April 1

operation has been performed, does the gardener go and examine whether it has succeeded! And this will be soon known. If the scion has taken, it proves the vitality by the appearance and growth of the graft. There are first the shoots; then the branches; at length the blossoms and the fruit appear; and the whole increases every year, till it becomes a great tree, and abundantly rewards the owner.

Thus earnestly and carefully does a minister look after the effect of his labour; and the success of his preaching is known and hailed in the same way; only with higher exultation and praise. Happy those servants of the Lord Jesus whose hearers have received "the grace of God in truth; and to whom they say, "our gospel came to you not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance."

—It is from hence the gospel has its character; and is called the ingrafted word. It is so called, however, not because this is always the effect—for there are many who receive it in vain; but it is designed to be so received; and it is actually thus received when "it is able to save the soul." Thus it is called the word of faith—not because it is always believed; but because it is credible; and it is made known for the obedience of faith; and it cannot profit us unless faith be mixed with it. Thus it is called the word of life—not because it quickens all those among whom it comes—for there are many who remain dead in trespasses and sins: but it calls us to walk in newness of life; and the man who receives it, not only has "life, but life more abundantly."

How does this apply to us? "My word," said Jesus to the Jews, "has no place in you"—Has it a place in us?—And what place? In the head only? or the heart? Is it in us a notion? or a principle? And does it work powerfully in us as it does in them that believe? And does it fill us with all the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God? Such is the promise: "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them."

APRIL.

APRIL 1.—"And these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves."—John 17:13.

"In the world." For as yet he was in it, but was just going to leave it and go unto the Father. His last words, considering their conduct, might have been reproachful, or at least reproving: but the things he now spoke were adapted to encourage, and designed to comfort them—"These things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

Observe the nature of this joy—"my joy." There is a joy he himself feels in contemplating the welfare of his people. In saving them "he rejoices over them with singing." As the good shepherd he lays the sheep he has found on his shoulder, "rejoicing." He sees of the travail of his soul, and is "satisfied." But his joy here is not the joy of which he is the subject, but the joy of which he is the medium, author, source and only source. Jesus the Saviour! All that is good and blessed is thine. The blood that redeems us is

thine. The righteousness which justifies us is thine. The grace that sanctifies us is thine. The power that supports us is thine. It is thy peace that composes us. It is thy joy that must be in us, or we must lie down in sorrow. Thou art "the consolation of Israel;" and there is not a drop of real comfort but flows from thee. But in thee there is every thing that can excite, every thing that can justify joy—even though it should be joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Observe the means of this joy—"These things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves." This may be extended to all that he had delivered during his whole ministry: but it principally refers to his present speech, and the prayer he had offered in their hearing. These were to animate and console them. In these they could see his heart, his desires, views and purposes on their behalf. Here they heard him say that he had finished the work that was given him to do; and that he had power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as the Father had given him. Here they heard him interceding for their preservation, their holiness, their union, their glorification—What could they desire more? And what can we desire more? For having fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us, we are authorized to receive this strong consolation, and claim an interest in this intercession, according to his own words: "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." Yea, we have the advantage of them since we are more fully acquainted than they were at this time with the dignity of his person, his dearness to God, and the grounds on which he pleads for us, in his obedience unto death, and in his sacrifice on the cross. We know that the Father heareth him always. It was David's privilege to have an advocate at court, and he was the king's own son. But we have a much greater advantage in having an advocate with the Father. What was Jonathan to Jesus? Jonathan too had to plead with a father that hated his friend—But says Jesus, "I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God."

Let us observe one thing here—The joy of the believer is not a visionary thing. It is not the produce of delusion or ignorance. It flows from conviction; it appeals to the word of the Saviour. They who put their trust in him know his name, and are able to give a reason of the hope that is in them.

Observe the measure of this joy—"That they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves." They possessed it already but defectively. In conversion a good work is begun; but it is carried on until the day of Christ. The rising sun, the growing corn, and every other image employed in the Scriptures, import the imperfections and progressions there are in the experience of Christians. Hence there are degrees in faith; and we read of weak and of strong faith; of little and of great faith. Some have a competency of faith; others are affluent, they are rich in faith. Some have hope; others the full assurance of hope. Some from various preventions have little of the pleasures of religion; others walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. Some have many distressing doubts and fears;

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