He Will Burn Up The Chaff With Unquenchable Fire # 2
And where is there warrant for saying that hell can ever change a heart, or make it fit for Heaven? hell must be eternal, or hell would cease to be hell altogether. Give a man hope - and he will bear anything. Grant a hope of deliverance, however distant - and hell is but a drop of water. Ah, reader, these are solemn things!
FOREVER is the most solemn word in the Bible! Alas, for that day which shall have no tomorrow! That day when men shall seek death, and not find it, and shall desire to die - but death shall flee from them! Who shall dwell with devouring fire! Who shall dwell with everlasting burnings!
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell is a subject that ought not be be kept back. It is striking to observe the many texts about it in Scripture. It is striking to observe that none say so much about it as our Lord Jesus Christ, that gracious and merciful Saviour; and the apostle John, whose heart seems full of love. Truly it may well be doubted whether we ministers speak of it as much as we ought. I cannot forget the words of a dying hearer of Mr. Newton's - "Sir, you often told me of Christ and salvation; why did you not oftener remind me of hell and danger?"
Let others be silent about hell if they will - I dare not do so. I see it plainly in Scripture, and I must speak of it. I fear that thousands are on that broad way that leads to it, and I would sincerely arouse them to a sense of the peril before them. What ought to be said of us as ministers, if we call ourselves watchmen for souls, and yet see the fires of hell raging in the distance - and never give the alarm? Call it bad taste, if you like, to speak of hell. Call it charity to make things pleasant, and speak smoothly, and soothe men with a constant lullaby of peace. From such notions of taste and charity - may I ever be delivered! My notion of charity is to warn men plainly of danger! My notion of taste in the ministerial office, is to declare all the counsel of God. If I never spoke of hell - I would think I had kept back something that was profitable - and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil!
Reader, I beseech you, in all tender affection, beware of false views of the subject on which I have been dwelling. Beware of new and strange doctrines about hell and the eternity of punishment. Beware of manufacturing a God of your own; a God who is all mercy - but not "just"; a God who is all love - but not holy; a God who has a Heaven for everybody - but a hell for none; a God who can allow good and evil to be side by side in time - but will make no distinction between good and evil in eternity. Such a God is an idol of your own imagination! It is as true an idol as any snake. The hands of your own imagination and sentimentality have him. He is not the God of the Bible - and beside the God of the Bible - there is no god at all. A Heaven containing all sorts of sinful people, would be miserable discord indeed. Alas, for the eternity of such a Heaven, there would be little difference between it and hell! Ah, dear reader, there is a hell! There is a fire for the chaff! Take heed, lest you find it out to your cost too late!
Beware of forming fanciful theories of your own, and then trying to make the Bible square with them. Beware of making selections from your Bible to suit your taste - refusing, like a spoiled child, whatever you think bitter. What does it amount to but telling God, that you, a poor short-lived worm - know better than He? It will not do! You must take the Bible as it is. You must read it all, and believe it all. You must come to the reading of it in the spirit of a little child. Dare not to say, "I believe this verse, for I like it. I reject that, for I do not like it. I receive this, for I can agree with it. I refuse that, for I cannot reconcile it with my views." Nay! but O man, who are you that replies against God? By what right do you talk in this way? Surely, it were better to say over every chapter in the Word, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening!" Ah, reader, if men would do this, they would never deny hell, the chaff, and the fire!
~J. C. Ryle~
(The End)
Saturday, July 28, 2018
He Will Burn Up The Chaff With Unquenchable Fire! # 1
He Will Burn Up The Chaff With Unquenchable Fire! # 1
"He will gather His wheat into the barn - but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!" (Matthew 3:12).
This text describes in words, which should make our ears tingle - Christ shall "burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!"
When the Lord Jesus Christ comes to purge His threshing floor - He shall punish all who are not His disciples with a fearful punishment. All who are found impenitent and unbelieving - all who have held the truth in unrighteousness - all who have clung to sin, stuck to the world, and set their affection on things below - all who are without Christ. All such shall come to an awful end! Christ shall "burn up the chaff!"
Their punishment shall be most SEVERE. There is no pain like that of burning. Fire is the most destructive and devouring of all elements. Creatures can live in air, and earth, and water - but nothing can live in fire! Yet firs is the portion to which the Christless and unbelieving will come.
Their punishment shall be ETERNAL. Millions of ages shall pass away, and the fire into which the chaff is cast, shall still burn on. That fire shall never burn low and become dim. The fuel of that fire shall never waste away and be consumed. It is "unquenchable fire."
Oh reader, these are sad and painful things to speak of! I have no pleasure in dwelling on them. I could rather say with the apostle Paul, "I have great sorrow." But they are things written for our learning, and it is good to consider them. They are a part of that Scripture which is all profitable, and they ought to be heard. As painful as the subject of hell is - it is one about which I dare not, cannot, must not be silent. Who would desire to speak of hell-fire - if God had not spoken of it? When God has spoken of it so plainly - who can safely hold his peace?
I dare not shut my eyes to the fact, that a deep-rooted infidelity lurks in men's minds on the subject of hell. I see it oozing out in the utter apathy of some - they eat, and drink, and sleep - as if there was no wrath to come! I see it creeping forth in the coldness of others about their neighbor's souls - they show little concern to pluck brands from the fire. I desire to denounce such infidelity with all my might. Believing that there are terrors of the Lord, as well as the recompense of reward - I call upon all who profess to believe the Bible, to be on their guard.
I know that some do not believe there is any hell at all. They think it impossible there can be such a place. They call it inconsistent with the mercy of God. They say it is too dreadful an idea to be really true. The devil of course rejoices in the views of such people. They help his kingdom mightily. They are preaching up his favorite old doctrine, "You shall not surely die!"
I know furthermore, that some do no believe that hell is eternal. They tell us it is incredible that a compassionate God will punish men forever. He will surely open the prison-doors at last. This also is a mighty help to the devil's cause. "Take your ease," he whispers to sinners - "if you do make a mistake, never mind, it is not forever."
I know also that some believe that there is a hell - but never allow that anybody is going there! All people with them are "good" as soon as they die - all were sincere - all meant well - and all, they hope, got to Heaven. Alas, what a common delusion is this! I can well understand the feeling of the little girl who asked her mother where all the wicked people were buried, "for she found no mention on the gravestones of any except the good."
And I know very well that some believe there is a hell - but never like it to be spoken of. It is a subject that should always be kept back. They see no profit in bringing it forward, and are rather shocked when it is mentioned. This also is an immense help to the devil. "Hush, hush!" says satan, "say nothing about hell." The fowler wishes to hear no noise when he lays his snare. The wolf would like the shepherd to sleep while he prowls round the fold. Just so, the devil rejoices when Christians are silent about hell.
Reader, all these notions are the opinions of man. What is it to you and I - what man thinks in religion? Man will not judge us at the last day. Man's fancies and traditions are not to be our guide in this life. There is but one point to be settled - What says the Word of God?"
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell is real and true. It is as true as Heaven - as true as justification by faith - as true as the fact that Christ died upon the Cross. There is not a fact or doctrine which you may not lawfully doubt - if you doubt hell, disbelieve hell - and you unscrew, unsettle, and unpin everything in Scripture! You may as well throw your Bible away at once. From "no hell" to "no God" there is but a series of steps.
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell will have inhabitants. The wicked shall certainly be turned into hell, and all the people that forget God. These will go away into everlasting punishment. The same blessed Saviour who now sits on a throne of grace, will one day sit on a throne of judgment - and men will see there is such a thing as "the wrath of the Lamb!" The same lips which now say "Come - come unto Me," will one day say "Depart from Me, you who are cursed!" Alas, how awful the thought of being condemned by Christ Himself - judged by our Saviour; sentenced to eternally misery - by the Lamb!
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell will be intense and unutterable woe. It is vain to talk of all the expressions about being only figures of speech. The pit, the prison, the worm, the fire, the thirst, the blackness, the darkness, the weeping, the gnashing of teeth, the second death - all these may be figures of speech if you please. But Bible figures mean something, beyond all question - and here they mean something which man's mind can never fully conceive. Oh, reader, the miseries of mind and conscience, are far worse than those of the body! The whole extent of hell, the present suffering, the bitter recollection of the past, the hopeless prospect of the future - will never be thoroughly known, except by those who go there!
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell is eternal. It must be eternal, or words have no meaning at all. Forever and ever; everlasting; unquenchable; never-dying - all these are expressions used about hell, and expressions that cannot be explained away. It must be eternal, or the very foundations of Heaven are cast down. If hell has an end - then Heaven has an end too. They both stand or fall together. It must be, or else every doctrine of the Gospel is undermined. If a man may escape hell at length without faith in Christ, or sanctification of the Spirit - then sin is no longer an infinite evil, and there is no such great need for Christ making an atonement!
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
"He will gather His wheat into the barn - but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!" (Matthew 3:12).
This text describes in words, which should make our ears tingle - Christ shall "burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!"
When the Lord Jesus Christ comes to purge His threshing floor - He shall punish all who are not His disciples with a fearful punishment. All who are found impenitent and unbelieving - all who have held the truth in unrighteousness - all who have clung to sin, stuck to the world, and set their affection on things below - all who are without Christ. All such shall come to an awful end! Christ shall "burn up the chaff!"
Their punishment shall be most SEVERE. There is no pain like that of burning. Fire is the most destructive and devouring of all elements. Creatures can live in air, and earth, and water - but nothing can live in fire! Yet firs is the portion to which the Christless and unbelieving will come.
Their punishment shall be ETERNAL. Millions of ages shall pass away, and the fire into which the chaff is cast, shall still burn on. That fire shall never burn low and become dim. The fuel of that fire shall never waste away and be consumed. It is "unquenchable fire."
Oh reader, these are sad and painful things to speak of! I have no pleasure in dwelling on them. I could rather say with the apostle Paul, "I have great sorrow." But they are things written for our learning, and it is good to consider them. They are a part of that Scripture which is all profitable, and they ought to be heard. As painful as the subject of hell is - it is one about which I dare not, cannot, must not be silent. Who would desire to speak of hell-fire - if God had not spoken of it? When God has spoken of it so plainly - who can safely hold his peace?
I dare not shut my eyes to the fact, that a deep-rooted infidelity lurks in men's minds on the subject of hell. I see it oozing out in the utter apathy of some - they eat, and drink, and sleep - as if there was no wrath to come! I see it creeping forth in the coldness of others about their neighbor's souls - they show little concern to pluck brands from the fire. I desire to denounce such infidelity with all my might. Believing that there are terrors of the Lord, as well as the recompense of reward - I call upon all who profess to believe the Bible, to be on their guard.
I know that some do not believe there is any hell at all. They think it impossible there can be such a place. They call it inconsistent with the mercy of God. They say it is too dreadful an idea to be really true. The devil of course rejoices in the views of such people. They help his kingdom mightily. They are preaching up his favorite old doctrine, "You shall not surely die!"
I know furthermore, that some do no believe that hell is eternal. They tell us it is incredible that a compassionate God will punish men forever. He will surely open the prison-doors at last. This also is a mighty help to the devil's cause. "Take your ease," he whispers to sinners - "if you do make a mistake, never mind, it is not forever."
I know also that some believe that there is a hell - but never allow that anybody is going there! All people with them are "good" as soon as they die - all were sincere - all meant well - and all, they hope, got to Heaven. Alas, what a common delusion is this! I can well understand the feeling of the little girl who asked her mother where all the wicked people were buried, "for she found no mention on the gravestones of any except the good."
And I know very well that some believe there is a hell - but never like it to be spoken of. It is a subject that should always be kept back. They see no profit in bringing it forward, and are rather shocked when it is mentioned. This also is an immense help to the devil. "Hush, hush!" says satan, "say nothing about hell." The fowler wishes to hear no noise when he lays his snare. The wolf would like the shepherd to sleep while he prowls round the fold. Just so, the devil rejoices when Christians are silent about hell.
Reader, all these notions are the opinions of man. What is it to you and I - what man thinks in religion? Man will not judge us at the last day. Man's fancies and traditions are not to be our guide in this life. There is but one point to be settled - What says the Word of God?"
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell is real and true. It is as true as Heaven - as true as justification by faith - as true as the fact that Christ died upon the Cross. There is not a fact or doctrine which you may not lawfully doubt - if you doubt hell, disbelieve hell - and you unscrew, unsettle, and unpin everything in Scripture! You may as well throw your Bible away at once. From "no hell" to "no God" there is but a series of steps.
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell will have inhabitants. The wicked shall certainly be turned into hell, and all the people that forget God. These will go away into everlasting punishment. The same blessed Saviour who now sits on a throne of grace, will one day sit on a throne of judgment - and men will see there is such a thing as "the wrath of the Lamb!" The same lips which now say "Come - come unto Me," will one day say "Depart from Me, you who are cursed!" Alas, how awful the thought of being condemned by Christ Himself - judged by our Saviour; sentenced to eternally misery - by the Lamb!
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell will be intense and unutterable woe. It is vain to talk of all the expressions about being only figures of speech. The pit, the prison, the worm, the fire, the thirst, the blackness, the darkness, the weeping, the gnashing of teeth, the second death - all these may be figures of speech if you please. But Bible figures mean something, beyond all question - and here they mean something which man's mind can never fully conceive. Oh, reader, the miseries of mind and conscience, are far worse than those of the body! The whole extent of hell, the present suffering, the bitter recollection of the past, the hopeless prospect of the future - will never be thoroughly known, except by those who go there!
Do you believe the Bible? Then depend upon it, hell is eternal. It must be eternal, or words have no meaning at all. Forever and ever; everlasting; unquenchable; never-dying - all these are expressions used about hell, and expressions that cannot be explained away. It must be eternal, or the very foundations of Heaven are cast down. If hell has an end - then Heaven has an end too. They both stand or fall together. It must be, or else every doctrine of the Gospel is undermined. If a man may escape hell at length without faith in Christ, or sanctification of the Spirit - then sin is no longer an infinite evil, and there is no such great need for Christ making an atonement!
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
Few Saved # 5
Few Saved # 5
(d) Let us set aside, in the next place, all those who are formalists and self-righteous. I mean by this expression, those who value themselves on their own regularity in the use of the forms of Christianity, and depend either directly or indirectly on their own doings for their acceptance with God. I mean all who rest their souls on any work but the work of Christ, or any righteousness but the righteousness of Christ. Of such the Apostle Paul has expressly testified, "By the deeds of the law shall no flesh living be justified." "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:20; 1 Corinthians 3:11). And dare we say, in the face of such texts, that such as these will be saved? The answer is plain to my own mind - In their present condition they will not.
(e) Let us set aside, in the next place, all those who know the Gospel with their heads - but do not obey it with their hearts. These are those unhappy people who have eyes to see the way of life - but have not will or courage to walk in it. They approve sound doctrine. They will not listen to preaching which does not contain it. But the fear of man, or the cares of the world, or the love of money, or the dread of offending relations, perpetually holds them back. They will not come out boldly, and take up the cross, and confess Christ before people. Of these also the Bible speaks expressly, "Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone." To him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin." If any man is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." (James 2:17; 4:17; Luke 9:26). Shall we say that such as these will be saved? The answer is clear to my own mind - In their present condition they will not.
(f) Let us set aside, in the last place, all those who are hypocritical professors. I mean by that expression, all those whose religion consists in talk and high profession, and in nothing besides. These are they of whom the prophet Ezekiel speaks, saying, "With their mouth they show much love - but their heart goes after their covetousness." "They profess that they know God - but in works they have not the power of it." (Ezek. 33:31; Titus 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:5). They are saints at church, and saints to talk to in public. But they are not saints in private, and in their own homes; and worst of all, they are not saints in heart. There can be no dispute about such people. Shall we say that they will be saved? There can only be one answer - In their present condition they will not.
And now, after setting aside these classes which I have described, I ask any sensible thinking reader to tell me how many people in any church will there be left behind? How many, after sifting a church thoroughly and honestly - how many men and women will remain who are in a way to be saved? How many true penitents - how many real believers in Christ, how many truly holy people will there be found? I put it to the conscience of every reader of this volume to give an honest answer, as in the sight of God. I ask you whether, after sifting a church with the Bible in the fashion described, you can come to any conclusion but this, that few people - sadly few people, are in a way to be saved?
It is a painful conclusion to arrive at - but I know not how it can be avoided. It is a fearful and tremendous thought, that there should be so many churchmen, across the whole world, and so many dissenters, so many seat-holders, and so many pew-renters, so many hearers, and so many communicants - and yet, after all, so few in a way to be saved! But the only question is, "Is it not true?" It is vain to shut our eyes against facts. It is useless to pretend not to see what is going on around us. The statements of the Bible and the facts of the world we live in will lead us to the same conclusion - Many are being lost, and few being saved!
(a) I know well that many do not believe what I am saying, because they think there is an immense quantity of death-bed repentance. They flatter themselves that multitudes who do not live religious lives will yet die religious deaths. They take comfort in the thought that vast numbers of people turn to God in their last illness and are saved at the eleventh hour. I will only remind such people that all the experience of ministers is utterly against the theory. People generally die just as they have lived.True repentance is never too late - but repentance deferred to the last hours of life is seldom true. A man's life is the surest evidence of his spiritual state, and if lives are to be witnesses, then few are likely to be saved.
(b) I know well that many do not believe what I am saying, because they imagine that it contradicts the mercy of God. They dwell on the love to sinners which the Gospel reveals. They point to the offers of pardon and forgiveness which abound in the Bible. They ask us if we maintain, in the face of all this, that only few people will be saved. I answer, I will go as far as anyone in exalting God's mercy in Christ - but I cannot shut my eyes against the fact that this mercy profits no man as long as it is wilfully refused. I see nothing lacking, on God's part, for man's salvation. I see room in heaven for the chief of sinners. I see willingness in Christ to receive the most ungodly. I see power in the Holy Spirit to renew the most ungodly. But I see, on the other hand, desperate unbelief in man - he will not believe what God tells him in the Bible. I see desperate pride in man - he will not bow his heart to receive the Gospel as a little child. I see desperate sloth in man - he will not take the trouble to arise and call upon God. I see desperate worldliness in man - he will not loose his hold on the poor perishable things of time, and consider eternity. In short, I see the words of our Lord continually verified, "You will not come unto Me, that you might have life" (John 5:40), and therefore I am driven to the sorrowful conclusion that few are likely to be saved.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 6)
(d) Let us set aside, in the next place, all those who are formalists and self-righteous. I mean by this expression, those who value themselves on their own regularity in the use of the forms of Christianity, and depend either directly or indirectly on their own doings for their acceptance with God. I mean all who rest their souls on any work but the work of Christ, or any righteousness but the righteousness of Christ. Of such the Apostle Paul has expressly testified, "By the deeds of the law shall no flesh living be justified." "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:20; 1 Corinthians 3:11). And dare we say, in the face of such texts, that such as these will be saved? The answer is plain to my own mind - In their present condition they will not.
(e) Let us set aside, in the next place, all those who know the Gospel with their heads - but do not obey it with their hearts. These are those unhappy people who have eyes to see the way of life - but have not will or courage to walk in it. They approve sound doctrine. They will not listen to preaching which does not contain it. But the fear of man, or the cares of the world, or the love of money, or the dread of offending relations, perpetually holds them back. They will not come out boldly, and take up the cross, and confess Christ before people. Of these also the Bible speaks expressly, "Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone." To him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin." If any man is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." (James 2:17; 4:17; Luke 9:26). Shall we say that such as these will be saved? The answer is clear to my own mind - In their present condition they will not.
(f) Let us set aside, in the last place, all those who are hypocritical professors. I mean by that expression, all those whose religion consists in talk and high profession, and in nothing besides. These are they of whom the prophet Ezekiel speaks, saying, "With their mouth they show much love - but their heart goes after their covetousness." "They profess that they know God - but in works they have not the power of it." (Ezek. 33:31; Titus 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:5). They are saints at church, and saints to talk to in public. But they are not saints in private, and in their own homes; and worst of all, they are not saints in heart. There can be no dispute about such people. Shall we say that they will be saved? There can only be one answer - In their present condition they will not.
And now, after setting aside these classes which I have described, I ask any sensible thinking reader to tell me how many people in any church will there be left behind? How many, after sifting a church thoroughly and honestly - how many men and women will remain who are in a way to be saved? How many true penitents - how many real believers in Christ, how many truly holy people will there be found? I put it to the conscience of every reader of this volume to give an honest answer, as in the sight of God. I ask you whether, after sifting a church with the Bible in the fashion described, you can come to any conclusion but this, that few people - sadly few people, are in a way to be saved?
It is a painful conclusion to arrive at - but I know not how it can be avoided. It is a fearful and tremendous thought, that there should be so many churchmen, across the whole world, and so many dissenters, so many seat-holders, and so many pew-renters, so many hearers, and so many communicants - and yet, after all, so few in a way to be saved! But the only question is, "Is it not true?" It is vain to shut our eyes against facts. It is useless to pretend not to see what is going on around us. The statements of the Bible and the facts of the world we live in will lead us to the same conclusion - Many are being lost, and few being saved!
(a) I know well that many do not believe what I am saying, because they think there is an immense quantity of death-bed repentance. They flatter themselves that multitudes who do not live religious lives will yet die religious deaths. They take comfort in the thought that vast numbers of people turn to God in their last illness and are saved at the eleventh hour. I will only remind such people that all the experience of ministers is utterly against the theory. People generally die just as they have lived.True repentance is never too late - but repentance deferred to the last hours of life is seldom true. A man's life is the surest evidence of his spiritual state, and if lives are to be witnesses, then few are likely to be saved.
(b) I know well that many do not believe what I am saying, because they imagine that it contradicts the mercy of God. They dwell on the love to sinners which the Gospel reveals. They point to the offers of pardon and forgiveness which abound in the Bible. They ask us if we maintain, in the face of all this, that only few people will be saved. I answer, I will go as far as anyone in exalting God's mercy in Christ - but I cannot shut my eyes against the fact that this mercy profits no man as long as it is wilfully refused. I see nothing lacking, on God's part, for man's salvation. I see room in heaven for the chief of sinners. I see willingness in Christ to receive the most ungodly. I see power in the Holy Spirit to renew the most ungodly. But I see, on the other hand, desperate unbelief in man - he will not believe what God tells him in the Bible. I see desperate pride in man - he will not bow his heart to receive the Gospel as a little child. I see desperate sloth in man - he will not take the trouble to arise and call upon God. I see desperate worldliness in man - he will not loose his hold on the poor perishable things of time, and consider eternity. In short, I see the words of our Lord continually verified, "You will not come unto Me, that you might have life" (John 5:40), and therefore I am driven to the sorrowful conclusion that few are likely to be saved.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 6)
This Sacred Anointing (and others)
This Sacred Anointing (and others)
"But you have an anointing from the Holy One" (1 John 2:20.
Wherever the anointing of the Holy One touches a man's heart it spreads, widening and extending its operations. It thus communicates divine gifts and graces wherever it comes. It bestows and draws out faith, gives repentance and godly sorrow, causes secret self-loathing, and separation from the world, draws the affections upwards, makes sin hated, and Jesus and His salvation loved.
Wherever the anointing of the Holy Spirit touches a man's heart it diffuses itself through his whole soul, and makes him wholly a new creature. It gives new motives, communicates new feelings, enlarges and melts the heart, and spiritualizes and draws the affections upwards.
Without this sacred anointing all our religion is a bubble, all our profession a lie, and all our hopes will end in despair.
O what a mercy to have one drop of this heavenly anointing!
To enjoy one heavenly feeling! To taste the least measure of Christ's love shed abroad in the heart! What an unspeakable mercy to have one touch, one glimpse, one glance, one communication out of the fullness of Him who fills all in all!
By this anointing from the Holy One, the children of God are supported under afflictions, perplexities, and sorrows.
By this anointing from the Holy One, they see the hand of God in every chastisement, in every providence, in every trial, in every grief, and in every burden.
By this anointing from the Holy One they can bear chastisement with meekness; and put their mouth in the dust, humbling themselves under the mighty hand of God.
Every good word, every good work, every gracious thought, every holy desire, every spiritual feeling do we owe to this one thing: the anointing of the Holy One.
~J. C. Philpot~
_________________________
The Workings of Grace In The Heart
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell whee it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).
The workings of grace in the heart are utterly mysterious and unsearchable.
We cannot explain why the Word produces effects on one person in a congregation, and not upon another.
We cannot explain why, in some cases; with every possible advantage, and in spite of every entreaty; people reject the Word, and continue dead in trespasses and sins.
We cannot explain why in other cases; with every possible difficulty, and with no encouragement; people are born again, and become decided Christians.
We cannot define the manner in which the Spirit of God conveys life to a soul, and the exact process by which a believer receives a new nature. All these things are hidden to us. We see certain results, but we can go no further.
This is deeply instructive. It is humbling no doubt to ministers, and teachers of others. The highest abilities, the most powerful preaching, the most diligent working, cannot command success.
God alone can give spiritual life.
But it is a truth at the same time, which supplies an admirable antidote to excessive anxiety and despondency. Our principle work is to sow the seed. That done, we may wait with faith and patience for the result. We may leave our work with the Lord. He alone can, if He thinks fit, give success.
~J. C. Ryle~
___________________________
Wrought With Divine Power
"Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1 Thess. 1:5).
Most men's religion is nothing else but a round of forms - some have their doings, some have their doctrines, and others have their duties. And when the one has performed his doings, the other learned his doctrines, and the third discharged his duties - why, he is as good a Christian, he thinks as anybody. While all the time, the poor deceived creature is thoroughly ignorant of the kingdom of God, which stands not in simply in word - but in power.
But as the veil of ignorance is taken off the heart, we begin to see and feel that their is a power in vital godliness - a reality in the teachings of the Spirit - that religion is not to be put on and put off as a man puts on and off his Sunday clothes.
Where vital godliness is wrought with divine power in a man's heart, and preached by the Holy Spirit into his conscience - it mingles, daily and often hourly, with his thoughts - entwines itself with his feelings - and becomes the very food and drink of his soul.
Now when a man comes to this spot - to see and feel what a reality there is in the things of God made manifest in the conscience by the power of the Holy Spirit - it effectually takes him out of dead churches, cuts him off from false ministers, winnows the chaff from the wheat, and brings him into close communion with the the family of God.
Our Gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
~J. C. Philpot~
"But you have an anointing from the Holy One" (1 John 2:20.
Wherever the anointing of the Holy One touches a man's heart it spreads, widening and extending its operations. It thus communicates divine gifts and graces wherever it comes. It bestows and draws out faith, gives repentance and godly sorrow, causes secret self-loathing, and separation from the world, draws the affections upwards, makes sin hated, and Jesus and His salvation loved.
Wherever the anointing of the Holy Spirit touches a man's heart it diffuses itself through his whole soul, and makes him wholly a new creature. It gives new motives, communicates new feelings, enlarges and melts the heart, and spiritualizes and draws the affections upwards.
Without this sacred anointing all our religion is a bubble, all our profession a lie, and all our hopes will end in despair.
O what a mercy to have one drop of this heavenly anointing!
To enjoy one heavenly feeling! To taste the least measure of Christ's love shed abroad in the heart! What an unspeakable mercy to have one touch, one glimpse, one glance, one communication out of the fullness of Him who fills all in all!
By this anointing from the Holy One, the children of God are supported under afflictions, perplexities, and sorrows.
By this anointing from the Holy One, they see the hand of God in every chastisement, in every providence, in every trial, in every grief, and in every burden.
By this anointing from the Holy One they can bear chastisement with meekness; and put their mouth in the dust, humbling themselves under the mighty hand of God.
Every good word, every good work, every gracious thought, every holy desire, every spiritual feeling do we owe to this one thing: the anointing of the Holy One.
~J. C. Philpot~
_________________________
The Workings of Grace In The Heart
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell whee it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).
The workings of grace in the heart are utterly mysterious and unsearchable.
We cannot explain why the Word produces effects on one person in a congregation, and not upon another.
We cannot explain why, in some cases; with every possible advantage, and in spite of every entreaty; people reject the Word, and continue dead in trespasses and sins.
We cannot explain why in other cases; with every possible difficulty, and with no encouragement; people are born again, and become decided Christians.
We cannot define the manner in which the Spirit of God conveys life to a soul, and the exact process by which a believer receives a new nature. All these things are hidden to us. We see certain results, but we can go no further.
This is deeply instructive. It is humbling no doubt to ministers, and teachers of others. The highest abilities, the most powerful preaching, the most diligent working, cannot command success.
God alone can give spiritual life.
But it is a truth at the same time, which supplies an admirable antidote to excessive anxiety and despondency. Our principle work is to sow the seed. That done, we may wait with faith and patience for the result. We may leave our work with the Lord. He alone can, if He thinks fit, give success.
~J. C. Ryle~
___________________________
Wrought With Divine Power
"Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1 Thess. 1:5).
Most men's religion is nothing else but a round of forms - some have their doings, some have their doctrines, and others have their duties. And when the one has performed his doings, the other learned his doctrines, and the third discharged his duties - why, he is as good a Christian, he thinks as anybody. While all the time, the poor deceived creature is thoroughly ignorant of the kingdom of God, which stands not in simply in word - but in power.
But as the veil of ignorance is taken off the heart, we begin to see and feel that their is a power in vital godliness - a reality in the teachings of the Spirit - that religion is not to be put on and put off as a man puts on and off his Sunday clothes.
Where vital godliness is wrought with divine power in a man's heart, and preached by the Holy Spirit into his conscience - it mingles, daily and often hourly, with his thoughts - entwines itself with his feelings - and becomes the very food and drink of his soul.
Now when a man comes to this spot - to see and feel what a reality there is in the things of God made manifest in the conscience by the power of the Holy Spirit - it effectually takes him out of dead churches, cuts him off from false ministers, winnows the chaff from the wheat, and brings him into close communion with the the family of God.
Our Gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
~J. C. Philpot~
Saturday, July 21, 2018
It Will Even Make the Cross of Christ Into a Pedestal on Which to rerect its Deformed Visage!
It Will Even Make the Cross of Christ Into a Pedestal on Which to Erect Its Deformed Visage!
An attribute in the formation of an elevated standard of ministerial holiness - too essential and important to be overlooked - is a growing humbleness of mind.
Where is the spiritual minister of Christ who has not detected the latent existence, and who has not had to struggle against - the secret workings of the sin of pride? It is so insidious and powerful a sin - and is so exhilarating in the sensations it produces - that few are more liable to be enamored by its fair exterior, and ensnared by its specious and seductive form - than the minister of the gospel! And yet, pride is an evil more calculated to feed as a canker worm at the root of his ministry! A sin more loathed of God, against which His denunciations are more severely recorded, on which His wrath has more signally and fearfully fallen - is not fount to exist! Pride originated the first form of evil that ever existed - and it constitutes, at this moment, the great center of rebellion against God on earth!
Thus, the identical sin which we find to form so impregnable a stronghold of satan in the hearts of the unregenerate, and which has so sadly wounded the peace, retarded the prosperity, and deformed the beauty of Christ's Church - is the sin most rife in our own bosoms!
Its classifications are many. Among them may be specified the pride of office, the pride of denomination, the pride of knowledge, the pride of talent, the pride of scholarship, the pride of influence, the pride of orthodoxy, the pride of eloquence, the pride of pulpit, the pride of platform, the pride of success, and the pride of applause.
Pride is a protean evil - assuming a thousand varied and opposite forms! It will insinuate itself into the most spiritual and solemn of our services. There is no soil so holy - in which its root will not strike. There is no employment so sacred - on which it will not engraft itself. It will even make the Cross of Christ into a pedestal on which to erect its deformed visage! Yes, while exalting Jesus - we may be found but exalting ourselves! And while exclaiming, "Behold the Lamb of God!" - we may be but veiling His true glory behind our insignificant persons; virtually exclaiming, "Behold my talents, my eloquence, and my zeal!" We are often guilty of the awful sin of self-exaltation - while setting forth the person, work, glory and humiliation of the Son of God!
Is thee not in us, my brethren, a manifest deficiency of the humble, self-annihilating spirit of the divine Master whom we serve - and whom it should be our aim and glory to resemble? In maintaining our position in the Church - may there not be a lofty deportment, an air of self-sufficiency and importance - utterly at variance with the "mind that was in Christ Jesus?" Is there not an unholy ostentation, and a desire for self-promotion - in much that we do for Christ?
Is there not an eagerness for preferment to influential and wealthy churches, a fondness for conspicuousness of place, a shrinking from fields of labor where no laurels are to be won, a thirsting for human applause, a studied aim after popularity, a trimming policy designed to please the world, a trumpeting of our own fame, and a vaunting parade of our own success? We have plucked the crown from Christ's head - and placed it on our own! In setting forth Christ's infinite glory, and His deep abasement and sufferings - we have turned it into an occasion of pride and self-exaltation!
Instead of inquiring, "Who shall be most lowly - the most like Christ - the least in the kingdom?" Is it not - 'who shall be the greatest? Who shall stand upon the highest pinnacle of renown?'
Are we not, in many or in all these points - truly guilty before our God?
And yet how much is there in us, if soberly and frequently pondered - calculated ...
to abase our pride,
to repress our aspirings of vanity,
to rebuke our self-adulation,
and to lay us low in a low place?
Has not the cherishing of this sin of pride in our bosom...
deeply grieved the Holy Spirit? Is not the real secret...
of our barren souls,
of our ineffectual ministry,
of our languishing churches,
of our paralyzed efforts -
simply the sad but certain consequences of our accursed pride?
A holy ministry - is a humble ministry!
~Octavius Winslow~
An attribute in the formation of an elevated standard of ministerial holiness - too essential and important to be overlooked - is a growing humbleness of mind.
Where is the spiritual minister of Christ who has not detected the latent existence, and who has not had to struggle against - the secret workings of the sin of pride? It is so insidious and powerful a sin - and is so exhilarating in the sensations it produces - that few are more liable to be enamored by its fair exterior, and ensnared by its specious and seductive form - than the minister of the gospel! And yet, pride is an evil more calculated to feed as a canker worm at the root of his ministry! A sin more loathed of God, against which His denunciations are more severely recorded, on which His wrath has more signally and fearfully fallen - is not fount to exist! Pride originated the first form of evil that ever existed - and it constitutes, at this moment, the great center of rebellion against God on earth!
Thus, the identical sin which we find to form so impregnable a stronghold of satan in the hearts of the unregenerate, and which has so sadly wounded the peace, retarded the prosperity, and deformed the beauty of Christ's Church - is the sin most rife in our own bosoms!
Its classifications are many. Among them may be specified the pride of office, the pride of denomination, the pride of knowledge, the pride of talent, the pride of scholarship, the pride of influence, the pride of orthodoxy, the pride of eloquence, the pride of pulpit, the pride of platform, the pride of success, and the pride of applause.
Pride is a protean evil - assuming a thousand varied and opposite forms! It will insinuate itself into the most spiritual and solemn of our services. There is no soil so holy - in which its root will not strike. There is no employment so sacred - on which it will not engraft itself. It will even make the Cross of Christ into a pedestal on which to erect its deformed visage! Yes, while exalting Jesus - we may be found but exalting ourselves! And while exclaiming, "Behold the Lamb of God!" - we may be but veiling His true glory behind our insignificant persons; virtually exclaiming, "Behold my talents, my eloquence, and my zeal!" We are often guilty of the awful sin of self-exaltation - while setting forth the person, work, glory and humiliation of the Son of God!
Is thee not in us, my brethren, a manifest deficiency of the humble, self-annihilating spirit of the divine Master whom we serve - and whom it should be our aim and glory to resemble? In maintaining our position in the Church - may there not be a lofty deportment, an air of self-sufficiency and importance - utterly at variance with the "mind that was in Christ Jesus?" Is there not an unholy ostentation, and a desire for self-promotion - in much that we do for Christ?
Is there not an eagerness for preferment to influential and wealthy churches, a fondness for conspicuousness of place, a shrinking from fields of labor where no laurels are to be won, a thirsting for human applause, a studied aim after popularity, a trimming policy designed to please the world, a trumpeting of our own fame, and a vaunting parade of our own success? We have plucked the crown from Christ's head - and placed it on our own! In setting forth Christ's infinite glory, and His deep abasement and sufferings - we have turned it into an occasion of pride and self-exaltation!
Instead of inquiring, "Who shall be most lowly - the most like Christ - the least in the kingdom?" Is it not - 'who shall be the greatest? Who shall stand upon the highest pinnacle of renown?'
Are we not, in many or in all these points - truly guilty before our God?
And yet how much is there in us, if soberly and frequently pondered - calculated ...
to abase our pride,
to repress our aspirings of vanity,
to rebuke our self-adulation,
and to lay us low in a low place?
Has not the cherishing of this sin of pride in our bosom...
deeply grieved the Holy Spirit? Is not the real secret...
of our barren souls,
of our ineffectual ministry,
of our languishing churches,
of our paralyzed efforts -
simply the sad but certain consequences of our accursed pride?
A holy ministry - is a humble ministry!
~Octavius Winslow~
Few Saved # 4
Few Saved # 4
How was it in the days of Noah? The earth we are told expressly was "filled with violence." The imagination of man's heart was only "evil continually." (Gen. 6:5, 12).
How was it in the days of Abraham, and Isaac, and Lot? It is evident that in the matter of religion they stood very much alone. The family from which they were taken was a family of idolaters. The nations among whom they lived were sunk in gross darkness and sin.
How was it with Israel in the days of the Judges? From Saul, the first king, down to Zedekiah, the last king, their history is a melancholy account of backsliding, and declension, and idolatry - with a few exceptional periods.
How was it with the Jews when our Lord Jesus Christ was on earth? The words of John are the best account of their spiritual state, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." (John 1:11).
How was it with the world in the days of the Apostles? If ever there was a period when true religion flourished it was then. Never did the Holy Spirit call into the fold of Christ so many souls in the same space of time. Never were there so many conversions under the preaching of the Gospel as when Paul and his fellow-laborers were the preachers. But still, it is plain from the Acts of the Apostles, that true Christianity was "everywhere spoken against." (Acts 28:22).
I ask any honest-minded unprejudiced reader of the volume to weigh well the lessons of the Bible which I have just brought forward. Surely they are weighty and solemn, and deserve serious attention.
Let no one think to evade their force by saying that the Bible only tells the story of the Jews. Think not to comfort yourself by saying that "perhaps the Jews were more wicked than other nations, and many people were probably saved among other nations, though few were saved among the Jews." You forget that this argument goes against you. You forget that the Jews had light and privileges which the Gentiles had not, and with all their sins and faults, were probably the holiest and most moral nation upon earth. As to the moral state of people among the Assyrians, and Egyptians, and Greeks, and Romans, it is fearful to think what it must have been. But this we may be sure of, that if many were ungodly among the Jews, the number was far greater among the Gentiles.
The sum of the whole matter is this - the Bible and the people of the world, speak very differently about the number of the saved. According to the Bible, few will be saved = according to the people of the world, many. According to the people of the would few are going to the bottomless pit - according to the Bible few are going to heaven. According to the people of the world salvation is an easy business - according to the Bible the way is narrow and the gate is strait. According to the people of the world few will be found at last seeking admission into heaven when too late - according to the Bible many will be in that sad condition, and will cry in vain, "Lord, Lord, open to us." Yet the Bible was never wrong yet. The most unlikely and improbable prophecies about Tyre, Egypt, Babylon, and Nineveh, have all come true to the letter. And as in other matters, so it will be about the number of the saved. The Bible will prove quite right and the people of the world quite wrong.
4. Let me show, in the last place, some plain facts about the number of the saved.
I ask particular attention to this part of the subject. I know well that people flatter themselves that the world is far better and wiser than it was 1800 years ago. We have churches, and schools, and books. We have civilization, and liberty, and good laws. We have a far higher standard of morality in society than that which once prevailed. We have the power of obtaining comforts and enjoyments which our forefathers knew nothing of. Steam, and gas, and electricity, and chemistry, have effected wonders for us. All this is perfectly true. I see it, and I am thankful. But all this does not diminish the importance of the question - Are there few or many of us likely to be saved?
I am thoroughly satisfied that the importance of this question is painfully overlooked. I am persuaded that the views of most people about the quantity of unbelief and sin in the world, are utterly inadequate and incorrect. I am convinced that very few people, whether ministers or private Christians, at all realize how few there are in a way to be saved. I want to draw attention to the subject, and I will therefore bring forward a few plain facts about it.
But where shall I go for these facts? I might easily turn to the millions of heathen, who in various parts of the world are worshiping they know not what. But I shall not do so. I might easily turn to the millions of Muhammadans who honor the Koran more than the Bible, and the false prophet of Mecca more than Christ. But I shall not do so. I might easily turn to the millions of Roman Catholics who are making the Word of God of no effect by their traditions. But I shall not do so. I shall look nearer home. I shall draw my facts from the land in which I live, and then ask every honest reader whether it be not strictly true that few are saved.
I invite any intelligent reader of these pages to imagine himself in any parish in Protestant England or Scotland at this day. Choose which you please, a town parish, or a country parish - a great parish or a small one. Let us take our New Testaments in our hands. Let us sift the Christianity of the inhabitants of this parish, family by family, and man by man. Let us put on one side anyone who does not possess the New Testament evidence of being a true Christian. Let us deal honestly and fairly in the investigation, and not allow that anyone is a true Christian, who does not come up to the New Testament standard of faith and practice. Let us count every man a saved soul in whom we see something of Christ - some evidence of true repentance - some evidence of saving faith in Jesus, some evidence of real evangelical holiness. Let us reject every man in whom, on the most charitable construction, we cannot see these evidences, as one "weighted in the balances, and found lacking." Let us apply this sifting process to any parish in this land, and see what the result would be.
(a) Let us set aside, first of all, those people in a parish who are living in any kind of open sin. By these I mean such as fornicators, and adulterers, and liars, and thieves, and drunkards, and cheats, and revilers, and extortioners. About these I think there can be no difference of opinion. The Bible says plainly, that "those who do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal. 5:21). Now will these people be saved? The answer is clear to my own mind - in their present condition they will not.
(b) Let us set aside, in the next place, those people who are Sabbath-breakers. I mean by this expression, those who seldom or never go to a place of worship, though they have the power, those who do not give the Sabbath to God - but to themselves - those who think of nothing but doing their own ways, and finding their own pleasure upon Sundays. They show plainly they are not fit for heaven! The inhabitants of heaven would be company they could not like. The employments of heaven would be a weariness to them, and not a joy. Now will these people be saved? The answer is clear to my mind - in their present condition they will not.
(c) Let us set aside, in the next place, all those people who are careless and thoughtless professors. I mean by this expression, those who attend many of the outward ordinances of religion - but show no signs of taking any real interest in its doctrines and substance. They care little whether the minister preaches the Gospel or not. They care little whether they hear a good sermon or not. They would care little if all the Bibles in the world were burned. They would care little if an Act of Parliament were passed forbidding anyone to pray. In short, religion is not the "one thing needful" with them. Their treasure is on earth. They are just like Gallio, to whom it mattered little whether people were Jews or Christians - he "cared for none of these things." (Acts 18:17). Now will these people be saved? The answer is clear to my own mind. In their present condition they will not.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 5)
How was it in the days of Noah? The earth we are told expressly was "filled with violence." The imagination of man's heart was only "evil continually." (Gen. 6:5, 12).
How was it in the days of Abraham, and Isaac, and Lot? It is evident that in the matter of religion they stood very much alone. The family from which they were taken was a family of idolaters. The nations among whom they lived were sunk in gross darkness and sin.
How was it with Israel in the days of the Judges? From Saul, the first king, down to Zedekiah, the last king, their history is a melancholy account of backsliding, and declension, and idolatry - with a few exceptional periods.
How was it with the Jews when our Lord Jesus Christ was on earth? The words of John are the best account of their spiritual state, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." (John 1:11).
How was it with the world in the days of the Apostles? If ever there was a period when true religion flourished it was then. Never did the Holy Spirit call into the fold of Christ so many souls in the same space of time. Never were there so many conversions under the preaching of the Gospel as when Paul and his fellow-laborers were the preachers. But still, it is plain from the Acts of the Apostles, that true Christianity was "everywhere spoken against." (Acts 28:22).
I ask any honest-minded unprejudiced reader of the volume to weigh well the lessons of the Bible which I have just brought forward. Surely they are weighty and solemn, and deserve serious attention.
Let no one think to evade their force by saying that the Bible only tells the story of the Jews. Think not to comfort yourself by saying that "perhaps the Jews were more wicked than other nations, and many people were probably saved among other nations, though few were saved among the Jews." You forget that this argument goes against you. You forget that the Jews had light and privileges which the Gentiles had not, and with all their sins and faults, were probably the holiest and most moral nation upon earth. As to the moral state of people among the Assyrians, and Egyptians, and Greeks, and Romans, it is fearful to think what it must have been. But this we may be sure of, that if many were ungodly among the Jews, the number was far greater among the Gentiles.
The sum of the whole matter is this - the Bible and the people of the world, speak very differently about the number of the saved. According to the Bible, few will be saved = according to the people of the world, many. According to the people of the would few are going to the bottomless pit - according to the Bible few are going to heaven. According to the people of the world salvation is an easy business - according to the Bible the way is narrow and the gate is strait. According to the people of the world few will be found at last seeking admission into heaven when too late - according to the Bible many will be in that sad condition, and will cry in vain, "Lord, Lord, open to us." Yet the Bible was never wrong yet. The most unlikely and improbable prophecies about Tyre, Egypt, Babylon, and Nineveh, have all come true to the letter. And as in other matters, so it will be about the number of the saved. The Bible will prove quite right and the people of the world quite wrong.
4. Let me show, in the last place, some plain facts about the number of the saved.
I ask particular attention to this part of the subject. I know well that people flatter themselves that the world is far better and wiser than it was 1800 years ago. We have churches, and schools, and books. We have civilization, and liberty, and good laws. We have a far higher standard of morality in society than that which once prevailed. We have the power of obtaining comforts and enjoyments which our forefathers knew nothing of. Steam, and gas, and electricity, and chemistry, have effected wonders for us. All this is perfectly true. I see it, and I am thankful. But all this does not diminish the importance of the question - Are there few or many of us likely to be saved?
I am thoroughly satisfied that the importance of this question is painfully overlooked. I am persuaded that the views of most people about the quantity of unbelief and sin in the world, are utterly inadequate and incorrect. I am convinced that very few people, whether ministers or private Christians, at all realize how few there are in a way to be saved. I want to draw attention to the subject, and I will therefore bring forward a few plain facts about it.
But where shall I go for these facts? I might easily turn to the millions of heathen, who in various parts of the world are worshiping they know not what. But I shall not do so. I might easily turn to the millions of Muhammadans who honor the Koran more than the Bible, and the false prophet of Mecca more than Christ. But I shall not do so. I might easily turn to the millions of Roman Catholics who are making the Word of God of no effect by their traditions. But I shall not do so. I shall look nearer home. I shall draw my facts from the land in which I live, and then ask every honest reader whether it be not strictly true that few are saved.
I invite any intelligent reader of these pages to imagine himself in any parish in Protestant England or Scotland at this day. Choose which you please, a town parish, or a country parish - a great parish or a small one. Let us take our New Testaments in our hands. Let us sift the Christianity of the inhabitants of this parish, family by family, and man by man. Let us put on one side anyone who does not possess the New Testament evidence of being a true Christian. Let us deal honestly and fairly in the investigation, and not allow that anyone is a true Christian, who does not come up to the New Testament standard of faith and practice. Let us count every man a saved soul in whom we see something of Christ - some evidence of true repentance - some evidence of saving faith in Jesus, some evidence of real evangelical holiness. Let us reject every man in whom, on the most charitable construction, we cannot see these evidences, as one "weighted in the balances, and found lacking." Let us apply this sifting process to any parish in this land, and see what the result would be.
(a) Let us set aside, first of all, those people in a parish who are living in any kind of open sin. By these I mean such as fornicators, and adulterers, and liars, and thieves, and drunkards, and cheats, and revilers, and extortioners. About these I think there can be no difference of opinion. The Bible says plainly, that "those who do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal. 5:21). Now will these people be saved? The answer is clear to my own mind - in their present condition they will not.
(b) Let us set aside, in the next place, those people who are Sabbath-breakers. I mean by this expression, those who seldom or never go to a place of worship, though they have the power, those who do not give the Sabbath to God - but to themselves - those who think of nothing but doing their own ways, and finding their own pleasure upon Sundays. They show plainly they are not fit for heaven! The inhabitants of heaven would be company they could not like. The employments of heaven would be a weariness to them, and not a joy. Now will these people be saved? The answer is clear to my mind - in their present condition they will not.
(c) Let us set aside, in the next place, all those people who are careless and thoughtless professors. I mean by this expression, those who attend many of the outward ordinances of religion - but show no signs of taking any real interest in its doctrines and substance. They care little whether the minister preaches the Gospel or not. They care little whether they hear a good sermon or not. They would care little if all the Bibles in the world were burned. They would care little if an Act of Parliament were passed forbidding anyone to pray. In short, religion is not the "one thing needful" with them. Their treasure is on earth. They are just like Gallio, to whom it mattered little whether people were Jews or Christians - he "cared for none of these things." (Acts 18:17). Now will these people be saved? The answer is clear to my own mind. In their present condition they will not.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 5)
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Saving Faith # 3
Saving Faith # 3
No, beloved, the reason is this. Conscience tells every unconverted person, whether he like to confess it or not, that after death shall come the judgment; conscience tells him that all shall be judged according to their works- that he cannot abide this fiery trial, because he has sinner and not sought reconciliation, and he feels that he may one day have his part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. Hence it is that he thinks death a most unpleasant subject, and with all his pride of life stands in cowardly fear of his last day; and hence you may understand how blessed these words would be to a sinner's ear, that "Whoever believes on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
Observe now the contents of this promise; look narrowly into it, for it will stand a close examination. The believer shall not perish; this earthly tabernacle may indeed be dissolved, and laid in the grave and see corruption - but the true sting of that death is sin, and this his Saviour has taken on Him and put away. He shall not perish in the day of judgment; the second death can have no power over him, and then the words of our blessed Master shall be found a truth. "This is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40). "I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes on Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (11:25, 26).
And more than this: the believer shall have everlasting life. He shall be raised body and soul at our Lord's second coming. He shall have part in that first resurrection, which belongs only to the saints, and finally shall dwell forever in that blessed place where "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain - for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
And now, beloved, judge for yourselves whether it be not true, that our text contains a treasury of precious and most consoling doctrines, and he who can hear it without feeling its value may indeed tremble for the safety of his immortal soul. Believer, let it be your care to carry home these comfortable words on which we have dwelt, and meditate upon them as your daily food throughout the week which is now before you. Let them be ever in your mind, and prepare you for that holy sacrament which Jesus has mercifully ordained; let them add strength to your faith and growth to your sanctification; let them increase your humility and your thankfulness, your zeal for God's glory, and your desire to show forth His praise, your love towards Christ and your love towards your brethren; for surely, dear friends, if God so loved us, it is a small matter if we love our fellow sinners.
And you too, dear brethren, who have dared hitherto, like Gallio, to care for none of these things, you also are appealed to in this text. Learn then, now, if you have not learned it yet, that this single verse, if there were no other, would be sufficient to condemn you in the last day, because it leaves you without excuse for remaining in your sins. You have deserved nothing but wrath; and yet, behold, here is God willing to save, loving, giving, promising all things. Oh! remember how great must be your guilt if you reject so great salvation. You are the very world that God has so loved; for your sakes He gave His only begotten Son, and even now, at this minute, He is inviting you, by me, His minister, to accept the mercy which He freely offers, to be reconciled with Him who will one day be the judge of all (Isaiah 55:1, 2; 1:18; Acts 16:31).
Come then, I entreat you, to your Father, in the name of Christ, for through Him we have boldness and access with confidence. Resist the attempts of the world, the flesh and the devil to detain you; resist even your best friend, if he would keep you back from God and tell you there will be a more convenient season than today. "As though God did beseech you by us; we beg you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God. For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:20, 21).
~J. C. Ryle~
(The End)
No, beloved, the reason is this. Conscience tells every unconverted person, whether he like to confess it or not, that after death shall come the judgment; conscience tells him that all shall be judged according to their works- that he cannot abide this fiery trial, because he has sinner and not sought reconciliation, and he feels that he may one day have his part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. Hence it is that he thinks death a most unpleasant subject, and with all his pride of life stands in cowardly fear of his last day; and hence you may understand how blessed these words would be to a sinner's ear, that "Whoever believes on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
Observe now the contents of this promise; look narrowly into it, for it will stand a close examination. The believer shall not perish; this earthly tabernacle may indeed be dissolved, and laid in the grave and see corruption - but the true sting of that death is sin, and this his Saviour has taken on Him and put away. He shall not perish in the day of judgment; the second death can have no power over him, and then the words of our blessed Master shall be found a truth. "This is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40). "I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes on Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (11:25, 26).
And more than this: the believer shall have everlasting life. He shall be raised body and soul at our Lord's second coming. He shall have part in that first resurrection, which belongs only to the saints, and finally shall dwell forever in that blessed place where "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain - for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
And now, beloved, judge for yourselves whether it be not true, that our text contains a treasury of precious and most consoling doctrines, and he who can hear it without feeling its value may indeed tremble for the safety of his immortal soul. Believer, let it be your care to carry home these comfortable words on which we have dwelt, and meditate upon them as your daily food throughout the week which is now before you. Let them be ever in your mind, and prepare you for that holy sacrament which Jesus has mercifully ordained; let them add strength to your faith and growth to your sanctification; let them increase your humility and your thankfulness, your zeal for God's glory, and your desire to show forth His praise, your love towards Christ and your love towards your brethren; for surely, dear friends, if God so loved us, it is a small matter if we love our fellow sinners.
And you too, dear brethren, who have dared hitherto, like Gallio, to care for none of these things, you also are appealed to in this text. Learn then, now, if you have not learned it yet, that this single verse, if there were no other, would be sufficient to condemn you in the last day, because it leaves you without excuse for remaining in your sins. You have deserved nothing but wrath; and yet, behold, here is God willing to save, loving, giving, promising all things. Oh! remember how great must be your guilt if you reject so great salvation. You are the very world that God has so loved; for your sakes He gave His only begotten Son, and even now, at this minute, He is inviting you, by me, His minister, to accept the mercy which He freely offers, to be reconciled with Him who will one day be the judge of all (Isaiah 55:1, 2; 1:18; Acts 16:31).
Come then, I entreat you, to your Father, in the name of Christ, for through Him we have boldness and access with confidence. Resist the attempts of the world, the flesh and the devil to detain you; resist even your best friend, if he would keep you back from God and tell you there will be a more convenient season than today. "As though God did beseech you by us; we beg you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God. For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:20, 21).
~J. C. Ryle~
(The End)
Few Saved # 3
Few Saved # 3
(c) But again, what do people generally think of ministers who preach full the doctrines of the New Testament? Let us see how this question can be answered.
Send a clergyman into a parish who shall "declare all the counsel of God," and "keep back nothing that is profitable." Let him be one who shall clearly proclaim justification by faith - regeneration by the Spirit - and holiness of life. Let him be one who shall draw the line distinctly between the converted and the unconverted, and give both to sinners and to saints their portion. Let him frequently produce out of the New Testament a plain, unanswerable description of the true Christian's character. Let him show that no man who does not possess that character can have any reasonable hope of being saved. Let him constantly press that description on the consciences of his hearers, and urge upon them repeatedly that every soul who dies without that character will be lost. Let him do this, ably and affectionately, and after all, what will the result be?
The result will be, that while some few repent and are saved, the great majority of his hearers will not receive and believe his doctrine. They may not oppose him publicly. They may even esteem him, and respect him as an earnest, sincere, kind-hearted man, who means well. But they will go no further. He may show them the express words of Christ and His Apostles; he may quote text upon text, and passage upon passage - it will be to no purpose. The great majority of his hearers will think him "too strict," and "too close," and "too particular." They will say among themselves, that the world is not so bad as the minister seems to think - and that people cannot be so good as the minister wants them to be - and that, after all, they hope they shall be all right at the last! I appeal to any minister of the Gospel, who has been any length of time in the ministry, whether I am not stating the truth. Are not these things so?
And what does it prove? It just makes one more proof that people generally are resolved to think that salvation is not a very hard business, and that after all most people will be saved.
Now what solid reason can people show us to these common opinions? Upon what Scripture do they build this notion, that salvation is an easy business, and that most people will be saved? What revelation of God can they show us, to satisfy us that these opinions are sound and true?
They have none - literally none at all. They have not a text of Scripture which, fairly interpreted, supports their views. They have not a reason which will bear examination. They speak smooth things about one another's spiritual state, just because they do not like to admit that there is danger. They build up one another into an easy, self-satisfied state of soul, in order to soothe their consciences and make things pleasant. They cry "Peace, peace," over one another's graves because they want it to be so, and would gladly persuade themselves that so it is. Surely against such hollow, foundationless opinions as these, a minister of the Gospel may well protest.
The plain truth is that the world's opinion is worth nothing in matters of religion. About the price of an ox, or a horse, or a farm, or the value of labor - about wages and work - about money, about business, arts, science and politics - about all such things the people of the world may give a correct opinion. But we must beware, if we love life, of being guided by man's judgment in the things that concern salvation. "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him" (1 Cor. 2:14).
Let us remember, above all, that it never will do to think as others do, if we want to get to heaven. No doubt it is easy work to "go with the crowd" in religious matters. It will save us much trouble to swim with the stream and tide. We shall be spared much ridicule- we shall be freed from much unpleasantness. But let us remember, once for all, that the world's mistakes about salvation are many and dangerous. Unless we are on our guard against them we shall never be saved.
3. Let me show, in the third place, what the Bible says about the number of the saved.
There is only one standard of truth and error to which we ought to appeal. That standard is the Holy Scripture. Whatever is there written we must receive and believe; whatever cannot be proved by Scripture we ought to refuse!
Can any reader of this paper subscribe to this? If he cannot, there is little chance of his being moved by any words of mine. If he can, let him give me his attention for a few moments, and I will tell him some solemn things.
Let us look, then, for one thing, at one single text of Scripture, and examine it well. We shall find it in Matthew 7:13, 14. "Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few of those who find it." Now these are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are the words of Him who was very God, and whose words shall never pass away. They are the words of Him who knew what was in man - who knew things to come, and things past - who knew that He should judge all people at the last day. And what do those words mean? Are they words which no man can understand without a knowledge of Hebrew or Greek? No - they are not!! Are they a dark, unfulfilled prophecy, like the visions in Revelation, or the description of Ezekiel's temple? No - they are not! Are they a deep mysterious saying, which no human intellect can fathom? No - they are not! The words are clear, plain, and unmistakable. Ask any laboring man who can read, and he will tell you so. There is only one meaning which can be attached to them. Their meaning is, that many people will be lost - and few will be saved.
Let us look, in the next place, at the whole history of mankind as respects religion, as we have it given in the Bible. Let us go through the whole four thousand years, over which the history of the Bible reaches. Let us find, if we can, one single period of time at which godly people were many, and ungodly people were few.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 4)
(c) But again, what do people generally think of ministers who preach full the doctrines of the New Testament? Let us see how this question can be answered.
Send a clergyman into a parish who shall "declare all the counsel of God," and "keep back nothing that is profitable." Let him be one who shall clearly proclaim justification by faith - regeneration by the Spirit - and holiness of life. Let him be one who shall draw the line distinctly between the converted and the unconverted, and give both to sinners and to saints their portion. Let him frequently produce out of the New Testament a plain, unanswerable description of the true Christian's character. Let him show that no man who does not possess that character can have any reasonable hope of being saved. Let him constantly press that description on the consciences of his hearers, and urge upon them repeatedly that every soul who dies without that character will be lost. Let him do this, ably and affectionately, and after all, what will the result be?
The result will be, that while some few repent and are saved, the great majority of his hearers will not receive and believe his doctrine. They may not oppose him publicly. They may even esteem him, and respect him as an earnest, sincere, kind-hearted man, who means well. But they will go no further. He may show them the express words of Christ and His Apostles; he may quote text upon text, and passage upon passage - it will be to no purpose. The great majority of his hearers will think him "too strict," and "too close," and "too particular." They will say among themselves, that the world is not so bad as the minister seems to think - and that people cannot be so good as the minister wants them to be - and that, after all, they hope they shall be all right at the last! I appeal to any minister of the Gospel, who has been any length of time in the ministry, whether I am not stating the truth. Are not these things so?
And what does it prove? It just makes one more proof that people generally are resolved to think that salvation is not a very hard business, and that after all most people will be saved.
Now what solid reason can people show us to these common opinions? Upon what Scripture do they build this notion, that salvation is an easy business, and that most people will be saved? What revelation of God can they show us, to satisfy us that these opinions are sound and true?
They have none - literally none at all. They have not a text of Scripture which, fairly interpreted, supports their views. They have not a reason which will bear examination. They speak smooth things about one another's spiritual state, just because they do not like to admit that there is danger. They build up one another into an easy, self-satisfied state of soul, in order to soothe their consciences and make things pleasant. They cry "Peace, peace," over one another's graves because they want it to be so, and would gladly persuade themselves that so it is. Surely against such hollow, foundationless opinions as these, a minister of the Gospel may well protest.
The plain truth is that the world's opinion is worth nothing in matters of religion. About the price of an ox, or a horse, or a farm, or the value of labor - about wages and work - about money, about business, arts, science and politics - about all such things the people of the world may give a correct opinion. But we must beware, if we love life, of being guided by man's judgment in the things that concern salvation. "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him" (1 Cor. 2:14).
Let us remember, above all, that it never will do to think as others do, if we want to get to heaven. No doubt it is easy work to "go with the crowd" in religious matters. It will save us much trouble to swim with the stream and tide. We shall be spared much ridicule- we shall be freed from much unpleasantness. But let us remember, once for all, that the world's mistakes about salvation are many and dangerous. Unless we are on our guard against them we shall never be saved.
3. Let me show, in the third place, what the Bible says about the number of the saved.
There is only one standard of truth and error to which we ought to appeal. That standard is the Holy Scripture. Whatever is there written we must receive and believe; whatever cannot be proved by Scripture we ought to refuse!
Can any reader of this paper subscribe to this? If he cannot, there is little chance of his being moved by any words of mine. If he can, let him give me his attention for a few moments, and I will tell him some solemn things.
Let us look, then, for one thing, at one single text of Scripture, and examine it well. We shall find it in Matthew 7:13, 14. "Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few of those who find it." Now these are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are the words of Him who was very God, and whose words shall never pass away. They are the words of Him who knew what was in man - who knew things to come, and things past - who knew that He should judge all people at the last day. And what do those words mean? Are they words which no man can understand without a knowledge of Hebrew or Greek? No - they are not!! Are they a dark, unfulfilled prophecy, like the visions in Revelation, or the description of Ezekiel's temple? No - they are not! Are they a deep mysterious saying, which no human intellect can fathom? No - they are not! The words are clear, plain, and unmistakable. Ask any laboring man who can read, and he will tell you so. There is only one meaning which can be attached to them. Their meaning is, that many people will be lost - and few will be saved.
Let us look, in the next place, at the whole history of mankind as respects religion, as we have it given in the Bible. Let us go through the whole four thousand years, over which the history of the Bible reaches. Let us find, if we can, one single period of time at which godly people were many, and ungodly people were few.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 4)
Few Saved # 2
Few Saved # 2
3. To be saved, is to be delivered in the day of judgment, from all the awful consequences of sin. It is to be declared blameless, spotless, faultless, and complete in Christ, while others are found guilty, and condemned forever. It is to hear those comfortable words, "Come, you who are blessed!" While others are hearing those fearful words, "Depart, you who are cursed!" (Matt. 25:34, 41). It is to be owned and confessed by Christ, as one of His dear children and servants, while others are disowned and cast off forever. It is to be pronounced free from the portion of the wicked - the worm which never dies, the fire which is not quenched - the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, which never ends. It is to receive the reward prepared for the righteous, in the day of Christ's second coming - the glorious body - the kingdom that is incorruptible - the crown that fades not away - and the joy that is for evermore. This is complete salvation. This is the redemption for which true Christians are bid to look and long. (Luke 21:28). This is the heritage of all men and women who believe and are born again. By faith they are saved already. In the eye of God their final salvation is an absolutely certain thing. Their names are in the book of life. Their mansions in heaven are even now prepared. But still there is a fullness of redemption and salvation which they do not attain to while they are in the body. They are saved from the quilt and power of sin - but not from the necessity of watching and praying against it. They are saved from the fear and love of the world - but not from the necessity of daily fighting with it. They are saved from the service of the devil - but they are not saved from being vexed by his temptations. But when Christ comes the salvation of believers shall be complete. They posses it already in the bud. They shall see it then in the flower.
Such is salvation. It is to be saved from the guilt, power, and consequences of sin. It is to believe and be sanctified now, and to be delivered from the wrath of God in the last day. He who has the first part in the life that now is, shall undoubtedly have the second part in the life to come. Both parts of it hang together. What God has joined together, let no man dare to put asunder. Let none dream he shall ever be saved at last, if he is not born again first. Let none doubt, if he is born again here, that he shall assuredly be saved hereafter.
Let it never be forgotten that the chief object of a minister of the Gospel is to set forward the salvation of souls. I lay it down as a certain fact that he is no true minister who does not feel this. Talk not of a man's ordination! All may have been done correctly, and according to rule. He may wear a black coat, and be called a "reverend" man. But if the saving of souls is not the grand interest - the ruling passion - the absorbing thought of his heart - he is no true minister of the Gospel - he is a hireling, and not a shepherd. Congregations may have called him - but he is not called by the Holy Spirit. Bishops may have ordained him; but not Christ.
For what purpose do people suppose that ministers are sent forth? Is it merely to wear ecclesiastical vestments - and read the services - and preach a certain number of sermons? Is it merely to administer the sacraments, and officiate at weddings and funerals? Is it merely to get a comfortable living, and be in a respectable profession? NO!, indeed! we are sent forth for other ends than these. We are sent to turn people from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God. We are sent to persuade people to flee from the service of the world to the service of God - to awaken the sleeping, to arouse the careless - and "by all means to save some" (1 Cor. 9:22).
Think not that all is done when we have set up regular services, and persuaded people to attend them. Think not that all is done, when full congregations are gathered, and the Lord's table is crowded, and the parish school is filled. We want to see manifest work of the Spirit among people - an evident sense of sin - a lively faith in Christ - a decided change of heart - a distinct separation from the world - a holy walk with God. In one word, we want to see souls saved! And we are fools and impostors - blind leaders of the blind, if we rest satisfied with anything less.
After all the grand object of having a religion is to be saved. This is the great question that we have to settle with our consciences. The matter for our consideration is not whether we go to church or chapel - whether we go through certain forms and ceremonies - whether we observe certain days, and perform a certain number of religious duties. The matter is whether, after all, we shall be "saved." Without this all our religious doings are weariness and labor in vain.
Never, never let us be content with anything short of a saving religion. Surely to be satisfied with a religion which neither gives peace in life, nor hope in death, nor glory in the world to come - is childish folly.
2. Let me in the second place, point out the MISTAKES which are common in the world about the number of the saved.
I need not go far for evidence on this subject. I will speak of things which every man may see with his own eyes, and hear with his own ears.
I will try to show that there is a wide-spread delusion abroad about this matter, and that this very delusion is one of the greatest dangers to which our souls are exposed.
(a) What then do people generally think about the spiritual state of others while they are alive? What do they think of the souls of their relatives, and friends, and neighbors, and acquaintances? Let us just see how that question can be answered.
They know that all around them are going to die, and to be judged. They know that they have souls to be lost or saved. And what, to all appearance, do they consider their end is likely to be?
Do they think those around them are in danger of the bottomless pit? There is nothing whatever to show they think so. They eat and drink together; they laugh, and talk, and walk, and work together. They seldom or never speak to one another of God and eternity. I ask anyone, who knows the world, as in the sight of God, is it not so?
Will they allow that anybody is wicked or ungodly? Never, hardly, whatever may be his way of life. He may be a breaker of of Sabbath; he may be a neglecter of the Bible; he may be utterly without evidence of true religion. His friends will often tell you, "It does not matter! He has a good heart at the bottom, and is not a grossly wicked man."
I ask anyone, who knows the world, as in God's sight, is it not so? And what does this prove? It proves that people flatter themselves there is no great difficulty in getting to heaven. It proves plainly that people are of opinion that most people will be saved.
(b) But what do people generally think about the spiritual state of others after they are dead? Let us just see how this question can be answered.
People allow, if they are not infidels, that all who die have gone to a place of happiness, or of misery. And to which of these two places do they seem to think the greater part of people go, when they leave this world?
I say, without fear of contradiction, that there is an unhappily common fashion of speaking well of the condition of all who have departed this life. It matter little, apparently, how a man has behaved while he lived. He may have given no signs of repentance, or faith in Christ; he may have been ignorant of the plan of salvation set forth in the Gospel; he may have shown no evidence whatever of conversion or sanctification; he may have lived and died like a creature without a soul. And yet, as soon as this man is dead, people will dare to say that he is "probably happier than ever he was in his life." They will tell you complacently, that "he has gone to a better world." They will shake their heads gravely, and say they "hope he is in heaven." They will follow him to the grave without fear and trembling, and speak of his death afterwards as "a blessed change for him." They may have disliked him, and thought him a bad man while he was alive; but the moment he is dead they turn around in their opinions and say they trust he is gone to heaven! I have no wish to hurt anyone's feelings. I only ask anyone, who knows the world - Is it not true?
And what does it all prove? It just supplies one more awful proof that people are determined to believe it is an easy business to get to heaven. People will have it that most people are saved.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 3)
3. To be saved, is to be delivered in the day of judgment, from all the awful consequences of sin. It is to be declared blameless, spotless, faultless, and complete in Christ, while others are found guilty, and condemned forever. It is to hear those comfortable words, "Come, you who are blessed!" While others are hearing those fearful words, "Depart, you who are cursed!" (Matt. 25:34, 41). It is to be owned and confessed by Christ, as one of His dear children and servants, while others are disowned and cast off forever. It is to be pronounced free from the portion of the wicked - the worm which never dies, the fire which is not quenched - the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, which never ends. It is to receive the reward prepared for the righteous, in the day of Christ's second coming - the glorious body - the kingdom that is incorruptible - the crown that fades not away - and the joy that is for evermore. This is complete salvation. This is the redemption for which true Christians are bid to look and long. (Luke 21:28). This is the heritage of all men and women who believe and are born again. By faith they are saved already. In the eye of God their final salvation is an absolutely certain thing. Their names are in the book of life. Their mansions in heaven are even now prepared. But still there is a fullness of redemption and salvation which they do not attain to while they are in the body. They are saved from the quilt and power of sin - but not from the necessity of watching and praying against it. They are saved from the fear and love of the world - but not from the necessity of daily fighting with it. They are saved from the service of the devil - but they are not saved from being vexed by his temptations. But when Christ comes the salvation of believers shall be complete. They posses it already in the bud. They shall see it then in the flower.
Such is salvation. It is to be saved from the guilt, power, and consequences of sin. It is to believe and be sanctified now, and to be delivered from the wrath of God in the last day. He who has the first part in the life that now is, shall undoubtedly have the second part in the life to come. Both parts of it hang together. What God has joined together, let no man dare to put asunder. Let none dream he shall ever be saved at last, if he is not born again first. Let none doubt, if he is born again here, that he shall assuredly be saved hereafter.
Let it never be forgotten that the chief object of a minister of the Gospel is to set forward the salvation of souls. I lay it down as a certain fact that he is no true minister who does not feel this. Talk not of a man's ordination! All may have been done correctly, and according to rule. He may wear a black coat, and be called a "reverend" man. But if the saving of souls is not the grand interest - the ruling passion - the absorbing thought of his heart - he is no true minister of the Gospel - he is a hireling, and not a shepherd. Congregations may have called him - but he is not called by the Holy Spirit. Bishops may have ordained him; but not Christ.
For what purpose do people suppose that ministers are sent forth? Is it merely to wear ecclesiastical vestments - and read the services - and preach a certain number of sermons? Is it merely to administer the sacraments, and officiate at weddings and funerals? Is it merely to get a comfortable living, and be in a respectable profession? NO!, indeed! we are sent forth for other ends than these. We are sent to turn people from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God. We are sent to persuade people to flee from the service of the world to the service of God - to awaken the sleeping, to arouse the careless - and "by all means to save some" (1 Cor. 9:22).
Think not that all is done when we have set up regular services, and persuaded people to attend them. Think not that all is done, when full congregations are gathered, and the Lord's table is crowded, and the parish school is filled. We want to see manifest work of the Spirit among people - an evident sense of sin - a lively faith in Christ - a decided change of heart - a distinct separation from the world - a holy walk with God. In one word, we want to see souls saved! And we are fools and impostors - blind leaders of the blind, if we rest satisfied with anything less.
After all the grand object of having a religion is to be saved. This is the great question that we have to settle with our consciences. The matter for our consideration is not whether we go to church or chapel - whether we go through certain forms and ceremonies - whether we observe certain days, and perform a certain number of religious duties. The matter is whether, after all, we shall be "saved." Without this all our religious doings are weariness and labor in vain.
Never, never let us be content with anything short of a saving religion. Surely to be satisfied with a religion which neither gives peace in life, nor hope in death, nor glory in the world to come - is childish folly.
2. Let me in the second place, point out the MISTAKES which are common in the world about the number of the saved.
I need not go far for evidence on this subject. I will speak of things which every man may see with his own eyes, and hear with his own ears.
I will try to show that there is a wide-spread delusion abroad about this matter, and that this very delusion is one of the greatest dangers to which our souls are exposed.
(a) What then do people generally think about the spiritual state of others while they are alive? What do they think of the souls of their relatives, and friends, and neighbors, and acquaintances? Let us just see how that question can be answered.
They know that all around them are going to die, and to be judged. They know that they have souls to be lost or saved. And what, to all appearance, do they consider their end is likely to be?
Do they think those around them are in danger of the bottomless pit? There is nothing whatever to show they think so. They eat and drink together; they laugh, and talk, and walk, and work together. They seldom or never speak to one another of God and eternity. I ask anyone, who knows the world, as in the sight of God, is it not so?
Will they allow that anybody is wicked or ungodly? Never, hardly, whatever may be his way of life. He may be a breaker of of Sabbath; he may be a neglecter of the Bible; he may be utterly without evidence of true religion. His friends will often tell you, "It does not matter! He has a good heart at the bottom, and is not a grossly wicked man."
I ask anyone, who knows the world, as in God's sight, is it not so? And what does this prove? It proves that people flatter themselves there is no great difficulty in getting to heaven. It proves plainly that people are of opinion that most people will be saved.
(b) But what do people generally think about the spiritual state of others after they are dead? Let us just see how this question can be answered.
People allow, if they are not infidels, that all who die have gone to a place of happiness, or of misery. And to which of these two places do they seem to think the greater part of people go, when they leave this world?
I say, without fear of contradiction, that there is an unhappily common fashion of speaking well of the condition of all who have departed this life. It matter little, apparently, how a man has behaved while he lived. He may have given no signs of repentance, or faith in Christ; he may have been ignorant of the plan of salvation set forth in the Gospel; he may have shown no evidence whatever of conversion or sanctification; he may have lived and died like a creature without a soul. And yet, as soon as this man is dead, people will dare to say that he is "probably happier than ever he was in his life." They will tell you complacently, that "he has gone to a better world." They will shake their heads gravely, and say they "hope he is in heaven." They will follow him to the grave without fear and trembling, and speak of his death afterwards as "a blessed change for him." They may have disliked him, and thought him a bad man while he was alive; but the moment he is dead they turn around in their opinions and say they trust he is gone to heaven! I have no wish to hurt anyone's feelings. I only ask anyone, who knows the world - Is it not true?
And what does it all prove? It just supplies one more awful proof that people are determined to believe it is an easy business to get to heaven. People will have it that most people are saved.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 3)
The Mind of Christ # 5
The Mind of Christ # 5
It would appear from the spirit and conduct of some, as if to be zealots for a creed or a church, were the true signs of discipleship, instead of the temper of Jesus; and yet an apostle has told us, that "if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His," (Rom. 8:9). Many had need study afresh the elemental principles of our holy religion, to learn in what it truly consists. And if they will allow Christ and His apostles to teach them, instead of fathers and doctors, councils and convocations, they would learn that the creeds and the ceremonies of the church are poor substitutes for the mind of Christ.
Therefore, my dear friends, I entreat you cultivate the Christian temper; seek for the Spirit of Christ, and be content with nothing short of the mind that was in Him. Let me entreat you to contemplate Him - first upon the throne of glory, adored by angels; and then upon the Cross of Calvary, despised, rejected, insulted, murdered by men; and when you have been filled with astonishment at the grace that induced Him thus to humble Himself, examine yourselves as to what you know of the holy and humble benevolence which dictated this wondrous, yes, this ineffably mysterious condescension. Confine your attention for a while to this one point of inquiry - let go everything else for a season; drop creeds, sacraments, sabbaths, ordinances, alms-deeds, and press right home to your conscience the question, "What do I have of the mind of Christ?" Does my heart answer, does my disposition correspond, to the holy, meek, humble, forgiving, benevolent, patient, self-denying mind of Christ? Do men who know the beauty and glory of the original, as it is delineated on the page of the gospel, when they see me, say, "There is the image of Christ!" Or do they look skeptically on, and after standing in silence for some time, profess they can see little or no resemblance? Can you hold up your spirit and disposition to the world, and say, "Behold the mind of Christ?" Will Christ acknowledge your mind to be His mind? Oh, be satisfied with nothing short of a copy of Christ's heart into yours. You must go lower, lower, lower yet, in self-denying service for God and His saints.
I need scarcely point out to you again the intimate connection between the practical principles of Christianity, and the great doctrines of Christianity. Take away the incarnation of our Lord, His sacrifice upon the Cross, and His atoning death, and the gospel loses its glorious peculiarities. And if you blot out His Divinity, His atonement loses its efficacy, and His example its power. "If we take away His divinity," says Mr. Hall, "this great example dwindles into nothing. Rob Him of His Divinity, and you divest Him of His humility. It is this which renders His sacrifice of infinite value, His Cross so inexpressibly awful and interesting, and to His people so inefffably precious. The Cross of Jesus Christ is the appropriate, the appointed rendezvous of heaven and earth - the meeting place between God and the sinner. Deprive Jesus Christ of His Divinity, and all these momentous truths dwindle into inexpressible futilities. Doctrines meant to warm and kindle our hearts, fill us with perplexity. When we look for a glorious mystery, we find nothing but the obscurity which makes men rack their invention to find out the meaning of those passages, which it is plain the apostle poured forth in a stream of exquisite affection and delight."
And never, never forget, my friends, that the Divinity of Christ, however firmly it may be held, is never properly felt, never rightly improved, nor truly enjoyed, until it is experienced to be a doctrine that fills the soul with a vivid resemblance to that holiness, benevolence, and humility, which were so conspicuously displayed by Him, "who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God - but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men - and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross."
~John Angell James~
(The End)
It would appear from the spirit and conduct of some, as if to be zealots for a creed or a church, were the true signs of discipleship, instead of the temper of Jesus; and yet an apostle has told us, that "if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His," (Rom. 8:9). Many had need study afresh the elemental principles of our holy religion, to learn in what it truly consists. And if they will allow Christ and His apostles to teach them, instead of fathers and doctors, councils and convocations, they would learn that the creeds and the ceremonies of the church are poor substitutes for the mind of Christ.
Therefore, my dear friends, I entreat you cultivate the Christian temper; seek for the Spirit of Christ, and be content with nothing short of the mind that was in Him. Let me entreat you to contemplate Him - first upon the throne of glory, adored by angels; and then upon the Cross of Calvary, despised, rejected, insulted, murdered by men; and when you have been filled with astonishment at the grace that induced Him thus to humble Himself, examine yourselves as to what you know of the holy and humble benevolence which dictated this wondrous, yes, this ineffably mysterious condescension. Confine your attention for a while to this one point of inquiry - let go everything else for a season; drop creeds, sacraments, sabbaths, ordinances, alms-deeds, and press right home to your conscience the question, "What do I have of the mind of Christ?" Does my heart answer, does my disposition correspond, to the holy, meek, humble, forgiving, benevolent, patient, self-denying mind of Christ? Do men who know the beauty and glory of the original, as it is delineated on the page of the gospel, when they see me, say, "There is the image of Christ!" Or do they look skeptically on, and after standing in silence for some time, profess they can see little or no resemblance? Can you hold up your spirit and disposition to the world, and say, "Behold the mind of Christ?" Will Christ acknowledge your mind to be His mind? Oh, be satisfied with nothing short of a copy of Christ's heart into yours. You must go lower, lower, lower yet, in self-denying service for God and His saints.
I need scarcely point out to you again the intimate connection between the practical principles of Christianity, and the great doctrines of Christianity. Take away the incarnation of our Lord, His sacrifice upon the Cross, and His atoning death, and the gospel loses its glorious peculiarities. And if you blot out His Divinity, His atonement loses its efficacy, and His example its power. "If we take away His divinity," says Mr. Hall, "this great example dwindles into nothing. Rob Him of His Divinity, and you divest Him of His humility. It is this which renders His sacrifice of infinite value, His Cross so inexpressibly awful and interesting, and to His people so inefffably precious. The Cross of Jesus Christ is the appropriate, the appointed rendezvous of heaven and earth - the meeting place between God and the sinner. Deprive Jesus Christ of His Divinity, and all these momentous truths dwindle into inexpressible futilities. Doctrines meant to warm and kindle our hearts, fill us with perplexity. When we look for a glorious mystery, we find nothing but the obscurity which makes men rack their invention to find out the meaning of those passages, which it is plain the apostle poured forth in a stream of exquisite affection and delight."
And never, never forget, my friends, that the Divinity of Christ, however firmly it may be held, is never properly felt, never rightly improved, nor truly enjoyed, until it is experienced to be a doctrine that fills the soul with a vivid resemblance to that holiness, benevolence, and humility, which were so conspicuously displayed by Him, "who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God - but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men - and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross."
~John Angell James~
(The End)
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Few Saved # 1
Few Saved # 1
"Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won't be able" (Luke 13:23-24).
"Enter in by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14)
I take it for granted that every reader of this paper calls himself a Christian. You would not like to be reckoned a deist, or an infidel. You profess to believe the Bible to be true. The birth of Christ the Saviour - the death of Christ the Saviour - the salvation provided by Christ the Saviour, all these are facts which you have probably never doubted. But, after all, will Christianity like this profit you anything at last? Will it do your soul any good when you die? In one word - Shall you be saved?
It may be you are now young, healthy and strong. Perhaps you never had a day's illness in your life, and scarcely know what it is to feel weakness and pain. You scheme and plan for future years, and feel as if death was far away, and out of sight. Yet, remember, death sometimes cuts off young people in the flower of their days. The strong and healthy of the family do not always live the longest. Your sun may go down before your life has reached its mid-day. Yet a little while, and you may be lying in a narrow, silent home, and the daisies may be growing over your grave! And then, consider - Shall you be saved?
It may be you are rich and prosperous in this world. You have money, and all that money can command. You have "honor, love, obedience, troops of friends." But, remember, "riches are not forever." You cannot keep them longer than a few years. "It is appointed unto people once to die, and after this the judgment." (Prov. 17:24; Heb. 9:27). And then, consider - Shall you be saved?
It may be you are poor and needy. You have scarcely enough to provide food and raiment for yourself and family. You are often distressed for lack of comforts, which you have no power to get. Like Lazarus, you seem to have "bad things" only, and not good. But, nevertheless, you take comfort in the thought that there will be an end of all this. There is a world to come, where poverty and need shall be unknown. Yet, consider a moment - Shall you be saved?
It may be you have a weak and sickly body. You hardly know what it is to be free from pain. You have so long parted company with health, that you have almost forgotten what it is like. You have often said in the morning, "Would God it were evening," - and in the evening, "Would God it were morning." There are days when you are tempted by very weariness to cry out with Jonah, "It is better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:3). But, remember, death is not all. There is something else beyond the grave! And then, consider - Shall you be saved?
If it was an easy thing to be saved, I would not write as I do in this volume. But is it so? Let us see.
If the common opinion of people of the world as to the number of the saved was correct, I would not trouble people with searching and hard questions. But is it so? Let us see.
If God had never spoken plainly in the Bible about the number of the saved, I might well be silent. But is it so? Let us see.
If experience and fact left it doubtful whether many or few would be saved, I might hold my peace. But is it so? Let us see.
There are four points which I propose to examine in considering the subject before us.
1. Let me explain what it is to be saved.
2. Let me point out the mistakes which are common in the world about the number of the saved.
3. Let me show what the Bible says about the number of the saved.
4. Let me bring forward some plain facts as to the number of the saved.
A calm examination of these four points, in a day of wide-spread carelessness about vital religion, will be found of vast importance to our souls.
First of all let me explain what it is to be saved. This is a matter that must be cleared us. Until we know this, we shall make no progress. By being "saved" I may mean one thing, and you may mean another. Let me show you what the Bible says it is to be "saved," and then there will be no misunderstanding. To be saved, is not merely to profess and all ourselves Christians. We may have all the outward parts of Christianity, and yet be lost after all. We may be baptized into Christ's church - to to Christ's table - have Christian knowledge - be reckoned Christian men and women - and yet be dead souls all our lives, and at last, in the judgment day, be found on Christ's left hand, among the goats! No - this is not salvation! Salvation is something far higher and deeper than this. Now what is it?
1. To be saved, is to be delivered in this present life from the GUILT of sin, by faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour. It is to be pardoned, justified, and freed from every charge of sin, by faith in Christ's blood and mediation. Whoever with his heart believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, is a saved soul. He shall not perish. He shall have eternal life. This is the first part of salvation, and the root of all the rest. But this is not all.
2. To be saved, is to be delivered in this present life from the POWER of sin, by being born again, and SANCTIFIED by the Holy Spirit. It is to be freed from the hateful dominion of sin, the world, and the devil, by having a new nature put in us by the Holy Spirit. Whoever is thus renewed in the spirit of his mind, and converted, is a saved soul. He shall not perish. He shall enter into the glorious kingdom of God. This is the second part of salvation. But this is not all.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
"Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won't be able" (Luke 13:23-24).
"Enter in by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14)
I take it for granted that every reader of this paper calls himself a Christian. You would not like to be reckoned a deist, or an infidel. You profess to believe the Bible to be true. The birth of Christ the Saviour - the death of Christ the Saviour - the salvation provided by Christ the Saviour, all these are facts which you have probably never doubted. But, after all, will Christianity like this profit you anything at last? Will it do your soul any good when you die? In one word - Shall you be saved?
It may be you are now young, healthy and strong. Perhaps you never had a day's illness in your life, and scarcely know what it is to feel weakness and pain. You scheme and plan for future years, and feel as if death was far away, and out of sight. Yet, remember, death sometimes cuts off young people in the flower of their days. The strong and healthy of the family do not always live the longest. Your sun may go down before your life has reached its mid-day. Yet a little while, and you may be lying in a narrow, silent home, and the daisies may be growing over your grave! And then, consider - Shall you be saved?
It may be you are rich and prosperous in this world. You have money, and all that money can command. You have "honor, love, obedience, troops of friends." But, remember, "riches are not forever." You cannot keep them longer than a few years. "It is appointed unto people once to die, and after this the judgment." (Prov. 17:24; Heb. 9:27). And then, consider - Shall you be saved?
It may be you are poor and needy. You have scarcely enough to provide food and raiment for yourself and family. You are often distressed for lack of comforts, which you have no power to get. Like Lazarus, you seem to have "bad things" only, and not good. But, nevertheless, you take comfort in the thought that there will be an end of all this. There is a world to come, where poverty and need shall be unknown. Yet, consider a moment - Shall you be saved?
It may be you have a weak and sickly body. You hardly know what it is to be free from pain. You have so long parted company with health, that you have almost forgotten what it is like. You have often said in the morning, "Would God it were evening," - and in the evening, "Would God it were morning." There are days when you are tempted by very weariness to cry out with Jonah, "It is better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:3). But, remember, death is not all. There is something else beyond the grave! And then, consider - Shall you be saved?
If it was an easy thing to be saved, I would not write as I do in this volume. But is it so? Let us see.
If the common opinion of people of the world as to the number of the saved was correct, I would not trouble people with searching and hard questions. But is it so? Let us see.
If God had never spoken plainly in the Bible about the number of the saved, I might well be silent. But is it so? Let us see.
If experience and fact left it doubtful whether many or few would be saved, I might hold my peace. But is it so? Let us see.
There are four points which I propose to examine in considering the subject before us.
1. Let me explain what it is to be saved.
2. Let me point out the mistakes which are common in the world about the number of the saved.
3. Let me show what the Bible says about the number of the saved.
4. Let me bring forward some plain facts as to the number of the saved.
A calm examination of these four points, in a day of wide-spread carelessness about vital religion, will be found of vast importance to our souls.
First of all let me explain what it is to be saved. This is a matter that must be cleared us. Until we know this, we shall make no progress. By being "saved" I may mean one thing, and you may mean another. Let me show you what the Bible says it is to be "saved," and then there will be no misunderstanding. To be saved, is not merely to profess and all ourselves Christians. We may have all the outward parts of Christianity, and yet be lost after all. We may be baptized into Christ's church - to to Christ's table - have Christian knowledge - be reckoned Christian men and women - and yet be dead souls all our lives, and at last, in the judgment day, be found on Christ's left hand, among the goats! No - this is not salvation! Salvation is something far higher and deeper than this. Now what is it?
1. To be saved, is to be delivered in this present life from the GUILT of sin, by faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour. It is to be pardoned, justified, and freed from every charge of sin, by faith in Christ's blood and mediation. Whoever with his heart believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, is a saved soul. He shall not perish. He shall have eternal life. This is the first part of salvation, and the root of all the rest. But this is not all.
2. To be saved, is to be delivered in this present life from the POWER of sin, by being born again, and SANCTIFIED by the Holy Spirit. It is to be freed from the hateful dominion of sin, the world, and the devil, by having a new nature put in us by the Holy Spirit. Whoever is thus renewed in the spirit of his mind, and converted, is a saved soul. He shall not perish. He shall enter into the glorious kingdom of God. This is the second part of salvation. But this is not all.
~J. C. Ryle~
(continued with # 2)
The Mind of Christ # 4
The Mind of Christ # 4
See, my dear friends, what true religion is - not, as I have had frequent occasion to remark, mere churchmanship or dissent; not episcopacy, Presbyterianism, independency, Methodism, or baptism; not orthodoxy of creed, or gorgeousness of ceremony; not a matter of church government, or of spiritual organization. No! No! True religion is having the mind of Christ. Did it ever occur to you to examine how little is said by the sacred writers, about observing the sabbath and the sacraments; about public worship and religious ceremonies; compared with what is said about holiness, benevolence, and humility? But, alas! Alas! how much more eager are the multitudes of professors about the one than the other, inverting Christ's order, and setting forms above the Holy Spirit - just because it is so much more easy, and so much more congenial with all the feelings of our proud and corrupt nature to hear a sermon, observe a sacrament, and repose for safety upon the trueness of our church - than to mortify the corruptions of our own mind, and to transplant into it the virtues and the graces of the mind of Christ.
For what purpose have four different pens been employed by the hand of inspiration, in writing the Gospels - but to show us the mind of Christ for our imitation, as well as His atoning work for our salvation, and by this quadruple delineation of His beautiful character, to impress us not only with its charms - but with the necessity of our resembling it!
See how the life of piety is to be promoted - by reading the Gospels, and that not only to learn how sin is to be pardoned - but what holiness is, and how it is to be promoted. Religion in us is no fancy sketch; no original picture; but a copy, and Christ is the original. To this we must sit down, with the determination, and the hope, of producing, by the help of Divine grace, something resembling it in ourselves; and like artists keeping their eyes constantly upon the original they are copying, not for the purpose of admiring it merely, though they do this, and their admiration helps their object in copying - but for the purpose of producing as perfect a resemblance as possible. So must we, in reading the Gospels, keep our minds intently fixed upon the conduct and spirit of Jesus, not merely to see and say, "How beautiful!" but to copy it!
If nothing short of this be true religion, how comparatively little of it is there in our world. If the mind of Christ in us be necessary to make out our claim to the character of a Christian, how many must forgo the honor. It is enough to make us all tremble for ourselves and one another. Where and in whom is to be seen the union of holiness, benevolence, and condescension, which formed the character of the Saviour? is this holiness to be found in those professors who, though they are free from external vice and immorality, allow the corruption of their heart to go unmortified; and who indulge, instead of crucifying, the passions and lusts of the flesh? Is His benevolence to be found in those who are so fond of the world, so grasping, and so hoarding, that little or nothing can be extorted from their reluctant hands for the salvation of sinners, and the glory of God? And then where is His humility to be seen in His followers? Is it to be found in those who will never forgo a single point of precedence, or one punctilio of etiquette; who will have their rights, and all their rights, at whatever cost of principle or peace; who are so tenacious of all that belongs to them, not only in the way of property - but of influence and respect, that they will not brook the least slight - but resent the smallest possible neglect of their claims, or infringement of their prerogative, or opposition to their will, with all the boilings of wounded pride, and mortified vanity? They are so filled with high notions and excessive admiration of their own fancied greatness and excellence, that if they are not flattered and caressed, they will feel as if they were robbed of their rights, and retire in disgust and indignation.
Oh, is this the mind that was in Christ?? It is matter of little astonishment that the people of the world should not evince the Christian temper; but that the professed disciples of Christ should be so lacking in it, is as surprising as it is painful. It might have been expected that in the school of such a Master, self-denial and humility would have been accounted by His disciples cardinal virtues; that all would commence the cultivation of these Christlike virtues the moment they took their place at His feet; and that the post of honor and ambition with them, would be the lowest instead of the highest place. Yet how widely different is the case. It would seem as if men had yet to learn either what the mind of Christ really is, or that this mind was binding upon them; and as if it were the design of Christianity to form the proud, intolerant, and selfish ecclesiastic professor - rather than the holy, meek, and humble Christian.
~John Angell James~
(continued with # 5)
See, my dear friends, what true religion is - not, as I have had frequent occasion to remark, mere churchmanship or dissent; not episcopacy, Presbyterianism, independency, Methodism, or baptism; not orthodoxy of creed, or gorgeousness of ceremony; not a matter of church government, or of spiritual organization. No! No! True religion is having the mind of Christ. Did it ever occur to you to examine how little is said by the sacred writers, about observing the sabbath and the sacraments; about public worship and religious ceremonies; compared with what is said about holiness, benevolence, and humility? But, alas! Alas! how much more eager are the multitudes of professors about the one than the other, inverting Christ's order, and setting forms above the Holy Spirit - just because it is so much more easy, and so much more congenial with all the feelings of our proud and corrupt nature to hear a sermon, observe a sacrament, and repose for safety upon the trueness of our church - than to mortify the corruptions of our own mind, and to transplant into it the virtues and the graces of the mind of Christ.
For what purpose have four different pens been employed by the hand of inspiration, in writing the Gospels - but to show us the mind of Christ for our imitation, as well as His atoning work for our salvation, and by this quadruple delineation of His beautiful character, to impress us not only with its charms - but with the necessity of our resembling it!
See how the life of piety is to be promoted - by reading the Gospels, and that not only to learn how sin is to be pardoned - but what holiness is, and how it is to be promoted. Religion in us is no fancy sketch; no original picture; but a copy, and Christ is the original. To this we must sit down, with the determination, and the hope, of producing, by the help of Divine grace, something resembling it in ourselves; and like artists keeping their eyes constantly upon the original they are copying, not for the purpose of admiring it merely, though they do this, and their admiration helps their object in copying - but for the purpose of producing as perfect a resemblance as possible. So must we, in reading the Gospels, keep our minds intently fixed upon the conduct and spirit of Jesus, not merely to see and say, "How beautiful!" but to copy it!
If nothing short of this be true religion, how comparatively little of it is there in our world. If the mind of Christ in us be necessary to make out our claim to the character of a Christian, how many must forgo the honor. It is enough to make us all tremble for ourselves and one another. Where and in whom is to be seen the union of holiness, benevolence, and condescension, which formed the character of the Saviour? is this holiness to be found in those professors who, though they are free from external vice and immorality, allow the corruption of their heart to go unmortified; and who indulge, instead of crucifying, the passions and lusts of the flesh? Is His benevolence to be found in those who are so fond of the world, so grasping, and so hoarding, that little or nothing can be extorted from their reluctant hands for the salvation of sinners, and the glory of God? And then where is His humility to be seen in His followers? Is it to be found in those who will never forgo a single point of precedence, or one punctilio of etiquette; who will have their rights, and all their rights, at whatever cost of principle or peace; who are so tenacious of all that belongs to them, not only in the way of property - but of influence and respect, that they will not brook the least slight - but resent the smallest possible neglect of their claims, or infringement of their prerogative, or opposition to their will, with all the boilings of wounded pride, and mortified vanity? They are so filled with high notions and excessive admiration of their own fancied greatness and excellence, that if they are not flattered and caressed, they will feel as if they were robbed of their rights, and retire in disgust and indignation.
Oh, is this the mind that was in Christ?? It is matter of little astonishment that the people of the world should not evince the Christian temper; but that the professed disciples of Christ should be so lacking in it, is as surprising as it is painful. It might have been expected that in the school of such a Master, self-denial and humility would have been accounted by His disciples cardinal virtues; that all would commence the cultivation of these Christlike virtues the moment they took their place at His feet; and that the post of honor and ambition with them, would be the lowest instead of the highest place. Yet how widely different is the case. It would seem as if men had yet to learn either what the mind of Christ really is, or that this mind was binding upon them; and as if it were the design of Christianity to form the proud, intolerant, and selfish ecclesiastic professor - rather than the holy, meek, and humble Christian.
~John Angell James~
(continued with # 5)
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