not for one hour or one half-hour at a time, but hour by hour, and day by day :-not in outward show, but entering into our closet, and shutting our door, and praying to our Father which is in secret: communing with our own heart and in our chamber, and being still.s Are we not to set forth the great things that He hath done for us? Undoubtedly we are! But not by lip-service,—not by vain noises and gestures: not by "crying LORD, LORD:" but by the work of a life-time, by "doing the things which He said: "--by setting Him forth in our daily tasks and lives :-by" doing all to the glory of GOD:"-by studying to be quiet and to do our own business, working," -"not thinking to be heard for our much speaking." t : 66 And, my brethren, while we look on such outbreaks of extravagance as most dangerous, and contrary to the Word of GOD, let us not forget that a caution may be necessary, even for those who are not led away by them. Let such think that they too have something to beware of and that is, scoffing and mockery of the things of Religion. There may be delusion abroad, there may be blasphemy, there may be Evil Spirits working. If delusion, we ought to pity: if blasphemy, we ought to abhor if Evil Spirits, we ought to fear and watch. In each and every case we ought to pray; to pray that the error or the wickedness may be removed, that "the power of darkness " may come to an end, that the true fruits of the Spirit of the LORD may grow, and abound, and ripen. But it never can be otherwise than a deep and dangerous transgression, to mock and jest upon even the appearance-even the empty form or the false semblance of religion. "Fools are they who "make a mock at sin." And remember, "Judgements are prepared for sinners, and stripes for the back of fools. "u S Matth. vi. 6, Psalm iv. 4. t Luke vi. 46, 1 Cor. x. 31, 1 Thess. iv. 11, Matt. vi. 7. u Prov. xiv. 9, xix. 29. Be it ours, then, to pray without ceasing for the enlightening of those who are in error,-for the raising up of those who have fallen into sin,—for the release of such as Satan has enthralled: but, in the mean season, to have no fellowship with their works; remembering that, not in tumult and excitement, but " in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength," saith the LORD God." W Isai. xxx. 15. W LIDDELL AND SON, PRINTERS, BODMIN. |