but practically. Run not about to other churches, but attend your own parish church, and seek the knowledge of God through the ordinance placed over you in the Lord. If you have faith in the Lord Jesus, and honour Him in His ordinances, rest assured that He will lead you in the right way: "The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach His way"-i. e., those who submit themselves to Him. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me (saith our Lord); for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Bear in mind, too, that God has committed the sacred Scriptures to no man, but to THE CHURCH; and it is not an individual, or any number of men, apart from their brethren, that is the pillar and ground of the truth, but THE CHURCH. The Church, too, was constituted before the Scriptures of the New Testament were written; therefore nor tadition of the Church should be passed by, which is not contrary to the word of God.

Division is an unquestionable proof of the Church's captivity and bondage. It is only by our manifest oneness with the Father and the Son that the world shall be brought to believe in Him; only by our being truly Catholic-not standing in separateness, but in unity, and by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit by loving one another as Christ has loved us —caring not for our own things, but for the things of Christ, and being in perfect subjection to Him in all His ordinances, that all men will know that we are His disciples, and the world believe that God has sent His Son to save sinners. And should we not desire this? Should we not pray God "to turn our

captivity?" To believe that God will never do this, is clearly to limit both the mercy and power of the Most High! But God is unchangeable; and though all men fail, He faileth not. The security and stability of His Church is procured by placing it in the hands of His Son, who, in His long-suffering, waiteth to be gracious, as He once waited in the days of Noah.

Moreover, if you would be taught out of the Scriptures, and not by the doctrines of men, which they have framed and carved for themselves from abstract texts, you must take the sacred Scriptures as a whole, and embrace all the truth of God, as He revealeth it unto His Church. You must not read the word of God as you would a common book, taking this or that portion of it, as it seemeth to you best, to the exclusion of other parts, which you may imagine less profitable; for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

How solemn also is the obligation, and deep the responsibility, which rests on heads of families and parents, that they should teach betimes the word of God to their children, that from their childhood they might know the holy Scriptures, "which are able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

God has also ordained that we should not read the Scriptures as we list, but as He turns over the sacred page, day by day, in his Church, giving us

our portion of meat in due season. Thus should we be instructed by the Church out of the Scriptures; taking the lessons, and other portions of God's word, as they are appointed day by day, as our daily bread. By taking the subjects, for our own meditation, as God sets them before us, we should be led to search the whole word of God-even "all holy Scripture, which is written for our learning."

The great acts of God, too, in the work of man's redemption, are more especially set before us at stated periods, when special services are appointed, and Scriptures chosen for the occasion-such as the four Sundays in Advent, Good Friday, Easter, Whitsuntide, and Trinity Sunday. Surely this is designed to teach us, not only that we should be thoroughly grounded in the great truths of God, but that our faith should be IN HIM-that we should rest, not in doctrines as abstract truths, but IN GOD HIMSELF; and that, being rooted and grounded in the knowledge and love of God, whom truly to know is life eternal, we may be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. It is also not a little remarkable, that the Church begins with the Advent of Christ, embracing both His humiliation and future glory. And surely, in whomsoever this doctrine is wanting, whether retrospectively considered, in relation to the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, or prospectively, in relation to His glorious appearing and kingdom, there must be something radically wrong. The former constitutes the beginning of our faith--the latter, the consummation thereof in glory. Where the former is not, the most erroneous and fatal doctrines must

inevitably follow; and where the latter is not, there will be lack of holiness, and men will cease to be watchful, and be unprepared for the coming of the Lord, and so that day will come upon them unawares!

How solemn are the words of St. John on this subject:-"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."* Search, then, my beloved brethren, the sacred Scriptures, as you have been taught. Hold fast the words of eternal lifeeven the truth as it is in Jesus. And may the Lord grant you, according to the riches of His glory, "to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us; unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

2 John 9.

W. E. Painter, 342, Strand, London, Printer.