CEASE YE FROM MAN

"And he requested for himself that he might die." -I Kings 19:4

“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are.” -James 5:17 [KJV]

This request proves it. It arose from fear and discontent. Both were occasioned by the threats of a weak, but wicked woman. Jezebel threatened his life. O how soon, and by what weak means, are the fine frames of God’s children spoiled and discomposed! What Elijah! that great prophet of the Lord, who had wrought so many notable miracles in the name of the Lord, who had been so miraculously fed by the ravens, according to the command of the Lord—he who had courage to say, “As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself to incensed Ahab to-day.” 

What he! who had zeal to face four hundred and fifty of Baal’s priests, and to command them all to be slain, what does he request to die, because of the threatenings of a woman! What shall we say to this? Verily, human nature is the same in all, whether patriarchs, prophets, or apostles. All men are not the same at all times. The flesh is part of themselves. It lusts against the Spirit. This is manifest in all, none excepted. What is man when left of God? What are the best of men, when left to themselves? And yet the same apostle St. James says, “Take, my brethren, the prophets who have spoken, in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering, affliction, and of patience,” (James 5:10.) 

But where shall we find a perfect character? St. Paul might well say, “We have this treasure (all the gifts and graces of God’s Spirit) in earthen vessels.” Why? “That the excellency of the power might be of God, and not of us,” (II Corinthians 4:7.) But if earthen vessels were not sometimes left to themselves, they would forget this. Elijah, like Paul, was in danger of being exalted above measure, for his eminent gifts, graces, and miraculous works. He is left to be buffeted, that he might know his own sinfulness and impotence. Learn a lesson hence to-night. Prophets, apostles, ministers of Christ, are men of like passions, frail sinners, like yourselves. St. Paul forbears glorying; “Lest, says he, any man should think of me above what he seemeth to be,” (II Corinthians 12:6.) 

If we do not so judge of ministers, we shall be in great danger of harm thereby. (1st.) We shall over-rate them, look to them, instead of through them to God. We shall rest on their teaching, instead of God’s. Then, (2d.) If we do but see those infirmities in them, which are common to men, O then, who could have thought it! We shall under-rate them, and be prejudiced against them, so as not to be profited by them. Cease ye from man.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)