September 21

"I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world, thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word." John 17:6.

We have, in the preceding exercise, noticed believers in their relation to God and their donation to Christ; it now remains for us to consider them in their privilege and their practice.

THE PRIVILEGE THEY POSSESS. "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me." Note

The object. "Thy name." By the name of God, we are to understand his character, perfections, works, counsels of mercy, and will. His name ought to be remembered with reverence, and is calculated to inspire us with joy and gladness.

The act. "I have manifested." The name of God is partially manifested in the works of nature, and in the dispensation of providence; but it is more fully and clearly seen in the work of grace. It is savingly manifested to the souls of Christ's followers. We must maintain the grand distinction between the external and internal manifestation of Christ; a distinction which, like a sharp scythe, will cut down many a fair herb, many a beautiful flower in the garden of nature.

The agent. It is Christ's peculiar work to manifest God's name. Ministers may proclaim it, but Christ alone can manifest it. He did it by his personal ministry, when he was on earth; he now does it by the power and influence of his Spirit.

THE PRACTICE THEY PURSUE. "They have kept thy word." By the word of God, we are to understand the divine law, and all the ordinances of his appointment. This implies the reception of it. We cannot be said to keep that which we have not previously received. They keep God's word in their mind, and thus retain its truth; they keep it in the heart, and thus experience its influence. Obedience to it. They keep it so as to reduce it to practice. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Continuance in it. The disciples had kept God's word pure from the doctrines and commandments of men, and persevered in it; and so must we. Has Jesus manifested God's name to us? Oh! what cause have we for humility, wonder, love, and joy, while we exclaim, "Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"