APRIL 30. Confess your faults one to another.—James v. 16. It is related of St. John, the Evangelist, that he was once set upon by a company of thieves, amongst whom was a young man, their captain. To him St. John applied himself, by way of wholesome counsel and advice, which took so good effect, that he was converted, and went to all his fellow-thieves, and besought them, in the name of Jesus Christ, to walk no longer in their wicked ways. He told them that he was troubled in conscience for his former wicked life, and earnestly entreated them, as they tendered the welfare of their own souls, to leave off their old courses. The counsel was good, and well taken, so that many of them became converts. Thus one sinner's confession of his faults to another, may happily prove the conversion of one by the other. Hence that precept, "Confess your faults one to another," is thus interpreted by some:-That those who have been partners together in sin, should go and seriously confess their sins each to the other. He that hath been a drunkard, or any otherwise a wicked liver, let him go to his companions in iniquity, and tell them that he is troubled in mind because of his former excess, and he may be a mean of converting them. Reader, art thou converted?-follow this method;-go to thy old companions, warn them of their danger, and thou wilt either be a mean of converting them, or hereby get rid of their troublesome company. Again, he who has injured another, should confess his fault to that other, as well as to God, and beg forgiveness from both. If I have wronged my neighbor aught, Or led a soul astray, Lord, give me grace to own my fault, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.-Prov. xxviii. 13. :0: 1 acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.-Ps. xxxii. 5. (136) MAY I. David's Prayer:-Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant.-Ps. cxliii. 2. Divine Answer :- Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.-John v. 24. See also chap. viii. 51; Isa. xxv. 8. SINCE the Judge Himself is our Brother, our Bridegroom, the Lord of death and life, yea, even our life, believers cannot die eternally; because "they are passed from death unto life." He that owns the justice of God's judgment, confesses himself guilty in all things, and appeals from the judgment-seat to the mercy-seat, him the Lord will own and justify through the righteousness of His Son; for "if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. Nay, we shall even sit in judgment together with Christ" (1 Cor. vi. 2). And surely in that day we shall not pass a sentence of condemnation on ourselves, much less will Christ; for He loves us more than we do ourselves. Oh! let us then humble ourselves before God, and come as condemned criminals to His seat of mercy, for pardon and for grace to help in the time of need. Who shall the Lord's elect condemn? Who shall adjudge the saints to hell? And their salvation to fulfill, Behold Him rising from the dead. Then never shall my soul despair Who knows God's only Son has died MAY 2. Jeremiah's Prayer :-Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.-Jer. xviii. 19. Divine Answer :-Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.-Ps. cxxi. 4. Casting all your care upon God; for He careth for you.- Pet. v. 7. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain thee.-Ps. lv. 22. WHATEVER cares and anxieties perplex the people of God, whether they be temporal or spiritual, whether they be great or small, they also concern God. He knows their afflictions; He knows their anxieties. The care of our Lord, which He takes for His little ones, infinitely exceeds the care of the most tender mother over her weak and helpless child. Then, whilst I feel and own myself weak, foolish, and wretched, the Lord being the guardian of such babes, He will have patience with me; for they are the vessels of His grace. Knowing myself, therefore, to be always a weak and ignorant child, I will labor to keep close to Jesus in waiting and prayer. And since He is the Minister of the Sanctuary, He will never let me want anything that is good for me; but will defend me, and feed me, and train me up in the best and most suitable manner. Be thou my counsellor, My pattern, and my guide, Nor rove, nor seek the crooked way! Should all the hosts of death, I shall be safe, for Christ displays MAY 3. ye They said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying, etc.—John iv. 42. If so be have tested that the Lord is gracious.-1 Pet. ii. 3. IT is an important thing to know assuredly that the Scripture has such a witness as experience and that there is a real correspondence between the saints and the Word, between the believer and Christ. This matter lieth out of the common road of the world. Sinners not awakened can have no experience of this kind; and therefore it is often ridiculed by them. But, oh! what an empty thing would religion be without experience, and a heartfelt knowledge of its truth! Experience is the sure and secret mark whereby the Christian knoweth the Scripture is of God, and feeleth his own interest in Christ; he has been often helped out of a dark plunge by the sealing of the word on his heart. Oh! what an excellent interpreter is experience!taste and see, for thus the serious Christian getteth a view of the Scripture and spiritual things, which the most subtle and piercing eye of unsanctified schoolmen cannot reach. (Ps. xxxiv. 8, and cxvi. IO; 2 Tim. i. 12; Gal. ii. 16; Heb. iv. 3.) This cannot be found in books; it confoundeth the wise and disputer of this world, while the meanest and simplest Christian understands it well Reader, press after experience; live not by hearsay--upon the comforts of others; but seek to the Lord, that He would give thee this inward testimony; it will help thee in future trials, remove many of thy fears make thy passage through life easy and comfortable, and be as a pledge of thy future glory. 'Tis well to hear and read the Word. Its truth to see and own; But there must be experience too Or yet thou art undone. |