January 26

the lowest parts of the earth: and all this for enemies; and all not only without our desert, but without our desire—till we feel we are drawn, and bound with the cords of a man and the bands of love—a love that passeth knowledge. Hence

He has a right, derived not only from what he has done, but from what we have done; a right derived from our dedication. If Christians, we have ratified his claims, and have actually surrendered ourselves to him, renouncing every other owner, and saying, "Lord, I am thine, save me. Other lords beside Thee have had dominion over me; but henceforth by Thee only will I make mention of thy name." Thus the Corinthians "gave their own selves unto the Lord." In this surrender, the main thing is the heart; for if this be given, nothing will be withholden. This therefore is the Lord's demand: "My son, give me thine heart." And perhaps some can remember the particular time when this surrender was first effectually made. Perhaps they had been pressed by an affliction that had threatened their frame, or laid bare their earthly hopes. Perhaps a friend had urged—perhaps a sermon. But the surrender was made—"Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee, with all I have, and all I am. My understanding shall be Thine, to know Thee; my will, to choose Thee; my conscience, to fear Thee—

"If there be passions in my soul, And passions, Lord, there be, I yield them all to thy control, My Jesus, all to thee—"

My tongue shall show forth thy praise. My time, my property, my influence, shall all be employed for Thee. And this dedication you have often renewed since—in the hour of retirement—in the field of meditation—in the house of prayer—at the table of the Lord—

And having opened your mouth unto the Lord, you cannot go back. Nor do you wish it. To whom could you go? He hath the words of eternal life—It is your highest privilege to belong to Him. If you are the Lord's, He will take care of you. He will provide for you. He will guide you with his counsel, and afterward receive you to glory—"If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

JANUARY 26.—"They have forsaken the right way."—2 Peter 2:15.

WE shall leave the persons of whom the Apostle here speaks, and call upon you to think of yourselves. Religion is, very properly, held forth by the "right way;" and we have accordingly six admonitions to bring forward concerning it.

First—inquire what this right way is. If you err here, the labour of advancing will be in vain; your progress will only lead you astray, and terminate in disappointment, regret, and wo. And Solomon tells us "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." How surprising and terrible to fall from the expectation of heaven into the depths of hell! Yet this will be the case of some, yea many, who will carry their confidence to the very door, "saying, Lord, Lord, open to us;" "and He shall answer and say unto them, I know ye not whence

ye are." In a case of so much importance, where there is reflection, there can be no satisfaction of mind without certainty; and certainty is attainable. Go forth by the footsteps of the flock. Search the Scriptures, and search them for the purpose they were given to accomplish, "that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that, believing, we might have life through his Name." If you are anxious to know how you may come before the Lord, and what you must do to be saved, you will find the Prophets and Apostles all ready to show unto you the way of salvation. Especially pray to the Father of lights, and plead the promise: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Thus you will be taught of the Lord; his Spirit shall lead you into all truth; and as a wayfaring man, though a fool, you shall not err therein.

Secondly—enter it, and walk therein. There is a form of knowledge as well as of godliness; and it is lamentable to think how many there are who rest in it. They are familiar with every thing the preacher advances, and admit readily the truth of it into their judgment; but while they hear his words they do them not. They acknowledge themselves to be sinners, but never cry for mercy. They believe in the divinity, atonement, and righteousness of the Saviour, and that there is salvation in none other; but do not come to Him that they might have life. But "if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." The knowledge of a remedy will never cure you without an application of it. Your knowledge of a way leading to a place will never bring you there, unless you set off, and hold on till you reach it. Yea, your acquaintance with divine truth, if it has no influence over you, will be worse than nothing: "for to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Therefore, saith the Lord, not only "stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way;" but "walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

Thirdly—when you are in it, turn not aside to the right hand or to the left. There are mistakes and miscarriages of an opposite description; and we must not suppose that in going from one side we are in no danger from the other. All extremes are dangerous; and truth and duty lie in the middle. So Bunyan taught: representing a lion on each side of the road, but restrained by their chain from approaching the middle—the only safe passage was between. And Inspiration long before had said, "I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures." Courage lies between rashness and dread; and patience between despising the chastening of the Lord and fainting when we are rebuked of him. Parents are not foolishly to indulge their children, neither are they to provoke them to wrath, lest they should be discouraged. We may not know what manner of spirit we are of;