As true Christianity is of practical tendency, _doing_ the will of God is contra-distinguished from a mere knowledge of it. “Not every one that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of the Father.” Mat. vii. 12. For, though a man cannot _do_ the divine will, without having previously _known_ it; yet a knowledge of it is often entirely destitute of any sincere inclination to perform it.; and in every such case, “he that knoweth his Master’s will and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” Luke, xii. 47. So that, while, the word of God abounds with severe reproofs and awful denunciations against those, who are under the power of that self deception, which makes them content with being hearers of the word, and not doers of it, and leaves them satisfied with some head-knowledge, though accompanied with carnality and hypocrisy of heart; the same sacred word gives all imaginable encouragement even to those, who are _willing_ to conform to the will of God, though between their wishes and their practice there should be a considerable disparity, and the weakness of their faith should throw many impediments in their way. “The Lord will not despise the day of small things. He will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax. To that man will he look, that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at his word.” Zech. iv. 10. Isa. xlii. 3. Isa. lxvi. 2. These, and promises of similar import, confirm the truth of the text, and embolden every true follower of Christ to look for a fulfilment of them in his experience; while with child-like simplicity of heart, and an earnest desire to be taught of God, he diligently useth the means of instruction, and waits for that blessing, requisite to render them effectual. Such persons the Lord will take by the hand, and guide into the way of truth, and peace. He will open to them the mysteries of his kingdom; and unfold the riches of his grace. The secret of the Lord is with them; and he will shew them his covenant. He will manifest himself to them, as he doth not to the world; and shine upon their ways with a progressive and cheering light. They shall become conversant in the deep things of God, and acknowledge those very doctrines to be of divine original, which at first they trembled to receive. They shall see their consistency, and know them to be of God, from their effects; since the doctrines of distinguishing, efficacious, and victorious grace, and these alone, have a tendency to make the heart humble, holy, and happy, and to keep it so; to support the believer in an hour of temptation, and to help him to trust in the everlasting covenant when he walketh in darkness and hath no light. And, when multitudes of the presumptuous and self-confident, who soar on the wings of a towering profession, shall faint and grow weary, and utterly fall into error and sin; they shall hold on their way, and wax stronger and stronger, they