(2 Timothy 2:19).

It is but natural for the heart to cast about for some consolation in a day of disquietude, and for guidance in a day of abounding difficulty. Happy, indeed, is that soul that gets its consolation and guidance from a source divine. The comfort that comes from man is often as evanescent as the morning dew, and the guidance given proves totally inadequate to meet the deep exercises of a soul in earnest before God. Not from the depths of human wisdom are the saints of God to obtain their guidance, but from His all-sufficient Word which is given "that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works " (ch. 3:17).

The apostle Paul was warning his son in the faith about the departure that even then had commenced to set in. Formal Christianity was gradually superseding real, vital Christianity; and there were those, who, whilst possessing a form of godliness, in practice denied the power thereof. "From such," the Word says, "turn away" (ch. 3:5).

But in the Scripture immediately before us, we find mention made of a foundation marked by stability, because God's foundation; and the inscription on the seal wherewith it is sealed is deciphered for us. The writing on it is twofold, setting out on the one side the divine aspect of truth, the blessed security of those who are the Lord's-"The Lord knoweth them that are His;" whilst on the other side is found the corresponding responsibility of every one naming the Lord's name. It is incumbent upon every one of such to be separate from evil-"Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."

Here, then, as we note the inseparable connection between the electing love and perfect knowledge of our God, and the holiness of walk that is alone consistent with such, we can most assuredly find both consolation for our hearts and guidance for our feet in these days.

But what is " the foundation" ? In the immediate context we read of some whose words were subversive of God's Word, and "who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is passed already." Then comes the connecting word, " Nevertheless," with the assurance following that "the foundation of God abideth firm." Is it not then abstractly the Truth, the whole revealed mind of God, wherein is found the perfect unfolding of what God and Christ are, and what He has done ? "The word of our God shall stand for ever." It is a rock that cannot be moved, and hence the exhortation of Jude-"Building yourselves up on your most holy faith " (ver. 20). The declension of those mentioned before affected some, and their faith was overthrown. They were forsaking what God had laid; "nevertheless," spite of the instability of some who professedly rested upon it, "the foundation of God abideth firm." That is not affected by the unstable sayings and doings of men, though ill consequences follow. One here and another there turn aside; but, blessed be God, His foundation abideth; and though renounced by some and denounced by others, it stands firm as the everlasting hills, and the puny efforts of faithless men to move it are as vain as endeavoring to overturn those hills with a needle. An insecure foundation must render insecure whatever is erected upon it; but firmness marks what our God has laid and our souls here rest in peace. The traditions of men are ever altering. God's foundation abideth firm.

Revealing then, as it does, what God is-both love and light, we turn to consider the seal of the great Architect. Cheering must the fact be to every true saint of God that "the Lord knoweth them that are His." In a day of general decline, often spoken of as a day of progress and ascension in the spiritual scale, when the world has its religion, the real and unreal, those merely professors, who assume the form of godliness, having by the knowledge of the Lord Jesus escaped the pollutions of the world, are, from a human standpoint, hopelessly mixed with true saints of God (2 Pet. 2:20).

Have any the ability to discern all who are born of God ? But the Lord knows His own. Not those who say "Lord, Lord," merely, will find acceptance with Him. Not those who are simply actively engaged in doing what are called good works will receive Christ's approbation, or be known of Him -"Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you," and this after they have declared, "Lord, Lord, have we not … in Thy name done many wonderful works ? " But whose will had they done ? Whose will had they ignored? (Matt. 7:21-23).

Ah ! the Lord knoweth them that are His. Sweet word for every true heart, a part surely of that everlasting consolation and good hope through grace that is being continually ministered unto those He knows. Hidden in obscurity, amidst much that tells of darkness rather than light, they are yet known on high. That word, uttered by One who knew, to desponding Elijah, comes afresh to the heart and mind, " I have left Me," says Jehovah "seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him" (i Kings 19:18). Thus the blessed God shows that He marks every individual true in heart to Him though not identified with, nor known to, the prophet of the Lord. He will recognize the fruit of His own grace, and will yet make them manifest, displaying every one in glory. Precious words on God's seal setting us more firmly on God's foundation! Every unreal soul will be exposed "in that day, " but not one of His own shall be lost, for "the Lord knoweth them that are His." Glory be to Him for that countless throng that shall declare the worth of the Lord Jesus throughout all eternity!

But grace imposes responsibilities as well as conferring privileges; and on turning God's seal we read of what is incumbent upon every one who names the name of the Lord. In its scope, then, it embraces every one professedly a Christian. Could it be less wide ? Responsibility in such a matter must necessarily devolve upon all who acknowledge the Lordship of Christ. All do not obey, for from some the saint has to purge himself.

Now iniquity (or unrighteousness) is what is contrary to God's Word; righteousness is what is consonant with it. To possess Truth and yet act contrary to it, is to hold it in unrighteousness, a sin of which God's ancient people were guilty (Rom. 1:18).To reject God's Word is iniquity; to subvert the order of God's House is overthrowing the authority of God, and is rebellion; and so when evils prevail, and systems are built up contrary to the express word of God, the godly man has the way from such shown him. The presence of pious men in any position does not of itself constitute such position right; nay, but if the system be wrong, their presence will give vitality to it and perpetuate the wrong upon which it is founded. To love the saints is commanded us; but here again God has pronounced for us:"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments" (i John 5:2).

"Depart from iniquity," then, is His word. And where does Scripture reveal to us the way back to it? The rather it lays down that to build again the things once destroyed is to make oneself a transgressor (Gal. 2:18).Those who name Christ's name must not associate it with iniquity; so none are permitted to connect His name or presence with any form of unrighteousness. It must not be allowed to appear as though His sanction was given to such. That is an evil against which Scripture guards, and hence the imperative injunction here recorded. For, bear in mind, the question is not of recognizing or owning saints, but of permitting God to be supreme in heart and conscience. Obedience is thus the necessary requisite; and, plainly, truth, not feelings, God, not the saints, must govern us. To leave Him out of this and take counsel with our own hearts is to court disaster.

Considered soberly, then, this precious seal would point the way to deliverance from varied exercises respecting various evils; and a ready obedience rendered to the urgent word we are considering, to which God calls special attention by putting it on His seal, would effect deliverance from those evils. Here are maintained what is fully consistent with God's holiness and heart, and for the truest blessing of His own. Spiritual discernment and deepest joy are lost in fellowship with evil. Does it seem otherwise? Verily the words of our Lord here apply-"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24) Facts and feelings both must be reviewed in the light of the Word.

And again, this Scripture raises no question of condonation of evil; it simply enjoins separation from it. But clearly to condemn iniquity, and yet remain in association with it, is, after all, to condone it and to be found guilty of disobedience to this plain injunction. And it is well to remember that by obeying God's Word no one means that real ignorance is wickedness, though that Word compels separation from many truly His. Such are known to Him, and the soul finds relief in glorifying Him in praises for every blood-bought one; but, we repeat, the issue is not of recognizing saints,-"The Lord knoweth them that are His,"-but of permitting God to be supreme in our heart and conscience.

And the application of this principle, not needed in Pentecostal times, but in days of decline and apostasy, maintains a truly divine unity; for God Himself defines the position of every one professing godliness. That this will be in perfect accord with Matt. 18:20, is apparent, for those found round the name of Christ do not gather themselves, but " are gathered" there. The act is a divine one and not any human agreement. Hearts actuated by the same divine principles find themselves divinely together.

So God Himself enjoins departure from iniquity, and then gives the suited instruction to regulate our walk:"Follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." May we, then, strengthen ourselves in the principles of God's word, and whilst enjoying what it teaches may we be found obeying what it commands. The exhortation sounds forth now:"Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Shall it not be our endeavor, spite of all Satan's devices, to listen to that voice divine and be numbered with those overcomers?

"The Lord knoweth them that are His." Blessed assurance! '' Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." Solemn injunction! H. F.