August 20

Again. "They went and told Jesus." He needed not the information, but they did right to lay the sorrowful case before him; it was their duty; it was their privilege. While John was living these disciples were jealous and envious of his successor and superior; and were much concerned to keep up a separate interest. But they have now dropped their prejudices and strife; and are willing to go over to him, and become his followers. And thus we already see their loss turned into gain. Whatever brings us to him is a blessing.

AUGUST 20.—"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."—Psalm 1, 2.

HAPPINESS is "our nature's end and aim." All seek it: and David here tells us who finds it. To prevent mistake, and to secure impression, he describes his character negatively and positively.

First, he says, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Here we see not only continuance but progression. Accordingly not only the Scripture, but all observation shows us that the wicked proceed from evil to evil, and wax worse and worse. One sin often pleads for another, and often renders another necessary, either for the purpose of assistance or concealment: while every fresh act of transgression weakens the restraints of fear and shame, and adds to the force of habit.—The sinner's course is here accurately traced. He begins with evil company, and is flattered by their maxims, excited by their entreaties, encouraged by their commendations, and emboldened by their example—"He walks in the counsel of the ungodly." Evil communications corrupt good manners. Bad principles lead to bad practice; and having tampered with danger, he exposes himself to temptation, and by his heedlessness and position even invites it—"He stands in the way of sinners." At last he feels a comparative rest from those uneasinesses of conscience and doubts of mind that once frequently disturbed him, and can scoff as well as sin, reviling the good, and mocking at things sacred—"Thus he sits in the seat of the scornful." He who has reached this distance may judge of his progress; he may see how far he has gone, and how far he has to go—which indeed is very little; for "the scorner's chair," says old divinity, "is placed very near the door of hell."

"But all this is negative." And in a world like this, and with such a nature as ours, no small part of religion consists in avoiding that which is evil. All the Ten Commandments are prohibitory with the exception of two. "Honour thy father and mother"—this is positive. And "Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day"—this is positive—yet a part, even of this command, is interdictory; but all the other mandates tell us what we are not to do: and "God having raised up his own Son, sent him to bless us, by turning away every one of us from our iniquities." But negative religion is not sufficient. "Cease to do evil, and learn to do well," is the requisition of that God who not only forbears to punish, but enriches and

dignifies; who not only saves from hell, but exalts to heaven. The tree that was ordered to be cut down and cast into the fire brought forth no good fruit: and the servant that was condemned to outer darkness was wicked because unprofitable. A man may not swear, but does he pray? He may not rob the poor, but does he relieve them? We are to be zealous of good works. Therefore,

Secondly, he says—"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." If the law here spoken of be what we call the moral law, it is true that every partaker of Divine grace, with Paul, delights in it. How indeed can it be otherwise? since the essence, the whole of it is to love; to love God supremely, and his neighbours as himself. But it here means the word of God. It is called his law because it is not opinion, counsel, or advice, but the will of God, from which lies no appeal, and the authority of whose decisions the day of judgment will ratify. David could here speak from his own sentiments and feelings. There is nothing in which he seems to have found so much delight as in the Scripture. "I rejoice at thy word," says he, "as one that findeth great spoil." "Thy testimonies are the rejoicing of my heart." "I love them exceedingly." "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Yet David had but a small portion of revelation. How much has been added since! No wonder therefore that every believer is distinguished by his attachment to this blessed volume. What renders it so attractive is that it meets him with discoveries, promises, invitations suited to all his wants. As lost, he is here informed of a Saviour, and a great one. As guilty and weak, he here finds righteousness and strength. As having nothing, he is here replenished with all the unsearchable riches of Christ. His experience also, as he advances in the divine life, adds to its preciousness. He has tried it in every condition; it has often relieved his fears, refreshed his weary spirit, revived him in the midst of trouble; and he can say to the praise of its glory, "Unless thy law had been my delight, I should have perished in mine affliction."

Hence, in this "law he meditates day and night." It is the peculiar, yet common subject of his thoughts. He not only sets apart frequent seasons for the more express performance of the duty, but his mind naturally, and readily, and pleasingly returns to the exercise whenever it is disengaged. For the thoughts follow the affections. Where the treasure is there will the heart be also. If my meditation be sweet it will be frequent; and I shall be able to say, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

August 21.—"Little children."—1 John 2:12.

This is a mode of address which, if not entirely peculiar to our Apostle, is employed by him with such frequency that it may be of use to inquire what he would imply or express by the appellation.