Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 3.pdf/251

 The colour of the dove is nearly white, denoting purity, and is thus descriptive of the holiness and purity of the Being of whom it is a symbol. It is perfectly harmless, and the most affectionate of the feathered tribe; so much so indeed, that if its chosen partner dies it will moan and pine away from the loss of its company. If the operation of the Lord on the mind of man be deprived of the co-operation of the human mind, it, too, will generally die, and leave the heart altogether; for "the Spirit will not always strive with man." Hence we are exhorted "not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption."

But, as the dove represents the Lord in the operations of His Holy Spirit, so it refers to those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, or truth derived from good. And here again it may be necessary to refresh the memory by a remark on the doctrine of degrees. There are three degrees or gradations, not only in heaven but in all religious profession. They may be described under the terms celestial, spiritual, and natural. The celestial are those who have suffered their wills to be so operated upon, as to be receptive of pure love—love to the Lord above all things, for His own pure sake, and in Him they behold all that the soul can desire; and from their purified state regard all with an eye of intense charity, and live in the practice of purity and virtue. They behold the truth in love. It is plain to their souls; their yea is yea, their nay, nay; and to them, "whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

First and nearest to the throne,

As if peculiarly God's own,