the soul, the essence of all religion? Do we live upon them,
and glory in them, from day to day? Before we can
know them thus, we must be " taught of God :" the Lord Jesus himself must " open our understandings," as he did those of his Disciples : and the Holy Ghost must " shine into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." We must " receive the Spirit which is of God, before we can know the things that are freely given to us of Godf."]
2. What am I doing for Christ ?
[Surely, if he so willingly gave himself up to sufferings for me, I am not afraid of sufferings for him; I am ready to " follow him without the camp, bearing his reproach." He has told me, that, if I will be faithful to him, the world will hate me as it hated him, and persecute me as it persecuted him. Do these predictions alarm me ? and, when I see them fulfilled in others, do I study how I may avoid the accomplish- ment of them in my own case ? Surely, if my heart were right with him, I should be willing to receive him on his own terms, and to follow him in his own way ; and, if called to suffer for him, I should " rejoice that I am counted worthy to do so." Is this then my spirit? and is it my one wish, desire, and labour, that " Christ may be magnified in my body, whether by life or death ? " O ! that we all might be able to appeal to God, that this is indeed our daily experience ! Let us remember, that Christ not only died, but rose again, according to his predic- tions ; and then the shame of his cross was for ever rolled away. So shall it be with us ; we may be persecuted for his sake even unto death ; but in the resurrection, our crown of glory shall be proportionably bright : let us be contented therefore to " suffer with him, that we may reign with him ;" and, in spite of men and devils, let us endeavour to glorify him here, that we may hereafter be glorified with him in a better world.]
» 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11, 14. and 2 Cor. iv. 6.