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The apostle Paul had to give his own son in the faith very extensive directions, in order that he might know how to behave himself in the house of God. If we read the two epistles to Timothy, we shall find what a vast range of truth is needed for the guidance and instruction of but one individual; and how much the conduct of one would have its influence on the whole body, and how he had also to watch over the ways of others. Thus we need to search the word of God for ourselves, that we may regulate our conduct both in private, and in our social relationships, so that our behaviour in the church of God may be conducive to its blessing. The great truths enumerated by the apostle, as included in the mystery of godliness, God manifested in the flesh, His death and resurrection, and His glory also as the Risen Man at the right hand of God, are to regulate our lives, and to be the subjects of our meditation, and the source of our joy and peace. Thus, the doctrines of truth become the very power of our walk, and the mysteries of God are the mystery of godliness. Christ is

the Alpha and Omega of every thing to the saint, truth about him has no power apart from Him-to realize His presence, is to feel His power; and joy, and peace, and strength, are the results. Let us earnestly seek living intercourse with Him; let us see that we have prepared a place and a welcome for Him in our hearts, and then shall we be able to invite, as it were, His presence in the church, "Let my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits."

"WELL DONE!"

WHAT great praise of men.

things are often done to obtain the

How many deeds, noble and ignoble,

will man do to win the favour of his fellows.

And are not the children and servants of God continually beset by this same lust? How hard is it to go on patiently continuing in well-doing, perhaps amidst reproaches and scorn, waiting for the "well done" of Jesus, the Lord Let all who are in any measure treading this path, look unto Jesus. The joy set before Him filled, cheered, and strengthened His heart. And now His voice from the excellent glory is, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."

The "well done" of Jesus must be heard in resurrection. It crowns the end of the course. Though whispered by Him ofttimes by the way, to the heart of His faithful ones, its full and public utterance is reserved for its place amidst the wonders of the day of glory; pronounced then in ways condemned now by men, and alas! too oft by christians also; ways which only the Spirit of Christ can guide us into, or the love of Christ make us happy in, or the faithful grace of Christ sustain us in. Oh! to live for "that day!" This is faith. This is

the single eye. To commit all to Him, waiting humbly for His welcome, and His verdict before His throne of glory.

How important is it, then, to be sure that we are walking in the path which the Lord will approve in "that day." Not to be flattering ourselves that our way will be commended by Him, while such or such an one's way will be condemned-for if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself; but let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another: for every man shall bear his own burden." Gal. vi. 3-5. And again,-" So then, every one of us shall give account of himself," (not of others,) "to God." Rom. xiv. 12.

Here appears the unspeakable importance of the word, as the present expression of the mind and judgment of the Lord. How solemnly is this taught by the Lord Jesus, in John xii. 48, 49; words which, though addressed to His enemies, have in them a voice also for His friends. His own word is His standard both now and then. Our souls should ponder this, beloved in Christ. Have we His word for all we are doing or teaching in His name? If not, how can we expect to be rejoiced by His "well done" in that day? And will not this be "loss?" "He shall suffer loss, yet He Himself shall be saved." 1 Cor. iii. 15. Surely in proportion as we are laborious and influential should we carefully try our words and acts by the light of His holy word, in order

to walk surely, as well as humbly, in our way towards "that day." In a word-Christ must live in us now, in order to our honour then. God will never approve aught but Christ. "He that saith he abideth in Him, ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." 1 John ii. 6. This is the only sure path. The branch abiding in the vine must be fruitful. For how living and fruitproducing is that vine! "He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." John

xv. 5.

Will the world commend? Or the worldly-minded? "If the world hate you," continues Jesus, "ye know that it hated Me before it hated you."

Poor, poor, world-what will it behold in " that day!" Jesus glorified-His words fulfilled-His faithful ones commended-all who have trusted Him perfected-and itself condemned!

FELLOWSHIP AND LOVE.-Our fellowship with the saints is not the measure of our love to them. We can only have so much true fellowship as there is unity of mind. Christ loved His people when they were dead in trespasses, but then there could be no fellowshipno interchange of the thoughts and affections of the heart. The Apostle says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Let us seek to cultivate this, and we shall have fellowship with Him, and with one another in Him.

THE GLORY.

Romans iii. 23.

THE path of the glory through Scripture may be easily tracked, and has much moral virtue for us connected with it.

Ex. xiii. It commences its journey in the cloud, on the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, when the paschal blood, in the grace of the God of their fathers, had sheltered them.

Ex. xiv. In the moment of the great crisis, it stood separating between Israel and Egypt, or between judg ment and salvation.

Ex. xvi. It resented the murmurings of the Camp. Ex. xxiv. It connected itself with Mount Sinai, and was as devouring fire in the sight of the people.*

Ex. xl. It enters the Tabernacle, the witness of "mercy rejoicing against judgment," resuming also in the cloud its gracious services toward the Camp.

Lev. ix. The priest being consecrated, and his services in the Tabernacle being discharged, it shews itself to the people, to their exceeding joy.

*The Camp, I observe, do not advance a step toward Canaan here.

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