December 10

"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." Revelation 1:10.

THIS proves how early, among Christians, one day in the week was distinguished from the rest. And it is obvious, that the day thus distinguished was the first day of the week; for no other is ever styled "the Lord's day" in the New Testament, or by any of the ancient writers. It is called "the Lord's day," not only by way of distinction, but excellency; being appropriated to his service, and consecrated to his honor, as the day of his resurrection from the dead, and of entering into his rest from the works of redemption.

To be in the Spirit often signifies to be inspired, or to receive communications immediately from God; and it is certain that John was thus honored. But the phrase may be used in reference to a spirituality of mind: and doubtless John experienced this also; and it prepared him for the sublime discoveries he was favored with. Though miracles have ceased, the Spirit is still given in his ordinary influences; and if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. We are required to pray in the Holy Ghost; to worship God in the Spirit; to live and walk in the Spirit. Hence the common notion of our being in the Spirit on the Lord's day is perfectly scriptural. But we must distinguish between our being in the Spirit, and the Spirit being in us. The latter denotes the reality of his influence, the former the abundance. Thus we say, a man is in love, or in liquor, or in a passion, to intimate that he is entirely seized and governed by it. We are not only to possess the Spirit, but to be possessed by it. "Be ye filled with the Spirit." It is not enough for us to be in a spiritual state, we must be also in a spiritual frame.

We must not, however, confine the import of this expression as some do. They never think of their being in the Spirit on the Lord's day but when they are relieved, comforted, delighted. We love feeling in religion, but religious feelings are many and various. It is desirable to pass the Sabbath in liveliness, liberty, and joy; and we read of the Spirit of life, and of a free Spirit, and of the comforts of the Holy

Ghost. But a mournful Sabbath may be a very profitable one: and we are never more in the Spirit than when we are deeply sensible of our unworthiness, and exclaim, at the foot of the cross, behold, I am vile; and hunger and thirst after righteousness. For is he not the Spirit of truth; the convincer of sin; the Spirit of grace and of supplication? And does he not lead us to look upon Him whom we have pierced, and to mourn for him?

Who does not know by experience that the day and the Spirit are not always thus united? Who has not had Sabbaths devoid of all proper religious affections? This should be a matter of deep humiliation. How piercing should be the thought of a lost Sabbath—lost, never to return—lost, yet to be accounted for! But what is a dull and formal attendance on the services of the season without those influences which the day requires, and is in itself adapted to produce?

As the richest Sabbath, with regard to means and ordinances, may be passed without the Spirit, so we may be in the Spirit on the Lord's day when the day is attended with few or none of these advantages. Was it not thus with the beloved disciple? Oh, there are Sabbaths when every thing is attractive; when we go to the house of God in company; when our eyes see our teachers; when our ears hear the joyful sound of salvation by grace. But John's Sabbath was a day of suffering, of privation, of exile, of solitude in a desert isle,

"Where the sound of the church-going bell Those rocks and those valleys never heard, Never sighed at the sound of a knell. Or smiled when a Sabbath appeared."

But heaven was opened unto him, and perhaps he never had such a Sabbath on earth before. A Christian may never be less alone than when alone. His consolations may equal, yea, exceed his sufferings. While his body is fettered, his soul may range in all the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

Yes, you may be in the Spirit on the Lord's day when denied the privileges of the sanctuary. If you keep away from indifference, or indolence, or to save expense when you have the ability to procure accommodation, or from any of those excuses which detain you from nothing else, you have no reason to expect the divine sanction. But sometimes travelling, even on the Lord's day, by land or by water, may be unavoidable. Or accident, or disease, or infirmity, or age, may confine you. In which case, the Lord will not despise his prisoners. And they shall know the blessedness of those whose strength is in him, and in whose hearts are the ways of them. It is better to want opportunity and power than the will, when we serve Him who looketh at the heart. Nothing can be a substitute for him, but he is a substitute for every thing. And he is always accessible. And "if ye, being evil, know how to give good things unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"