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Here is an outline of the sixth sermon in Volume 5 of the sermons. It is 8 pages.
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The term here used by our Lord to express the nature of his religion is often employed in the scriptures to point out other objects which include, subjection to the power or authority of another.
1. Sin is called a yoke, a heavy and goring yoke, which Satan binds upon the necks of all his subjects.
2. The ceremonial law, consisting of ritual institutions so numerous and expensive that the Israelites groaned under them is called a yoke, a yoke of bondage which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear.
3. Affliction and adversity are also denoted by this expression; hence it is said to be good for a man to bear the yolk in his youth.
4. The yoke of obedience is no doubt principally intended in the text; for Christ's yoke is no other than the service of Christ, which includes repentance and faith, with a universal subjection to his authority.
I. Enquire in what respects the service of Christ may be compared to a yoke
1. Because it imposes a restraint on every propensity which you would be improper to indulge. Grace both binds and sets free.
2. The yoke of Jesus not only binds and restraints but it binds together.
3. The yoke implies an obligation to labour, and is imposed for that very purpose; it it is not for ornament but for use.
4. It is disagreeable to unconverted man who are like bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke.
5. All Christ's commands make but one yolk, which must be either wholly received or rejected.
II. Notice the commendation given of Christ's service "My yoke is easy".
He himself is the best judge of the nature of that service to which he invites his followers; he is the supreme Head and the Lawgiver of his church and has left us an example that we should walk in his steps
1. The yoke of Christ is easy when compared with every other.
2. Christ's service is easy in itself and carries with it its own recommendation.
3. If there were any difficulty in Christ's service, grace can make it easy; that is always sufficient for us and out of weakness he can make us strong.
(1) A new nature or a divine principle implanted in the soulmakes everything easy and pleasant.
(2) Divine commands are accompanied with promises and this makes the duty sweet.
(3) There are not only promises given for our encouragement but strength also imparted for the performance of duty and this makes the yoke to be easy and the burden light.
(4) True obedience has the prospect of reward and this makes the labour sweet.
Improvement
If any should say, how can these things be? The answer is, Come and see. Make the experiment, take his yoke upon you and you will be convinced that the description has fallen far short of the real truth. You will then find that the delusive pleasures of sin are not worthy to be compared with the substantial joys of religion, that the Christian is the only happy man in this world as well as in the next. ...
Let those who bear Christ's yoke be careful to recommend it. Let them not put on a sorrowful countenance and be always mourning and complaining; for by this means they would give an unfavourable impression of the religion of Jesus and injure the cause they wish to see promoted. ...
All ye who love the Lord
His just commands obey
Submissive bear his easy yoke
And humble homage pay
Give him the honour due
To his exalted name
Sing of his truth and righteousness
And all his love proclaim
Not by your words alone
But by your actions show
How much from him you have received
How much to him you owe
His mercy then will crown
The remnant of your days
He'll be your guardian e'en to death
And your eternal praise.
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