Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Nothing could give a greater value to the sacrifice he offered, than the meekness and patience with which he resigned that life which he voluntarily gave up. "He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: hewas brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." Such was his unconquerable patience, that even reproach and calumny, contempt and abuse, from the very persons for whose benefit he laboured, and forwhose salvation he died, excited not his anger but his pity. "And when he was come near Jerusalem, he beheld the city and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." In that dreadful season, in the midst of his hardest conflict, when his soul was "troubled" and sorrowful even unto death, what is his language? "O, my Father! if this cup may not pass from me except I drink it, thy will be done." Here we behold the Divine glory shining through the dark cloud that surrounded him. This was the patience of a God. The view of it constrained even a heathen centurion to exclaim, "Certainly this was a righteous person! Truly this man was the Son of God!"

4. In the last place, the glory of Christ in his sufferings appears from the end to which they were directed, and which was so effectually obtained; namely, the glory of God and the salvation of sinners. It was to do the will of his heavenly Father that he came into the world; and it was his delight, his meat and his drink, to do it. He not only held forth a bright image of the Divine character, full of grace and truth, but, in his work as Me

diator, he illustrated all the perfections of God, and, in particular, he glorified his justice and magnified his mercy. And closely connected with this object was that of effecting the salvation of perishing sinners, an end which ought deeply to impress our hearts. Had not our compassionate Redeemer interposed between us and the stroke of Divine Justice, we had lain for ever under the wrath of the Almighty. How glorious must he appear to every penitent sinner under this view; and with what heartfelt delight and gratitude will he pronounce, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing!"

I come now to make some practical improvement of this important subject.

1. We are here called to admire and adore the unsearchable wisdom and unspeakable love of God. There is a boundless depth in all the ways and works of God, and especially in that of redemption. On a slight view, we are apt to take offence at the Cross; to hide our faces from Him; to be disgusted at an incarnate God, the Lord of Glory, despised and trampled on by a proud Pharisee; the Creator of the universe, standing at the judgment-seat of one of his creatures; the Author of life giving up the ghost. But on a nearer view, we shall be led to admire the harmony of the Divine attributes in the plan of our redemption. Even those which seem to limit each other are by their union here more fully displayed. It is not merely God's goodness and mercy, but his holiness and hatred of sin, nay, his impartial justice, which are glorified by the pardon and salvation of sinners through Christ. By this plan a signal defeat was given to the enemy of our souls, even when he seemed to exult in the success of his designs. Our Lord died indeed; but by his death destroyed

[ocr errors]

him that had the power of death, that is the devil. He was lifted up from the earth as unworthy of a place in it; but it proved to be that he might draw all men unto him. Thus did he join the extreImities of glory and meanness, of power and humiliation; and thus has he afforded matter for the adoring inquiry and admiring gratitude of glorified saints to eternal ages. Nor ought the saints on earth to be 'silent, but begin the song now to him who quitted the glory which he had with the Father, and for their sakes humbled himself to the dust of death.

2. How great is the guilt and the danger of those who, notwithstanding all that Christ has done for them, continue in unbelief and impenitence. It is, indeed, hard to convince men of this; but if they have any belief in the truths of the Gospel, and especially in this great truth, that the Son of God has died for sinners, with what alarm should they reflect on the holiness and justice of God, and his hatred of sin! Did he punish sin so severely in the person of his Son, and will he fail to punish it in the persons of the finally impenitent? If a temporary suffering of the wrath of God was so terrible to our Saviour, who endured it in the greatness of his strength, what must it be to those mortals who lie under it to all eternity, without the least ray of hope or consolation; who will have nothing to support them in their unchanging abode but an accusing conscience, and an utter despair of mercy? And will not the thought of having rejected the Gospel aggravate their guilt and add to their misery? "He that despised Moses's law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, 'suppose ye, shall be be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, "and" hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite

[ocr errors]

unto the Spirit of grace!" "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" The severity of the punishment for rejecting the Gospel will be proportioned to the love and mercy manifested in it. Every drop of that blood which was shed for sinners will be as oil to the flames that consume the im penitent. Christ will continue to administer the Covenant of Grace until the final judgment be pronounced. The same Person whose soul was made an offering for sin, and who groaned on Calvary, shall one day come in his own and his Father's glory. Then "every eye shall see him, and those also that pierced him." How shall his enemies be then able to stand before him, when even in the days of his humiliation those who came to apprehend him fell to the ground at his word? Those who now refuse to be the trophies of his grace, shall then be the monuments of his vengeance. The Jews were favoured, above all other people, with the personal ministry of Christ; but they rejected him, and the judgments that fell upon them were the most terrible ever inflicted on any people. In this they are an example of the fate of a world of impenitent sinners, and shew us what these may expect when the Lord Jesus shall be "revealed from heaven in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now the Saviour stands at the door of our hearts, and knocks for admission : now he beseeches us by his own mercies to be reconciled to God. Then he will put on the terrors of a Judge: and how shall we be able to lift up our eyes towards him if we now trample on his love? Shall we not rather call to the mountains and rocks to fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb? Knowing, therefore, the terrors of the Lord, let us be persuaded to consider the things

that belong to our peace-to "seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near" -to "kiss the Son lest he be angry and we perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."

3. Let the view which has been given of this subject encourage sinners to return to God through Christ. It was for this very end that God laid help for us on One that is mighty. Let then the awakened sinner, who trembles at the prospect of Divine wrath, and who is crying out, "What shall I do to be saved?" contemplate the peace purchased for him with the blood of the Lamb of God. Let him behold, not only his ransom paid, but an Almighty Saviour able and willing to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him. Let none then despair, not merely of mercy, but of recovery from a state of sin, of deliverance from the bondage of corruption, of restoration to the holy image of God. There doubtless are many, who, though they see in some measure the happiness of a state of favour with God, and of holy conformity to his will, yet, finding how strongly their hearts are wedded to the world and its sinful enjoyments, and knowing by experience how unsuccessful their past efforts, made in their own strength, have been to effect their deliverance, sink into a state of hopeless inaction, and refuse to attempt what they cannot accomplish. But such ought to see, that though they can do nothing of themselves, yet through Christ strengthening them they can do all things. He is an Almighty Saviour: he can save to the uttermost. Let them be entreated then, as they value their immortal souls, not to sit still and perish, but to flee to Christ that they may live. And let the real Christian also dread

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 183.

the influence of a self-righteous, self-confident spirit. His grand work is to grow in grace and to subdue his corruptions. This he is still prone to attempt in his own strength; and his failure is apt to beget secret murmurings against God. But let him know and feel more and more this truth, that in us dwelleth no good thing, but that God is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to perfect strength in our weakness. Wherefore let us confide in the almighty power of our Redeemer, who giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might increase th strength.

Lastly, Let what has been said minister to the consolation of the mourning and dejected soul. The Gospel is addressed to weary and heavy laden sinners: it speaks peace to those that mourn. This world is not a state of rest for the children of God. If he afflict them, or even hide his face from them, let them consider that herein they are conformed to their Saviour; and let them imitate his holy submission to his Father's will. Affliction is a part of their portion. Let them receive it as that correction which is necessary and healthful, and let them improve it for the ends it is sent to answer. Let them look to the power and grace of their Redeemer to support them under it, and to work out their deliverance. Let them banish every thought which would lower their sense of the Divine goodness, or weaken their faith in seeking relief. Let them make their unceasing and earnest request to God for his gracious aid and influence, and he, as the God of hope, will, in due time, fill them with all joy and peace in believing, and cause them to abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.-Now, unto him, &c.*

This sermon is abridged from one of Dr. Witherspoon.

X

MISCELLANEOUS.

For the Christian Observer. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Ps. cxxii. 1.

THE current of time rolls rapidly along years and ages are alike impelled by its resistless torrent: one generation passes away-another appears for a little moment, and is gone. Yet Jehovah is the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and amidst the diversified manners and customs of ages and nations, the people of Jehovah are the same. Three thousand years are almost swept away, since David, the man after God's own heart, uttered, in the fulness of his joy, those beautiful and striking words which appear as a motto to this paper; and where has been the man of God, throughout succeeding ages, that has not often echoed back the language of David, and sometimes felt it to be his own?

It has long been the custom of Philander to include, in his Sabbath morning's meditation, the cxxiid Psalm; and he has found it highly beneficial to make it especially the subject of his thoughts, in walking to the house of God.

[ocr errors]

In the vigour of youth, and bless ed with the enjoyment of health, the return of the Sabbath was to him the return of its public services as well as its private engagements; and he had not learned to sympathize with the soul that, from continued and painful absence, longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord." But the season of sickness was at hand, and a Sabbath dawned in which Philander was to be absent from the great congregation. As he communed with his heart upon his bed, the words of David were present to his mind-"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." It was a morning

of anticipated spring:-the sun had risen in cloudless splendour, and beamed through the windows of his chamber; the feathered songsters had commenced their hymns of praise; and, borne upon the gentle gale, the cheerful notes of invitation issued from the sanctuary, calling upon man to prepare a nobler and more acceptable song.

Philander recollected the feelings with which he had so often obeyed the call, and endeavoured to analyze the sources of his joy. It did not escape him that he had felt as a man: yes, for there is in man a social principle which binds him to his fellow-mortals, and bids him seek their sympathy in good as well as evil. He had often rejoiced, that while avoiding the assemblies of the wicked, he could unite with congregations of the righteous. He had felt as an actor in the great theatre of the world; and he had often hailed with delight the return of the Sabbath, as a day of rest from his labours-a season of retirement from the busy scenes of the week-of comparative abstraction from the perplexing cares and anxieties of life. His memory presented a variety of instances, in which the Sabbath had indeed proved to him a day of rest: but this train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the recollection, that it was a day of Divine appointment. For a moment Philander was lost: the pressure of ideas was more than he could sustain. The condescension of the great Creator; the dig nity conferred upon the creature; the various relations subsisting between God and man, together with the obligations they involved: these all rushed into his mind, and overwhelmed him with astonishment and gratitude. He felt that it was indeed the noblest source of honour and of joy, to approach the King of

[ocr errors]

heaven, "to afford him praise, the easiest recompence, and pay him thanks-how due!" He understood. the feeling of a grateful mind, which "owing owes not, but still pays, at once indebted and discharged." He felt it to be not so much the duty of man, as his glory and delight, to sanctify himself and keep the Sabbath of the Lord. But Philander could not forget, that his was the Christian Sabbath; as the thought entered his mind, his eyes became dim with tears-with tears of gratitude and joy. He was suddenly in the temple, prostrate at the altar, at the table of his dying Lord. He felt something of the value of redemption; he recollected the seasons of holy communion with his Saviour; he remembered how his heart had burned within him by the way, and how Jesus had been made known to him in the breaking of bread,-and he burst forth into the song of David, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." His mind dwelt with delight on the glorious plan of salvation: he pursued it through the stages of its progress on earth, and arrived at its consummation in heaven; there he beheld the ransomed sinner standing before the throne of God and the Lamb, freed from sin, and care, and pain, joining the hallelujahs of angels and perfected spirits. He paused-for he felt familiar with the scene: he remembered, that the day of sacred rest had often been cherished, as a type and pledge of that nobler rest which remaineth above: he remem bered that his Sabbath-enjoyments were sometimes felt to be blissful anticipations of the joys of heaven; and full well he recollected, that in this view of the Sabbath, he had especially exclaimed with the holy Psalmist, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."

É. P. S.

[blocks in formation]

TRUTH, when misapplied, or mixed: with error, is more dangerous than falsehood itself. The latter is commonly detected by men of plain understandings: the former may be: clothed in so specious a dress, or may be so much in unison with existing prejudices, as to perplex and unsettle the mind of a sincere but timid inquirer.

This remark was suggested by the perusal of a pamphlet, entitled, "Thoughts on the Tendency of Bible Societies, as affecting the Established Church and Christianity itself, as a reasonable Service, by the Rev. A. O'Callaghan." This pamphlet, I shall not scruple to affirm, abounds in misrepresentation, in illogical and inconclusive reasoning, in unfounded and exaggerated statement. I am well aware that these are strong terms, and ought not to be used unadvisedly: they contain charges which are easily made, and which should therefore be made with the greater caution. How far they are warranted in fact, and justified by a minute and careful examination of the leading principles therein avowed, it will be incumbent upon me in the sequel to shew.

This controversy has been carried on with such unintermitted zeal, that all the topics in debate, it might fairly have been concluded, were exhausted long ago, and the minds of men made up on the subject: that it was, at any rate, useless to re-kindle angry passions by recurrence to the past; since the evil, if it were an evil, was irremediable, or, if the designs of the Bible Society were executed wisely, then the fruits would be daily more and more apparent and convincing, But the opponents of this Society are, it seems, still restless and uneasy: they run the same circle of argument and invective; they renew the attack "verbo mendaci, aut mordaci;" and serve up again

« AnteriorContinuar »