Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/137

 There is, however, another kind of fire: the strange fire of Nadab and Abihu. This is self-love, inclosing within it the love of the world and every evil; for as the love of God contains love and charity to man, so self-love conceals within it the love of the world and all that is treacherous and vile. If self-love be our fire, our worship of God is unclean; regarding only worldly honour and gain: devotion then becomes a mockery—the solemn meeting is nothing but a congregation of dissemblers, in which infamy stands candidate for praise!

O may we all be aware of this strange fire! for it is as a coal that comes hissing hot from hell, and burns us by the way. O Christian! suffer not this unhallowed fire to burn in thy bosom; bring it not with thee to the tabernacle of the congregation; offer it not to worship, lest thou die! If we offer it, every vestige of the heavenly life will become extinct in the soul; and while we are vainly looking for life, behold death—for a blessing, and behold a curse. Remember the end of !

ONE can truly praise God but those who love and keep his commandments. Hence Jesus said to one of old, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matt. xix. 17); and Solomon says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked." (Prov. xxviii. 4.) In the sincere praise of God, man