May 1

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. - John 13:17.

WE ought to be thankful that we have the word of righteousness; that we are not left, as to the most important of all concerns, to the darkness of nature or reason, but that we have the word of God in our own tongue and in our own hands, and that we are not only allowed, but commanded, to “search the Scriptures, for in them we have eternal life.” The Scriptures are not given for mere speculation or to gratify curiosity, but to lead our feet in the path of peace. Would not a Jew have used unskilfully the pillar of cloud in the wilderness, if he had observed it only as a naturalist or a philosopher?-if he had said, from time to time, I wonder how it is caused; I wonder what its qualities are: whether it is at all palpable, or what would be the ingredients if it could be analyzed and so on. What was to be the design of that pillar? It was to be their conductor to lead them by the right way to a city of habitation; and then it was only well used when they obeyed its movements.

So it is here: the gospel is in the nature of a remedy, and it is to be used and applied. It shows a refuge, that we may run into it and be safe. It shows me a Saviour, that I may give up my poor lost soul into his hands, and say, “Lord, save, or I perish;” “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” What is the reason men, especially of talent and science, so err with respect to this volume? Why, they never go to it for the purpose of being made wise to salvation, (they do not feel their need of salvation,) but for some other purpose. If they went to it having in view the end God had in giving it,-if they went to it with the question, “What must I do to be saved?”-would the apostles and prophets keep them in a state of uncertainty for one moment? Would not all unite to exclaim, “Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world”? Oh, when we go to it with such an aim, (and we go to it with no purpose worth regarding, unless we go to it with this aim,) then it becomes plain enough; not only the scholar, but the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein. “These things,” says our Saviour, “are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye might have life through his name.” And he came not only that we might have life, but that we might have it, more abundantly. No wonder, therefore, that Solomon should say, speaking of this blessed book, “Bind it continually upon thine heart, and tie it about thy neck; when thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.”

No wonder that Paul should say, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Let your love to the Scriptures increase; but let it increase “in all knowledge and judgment,” as the apostle says. Let us therefore seek after a growing acquaintance with it, and use for this purpose all the means in our power, (and we have many.) Above all, let us pray that our footsteps may be ordered by God’s word.