Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/367

 and God  can  find  no  instrument  of  punishment  against you. You cart  find  no  real  gratification  in  sin,  and by seeking  for  it  there,  you  only  increase  your  misery.

I. Nicodemus  being  a  man  of  high  character,  among his fellow  citizens,  and  afraid  of  the  censures  of  the world, came  during  the  night,  for  instructions  to  Christ. He came  in  this  private  manner,  "for  fear  of  the  Jews," for his  mind  probably  revolted  at  the  idea  of  appearing among the  unlettered  and  poor  disciples  of  the  Man-God. How many  thousands  have  lost  their  immortal souls by  indulging  this  feeling! How many  at  this  moment indulge  it! Do not  imitate  their  example,  but say with  St  Paul,  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel." (Rom. i.  16.)  Confess  God  both  confidently,  and  openly, for Christ  says:  "Whosoever  shall  be  ashamed  of  Me,  and of  My  words,  of  him  shall  the  Son  of  man  be  ashamed, when  He  shall  come  in  His  majesty." (Luke ix.  26.)

II. As an  affectionate  master,  Christ  accommodated Himself to  the  weakness  of  His  disciple,  and  instructed him in  many  important  points. He informed  him  of  the necessity of  baptism;  of  the  causes  of  His  coming  into the world;  of  His  passion,  that  was  to  ensue;  and  of  the necessity of  faith  for  salvation. Give God  thanks  for  this information, which  is  equally  communicated  to  you,  and ponder in  a  particular  manner,  the  benefit  of  spiritual  regeneration. "You must  be  born  again." (John iii.  7.) Consider, also,  the  greatness  of  God's  love  for  the  world, " For  God  so  loved  the  world,  as  to  give  His  only  begotten