93

CXXXV.

Mat.

Reflections on the duties of a married and a single life.

mother's womb and

are some eu

and there be eunuchs,

ven's sake. He that is

SECT. natural temper and inclination is in this respect some eunuchs, which peculiar; and there are [some] eunuchs who were so born from their were made eunuchs by the wickedness of men, there XIX. 12. who drive on that scandalous traffick which the nuchs, which were Juxury and effeminacy of the eastern world has made eunuchs of men: rendered so common; and there are [some] eu- which have made nuchs who have, as it were, made themselves themselves eunuchs eunuchs on account of the kingdom of heaven, that for the kingdom of heais, who, by a resolute guard on their appetites able to receive it, let and passions, have conquered the propensities of him receive it. nature, that being free from the incumbrances of marriage, and devoting themselves to a life of more sublime devotion, they might promote the interest of my gospel. (Compare 1 Cor. vii. 7, 37.) He therefore, on the whole, that finds he is able to receive [this saying], let him receive it; or let him that is in his own conscience persuaded that he can glorify God most by a single life, choose it. Others may, and ought to marry; but let none lightly rush into that state on a supposition that the bond of it may be broken through at pleasure.

Ver.

IMPROVEMENT.

FROM what we have been reading we may justly take occasion 4 to adore the wisdom and goodness of Divine Providence in creating the human species male and female, and providing for his new formed creature Adam so suitable and so amiable a companion, to enliven every other object of delight, and to crown the pleasures of paradise itself.

Let us also acknowledge the apparent interposition of a wise and kind providence in maintaining such a proportion between the sexes, even to this day, which so apparently tends to the benefit of both, as well as to the support of the race in future ages; as also in perpetuating in their hearts through succeeding genera5 tions that mutual tenderness for each other which the purest bosoms may feel and avow, and which is the foundation of such an union of souls as no other friendship will admit.

6

11, 12

Let those who are married, considering the indissoluble bond by which God has joined them together, make it their constant care to promote the comfort and happiness of each other: and let them most cautiously guard against every degree of contention, or even of distaste, which might at length occasion an alienation in their affections, and render so close a bond proportionably grievous. Let none rashly run into these important engagements, nor determine their choice by light considerations, of a low and transitory

nature

Children are brought to Christ for his prayers.

nature. And if any, on the whole, prefer the freedom of a single life to a state which, with its peculiar comforts, must necessarily have its peculiar cares and trials too, let them diligently improve that disengagement, as an obligation to seek the kingdom of God with greater ardour, and to pursue its interests with more active zeal and application.

SECT.

99

CXXXV.

To conclude; since it appears in this respect, as well as in some Mark X. others, that the gospel revokes some indulgences which the law of 11, 12 Moses gave, let us endeavour to form our hearts by Divine grace to a wisdom, seriousness, and spirituality, which may suit this nobler dispensation; and while we are reading the precept of the Jewish legislator, let us remember we have a sublimer Master, and are to do and forbear more than others. (Mat. v. 47.)

SECT. CXXXVI,

Christ blesses the little children that were brought to him, and rebukes his disciples who would have forbid them. Mat. XIX. 13, -15. Mark X. 13-16. Luke XVIII. 15—17.

MARK X. 13. AND they brought, [LUKE, infants and

MARK X. 13.

Mark

X. 13.

AND while Jesus continued here, as the inha- SECT. bitants of the neighbouring country on the exxxvi. young children to him, that he should touch banks of Jordan found their esteem for him conthein [or put his hands tinually increasing on their acquaintance with on them, and pray:] and [LUKE, when him, (John x. 41, 42, p. 92,) they brought his disciples, [LUKE, to him, not only the sick, that they might saw it, they] rebuked be healed, (Mat. xix. 2, p. 94,) but also several those that brought them. infants [and] other young children, who,

[MAT. XIX. 13.

LUKE XVIII. 15.

though they could walk and speak, yet were
not capable of understanding his doctrine, that
he might touch them, [or] lay his hands upon
them in a solemn manner and pray for them *;
not doubting but prayers so acceptable to God as
his would prevail both for their present and future
happiness. And when his disciples,and particu-
larly the apostles, who were about him, saw it,
they rebuked those that brought them, as appre-
hending them too troublesome, and thinking it
beneath the dignity of so great a Prophet to
concern himself about such little creatures, who
were incapable of receiving any instruction
from him.

100

SECT.

Mark

He takes them in his arms, and blesses them.

saw it, he was much

unto
them not: for of such

XVIII.-16.

But Jesus seeing it, was greatly displeased, and 14 But when Jesus cxxxvi. moved with some degree of indignation against displeased, and said his disciples; for he had a tender love to chil- unto them, Suffer the X. 14. dren, and well knew that a proper notice of little children to come these might turn to some valuable account; me, and forbid and therefore he said to them, Let the little chil- is the kingdom of God. dren alone, and do not now, or at any other con- [MAT. XIX. 14. Lukɛ venient time, hinder them from coming to me : I am pleased, rather than offended, to see them near me; for of such is the kingdom of God: persons of such a character are the true subjects of my kingdom, and heirs of eternal glory, to which many little children are received; and in token of it the children of believing parents are to be admitted into my church by baptism. 15 And verily, I say unto you, as I have formerly told you, (Mat. xviii. 3, 4. sect. xciii.) and you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingwould now have you to attend with seriousness dom of God as a little while I repeat it, Whosoever shall not be willing child, he shall [in no to receive the kingdom of God, or the gospel dis- wise] enter therein. pensation, and the happiness it promises, as a little child, divesting himself of those prejudices and those secular views which men contract in their riper years, that he may come, as it were, to the humility and meekness, the simplicity and teachableness of a little child (compare Psal. cxxxi. 2,) he shall not in any wise, or on any terms, enter into it, be his genius ever so subHime, or his circumstances in life ever so considerable.

16 And having said this, he would no longer be
detained from shewing his regard unto these lit-

6 Knew that a proper notice of these &c.] Christ's shewing his regard in such a manner to them not only must have been execedingly pleasing to the parents; but the memory of this condescension might make tender and lasting impressions on the children themselves; and the sight must be very edifying and encouraging to other young persons who might happen to be present; not to say how instructive this gentleness to children may be to ministers, and how much their usefulness may, or might have been, promoted by a due regard to it.-Nicephorus tells us that the celebrated Ignatius, afterwards Bishop of Antioch, was one of these infants.-Our Lord might rea-onably be the more displeased with his disciples for endeavouring to prevent their being brought, as he had lately set a child among them, and in sisted on the necessity of their being made conformable to it. Mat. xviii. 2, 3. sect.

tle

15 Verily I say unto

(LUKE XVIII. 17.]

16 And he [LUKE, called

xciii. Vol.VI. p. 487.—I am obliged to Dr. Scott's late Version of St. Matthew's Gospel, which, according to the manner of the learned and ingenious author, is exact to a wonder, for the alteration I have made here, and for some other changes, which I take this opportunity of acknowledging with due gratitude.

I

For of such is the kingdom of God, &c.] acknowledge these words will not of themselves prove infant baptism to be an institution of Christ; but if that appears from other scriptures to be the case (which I think most probable,) there will be proportionable reason to believe that our Lord might here intend some reference to it; and I cannot approve of rendering Tulwy, such as resemble these. It is the part of a faithful translator not to limit the sense of the original, nor to fix what it leaves ambiguous.

Reflections on the kind regard of Christ to children.

his arms [and] put his

101

called them unto him, tle children, but having called them to him, and SECT. and] took them up in ordered the infants to be brought, he took them cxxxvi. hands upon them, and up in his arms, tenderly embracing them with Mark blessed them; [and de- a holy complacency and love; and, as a farther X. 16. parted thence] [MAT: token of the overflowing kindness and benevo

XIX. 15. LUKE
XVIII. 16.-]

lence of his heart towards them, he laid his
hands upon them, and blessed them, recommend-
ing them in a solemn manner to the Divine
blessing and favour; which accordingly descend-
ed upon them, to strengthen their constitutions,
and to sanctify their hearts. And, after this,
he departed from thence to another place in the
neighbourhood, where the young ruler attended
him, as will be presently related.

IMPROVEMENT.

X. 16.

LET us make a pause here, that we may more attentively re- Mark view this delightful and instructive sight; that we may see this compassionate Shepherd of Israel, thus gathering the lambs in his arms and carrying them in his bosom with all the tokens of tender regard, (Isa. xl. 11.) rebuking his disciples who forbade their coming and laying his gracious hands upon them to bless them. How 14 condescending and engaging a behaviour! how encouraging and amiable an image!

Let his ministers view it, to teach them a becoming regard to the lambs of their flock, who should early be taken notice of and instructed; and for and with whom they should frequently pray; remembering how often Divine grace takes possession of the heart in the years of infancy, and sanctifies the children of God almost from the womb. Let every first impression made upon their tender minds be cherished; and let not those whom Christ himself is ready to receive be disregarded by his servants, who upon all occasions should be gentle unto all, and apt to teach. (2 Tim. ii. 24.)

Let parents view this sight with pleasure and thankfulness: let 13 it encourage them to bring their children to Christ by faith, and to commit them to him in baptism, and by prayer. And if he who has the keys of death and the unseen world, (Rev. i. 18.) see fit to remove those dear creatures from us in their early days, let the remembrance of this story comfort us, and teach us to hope that he who so graciously received these children has not forgotten ours, but that they are sweetly fallen asleep in him, and will be the everlasting objects of his care and love; for of such is the 14 kingdom of God.

Let children especially observe this. The great and glorious 14
Redeemer

N 2

102

cxxxvi.

A rich young man inquires the way to eternal life. SECT. Redeemer did not despise these little ones; nay, he was much displeased with those who would have prevented their being brought to him. As kindly would he, no doubt, have received you, ye dear children, who read or hear this; as kindly will he still receive you, if you go to him in the sincerity of your hearts, and ask his blessing in humble and earnest prayer. Though you see not Christ, he sees and hears you; he is now present with you, to receive you, to bless you, and to save you. Happy the weakest of you when lodged in the arms of Christ! nothing can pluck you from thence, or ever hurt you there. 15 In a word, let us all commit ourselves to him; and let us be disposed to become as little children, if we desire to enter into his kingdom. Let us not govern ourselves by the vain maxims of a corrupt and degenerate age. Let not pride, ambition, lust, or avarice, possess, torment, and enslave our minds; but, with the amiable simplicity of children, let us put ourselves into the wise and kind hands of Jesus, as our Guardian, and refer ourselves to his pastoral and parental care, to be clothed and fed, to be guided and disposed of, as he shall see fit. For this purpose, O God, may we be born again by thy Spirit, and formed anew by thy grace! since by this method alone we can be made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, (Col. i. 12.) and be so the children of God, as to be at length the children of the re

surrection.

SECT.

cxxxvii.

Mark

SECT. CXXXVII.

A rich young man applying himself to Christ for direction in the way to eternal life, and afterwards parting with him out of regard to his possessions, gives our Lord an occasion of cautioning his disciples concerning the danger of riches. Mat. XIX. 16, to the

end. Mark X. 17-31. Luke XVIII. 18-30.

AND

one [LUKE, a

and

ND as he went out from thence, into the AND when he was gone forth into the way to some other place which he designed way, [behold,] there to visit, behold, a most remarkable occurrence came X. 17. happened; for there came one, even a certain certain ruler] running, magistrate, or ruler, who was a young person in very plentiful circumstances, running with an eager desire to converse with Jesus before he left that place; and he no sooner was come near

a As he went out from thence.] Both Matthew and Luke relate this story of the young ruler immediately after that in the preceding section; but Mark is more de

him,

terminate than either of them in the connection, and more circumstantial in the narration.

b Good