept his body under, and brought it into subjection, lest by any means, after having preached to others, he himself should be a cast-awaya." In ourselves we are weak as new-born babes: it is God alone "that can keep us from falling;" and if ever we be saved at all, we must be kept by the power of God unto salvation "."

[ocr errors]

But there is not that opposition between this doctrine and that of the perseverance of the saints that some imagine. A mother's care is a pledge for the security of her child: but that does not set aside the liability of the child to perish by hunger or cold, or a thousand other accidents; any of which things

a 1 Cor. ix. 27.

Jude, ver. 24. 1 Pet. i. 5.

may at any time occur by the carelessness or death of its nurse. Thus our security is not in ourselves, but in our God: if left to ourselves for one moment, we should perish: and all our hope is in the tender care and mercy of our God. The only difference between the child and us is, that its guardian is weak and mortal; whereas ours is the almighty and unchangeable Jehovah, in whose power and fidelity alone our advantage consists.]

2. That the defection of some endangers the stability of others

[We are easily wrought upon by the influence of bad example. "The mixed multitude in the wilderness fell a lusting," and soon drew after them the whole nation of Israel. In the Gospels too we have many melancholy instances of the readiness even of good men to follow each other in what is evil. Peter, full of self-confidence, presumed to declare, that "though he should be called to die with his Lord, he would not deny him" and then we are told, "Likewise also said all the Disciples;" so speedily were they led away by his example. On another occasion, we find them all "murmuring and full of indignation" about the expense which had been incurred for the purpose of honouring their Lord: and, when we come to inquire whence it originated, we trace it all to Judas, who was a thief, and wanted to steal the money for his own use. The instance of Barnabas also, and other Jewish Christians, who were led away by Peter's dissimulation, is precisely in point. Indeed, who that is at all conversant with the Christian world, has not seen, on many occasions, how rapidly a bad spirit in one diffuses itself through a whole Church? Good instruction and example operate very slowly and partially; but that which is evil spreads apace : a little leaven will soon leaven the whole lump." It becomes us then to be on our guard against the contagion of evil. Doubtless these apostates thought that they had reason enough to forsake our Lord: but if we were left, like Paul, unsupported and unacknowledged by the whole Christian world, it would become us, like him, to maintain our steadfastness, and to "cleave unto Christ with full purpose of heart."]

3. That we ought to watch the first motions and tendencies of our own hearts to evil

[blocks in formation]

were

e One Evangelist mentions only in general terms that " some thus affected: Mark xiv. 4, 5. Another tells us who they were, even all "the Disciples :" Matt. xxvi. 8. And another tells us who was the first instigator, and by what principle he was actuated. John xii. 4-6. f 2 Tim. iv. 16.

[The twelve had evidently participated in the feelings of the other Disciples, though not to the same extent. This our Lord saw; and therefore bade them come to a decision. Happy was it for them that the bias of their minds was the right way: and happy for them that they were called upon to decide, before the evil had got too deep a root in their minds. Had they been left to "go back, and walk no more with Jesus," how bitterly would they have lamented it to all eternity! Let us then be aware of the tendency of evil thoughts, and guard against their first introduction into the mind. If we be tempted for a moment to account any thing a hard saying," or to turn aside in the smallest degree from the path of duty, let us remember, that they who draw back, "draw back unto perdition;" and that "if any man draw back, God's soul shall have no pleasure in him."]

66

Such was the instructive nature of our Lord's question: and,

II. The answer of Peter was worthy of an inspired Apostle

Peter was forward on all occasions to speak his mind; and often spoke but unadvisedly at best. But on this occasion he returned, both for himself and all his brethren, an answer fraught with wisdom. Two grounds he states for the determination which all of them had formed to adhere to Christ;

1. The insufficiency of the creature

[The conviction of his mind on this subject was very strong; insomuch that he ventured even to appeal to Christ himself, and to defy, if I may so speak, Omniscience itself to tell him, where any other refuge could be found, or any other source of solid good: "Lord, to whom shall we go?" We are in pursuit of instruction: who can give it us, if we turn our back on thee? We are in pursuit of happiness: where can we find it, but in thee? We are bent upon the attainment of heaven who can bring us thither, but thyself? If we go back to the world and cast off all care for these things, nothing but everlasting destruction awaits us: and if we go to the Scribes and Pharisees, we have had evidence enough what kind of teachers they are, "blind leaders of the blind." To whom then can we go, with the smallest prospect of attaining what we are seeking after?'

Now this part of Peter's answer furnishes us with a good reply to all who would turn us from the Lord. "To whom,

Heb. x. 38, 39.

or what, would you turn me?-to the world? I have found its emptiness. To sin? I know its bitterness. To formality? I have felt its incompetency to satisfy my mind and conscience. My God tells me that "CHRIST is all :" and I am constrained from daily experience to say to him, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee." Whatever advantages were proposed to us as an inducement to turn back from Christ, we should regard the proposal as absurd and impious as that which was made by the Israelites of old b-]

2. The all-sufficiency of Christ

[Our Lord had frequently asserted in the foregoing discourse, that "he would give eternal life to those who should eat his flesh and drink his blood." Peter, in his answer, refers to that; and professes confidently, in the name of all the other Apostles, that the words of Christ pointed out the only true way to life, and that Christ himself was that very Messiah, who was authorized and commissioned to bestow life: "Thou hast the words of eternal life; and we believe, &c."

This was a glorious confession, and an ample reason for the determination they had formed to remain firm in his cause. Whither should they go for water, when they had the fountain near them? "True it was, that at the present it was, in a measure, a fountain sealed;" yet not so sealed, but that it always afforded them an abundant supply for their present necessities; and in due time it would be opened to the whole world, and flow unto the ends of the earth. They were persuaded that he would impart to them living water; and that, "if only they drank of the water that he should give them, they should never die." O that every Christian in this day felt the same confident persuasion! In vain would the world, and the flesh, and the devil combine their efforts to destroy him he would determine with Joshua, that though the whole world should become servants to them, "he and his house would serve the Lord."]

APPLICATION

Who amongst you are disposed to walk with Jesus?

[This may be done now in the exercise of faith and prayer, precisely as Enoch and Noah "walked with God" in the days of old. It is every Christian's privilege to do so. Be assured, that, however the world may be offended at Christ, he is an able Instructor, a kind Master, a faithful Friend, and an allsufficient Saviour---]

h Numb. xiv. 3, 4.

i Josh. xxiv. 15.

k 1 John i. 3.

« הקודםהמשך »