truth ;" you cannot perish, because He is " the life." " He is the way in example," writes St. Bernard, "the truth in promise, and the life in reward." Finally, Christ commands nothing, which He has not first performed Himself. He may justly say, as Gideon did, " What ye shall see me do, do ye the same." (Judges vii. 17.)
III. How foolishly you have acted,when in your conduct you followed any other rule than that of the life of Christ. Every other rule is incorrect and vicious. " The wisdom of this world (according to which every sinner acts when he sins), is foolishness with God." (1 Cor. iii. 19.) Ask pardon for your past folly, and beg our Lord to admit you among the number of His followers.
TUESDAY.
Imitating the Life of Christ. II.
I. The followers of Christ may be divided into three classes. Some are Christians in name only ; they confess Him in words only, "but in their deeds they deny him." (Titus i. 16.) They take no pains in avoiding sin, and their actions crucify (in as much as they can), their Redeemer afresh. They are, infact, only nominal Christians, for they do not follow Christ, but His enemy the devil. Reflect how often you have ranked in this class. Repent and amend.
II. Others follow Christ, but (like St. Peter, when his master was taken) at a great distance. This was probably the cause of Peter's fall and denial of our Lord. Persons of this second class follow Christ, but coldly. They purpose indeed to keep the commandments, but care not to aim at higher perfection, and therefore often fail even in the observance of these. When they are addressed in these words — " If thou wilt
