XXV. The duty of fidelity to Christ, and perseverance. And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead* bury their dead but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. : And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.-Luke ix. 57–62. *The dead in sin. XXVI. Martha and Mary.-The good part. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he [Christ] entered into a certain village and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet,* and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered+ about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part,‡ which shall not be taken away from her.-Luke x. 38-42. *To learn of him, Acts xxii. 3. + Over anxious, perplexed. Listening to Christ about the salvation of the soul, "the one thing needful." XXVII. Reasons for blessing God. Bless the LORD, O my soul:* And all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: Who redeemeth thy life from destruc tion; Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.†Psa. ciii. 1—5. * The psalmist begins and concludes this psalm by calling on his own soul to bless the Lord. + Eagles moult, or cast off their feathers, and have new ones; they are also very long lived. XXVIII. The mercy of God. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide : Neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our trans gressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.-Psa. ciii. 6—13. XXIX. Man's frailty.—God's mercy. For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone ;* And the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, *The hot winds and burning sun destroy vegeta tion quickly in the east. |