Page images
PDF
EPUB

"GRACE! GRACE! UNTO IT."

A GENTLEMAN who had been distin- made was not to be effaced. He sought guished at college for his strict morality, counsel from a neighbouring clergyman amiable disposition, attention to learn- whom he had derided, and whom he ing, and great acquirements, having formerly considered an enthusiast. This taken holy orders, as many young men gentleman, in the true Christian spirit do who are ignorant of the truths of the of kindness, responded to the call, freely gospel, was appointed to officiate in a communicated what he knew, and was parish in the country. He entered on the means of laying open to this awakthe duties of his vocation, and his minis- ened sinner the blessed doctrines of the try was much approved; for he incul- glorious gospel; truths which he had cated on his hearers the proprieties of heretofore refused to believe. On the moral conduct, and the advantages ensuing Sunday the new convert (for so derivable from the preservation of a he must be called) proclaimed from the decorous exterior. He continued to pulpit the change that had taken place. preach in this style for eleven years; He frankly told the people that he had being however one day invited to christen been leading them hitherto in paths of a child at the house of a wealthy parish-error; and boldly preached the gospel The sermon ioner, and requested to make one of the of Christ. was deeply company to dinner, he was placed oppo- affecting, producing a singular effect on site a picture of the crucifixion. Be- some, and making a lasting impression neath the painting were these plain, on others; for nine succeeding Sundays simple, but highly important words- the glad tidings of salvation was proclaimed from the pulpit, but on the Monday after thaeriod had elapsed, the preacher was attacked by cold, and The minister, who had hitherto disre-in twenty-one days from that time "the garded, nay, even ridiculed the doctrine of salvation by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus, was most deeply affected by these memorable lines. They sank deep into his heart, they resounded in his ears, they fixed themselves in his memory, telling him of the love of Jesus, and discovering his base ingratitude in neglecting such a Saviour. He could say but little during dinner; and as soon as he could do so with propriety, he took his leave, and returned home. He retired to bed; sleep had forsaken him the penetrating words still sounded in his ears, and the impression they had

"I did this for thee, What doest thou for me?"

silver cord was loosed;" the minister was no more. On his dying bed he frequently reverted to the words whereby God had awakened him; and eternity, he said, would not be too long to celebrate the praises of that redeeming Saviour who had graciously received such a rebel as himself. What an instance of the free mercy of God! Let us, then, praise His holy name for these gracious declarations, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin ;" "Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out."-Extracted from “ the Portraiture of a Christian."

TRUTH.

TRUTH is the most glorious thing; the least filing of this gold is precious. Truth is ancient; its grey hairs may make it venerable; it comes from Him who is the Ancient of Days.

Truth is unerring; it is the star which leads to Christ. Truth is pure (Psal. cxix. 140); it is compared to silver refined seven times (Psal. xii. 6).

66

There is not the least spot on truth's face; it breathes nothing but sanctity.

Truth is triumphant; it is like a great conqueror; when all its enemies lie dead, it quits the field, and sets up its trophies of victory.

Truth may be opposed, but never quite deposed.-Watson.

A MEDITATION.

Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.".
1 John i. 3.

YES! we met! 'twas heaven's own plat-
form, raised by love divine and infinite.
Not only must our shoes be off our feet,
but flesh and blood must lie aside before
we tread upon such holy ground. A
secret pathway from this vale of tears
lies hid from common sight; but a
sovereign God in sovereign love reveals
in sovereign way that path to whom He
please. These eyes, once blind, He
opened. Vainly I tried to climb the
amazing height some other way (John
x. 1), but when the scales were off my
eyes, I sunk in sad despair; when, lo,
in way I know not, a lovely, heavenly
guide led me to a new and living way
(Heb. x.)-a plain and unmistakeable
way (John xiv. 6), the door, the way;
yea, every step was marked with blood.
Softly, and sometimes sadly, I walked
along this path. Many called and told
me I was wrong, but 'twas all too clear,
too plain to be mistaken; and I rightly
judged and pitied them, that they were
still as blind as I was once.

We met! oh, what an hour! how sweet! how awful! how solemn! yet, how free I was. The Lord Jehovah! the great, unsearchable, invisible, eternal Ŏne—that One who rules in heaven, and orders all on earth according to His will-that One, before whom angels, men, and devils bow-glorious in holiness, mysterious, blending Three in One. Yes, He was there-the eternal Son-the Father's one delight, proof of His wisdom, power, and love-the incarnate Deity-the blessed Jesus; yes, He was there. And I, a worm, a mana worm who often dared, and often dares, to lift its puny head in mad rebellion against the author of its life and every good. Oh, what a meeting! And was that worm, so vile, so hateful, so polluted, hurled from the presence of the holy Ones? No! each seemed to doat on me, as the object of their love; and lavished such expressions, and such tokens of their love, that I became emboldened and was quite at rest; I did not even stand, as servants do in the presence of their master, but sat (Eph.

[ocr errors]

ii. 5, 6), as children do in the presence of a loved and loving father. I did not talk; I seemed to have no cause for prayer, for ten thousand times more blessing was lavished in my lap than I could ask or think (Eph. i. 3). Cause enough for praise I had; yea, too much cause to say a word.

It is not that I was there alone; ten thousand more, unworthy-favoured ones, were sitting near with souls enraptured; no harp had tone enough; no voice was sweet enough; no words were full enough to vent the fulness of these overflowing hearts; yet they were destined still to be more filled. Jehovah's eye was stayed upon His own elect, beloved one; but strongest language faints away in striving to describe that look of love ineffable; delight unspeakable possessed our souls, but infinite delight lies far beyond our comprehension. Our every eye was fixed on Him-most worthy object of Jehovah's joy-the wisdom of God-the power of God, and in whose body dwelt the fulness of the Godhead.

Jehovah "rested in His love;" yet would not rest alone. In admiration of His Son others must join in fellowship with Him; and so, with eye upraised (which rested full on me), and taking in its vision all in heaven, earth, and hell, He said, with voice more sweet, more loud than earth has ever heard, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Heaven's arch unlimited, with joyful echoes rang. Millions of crowns were cast before His feet, and with spontaneous voice we

sang,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing," when every creature gave assent, and said, "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

دو

In way peculiar to Himself the Father further showed His full delight in Jesus. It was He that stood up from all eternity, the Head, the Husband, and

the Champion of His bride, the Church. | Jehovah's thoughts of Christ; and now I try again to give some faint idea of what I see to be the happiness and joy of Jesus' heart.

It was He who humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. It was He who brought in everlasting righteousness. It was He who conquered every foe; trampled on Satan; put away sin; overcame death; barred the gates of hell, and took the keys; opened the gates of heaven to all believers, and then arose triumphant; therefore it is that the Father hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow (Phil. ii. 7-11); yea, He has seated Him at His own right hand, angels, principalities, and powers, being made subject to Him (1 Pet. iii. 22). Nothing seems enough to manifest this satisfaction and delight. He sits-Jehovah Jesus sits, in glory, far above all principality, and power, and every name that is named; but that is not enough. One by one, the purchase of His blood, becomes the conquest of His grace, and, spotless, lovely, and glorious as Himself, is raised to share His glory. Soon every one of His redeemed, with out a hoof behind, shall be with Himlike Him-to see Him as He is, and praise His name for ever; but this is not enough. 'He shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied;" Jehovah will see Him satisfied, yet not Himself be satisfied; no this is not enough His enemies must be made His footstool; Satan and all his followers must bow before His feet, and confess that He is Lord; but this is not enough. A thousand years He'll reign upon the earth, where once He was despised and rejected, and had not where to lay His head; but this is not enough. On, and on, and on, throughout eternity, broad rivers of delight will flow from that exhaustless fountain. Infinite wisdom will be expended-infinite love and power will be exhausted, to make the myriads of redeemed ones full of joy; but still it never seems enough. Jehovah's heart is full to overflowing still. He cannot do enough to show His infinite delight in that "beloved Son."

[ocr errors]

But the half has not been told as yet, nor can I tell it. I have but tried (almost in vain) to tell in earth's poor language, and my poor knowledge of it,

He sits at perfect rest; no wrinkle loiters on His lovely face; no anxious throbbings now disturb His loving, peacefal heart. His work is done; His people's sin is gone, and now He enters fully into all the joy and love of love's pure fountain. He looks upon His Father's face, which, once concealed, was sharper pain than twice ten thousand deaths. He reads-He understands the satisfaction there; and thus exulting says, "It was thou, thyself, O Father, eternal and unchanging one, who formed the plan of love, and gave that bride to me. It was thou who didst prepare that wondrous body, and thou didst send me forth, and then sustain me in the vast, stupendous work; and thou didst raise me from the grave, and give me glory such as this. For thy glory thou hast done it all, and all the glory shall be thine for ever.

By faith he sees the travail of His soul, and is fully satisfied. Yea, He forgets the agony and bloody sweat, for joy that His bride is free, and pure, and happy. One by one He sees His lilies gathered; and as the Father puts them near His heart, He takes them hence to lay them at His Father's feet, who takes them up again and places them as precious jewels in the Saviour's crown. He sees that not many mighty, not many noble, are called, and still He breathes with joy, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight.' "He sees His loved ones toiling in the field of life, and suffering in the furnace of affliction; and though His heart beats high with sympathetic throbs, yet He knows that all is well, and loves to watch the refining process to the end.

But oh, the crowning thought is this, that we, poor sinners, have such fellowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ, that we can enter into so sublime a truth-all glory and thanks to the Holy Ghost we can. It is He who takes of the things of Jesus and shows them unto us. It is He alone can in

fluence our hearts with thoughts of love from whence also we look for the and grace so far beyond our compre- Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who hension. Oh, may He teach us more, shall change our vile body, that it may and enable us feelingly to sit together be fashioned like unto His glorious body, in heavenly places in Christ; to walk according to the working whereby He is more worthy of our high vocation, and able even to subdue all things unto to have " our conversation in heaven, Himself." H. W.

THE WORK IN IRELAND.

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine. REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,--I have P.S. My conviction is, now been a constant reader of your Magazine since 1844, and have helped forward its circulation, and I trust that I have derived considerable benefit from its perusal.

that you

would really learn what the Holy Ghost has taught us in 1 Peter, i., by witnessing a great practical exhibition of verses 7, 8. That chapter, from beginning to end, was very much on my mind whilst in Ireland, and very often read to the converts; and the intense desire to read, mark, and learn, the Word, is most encouraging.

If possible, go down yourself, and I cannot fear the result of your visit. My own soul was particularly refreshed, and many others both from England. and Scotland.

My immediate object in writing is to express my astonishment at your opinion respecting the great awakening in the North of Ireland. I have spent a fortnight there, and visited from house to house and I assure you if you had done the same you would have formed a different judgment. There is as much difference between the people of the North and South as between English [If "G. W." refers to our remarks and Irish. I assure you that a great again, he will see that we have not and marvellous work is going on, in- ignored the work altogether, which his dependent of exciting scenes, such as letter would seem to imply. We you seem to be afraid of. Read the intimated, that the accounts ought to remarks on "Things New and Old" for be received with caution, and that due September and October, and also the allowance should be made for excitement speech of the Right Hon. Earl of Roden and novelty. The very fact of hundreds and others, at Belfast, the other day; and-yea, thousands-visiting the towns then, instead of keeping back from your readers this marvellous work, you will give it a prominence to exhibit the sovereignty of Jehovah's grace. For in all my life I never saw so many proofs that it is not of him that willeth or of him that runneth. I might give many instances of what I have witnessed with my own eyes. Oh, dear friend, take heed how you write or speak a word against the Lord's own work, or I feel sure you will repent afterwards, for I know you would not willingly retard the onward progress of our glorious gospel. May the Lord prosper you in what you preach and what you write, and He shall have the glory.

I remain, yours in Him, G. W. North Egremont, Cheshire.

and villages of Ireland for the purpose of witnessing the Revival, is, in itself, enough to introduce an unnatural element, and would rouse, in the Irish mind especially, no small degree of excitement.

But with all that may be unreal_and merely natural, we are prepared to admit our belief that an important and a genuine work is going on. going on. Moreover, we are of opinion, that that work is antecedent to some manifestation. From our hearts we believe that some great convulsion is near. A crisis is at hand! and, when that crisis shall come, we believe it will shake Christendom to its very centre.-ED.]

THE richest saint is an humble beggar at grace's door all his days.-Traill.

THE SCRIPTURE DOCTRINE OF UNION WITH CHRIST.

BRIEFLY UNFOLDED FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE BELIEVER.

(Continued from page 518.)

THE SCRIPTURE DOCTRINE UNFOLDED.

FROM the fact stated by the apostle, that the resurrection of the believer's body is to be brought about "because of Christ's Spirit that dwelleth in him," we may learn, in the last place, how it is that the resurrection-body is to be, not a soulical but a spiritual body; which is the doctrine fully set forth in the second of the passages we referred to as unfolding the rationale of the first resurrection; and which is in fact only the development of the briefer intimation contained in the passage we have been considering: "But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies because of His Spirit that dwelleth in you."

If we turn, then, to 1 Cor. xv. 3554, we read, "But some men will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die; and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living

:

:

soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

Of this wonderful and comprehensive oracle we shall not here attempt a full and formal exposition; but would briefly direct the reader's attention to the following lessons to be learned from it, and which seem to us to include all that can be safely said upon our subject.

1. The first of these lessons, then, is that natural death, or the separation of the soul and body, is an essential preliminary to the first resurrection. "That which thou sowest is not quickened except it die." Life through"death_is the rule of the kingdom of heaven. Judicial life, or justification from sin, is to be attained only through the vicarious death of the Divine Mediator; and resurrection-life, as it originally sprang up in Christ only by His being "put to death in the flesh," so it attains its consummation in the glorification of the

« PreviousContinue »