Religious Emotion.
To mistake mere transient emotion, or mere good thoughts, for obedience, is a far commoner deceit than at first sight appears. How many a man is there, who, when his conscience upbraids him for neglect of duty, comforts himself with the reflection that he has never treated the subject of religion with open scorn that he has from time to time had serious thoughts that he has had, accidentally, some serious conversation with a friend? No one, it is plain, can be religious without having his heart in his religion; his affections must be actively engaged in it; and it is the aim of all Christian instruction to promote this. But, if so, doubtless there is great danger lest a perverse use should be made of the affections. In proportion as a religious duty is difficult, so is it open to abuse. Doubtless it is no sin to feel at times passionately on the subject of religion; it is natural in some men, and under certain circumstances it is praiseworthy in others. But these are accidents. As a general rule, the more religious men become, the calmer they become; and at all times, the religious principle viewed by itself, is calm, sober, and deliberate.
I. The natural tempers of men vary very much. Some men have ardent imaginations, and strong feelings; and adopt, as a matter of course, a vehement mode of expressing themselves. Such men may, of course, possess deep-rooted principle. All I would maintain is, that their ardour does not of itself make their faith deeper and more genuine, and that they must not think themselves better than others on account of it.
II. Next, there are, besides, particular occasions On which excited feeling is natural, and even commendable; yet not for its own sake, but on account of the peculiar circumstances under which it occurs. For instance, it is natural for a man to feel especial remorse at the thought of his sins, when he first begins to think of religion; he ought to feel bitter sorrow and keen repentance. But all such emotion is evidently not the highest state of a Christian's mind; it is but the first stirring of grace in him.
III. And further, the accidents of life will occasionally agitate us: affliction and pain; bad news; though here, too, the Psalmist describes the higher excellence of the mind, namely, the calm confidence of the believer, who will "not be afraid of any evil thing, for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord." The highest Christian temper is free from all vehement and tumultuous feeling.
J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons,vol. i., p. 177.
References: Mark 14:31. Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 235.Mark 14:32. Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes: Gospels and Acts,p. 80; Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 242.Mark 14:32-42. W. Hanna, Our Lord's Life on Earth,p. 447; H. M. Luckock, Footprints of the Son of Man,p. 318; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. v., p. 70. Mark 14:36. A. Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer,p. 216. Mark 14:37. H. J. Wilmot-Buxton, Waterside Mission Sermons,No. 17; A. Maclaren, Three Hundred Outlines on the New Testament,p. 40. Mark 14:38. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 93.Mark 14:41; Mark 14:42. F. W. Robertson, Sermons,2nd series, p. 284.Mark 14:43; Mark 14:44. J. H. Evans, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. xiii., p. 409. Mark 14:43-52. H. M. Luckock, Footprints of the Son of Man,p. 323; W. Hanna, Our Lord's Life on Earth,p. 458.