صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

On all these accounts it is evident, that à believer every day, and in every thing, finds matter for the deepest humiliation. He has still a body of sin, remaining corruptions, daily infirmities, and short comings. All that he has of his own abases him in his own eyes so that his triumph is never in himself. His salvation with all its graces and blessings depends entirely upon what he is in Christ. On this foundation he may rest safely always, notwithstanding he has no thing of his own to glory in. Most of his mistakes and miseries come from his seeking to be independent of Christ-hoping to find that in himself, or in the world, which is only in Christ. Self-love is unwilling to be beholden to Christ for every good thing: it is always trying to put some confidence in the flesh: but the believer is commanded, and is taught to deny self-to put it upon the cross-and to crucify it daily with its affections and lusts. As Christ is exalted, self goes down. As Christ is beloved, self is not only denied, but is also abhorred. The prophet Ezekiel in the thirty-sixth chap

ter describes the very height of the experience of a great believer, who is blest with the abundant graces of the Holy Spirit. The result of which is, "Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings, that were not good, and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities, and for your abominations: not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you; be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel." Such is the genuine working of true grace— it lays the sinner low at the Saviour's feet, abased and humbled to the dust-behold, I am vile—I abhor myself, and I repent in dust and ashes. The sense of God's distinguishing and sovereign mercy brings all high thoughts of self into subjection to Christ Jesus, and teaches the believer to walk humbly with his God, ascribing all his salvation to the praise of the glory of the exceeding riches of God's grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus: that according as it is written, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

Thus it is evident, that when the believer looks back upon what he was by nature, or considers what he is now by grace, he has nothing of his own to boast of, yet even in this continual warfare between the flesh and the spirit, in Christ Jesus he may rejoice even to a triumph, a jubilee of joy. But the grand triumph is yet to come. The best glorying in the Lord here is only a prelude to it. Now we have the espousals with our heavenly bridegroom, but then the marriage will be consummated. Now we are kept waiting in hope for the crown of righteousness, but that will be our coronation day. What a day will it be! What wonders and miracles! The promises, exceeding great and exceeding precious, will then have their full and everlasting accomplishment by a faithful God, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them who have believed. When they shall see him face to face-shall be with him where he is-shall be like him, and made capable of enjoying the honours, and riches, and pleasures of his kingdom, in their fulness of blessedness for evermore.

CHAP. XI.

The eternal Triumph.

THIS is the great lesson which the be

liever is learning, till he comes to the end of his faith-what is promised him, and what he hopes to be at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the centre, to which all his experience tends and while he keeps it in view, it so enlivens and animates his prospect, that come what may, he goes on his way rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit." And by his holy inspiration he opens the eyes of the understanding, both to understand what is revealed, and also to know the things that are free. ly given to us of God. For great as they are, endless as they are, the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually

discerned. But he that is spiritual has spiritual senses given him to exercise upon spiritual things-he is made certain of their realityhis faith gives a substance to the things hoped for, and evidence to the things not seen -an hope that never maketh ashamed-an evidence very clear and satisfying. Sometimes he can triumph in hope of the glory of God, when the Holy Spirit sheds abroad in his heart the Father's love, and bestows great joy and peace in believing. But he who is thus taught of God knows only in part. An apostle knew no more. The best of our present enjoyment is only a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. But even this little is of such a nature, and has such effica. cy, that when it is truly believed, it influen. ces the whole man, while he looks not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. They are not seen by the eye of the body, but are visible by the eye of faith; so we read, "Come, taste and see, how gracious the Lord is." By this eye

« السابقةمتابعة »