offense at him." Matthew 13:57. What is there in Christ that men
business of salvation a day longer; sometimes death strikes, and gives no warning.
(5) If you would not come short of the kingdom of heaven— take heed at PREJUDICE. Many take a prejudice at religion, and on this rock dash their souls. They are prejudiced at Christ's person, his truths, his followers, his ways.
1. They are prejudiced at Christ's PERSON. "And they took offense at him." Matthew 13:57. What is there in Christ that men should be offended at him? He is the "pearl of great price." Matthew 13:46. Are men offended at pearls and diamonds? Christ is the wonder of beauty. "Fairer than the children of men." Psalm 45:2. Is there anything in beauty to offend? He is the mirror of mercy. Heb 2:17. Why should mercy offend any? He is a Redeemer. Why should a captive slave be offended at him who comes with a sum of money to ransom him? The prejudice men take at Christ, is from the inbred depravity of their hearts. The eye that is sore cannot endure the light of the sun: the fault is not in the sun—but in the sore eye. There are two things in Christ against which men are prejudiced:
[1] His BASENESS. The Jews expected a monarch for their Messiah; but Christ came not with outward pomp and splendor. His kingdom was not of this world. The stars which are seated in the brightest orbs are least seen. Christ, who is the bright morning-star, was not much seen; his divinity was hidden in the dark lantern of his humanity, all who saw the man did not see the Messiah. The Jews stumbled at the baseness of his person.
[2] Men are prejudiced at Christ's STRICTNESS. They look upon him as austere, and his laws as too severe. "Let us break their bands, and cast away their cords from us." Psalm 2:3. Though to a saint, Christ's laws are no more burdensome than wings to a bird—