The Little Foxes
S. Martin, M. A. Songs 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. The fox in the vineyard is exceedingly destructive. The food of that animal is not merely flesh, but honey and fruits, particularly grapes; and the young foxes not merely devour the fruit, but by their sportiveness, and by the action of their teeth on the bark of the vine, destroy as much us they devour. The habits of the fox increase the mischief. Instead of roaming, as some animals, without any certain place of rest, he fixes the bounds of his habitation, choosing a cave or den at a convenient distance from those places which will furnish most substance for plunder; and from this hiding-place and watch-tower united, he exercises his acuteness, ingenuity, prudence, and circumspection, in the capture of whatever is fitted to be his prey. The well-known voraciousness of the fox gives breadth to the mischief, and his cunning renders the application of means of defence almost impossible. So that the husbandman of the vineyard regards the fox as one of his greatest enemies. We will consider the text — I. AS ADDRESSED TO THE INDIVIDUAL. 1. The evils, the capture of which is here urged, are such as the following: — Ostentation — the spirit that leads men to give alms that may be seen of men; to pray, that it may be said, "Behold, he prays;" and to be very particular that their circumspection may become the talk of a street or of a town. Concealment — the temper that prompts men to try to prevent their light shining by placing it under a bushel. The easily-offended and unforgiving spirit — by which allied hearts are moved to a distance from each other, and kept separate. Fear of man and men-pleasing — by which the soul is snared into neglect of duty, and into the occupation of wrong positions. Anxiety — by which the mind is distracted and the heart robbed of peace. A longing for treasure upon earth — by which the religious sight is confused and the spirit darkened. That judging of others — by which our beams are made motes and others motes made beams. That finding our life and burying our dead, and bidding them farewell who are at our house — which involves a looking back and an unfitness for the kingdom of God. All such plausible errors in doctrine and specious deviations from truth as affect principle and conduct; injustice in the things that are least; trifling omissions of duty; all pleasures and indulgences producing moral uneasiness, and especially all doubtful actions and courses, those deeds and paths about which the conscience is uneasy and the spirit timid, about which the mind is not made up, and in the performance or pursuit of which there is, at least, a suspicion of the divine displeasure and frown. 2. The good which may be marred is of this kind. The subjects of Christ's kingdom are born from above: we may expect in them heavenly-mindedness. They are born of God: and we may look to them for godliness. They are created anew by Christ Jesus: and we may expect to see Christ-likeness. 3. This good may be thus marred: — The pursuit of religious information may be checked. The attainment of divine knowledge by experience may be hindered. The judgment may be perverted or corrupted. The memory may be burdened with remembrance of sin. The conscience may be blunted or defiled. The affections may be corrupted or divided. Godly action maybe impeded. The energy of holy principle may be impaired. The bloom of spiritual peace and rest may be removed. The enamel of character may be broken. The lustre of reputation may be dimmed. 4. Such mischief ought to be prevented or cured. Take the foxes. Pray in secret, and give in secret. Let your light shine. Forgive a brother his trespasses. Fear not them that kill the body. Cast all your care on Him who careth for you. Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth. Judge not Let the dead bury their dead. Hold the faith and a good conscience. Do nothing by which others are offended and made weak. Defy the persecutor. Withdraw from the backslider. Take the foxes. Make impending evil captive, and, if possible, destroy it. II. AS ADDRESSED TO THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 1. The foxes in any congregation of believing men are such evils as these: — Ill-humour, whether arising from the body, or from circumstances, or from any dominant evil passion — that mood which makes a jaundiced eye and an itching ear, and which will not see good, but is determined to discover evil. Suspicion — the opposite temper to the charity that thinketh no evil, the spirit that sees nothing but whited sepulchres, and platters clean but on the outside. Distrust — the spirit that has no friend or counsellor, but saith deliberately, "All men are liars." Self-importance — the thinking too highly of oneself, and too meanly of others, instead of estimating others and oneself soberly. Carelessness and disorder — by which the sweetest ointment is spoiled, dead flies being allowed to abide in it, and by which the most magnificent music is marred, through the performance being slovenly in the execution. 2. So far as these evils have influence, they check the life of God in the soul of the man, and thereby damage the fellowship. As a congregation consists of individuals, so the character of a church is created by the moral and spiritual attributes of persons. Whatever injures the individual, mars the communion. 3. To prevent this spoliation, take the foxes. This is one with Christ's precept (Matthew 5:29, 30), "cast it from thee." (Romans 16:17, 20; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9 2John 9, 10; 1 Corinthians 5:11.) Paul's directions and John's are in harmony with the text. We remark, (1) That individual life and church life are not maintainable apart from carefulness and exertion. Real religion has nothing mechanical in it. It is all life. It does not proceed on a principle of perpetual motion. It meets resistance and must resist in turn, or it will stop. It is in incessant friction, and must be protected or it will wear out. (2) To such carefulness and effect we have the strongest inducement. Your labour is not in vain; God cares for you. If you look to Him, He will satisfy thy soul in drought and make thee as a watered garden. Abide in Christ, and you will bring forth much fruit. (S. Martin, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. WEB: Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards; for our vineyards are in blossom. Beloved