By Henry Law, 1873
If there is a picture, in which all enchanting beauty
shines, it is that which represents the state of the children of God by
faith in Christ Jesus.--Gal. 3:26. Every joy should glow in their cup. They
are called to a song swelling with melody, which cannot be more sweet. They
are invited to a garden, in which each fragrant flower ever blooms. They are
enjoined to sit down beneath the shadow of a tree, on whose extended
branches most luscious fruit forever hangs. A volume is presented to their
hands, written inside and outside in glowing terms of bliss--in which every
page is calm and bright, and where perusal never wearies. Thus blessed is
the heritage of faith.
To show the truth of this statement is an easy and
delightful task. It requires no stretch of mind--no strain of argument--no
effort of intellect--no expansion of reason's wings--no deductions of
logic--no inventions of wit. To gain this light, we have only to sit still,
and hear what God the Lord has said. Let the record be now pondered with
earnest cry--'Open our eyes, good Lord, that we may behold wondrous things
out of Your law; open our ears that we may hear Your heavenly voice, walking
in the garden of Your word; open our mouths wide, and then descend and
fill.'
The faithful word instantly gives the following witness–
1. God's children share His EVERLASTING LOVE. Oh!
that the love of God were shed abroad more abundantly in our hearts by the
Holy Spirit, which is given unto us.--Rom. 5:5. Its origin and duration
should be pondered. It began before the birth of time. It will be fresh,
when time shall be no more. "I have loved You with an everlasting
love."--Jer. 31:3. "I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."--Rom 8:38-39. "God is
love." It is the very essence of His being. If it could expire where would
God exist?
Consider, also, its FREENESS. God loves not for anything
seen or foreseen--known or foreknown--given or designed--destined or
pledged. There neither is, nor can be, a moving cause independent of
Himself. He loves, because He will love. The actuating motive, so to speak,
is His own heart. This statement leaves nothing to be added.
Mark, also, its NEVER-VARYING brightness. It knows no
mutability. "I change not--therefore you sons of Jacob are not
consumed."--Mal. 3:6. "With Him is no variableness neither shadow of
turning."--James 1:17. Man is fickle, as the restless wind. The prince's
smile may be a frown tomorrow. The summer-friend may freeze into a
winter-foe. Our perceptions of God's love may indeed differ. A passing cloud
may hide the sun. But its reality is the same "yesterday, and today, and
forever."
Its INFINITUDE is an amazing thought. The heavens are
high--but it is higher. The ocean has vast depths, but it is deeper. Far is
east from west, but its length has no horizon. We have no measure with which
to estimate--no scales to weigh--no line to fathom it. No tongue can
tell--no thought conceive--its boundless, boundlessness. If happiness
exists, it surely must be theirs, who are encircled by this love.
2. God's children are enriched with the gift of gifts--the
largest and the best, which heaven could grant. God gives His co-eternal and
co-equal Son, Christ Jesus the Lord. If worlds upon worlds with all their
treasures, beauties, glories, had been piled into one pyramid, it would have
been as the small dust of the balance, when weighed against this portion.
Each one can truly say, "I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine."--Song
6:3. Christ--all that Christ is--all that Christ has--is granted as an
inalienable possession.
What tender RELATIONSHIPS result! He is the everlasting
Father--we are begotten by the word of His truth. "Can a woman forget her
nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Yes, they may forget, yet will I not forget You."--Isa. 49:15. But Jesus is
a friend that sticks closer than a brother.--Prov. 18:24. His life belongs
to His people, that they may live forever. His death is theirs, that the
second death may touch them not. His blood is theirs, to wash them whiter
than the whitest snow. His wounds are theirs, their hiding-place from wrath.
His stripes are theirs, their healing balsam. His righteousness is theirs,
their fit robe for the courts of heaven. His prayers are theirs, that every
blessing may be obtained. His advocacy is theirs, to silence the accuser's
voice. His whole work is theirs, that they may be forever saved. His glory
is theirs, that they may be like Him, as He is. Is not this all-surpassing
happiness?
3. God's children rank the HOLY SPIRIT high among their
treasures. The word is true, "I will not leave you comfortless."--"I
will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may
abide with you forever."--John 14:16. Hence the bold appeal--"What! Don't
you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you!"--1
Cor. 6:19. Is he not supremely happy, who at all times and in all places
bears within his heart this heavenly inhabitant--this in-dwelling God! His
presence gives light, and peace, and joy. He opens the eye to see the
glories of the Gospel-hope. He molds the will to receive the blessed Jesus
in His every office of saving grace. He shows redemption's consummated
scheme, and gives the appropriating hand of faith. He whispers guidance in
each doubt, perplexity, distress. He causes the Bible-page to shine in
heavenly light. He applies the precious promises with enlivening power. He
stamps the sacramental privileges with seals of assurance. He leads into all
truth, and dissipates the mists of error. Are they not happy who are thus
enriched?
4. God's children are exempt from sin's penal woe. In
common with all mothers' sons, their iniquities
are--many--grievous--vile--often done against the Spirit's warning--the
voice of conscience, and clear knowledge of duty's call. These rise as
mountains upon mountains, and they accuse as with thunder's roar. The
children meet not offences with excuse. They humbly own their magnitude of
guilt. But they present an all-absolving plea. "Christ has died," when urged
by faith, releases from all wrath. The blood, which streamed on Calvary,
obliterates the crimson-dye, and makes each stain invisible even to the
omniscient eye. "As far as the east is from the west," the dying Savior
bears the load away. The voice is heard in all its sweet assurance, "You
will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."--Micah 7:19. The heart
may grasp the record, "There is therefore now no condemnation."--Rom. 8:1.
And again, "in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins according to the riches of His grace."--Eph. 1:7. The God, who is their
God, pardons iniquity, and transgression, and sin.--Exod. 34:7.
5. God's children are surrounded by a glorious company of
GUARDS. It is a wondrous word--worthy of all study and acceptance, "You
have come to an innumerable company of angels."--Heb. 12:22. These bright
intelligences counted it their highest honor to minister to their great
Lord, during His sojourn on this earth. Similarly they joy to serve all the
members of His body. What though their presence is not open to our gaze, is
it the less real? Our eyes behold not the surrounding air; but is it less
our life? We cannot touch the fragrance of the rose; but it is real
refreshment to the sense. We cannot see the wings of these encircling
friends; but are they therefore the less near? The prophet's servant
trembled when he saw the besieging host. But fear fled when his eyes beheld
"the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."-- 2
Kings 6:17. Armies of invisible defense, though undiscerned by sense, were
present.
The Spirit's pledge is not recalled--"The angel of the
Lord encamps round about those who fear Him, and delivers them."--Ps. 34:7.
Daniel testifies to the King--"My God has sent His angel, and has shut the
lions' mouths that they have not hurt me."--Dan. 6:22. It is true of each
lowly member, even as of the glorious Head, "He shall give His angels charge
over you to keep you in all your ways."--Ps. 91:11. See some mighty monarch
going forth encircled by his glittering guards. It is a splendid spectacle.
The potentate is clad in honor and garrisoned with safety. But what is this
state to the grand security of him to whom the hosts of heaven always
minister? Believers are thus guarded.
6. They are ADOPTED into the family of God. This
honor belongs to all Christ's members. Such was the purpose before the world
began. "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children, by Jesus
Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will."--Eph. 1:5.
The heaven-directed pen writes, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes
you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by
him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs
of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in
order that we may also share in his glory."--Rom. 8:15, 17.
How sweet the tenderness, which encourages, "Beloved, now
are we the sons of God."--1 John 3:2. This sonship involves the brotherhood
of Jesus. The relationship is gladly avowed. Hear the assurance, "I ascend
to My Father and your Father--to My God and your God."--John 20:17. We are
predestinated to be conformed to His image, that "He might be the first-born
among many brethren."--Rom. 8:29.
There is a thrill through loving hearts at the bare name
of HOME. How should the believer exult in the truth that his soul's home is
the palace of his God! Here he is ever welcome. Here smiles await him. At
all times he may draw near. The gates are never closed. He may claim
audience and pour out every desire of his heart into the listening ears
above. He may fondly lisp, "My Father," expecting the dear response, "My
son." He may ask, and will receive, all that paternal love can grant. The
portion, which is really good, will be abundantly supplied. He may sit down
at heaven's own table, and feast on the luxurious fare of the eternal Word,
and be refreshed with the delicious richness of the promises. He is regaled
by the celestial manna--the true bread that came down from heaven. There are
no more empty cravings. The word is realized, "Jesus said unto them, I am
the bread of life--he who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who
believes on Me shall never thirst."--John 6:35. Say, where can happiness be
found, if it be not with the children of adopting love?
7. Is it not high privilege to be united by one Spirit to
all the family of heaven, and to see a brother in every saint? But
believers are "no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with
the saints, and of the household of God."--Eph. 2:19. Happy membership with
the mystic body! Happy fellowship with this sanctified band! Happy union
with "the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written
in heaven!"--Heb. 12:23. Great is the joy of this community. Large is the
benefit of sharing all the general supplications of the Church. Sweet is the
comfort of being interwoven in heart with the greatest and noblest of our
race. Blessed indeed are the members of this holy brotherhood!
8. Happy are they, for whose good all PROVIDENCES work.
To our blindness the course of daily events may seem to be a tangled net. In
a long chain the links may appear to be united without plan. A mass of
occurrences apparently is jumbled by confusion's hand. But is it so? God's
never-failing wisdom orders every minutest circumstance. Without Him no
insect crawls—no sparrow falls—no breeze arises—no gale is lulled. "The very
hairs of your head are all numbered." Luke 12:7. In so-called trifles, even
as in a nation's crisis, wise prearrangement regulates the whole machine.
God sits supreme upon the directing throne. The government is upon the
shoulder of our mediatorial King, Who ever guides it for His people's
well-being. Events most adverse in their first look subserve their good. The
frost--the snow--are needful for the crop. The keen wind chills
beneficially. The tempest clears the air. Out of the bitter, sweet can come.
We cannot always trace--we may be often puzzled--but we should always trust
and lean confidingly on our Lord's arm. The word is settled in the heaven of
heavens, "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those
who are the called according to His purpose."--Rom. 8:28. Sweet is their
peace who in every circumstance look upward, and devoutly say, "It is well."
9. But this happy day is gilded by a happier CLOSE.
The present light is dim before the coming brightness. The bud, though
sweet, exhales but scantily the fragrance of the full-blown flower. The
infant's limbs show little of the grown man's strength. Here indeed we lie
down in green pastures and are led by still waters. Here we rejoice in full
knowledge of Christ's finished work, and claim the riches of complete
redemption. But as yet we stand outside and have but glimpses of the full
heavenly bliss. Yet in a little while, and we shall hear the Master's voice,
"Come up here--sit beside Me on My throne--share My glory, and enter into
all My joy." Let your enchanted gaze dwell on the dazzling prospect! It will
indeed invigorate. The traveler steps briskly when in sight of his resting
place. Will not Zion's pilgrims sing, when they see their city fully in
view? Such is a scanty glimmer of the blessed heritage of faith.
But few drink deeply of this cup. Realizing perception of
heaven is alas! too rare--a flower uncommon in a wilderness of weeds--a
verdant spot in an expanse of sand--a jewel in the rubbish of a quarry.
Through grace believers are not few. In this fallen world a goodly company
look unto Jesus and are safe. But sadly they ignore their privileges. They
mourn like Heman in the valley of timidity. They pitch their tents amid
bewildering doubts. They draw their water from the wells of fear. They creep
along the cloudy side of Zion's hill. They see a lion in each path. They
tremble at the rustling of each leaf. Their heads droop mournfully. Their
looks are downcast and their hearts despond. Though the sun is high in the
heavens they seek some chilling shade.
Let us proceed to mark some DOUBTS which
injuriously trouble, and scrutinize some CLOUDS, which darken without
cause their way.
1. Some are distressed when they read of "the Lamb's Book
of Life." They know that from the foundation of the world a mystic
register of the saved was written. The truth is announced that the happy
seed are "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the Spirit--unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of
Jesus Christ."--1 Pet. 1:2. They hear the record and reverently bow the
head. They foster no rebellious thoughts against God's sovereign will. They
cavil not against His wisdom. They know that the Judge of all men must do
right. But still they cannot calm the apprehension, that they have no saving
interest in this everlasting purpose. They cannot read--what is
inscrutable--the page of heaven--and this veil of mystery creates agitation.
They hesitate to claim the portion of the predestined, because not cognizant
of hidden counsels.
They thus invert the order, which has been so wisely
ordained. They think that knowledge of electing love should be the basis of
faith's rest. They desire assurance, that God has loved them from eternity,
as ground for venturing to love Him. This is to work backwards. It is no
marvel that they advance not, whose first step takes a misguiding course.
Doubtless, in God, election must precede our faith, as cause precedes
effect. But in our hearts faith must precede our comfort in decrees. We
believe indeed, because of God's choice and faith must be given before we
can read this choice. Therefore by believing, we gain knowledge of our
saving interest in the Book of Life. It is thus we reason in nature's work,
and in occurrences of life. We prove that summer is arrived by the heat, and
crops, and ripened fruit. We argue from the motion of the rapid train, that
steam must be at work. So from effects we know that grace rules in the
heart.
But, whence this grace? It is no product of dull nature.
It springs not spontaneously in corrupt soil. It is from heaven, and thus is
clear evidence of heavenly regard. Are our souls warm with love of God? Then
we are sure that God loves us--and in His love has marked us as His own. Do
we choose God to be our portion--our joy--our all? Whence this choice? It is
the planting of the Spirit, and establishes that He works in us according to
God's will. Does the strong current of desire bear us towards God and
heaven? Trace the stream to its first source. It must descend from God. He
first desires us, or never would we think of Him. Beloved, if you are
conscious of the actings of true grace, cast to the wind all doubt. Be
satisfied--rejoice--be glad. The finger which implants grace, first wrote
your name in the Lamb's Book. In the effects you see the first cause.
2. Sometimes the soul is heavy, because it cannot fix the
DATE of its first turning unto God. It dreamily reasons, if conversion
is a real work, it must have had commencement, and the commencement of such
change must be a marked era. Go forth again to nature's field. Mark gradual
operations and be wise. You see a flower. Did you see the seed quicken in
the soil? No--but you doubt not that there was a moment of life's first
spring. You see the sun resplendent in the skies. You saw not the first ray
in the chambers of the east. But the shining light leaves no doubt that it
once began. You see a river rolling down its floods. Its source is hidden
from man's research. No traveler can trace the waters to their origin. But
still you know there is a spot where it has birth--an opening, whence the
tiny rill first issues forth.
God may deal thus in matters of your soul. With noiseless
step He may come in, and take His seat with no announcing knock. The
question is--Does God reside within? Do holy thoughts, and faith in Christ,
and love of the Word, and joy in ordinances testify His presence? If so,
conversion is a sure fact--it has indisputable proof. Rejoice, although its
origin cannot be dated. You doubt not that you naturally live, although you
felt not life's first spark.
3. Others nurse despondency, because of DECLENSIONS in
grace. Their first love, so bright--so joyous--so ecstatic--has suffered
sad eclipse. Their early warmth is chilled. Their leaves, once verdant, now
droop witheringly. Delight in prayer--high flights of praise--delicious
feasting on the richness of the Word--have spread departing wings. A vacancy
is left most coldly void. They have gone back to the husks of worldly
vanity. They have sought pleasure in scenes, where God rules not, and
their dear Savior is ignored. Theirs is the backsliders' deadness. They feel
disquietude. An accusing conscience alarms. They mourn and sigh alone–"Is
not all hope now gone? Can I regain the happy eminence, from which I have
fallen? Can heavenly smiles again beam over me? Can my delinquency be
pardoned? Can I again have place among the children? Can my erring soul be
restored?"
Let no one speak lightly of this case. To desert the Lord
and drink again the puddle of the world, is grievous guilt. But such
is the tender mercy of our Gospel--such the sweet pitifulness of our
heavenly Father--such the infinitude of His love, that especial promises and
most alluring calls pursue this class. Peter has been foremost to deny his
Lord--but Peter especially receives tidings of great joy--"Go your way, tell
His disciples and Peter."--Mark 16:7. The admonition is reiterated,
"Return backsliding Israel--says the Lord--and I will not cause My anger to
fall upon you--for I am merciful, says the Lord, and I will not keep anger
forever. Turn O backsliding children, says the Lord; for I am married unto
you."--Jer. 3:12, 14. Let such then hasten to the throne of grace, pleading
that they obey this gracious call. He who gave the pledge will faithfully
redeem it. They will realize the gracious truth "He hates divorce."--Mal.
2:16. "The redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto
Zion--and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads--they shall obtain
gladness and joy--and sorrow and mourning shall flee away."--Isa. 51:11.
4. Another sigh is not uncommon. How can my brow be
decked with smiles, and notes of gladness warble from my lips? My dwelling
is amid so many foes and my voyage amid opposing waves. I may not remit my
watch. I dare not put off my armor. Threats and alarms give no respite. My
many adversaries are fierce in rage--mighty in strength--deadly in hate.
They have crushed many far abler than I am. In their presence how can I
rejoice and sing! Is there not cause to be dismayed! Did not David fear! "He
said in his heart I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." But did
David fall? Yet a little while and his feet stood on the necks of all his
enemies, and we read, "David spoke unto the Lord the words of this song in
the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies,
and out of the hand of Saul."--2 Sam. 22:1.
It is true that we are called to fight the good fight of
faith--never to lay down the shield and sword--to wrestle with untiring
nerve--to strive, as if each effort was for life--to give no place to the
devil--to resist even unto death. But it is also true, that we go forth with
certainty of eventual triumph--with infallible promises of sure victory. We
should remember what Captain leads us--what Spirit arms us with
endurance--what angelic guardians hover around--what a cloud of witnesses
encompasses. We should think of our many Ebenezers--sure pledges of
unfailing help--of our many brethren, more than conquerors in all these
trials--of the treasury of promises stored with all-prevailing aid. "Fear
not, for I am with you--be not dismayed, for I am your God--I will
strengthen you--yes I will help you--yes I will uphold you with the right
hand of My righteousness."--Isa. 41:10. "I will never leave you nor forsake
you."--Heb. 13:5.
The gracious design, also, of this continued
conflict should be understood. It is ordered to drive from
self-confidence--to show where true strength resides--to prompt faith into
constant action--to intensify confiding prayer. Realize these purposes, and
then the joyful song will sound, God is faithful. He will not allow us to be
tempted above what we are able to bear. "If God is for us, who can be
against us?"--Rom. 8:31. The victory is sure. Away then with these fears!
5. Sometimes the soul is locked in another gloomy
cell. It questions whether its faith is true. May it not be some
cheat--some counterfeit--some deceiver in disguise--some earthborn
vanity--no heaven-born grace! Undoubtedly presumption may assume the
semblance of faith. It stealthily may creep into the heart and give sweet
opiates. It may persuade that soul-concerns are safe, and cause for
discomfort remains no more. It may lull on a soft pillow of delusion, and
rock to sleep amid deception's dreams. Wherever this impostor cheats, there
is the full calm of security.
The fact, then, that the soul trembles is sure proof that
presumption is not its inhabitant. The presumptuous, pleased with their
seeming beauty, are at ease in Zion. They gaze complacently on painted
features, and take them for the children's likeness. This counterfeit may be
detected by its half-heartedness. It professes to make total
self-sacrifice--to be bought by a price, and therefore to be wholly
Christ's. But, like Ananias, while it consecrates much, some portion is
retained. It hides some secret idol 'beneath the stuff'. It offers to
surrender all sons, except the darling Benjamin. It locks some secret
chamber, from which the Lord is excluded.
If you are conscious of this half-consecration, your
faith is equivocal, and trembling is justly yours. But if in thorough
sincerity you give your body, soul, and spirit to the Lord--if you are
willing that He should live in you as truly as He died for you--if you
desire that He should reign supreme, as really as you hope to sit beside Him
on His throne--these evidences show faith to be true. This fear is your own
infirmity, and ranks among the deceiver's guiles.
Observe, also, presumption has scanty relish in the Word,
and draws but little strength from prayer, and warms not in the joys of
ordinances. It still seeks pasture amid the weeds and berries of the world.
But if you turn dissatisfied from such food, and have no content in anything
but Christ--if your constant yearning is for more of His presence--more
tokens of His love--more basking in the sunshine of His smiles, you may take
comfort. Such are the actings of true faith. Presumption never thirsts for
such delights.
6. The traveler must expect some cloudy days. So the
Christian pilgrim must be prepared for storms. Providences may seem to
frown. A great fight of affliction must be endured. As wave succeeds to
wave, so trouble may follow trouble. One disappears, another comes, more
trying and severe. Sometimes sickness invades the frame--strength
languishes--the night brings no repose--the day is wearisome in pain.
Sometimes failing health in much-loved friends awakens concern--means of
family support are dried--poverty shows its grim form--the cruse of oil runs
to its last drop--the barrel of meal is exhausted. Perhaps malicious tongues
breathe wicked slanders. Reproach assails the name, and calumny hints
opprobrious surmise. Varied miseries assail in turn, and batter with
pitiless assault. The disconsolate heart is prone to read in these dealings,
signs of heavenly wrath. Gideon's doubt is felt, "If the Lord be with us,
why then is all this befallen us?"--Judg. 6:13. Timidity infers, If God
indeed loves me, if rightly I call Him Father, Protector, Friend, why am I
thus? If He but speak the word, all pains depart--all peace and joy and
blessedness come in. These troubles intimate that I am an alien, and no
child.
But all these doubts are prompted by the father of lies.
The sun is near, though its rays do not appear. The Father's love is no
inconstancy. These dealings may be real mercies. Have you not read "As many
as I love, I rebuke and chasten."--Rev. 3:19. He is not the blessed man who
never knows, but who endures, temptation--for when he is tried he shall
receive the crown of life. Consider the saints of old. May not the present
trial be Paul's thorn? Did not Job suffer more than this? In this affliction
may I not be retracing David's path? A cloud of witnesses have preceded in
this road. Many were their afflictions. Did they perish in them? Out of them
all the Lord delivered them. Perhaps you cannot read God's purpose, yet you
must trust, and still cry, "It is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to
Him."--1 Sam. 3:18.
7. Sometimes the wheels move heavily, being clogged by
fears of final failure. Intelligence is sound--knowledge illumines the
mind--the provisions of the covenant of grace are clearly seen. The work of
grace is real. Repentance is deeply felt. Faith tightly grasps the Savior.
But the full assurance of hope is not admitted. The feet are in the
right path, but clouds obscure the end. There is a lurking dread, lest the
vessel, in which Jesus sits, may yet make shipwreck. What! can it be, that
they who are born of God should die at last in Satan's grasp? What! can his
breath put out the flame of grace? Can the incorruptible seed decay? Can he
who has received everlasting life find it to be everlasting death? Can a son
of God--an heir of promise--lapse into a child of perdition? Let not such
groundless surmise be entertained.
There would indeed be cause for every fear--there would
be slender ground of hope, if saints were left to their own keeping. They
would then fall, as Adam fell in Paradise. They would not keep their high
estate better than apostate angels kept theirs. But they are secure in the
almighty arms of God. Their "life is hidden with Christ in God."--Col. 3:3.
Christ must be spoiled, and God subdued, and heaven ransacked, before saints
can be plucked from their safe custody. They are committed to the
guardian-care of God the Holy Spirit. It is a wondrous word--but not more
full of marvel than of truth, "I will put My spirit within you, and cause
you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments and do them--and
you shall be My people, and I will be your God."--Ezek. 36:27, 28.
When Israel left Egypt, not a hoof might be left behind.
Exod. 10:26. The ark stood still in Jordan, until the entire host had passed
the stream. The promise provides that all God's children shall safely reach
their home. Christ and His members make one body. If but one member perish,
Christ is no longer whole. Christ incomplete is an impossibility. Believer,
realize these solid truths. The covenant, which secures salvation to
Christ's seed, includes each member. The portion in Paradise is doubtless
more happy, but the militants on earth are equally secure. Cling to Christ,
and He will bring you to be with Him where He is.
If fears be thus prone to enter, diligence should bar the
portals of the heart against them. The tremblers are weak. Satan knows this
and strives to despoil us of our strength. Awake to his stratagems, and
vigilantly resist.
1. With this intent renew repentance daily. Be often
in the penitential valley. Cloak not transgressions. Recite with smitten
breast the falls which conscience knows. Bewail their multitude and
magnitude. The weeping eye sweetly beholds the cross. The humbled heart most
quickly hears, "Your sins, which are many, are forgiven--go in peace." The
promises cheer most tenderly such as confess and forsake their sins.
2. Daily draw near to Christ, as if each day's approach
were a new act. Plead, "Lord, if I never came before, now I lie low at
Your feet." Continually cast yourself into His open arms, and enter by faith
into His wounds. Clinging to His side, avow that nothing shall ever part you
from His presence. Be assured that oneness thus cemented is oneness for the
endless life. Draw near, then, and be happy.
3. Review the gracious dealings of preceding days.
Surely memory's casket contains many jewels. Let them not lie neglected.
Bring them to light and profit by their contemplation. Retrace your journey
through the desert land. The guiding pillar has never yet failed. When foes
came forth have not your arms been strengthened to win glorious trophies!
Think of your many escapes, as a bird from the fowler's snare. Has not
sadness disappeared, when the Sun of righteousness arose with healing in His
wings! You have trembled at the thought of hindrance, but the opposing stone
was gone when you drew near.--Mark 16:3-4.
When sinking in the billows the Savior has held forth His
hand, and you sank not. When you were mourning in a captive's cell, the
prison-door flew open untouched. Infuriate Esau has run to your embrace.
These sweet Ebenezers are courage for succeeding days. He, who delivers now,
and has delivered, will deliver to the end. Therefore, gird up the loins of
your mind. Review your mercies and march bravely on.
4. Soar high on wings of PRAISE. Begin on earth the
song of the redeemed. Intermingle now with the harpers harping with their
harps. What motives urge you to this melody! What topics of thanksgiving
throng around you! Verily, they cannot be exhausted. The bliss of adoration
is ever new. The name of Jesus is an ever-budding theme. In it there is
melody without end. Without pause praise His salvation. Bless God
incessantly that you claim Him as your own--that your feet stand on praising
and on praying ground--and that every moment wafts your bark nearer to the
shore of ceaseless hallelujahs. In this blissful exercise fears wither.
Resolve that these songs shall continually be in your mouth, and happiness
will fill your heart.
5. Never hold parlance with your crafty foe. You
cannot sound the depths of his devices. He can transform himself into an
angel of light, and can soon bewilder by his subtleties. Answer him not a
word. Appeal to your Advocate on high. Fly quickly to His sheltering arms.
There nestle as in a mother's close embrace. The tempter cannot then obtain
advantage.
May the loving Spirit so bless these humble words, that
they may lead you to be happy among the happiest, ever rejoicing with the
sons of joy! It should be so. It is sad shame--it is ingratitude, when they,
professing to be Christ's, weep among the woe-worn and downcast. The spies
were punished who brought discouraging report of Canaan's land. Never
misrepresent your gracious Lord. You are high above others in exalted
state--in present privilege--in glorious prospect. Be equally high in happy
walk--in smiling brow--in glowing lip. Let all observers see the coming
glory beaming in your heaven-lit countenance. Let godly words prove that you
are upraised from earth. Thus allure others to your happy walk; and until
heaven's portals open to you, sing for very joy at your own heaven's gate.