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Reflections on the Duties of a Married, and a Single Life.

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Let those who are married, considering the indissoluble Bond by which Sect. 135. GOD bas joined them together, make it their constant Care, to promote or the Comfort and Happiness of each other: And let them most cautiously guard against every Degree of Contention, or even of Distaste, which might at length occasion an Alienation in their Affections, and render so close a Bond proportionably grievous.

Let none rashly run into these important Engagements, nor determine Ver. 11, 12. their Choice by light Confiderations, of a low and transitory Nature. And if any, on the whole, prefer the Freedom of a fingle Life, to a State, which, with its peculiar Comforts, muft neceffarily have its peculiar Cares and Trials too, let them diligently improve that Disengagement, as an Obligation to feek the Kingdom of GOD with greater Ardor, and, to pursue its Interests with more active Zeal and Application.

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To conclude; since it appears in this Respect, as well as in some others, Mark x. 11, that the Gospel revokes fome Indulgences which the Law of Mofes gave, 12. let us endeavour to form our Hearts by Divine Grace to a Wisdom, Seriousness, and Spirituality, which may suit this nobler Dispensation; and while we are reading the Precept of the Jewish Legislator, let us remember we have a sublimer Master, and are to do, and forbear, more than others. (Mat. v. 47.)

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SECT. CXXXVI.

CHRIST blesses the little Children, that were brought to bim, and rebukes his Difciples who would have forbid them. Mat. XIX. 13,---15. Mark X. 13,---16. Luke XVIII. 15,---17.

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MARK X. 13.

Mark X. 13.

AND while Jesus continued here, as the In-Sect. 136.
habitants of the neighbouring Country on
the Banks of Jordan found their Esteem for him
continually increasing on their Acquaintance with
him, (John x. 41, 42. pag. 221.) they brought to
bim, not only the Sick, that they might be healed,
(Mat. xix. 2. pag. 224.) but also several Infants,
[and] other young Children, who tho' they could
walk and speak, yet were not capable of under-
standing his Doctrine; that he might touch them,
[or] lay bis Hands upon them in a folemn Manner,

and

230 Children are brought to CHRIST, and bis Disciples oppose it. Sect. 136, and pray for them (a); not doubting, but Prayers and [Luk. when] bis Difso acceptable to GOD as his, would prevail, both ciples [LUK, faw it, they]

Mark X. 13. for their present, and future Happiness. And

when his Disciples, and particularly the Apostles,
who were about him, faw it, they rebuked those
that brought them, as apprehending them too
troublesome, and thinking it beneath the Dignity
of fo great a Prophet, to concern himself about
fuch little Creatures, who were incapable of re-
ceiving any Instruction from him.

rebuked those that brought them. [MAT. XIX. 13. LUKE XVIII. 15.]

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14 But when Jesus saw

it, he was much difpleafed, the little Children to come

and faid unto them, Suffer

unto me, and forbid them

14 But Jesus feeing it, was greatly displeased, and
moved with fome Degree of Indignation against
his Disciples; for he had a tender Love to Chil-
dren, and well knew, that a proper Notice of
these might turn to fome valuable Account (6);
and therefore he said to them, Let the little Chil-
dren alone, and do not now, or at any other con-
venient Time, binder them [from] coming to mem
I am pleased, rather than offended, to fee them

not: for of fuch is the Kingdom of GOD. [МАТ. 14. LUKE XVIII.-16.]

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near me; for of fuch is the Kingdom of GOD: orde

Persons of such a Character are the true Subjects

of my Kingdom, and Heirs of eternal Glory, to...
which many little Children are received ; and in
Token of it, the Children of believing Parents are
to be admitted into my Church by Baptifm (c).

And

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(a) Lay his Hands upon them, and pray.] This was a Rite, that was very early used, particularly by those who stood in any superior Relation, when they were praying for a Bleffing on young Persons. See Gen. xlvii. 14,20.I fee no Reason to fay with Elfner, that they were brought to Christ for the Cure of some Malady, for in that Cafe, it is not to be imagined, that the Disciples would have been so inhumane as to prohibit them.

(b) Knew, that a proper Notice of these &c.] Christ's shewing his Regard in such a Manner to them, not only must have been exceedingly pleasing to the Parents; but the Memory of this Condescension might make tender and lasting Impressions on the Children themselves; and the Sight must be very edifying and encouraging to other young Perfons, who might happen to be present: Not to fay, how instructive this Gentleness to Children may be to Ministers, and how much their Ufefulness may, or might have been, promoted by a due Regard to it. Nicephorus tells us, that the celebrated Ignatius, afterwards Bishop of Antioch, was one of these Infants. Our Lordimight reasonably be the more displeased with his Difciples, for endeavouring to prevent their being brought, as he had fo lately fet a Child among them, and infi d on the Neceffity of their being made conformable to it. Mat. xviii. 2, 3. Selt. 93. pag. 19. I am obliged to Dr. Scott's late Version, which, according to the Manner of the learned and ingenious Author, is exact to a Wonder, for the Alteration I have made here, and for fome other Changes, which I take this Opportunity of acknowledging with due Gratitude.

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(c) For of fuch is the Kingdom of GOD: &c.] I acknowledge, these Words will not of themselves prove Infant Baptism to be an Institution of Christ; but if that appears from other. Scriptures to be the Cafe, (which I think most probable,) there will be pro. portionable

Hedeclares, that of fuch is the Kingdom of GOD, and blessfes'em.

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231

Mark X. 15.

And verily I say unto you, as I have formerly Sect. 136.
told you, (Mat. xviii. 3, 4. Sect. 93.) and would
now have you to attend with Seriousness while I
repeat it, Whosoever shall not be willing to receive
the Kingdom of GOD, or the Gospel Dispensa-
tion and the Happiness it promises, as a little Child,
divesting himself of those Prejudices, and those
fecular Views which Men contract in their riper
Years, that he may come, as it were, to the Hu-
mility and Meekness, the Simplicity and Teach-
ableness of a little Child, (compare Pfal. cxxxi. 2.)
be shall not in any wife, or on any Terms, enter
into it, be his Genius ever so sublime, or his Cir-
cumstances in Life ever so confiderable.

And having faid this, he would no longer be 16.
detained from thewing his Regard unto these little
Children, but having called them to him, and or-
dered the Infants to be brought, be took them up
in his Arms, tenderly embracing them with a holy
Complacency and Love; and as a farther Token
of the overflowing Kindness and Benevolence of
his Heart towards them, he laid bis Hands upon
them, and blessed them, recommending them in a
folemn Manner to the Divine Bleffing and Fa-
vour; which accordingly descended upon them,
to strengthen their Constitutions, and to fanctify
their Hearts. And after this, he departed from
thence to another Place in the Neighbourhood,
where the young Ruler attended him, as we shall

presently relate.

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IMPROVEMENT.

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ET us make a Paufe here, that we may more attentively review Mark x. 16.

this delightful and instructive Sight; that we may fee, this compassionate Shepherd of Ifrael, thus gathering the Lambs in bis Arms, and carrying them in his Bosom with all the Tokens of tender Regard; (Ifa. xl. 11.) rebuking bis Disciples who forbad their coming, and laying his Ver. 14. gracious

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portionable Reason to believe, that our Lord might here intend some Reference to it; and I cannot approve of rendering ταων, such as resemble these. It is the Part of a faithful Translator, not to limit the Senfe of the Original, nor to fix what it leaves ambiguous.

232 Reflections on the kind Regard of CHRIST to Children. Sect. 136. gracious Hands upon them to bless them. How condescending and engaging a Behaviour! and how encouraging and amiable an Image!

Ver. 13.

Ver. 14.

Ibid.

Ver. 15.

Let his Ministers view it, to teach them a becoming Regard to the Lambs of their Flock; who should early be taken Notice of, and instructed; and for, and with whom, they should frequently pray; remembering how often Divine Grace takes Possession of the Heart in the Years of Infancy, and fanctifies the Children of God almost from the Womb. Let every first Impression made upon their tender Minds be cherished; and let not those whom Christ himself is ready to receive, be disregarded by bis Servants, who should be gentle unto all, and apt to teach. (2 Tim. ii. 24.) Let Parents view this Sight with Pleasure and Thankfulness: Let it encourage them to bring their Children to Chrift by Faith, and to commit them to him in Baptism, and by Prayer. And if He, who has the Keys of Death and the unseen World, (Rev. i. 18.) see fit to remove those dear Creatures from us in their early Days, let the Remembrance of this Story comfort us; and teach us to hope, that He, who so graciously received these Children, has not forgotten ours; but that they are sweetly fallen asleep in him, and will be the everlasting Objects of his Care and Love; for of fuch is the Kingdom of GOD.

Let Children especially observe this. The great and glorious Redeemer did not defpise these Little ones; nay, he was much displeased with those, who would have prevented their being brought to him. As kindly would he, no doubt, have received you, ye dear Children who read or hear this; as kindly will he still receive you, if you go to him in the Sincerity of your Hearts, and ask his Blessing in humble and earnest Prayer. Tho' you fee not Christ, he sees and hears you; he is now present with you, to receive you, to bless you, and to save you. Happy the weakest of you, when lodged in the Arms of Christ! nothing can pluck you from thence, or ever hurt you there.

In a Word, let us all commit ourselves to him; and let us be difposed to become as little Children, if we defire to enter into his Kingdom. Let us not govern ourselves by the vain Maxims of a corrupt and degenerate Age. Let not Pride, Ambition, Luft, or Avarice possess, torment, and inflave our Minds; but with the amiable Simplicity of Children, let us put ourselves into the wise and kind Hands of Jefus, as our Guardian, and refer ourselves to his Pastoral and Parental Care, to be clothed and fed, to be guided and disposed of, as he shall see fit. For this Purpose, Oh God, may we be born again by thy Spirit, and formed anew by thy Grace! fince by this Method alone we can be made meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, (Col. i. 12.) and be so the Children of GOD, as to be at length the Children of the Refurrection.

SECT.

A Rich Young Man enquires the Way to Eternal Life. 233

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A Rich Young Man applying himself to CHRIST for Direction in the Way to Eternal Life, and afterwards parting with with him him out out of of Regard Regard to to his Possessions, gives our LORD an Occafion of cautioning his Disciples concerning the Danger of Riches. Mat. XIX. 16, to the End. Mark X. 17,---31. Luke XVIII. 18,---30.

MARK X. 17.

AND when he was gone forth into the Way, [behold,) there came one [Lux. a certain Ruler,] running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, [Luk.

faying,] Good Mafter, what [good Thing) shall I do, that I may inherit eternal Life? [MAT. XIX. 16. LUKE XVIII. 18.]

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me

MARK X. 17.

AND as he went out from thence (a), into the Sect. 137.
Way to some other Place which he designed
a most remarkable Occurrence hap- Mark X.

to vifit, behold,

pened; for there came one, even a certain Magistrate
or Ruler, who was a Young Person in very plen-
tiful Circumstances, running with an eager Defire
to converse with Jesus, before he left that Place;
and he no sooner was come near him, but kneeling
down to him with the humblest Respect, he asked
him with great Reverence and Earnestness, faying,
Good Master (b), I am come to thee as a most
wife and gracious Teacher, and beseech thee to
answer me a Question of the highest Importance :
What good Thing shall I do, that I may inherit
Eternal Life? for nothing lies with so much
Weight upon my Mind as this, and I am deter-
mined to secure it at any Rate.

And Jesus upon this faid to him, Why dost thou 18

call me Good (c), whom thou regardest only as a good? there is none good Prophet sent from God, and dost not look upon to be any more than a mere Man? Thou shouldst remember

(a) As he went out from thence.] Both Matthew aud Luke relate this Story of the Young Ruler, immediately after that in the preceding Section; but Mark is more determinate than either of them in the Connection, and more circumstantial in the Narration.

(b) Good Master.] Wolfius observes, that this was a Title, which the Jewish Rabbi's affected; which, if it were indeed so, might be an additional Reason for our Lord's Remark upon it.

(c) Why doft thou call me Good?] It is certain, that some very ancient Manuscripts read this Clause, Τι με ερωτας περι το αγαθε; Why dost thou ask me, what good Thing is to be done ? But neither the Number of Copies, nor the Turn of our Lord's Answer will by any means admit of fuch a Reading.

VOL. II.

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(d) Thou

17.

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