Christ must be extolled and be very high in our hearts, if the unruly flesh and its wayward cravings are to be curbed. Self-righteousness and carnal wisdom are ringleaders of the enemies of the soul. We should deal with our corrupt nature as we would with a notorious thief,—never trust it. The greater part of our sorrows arise from mortified pride, thwarted self-will, and anxious unbelief. Pride has always an envious eye and an envious tongue: envy is but the vexation of pride. It is a mark of true growth in grace and spirituality of mind, to be looking back and dealing afresh with God respecting past iniquities. The soul is greatly profited by a tender conscience dealing before the Lord with the sins of _early youth_. Defects of character, and feeble resistance of temptation, may be traced up to neglect of dealing with God through the cross about our easily besetting sins. Looking back and reviewing our past state will enable us to read the story of God's present discipline, and aid us in the present and future growth of our souls. The gospel of Christ is a more open enemy to the pride of man than is the law of Moses. Israel received Moses' commandments with vows of obedience, but said of Christ, "Away with Him! crucify Him!" The master-sin of man is independence of God. What is the cure? Christ the Son of God self-abased, even to the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-8.) Naaman, the Syrian, was somebody in his own sight; therefore he was angry at the commandment which made him nothing. If we think we are undervalued, let us weigh ourselves in God's balances, and we shall easily bear the slight. The vauntings of self-exalting man are but the trickery of his pride, to hide his native vanity from his own eye and his neighbour's. Man without God may seem something at a distance. Come near him; be familiar with him; you find him to be nothing. But "blessed are they that dwell in Thy house; they will be still praising Thee." Even now, while yet in the earthly house of this tabernacle, we find that growing acquaintance with God brings with it increase of reverence and love. Oh, blessed hope! we shall know as we are known; see face to face and be satisfied; waking up in the likeness of the Lord. Many there are who can talk well of the truth of the gospel, but who, when called to self-denial, taking up crosses, suffering for Christ's sake, prove sounding brass and tinkling cymbals: knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. Absalom's vanity let his hair grow long; and his long hair did the service of the hangman's rope. Let parents hear the warning voice, and teach their children from earliest days to reckon the fear of God their best ornament. Faith If we act only because our path is clear of difficulty, this is not Faith. Faith acts upon God's Word whatever the difficulty; and to walk by faith brings highest glory to God; but it is a crucifying the flesh.