TO THE VENERABLE ARCHDEACON STRONG, AND THE CLERGY OF THE DEANERIES OF OUNDLE AND WELDON, ASSEMBLED AT HIS VISITATION, This Sermon, PREACHED Before them, AND PUBLISHED at their request, IS DEDICATED, WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF RESPECT AND REGARD, BY THEIR OBEDIENT FRIEND AND SERVANT, ALDWINCLE RECTORY, May 13, 1828. HENRY ROLLS. A SERMON, &c. LUKE IX. 62. No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 66 AFTER our Lord had chosen his twelve Apostles to be the constant attendants on his ministry, the evidences of his works of wonder and beneficence, the witnesses of his spontaneous sacrifice of himself, and the future propagators of the Gospel of reconciliation, it is recorded by the Evangelist, that " he appointed other seventy also, and sent them into every city and place, whither he would come," that they might prepare the minds of the people for the reception of his doctrines. It would seem that several of his followers came forward with alacrity, and proffered their services in the ministry, as men zealously and sincerely devoted to the righteous cause he had in hand, and we may reasonably sup 66 pose from their doing this simultaneously, that he had just before intimated to them his design of sending more labourers into the vineyard. One of his attendants exclaimed, with all the fervour of truth and devotion, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." The secret impulse of this man's heart was doubtless known to Christ, but without appearing to distrust his integrity, and without imputing to him blame for the unmeasured zeal which he had thus displayed, Jesus kindly and candidly forewarned him of the difficulties, dangers, and trials that the servants of such a Master must necessarily have to encounter. In language of unparalleled simplicity and pathos he replied, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." Another of his hearers, who had probably given some evidences of attachment to his person, our Lord graciously invited to follow him, but this man could not persuade himself, at the instant, to relinquish the world with its powerful attractions, and nothing doubting that his plea was such as would be admitted, he said, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." The answer which he received is remarkable, shewing that even the most pressing calls of humanity may not interfere with the positive duties of those who mean to consecrate themselves to the ministry of Christ. "Let the dead bury their dead." Let those engaged in secular |