Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

DISCOURSE IX.

MATTHEW Xxvi. 41.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into Temptation: The Spirit indeed is willing, but the Flesh is weak.

F

OR the better understanding of thefe Words, I must defire you to reflect a little upon what Occafion they were spoken, and in what Circumstances our Saviour was, when he made this Exhortation to his Difciples. The Time of his Crucifixion was now near at hand, and he had foretold his Disciples that they should all be offended because of him; upon which St. Peter made a very forward Profeffion of Conftancy, as did likewife all the Difciples. But it does not appear that they clearly understood our

Saviour,

ས་

Saviour, or were apprehenfive that they should fo foon lofe their Mafter; if they had, they could not have been fo fupinely negligent and unconcerned for his Welfare, as immediately to fall asleep, as we read they did. But our Saviour, as he had a different Senfe of what he was to undergo, fo was he differently affected: He began to be forrowful, and very heavy; and expressed himself to his Disciples, that his Soul was exceeding forrowful, even unto Death. He began to feel the Weakness and Infirmities of human Nature upon the Approach of Death, and the Terror and Apprehenfion of it increased fo faft, as to draw that Petition from him, O my Father, if it be poffible, let this Cup pass from me. In which Prayer he was fo carneft, and his Agony fo great, that the Sweat fell from him like Drops of Blood.

No one was ever more willing to fulfil the Will of God than he was: He came into the World to do the Will of his Father, and was teady to finish the Work fet before him. But yet, in this laft and fharp Trial, he found how great the Weakness of the Flefh was, and how powerful Impreffions it had uponi him: From whence probably arose the Reflection mentioned in the Text, The Spirit

indeed is willing, but the Flesh is weak; which he makes the Ground of his Exhortation to his Disciples, Watch and pray, that yé enter not into Temptation. When he returned from Prayer to them, he found them afleep, and, after expoftulating with them for the Unconcernedness it betrayed towards him in his Diftrefs and Affliction, he exhorts them rather to employ their Time in watching and praying; for, though they had made a very forward and bold Refolution rather to die with him than deny him, yet he knew that a Refolution and Willingness to obey were not a fufficient Support against the Weakness of human Nature, but that they stood in need of all the Advantages that might be reaped from Watchfulness and Prayer. If he himself found Difficulties from the Weaknefs of the Flesh, he might well conclude how unable his Disciples would be, when their Time of Trial fhould come. So that the Words of the Text, The Spirit indeed is willing, but the Flesh is weak, seem rather founded on what our Saviour experienced in his late Agony, than from any thing that was criminal in his Difciples. They were afleep indeed, which was an unkind Part, when they faw in how great Distress their

[ocr errors]

Mafter

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Mafter was, but otherwise it was not faulty in itself. They did not apprehend the imminent Danger their Lord was in; if they had, their Fear and Anxiety would have interposed to disturb their Reft. Nor did our Saviour blame their Sleep otherwise than as unfeasonable at that Time, when the Danger that attended them required them to be otherwife employed. There was a great Storm ready to break, in which he forefaw they must bear a Part, as well as himself; and therefore there was a Neceffity they should arm, and prepare themfelves against it. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into Temptation: Which is a Warning for them to ftrengthen themselves against future Evil; and he does not much blame their Carriage as yet, but rather tacitly acknowledges the great Forwardnefs they expreffed to fuffer with him, and for him; The Spirit indeed is willing. But then he knew the Greatnefs of the Temptation they were to undergo, and had lately himself experienced the Weaknefs and Inability of human Nature, and therefore recommends Watchfulness and Prayer to them, because the Flesh is weak.

The Words thus explained contain a very proper and fuitable Exhortation to the Sea

fon

fon in which they were spoken, and to all Men in general: And the Reason of them is a powerful Excitement to us to pray continually for the Grace and Affiftance of God's good Spirit, knowing, how ready and willing foever we may be to obey, that we are beset with too many and too strong Enemies to permit us long to continue in our good Refolutions; which should make us look about for Help, and, if I may so speak, enter into new Alliances with Heaven, for greater Supplies of fpiritual Strength to oppose the common Enemy of Mankind.

But this Explication of the Text, how worthy foever of its Author, and agreeable to the Circumftances in which it was delivered, will not easily be digefted; because it undermines the Foundation of the favourite Doctrine of Sins of Infirmity, which, upon the flender Encouragement of this Text of Scripture, has thriven wonderfully, almost to the Exclufion of all other Sins out of the World. For Men are very willing to lift all their Sins under the Colours of Infirmity, and fo leave them to fhift for themselves: Which, whatever elfe it fignifies, has this prefent Effect, it rids them of the Trouble and Pains of Repentance and Amendment,

« PoprzedniaDalej »