From this statement, which indeed is but imperfect and feeble in comparison with the magnitude of the evil, against which I am seeking to warn you, my hearers; from this you may be better prepared, by God’s grace, to receive and value and apply the important admonition of the text: you will observe how particularly, how urgently, with what repetition, what varied forms of expression, the wise man delivers his charge; so delivers it the more, because he speaks feelingly, from dear-bought experience; because he himself had been lamentably ensnared, for want of attending to it in his own case.
Let us hearken to the counsel of this inspired and experienced guide: he says, “Enter not into the path of the wicked;” never be prevailed upon to set your foot on this forbidden ground; “go not in the way of evil men,” trust not yourself in their company or in any of their goings: further he says, “Avoid it,” avoid this ensnaring way; be at pains to keep clear of it; use your utmost watchfulness to discover it; go in another direction, in the way of the upright and holy. And, as if this caution were insufficient for his purpose, he adds, “Pass not by it;” suffer not yourself even to approach it, to look upon it; lest you be beguiled by its false charms, and unwarily led to desire them. Not willing yet to cease from admonishing, in order to make a yet deeper impression, he concludes, “Turn from it and pass away;” the instant you perceive it, turn round with the dread of danger; as you would if you discovered yourself on the edge of a precipice, in fear of falling headlong; turn at once, and pass decidedly and quickly away.
In obedience to these rules, my brethren, consists our great security, under the guidance of infinite wisdom and the support of almighty power: the grace of God is ever ready to be bestowed, ever at hand to “preserve us from falling;” but God expects and requires us, in the use of this grace, to employ every means of prudence, and to strive with a holy and unbending resolution: this grace is afforded for the very purpose, that we may so watch and work; and if we do not thus improve it, with circumspection and diligence, it will be withdrawn. Never so much as listen to any sinful proposal, to any doubtful invitation; stay not to reason upon it at all; turn away with holy jealousy; never suffer the eye to dwell upon a forbidden object, to dwell even for a moment; through the eye it may find a passage to the heart, and inflame it with unlawful and hurtful desire: resist at once; the first victory is the easiest, as well as the surest. Say to the temptation, as your Lord said to the tempter, “get thee hence, Satan;” “flee from him and he will flee from you”—“escape for thy life.”
And here I must add an observation upon the means, by which we may be enabled to follow this momentous advice of the wisest of men. We must “watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation;” [364] we must go forth into the world in the spirit of watchfulness and prayer; praying, not only that we may have the grace to watch, but also when the trial actually arises, when we are watching. In the presence of temptation, or if we do but perceive or suspect that it is coming, let the soul be lifted up to the “Lord of all power and might;” let the language of the heart, if not of the lips, be poured forth in pious aspiration to God; if it be but a word, a wish, or a thought, it will be clothed with strength, and minister a stedfastness to the mind and heart. We are thus animated by the assurance of divine support, and fixed in our holy determination of resistance to all evil. Much depends, for safety and success, upon this habitual spirit of devotion; it is our buckler and shield in every moment of conflict; without it, we are standing, in the feebleness of nature, before the mighty enemy of our souls; ready to “be taken captive by him at his will.” [365a] “Be ye therefore sober (that is, be serious) and watch unto prayer;” [365b] and thus “go forth conquering and to conquer.”
SERMON XX.
THE LOVE OF CHRIST FOR THOSE WHO DO THE WILL OF GOD.
Mark iii. 35.
Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother and my sister and mother.
From this, and one or two other passages in the gospels, it has been sometimes imagined, that our blessed Lord set no value on the common relationships, the natural ties, the tender endearments of life; and that He intended to teach His disciples, by His own example, to neglect such considerations altogether; as if all Christians had an equal claim upon our affection; as if the spiritual brotherhood were the only object worthy of our regard; as if parents and brothers and sisters were merely upon a footing with the rest of mankind. This notion is entirely erroneous; it is a mistaken conclusion from the words and conduct of our Lord.
His own example, on several occasions, has afforded a sanction to the feelings of private friendship, as well as of family affection. How deeply was He moved at the death of Lazarus! “Jesus wept, then said the Jews, behold how He loved him!” [367a] And of our Lord’s disciples we read, that there was one, treated with peculiar tenderness and regard; one, “who leaned on His bosom;” [367b] one, distinguished by the high and honourable name of the “beloved disciple.” And this disciple, the evangelist St. John, has drawn one of the most striking pictures of an affectionate family, ever represented to the eye and the heart of man: “There stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” Jesus not only loved and protected His mother through life, but was solicitous to provide for her future well-being, even amidst the agonies of the cross; commending her to His dearest personal friend; and by way of effectually securing his regard and her confidence, He calls John the son, and Mary the mother: Behave to each other as mother and son; and it is all I can ask or require. This must be admitted as a proof, that Jesus felt most tenderly and peculiarly for His nearest earthly relation: and it shews, that those passages, which have been supposed to favour a contrary opinion, have been wrongly interpreted.
Let us now consider the circumstances which led to the declaration in the text. It appears, that the earnestness and perseverance of Jesus in teaching the people, notwithstanding the opposition of the Pharisees, had given disquietude to His friends and brethren, that is, to His near relations, some of whom did not believe in Him. They seem to have desired Him to forbear and discontinue His ministry at that particular time, supposing that He had exceeded the bounds of prudence; and it further appears, that they had induced Mary, His mother, to concur in this improper design; which conveyed a reflection upon His wisdom, and the perfection of His character. They came, therefore, when He was teaching the people; and, not being able to approach Him for the multitude, they sent to speak with Him. But Jesus, aware of their intention, answered by enquiring, who His mother and brethren were; thereby intimating, that they had no right to interfere on such an occasion, nor had any authority over Him in respect of His important work; that His spiritual affection to His disciples, in the advancement of their eternal interests, was greater than any natural affection, which He bore to His relations, in a mere earthly point of view; that His love to men’s souls had the greatest consideration and weight with Him; that even His mother was nearer to Him as a true believer, than on account of her natural relationship; and that His brethren would derive no advantage or favour from Him, if they were not also believers.
Jesus then proceeded to declare, that His true disciples, even though they had no connexion with Him by the natural tie of blood, would be regarded in the light of relations; would be the objects of His sincere affection and esteem; “He looked round on them which sat about Him, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren, for whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother and My sister and mother.” We cannot but observe, that these words are addressed, not merely to the disciples of that day, but to every individual Christian throughout the world; whosoever, of any age or nation, should do the will of His heavenly Father, by hearing, believing, obeying His revealed word, by embracing the gospel of salvation, he would, in life, in death, in judgment, and for ever, be honoured and blessed; even as the brother, sister, or mother of Him, who is the Lord of all, and the King of glory.