Mark 2

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. II.—Let me always attend Jesus’ ordinances, that I may honour him and receive his blessing, that he may speak to my heart, give me the faith which he will approve, forgive my sins, and heal my plagues. And let no impediment hinder me from his grace. While proud sinners are ever objecting against him, to their own destruction, it becomes me to esteem, receive, admire, and honour, him, to my eternal salvation. And, if he call me to himself by his grace, diligently should I exert all my influence in bringing others along with me. Sinners, as such, he came to save: sinners, as such, he calls in his gospel: and him that cometh unto him he will in no wise cast out. The more sinful and wretched I feel myself to be, the more evident is my gospel right to receive the Redeemer, who came to seek and to save that which is lost. No publican nor sinner is too bad for him to save, nor too obstinate for him to conquer. And he does, and must seek us before we seek him.—Wisely he connects every duty with its proper season, and proportions his people’s services to their ability. Let then his word be my rule, and his authority my obligation, in observing his sabbaths and ordinances: and let his grace make me prize his service, since all is designed for my profit. 3