tion he chose for the Son of his love? Does it not arise from a
secret desire that our own wills may be done, and not His? Yet we may
rest assured that, as it is not for the interest of a wayward child
to be independent of the salutary control of an excellent Father,
neither is it for ours to be able to say: "Soul, thou hast much goods
laid up for many years."

So intensely am I convinced of this truth, that I can, with my whole
heart, pray for myself and all who are nearest and dearest to me,
that we may be so circumstanced in life, as to be compelled to live
by faith on the divine promises day by day.[16] "Godliness with
contentment," says the Apostle, "is great gain. For we brought
nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil (a root of
all evils, Revised Version); which while some coveted after, they
have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (1 Tim. 6.
6-11). Let us therefore "endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus
Christ", knowing that "no man that warreth entangleth himself with
the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him
to be a soldier" (2 Tim. 2. 3).

Now that all this may not appear irresistible to many, I am fully
aware; and having been myself, in times past, led to wish that a few
passages, such as 1 Tim. 5. 8: 2 Cor. 12. 14, had admitted of clearer
explanation, or, rather, required none, I shall now, in a few words,
endeavour to explain what appears to me to be the principle of the
New Testament revelation, which is not to supply the logician with an
irresistible chain of premises and conclusions, but the child with a
light to his Father's mind; therefore, on the divinity of our Blessed
Lord, the Lord's day, the principle of communion, of church
discipline, and of literally giving up all--if a man wishes to be
disputatious and escape the easy and blessed yoke of Christ's love he
may, and therefore will walk in darkness, whilst the child is, in his
simplicity, surrounded by a food of light.

I shall, therefore, briefly recapitulate the reasons why it appe