OUR Lord’s meaning in using this expression appears to be simply this: He declares that the religious light of the least disciple who lived after His crucifixion and resurrection would be far greater than that of John Baptist, who died before those mighty events took place. The weakest believing hearer of Paul would understand things, by the light of Christ’s death on the cross, which John the Baptist could never have explained. Great as that holy man was in faith and courage, the humblest Christian would, in one sense, be greater than he. Greater in grace and works he certainly could not be. But beyond doubt he would be greater in privileges and knowledge. There are many diverse and strange opinions among the commentators about the meaning of these words. Those who wish to examine them will find a full account of them in Chemnitius and Barradius. I believe the true interpretation to be the one I have given.—Bishop Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Luke).
Christian Meets Mr Worldly-Wiseman.
BY JOHN BUNYAN.
NOW, as Christian was walking by himself, he espied one afar off, come crossing over the field to meet him; and their hap was to meet just as they were crossing the way of each other. The gentleman’s name that met him was Mr Worldly-Wiseman; he dwelt in the town of Carnal Policy, a very great town, and also hard by from whence Christian came. This man, then, meeting with Christian, and having some inkling of him—for Christian’s setting forth from the City of Destruction was much noised abroad, not only in the town where he dwelt, but also it began to be the town-talk in some other places—Mr Worldly-Wiseman, therefore, having some guess of him, by beholding his laborious going, by observing his sighs and groans, and the like, began thus to enter into some talk with Christian.
Worldly-Wiseman—How now, good fellow, whither away after this burdened manner? Christian—A burdened manner indeed, as ever, I think, poor creature had! And whereas you ask me—Whither away? I tell you, sir, I am going to yonder wicket-gate before me; for there, as I am informed, I shall be put into a way to be rid of my heavy burden. Worldly-Wiseman—Hast thou a wife and children? Christian—Yes, but I am so laden with this burden, that I cannot take that pleasure in them as formerly; methinks I am as if I had none. Worldly-Wiseman—Wilt thou hearken unto me if I gave thee counsel? Christian—If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel. Worldly-Wiseman—I would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get thyself rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never be settled in thy mind till then; nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessing which God hath bestowed upon thee till then. Christian—That is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden; but get it off myself, I cannot: nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders; therefore am I going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden? Worldly-Wiseman—Who bid you go this way to be rid of thy burden? Christian—A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honourable person, his name, as I remember, is Evangelist. Worldly-Wiseman—I beshrew him for his counsel! there is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath directed thee; and that thou shalt find, if thou will be ruled by his counsel. Thou hast met with something, as I perceive already; for I see the dirt of the Slough of Despond is upon thee; but that slough is the beginning of the sorrows that do attend those that go on in that way. Hear me, I am older than thou; thou art like to meet with on the way which thou goest, wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and, in a word, death, and what not! These things are certainly true, having been confirmed by many testimonies. And why should a man so carelessly cast away himself, by giving heed to a stranger?
Christian—Why, sir, this burden upon thy back is more terrible to me than are all these things which you have mentioned; nay, methinks I care not what I meet with in the way, if so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden. Worldly-Wiseman—How camest thou by the burden at first? Christian—By reading this book in my hand. Worldly-Wiseman—I thought so; and it is happened unto thee as to other weak men, who, meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into thy distractions; which distractions do not only unman men, as thine, I perceive, have done thee, but they run them upon desperate ventures, to obtain they know not what. Christian—I know what I would obtain; it is ease for my heavy burden. Worldly-Wiseman—But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend it? especially since, hadst thou but patience to hear me, I could direct thee to the obtaining of what thou desirest, without the dangers that thou in this way wilt run thyself into; yea, and the remedy is at hand. Besides, I will add, that, instead of those dangers, thou shalt meet with much safety, friendship, and content. Christian—Pray, Sir, open this secret to me. Worldly-Wiseman—Why, in yonder village—the village is named Morality—there dwells a gentleman whose name is Legality, a very judicious man, and a man of a very good name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine are from their shoulders: yea, to my knowledge, he hath done a great deal of good this way; ay, and besides, he hath skill to cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits with their burdens. To him, as I said, thou mayest go, and be helped presently. His house is not quite a mile from this place, and if he should not be at home himself, he hath a pretty young man to his son, whose name is Civility, that can do it (to speak on) as well as the old gentleman himself; there, I say, thou mayest be eased of thy burden; and if thou art not minded to go back to thy former habitation, as, indeed, I would not wish thee, thou mayest send for thy wife and children to thee to this village, where there are houses now stand empty, one of which thou mayest have at reasonable rates; provision is there also cheap and good; and that which will make thy life the more happy is, to be sure, there thou shalt live by honest neighbours, in credit and good fashion.
Now was Christian somewhat at a stand; but presently he concluded, If this be true, which this gentleman hath said, my wisest course is to take his advice; and with that he thus further spoke.
Christian—Sir, which is my way to this honest man’s house? Worldly-Wiseman—Do you see yonder hill? Christian—Yes, very well. Worldly-Wiseman—By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.
So Christian turned out of his way, to go to Mr Legality’s house for help; but, behold, when he was got now hard by the hill, it seemed so high, and also that side of it that was next the wayside, did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to venture further, lest the hill should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still, and wotted not what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him, than while he was in his way. There came also flashes of fire out of the hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burned. Here, therefore, he sweat and did quake for fear.
Parable of the Foolish Children.
CERTAIN silly children, having only a short candle, must needs be at their games when they ought to have minded their lessons. Taking no heed to the burning away of their light, they played on, and on, till at last their candle was out, and they were forced to go to bed in the dark. Many such children are to be found who are of the size and age of men and women. Their time is spent in trifling, or in seeking worldly ends; and when their candle of life is out, as it soon will be, they will have to die in the worst kind of darkness. Reader, are you one of these? Let me assure you, from what I have personally seen, that it is an awful thing to quit this life without having a clear light upon the world to come. I beseech you, do not take that last dread leap in the dark!—C. H. Spurgeon.