November 10

"And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."—John 17:25.

THESE are the closing words of our Lord's intercessory prayer. Here is a reference to past instructions given, and future tuition yet to be enjoyed. None ever made such proficiency in the school of Christ on earth, as that he could learn no more. In this passage observe

THE NATURE OF OUR SAVIOUR'S INSTRUCTIONS.

The subject of his revelation. What did he declare? "Thy name." God has been pleased to ascribe names to himself in Scripture, that some knowledge of his nature and perfections may be conveyed to us. By "his name" here, is particularly meant his will and purpose concerning our salvation, and his grace and mercy therein displayed. Can we imagine any thing more important than the truths our Lord came to reveal?

The means by which he imparts it. He revealed God's name when he was upon earth in his own person; but now he is in heaven, he does it by the instrumentality of others. He does it externally by the word. In the Gospel we have the name of God revealed in all its glory and excellency; so plainly, that he who runs may read. Here his name appears as "the sinner's friend, and sin's eternal foe." Internally by his Spirit. The Spirit illumines the mind, takes away the veil of ignorance from the heart, and causes the true light to shine. He is an interpreter; one among a thousand.

The progressive manner in which it is communicated. "And will declare it." This was true of the disciples; by the outpouring of the influences of his Spirit, he taught them much more after he left the world. So he carries on the work of instruction now in the minds of his people. "Then shall ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lord." Have you learned of him? There are three marks belonging to such: they have been taught the evil of sin in the school of the law, the love of Christ in the school of the Gospel, and the lesson of patience in the school of affliction.