has given for the encouragement of all hie eervante. Light nnd pcwer from on high are assured by it, and God will give hie Spirit to them \hat ask him. III. Tme PROMIBJIJ 18 OONSTANTLY FULFILLED IN ALL TRUF. CrrnIBTIAN EXPERIENOE; for in the case of each individual believer the Holy Spirit takes of the thinue of'Christ. nnd shows them to his soul. It is no doubt true.that the gospel record is the commo-C: property of all mankind, and that any man in the mere exercise of his natural intelli- gence can see clearly enough how the great doctrines of the faith are founded on the record, and grow out of it. And thus, in point of fact, there are thousands who look upon Christ ae a gree.t historical Teacher, and content themselves with making what we me.y ce.11 e.n intellectual study of his own words and those of his apostles. But his true d!sciples go further, much further than this. How shall we express the thoughts of their hee.rts about Christ? Me.y we not say that these correspond to his own words, "Behold, I am alive for evermore;" "Lo, I am with you al way, even to the end of the world"? They think of him not as a Being separated from them by eighteen long centuries of time, but as One who is really, though spiritually, present with them, at once human and Divine. They habitually rejoice in his exaltation as" Lord of all." They feel a present peace in the blood of his cross. They bow before the mystery of his taking on him our nature. His authority over them is supreme, and altogether welcome, His example is ever immeasurably in advance of them, though they humbly seek to follow it; and his words are like no other words-spirit and life to their hearts. And we may say that these feelings and convicUons of Christ's disciples are altogether reasonable-that is to say, they are entirely in accordance with the supernatural fact that Jesus is the Son of God. But whence came these convictions? Whence their depth and their permanence and their power? There is but one explanation, and we find it in the promise before us: "The Spirit of truth shall receive of mine," etc. Not that he brings any fresh tidings from the invisible world concerning Christ, or adds a single fact or truth to what the Scriptures contain; but to those who resist not his teaching he manifests what is already known in its reality and glory. He opens their eyes, purges their vision, sweeps away the veil that comes between them and their Lord. And it is ever the same Christ that the Spirit of truth reveals to the soul of man; and yet under his teaching what room there is for variety and progress of spiritual apprehension I The same sun puts on a different glory every hour of the longest day. His light is as various as the lands on which he shines; and so it is with Christ, our unchanging Sun of Righteousness-himself "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." He has an aspect for every period of life, and for all life's great vicissitudes, to those who believe, In childhood he may chiefly appear as a gentle Shepherd, in youth as an earnest Counsellor, in manhood as a mighty King, and in the evening of life, when its baUles are well-nigh over, and its companions scattered, as a faithful, never- dying Friend. What is the result of this teaching of the Spirit of truth? Under his illumination the soul cannot remain unchanged. It is true that here below Christians see through a glass darkly-not yet face to face. Still, amid all the imperfections of the life of faith, what they do see of the glory of Christ makes them see all things in a new light, and judge all things by a new standard. The world cannot be to them what it was before, for their horizon widens out far beyond its frontiers. Self can no longer be their idol, for they have become conscious of a Presence which raises them above themselves. In their own measure and degree "they have the mind of Christ." Grandly and powerfully does the Apostle Paul describe the ultimate effect of the Spirit's teach- ing: "We all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed," etc. (2 Cor. iii. 18). IV. In conclusion, WHO SHALL PUT BOUNDS OB LIMITB TO THE FULFILHENT OF THIS PROMISE IN THE FUTURE ? We know that men shall be blessed in Christ, and all nations shall call him blessed. On this earth, whera he was despised and rejected, he is yet to be crowned with glory and honour from the rising to the setting sun. Human life in all its departments is to be gladdened by bis presence, inspired by his example, moulded by his will. Through what means, or after what convulsions or shakings of the nations, this is to be brought about we cannot tell; but it will not be by human might or power, but by the Spirit of the Holy One, that the grand result will be achieved. It is written that "he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast ovor all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations;" and when that veil 336 THE GOSPEL ACOORDJNG '1'0 ST. JOHN. [OH, XVI, 1-118.
i~ rent from the top to the bottom, then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and ell flesh shall eec it together.-G, B. '