34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abide th forever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up ? who is this Son of man ?
33 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you ; for he that walkcth in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believod our report ? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed ?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart ; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
JOHN, cnAP. XII.
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41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him: but because of the Pharisees they did not
confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue :
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
We may learn, from these verses, the duty of using present opportunities. The Lord Jesus says to us all, " Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you. — While ye have light believe in the light." Let us not think that these things were only spoken for the sake of the Jews. They were written for us also, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
The lesson of the words is generally applicable to the whole professing Church of Christ. Its time for doing good in the world is short and limited. The throne of grace will not always be standing : it will be removed one day, and the throne of judgment will be set up in its place. The door of salvation by faith in Christ will not always be open : it will be shut one day forever, and the number of God's elect will be completed. The fountain for all sin and uncleanness will not always be accessible ; the way to it will one day be barred, and there will remain nothing but the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.
These are solemn thoughts ; but they are true. They cry aloud to sleeping Churchmen and drowsy congrega- tions, and ought to arouse great searchings of heart; " Can nothing more be done to spread the Gospel at home and abroad? Has every means been tried for extending the knowledge of Christ crucified? Can we lay our hands on our hearts, and say that the Churches have left nothing undone in the matter of missions? Can we look forward to the Second Advent with no feelings of humiliation, and say that the talents of wealth, and influence, and oppor- tunities have not been buried in the ground?" — Such questions may well humble us, when we look, on one side,