I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Ir has been recorded of one much and justly beloved in his day, that in his last illness he accused himself of negligence in reading the histories of our Lord, and resolved, if restored to health, to give a portion of every day to the study of our Lord's character, and to the endeavour to ascertain, as far as possible, precisely what He (our Lord) would have said and done in every position in which he himself was placed. Not, indeed, that any who knew John Bowdler could believe that he neglected the means which from day to day appeared the best for his soul's health, and made him what he was to others. This would not be likely of one of whom a close observer of men has said, that his "interior life, if it could be faithfully written, would present a record which none could read without reverence, and few without self-reproach." But on a review of the past (and the religious circumstances of the times would in part account for it), there seemed open to his mind even yet this more excellent way. Of late years, it may be hoped, in every class of earnest religious persons, a kindred feeling has increased, and resulted in the desire to read and treasure up the words of holy Scripture for daily practical guidance, whether relating immediately to our Lord's personal example, or to the collateral histories which are recorded, either for our encouragement or warning, in the entire Gospels. All who are in earnest about the work of their salvation know the great necessity for feeding their souls upon the Word of God where the opportunity is

given, and the misery that results from the neglect of it. To read a little, with reflection, prayer, and practical self-application, is better than to read much without it, which, if of any, is of little profit. Such thoughts as are suggested in this book are not intended as readings in themselves, and are therefore often abrupt; but only as helps to reflection and meditation on the Bible reading of the day, where that is connected with the Gospel history. They ought to be accompanied, where there is time and opportunity, with consideration of the other parts of Scripture referred to. To use the whole in this manner might occupy considerable time; but it would be better to take a part only, and do so, than to read the whole, and keep the Bible closed. And, indeed, no greater calamity could well befal any than to put forth a work which would lead men from, instead of drawing them towards, those pages of revelation. However much they have been misused by men opposing their private judgment to the concurring testimony of the great Christian body, and building up divisions upon it, or however carelessly many may have read them, those blessed pages must ever be received by the faithful and humble, as among the greatest gifts that could have been bestowed by God on a fallen world.

Besides having in view the above object, the writer has known for many years that a want has been felt of some small manual, so arranged as to furnish suitable thoughts for every day in the year, according to the Christian seasons, for members of the Church of England. Knowing this, he could not but believe it to be providential that a Latin work

fell in the way of a friend, who first made him acquainted with it, of which one portion was very available for this purpose. To that work all who profit in any way by this are, under the blessing of God, indebted for the general arrangement, for almost all the subjects, and by far the greater number of thoughts in the following pages; the work of the writer having been mainly to select from it, and, where the references to holy Scripture were incomplete, to seek for others, and add at the foot of each page some short text, which might during the day help to impress the whole on the mind. The subjects of the book are limited to the Gospel history; but this, indeed, is the centre of all, to which all else refers. Other parts of holy Scripture illustrate it, and, as far as space permitted, have been freely used in the references. Those who have leisure might with advantage search for more in that inexhaustible treasury.

In the use of all such religious exercises it seems considered well, if possible, to give the earliest morning thoughts to them (a habit greatly assisted by reading over the subject, where it is practicable, the evening before), and then, praying for the aid of the Holy Spirit of God, endeavour to realise or bring to mind the events and persons of which we read, and consider the lesson God intended to teach us by the narrative. By this we may test our own lives and conduct; and whether penitence or thanksgiv

1 For the Harmony, the writer is indebted to the labors of Gresswell and Townsend; and for a revision of all the quotations, as the work passed through the press, to the labor and love of another.

ing be the proper result, we should always endeavour to raise our affections towards God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, and form new resolutions, by His grace, to live more conformably with His will and His word. In so small a space as is allotted to each day in this book, it would have been impossible to express at length, if at all, the affections and resolutions which might be the fruit of such a consideration of holy Scripture as these pages are intended to help. Indeed, they were not expressed at full in the original work, probably from the consciousness of the author of that part of the work (intimated by him in the introduction to it), that they must to each person be the gift of God. Such sensible emotions are not in our own power; the Holy Spirit of God can alone enkindle them in any heart. If they are not always given, we should not be discouraged; when they are, we should welcome them, pour them forth again, and be thankful.

If the thoughts appear in some instances too severe and discouraging, it may be truly urged, that while meditation on the love of God in Christ to sinners is the true antidote to formality, so is the habit of practical self-inquiry, in some form, whatever it be called, an essential safeguard against a vague and mere general profession of religion. But still more safely it may be urged that the practical part of the Christian life, so especially needful to all in secular callings, is the daily struggle to conform to the will of God, to compare ourselves with His standard, to know and confess our guilt, and to set ourselves steadily on the work of amendment. is the office of the Spirit of God, the "Comforter,"

It

to "reprove" and "convince;" and of the word of God to "pierce even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit," and to be "the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Except there be any to whom from the first dawn of infancy it has been granted to abide in Him, untainted by habitual or wilful sin, and filled with His Spirit and His love, the first step to all love of God is the fear of Him, and the consequent conviction of sin, self-condemnation and self-abasement which must follow in all who are led of the Spirit to true conversion of heart. Nor would it be safe to shrink from the knowledge of ourselves, or from this humbling comparison. These steps once gained, the balm is at hand. There are, indeed, many cases in which the work of penitence is long, and full of painful doubts and harassments, and far be it from any to say that this may not be in the end both the deepest and most abiding work. Yet to others the merey of God has vouchsafed speedier consolation and peace, and earlier visions of His love. But of each it is true, that they who know themselves best, will desire to know Him most. To have any other refuge than the cross of Christ, is to have no shelter at all. They who have any real hope seek it here. This will, in His own good time, be found alike the stay of all; and the knowledge of Jesus, and communion with Him, will increase hour by hour to those that seek it, until the soul loses the remembrance of its own misery in the abiding sense of His presence and His love.

Notwithstanding the impression which he is prepared to believe the first opening of this book may