Nature of Countersign
Oliver Heywood. Matthew 18:2-5 And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the middle of them,… Converting grace makes persons become like little children; both like those just born, and those who are a little grown. I. CONVERTS RESEMBLE LITTLE CHILDREN NEWLY BORN. 1. Children enter the world with much difficulty and hazard. So God's children have a difficult entrance into a state of grace. 2. An infant has always a principle of life and motion; so converts have a principle of spiritual life infused into their souls. 3. The child bears the image of the father; so converts bear a likeness to God; they have His image. 4. A child comes weeping into the world; so God's children are crying children. 5. There is a natural instinct in children, as soon as born, to seek the mother's breast; so a gracious soul, when newly converted, desires " the sincere milk of the word, that he may grow thereby." 6. Converts resemble little children in their weakness and dependence. 7. There is a resemblance between little children and converts in their harmlessness. II. CONVERTS REPRESENT CHILDREN A LITTLE GROWN. 1. In their guileless disposition. Little children are generally plain and downright, what they seem to be, and do not dissemble. 2. They are of a gall-less disposition; they may be angry, but bear no malice. 3. They are submissive to correction. 4. They are full of jealousies and fears. 5. They are very affectionate. 6. They are very inquisitive. 7. They are generally tractable. 8. They do all for their parents, and acknowledge them in all they have; so the child of God does nothing for himself but for God's glory. 9. Converts resemble little children in their growth. 10. They are mostly of an humble and condescending disposition. Application — (1) If converting grace makes persons become like little children, then conversion is no half work; (2) If true conversion makes men become like little children, then there is reason to fear few people go to heaven. (Oliver Heywood.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, WEB: Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them,