ilatfaiessisptst^andtbetraelightnowsliiDetk. (IJohnii. 8.) We hwe nothing to do now m<ih aUtrs, sacrifices, or priests. Those who wish to rovive <them are like inen who light a candle at noon day. But true as this is, we must never fbi^t that tiie ceremonial law is still full of instruo- tion. It contains that same Gospel in the bvd, which we now tsee in fiill flower. Rightly understood we shall always £nd it throwing strong light on the Gospel of Christ. The Bible reader who selects to study it, will always find at last that by the neglect his soul has saffei»d damage.
We see, lastly, in this passage, ^aur Lord Jestis Chrid's diligence about private prayer. Although " great multi- tudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities," He still made time for secret devotion. Holy and undefiled as He was. He would not allow the demands of public business to prevent regular private intercourse with God. We are told that ** He withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed."
There is an, example set before us here, which is much overlooked in these latter days. There are few professing Christians, it may be feared, who strive to imitate Christ in this matter of private devotion. There is abundance of hearing, and reading, and talking, and profession, and visiting, and almsgiving, and subscribing to societies, and teaching at schools. But is there, together with all thisj a due proportion of private prayer ? Are believing men and women sufficiently careful to be Srequently alone with Gt)dP These are humbling and heart-searching questions. But we shall find it useful to give them an answer.