Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

ness of some was but as the early dew or rain which quickly passeth away.

My friends, and when we look at the uncertainty of every thing before us, and see that an awful eternity will soon be opened to us, how ought we to be employed in the sight of God! When we consider that our life is like a vapour that quickly passeth away, we know not how soon we may be numbered with the dead. Do we not know that some are taken away in a moment, yea, in the twinkling of an eye, and have scarcely time to say, Lord have mercy on me? Now I cannot but believe, that this language is intended to proclaim, "Be ye also ready." It is our highest interest to endeavour to be ready -to have our great account in readiness with our God, and that we endeavour to make our "calling and election sure," giving all diligence herein. Oh! that we may all be of this number, that henceforth we may be willing to bear the Lord's hand upon us, being like minded with the apostle in fighting the good fight, and in maintaining the inward and spiritual warfare from day to day, and in keeping the faith, that we may be built up in that most holy faith which was once delivered unto the saints-that we hay know that precious state set forth by the apostle: "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live;

yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Now, my friends, let us apply this. He "loved me and gave himself for me." He is the good shepherd who gave his life for us, that we might have life more abundantly. But let us beware of that strong enemy, the devil, who, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour; and of the false prophet and deceiver. Let us beware of his subtleties and transformations, for he would verily deceive us by transforming himself into an angel of light. Of these let us beware,-for, if I am not much mistaken, there are those in this present assembly who need to be more on their guard; to be more aware of these subtle transformations of the enemy, who transform themselves into the appearance of angels of light, thus trying to turn away from the faith, all those who are not careful to fight the good fight, from day to day, keeping stedfast in obedience to the manifestations of the spirit. That while being so humbled and bowed, from day to day, we may be preserved from carnal reasoning, and from being led astray by the transformations of Satan; for he worketh as in a mystery of iniquity, and would try to draw down the

stars out of the firmament, and would try to bring on us all the consequences of his transgression.

O my friends, it is through watchfulness and prayer, that each of us must witness a preservation in the day of temptation and trial, that we may discover all the subtle workings of sin. Then let us watch and pray that we enter not into temptation; and that we may know an adding to "our faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren, nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." And this is indeed the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And I desire that we may all come to and abide in it; and that we may all be careful to see what covers our spirits; that we may be watchful over our words, and this from day to day. And as we are thus watchful and willing to endure present tribulations;here then, we shall enjoy a living faith through the matchless loving kindness and mercy of our God. And we shall be permitted to join those, whom John saw in the vision of light, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads

crowns of gold, and they had in their hands palms. These are they, which having washed their robes, come through great tribulation, to be made white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne, shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their

eyes.

PRAYER

BY ANNA BRAITHWAITE.

O THOU, who art the Lord God of heaven and earth!-thou the dread of nations!-thou who weighest the mountains in scales, and accountest the hills a very little thing! We would ask of thee, with humble hearts and contrite spirits, thy blessing on this assembly. Thou who knowest all things-the secrets of every heart now before thee, we ask not of thee, either riches or honour.

O Father, under a very awful sense of our entire dependence on thee, the God of hosts, we beg of thee to sanctify us. And under a grateful and thankful sense of thy salvation, which in unutterable mercy, thou hast appointed unto the very ends of the earth, through the life, sufferings, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we do now venture, in great prostration of spirit, to ask of thee, that the haughtiness of men may be brought down and laid low; and that the kingdom of the Messiah may spread among the nations. That the day may hasten when the knowledge of the

« ForrigeFortsæt »