one takes it up, as if there were no more; here is repentance, and
away he goes with that, without conjoining these scattered pieces into one
body. But yet our Saviour sometimes gives us complete sums and models of
the gospel, in which he presents all at one view at once, and especially
in these words now read. The sum of all the gospel is contained in two
words, "Come unto me," and "take my yoke upon you." All the duty of a
Christian, and all his encouragement is here. His duty is to believe in
Christ, and to give himself up to his obedience, and become his disciple,
and to follow his example; and his encouragement is the rest promised,
rest to his soul,--which is the only proper seat, of rest or disquiet. It
is most capable and sensible of both,--and this rest includes in its bosom,
not only peace and tranquillity of mind here, which all the creatures
combined cannot give, but all felicity besides; that eternal rest from all
the labours of this life, and complacency in the fruition of God for ever.
You see, then, what is the full invitation of the gospel. It is nothing
else but come, and have rest. "Take on an easy yoke, and ye shall find
rest. Come and be happy. Come and receive life. That which you seek
elsewhere, both ignorantly and vainly, here it is only to be found. Come
(says Christ), and I promise to give it unto you. Wait upon me by
obedience, and you shall at length find by experience, that rest which I
am willing to give you."

I desire you may consider both the order and the connexion of these
integral parts of the gospel. The order of the gospel is a great part of
the gospel. In some things method is arbitrary, and it matters not which
go before, or which follow after, but here they become essential, and so a
great part of the matter itself. There must be first coming to Christ, and
then taking on his yoke; first believing, then obeying his commandments.
This is as essential an order, as is between the fruit and the root, the
stream and the fountain, the sun-beam and the sun. Will any man expect
fruit till he plant? There must then first be the implanting of the soul
into Christ by faith, and then in due season follow the fruits of
obedience by abiding in him. The perverting of this order makes much
disorder in the spirits and lives of Christians. But how can it choose but
all must wither and decay, if the soul be not planted by this river, whose
streams gladden the city of our God, if the roots of it be no