July 12.

WITHOUT WATCHFULNESS, THE WARM EASILY BECOME THE LUKEWARM.

AZARETH was so noted for its irreligion and

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wickedness, that when Philip said, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth," Nathanael at once unbelievingly replied, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" We are ready at first to put a similar question about Laodicea; for its very name has become so associated in our minds with formality and lukewarmness and spiritual degeneracy, that we can scarcely believe that it was ever otherwise with it. Nevertheless, in its first and best days, even Laodicea had warm and loving hearts in it, and obtained honourable mention. We would fain know somewhat more of Nymphas, the Laodicean so specially singled out; for it is natural to suppose that he must have been a Christian of more than ordinary devotedness-one who would, for his Lord's sake, lay down his life, if need be, like faithful Antipas. In speaking of him, the apostle does not simply say, "Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas," but adds, "and the church which is in his house." The church here spoken of is obviously not the place of worship, but the persons worshipping, and in particular those of his own household who had passed from death unto life and were truly the Lord's. There was thus not only holy warmth in the heart of Nymphas, Laodicean though he was, but holy warmth also in his home. Yet the church of Laodicea as a whole soon, alas! so completely lost its early ardour as to become hopelessly lukewarm.

When we find any tendency in us to yield to such a spirit, we should remember that nothing so imperils salvation as lukewarmness, or so surely and sadly dims the future glory of believers. "I have an idea," says one, "that there are not a few crownless saints in heaven. They have indeed been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; but as they have mainly sought their own ease in the world, and not Christ's honour and the saving good of others, there is no brightest glory for them, no place near the throne. They have just got in at the gate; that is all." The very possibility of such a result in their case might well quicken every believer to redoubled watchfulness and prayer.

"Is my heart made of stone," said one not long ago, 'that it can read of the sorrows of Christ, and not melt within me? Blessed Lord! smite the rock, and let it pour out new streams of repentance and of affectionate gratitude."

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot : I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.-REV. iii. 15, 16.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.-REV. ii. 4.

Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.---MATT. xxiv. 12.

July 13.

NOTHING IS SO COMMENDATORY OF THE MASTER AS CONSISTENT DISCIPLESHIP.

THERE

ПHERE are always some who never seem to get beyond the border-land in Christian life. Though they accept Christ, it may be, yet in aim and attainment they remain so sadly defective, that none would ever point to

them as models for imitation. Others, on the contrary, are so sanctified, live so truly for the Lord, and so adorn their Christian profession, that they are visibly epistles of Christ, known and read of all men. By such consistency they become powerfully influential for good, and do much to recommend the Master and his cause to the favour and acceptance of those who are without. Indeed, nothing speaks so eloquently for Christ as a holy life, or proves such a stumbling-block as an unholy one.

More than thirty years ago there was in the north of Scotland a man who long and resolutely forsook all religious ordinances. When kindly dealt with by a revered minister whom I knew well, he made this remarkable statement regarding a noted professor whom he once greatly honoured for his piety: "That man's proved hypocrisy, after such a profession, was the beginning of my ruin, and ever after I could neither bear religion nor religious men." How constant is the need, therefore, for prayerful watchfulness and higher attainments in the divine life! Never, however, can this be accomplished in our own strength; help must be sought from a higher source.

"Once I was sensible of my lameness," said John Berridge in his own quaint way, "but did not know that Christ was to be my whole strength, as well as righteousness. At length God has showed me that John Berridge cannot drive the devil out of himself; but Jesus Christ, blessed be his name! must say to the legion,' Come out.' I see that faith alone can purify the heart, as well as pacify the conscience, and that Christ is worthy to be my all in everything, in wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.”

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap...And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.-GAL. vi. 7, 9.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.—2 COR. ix. 8.

IT

July 14.

PENITENCE AND PEACE.

T is a firmly-cherished idea with many that contrition and repentance, instead of being fruits of God's reconciling love, are the causes of it; and as soon therefore as they begin to have religious earnestness, they try to make their peace with God through the fervour of their prayers and the intensity of their penitence. These things, they imagine, must always come first, and that then God will look on them in mercy.

"How much must a man repent that God may be gracious?" was once asked of our great moralist, Dr. Johnson. "Err on the safe side," was his reply; "better repent too much than repent too little." In reality, however, there can be no true evangelical repentance, either much or little, till God is seen as pacified towards us in Christ Jesus. So long as we regard God as an enemy, and see nothing but his broken law frowning on us as transgressors and threatening us with death, there never can be any real softening of heart or tender contrition. There may be alarm, and fear, and earnestness; but, in the very nature of things, till we apprehend the mercy of God in Christ, and have some believing conception of pacifying on his part, there never can be a true repenting on ours.

"Till I knew God as the God of peace," said an old minister, "my heart could no more bleed than a stone. But when I saw his glory in the face of Jesus Christ, and his abundant mercy and the exceeding riches of his grace, not only in sparing me so long, but in being willing to receive me after all my offences, then the stone became flesh, and I sorrowed after a godly sort."

This is touchingly illustrated in the Lord's parable. The prodigal son had some sense of sorrow and shame when he resolved to return and make confession of sin and unworthiness. But when his father, hastening to meet him, fell on his neck and kissed him, these feelings of contrition doubtless would be intensified a thousandfold. It would then grieve him to the heart, as never before, to think that he could have wounded such a parent. But who can describe the joy that mingled with his tears when the best robe was put upon him and the ring on his finger, and when there came from paternal lips the blessed words: "It is meet that we should make merry, and be glad...this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”

When a poor bricklayer, who had fallen from a great height, was lying fatally injured, he was visited by a minister in the neighbourhood. On entering the cottage he said, "My dear man, I am afraid you are dying. I exhort you to make your peace with God." Make my peace with God, sir! Why, that was made eighteen hundred years ago, when my great and glorious Lord paid all my debt upon the cruel tree. Christ is my peace, and I am saved.”

That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.-EZEK. xvi. 63.

I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.— JER. XXXI. 34.