Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

FATHER in heaven, who had a care for his "little ones," and would not that one of them should perish. "Have we not all one FATHER? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? Judah hath dealt treacherously, covering the altar of GOD with tears, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good-will at your hand." (Mal. ii. 10-13.) But when the sons of Levi had been duly purified, that they might offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness-the true righteousness of the law, perfect brotherly love-then would the LORD again return to His temple, renew with Levi this "covenant of life and peace," and bless the sacred service of His holy congregation. "Verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven," &c. Again, "I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree as touching any thing that they shall ask on earth, it shall be done for them of My FATHER which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Can we doubt of the meaning of this solemn promise? and is it not full of comfort to faithful members of CHRIST's holy catholic and apostolic church? Does it not teach us, that upon us truly "the ends of the world are come;" that we are the children of a long line of spiritual ancestry, the heirs, highly blessed and favoured indeed, of a rich and glorious inheritance ?

It would be easy to follow out, to an almost indefinite extent, the line of illustration, of which a few points have been traced. Other similar lines might also be drawn, throwing much light upon separate passages of the same Gospel; as, for instance, the comparison of" the kingdom of heaven," to a householder, which might be traced through many parables, &c. throwing light upon the remarkable passage already referred to in the twenty-fourth chapter. Or again, in illustration of the fearful outline, which is there set before us, of the misconduct and punishment of the "wicked servant," we might draw out the intimations, which our LORD's words, on several occasions, give us, of unfaithful ministers and stewards, who were in after days to abuse the power committed to them, to lord it over their fellow servants, to eat and drink and

to be drunken: or, still further, we might borrow from the condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees a fearful light on the character of the "hypocrites," with whom his portion is assigned.

But enough, perhaps, has been said for our present purpose, which has been, not to urge for exclusive adoption a particular interpretation of certain passages, nor even to recommend any particular idea as supplying the only clue to their meaning; but simply to meet an objection, which, it is believed, indisposes the minds of many thoughtful readers of Holy Scripture to receiving the evidence which is drawn from its records, in support of the doctrine of "the Church." To such persons it is here suggested, that their difficulty arises from prejudice in favour of a particular theory. Scripture may be viewed from other points than that which they have chosen and the theory which a different view suggests may perhaps be found to explain more phenomena, and unfold deeper mysteries, than theirs. The expression, or incident, or argument, which they overlook, and cast aside, may, to another, serve as a clue to a mysterious volume, and give "thoughts which do often lie too deep for tears." Only let not persons be startled and offended at finding truths of Scripture which they had entirely overlooked, or thought practically unimportant, assuming a prominent place in the system which is recommended to their consideration. This must be the case at first. If the interpretation given of a passage of Scripture seems agreeable to the natural sense of the words, to the context, or to other parts of Scripture; if it seem to give more meaning to passages or portions than they had in our eyes before; let this be enough for us for the present: let us thankfully admit it, not lightly or hastily starting objections, or caring for its effect upon our pre-conceived opinions. "Every word of God is pure" (Prov. xxx. 5): and if we are bidden not to "add to His words," lest He reprove us, and we be found liars (v. 6); we are also warned, in the most mysterious, and, to many readers, apparently unpractical, book of the New Testament, "If any man shall take away from the words of the prophecy of this book, GoD shall take away his part out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Rev. xxii. 19.) Surely we may incur the risk of thus

taking away from the words of prophecy, without literally mangling its sacred page. We may settle with ourselves, that it is an external matter, and not important to our individual interests. Rather let us humbly receive the very crumbs which fall from the Master's table," laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies and envies, and all evil speakings, if so be we have tasted that the LORD is gracious." (1 Pet. ii. 1. 3.) The scattered limbs of sacred truth, which are presented to our view, may seem to us at first sight like the dry bones, which the prophet saw in the valley of vision but the word of prophecy may yet bring them together, may cover them with sinew, and flesh, and skin, and fill them with a living spirit; the breath from the four winds may breathe upon the slain, and they may "stand up" upon their feet, before our eyes, "an exceeding great army." "And when this cometh to pass, then shall they know that there hath been a prophet among them :" 66 for I have poured out my SPIRIT upon the house of Israel, saith the LORD GOD." Wherefore, now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD: and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech the high priest, and be strong all ye people of the land, and work, for I am with you, saith the LORD of Hosts. According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my SPIRIT remaineth among you: fear ye not." (Haggai ii. 4, 5.) "Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

OXFORD,

The Feast of the Nativity.

[FOURTH EDITION.]

66

These Tracts are continued in Numbers, and sold at the price of 2d. for each sheet, or 7s. for 50 copies.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON,

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE.

1841.

GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John's Square, London.

TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.

BISHOP WILSON'S MEDITATIONS ON HIS SACRED

OFFICE.

No. 4.-WEDNESDAY-(continued).

Luke xvi. 19. "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day." For a man, then, to be rich, to be clothed magnificently, and to take no care of the poor, is sufficient to send him to hell, because he cannot lead a Christian life. Repentance, mortification, and the cross, are utterly inconsistent with a soft, sensual, voluptuous life; the desire of happiness, with the love of this present life. It is, therefore, a most miserable state, for a man to have every thing according to his desire, and quietly to enjoy the pleasures of life. There needs no more to expose him to eternal misery. "He that loveth his life, shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal." (John xii. 25.) He that loveth life, (that is, is fond of it) for the sake of the pleasures, advantages, it affords, will soon lose the love of heavenly things; the love of God, of his soul, and of the duty he owes to them: He hates it, who does not value it in comparison of eternal life which he hopes for. A Christian gives proof of this, by mortifying himself; a Pastor, in spending his life in the works of the ministry, &c. Those whom God loves in order to a happy eternity, He weans from the pleasures of this present life.

Temperance consists in a sober use of all earthly, visible things, and in confining ourselves within the compass of what is necessary. With God all things are possible. The Almighty GoD enable me to conquer the temptations of riches, and to get above VOL. II.-50.

A

the allurements of this present life. There is much more reason for a man to humble himself, on account of his self-denial, than to boast of it, since the corruption of his nature is so great, that he cannot follow even the lawful dictates of nature, without hazarding his soul. Christian self-denial is, to resist and crucify in ourselves the spirit and inclinations of Adam,-the flesh, its affections and lusts, to die to our passions, in order to follow the motions of the SPIRIT.

Fasting.

Necessary, to bring our hearts to a penitent, holy, and devout temper. Our Church requires this, and appoints days and times, &c.; and it has been the honour of this Church, that she hath kept up to her rules, where others have shamefully neglected them. Fasting necessary, to perform the vows that are upon us all. By fasting, by alms, and by prayers, we dedicate our bodies, goods, and souls to God in a particular manner.

Meditations proper for a Clergyman during Lent.

The primitive Bishops had places of retirement near their cities, that they might separate themselves from the world, lest teaching others they should forget themselves; lest they should lose the spirit of piety themselves, while they were endeavouring to fix it in others.

Prosper, O God, the good thoughts, the good purposes, which Thou Thyself shalt inspire. I acknowledge Thy goodness, which has raised me above my brethren, and appointed me a Successor to Thy Apostles. O may I ever act agreeably to this character. May I never profane a character so holy and so divine, lest GoD should pour down His vengeance upon my ungrateful heart. Pardon me whereinsoever I have been wanting in the several duties of my calling; and give me grace to be more careful for the time to come. Amen.

How am I bound to adore Thy goodness, my great Master! Thou hast set me in office amongst the chief of Thy servants; but I will for Thy sake, make myself the servant of the meanest of Thy servants. By me Thou communicatest Thy grace in the Sacrament; by me Thou teachest Thy people the truth; by my

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »