art from our figure, that when the inner life is renewed
day by day, the outward is no longer an intermittent spring, but an
overflowing cup.

Neither in earth nor in heaven has a Christian a right to go below
"par" in his spiritual life. I have been trying to imagine what it
would be in heaven if angels were to neglect the influx of vital force
that comes from the throne of God and of the Lamb; if at any time they
were to feel not up to singing-mark or service-mark, what a strange
heaven it would presently be; and what strange music with notes
wanting,--sometimes in the air and sometimes in the bass. We know,
however, that the real character of their life and service is not
intermittent, but is expressed in the words, "They rest not day nor
night, saying, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts.'"

(3) It is not a life for which the world is too strong, and which
cannot therefore be kept pure. It is not figured by a little brook, as
Kidron, defiled with all the impurities of a city, and that an oriental
city. And yet how many lives there are of which we have to say, "The
world is too strong for them"; well-intentioned people, but feeble in
grace, and who have received but little of the Life of God. The cup
was indeed put into their hands, but they were afraid to drink deeply,
though the voice by their side was saying, "Drink abundantly, O
beloved."

They drink down to the level of forgiveness, and, perhaps, grace; but
not down to glory and the receiving of the Spirit; they do not realise
that "he that drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never
thirst"; they do not overcome the world; one has almost to make a fresh
text for them,--"This is the defeat wherewith they are worsted, even
their little faith."

(4) It is not a humanly-devised life, as Solomon's aqueducts. Our
faith stands not in human structures; not in the Westminster
Confession; not in the XXXIX. Articles. It stands not in the wisdom of
men, but in the power of God. The Divine Life is not sect, and it is
not system. What is your sect? A pipe whose power of supply is
limited by its diameter; whatever we can learn from the maxims and
traditions of men, is but a little compared with what we may learn from
God directly. The channel of a sect! it is a pipe that bursts when the
tide of life rises beyond a certain point. The channel of a system! it
is an aqueduct through which, if one stone be taken out, the water
ceases to reach you.