Mark 7

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VII.—What self-deceivers are human hearts! The most trifling superstitions are often substituted in place of the substantial duties of religion and morality. But no devotion which is not commanded by God, and offered up in faith and sincerity, can be acceptable to him, or profitable to us. Alas, what an infernal fountain of wickedness is every unregenerate heart! It is ready to burst forth on every occasion. And there is an absolute necessity of God’s implanting an abiding principle of life, light, faith, and love, in opposition to our natural corruption. His grace indeed makes a wonderful change even in the weakest believer. It gives the highest and most honourable views of Christ; the tenderest compassion to afflicted friends; earnest importunity in prayer for their relief; and great humility and patience under seeming insults and denials of help. And Jesus sometimes tries the faith of his people by great discouragements, even while he secretly upholds and animates it, till at last, he crown it with the full enjoyment of all that it can wish. What complicated diseases spring from our complicated lusts and crimes! And it is a great mercy that Jesus Christ has power over all plagues. Let me then, conscious of sinful pollutions and miseries unnumbered, look up to him for relief in his own time and way. No hardened heart, deaf ears, nor stammering tongue, can withstand his healing words of power. Let me listen to his instructions with an obedient ear; and ascribe to him, as he shall direct, the glory due to his name, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. 11 A