November 25

can they better consult, than those who know the way, not from maps and books only, but from having, and some of them a long time, travelled in it themselves. They feel an interest in such inquiries, and will be sure to sympathize with them; and will be able to solve many a doubt, and remove many a fear. They can speak from their own experience. And blessed be God there are few neighbourhoods now in which such helpers as these are not to be found—and the Lord add to his people, how many soever they be, a hundred-fold!

Above all, he doth this by prayer; humble, and earnest, and persevering prayer, for divine teaching. This is indeed coming to the light; it is coming to the fountain of light, coming to "the Father of lights," from whom every good and every perfect gift descends. He will convince us that the way of man is not in himself, and that no means, however good in themselves, can render needless his own agency. But none teacheth like him. He can make the very deaf to hear, and the blind to see. Under the influence of his direction, the wayfaring man, though a foul, shall not err therein. Happy they who are brought to his feet, and are crying from the heart, "Lead me in thy truth, and guide me; for thou art the God of my salvation, on Thee do I wait all the day." "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." They will not, they cannot seek him in vain. He has said, and the Scripture cannot be broken, "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." "If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

NOVEMBER 25.—"He that doeth truth cometh to the light, THAT HIS DEEDS MAY BE MADE MANIFEST, THAT THEY ARE WROUGHT IN GOD."—John 3:21.

WHAT is his AIM?

"That his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

The aim is personal: "His deeds." There are some who live much abroad, and are eager to pry into the affairs and condition of others, and it extends even to their religious concerns. But we are commanded to "commune with our own hearts." When our Lord had foretold the duty and destiny of Peter, Peter should have instantly prayed, "Lord, prepare me for all thy will;" but instead of this he asks concerning John, "Lord, and what shall this man do?" But our Saviour, far from encouraging such curiosity, said, "What if I will that he tarry till I come? What is that to thee? Follow thou me." Many, it is to be feared, in reading and hearing, think more of others than of themselves; but we should endeavour to bring home the subject, whatever it be, to our own souls—"Am I neglecting this duty? Do I stand exposed to this threatening? Am I the heir of this promise? Have I any part or lot in this matter? Is my heart right in the sight of God?" This is the case with the man that "doeth truth and cometh to the light."

The aim is practical: that "his deeds"—Not his opinions and

sentiments only or principally. They are indeed of importance, and he will be concerned to have them in accordance with the Scripture: but if a man does not in his inquiry go beyond the determination of the orthodoxy of his creed he forgets that the devils also believe and tremble. He forgets that faith without works is dead, being alone. "Can faith save him?"—Yes; but not such faith: and this was the meaning of the Apostle. The faith that saves, as he observes, shows itself by its works. It works by love; it purifies the heart; it overcometh the world. Real believers stand, walk, live by faith. We therefore must look after the influences and effects of the truth as it is in Jesus: we must remark our deeds, our actions, conduct, course of life. If we know these things, happy are we if we do them—By this our state and character are to be evinced: "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

The aim is important: "That his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." That is, whether they are the mere produce of nature, or the genuine effects of Divine grace. Here it is admitted as a principle that the religion of a Christian is not self-derived, but springs from a Divine source. How can it be otherwise? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? The stream cannot rise higher than the fountain: no effect can exceed its cause in any thing. That which is of the flesh is flesh: but that which is spiritual must be of the Spirit. Accordingly God has promised to put his Spirit within his people: and to this every thing good, either possessed or done by them, is ascribed—They are his workmanship—This people, says he, have I formed for myself, they shall shew forth my praise.

And behold the grand point to decide. It would indeed be absurd to press some of you to determine this thing. It is obvious already that your deeds are not wrought in God. You can feel no uncertainty in your minds concerning it. You must be sure that your disregard of private prayer, your neglect of family worship, your violations of the Sabbath, your intemperance, pride, covetousness, and revenge, cannot come from the Spirit of him that calleth you.

But some persons make pretensions to piety who would do well to inquire—whether there is any thing in their religion that requires or bespeaks a Divine agency. For surely they may have a form of knowledge, or a form of godliness, they may come to his house and honour him with their lips, they may pray without desire, and sing without praise, without having the Spirit of the living God dwelling in them. Are we not only convinced, but converted? Not only reformed, but renovated? Not only excited in our passions, but transformed by the renewing of the mind? Have we not only another heart, but a new one? Do we differ not only from others, but from our former selves? Do we worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh? Do we bear any of the unerring features of the household of faith? Do we feel like them? Are our joys, and sorrows, and hopes, and fears, the same with theirs who are led by the Spirit of God and are the sons of God? Are we running with them in the race that is set before us? and fighting with them the good fight of faith?