Mark 8

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VIII.—In following Christ, let me count nothing too hard. Let me trust him with my body as well as my soul; and bread shall be given me, my water shall be sure. Never let my unbelief raise, or hesitate at, difficulties, as if they were too great for Christ to surmount. And let me never misinterpret his words or providences, nor ever forget his former mighty works. It is highly absurd to reject the most plain and proper evidences which he gives of his dignified character, and insist to be gratified with others, far less useful, merely because they are of our own contriving. Yea, infidelity, and impenitent hardness of heart will work the most fearful ruin for those who indulge them! And Jesus will perform no miracles to gratify men’s humours; but will abandon those who insist upon them to the heavy judgments which they deserve. But great is his readiness to bear with, help, heal, and save, them who, sensible of their wants and maladies, apply to him for relief; and in an instant, or more gradually,—in public or private,—as best promotes his glory and their good,—kindly will he bestow it. What mean thoughts men have of Christ! and what carnal views have some real saints of the real glories of his office and work! And never doth Satan more readily cast the saints down, than after some signal token of Jesus’ regard. Nothing doth Jesus more detest than low thoughts of his sufferings and death: and in nothing does he manifest more true love than in administering sharp rebukes. If we expect glory with him, we must now take up our cross and follow him; for if we be ashamed of him now, we must not expect to be honoured by him in the last judgment. And if, in forsaking him, we court worldly profits, pleasures, or honours, we shall fall into everlasting perdition. In death or judgment it will little avail us what our external circumstances in life were. And surely our great concern ought to be what shall become of our immortal souls in the eternal state. 3