Should not the follies of the world teach me wisdom? The
worldling provides for time—and shall I not provide for eternity? But, how
shall I secure endless felicity—and know my saving interest in God's
unchangeable love?
Well then, may not I, in the language of faith, argue
myself into a firm belief of eternal bliss? and, without delusion, fortify
myself against the attacks of sin, and sallies of unbelief? Has not Christ
come to seek and save the lost? and am not I among the number, and willing
to be sought and saved? Is not the call to all the sons of men without
exception? Why, then, not obey it without contradiction? Am not I commanded
to believe and be saved? Then, have I never believed as yet, or am I
determined never to believe? No! "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief."
Further, has my faith the marks of true faith? Is it a
faith that purifies the heart, and aims at holiness in life? Have I accepted
of Christ on his own terms, of a whole and complete Savior? Then true faith
can never be disappointed, nor the true believer fall finally away, for
"faith is the gift a God," and "the gifts and calling of God are without
repentance."
Now, from the foot of the ladder I ascend, and climb the
sacred steps, until I reach the throne of God, and read the secrets of
eternity, the records of redeeming love.
Hence, if my daily burden be indwelling sin, and if I
strive against the tyrant raging in my bosom—this is a sign of the new
nature; for light and darkness cannot dwell together in perfect peace—but
darkness and darkness struggle not together. Now, will not this say, that I
am partly sanctified; and if sanctified, that I am justified; and if
justified, that I am predestinated; and if predestinated, that I by name am
foreknown in the decree of election? Now—am I not as sure of salvation, as
if I were in heaven already? Can the purpose of God be disannulled? Can the
faithfulness of God fail?
I may doubt, and be in the dark again, respecting my
clearness to my claim—but he will never deny himself. Heaven and earth may,
yes, shall pass away—but his purposes of love, and promises of grace, shall
stand. Can I not trust God in time for the completing of my promised
happiness when time shall be no more, as well as trust him for the
continuation of my consummate felicity in heaven, through eternity itself?
Can times and dates, periods and eras—make any change on God? No! All is
eternity with the unchangeable Jehovah; 'flying time' only respects frail
and dying creatures, such as I am. If, then, I have an interest in his love
now, I shall have it for ever; for though death tears my soul and body
asunder, it shall not touch my state, nor separate me from his love. Now,
what would faith, nay, what would sense have more?
But, there is another security given to my eternal bliss;
for I am elected "in the Beloved." Now, heaven and eternity would look
strange to the believers, if their best friend were not there; and empty to
Christ, if his costly purchase was not there. Yes, my happiness is, as it
were, connected with the happiness of Christ. Now, the Son is eternally
united to the human nature, as Mediator; and there is no jarring between the
human and divine natures, in the person of the Son. There being, therefore,
a sacred oneness between the glorious Head and all his members, there is
also a commonness of felicity, among them; so that the glory which the
Father gives to Christ, he gives to his disciples, and into the very joy of
their Lord all his followers enter. Therefore, in and with an exalted and
glorified Jesus, I shall be eternally blessed. Now, unless I be afraid that
'mystical Christ' can be divided, the divine attributes set a jarring, the
covenant of grace disannulled, and the eternal decrees broken—I may rest in
the sweetest assurance of divine favor, in spite of all the blasts that
earth and hell, and sin and unbelief, can raise!