THE JEWS DESIRE TO STONE CHRIST.

Read S. John viii. 46-59.

I. Which of you convinceth Me of sin? Ib. None could convince Him, but we, if we know any thing, are convicted of ourselves. "He who is of God heareth His words," both condemning us and giving us peace and hope in Christ. Have I this knowledge of myself, and peace in Him? S. John x. 4.

II. Say we not well that Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Ib. 48.

Thus they reproached Him, but He answered not with reviling. He sought only the glory of God, and both in word and work honoured Him. Do I in any sense do so, and then bear, as He did, reproach and shame? 2 Cor. xi, 20.

III. Then they took up stones, &c. Ib. 59.

So they hated and persecuted Him, worst of all under the pretence of zeal for God. He hid Himself and departed. Do I fear the loss of His presence? Let me avoid misinterpreting, reviling, and injuring others. 1 John iii. 14, 15, 18, &c.

18.

Text.

It hated Me before it hated you. S. John xv.

THE MAN BLIND FROM HIS BIRTH HEALED.

Read S. John ix. 1-12.

I. Who did sin, this man, or his parents? Ib. 2.

It is a grievous error to think that the sufferings of others are the special penalties of their sins. Have I uncharitably thought so? All chastisements are for the glory of God, and for our good. Heb. xii. 10.

II. Go, wash in the pool of Siloam. Ib. 7.

First He anointed his eyes with clay. By such different means to what we expect does God work. Now He orders him to do a public act, and apparently a needless one, All is for my good which He appoints. Rom. viii. 28.

III. I went and washed, and I received sight. Ib. 11.

Here was the reward of a willing obedience. Here also was a grateful acknowledgment of Him who had restored the sight, the fountain of all good. Do I acknowledge Him and all His benefits? Ps. xxxvi. 9.

Text.

The blind receive their sight. S. Matt. xi. 5.

HE CONFESSES HIS CURE, AND IS CAST OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE.

Read S. John ix. 13-41.

I. Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner. Ib. 24.

Under the cloak of serving God, they would deny the Son of God, and have this poor man do the like. But he, taught of God, fearlessly acknowledged Him again. Is such my course among ungodly men?

II. Dost thou teach us?
Ib. 34.

Ps. cxix. 46.

And they cast him out.

Yes, he was wiser than his teachers. vertheless, they cast him out.

Ne

We must be

prepared for this, who desire to follow Christ. Am I content that it should so be with me? 1 Kings xix. 10.

III. Lord, I believe; and he worshipped Him. Ib.

38.

They cast him out; Christ received him. This was consolation enough. To whom else could he go? To whom else can I go? He is all; Him only will I worship. S. John vi. 67, 68.

Text.

When my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord taketh me up. Ps. xxvii. 12.

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity.

CHRIST THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE.

Read S. John xiv. 1-12.

I. This is the way, walk ye in it. Is. xxx. 21.

For there is no other way but by Him. By His merits alone comes salvation. In following His example is alone the path of holiness. Do I strive to walk in this path-believing, hoping, following? S. John x. 1.

II. Love the truth and peace. Zech. viii. 19.

It is from not really loving and desiring the truth that so many fall. Would I have peace? Seek the truth. Love it, abide in it; and it shall make me free-from myself, from Satan, -for God. S. John viii. 32, 36.

III. The life was the light of men. S. John i. 4.
It is not only the safe, the
ful way, but the way of light.
doubt, no darkness, no falling.
life. No death. Is He my

in which I strive to walk?

true, the peaceIn Christ is no All is light and light, by which, Col. iii. 3, 4.

Text.

He that hath the Son hath life. 1 John v. 12.

For thoughts on the Gospel for the day, see p. 395.

CHRIST THE DOOR.

Read S. John x. 1-10.

I. I am the door of the sheep. Ib. 7.

'The door is neither wide nor high. They must stoop, and not be puffed up, who would go through the door of the " Lowly." Yet it is wide enough for all. Ps. cxxxi. 2.

II. By Me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved. Ib. 9.

He humbled Himself, and God exalted Him. If we follow Him, we shall be saved in Him. Going in and out, abiding in Him, yet working with and for Him, He will feed us in holy, heavenly pastures. Ezek. xxxiv. 11-16.

III. I am come that they might have life. Ib. 10.

He died that we might live; but not only so, but that we might have "more abundant" life, that we might grow daily more and more. Do I make progress in the Christian life? Do I stand still? Do I go back? 1 Thess. iv. 1.

Text.

That believing, ye might have life through His name. S. John xx. 31.