Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

rious propofal, coming from one of fo fweet a difpofition as St. John, is perfectly irreconcileable, except we acknowledge the corrupt ftate of human nature, even in the regenerate. Thus, alfo, it appears, that many of the faints of God, in certain circumftances of temptation, have acted in direct oppofition to those habits and tempers, for which they are moft diftinguifhed. When we read of intemperance in Noah, anger in Mofes, impatience in Job, cowardice in Peter; fhall we wonder, that fome fparks of resentment remained even in John? Let us beware for ourfelves, and confider by what principles we are influenced: "He that trufteth in his own heart, is a fool*."

We are obliged to take notice of another inftance, in which the luftre of this eminent character was obfcured. When our Lord was travelling to Jerufalem for the last time, and had juft foretold his approaching paffion, the Apoftles James and John preferred a petition, through the mediation of their mother, that they might be appointed to the highest pofts in his kingdom t. The requeft arose from their carnal notions of the Meffiah's erecting a temporal dominion, and evidently favoured of an ambitious fpirit. It was particularly ftrange and prepofterous, that they fhould lay their schemes for worldly advancement, when informed that their Mafter was about to fuffer the utmoft extremity. A reproof was neceffary; and accordingly the Saviour reprehended them, though with peculiar mildness. "Ye know not," said he, "what ye afk." Ah! how often do we come under this condemnation! Through the prevalence of wrong affections "we afk amifs;" and God in great mercy refuses to grant our fupplications.

Jefus enquired of them, "Are ye able to drink of the cup, that I fhall drink of, and to be baptized with

Prov. xxviii. 26. Luke xviii. 31-34.

Matt. xx. 17-23. Mar. x. 32-40.

the

the baptifin, that I am baptized with ?" Or in other words, "Can you take part with me in thofe tremendous afflictions, which I am going to endure ?” They did not wish to decline the most painful fervice; but, perhaps with much ignorance and felf-confidence, they replied, "We are able." He warned them to expect the fevere conflict, and obferved, that the difpofal of future honours must be left to the fovereign pleasure of God. Agreeably to this prediction, they were honoured with a fhare in their Mafter's fufferings: John with bonds, ftripes, imprisonment, and exile; and James with a fpeedy martyrdom.

Chriftians, you perceive from this example, that, though in the fincerity of your hearts you have relinquifhed all for the Gofpel's fake, you may ftill be tempted to entertain improper thoughts and defires through covetoufnefs or ambition. Can you fo boaft, of your own ftrength, as to fuppofe yourselves incapable of being actuated by any carnal motives? Rather, do you not feel fuch corrupt affections, as cover you with confufion, and almoft overwhelm you with diftrefs? This part of our hiftory may afford you fome relief. We do not vindicate, what is in any measure oppofite to a holy, fpiritual frame of mind. But it may still encourage your hope to obferve, that thofe, who were dear to God and eminent in his fervice, fometimes betrayed ftrange inconfiftencies. Let the fubject, however, produce real humiliation, and excite you to conftant circumfpection. Being apprized of your danger, you fhould implore affift

ance.

There are thofe, who feem to exult in the failings of good men, as if they proved the whole fyftem of religion to be a cheat and delufion. But how unfair, as well as impious, is fuch a conduct! We allow, that even the Apoftles felt fome degree of prejudice, ambition, and resentment: but does this conceffion detract from the general excellence of their character?

Rather,

Rather, have they not evinced their integrity, by declaring their own defects?

Will you maintain, that, becaufe the faints of God are not perfect, you, who refolutely perfevere in the practice of fin, are as fafe as they? Is there not an effential difference? Their habitual aim and delight is to do the will of God; your's, to gratify your corrupt nature, in oppofition to Him. They are humbled and grieved for their failures in duty: you juftify a continual fyftem of tranfgreffion, and imitatethem only in those things, which they deeply lament, and confider as a difgrace to their profeffion. How totally diffimilar! The comparison cannot flatter your pride: it fhews the odioufnefs of your prevailing temper, and the danger, to which your fo ls are expofed. Jefus reproved the improper defires of his beloved difciple, but did not withdraw his kindness. John ftill remained his conftant attendant, and moft intimate friend. He was fent in company with Peter to prepare the paffover*; and during the laft folemn celebration of that feftival, it is remarked, that John leaned on the bosom of his dear Lord: that is, according to their pofture at table, he fat the nearest +. In that place, which was granted him as a token of peculiar affection, he could propofe queftions, unperceived by the reft: and accordingly, having afked, who was the traitor, he firft received the intimation, that Judas was the man.

St. John was admitted into the garden of Gethfemane, where the Saviour retired for fecret prayer, and at the time when he endured his tremendous agony. There alfo, like Peter and James, this favoured Apoftle betrayed a very finful remiffness, and fpent in fleep the precious moments, which ought to have been improved in holy watchfulness and fervent devotion. It is acknowledged, too, that, when his

* Luke xxii. 8. † John xiii. 23-26. Matt. xxvi. 36–46.

Lord

Lord was apprehended, he, as well as the other difciples, forfook him and fled, in violation of the most solemn promises *. Yet, being foon recovered, he followed him to the place of trial, and stood there as a filent witness of the contempt and cruelty, with which he was treated.

When Jefus was nailed to the cross, expofed to all the infults and outrage of the people, John had the fortitude to continue by him, even to the laft, and, probably, was the only Apoftle, who did fot. His conftancy and fidelity were well compenfated. His dying Mafter looked on him and gave him a fignal token of regard. He requested his dear mother to confider this beloved difciple as her own fon, and commended her alfo, in her difconfolate ftate, to the care of John, who, accordingly, received her to his houfe, and treated her with all filial tenderness and respect. Shall not we, likewife, learn to maintain a firm attachment to the Saviour, be mindful of his folemn injunctions, and esteem ourfelves honoured in fulfilling them? Though we can fhew no perfonal kindness to him or his parent, yet he has conftituted the poor as his reprefentatives, and intrufted them to us. Let none of his people refufe or neglect the charge.

When Christ was rifen from the dead, our Apoftle, accompanied by Peter, ran with eager hafte to examine the fepulchre, upon the report of Mary Magdalene. It fhould feem, that from his view of the place, and of the orderly difpofition of the burial clothes, he was the first who believed the important fact of the refurrection. On the evening of the fame day, he was one of the affembly, to whom Jefus appeared: but, probably, he was not favoured with any separate vifion of him; nor could that be needful, if, as we fup

* Matt. xxvi. 56. + John xix. 26, 27. See Weft on the Refurrection.

John xx. I-10,

pofe,

pofe, his faith was fufficiently confirmed. When fifhing with certain difciples on the sea of Tiberias, he fift recollected the perfon of his Lord, who called to them from the fhore*. A remarkable interview enfued, at the clofe of which we are ftruck with one circumftance, which evinced his humility, love, and zeal. When Peter received an injunction to attend the Saviour, John waited not for any fuch exprefs direction, but inftantly rofe up, as if eager to fhew his attachment, and with filent meeknefs followed t. Let us examine, whether we poffefs a readiness of this kind, to go after Chrift, wherever he fhall lead the way. When he is pleased to intimate his will, are there no hesitations, no delays, or misgivings? Our conduct, more than our profeffions, fhould declare our defire to enter on his fervice.

The curiofity of Peter, refpecting John's future deftination, was immediately checked by that fingular reply; If I will, that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" It was concluded from this expreffion, that the Apostle should not die: but the opinion arofe from a mistaken interpretation. It seemed, however, to be implied, that he was defigned to be fpared in the Church, till the coming of Chrift for the deftruction of Jerufalem. The event, at least, was fuch he was one of those, who did not taste of death, till the kingdom of God, in that awful difpenfation, was accomplished 1. Whatever changes may await us, let us leave ourselves and all our concerns to our Lord's difpofal. Only let us follow him without rẻferve, as did this man of God, and endeavour to employ our time ufefully, and honcurably, whether a longer or a fhorter space may yet remain.

After the afcenfion of Chrift, St. John appeared more confpicuous, and, probably, fhone with greater

John xxi. 1, &c.®

+ See Doddr. Expof. vol. ii. Sect. 201. Matt. xvi. 28.

splendour,

« AnteriorContinuar »