Vol. 2

470 ST. LUKE.The spirit of the new law isa spirit of meeknessand charity. The ministers of the church oughtalways to remember, that they are the disciples of himwho came only to do good, and that their ministryis a ministry of salvation. Nothing is more distantfrom his Spirit, than for a man to make use of authority,force, or violence, to enter upon a benefice,or to settle himself in a city, only under pretence ofdoing good there : Christ having not thought fit tooblige even a single village to receive him in hisnecessity, and having blamed his apostles uponsomewhat of the like nature.Sect. VIII.— The man who 'would have followedChrist.We must not look back," 57. f And it came to pass, that, as they wentin the way, a certain man said unto him. Lord, Iwill follow thee whithersoever thou goest."Human presumption undertakes and embracesevery thing with eagerness,and thinks nothing toodifficult. Christian humility has for its foundation,theacknowledgment of a man's own inability as toevery thing which is good, a belief of the necessityof grace in order to perform it, a conviction of hisown unworthiness to receive this assistance, and afirm hope in the free mercy of God, and in the graceof Jesus Christ.**58. And Jesus said unto him. Foxes have holes,and birds of the air have nests ; but the Son of manhath not where to lay his head."Abundance of persons seem to seek Jesus Christ,who only, under his name, seek ease, honour, selfsatisfaction,the conveniencies of life, &c. If theyI