This text, I believe more and more every day, is one of the most
important ones in the whole Bible; and just at this time it is more
important for us than ever, because people have forgotten it more
than ever.

And, according as you firmly believe this text, according as you
firmly believe that every good gift you have in body and soul comes
down from above, from God the Father of lights--according, I say, as
you believe this, and live upon that belief, just so far will you be
able to do your duty to God and man, worthily of your blessed
Saviour's calling and redemption, and of the high honour which He
has given you of being free and christened men, redeemed by His most
precious blood, and led by His most noble Spirit.

Now, just because this text is so important, the devil is
particularly busy in trying to make people forget it. For what is
his plan? Is it not to make us forget God, to put God OUT of all
our thoughts, to make us acknowledge God in none of our ways, to
make us look at ourselves and not at God, that so we may become
first earthly and sensual, and then devilish, like Satan himself?
Therefore he tries to make us disbelieve this text. He puts into
our hearts such thoughts as these:--'Ay, all good gifts may come
from God; but that only means all spiritual gifts. All those fine,
deep doctrines and wonderful feelings that some very religious
people talk of, about conversion, and regeneration, and
sanctification, and assurance, and the witness of the indwelling
Spirit,--all those gifts come from God, no doubt, but they are quite
above us. We are straightforward, simple people, who cannot feel
fine fancies; if we can be honest, and industrious, and good-
natured, and sober, and strong, and healthy, that is enough for us,--