is the condition of the possibility of this renunciation. ,ve nchieve it, not in c.llr own ~trength, but through the impartation of a new principle of life. Paul mnkes it a result. of faith in the risen Christ (Col. ii. 12). 'l'he circumcised heart marks the acn)ptl'd and restored recipient of the grace of God-a child of the spiritual cove11nnt, o!le born again. Il. HEART CIRCUMCISION IN ITS NECESSITY. 1. As disting,dshed from outward cirmmc1s1011. The J:.tter was valueless without the former. Being but a symbol, ite sole worth lay in that which it represented. The true Jew was he who wae one inward!~-, whose circumcision was "that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the lctter" (Hom. ii. 28, 2!1). 'l'he remark applies to baptism. It also is but a symbol, and with- out the grnce which it exhibits, and the inward rencwnl which it betokens, it is a dead work, a ,·alueless rite, leaving its subject as little a Christinn as at first. So with all ceremonies. 2. As a positive qualification for God's service. Pure obedience, can flow only from a pure heart, a renewed will. It is not a fruit of the flesh. 'l'he flesh m~ be renounced, and a new and spiritual nature begotten in us before we can render it. Vi'hat is needed is not r~formation, but i·egenei·ation-a new birth, a new creation, a ucw heart (John iii. 3; Rom. vii. 18-25; viii. 7; 2 Cor. v. 17; Gal. v. 16-25).-J. 0, 1er. 19.-Love the stra11_qer. 'l'he precept has numerous applications- I. To LITERAL STRANGERS. Persons from foreign countries, or from distant parts of our own country, settling in our midst. Why should these be treated so often as intruders, "incomers," persous to b.e jealously watched and suspected, instead of being taken bv the hand and welcomed? • Il. To THE U~""l'RIENDED A}.']) HELT'LESS. To A.II whose hearts are lonely, and their lives destitute of the cheer given by the love and sympathy of friends. To the father- less and the "·idow-strangers in a very true sense in a world where selfish interests so hugely predominate. Ill. To YOUNG MEN IN GREAT CITIES. Often lost for lack of some one to take a kindly interest in them. IV. To STRANGERS TURNING UP IN CHURCHES. Coldness here repels many who might otherwise be won to interest in religion, and secured for Christ. Brotherly and friendly attention, a kind word, the warm shake of a band, the courteous offer of a pew,-how far will they often go? They arc, like "good words," worth much, and cost little. Show kindness to strangers: 1. Because they peculiarly need 1°&. " The heart of a stranger." 2. Because Gud loves them. He will avenge their wrongs. He will reward kindness shown to them (Matt. xxv. 35). 3. We may be placed in similar circum- stances. Changes in fortune (Ruth i. 19-22).-J. O. Ver. 20.-Religion in brief. A text made illustrious by our Saviour's use of it. Like ver. 12, a summary of duty, but in a form giving prominence to the truth. that fear of Gou works from within outwards. This central religious principle particularizes itself into- I. SERVThG HIM-or religion in deed. In resistance of all seductions to a counter• service (Matt. iv. 10). In the faithful and diligent discharge of all duties. II. CLEA VfKG TO HIM-or religion in heart. Fear and love, rooted in faith, here renal thernsel ves as an energy of trust and adherence. They dread separation from God as the worst evil. They bold by him for support, ftir keeping, for strength, for direction. 111. SwEARlNG BY ms NAME-or religion in word. This includes religious oaths, but denotes also willingness at any time to makt' public \:Onfession of God, IV. llEJOlCING IN HIM. "He is thy praise" (cf. Phil. iv. 4).-J. 0,
Vers. 1-5.-.The Law deposited in the ark. The first attempt to convey God's Law to man in a written form had proved a failure. 'l'he human links in the system l,ad snapped. Moses had overrated the people's loyalty. 'l'he people had overrated tLt:ir own strength of purpose. So far, the Law had been to them a ministration of dealb. But knowledge grew out of experience. L WE SEE TBE llUMAli FACT()B IN DIVINE REVELATION, The conceptions that on. x. 1-22.] 'l'IIE IlOOK OF DEUTEnONOMY. 189