XVI. We ought to make known our wants to Christ, and XVII. On an ardent love and strong desire to receive Christ 299 XVIII. Man must not be a curious examiner of the Sacra- ON BEING LIKE UNTO CHRIST, AND ON THE CONTEMPT OF THE WORLD AND ALL ITS VANITIES. HOSO followeth me walketh not in dark"1 saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ, by which we are taught how far we may imitate His life and manners, if we wish to be truly enlightened and freed from all blindness of heart.2 On this account our chief study should be to meditate on the life of Christ. 2. For His teaching far excels all the doctrines of the 1 S. John viii. 12. "I am the Light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness." 2 Ephes. iv. 17, 18. "Walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened." Saints, and whoso possesses His Spirit will indeed find therein "hidden manna.” 991 Now it often happens that many, though frequently hearing the Gospel, feel little holy desire, because they possess not the Spirit of Christ. Therefore he who wishes fully and wisely to understand the words of Christ should study to make his whole life conform to Him. 3. What shall it profit thee to dispute acutely on the Trinity, if thou art wanting in humility, and therefore displeasing to the Trinity ?3 Deep and profound words do not make a man holy and just, but a good life makes him dear unto God. I would rather feel contrition than be skilful in definitions; for if you knew by heart the whole Bible, and all the fine sayings of the philosophers, what would the whole profit you without Charity and Grace? 4. "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity," except one thing, which is to love and serve God.* That is the highest wisdom by which, contemning the world, we press forward towards a heavenly kingdom. It is therefore vanity to seek for riches which perish and decay, and to place our hope in them. It is vanity to seek after honours and to place our hope in them. 1 Rev. ii. 17. 2 Rom. viii. 9. "Not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." 3 "Oh! if the world knew, or I myself knew, what God knows of me, how should I then appear?"-Private Thoughts on Religion by the Rev. Thos. Adams. Eccles. i. 2; Deut. vi. 13, x. 20. |