his pRter~ity is complete, ~he i:elRtionehip roal, and his possllssion Bl\fe. This la the lowe~t pomt of moral detenorahon reached in this world. LEsso~-s. 1. Man in this world ,~ capable of tl,e highest and the loweel spiritual a,(li,1ities. He mRy pnrt&kll of the Divine or I\ devilish nRture, mny become the ohil<l of llod or the ohild of the devil. Truly we are fMrfully Rnd wonderfully mRde. 2. Man in this _world ,°'1 capable Qf the most ser·ious self-deception with regard to hia spiritual 7,akf'1uty. These Jews thought that they were the children of God, while they wero really the children of the devil. Such a self-deception is very characteristio of him, w~o..."8 chief delight is to lie Rnd dcc~ive, and is perhRps the climax _of his evil genius ,nth regard to men. He cares but httle about the nl\Tne, only let him have the game Of all self-deceptions this is the most miserable and disappointing I 3. No one can daim God as his Fatl1er who despises and rejects his Son. Our conduct towards him nud his gospel decides our spiritual fatherhood at once. 4. 1b Oh1'ist our spiritual pateNl.ity is quite evident, wl1ich he will reveal sooner or later. And in the licrht of his revelation this is not clifficult for each to know for himself. 6. Nothing can ;;;plain the conduct of some men towa,rd-8 Christ and his gospel but a true statement of their spiritual pa.temily. Let this be known, and the sequel is plain. 6. Even the children of the devil condemn him, for they do not like to own 'him as their father. State the fact, they are insulted. The alliance must be unholy and unnatural. Many of them claim God as their Fatber---the compliment of vice to virtue. A oompulsory admission nnd I\ full realization of this relationship will be po.inful in the extreme. 7. Let his children remember that they are such by their own choice. For spiritual generation, for good or edl, is by and through the will. It is not fate, but deliberate and voluntary selection. " His lusts it is your will to do." All are either the children of God or of the devil by their own choice. Henoe the importance of a wise choice.-B. T.
Vera. 54--59.-0hrist and .Abraham. "Wbom makest thou thyself?" In answer to this question and to the objection,; made by his opponents, our Lord further revenls himself. L IN RELATION TO THE FATBEB. L His entire devotion to him. This includes: (1) His perferi, knowledge of him. "I know him." His knowledge of the Father was essential, absolute, and most intimate. It wns not merely knowledge which be had gathered in the past, but which he derived and possessed in the present, then, on account of bis oneness with him. (2) His faithful confession of him. "I know him." He confessed him before men; did not hide the knowledge he possessed of the Father, but faithfully declared it. (3) His thorough obedience to his will. "I keep his saying." His saying was bis will expressed in and to Christ. 'l.'he Father's saying was Jesus' message; this be faithfully kept and devotedly published. He swerved not from his Father's command on account of the most menacing threats of his foes, but most minutely and enthusiastically carried it out. 2. Some of the featwres of his p=liar /,onQUr. (1) The honour of absolute self-denial and self-forgeifulness. He honoured not himself, but made himself of no reputation. (2) The honour of the most devoted loyalty. (3) HonQUr derived from the highest source. It was not self-sought, self- derived, nor self-conferred. This honour, he says, wonld be worthless. " My Father honoureth me." He was really what his Father made him, and be made him what he was because of his essential dignity and relationship and his official integrity and devotion. 3. His entire contrast with his foes. (1) They were ignorant of' him whom they called their God. "Ye have not known him." In spite of their great advantage&, these Lad been lost on them. Christ knew him absolutely, and manifested and proved his knowledge. (2) They were utwly Jau;e, They were liars-false to therusel ves, to JesWI1 and to God. Christ was true to all. He was the faithful and true Witness. (3) Tbeir claimed rdn,twnship to God wa., an empty boast. It was disproved by their spirit, language, actions, and whole conduct. C!irist'.s _relationship to G~d was ~eal.. ;His So~- ship was most conclusively proved by hlB Dmne knowledge, hlB pubho IlllDlStry, his Divine miracles, by his whole life. IL IN HIS RELATION TO .A.BBA11.u1, Al!lD ABBAHAllil TO Hlllil, These Jews claimed Abraham &11 their father, and attempted to cause a discord between him and Christ; but he revea!JI himself in relation to the patriarch. 1. In relation to hia higliest interest, (1) The ifl«Jfflate Ufe of Jew., engaged the patriarch', most rapturous attention, OH, vm. 1-60.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 397