JANUARY 22.
''And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked With us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?" LUKE 24 :32
THAT is, we have now discovered him. How was it that we did not discover him earlier, and find him out upon the road? Why did we not distinguish him by his very speaking-the manner of it-the effect of it, in touching and animating the heart?
Ah, my soul, it is thus his teaching is to be known-it is always FELT. And while other teachers reach only the ear, he penetrates the heart, and causes it to burn with ingenuous shame, with abhorrence of sin, with holy revenge, with love to his name, with zeal for his glory, with earnestness to save sinners,
He now converses with us by the way, and he opens to us the Scriptures ; and He does it in three ways
First, by his dispensations. As the word explains providence, so providence illustrates the word. Flow many passages are there in the Bible, the beauty of which we should never have seen, the sweetness of which we should never have tasted, the force of which we should never have felt, had it not been for certain events, and those chiefly of an afflictive kind. These drive us to the book, never so valued as in the day of trouble, and enable unto read with other eves and feelings than before.
Secondly, by the labors of his servants. He replenishes his ministers, that they may dispense to others ; he gives them the tongue of the learned, that they should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary. It was in the temple David wished to inquire. It was when he went into the sanctuary of God that he seized a clew which enabled him to unravel a mystery which had so confounded and distressed him before. And while hearing the word preached, have not our doubts been often solved, our fears dispelled, our faith and hope strengthened ? That which was general before, has been particularized ; that which was distant, has been brought home to our apprehensions ; that which was read without impression or notice, has become significant and interesting. How often has the angel of the church, like Hagar's angel, opened our eyes, and shown us the well.
Thirdly, by the agency of his Holy Spirit. "He shall lead you into all truth." Means do not render his influence needless ; revelation itself. does not. David had the word of God, but he kneeled and prayed, " Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold -wondrous things out of thy law." The dial tells us the time, but the sun must shine upon it. The compass enables the mariner to steer, but not if it be placed in the dark. "In thy light we shall see light."
Here is the promise, at once to direct and encourage, "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; and it shall be given him." What is the reason why many, in the greatness of their folly, for ever go astray ? They do not trust in the Lord with all their heart, but lean to their own understandings. But the wayfaring man, though a fool, errs not, because, made sensible of his ignorance and insufficiency, he in all his ways acknowledges God, and God himself directs his paths, and is his guide even unto death.
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