Part 4

And it is very important in this respect to observe the contrast between the children of God and the surrounding world. With reference to the advent apathy, we have already seen, is to be the leading feature of society. Men will be unconscious and regardless of its approach. But with reference to the world’s progress, even they shall be alarmed. They will be aroused, but not by the hope of Jesus. For look at the description: “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken;” Luke, xxi. 26. These words describe an undefined sense of something coming; a general expectation of some approaching crisis; a feeling of wonder as to what will happen next; a breaking up of former confidence, and a fearful looking after those things which are coming on the earth. Such will be the mind of those who look at things on merely worldly grounds. But now observe the contrasted character of the children of God. “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh;” _v._ 28. Like the men of the world, they look for an approaching crisis, but as men of faith they look beyond it. Like the world they observe the gathering storm; but as believers they fix their eye on Him who governs it. They will study history with their bibles in their hands; they will see in each passing change fresh landmarks, fresh signs of their Lord’s approach. In the sound of war and the advance of error they will hear as it were the distant footsteps of their coming Lord. Prophecies will become clearer and clearer to their view, the book being unsealed according to the words of Daniel, because “the time of the end” is come. Facts will become interpreters, and difficulties be cleared up by the fulfilment of the prophecies; the signs of the advent will become intelligible in history; so that when He comes he will find his servants watching; looking up and lifting up their heads; waiting patiently, yet longing ardently; and ready to welcome their reigning King with the words long since provided for them by the Prophet. “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Believers! ye must be found thus waiting, thus watching. Time is hurrying on; but the men of this world still sleep in apathy. The voice of the watchman fails in rousing them; the signs of the times are neglected and despised by them. But it must not be so with the saints of God. Ye must be listening for his coming footstep; watching and keeping your garments in the midst of seducing error and abounding sin. As the chosen of God, ye must be standing forth for truth; as witnesses for Christ, ye must exalt the sovereignty of the word and of the Lamb; as citizens of the New Jerusalem, ye must be strangers and pilgrims upon earth. Oh! may God grant us all grace that we may be found faithful! May He hold us in his own right hand, and so make us more than conquerors over sin and error! May He take, under his especial care our wives, our children; our brethren, our dear friends, with the whole multitude of his scattered church! May He himself keep them and us in these dangerous days! that so, at his coming, both they and we may be found amongst the blessed company of God’s faithful saints, and, beholding Christ in his glory may be made like him through the omnipotence of his grace!

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THE END.

FOOTNOTES.

{17} For the investigation of these prophecies, see Newton on the Prophecies, or Birks on the First Two Visions of Daniel.

{41} Hence it appears that defect in many of the church’s ministers does not justify separation from its communion. The Scriptures teach us plainly that such defect must be expected when the form and discipline are of the most perfect character.

{51} Is not this a fundamental error in the proposed Evangelical Alliance? It is a human scheme for the incorporation of God’s elect.

{53} It is sometimes argued from these principles that believers are at liberty to disregard ecclesiastical distinctions; and, if justification were the only object which the Christian has in view, there might be some foundation for the conclusion. But the justified believer is living for a further and higher end, _viz._ a perfect conformity to the whole mind and will of God, and this latter is the standard to which all practical questions should be referred. In such cases the question is not “How does it affect my justification?” but, “Is it agreeable to God’s will? and will it promote his glory?” Thus the importance of a Scriptural church discipline is not in the least affected by the principle that grace may prevail without it; nor is dissent necessarily justifiable because the dissenter may be justified. All believers are not always right in all things. Early education, early prejudice, or the sad defects and blemishes, which are too often seen in the human acting out of Scriptural principles, may serve to warp both the judgment and the will even of the child of God. Thus it is that a man may be safe in his union with Christ, and yet wrong in his want of union with the Episcopal church. Thus also we may regard such an one as a brother in Christ, while we are bound to protest against what we believe unscriptural in the system of his ministry.