we enjoy them. Faith is the appropriating grace, that faith which is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ;* that faith which is ever looking unto Jesus; that faith which receives him as revealed in the gospel; that faith which lives upon him, and is continually tasting that the Lord is gracious. The baptised worldling, the orthodox formalist, knows nothing of this saving grace. It is wrought in the heart, solely through the power of the Holy Ghost.+ Lord increase my faith. If I have it not, delay not in mercy to bestow it, ere the night of death overtake me. If I have in any measure received the precious gift, make it more evident to myself and others by its holy fruits. Pardon my importunity, for thou has said: "Ask, and it shall be given you." "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint."§ Two things I would daily seek:-to love Christ above every other object—and, to obey his will above every other law. Love and obedience form the brightest evidence of discipleship. Without these fruits of righteousness, faith is dead; a mere notion of the head; the mere loquacity of the tongue. Many who now shine in their circle of religious friends, will, at last, be found no better than potsherds of earth covered with silver dross. Oh! that I may seek after the religion of the heart. Lord make me humble and sincere. Grant to me the faith of thine elect. Give me that spiritual perception, and that spiritual relish of heavenly truths, which is the blessed portion of thy children here, and the foretaste of their future glory. How solemn are these words of the blessed Jesus: "Behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last."|| Our Lord also * Heb. xi. 1. + 1 Cor. xii. 9.; Gal. v. 22. Matt. vii. 7., xviii. 19., xxi. 22,; John xi. 22., xv. 7., xvi. 24.; 1 John v. 14, 15. § Luke xviii. 1. Luke xiii. 30.; Matt. xix. 30., xx. 16.; Mark x. 31. declares, that "that which is highly esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of God."* How should professors of the gospel look well to themselves. These declarations, O my soul, speak forcibly to thee. I profess to be a Christian, attend the ordinances of the Gospel, associate with pious characters, have family worship, abstain from places of worldly amusement: so far is well. But all this may be done, while the heart remains unchanged. The Pharisees went farther than this, in their austerities; but He, who knew the heart, said to them : "" I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you." And to his listening disciples: Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."‡ 66 A person, living in a round of outward duties, may be esteemed first by many who look only at the outward appearance, while he is viewed as last by the Searcher of hearts. A talking, forward professor, may attract attention, and gain admirers; but it is the humble, meek, self-denying believer, who studiously avoids all public notice, while he is labouring with all his might to advance the interests of the Gospel, that will be owned by Jesus in that great day, when true faith will be made manifest by its genuine fruits. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."8 Humility is the peculiar characteristic of the people of God. The converted sinner is so deeply humbled on account of his former transgressions, that he is completely stripped of all self-righteousness and self-dependence; and so charmed with the love and grace of the Redeemer, that he is willing to spend and be spent in his service. He acknowledges himself, and feels himself to be the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints. Hence he gives God Luke xvi. 15. § Matt. v. 16. + John v. 42. Matt. xviii. 4.; + Matt. v. 20. Rom. xii. 3, 10, 16. all the glory of his salvation; trusts in nothing but the finished and complete righteousness of Jehovah Jesus; and declares with the fullest conviction of his own insufficiency and vileness, and of that Saviour's unspeakably glorious merits and power, "by the grace of God I am what I am.”* He desires to be nothing in his own esteem, and the esteem of others, that Christ may be glorified. All his aims are directed to promote the exaltation of the Saviour, and to debase the idol self, more and more. He daily mourns over those remainders of corruption in his heart, which are continually lusting against the Spirit; and rejoices in Christ Jesus, as his Atonement, Righteousness, and Hope of glory. Hence, while this view of himself keeps him humble, the view of the Saviour animates him to the conflict, and makes him finally more than conqueror over all his spiritual enemies. Feeling his own helplessness, he leans on the strength of Jesus; and knowing his own blindness, he prays without ceasing, for the illuminating influences of the Holy Spirit. He believes, and is not confounded. The Spirit of Christ dwells in his heart, witnessing with his Spirit that he is a child of God, and filling him with heavenly affections, holy desires, and spiritual joy. He thus bears the image of Christ, and evidences his election of God. His salvation being all of grace, he, with his whole soul, gives God the glory. Such is the true believer, who is born from above; born of the Spirit. In this world he is often esteemed last; is branded by the formalist, as an enthusiast; and by the worldly, as a madman. But he shall be first in that day, when Christ shall make up his jewels, when he shall be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe. True religion will always influence the whole inner man. All the powers and faculties of the soul are brought under its sway. Forms and ceremonies are unavailing without this principle of grace, for "circumcision availeth * 1 Cor. xv. 10. + Rom. viii. 37. 2 Thess. i. 10. nothing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."* "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."+ "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."+ In the present day much is being done, and still more devised, for the spiritual good of mankind. Christians are invited, on Gospel principles, to aid in these labuors of love. But while the principles may be warmly enforced, yet the Gospel motive in the heart can only be imparted from above. The love of Christ to us should indeed constrain us to every act of self-denying obedience; yet, how few comparatively feel that love to the Saviour which urges onward in the career of usefulness. It is painful to think how much exertion may be made, and how much money expended, without one single motive which can render the service and sacrifice well-pleasing unto God. If called to labour in the field of benevolence, how needful it is to watch over the heart, to examine the principles, to scrutinise the motives of our actions. There is so much selfishness in our fallen nature, such a desire of pre-eminence, such a secret delight in human applause, such a high opinion of one's own powers and talents, however weak and inefficient, that there is daily need for that blessed grace which alone can make us humble, and keep us so. Lord, root out of my heart that deadly weed of pride, which is so hateful to thee, and so destructive to my soul. Give me, blessed Saviour, that humble, lowly mind which dwelt in thee. O let me tread in thy steps. Clothe me with humility. It is a serious truth, that a person may spend his whole life in feeding others, while he starves himself. The soul cannot thrive without spiritual meditation, retirement, secret prayer, and a devout study of the Gal. v. 6., vi. 15. + Rom. xiv. 17. Matt. vii. 21. 66 Holy Scriptures. The neglect of these things is the cause why so many cry out: "My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me."* They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept."+ This God has closely connected the means with the end, as he has also the precept with the promise; but still a certain state of heart is needed, to attain the blessing. The understanding may be well furnished with Gospel truth, and yet the heart remain destitute of Gospel grace. We ought, and it is our privilege, and should be our desire, to lay out our time and talents, however small, for Christ and the good of souls; but in doing this, we must look well to the spring, the motive, the principle of action. cannot be too deeply or too frequently impressed upon the mind. All must flow from faith in the Saviour. All must be the genuine expression of ardent love to him. All must be directed simply to his glory. Self must be annihilated. Pride must be crucified. The praise of men must be disregarded: and Christ, and Christ alone must be seated on the throne of the affections. Then will a cup of cold water, given in his name be accepted. Then will the widow's mite be esteemed precious. Then will the smallest effort done in faith to glorify Christ among men, be well-pleasing unto God. Lord! give me simplicity and sincerity, humility and love. Let all my doings be the fruit of faith. O let me think, and speak, and act, and live for thee. Two things I would wish to attain-to say little, and do much. Lord, set a watch before the door of my mouth. Give me wisdom to know when to speak, and when to be silent. Let my speech be alway with grace. Let me ever be willing to help forward the cause of truth in the earth, yet always desirous to take the lowest place among the labourers in thy vineyard. However blind the world may be to its own faults, |