and punishment may reasonably be expected to be more severe, than that of persons who, though they may have done things which seem to be more wicked, have never had the light by which they might have seen all their wickedness.

QUESTIONS.

How do I value the religious advantages which God gives me? Do I consider them as matters of course? am I wearied by them? Do I neglect them?

Have I good reason to hope that, upon the whole, I profit as much as I ought to do, according to the means of grace and religious teaching which lie within my power?

2. From what Christ said in His thanksgiving to the Father it is plain that true spiritual knowledge is not to be gained by any one's own wisdom; and that the things which belong to salvation are made plain to such persons as, in simplicity of heart, really desire to be taught, whatsoever God is pleased to teach, however strange it may seem to a man's natural thoughts. This teachableness is the gift of Christ; and real religion can only be understood and felt, so far as Christ by His Spirit is pleased to make it plain. This should make us very earnest in asking for the gift of the Holy Spirit; and also very careful not to measure the truths in the Bible by our own notions; but on the contrary, humbly to submit to whatever we find written in the word of God.

QUESTIONS.

With what sort of feeling do I generally take up my Bible to read? Is it with a feeling that I am to be taught from it things which I could not of my self understand? Do I ask Christ to to give me the Holy Spirit, with an humble acknowledgement that, without that Spirit, I cannot profit by what I read?

3. If any one were to receive a letter of invitation to visit some great person, very far above him in station, one from whom he had no right to expect such an honour, he would look carefully at the direction of the letter, to see if he really was the person invited, that he might make no mistake in going. Now this portion of Scripture contains an invitation from the Lord Jesus. He invites certain persons to come to Him, which is a great and undeserved honour; every person should be careful to see that the invitation is meant for Himself. It is addressed to "all that labour and are heavy laden:" this describes the state of distress which those persons feel who have found out that sin is a great burden, (Psalm xxxviii. 4.) and that it is a grievous thing to be so often in danger of offending God. When any one comes to this state of mind (which is the work of the Holy Spirit, John xvi. 8,9. Acts ii. 37-39.) the invitation of Christ is surely addressed to him, and he cannot do wrong in accepting it. In going to Christ he will find that His service is the very reverse of a burden, and that by teaching him to be humble, it teaches him to be happy and at rest; and that the Master he serves lightens the work He sets him about. It is however a dangerous thing to deceive ourselves with a notion that we are accepting Christ's invitation, and thus to say "peace,peace" to ourselves, when there is no peace of that kind which Christ gives. (John xiv. 27.) Many people may think themselves true christians, while at the same time they think lightly of sin; and rather follow the world's easy notion of what is right and wrong, than fear God's heavy judgment against every thing that is evil. Persons who continue in this

state, will find out their mistake, when the Lord shall say unto them, "I know you not whence ye are, depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." (Luke xiii. 24-27.)

QUESTIONS.

Does the thought that I am a sinner really distress my heart, so as to make me feel that I am one of those to whom Christ gives this invitation?

Am I comforted by the invitation itself, so as to hope that I have accepted it; and do I find pleasure in the service of Christ?

VII. HEADS FOR PRAYER.

1. Pray for grace to profit by the religious advantages which are within your reach.

2. Ask for humility and teachableness of mind, that you may receive as a little child all that God has been pleased to teach in His Holy Word.

3. Ask for the Holy Spirit of Christ, to lead you to God. 4. Pray for such a conviction of sin, as may make you feel distressed and troubled at the thoughts of offences against God, and enable you heartily to accept the invitation to come to Christ.

your

VIII. THE PRAYER.

[1] Thou gracious God, who hast appointed so many means of receiving the grace which thou art willing to give, and hast afforded me so many opportunities of religious instruction; give me also grace to profit by these advantages, remembering the solemn account which I must give of them in the day of judgement. [2] Make me to be humble-minded and like a little child under the teaching of a tender father; that whatsoever in thy holy word I may profitably learn, I may indeed fulfil the same. [3] Give me, I implore Thee, the Spirit of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, to lead me to Thee.

[4] May that Holy Spirit so convince me of the sinfulness of my heart, that the thought of my many offences may indeed be unto me as a heavy burthen. Draw me, I beseech Thee, O God, thankfully to accept the blessed invitation of thy Son, that casting all my burthen and care upon him, and trusting entirely in his precious atonement, I may find rest to my soul, and diligently follow the blessed steps of His most holy life, till I come into thine everlasting kingdom. AMEN.

Our Father, &c.

FIFTY-NINTH PORTION.

I. BEGINNING PRAYER.

MAY GOD, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST, give me the HOLY SPIRIT, that I may understand this portion of his Holy Word, and profit by it. AMEN.

II. THE SCRIPTURE.

Read St. Luke's Gospel, chap. vii. verses 36 to 50.

III. THE MEANINGS;

or sense of some words as used in this portion. Luke vii. verse

37. alabaster means here a fine white kind of stone

anointed

39. bidden

41. a creditor..

42. frankly

poured out upon
invited

a man to whom any
thing is owed

freely and kindly

IV. THE EXPLANATION.

While our Lord was at the city of Nain, one of the Pharisees invited Him to come and dine with him. Jesus accepted the invitation; and having gone to the Pharisee's house, He placed Himself at the dinner table.

In order properly to understand what happened upon this occasion it will be necessary to explain the manner in which people were accustomed at that time to take their meals. They did not sit round a table upon chairs, as we do in