February 20

But they made light of it. - Matthew 22:5.

THE charge here made is that of making light of the provision and invitation of the gospel. The Jews did, and they well deserved the destruction it brought upon them. But is this applicable to us? Why not? There are four proofs which will substantiate the charge. The first will be taken from our thoughts. The thoughts are the first-born of the mind, and they always cling to their object as the bees to the hive, and for the very same reason,-because there they find the honey. “Can a woman forget her sucking child?” “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire?” “Where the carcass is,” says the Saviour, “there will the eagles be gathered together.” But now, what a man makes light of he thinks very little of. Let us ask, then, how does this subject engage our hearts? Many persons know that it rarely ever engages them; they know that it never engages them spontaneously, but only by external presentation, and they know, too, that when it does enter them, it is not cherished and entertained; and therefore, like a guest who feels that he is not welcome, he soon looks to the door.

The second proof is to be taken from our words. That which we make much of we shall speak much of, for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Hear how those who value these things, instead of “making light” of them, are thus described by inspiration. “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee; they shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power, to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.” Now, on the other hand, take men who “mind earthly things.” Suppose it be money: such persons, like Peter’s fish, have money in their mouths; or, if it be the honour which cometh from men, they want nothing to excite them to enlarge. Oh, they seize the opportunity; they are at home here. But they never converse of “the things of the Spirit;” that is, of their own accord; that is, unless they have some purpose to answer; that is, never without irksomeness. Other company is much more relished than the company of those who know nothing “save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

The third proof may be taken from our actions. Those make light of a thing who take no pains and make no sacrifices in order to secure it. And is not this the case here? The man spoken of in the gospel, who found treasure hid in a field, did not “make light” of this thing, for he immediately went, and sold all that he had, and bought it. What are we ready to part with for this purpose? The pride of our reason -our self-righteousness-the possession of the world-the pleasures of sin? The best proof will be derived from our anxieties. It is well known that what we highly prize we shall always recommend, and be greatly concerned to make those we love partake of the same. Now, can our relations or our friends bear witness that we have urged upon them the care of the soul as the “one thing needful” in all our intercourse with them? Can they bear witness that we have sought to induce them to attend to religion? Have we prayed with them, and for them? Have we admonished them? Have we been anxious that they should fee “renewed in the spirit of their mind”?