A FEW DROPS OF WORMWOOD AND GALL FOR HIRELINGS AND FORMAL full assurance of creature impudence and daring presumption, all their life. ISTS, AND A FEW HONEY DROPS being one scene of pride and covet FROM THE ROCK FOR PILGRIMS WHO "They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain."-Psalm 1xxiii. 5, 6. 66 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy."-John xvi. 20. IN the church of God on earth, there is a mixture of corn with chaff, of wheat with tares, of good fish with bad, of sheep with goats; but there shall be a separation of the precious from the vile, and God will come with his fan in his hand and will throughly purge his floor (Luke iii. 17). Professors, both preachers and hearers, will then appear in their true character, what they are in God's sight; not what they now appear in the sight of men. The spider's web will then be swept away (Job viii. 14), and the mask be taken off. How will our popular Balaamitish preachers and professors appear in that day? The thought is solemn! Many die quietly, like a lamb, (as the vulgar phrase is) but to die the death of the righteous, is not so much a calm and easy passage, (the fishes have that when they swim down the stream of Jordan, into the Dead Sea, where they perish,) but a safe harbour. Persons may go to heaven in a storm, and to hell in a calm; having no bands in their death, and yet death hath dominion over them. To be a stranger to godly sorrow, is one of the dreadful signs of a lost soul. The laughter of such persons is a deadly joy. Many are launched into eternity, that never knew what it is to be a partaker of the quickening and humbling grace of God, which lays a sinner low, and melts him into contrition at the feet of Jesus. Yet they boast of the full assurance of faith; but it is very evident it is nothing else but the ousness. We wonder not to see a house built on the sand, fall; or seed not having root wither; or trees in the parched wilderness decay (Jer. xvii. 6); or meteors vanish; or blazing stars in the dragon's tail fall; or clouds without rain blown about; or wells without springs dried up. "For if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his," Rom. viii. 9. The regenerate are plants of God's planting by the waters, grafted and rooted in Christ, and shall not cease from yielding fruit (Jer. xvii. S). They are as Mount Zion that cannot be moved, and as fixed stars that fall not finally. The house on the rock stands firm in all weathers. For God's election stands firm, his love is unchangeable, his gifts without repentance; and the undertaking of Christ is to keep his children to the end, that none shall pluck them out of his hand; and whom he gives himself for, he presents them spotless and blameless before his Father. It is the decree of heaven, that none be admitted into glory, but those who are born again of the Spirit. Heaven must first be brought down into our souls, before our souls are capable of ascending up thither: we must first be made meet, before we can partake of the inheritance of the saints in light (Col. i. 12). We are by nature unmeet, because we are carnal and earthly. Should God dispense with his own decree, and open so wide a door into heaven and happiness, as to let in carnal and sensual persons, heaven would be no heaven to such; carnal hearts can never relish the sweetness of spiritual enjoyments. Therefore heaven would be so far from being a heaven unto such, that it would be a kind of hell unto them ; for as delight arises from an harmony between the person and the object, so all kind of torment from an unsuitableness and contrariety. Hence it is, that although God the Holy Ghost gives us a foretaste of heaven here upon earth, in his ordinances, yet to carnal persons everything of this nature is a burden. When will the new moon be gone (say they) that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath that we may set forth meat," &c., Amos viii. 5. There must be therefore a suitableness and harmony between our souls and heavenly mercies, before we are capable of tasting the sweetness of them. When God's children are translated by the Holy Spirit, from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, old things pass away, and all things become new (2 Cor. v. 17). Their hopes and fears, their pursuits and aims, are all changed. The change in these respects is so evident, that they are soon noticed, and marked, and derided, by those from whom they are now separated; who being under the influence of Satan, will manifest their hatred to them. Satan will not trouble while he bears rule. He is indeed an enemy to his own servants, and seeks their destruction, both body and soul, by pushing them on in sin, but while they make no resistance he gives them no disturbance. It is otherwise with those whom the Lord has rescued from his grasp. He will pursue them like a lion seeking his prey (1 Pet. v. 8), and lie in wait for them like a serpent in the path. This is one cause of the world's hatred; for the Holy Spirit styles him the god of this world (2 Cor. iv.4); and he sets all that he can influence, slanderous tongues, envy, hatred, and malice in every shape: some he transforms as angels of light in outward morality, which they wear as a cloak to hide the dagger of slander, to stab the servants of the living God in the back in their reputation. "Professors, too, in name, Of Jesus make their boast, And yet to shame are lost; But who, or what, can injure those who are under the protection of Omnipotence? And yet it is not always easy to maintain the persuasion of it in the mind, and to abide in the exercise of faith, without great grace, when, to an eye of sense, all things seem against us. But though we believe not, he abideth faithful, and will not forsake those whom he once enables to put their trust in him. was a faithful and approved servant of God, yet for a season his trials were great, and his confidence was sometimes shaken: but he was supported, and at length delivered. Job How strong is he from whom all created strength is derived, and before whom the strength of all creatures, if collected into one effort, would be as chaff before the whirlwind! The Lord of all power and might speaks, and it is done; he commandeth, and it standeth fast. Though the waves of the stormy sea toss themselves, they cannot prevail (Psalm xciii. 3, 4); he checks them in the height of their rage, setting bounds to their violence which they cannot pass, saying, "Hitherto shalt thou come and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed," Job xxxviii. 10, 11. With equal sovereignty, certainty, and ease, he rules over men and things. He formed the heart of man, and he can fill it with terror or with comfort in a moment, in any circumstances. can make it happy in a dungeon (Acts xvi. 25), or impress it with dismay and despair upon a throne (Dan. v. 5, 6). All hearts are thus incessantly under his influence. And the hedge of his promise and protection surrounds those who trust in him, as with mountains and walls of brass and fire, inpenetrable to the assaults of the powers of darkness, unless so far as he for wise and holy ends, is pleased to give permission. With the arm of his strength he upholdeth them that are falling, and raiseth up them that are bowed down (Psalm cxlv. 14), and is, in one and the same He moment, a present help in trouble to all who call upon him (Psalm xlvi. 1). Therefore they that abide under his shadow are safe; they pass unhurt through floods and flames, beeause their Redeemer is strong. And when, in defiance of all their enemies, he has brought them together in his heavenly kingdom, they will with one consent ascribe unto the Lord the glory. While the believer is in this parching desert, all his afflictions shall work together for his good (Rom. viii. 28). The saints' good is God's aim. As love is the principle he constantly acts from, so the saints' good is the end he propounds and aims at in all his dispensations. From this he never swerves. The fire of love never goes out of his heart, nor the saints' good out of his eye. When he frowns, chides, strikes with the rod, yet then his heart burns with love, and his thoughts are to do them good (Jer. xxiv. 5). The fire tries the gold as well as the touch-stone. Diseases not only need but try the skill of the physician, and tempests the skill of the pilot. This tempestuous tossing in the sea, will purge the wine from its lees, hence the Lord says, "I will bring a third part through the fire, to refine them as silver," Zech. xiv. 9. Christ went from a cross to paradise, so do his people. The master was made perfect through sufferings (Heb. ii. 10), so are his servants. Though the saints' cross cannot merit, yet it makes way for a crown of life (James i. 12). Although very few of God's people have friends or worldly comforts, yet in Christ they have what does more than make up the want of these. We may be as impatiently desirous of this and that earthly comfort as Rachel was of children, whom we find quarrelling with Jacob: "Give me children, or else I die," Gen. But what Elkanah said to Hannah in the like condition, Am I not better to thee than ten sons?" 1 Sam. i. 8, the same we may say much more to persons interested in xxx. 1. 66 Christ. Is not Christ better to you than all? The absence of the cistern may well be dispensed with by those who live upon the fountain, and the light of the candle by them who enjoy the sun. Thus we read of them who were rich in the midst of poverty, who having nothing yet possessed all things; joyful in the midst of sorrows, that is, though they had not these comforts, yet they had an interest in him who is infinitely more and better than all those comforts. What the root is to the tree, the vine to the branches, the head to the body, all this Christ is to believers; viz., not only a treasury of all good, but a fountain continually flowing down all kinds of spiritual blessings into their souls: and though faith be the eye that discerns, and the hand that receives all from Christ's fulness, yet it is he by his Spirit that works this grace in us. What are the pleasures that are in sin for a season, to be compared with the rivers of God's pleasure, that are for evermore at his right hand? And what is a little wealth, that thieves can steal; a despicable heap of riches, which like a flock of birds alighting awhile in our garden, which soon take wing and fly away, to be named with the unsearchable riches of Christ, or that inheritance of the saints in light? Or what is the painted bubble, the fading though beauteous rainbow of earthly honour and grandeur, to an eternal weight of glory-to an incorruptible crown of righteousness that fadeth not away-to a kingdom, which it is the Father's good pleasure to reserve in the highest heavens for every sheep and every lamb of his little flock. Oh, believer, whatever thou mayest be called upon to endure in this wretched world, remember it is thy Saviour's promise, that it is through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom! Oh that we may be enabled by the blessed Spirit, to look beyond the misty mountains and tossing waters of this world, to the bright scenes and glorious prospects before us-to the full sunshine of unclouded vision of our dear Saviour, for we shall see him as he is, without a veil between, and be like him. Thou mayest, believer, lose all thy earthly comforts, but thou shalt never lose thy strength and portion, even when heart and flesh fail thee," for God is the strength of thine heart and thy portion for ever." We may have many dark nights of distress to walk through; many deep seas of tribulation to wade through; many fiery trials of temptation and persecution to try us, but none of these shall ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus "For if God be for us who can be against us?" We shall soon leave this vale of tears; this tossing, rough, and stormy sea, and enter the port of long and everlasting joy; where we shall be perfectly holy and happy for ever, for sin and sorrow will flee away. May we be enabled to follow them who, through' faith and patience, are possessing the promise. If we have grace in the bud, it will at length expand into the full blossom of glory, and we shall soon join the general assembly and church of the first-born above, who have for their unwearied employ to contemplate and adore God in Christ for ever. To have a little comfort and refreshing when we are wandering in a desert is a mercy, but to come to a settled house and habitation in God and the Lamb, is Efar better. Jesus, I long for thee, And sigh for Canaan's shore, IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS. Messrs. Editors, GRACE and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. I TRUST that as heretofore you will still go on in the strength of the Lord, making mention of his righteousness and of his only. We have monthly publications, with good titles on their backs, but within they are mostly filled with dead men's bones and corruption; which may do well. to please those religionists who are living in and on themselves, and drawing all their evidences from the work. ings of their own corruptions and the temptations of the devil. But such things are not fit to have a place in "Zion's Casket," nor are they in any way or manner suited to the palate of Zion's children. It is rather surprising, though it is a plain fact, that the greatest part of the professors are rejecting the Christ of God, Christ Jehovah, the way, the truth, and the life, and are setting up a standard of corruption, to live in, and walk by. But I desire to bless the Lord with all my soul, that he hath in his tender mercy delivered me from such trammels of men and delusions of the devil: I find it very blessed to be daily living in Christ, and Christ in me the hope of glory; nor can I find solid comfort or real joy and peace in believing, in any one thing that is in the abstract from, or that stops short of the person, fulness, and salvation of Jesus Christ: HIMSELF is the object and subject of faith, by whom and through whom I have peace with God; HIMSELF is my peace, and HE hath made peace through the blood of His cross; and HIMSELF is the peace of God which passeth all understanding, The experience of these truths by the demonstration and power of the Holy Ghost, in their operations in the heart, gives me a knowledge of W. C. their divine properties, and the bles And all my warfare o'er. And must I ever smart, A child of sorrows here? To soothe each rising tear. 66 sedness arising therefrom on the ground of dear relationship to a precious Christ, which is communion with our God before the mercy-seat. And in conjunction with this experi. ence, I have hope that maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost, which is given me. These are truths that are very dear to my spiritual mind: and thus I walk with Christ, and live Christ, in the fulness of eternal life, salvation, redemption, and justification in Him, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and say with Paul, Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ." Nor can I find after many years' experience, any thing worth thinking of, looking to, resting on, or possessing, but Jesus and his great salvation, of whom it is written: " Jehovah shall be thy everlasting light, and thy God thy glory." I add, whatever men may preach, or attempt to set up as a rule or a standard, if Christ be not all and in all, such are acting in concert with Antichrist. But it is said of those who are opposed to this, Ah! they don't preach my experience: I love an experimental sermon.' Bless the Lord, and so do I; but preaching corruptions and the black art of the devil, is not preaching the gospel, nor the spiritual experience of the church of God, who believe in the Son of God: for every thing that is calculated to turn the eye or mind from Christ, what he is, what he hath wrought, suffered, and obtained, is in no way connected with the ministry of the Spirit, nor the sweet experience of the same in the heart; but such reject the Christ of God, and are in affinity with the heathen and learn their ways. And such things as these, so much sought after, and insisted on, are all contrary to the heart-warming, soul-cheering testimonies of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: the sum total of them is the eternity, co-equality, person, Godhead, underived nature, fulness, suitability, and glory of his dearly-beloved Son in whom his soul delighteth: and he that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true. Again, am I to honour the Lord with my substance-which is faith— and from my heart say "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift;" or set up for a standard an experience of corruption, and reject the witness which God witnesseth of his Son? Blessed be the Lord I delight in the former, and go on my way rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh; rejecting all fleshly religion and systems of men, knowing Christ is all and in all, in whom dwelleth all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, yea all the fulness of the Godhead bodily: and the Eternal Spirit declares to the church, "Ye are complete in him." Surely then as these are the true sayings of God, it would be acting foolishly, and contrary to the truth, to be looking after, or for acceptance, completeness, or any spiritual blessing, but where these things are truly and eternally, which is in Christ the beloved. And it is most blessed to be witnesses for God and his truth, rejecting all vain confidences, loathing ourselves for all our abominations, and hating our own life; going on daily in the strength of the Lord, being delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God: experiencing in the heart the preciousness of the words of our most glorious Christ, as he saith of the Spirit, in setting forth his power, work, and ministry: He shall glorify me: He shall testify of me: He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you: He shall guide you into all truth; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free :" therefore as many as walk by this rule, mercy on them, and on the Israel of God. Dear sirs, I hope "Zion's Casket will ever come forth filled with jewels from the treasury of the King of kings. |