quired of you, and to persevere in the way you have chosen. No man can be a worthy disciple of mine, who is not able to bear affliction, self-denial, and persecution, and has not resolution enough to prefer his duty before all temporal considerations and advantages, before all the ties of natural relationship and affection, and even before the enjoyment of life itself. 66 Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple '."

Thus speaks the Gospel to the new convert. In the next place, let us see whether any of the same severity be discernible in the language addressed to those who have already embraced it. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven 2." "Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed,

1 Luke xiv. 33.

2

* Matt. vii. 21.

rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire'." "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall save it"." "The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you 3." "In the world ye shall have tribulation +."

66

Here again, the Gospel assures those who have received it, that mere profession will be of no avail. It threatens exclusion from the kingdom of heaven. It exclaims, Depart, I know you not," to all save those who not only embrace its doctrines, but render also the fullest and most unreserved obedience in their power to its precepts.-It calls for the abandonment of every thing that offends, however painful the sacrifice may be. The eye may be precious; but, if need be, it must be plucked out for Christ. The limbs and members may be a costly offering, but they must be cheerfully ren

'Matt. xviii. 8.

2 Matt. xvi. 25.

dered, if demanded by the service of God. Nay, the life itself must not be thought too much to give, by those who look for an eternal life hereafter. Christ himself while upon earth, was exposed to the bitterest persecutions; and we are taught to expect that every faithful servant of his shall encounter many a struggle, arising some from the world without, and others from the violence of his own evil passions. "In the world they shall

have tribulation."

If the yoke of Christ then, be thus heavy-if it bid us do such great things, as well on the score of active exertion, as on that of patient endurance; would it not be well to tear it off, and cast it from us?-If the commandments of Jesus be so grievous, would it not be well to turn back and walk no more with him?Let us see whether the Gospel has any thing to address to those who do so. -"No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."-" He that denieth

1 Luke ix. 62.

me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God."-The apostle is still more explicit. "If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries 2." "The just shall live by faith, but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him 3."

They that fall back then, fall back unto perdition. They fall away after having been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and having tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the "world to come," and by so doing, they crucify the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." They become like that land which, bearing 66 'thorns and

66

briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned +." What shall we say then ?-Would it be

1 Luke xii. 9.

2 Heb. x. 26, 27.

better not to receive the Gospel at all?— To those who are about to embrace, to those who have embraced, and to those who forsake it, it speaketh hard sayingsshall we turn a deaf ear to it altogether, and so avoid the heavy responsibility of those who render themselves amenable to its law ?—But how does Christ speak of men who refuse to benefit by his preaching? "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained unto this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee'." "He

1 Matt. xi. 21-24.