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2535.]

PERFECTION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

we are to maintain the strictest jealousy over ourselves, that we make not any portion of the inspired writings void, but that we adhere to them with the utmost possible fidelity,

1. In our exposition of their import

[It is perfectly surprising to see with what unhallowed boldness many will put their own construction upon God's blessed word, denying its plainest import, and annexing to it a sense totally contrary to its most obvious meaning. To what a fearful extent this liberty has been taken by Papists is well known: but, to the shame of Protestants, I must confess, that in this guilt they also participate to a great extent. Nor do I here speak of those only who fearlessly expunge those parts of Scripture which are hostile to their views, but of those adverse parties in the Church, who, whilst they profess to reverence the whole of the inspired volume, wrest and pervert its plainest assertions, in order to maintain a system of their own. This it is that has introduced endless dissensions, divisions, and bitter animosities into the Church of Christ. Men have adopted sentiments of their own, instead of submitting to be taught of God; and then they have laboured, by forced constructions and ingenious criticisms, to make the Scriptures accord with their views. The different parties all see and condemn this disingenuousness in their adversaries, whilst yet, without remorse, they practise it themselves. In truth, so fettered are the great mass even of teachers themselves by human systems, that there are scarcely any to be found, who will dare to give to the whole of Scripture its true import, and to bring forward in their ministrations all that God has spoken in his word: and so vitiated is the taste of the generality of their hearers, that scarcely any would be found to approve of this fidelity, even if it were exercised towards them. The pious reformers of the established Church were of a different mind; they have faithfully declared to us the whole counsel of God: but amongst their degenerate children there are few who follow their example; almost all having ranged themselves as partisans of opposite and contending opinions, instead of conforming themselves simply to the declarations of Holy Writ. But I hope the time is not far distant, when ALL the articles of our Church will be equally esteemed, and EVERY truth of Scripture be impartially brought forward in our public ministrations.]

2. In our submission to their authority—

[To every part of God's blessed word we should bow with meek submission; not regarding any doctrine as" an hard saying," or doubting the truth of it because it exceeds

our comprehension. We are but children; and, as children, we should receive with implicit reverence whatever has been spoken by our heavenly Instructor. And if with simplicity of mind we receive the first principles of the oracles of God, we shall have our understandings progressively enlarged, and be gradually guided into all truth. In relation to those things which we do not at present understand, we should be content to say, "What I know not now, I shall know hereafter."

So likewise, in reference to the commands of God, no one of them should be considered as "grievous," but all be viewed as "holy, and just, and good." To explain them away, or to lower them to the standard of our own attainments is criminal in a high degree. We should have no wish but to be conformed to the mind and will of God, and to have our whole souls poured, as it were, into the mould of his Gospel. As far as respects the impiety of the act, it matters very little whether we change the words or the sense of the Holy Scriptures: in either case we greatly offend God, and entail on ourselves all the judgments that are denounced against us in the text.]

APPLICATION

[The words immediately following my text may well serve to enforce every word that has been spoken. It is the Lord Jesus Christ himself who "testifies of these things," and who, to impress them the more deeply on our minds, says, "Surely I come quickly." He will come quickly: and whatever he has spoken shall surely come to pass; not one jot or tittle of it shall ever fail. We may now take away from his word, or add to it, as seemeth us good; but in that day his word shall stand; and his judgments be dispensed in perfect accordance with it. We may deceive others by our perversions of Scripture, and may even deceive ourselves but him we cannot deceive: nor, when he shall pass sentence on us for our temerity, shall we be able to elude his vengeance. I pray you then to regard the Scriptures with the veneration that is due to them. Imagine not that they were given us for the purpose of displaying our skill in controversy; though I deny not but that we ought to combat error, and to contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints: but the inspired volume is holy ground: and we should "put off our shoes," as it were, whenever we enter upon it, and implore help from God, that we may be enabled to "receive it with meekness as an engrafted word," and find it effectual to save our souls.]

MMDXXXVI

THE COMING OF CHRIST DESIRED.

Rev. xxii. 20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly; Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

IN the Book of Revelation is contained a series of prophecies, from the apostolic age to the end of the world. To them must nothing be added: from them must nothing be withdrawn. To alter any thing contained in them is at the peril of our souls. In perfect agreement with them will every event be found at the last: the Church will triumph; her enemies will be put to shame; and the Lord Jesus Christ, into whose hands all things are committed, will be glorified in all. Speedily, too, will this desirable result appear: for " He who testifieth of these things," even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Judge of quick and dead, says, "Surely I come quickly." And his beloved Apostle, to whom he had revealed these things, welcomed the glorious consummation, saying, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Now, in these words we see Christ's coming to judgment,

I. As a period to be expected

Of this period the whole Scriptures testify

[In the Old Testament indeed, little, in comparison, is spoken of it: yet we can have no doubt but that it was known, not only to the descendants of Abraham, but even before the flood for St. Jude tells us, that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied respecting it, saying, "Behold, the Lord cometh, with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon alla." In the New Testament it forms a very prominent part of the inspired records; continual reference being made to that period, and the circumstances that shall then take place being fully developed. The person of the Judge, the manner of his advent, the establishment of his tribunal, the solemnities of his judgment, the final sentence which he will pronounce, and the eternal states of men fixed in perfect accordance with it, are all described, with a minuteness which

a Jude, ver. 14, 15.

places every thing, as it were, before our eyes, and enables us to anticipate with certainty the whole process—]

And it is now fast approaching—

[Time, in our eyes, appears long: but "with God, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Our blessed Lord, when on earth, spake of it as near at hand. St. Paul adverted to it in such strong terms, that he was misunderstood by many, whose misconceptions he afterwards removed by a more plain and full declaration respecting it. Since the period that this revelation was given to John, above seventeen hundred years have elapsed: so that, if at that time it could be said by our Lord, "Surely I come quickly," much more must it be true at this day. Even in reference to the general judgment, it is true; because the time that shall intervene before it, is no more, in comparison of eternity, than the twinkling of an eye. But, in reference to individuals, it is true, even in the most obvious and literal sense: for our time is only like a shadow that departeth, and hasteth away like the eagle in its flight. Surely," my beloved brethren, as it respects every one amongst us, "the Judge is at the door." For aught that we know, we may this very day or hour be summoned into his presence, and receive at his hands our final doom]

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Yet, awful as the future judgment will be, we may well contemplate it,

II. As an event to be desired

Not that it is desirable to all: for, when it shall arrive, many will call upon the rocks to fall upon them, and the hills to cover them from the presence of their Judge. To those only can it be an object of desire, who are "prepared to meet their God." For this high attainment three things are requisite:

1. A view of salvation, as wrought out by Christ— [The proud self-righteous moralist can never desire that day. He may indeed so harden himself in unbelief, as to feel no dread of judgment; and so deceive his own soul, as to think that the issue of it will be favourable to him. But he cannot look forward to that event with real satisfaction. He knows not what it is to be "looking for, and hasting unto, the coming of the day of Christ." He has no solid ground of hope: when he reflects candidly on his state, he cannot but feel some secret misgivings, that all will not be well with him; and, consequently, he cannot really desire that day on the contrary, it

b Matt. xxv. 31-34.

would be a satisfaction to him to be informed that there should be no discrimination of persons, and that all should sleep a perpetual sleep.]

2. A hope of salvation, as obtained through Christ

[It is not a mere knowledge of the Gospel that will bear up the soul in the prospect of that great event. There must be in us some consciousness that we have fled to Christ for refuge, and laid hold on the hope that is set before us. It is a small matter to us that Christ has come into the world, and died for us, if we have not somewhat of a well-grounded hope of an interest in him. When we can see the promises as freely made to us, and are enabled to rest upon them, then may we look forward with composure to the dissolution of our earthly tabernacle, and to the transmission of our souls to "an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."]

3. An earnest of salvation, as already enjoyed in Christ

[This is given to many of God's favoured people: and, though I say not that it is necessary to saving faith, I must say, that without it no man can cordially adopt the language of my text, and say, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." We must have some assurance of our acceptance with God, before we can really desire to enter into his presence; and some sense of an interest in Christ, before we can truly "love his appearing." But if" the Spirit of God bear witness with our spirits that we are his children," then may we number death amongst our treasures," and "desire to depart, that we may be with Christ." Then may we adopt the triumphant language of the Apostle, and say, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" for then our great enemy is slain, and "God has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ:" yea, "death is swallowed up in victory," and heaven itself is commenced in the soul.]

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OBSERVE, then

1. How sad is the prospect of those who are yet in their sins!

[Whether ye will believe it or not, know assuredly, that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming quickly, to call you into judgment and to him shall ye give account, not only of your words and actions, but of the most secret counsels of your hearts." How terrible is this thought to those who have never repented of their sins, nor ever sought for mercy through the

c 2 Cor. v. 1.

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d 1 Cor. iii. 22.

e Isai. xxv. 8. with 1 Cor. xv. 54-57.

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