The last I saw of him he was loaded down with old musty bread, gotten from the Gibeonites. Too many take this route and fail. The direct route to Jesus, starts from low down in the valley,--the place called _self-abasement_. It is true, that way down here, there seems to be clouds and vapor, mixed with mist, while the eye is turned inward, and especially while under the direct rays of the Holy Ghost we see our unlikeness to God,--our infirmities--our ignorance--our sins--our short comings, heart wanderings, and alienations from him; and as we confess these to God and our brethren, we grow less in our own estimation. And as we go down in this way--confessing to the very bottom, suddenly, and as by magic, the clouds disperse, shadows fly--the invisible appears to mortal eye--glory to God! Would you see Jesus? come down into the valley of blessing so sweet! “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” “If we seek to save our lives we shall lose them.” God has opened up a new and living way; that is the route of repentance--and confession--and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We need not be deceived in regard to our whereabouts. This route is paved all the way through with blood divine. Then, too, the cross that _kills_ is here; and this is always visible; and upon its beams are written: “He that would be my disciple, let him take up his cross daily, and come after me.” The direct route to Jesus is covered completely by the _cross_! Would you find it? Come down from your high perch! get off from your stilts, limber up; be child-like; leave off your affectation; talk natural, be just what you are; let God have you--and as quick as light from the smitten steel, you will find yourself in the direct route to glory; high above the storm and vapor--winging your way to the land that hath no storms. XIV. REST, BUT NOT LOITER. There is a bridge crossing the river Thames, at London, and at one end of this bridge, there is a seat prepared for the weary pilgrim to rest himself; and just above this seat hangs a sign, with these words, “_Rest, but not loiter_.”