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ON

RASH JUDGMENTS;

AND BELIEVERS TAKING THE JUDGMENT CHAIR AND CONDEMNING THEIR BRETHREN.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.—Luke, vi. 37.

(Concluded from page 182.)

دو

In the Church there are Judges of all degrees and ages, for this is an epidemic evil; and can it be a wonder that so many are so very destitute of all true and right judgment in divine things? Is it any marvel that we hear such strange decisions, and see such "fearful sights" (Luke, xxi. 11) in our heavens? Verily the sayings and doings of these men seldom exhibit much of that "judgment and righteousness' with which the Lord hath promised to "fill his Zion;" or of that wisdom and knowledge" which form the "stability of her times” of prosperity; but little of that "fear of the Lord" which is his treasure lodged in the hearts of all his chosen ones (Isa. xxx. 5, 6); and still less of that LOVE, kindled by the Spirit in their souls, which "suffer"eth long, is kind, envieth not, vaunteth not itself (margin, is not rash,' "can this be said of our Judges? are not some of them full of rashness?), is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, "is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but frejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things (for "which there is scriptural warrant), hopeth all things, endureth all "things; which LOVE never faileth" (1 Cor. xiii. 4—8).'

1

The importance of this subject has often appeared in my view so great, the evils of this rampant disease so manifold-like a door, which, when once opened, is sure to let in a numerous retinue of pernicious consequences and transgressions-that I have often purposed writing a small tract upon it, with the intention of setting forth some things which the Scriptures hold forth and inculcate on this matter. Illness, years, and infirmities, have now admonished me that I must have little to do with either writing or reading during the short remnant of my days. One consideration, however, gives me no little comfort, which is, that Christ Jesus Jehovah, our Righteousness and our Judge, is on his way, and will, ere long, appear, to put these Judges, these high and mighty Ones, these (in their own estimation) wise and all-discerning men, out of that seat which they have so improperly usurped, and take it Himself. He will not judge, as men do, after the sight of their eyes, and reprove after the hearing of their ears, but "with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth" (Isa. xi. 1-5). "The meek will he guide in judgment, the meek will he teach his way" (Psalm xxv. 9). "He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces every oppressor." (See Psalm lxxii. 1-9, 12-14). When Jesus assumes this seat, and taketh to himself his great power to reign over the house of Jacob, righteousness will be the girdle of his

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nant," as whom he loveth he chasteneth; and God's own children might not, in certain situations, and as to the extent and peculiar nature of some of thy adversities, know thee; and, indeed, thou art such a mysterious being that thou canst not read or know thyself. Yet there are some that do know thy soul in adversity-the great enemy of souls does; for he tells thee that thou never canst be delivered, and that thou wilt one day utterly "fall by the hand of the enemy;" and that the beginning of thy religion was not right, and therefore it must end wrong. Well, and according to that Scripture in Heb. i. 13, we may infer that angels know thee, for they are sent to minister to those who are heirs of salvation. But, poor soul, I have to tell thee the thing I had first in view, and that is, the LORD knows thy soul in adversitiesJehovah knows thee in his Trinity of Persons-God the Father, as the object of his love and the subject of his claim-God the Son, as the chase of his blood-and God the Holy Ghost, as the work of his regenerating grace. Thus, then, Jehovah knows thy soul in adversities: but more particularly I wish to lead thy mind, instrumentally, to consider that Jehovah not only knows thy soul, but thy adversity; not only in his sovereignty and omniscience, but personally, feelingly, and experi mentally in the Person of thy Saviour, who took thy nature on purpose, and became very man, flesh of thy flesh, as well as being " God over all," in order to know thy adversities and thy soul in them; as Paul says, "Can be touched with a feeling."; Now this could not have been as God alone, neither could it be of any service to thee as Man alone; but as God and Man in one glorious Person, he suits thee well, he has felt thy adversities and knows them and thee in them. Herein, I say, is the blessedness of the subject; this is the pith and marrow of the text. Cheer up, then, poor soul, though thy enemies may be mighty and thy adversities many-though thou mayst seem to be poor and singular, standing like a sparrow alone upon the housetop, and like a poor, moping, solitary owl of the desert, Jesus knows thee and thy adversities. He knew thee in eternity-he knows thee in time-ay, he not only knows thee in prosperity, but in adversity, and he will surely know thee when time shall be no more; for thou art engraven upon the breastplate of his heart. What can I say to thee? Why that Jesus not only knows thy soul in adversity, but loves to hear from thee; for he says to thee, "Call upon ME in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Depend upon it, my dear, tried friend, whoever thou art that needs this, thou shalt have it; for "heaven and earth shall pass away, but not one jot or tittle" of all that he has promised shall fall to the ground; "but the word of our God shall stand for ever." Farewell, then, ye poor souls in adversity, may the Lord the Spirit enable thee to gather a crumb of consolation from these few remarks; then thou wilt join with thy unknown friend in desiring to give Jehovah all the glory and honour, now and for ever. Amen and amen.

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ON

RASH

JUDGMENTS;

AND BELIEVERS TAKING CHAIR AND CONDEMNING THEIR

THE JUDGMENT
BRETHREN.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.-Luke, vi. 37.

(Concluded from page 182.)

دو

In the Church there are Judges of all degrees and ages, for this is an epidemic evil; and can it be a wonder that so many are so very destitute of all true and right judgment in divine things? Is it any marvel that we hear such strange decisions, and see such "fearful sights" (Luke, xxi. 11) in our heavens? Verily the sayings and doings of these men seldom exhibit much of that "judgment and righteousness with which the Lord hath promised to "fill his Zion;' or of that wisdom and knowledge" which form the "stability of her times" of prosperity; but little of that "fear of the Lord" which is his treasure lodged in the hearts of all his chosen ones (Isa. xxx. 5, 6); and still less of that LOVE, kindled by the Spirit in their souls, which "suffer"eth long, is kind, envieth not, vaunteth not itself (margin, is not rash,' "can this be said of our Judges? are not some of them full of rashness?), is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things (for "which there is scriptural warrant), hopeth all things, endureth all "things; which LOVE never faileth" (1 Cor. xiii. 4-8).'

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The importance of this subject has often appeared in my view so great, the evils of this rampant disease so manifold-like a door, which, when once opened, is sure to let in a numerous retinue of pernicious consequences and transgressions-that I have often purposed writing a small tract upon it, with the intention of setting forth some things which the Scriptures hold forth and inculcate on this matter. Illness, years, and infirmities, have now admonished me that I must have little to do with either writing or reading during the short remnant of my days. One consideration, however, gives me no little comfort, which is, that Christ Jesus Jehovah, our Righteousness and our Judge, is on his way, and will, ere long, appear, to put these Judges, these high and mighty Ones, these (in their own estimation) wise and all-discerning men, out of that seat which they have so improperly usurped, and take it Himself. He will not judge, as men do, after the sight of their eyes, and reprove after the hearing of their ears, but "with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth" (Isa. xi. 1-5). The meek will he guide in judgment, the meek will he teach his way" (Psalm xxv. 9). "He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces every oppressor." (See Psalm lxxii. 1—9, 12—14). When Jesus assumes this seat, and taketh to himself his great power to reign over the house of Jacob, righteousness will be the girdle of his

loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. He will come for and with salvation to his tried and afflicted ones, too often harshly condemned by men, and, not unfrequently, outcasts from his Israel; like Joseph, sold into Egypt and separated from their brethren. But to the usurpers of his throne and dominion, his offices and rights, to his enemies, his appearance will be terrible, "burning with his anger," to avenge his elect; his very "lips full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire" (Isa. xxx. 27-30). When those who have thrust themselves into the Judgment-seat 66 are overthrown"-some in soft and some in "stony places"-then the words of Jesus "will be heard" and found "sweet" indeed (Psalm exli. 6); then will it be fully proved that this spirit of rashly judging the brethren is utterly a fault, yea, a devouring pestilence, that has made dreadful havoc, innumerable breaches, and brought endless reproaches upon the churches of Christ. May these evils soon be done away, the divisions in the Israel of God be healed, and every reproach be effectually wiped away from the Zion of the Holy One, the children of the mighty God of Jacob. (See Isa. xxv. 6–8; xxx. 23—26).

David puts a question that no man yet has been able to answer→→ "Who can understand his errors ?" (Psalm xix. 12). Doubtless he had a view of his own errors; for it is added, "cleanse thou ME from secret faults." Though he could not number those he was conscious of, he was sure of there being found in him many others of which he was ignorant. Surely this is sufficient employment, an endless task for every gracious soul, during all their sojourn upon earth. He saw and felt his own sins to be so great and grievous, so daring and outrageous, that he was obliged to pray to be "kept back from presumptuous sins; yea, that none but the Lord could keep him from falling by "the great transgression" (the unpardonable sin) (ver. 13). Very different indeed from this state, is that of our self-imposed, self-made Judges. They understand that they are free from all errors themselves, and have a thorough knowledge of the errors of other persons, on whom they not only sit in judgment, but are often found ready to bring in verdicts against them, and even pronounce sentences of condemnation upon them. Sometimes this is done only because others do not see eye to eye with them upon matters of no vital importance, and upon which the Bible does not lay any stress. How often are men made offenders for a word, and the just turned aside for a thing of nought! (Isa. xxix. 22). Nay, in one instance I heard of, the omission of one letter was considered unscriptural, and visited with censure. This arose from a godly minister having in prayer used the words "O Lord Jesu Christ," instead of Jesus. When once the evil practice begins, it soon gains ground, and will descend from important matters to the veriest trifles.

Is there not more of presumption in this dangerous practice of judging than of faith? more of arrogance than meekness? more of pride than of humility? of bitterness than kindness? of self-love and complacency than self-loathing and abhorrence? yea, more of self altogether, than of Christ alone? "None but Jesus" is not their pre

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vailing motto. Their conduct seems to say, "We are the men, and wisdom will die with us." "I believe in myself" more than "I believe in Christ," and the Oneness of his mystical body in him. Do they not make rents in his seamless robe, and try to maim his body, the church, of some of its members ? Surely this must be utterly a fault. Some, in the church at Corinth, sat in judgment on Paul, and they thus severed even him, the great Apostle of the Gentiles, from the church!! But with Paul it was a very small thing that he should be thus judged of man's judgment; yea, he would not, he could not, judge himself rightly and truly, but says, "He that judgeth me is the Lord." Therefore he referred the matter to Him, though he doubtless knew himself better than any others possibly could. (See 1 Cor. iv. 3-7).

When the Lord calls any person to an office, he gives him the qualifications requisite for its duties. To decide upon, not merely the words and actions, but on the state of their souls before God, perfect knowledge, truth, and justice, are indispensable. But hath God given omniscience to any human being? Where is the man to be found that has a thorough and perfect knowledge of his own heart? How, then, can any man know the heart of another! Jesus says that all his saints and churches shall know that "He searches their hearts and reins' (Rev. ii. 23). Can any other do this? Not one!

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There are, doubtless, many things that the Lord's people should have, and exercise, a right judgment upon, and have clear and correct knowledge of. A worse state can hardly be, than that complained of by the Prophet, concerning any church and people-"There is no judgment in their goings!" (Isa. lix. 8; see also ver. 9-15). The prevalence of this evil practice is one great proof, among many, of the lamentable facts there detailed. In point of fact, no one ever thought, spoke, or acted rightly in this or any other matter, so as to bring forth fruit to God's honour and the good of his people, but as the Lord was graciously pleased to fulfil this blessed promise to them and in them "In that day shall the Lord of Hosts be for a crown of glory, and for "a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people; and for a spirit of "judgment to him that sitteth in judgment (upon himself primarily and principally, and upon all other things that it is needful he should form a right judgment about); and for strength to them that turn the battle "to the gate" (that is, in all their conflicts with evils and enemies are enabled to look unto Jesus, and overcome through him) (Isa. xxviii. -5, 6).

Having already, I fear, Mr. Editor, trespassed too much upon your time, and made too great a demand upon your pages, I will not farther enlarge upon this subject of judging and judgment, which latter word bears twenty different meanings in the Holy Scriptures; from which consideration alone there arises no small difficulty in discerning what may be right and necessary in it, from that which is pernicious and to be condemned. At some future time, if you give insertion to this paper, I may, possibly, trouble you with some farther observations. I cannot tell you how important the subject appears to me, both as it respects the glory of Christ and the welfare of his Church. The spirit

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