THE TEACHER AND THE TAUGHT. "Who teacheth like Him?" THERE are myriads of persons in this day of professed gospel light who pretend that they are spiritual teachers of lost and ruined men, when, perhaps, they have never been taught one spiritual lesson in the grace school of Christ. All such teachers are, at best, but poor, miserable pretenders; for how can one possibly teach another the things he has never learnt himself! It matters not how illumined a man may be with the light of nature, or how great his knowledge in the letter of scripture; if he has no spiritual light let into his soul by the Holy Ghost, it may be justly said of him, How great is his darkness! Though mere natural professors of religion are deluded in their blind zeal, yet they love to have it so; yea, they are perfectly enwrapt in their enchanting deception. But how different it is with those who are under the tuition of the blessed Spirit. They would not be taught spiritual things by man on any account; for the language of their heart is, "Who teacheth like Him?" The scriptures declare that all God's spiritual children shall be taught of the Lord (Isaiah liv. 13); and that "they shall no more ́teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the Lord." These portions are fully verified in the experience of all the household of faith, and living in Jerusalem. As God is a Spirit (Johǹ iv. 24), we can learn nothing of Him spiritually without a spiritual discernment; therefore the Spirit alone can teach us; 66 for what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." Those who are taught by the Spirit, are spiritually minded; so that "to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." The latter have a divine capacity to receive Christ Jesus, while the former are as ignorant of Him as Hottentots. "Who teacheth like Him?" All who are taught by Him, are constrained to answer-None! The Lord's people are very particular about spiritual teaching; for they are so fearful of being deceived. They would not be taught by any but the Lord under any consideration; and though the lessons He teacheth are painfully learnt, yet the ordeal is nothing when the profit realised by each lesson is taken into consideration. One lesson taught in the school of Christ is never thoroughly learnt; in fact, the knowledge from it would be too overpowering for us in the lower house. The Lord, therefore, is very gracious unto us in this particular, remembering that we are dust. But perhaps the reader is anxious to know what lesson it is that we allude to; or, it may be, he knows this unmistakable lesson in part; so that it will be needless for us to name it. We will, however, name it: "Man, know thyself." It is very evident that there never was but one man that really and truly learnt this, lesson perfectly; and that was the "Man Christ Jusus." True, He needed not that any should testify of man, knowing what was in man; but this referred to His Godhead; for, as man, with all the effect of the Adam transgression imputed to Him, He had to painfully learn this important lesson. Jesus had to provè the extent of the fall of His Church by bitter experience. We often hear people talk about knowing the depth of their own heart's depravity; but we are well aware that they do not know one millionth part of it; for the two mysteries are inexplicable. Nothing can discover the one in its depths of depravity, but the other in the heights of its wisdom. Every child of God, when instructed by the Spirit, has a little light into the mysteries; aye, and only a little! It is true that there are a few abroad who pretend to be most profound in spiritual knowledge, and despise those who appear to be but novices in the best things; when, perhaps, former are only "wise in their own conceit," while the latter have been taught, the little that they do know, by the blessed Spirit; whose teaching tends not to puff up but humble. Let it not be supposed that we are in any way opposed to a deep knowledge of the mystery of godliness, but contrariwise; only we would distinguish between those who are 66 puffed up," and those who are crumbled down. We verily believe that those who are taught by the Spirit of Christ, learn that they have no knowledge of divine things but in oneness with Christ; and the teaching does not tend to an arrogant display of spiritual attainments, but a simple knowledge of what Paul learnt while in the same school: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." the To the question, "Who teacheth like Him?" may we not answer, from a feeling experience of such a reply, Lord, none can possibly teach like Thee; for Thy teaching is spiritual, while all other is natural: and though Thou art pleased to often puzzle us in the lessons given, yet we are compelled to acknowledge them to be" all plain to him that understandeth; and right to them that find knowledge." Many, very many have been the lessons that Thou hast taught us in the dark, and we have feared exceedingly on entering the cloud, yet, when we have been enabled to look up into the face of our Teacher, we have seen "no man save Jesus only." Thou hast, indeed, blessed Lord, endeared Thyself to our souls, again and again, by the gentle, loving, and merciful way that Thou hast seen fit to take in order to instruct us into the holy mystery of Thy spiritual kingdom. How often are we astonished at Thy mysterious dispensations, finding all Thy dealings to be so opposite to our natural choice; and yet we have been constrained to confess, when darkness has been made light, crooked things straight, and rough places plain, that "better is the end of a thing than the beginning." So foolish are we and ignorant that we cannot understand, when led through some fiery ordeal, wherein flesh and blood gives up the ghost, that Thou art teaching us a most profitable lesson; a lesson that must necessarily be learnt in order to glorify Thy great name, and profit our immortal souls. But, Lord, despite our dulness and stupidity, in learning wholesome lessons, Thou art ever pleased to "remember that we are but dust." Thy compassion, Lord, is an infinite deep; Thy forbearance a scanless height; and Thy faithfulness is from everlasting to everlasting. What, then, shall we render unto Thee, O Lord, for all the mercies which Thou art pleased to cause to pass daily before us; for Thou hast taught us in some measure Thy greatness, dignity, glory, excellence, fulness, mercy, and heart of compassionate sympathy. It is true, dear Lord, that we have been called to pass through many most trying and, to us, unmanageable things; but there was a "needs be" for each and all of them; so that, being clothed, and in our right mind, at Thy footstool, learning of Thee, we would sing "How sovereign, wonderful, and free London, June, 1860. "And since my soul has known His love, THADDEUS. A SPIRITUAL LOVE LETTER. MY DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD,--Not having heard from you for a long time, I write to know how it fares with you. I have had an attack of paralysis in my left leg and arm. It took place last March twelvemonth; but, thank the Lord, I am now nearly recovered. I have had a cruise through the West of England and Wales, via the Midland Counties; and have returned in safety to Maidstone, after ten months absence. The Lord has been my stay, and was with me in all places wheresoever I sojourned: the bounds of our habitation are fixed; our months and days are all numbered; so that we shall not have one sorrow more or less than was allotted for us in the covenant that is ordered in all things and sure. Therefore let you and I open our windows and sing, "It is a morn without a cloud;" and be on the look out for Him who saith" He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain ;" "so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass of the field." Well, my brother, I would "stir up your pure mind by way of remembrance," and pray God that mine, with yours, might be stirred up, so as to be enabled to "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Bear in mind we walk by faith, and not by sight; "for the things that are seen are temporal; but the things that are not seen are eternal ;" and the end of our faith is the salvation of our souls. Christ is God the Father's salvation unto the ends of the earth; and we shall soon see Him, the King, in His beauty; then "mortality will be swallowed up of life." Peter, after dining with His gracious Lord and Saviour, at His resurrection dinner, on the coast of Tiberias, did hear such blessed words drop from the lips of Him who spoke as never man spoke, that they left such an impression on His mind, and so invigorated His soul, that, by the daily renewings of the Holy Ghost, he ever after, during the remaining days of his sojourn on earth, had a desire to obey His loving Lord's command to feed His lambs and sheep. None more than poor Peter had cause to love the Lord-who had poured out His soul unto death" for him, and all the scattered sheep and lambs, and long to devote the whole of his labours, through the fires of persecution and floods of affliction, in fulfilling the gracious request of his Lord. Surely it was a request of our Lord Jesus for which He would move Peter by asking him three times," Lovest thou me ?" None are so well fitted to preach to the lambs and sheep of Christ's fold as they who have been brought up from the depths of the sea of sorrow and trouble, have tasted the lovingkindness of Christ, and have felt the love of God, in Him, shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto them; whereby they have the manifestation of the pardon of their sins; their hearts being purified by faith in Christ who hath redeemed them from the lowest hell by His blood. Holding this faith in a pure conscience, they can go forth facing the devil and all gainsayers; for indeed they know that they are not only called to believe on Christ; but to suffer for His name's sake. The same afflictions all are partakers of, who take up their cross to follow Jesus whithersoever He leadeth them, which is through fire and water; nevertheless He regales them in a wealthy place, in all high places, at His right hand, flowing from the fulness of His love, which, by the Holy Ghost, springeth up in their souls. Peter's soul was fired for His Lord's glorious gospel; and his love was far a-head to what he told his Lord he would do for Him, in laying down his life. Yea, "though all men deny thee, yet will not I," said he. Peter's towers had now fallen; Satan had bombarded him in what he thought he was secured in. The citadel of strength in his own heart failed him in the day of trial, that he might write to the flock of Christ, scattered in various parts, letting them know their election of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit; being created in Christ Jesus, and set apart for His instruction unto obedience. It is a great mercy to be obedient unto the faith of Christ, and sprinkling of His precious blood on the conscience, whereby we have boldness at a throne of grace. Furthermore, Peter desired all grace and peace to be multiplied unto them through the joyful tidings of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; for herein God the Father, according to His abundant mercy, had begotten them again to a lively hope, that He, their Forerunner, had for them triumphed over all their enemies; and now would fulfil His Word in sending His Spirit to comfort them through the wilderness, en route to that undefiled and incorruptible inheritance that fadeth not away, which is in Himself; for the Lord is the Inheritance of His saints, in whom he will be glorified. O what close union the saints have with Christ in God, in whom their life is hid! This life is untouchable either by sin, death, or hell. Sweet words "undefiled and incorruptible!" Peter had now come upon his happy string, which he had learnt to play upon since the citadel of his own strength had fallen-" reserved in heaven for you." Who, then, shall pluck the saints from hence ? "None shall ever," saith our Lord Jesus, "pluck them out of my Father's hands:" "I and my Father are one." O the sweetness to a broken-hearted sinner of being "kept by the power of God!" Jesus was beforehand with Peter, and said unto him, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not." These words were blessed to my soul after a stormy day, when I thought I had made shipwreck of faith. I was just going into my bedroom for rest, in great sorrow of heart; but the Lord revealed His love, in the last extremity, when I thought it was all over with me. It was as though the Lord of life and glory had put His hand upon my shoulder, and said unto me, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not." Though it is some years since these sweet words were spoken to my soul, I have not had such a conflict since, save once, when the devil and sin seemed to say within me, "Who is the Lord that He should reign over me?" I appeared to be surrounded with all manner of evil, when the Lord spoke these words: "I will be your God, and ye shall be my people.' my people." The rebels were silenced in a moment; they were all quenched as the fire of thorns. These fellows lodge in the suburbs of the city. I thank the Lord I am not so ignorant of Satan's devices at the present time, though I still need the strength of the Captain of my salvation to fight the good fight of faith, and to come and make all my bed in my sicknesses. Again, on another occasion, while walking at eventide, a sudden glow of joy broke in upon my soul, from these words being spoken |