Page images
PDF
EPUB

(these despised Gentiles, "the dross" as you deemed) "that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”

Now there is nothing in this interpretation that is in any way inconsistent either with the context, or the internal structure of either the parable or the text. And, further, the subsequent remarks of our LORD receive a peculiar appropriateness and meaning on this view of the text, as you may readily perceive by inspecting them for yourselves.

We have now only a brief space remaining in which to notice, practically, and for our own sakes, what may be called the spirit of our LORD'S words, on this occasion. Methinks it ought to give us a most exalted idea of the power-the perpetuity- and the glory-of the Church "founded on apostles and prophets ”—that even the anciently favoured people of God were urged with so much earnestness to "press into it,” as anxious suppliants. In truth we are but too forgetful of the Church's exalted dignity; and our own high responsibility in consequence of our

membership in it. All other religions and forms of faith or worship must "fail"—the Church alone has the promise of endurance. In the Church alone there are "everlasting habitations," where the outcasts of a failing world may find sure refuge. And it ought to be the desire of her faithful members to act up to their true position -as the "friends" of the spiritually destitute and "failing"-to pursue this object (as next to their own salvation) the promotion of the glory of CHRIST's Church, the extension of its usefulness more and more to the world. So far as faithful members of the Church exert themselves to further the success and the extension of Her Holy ministrations, they are acting up to this solemn duty (which they will have to answer for), and so may hereafter be greeted as trusty "friends," by those who, when they shall have found all other hopes "fail" them as very vanity, may betake themselves to the Church's strong bulwarks-Her "everlasting habitations" of peace.

But if we would feel and practise this duty rightly, first let us see to it that we ourselves are faithfully abiding in our spiritual resting-place

the Church: not outwardly only, but inwardly. For the outward discipline of the Church is so decayed that men are scarcely ever excommunicated for any crime; nevertheless, persevering unholiness doth of its own nature cut a man off, at last, from every spiritual benefit of the Church, even though the sentence be not formally pronounced by the Priest's lips. I would therefore have each inquire, whether memory tells of long passed days when GOD was more in your thoughts than now-when heaven was longed for more when your Church was sought with purer, more constant, and more ardent love? ... Take heed! -for, if it be so, your religion is fearfully on the decay, and who knoweth how soon it may wholly perish. Taking this close view of the Church of Christ, it is almost sad to gaze on a happy-looking group of youthful believers-to see them with "the dew of their Baptism" yet fresh on them -the new-born inmates of the Church's "habitations"-and then reflect that in a few short years, many of them may be allured from the strong abode of their spiritual peace-haply to return no more. It is a feeling which must come over a Christian's mind-even as if a loved family

compact were broken into, and for ever destroyed by misfortune or death; so that of the many kindred voices, which once were heard in unison, in dearest social intercourse of praise, or prayer,

66

some are hushed for ever,-and some are changed, and scarcely one remains unaltered. Thus it is in the Church: thousands think it a light matter to neglect the Church's rules and ordinances, and to wander from her everlasting habitations," to the ephemeral tents, the failing" tabernacles set up by men. Too many there are who forget that departure from the Church below may be but a forerunner of an absence from the Church above, of which it is a type. They wander, thinking they may return at any time; they know not how deceitful a thing sin is! For few, alas, do return, of those who "in heart do depart from the LORD!"

If, by God's grace, we are still abiding in the Church's peaceful dwellings, with faith, and prayer, and watching, let us be more and more watchful over every symptom of a love growing cold, a faith growing formal,-an obedience

32

THE PERPETUITY OF THE CHURCH.

heartless! We have been received into God's

family, we have already believed, and so "entered into rest,"-entered on a glorious and enduring home, which shall remain, when the whole world, with its alien and voluntarily outcast myriads, shall utterly "fail" and perish. May God, our Father, give us grace for His Son's sake, to abide in our "everlasting habitations," waiting His time when He shall have fitted us for removal from the lower to the higher mansions in the "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

LONDON:

THOMAS CURSON HANSARD, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

« PreviousContinue »