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THE CHANGE TO BE WROUGHT BY THE GOSPEL IN THE LATTER DAY
THE happiness and prosperity of kingdoms depend much on the wisdom and equity of those who govern. Yet the best of rulers cannot always secure their people either from the turbulence of faction, or from assaults of foreign enemies. Thus it is with the kingdom of Christ on earth. He, the Lord and Governor of all, is endowed with every qualification for the discharge of his regal office [Note: ver. 1–4.], and executes that office with consummate equity and wisdom [Note: ver. 5.]: yet, through the infirmities of his subjects, and the malice of his adversaries, his kingdom is far from enjoying the full advantages of his administration. There will, however, be a time, when his dominion shall be extended over all the earth, and perfect peace shall reign throughout all his empire.
The prophecy on which this observation is grounded, will naturally lead us to shew,
I. The change that shall be wrought on men in the latter day—
Men in their intercourse with each other too much resemble the brute creation—
[It is indeed humiliating to compare men with venomous and ferocious beasts: but there is scarcely any beast, however savage, to which God himself has not compared us [Note: He likens us to foxes, Son_2:15; serpents and vipers, Mat_3:7; Mat_23:33; wolves, Mat_10:16; wild asses, Jer_2:24; wild boars, Psa_80:13; wild bulls, Isa_51:20, &c.]. Nor is it by figurative representation only, but by plain and express declarations, that God has marked the evil dispositions of our fallen nature [Note: Rom_1:29-31. 2Ti_3:2-4.]. And if we either look around us, or within us, we shall see that his descriptions are by no means exaggerated. Let any one observe the proud and envious, the wrathful and malicious, the selfish and covetous workings of the heart, and he shall soon perceive that, if man were unrestrained by human laws, he would prey upon his fellow-man with as much ferocity as the beasts themselves.]
But in the latter day universal harmony shall prevail—
[Then this beautiful description shall be fully realized. Men shall dwell together as the beasts in the ark, none attempting to hurt or destroy another: or rather, they shall dwell together as the beasts in Paradise: none having so much as n disposition to hurt: but all filled with gentleness and love.
This event is foretold in other passages of Holy Writ [Note: Isa_65:25.]: and it shall surely be accomplished at the appointed season: “The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.”]
To confirm our expectation of this universal change, let us consider,
II. The means by which it shall be effected—
It is beyond the power of any human efforts to accomplish it—
[However civilization may have changed the manners of men, it is but too evident that their hearts are the same as ever. In proof of this we need only appeal to the bloody wars which nations wage with each other: to the duels which are fought on account of the most trifling injuries or insults: and to the execrable traffic in slaves, which, to the disgrace of the Christian name, yea, to the disgrace of humanity itself, is justified and carried on amongst us, in spite of all the efforts that have been made for its abolition. If further proof were necessary, we may all find it very abundantly in the various circles in which we move: for there is scarcely a society, or even a single family, in which feuds, dissensions, quarrels, do not frequently arise: yea, the very relatives most interested in cultivating love and harmony, are often most at variance. Does not this shew how untamed we are, notwithstanding the restraints of wholesome laws, and the instructions given us in the word of God?]
But the Gospel of Christ, when universally received, shall soon effect it—
[Men continue like wild beasts, because “they know not the Lord [Note: 1Sa_2:12.].” The knowledge of Christ, and of his salvation, would produce a wonderful change on their spirit and conduct. Behold, what it wrought as soon as ever the Gospel was preached! Thousands of blood-thirsty murderers were transformed into the most lovely and loving of the human race [Note: Act_4:32.]. And, wherever it is received, its tendency is the same. It is the rod of God’s strength, which brings down every adverse power, and accomplishes for man the salvation of his soul [Note: Psa_110:2. 2Co_10:4-5. Rom_1:16.]. It renews all after the same image [Note: Col_3:10.]; brings all into the same family [Note: Eph_2:19. 2Co_6:18.]; unites all in the same interests [Note: Eph_4:4-5.]; and forms all into one mystical body [Note: 1Co_12:20-21; 1Co_12:25; 1Co_12:27.]: how then can it fail of producing harmony and love? This knowledge shall at a future period be universally diffused [Note: Hab_2:14.]: and these effects shall as universally result from it [Note: Isa_2:4 and Tit_2:11-12.].]
Let us learn from this subject,
1. The nature of true conversion—
[Conversion does not consist in embracing any tenets, however scriptural, or important. The knowledge of Christ is indeed, as has been before observed, the means of converting us; but conversion itself consists in a thorough change in all our tempers, dispositions, and conduct, and in a renewal of our souls after the divine image [Note: 2Co_5:17. Eph_4:22-24.]. The lion must become a lamb: we must “become as little children, if ever we would enter into the kingdom of heaven [Note: Mat_18:3.].”]
2. The excellency of the Gospel—
[In vain is the moral fitness of things insisted on; yea, in vain are the demands of the law and the terrors of hell displayed, for the conversion of men: nothing but the knowledge of Christ crucified can ever operate on the soul of man, so as to produce in it a radical and universal change [Note: Rom_8:3.]. But, where Christ is known aright, there the whole man will assume a new character: and in proportion as his glory is seen by us, we shall be assimilated to his image [Note: 2Co_3:18.]. Let not the Gospel then be despised as fanatical, or be defamed as licentious; but let it be revered and embraced with our whole hearts.]
3. The blessedness of those who know the Lord—
[It is to be lamented that the knowledge of Christ does not produce in these days the full effects that were visible in the Apostles. But the fault is in us, and not in the Gospel. Nevertheless there are many, who, even in this age of vice and infidelity, are monuments of the power and grace of Christ; and who, from having been as despiteful towards each other as Jews and Gentiles, are living in the sweetest communion with each other, and with their God. Happy they, whose views are thus rectified, whose passions are thus subdued, and whose lives are thus regulated by the Gospel of Christ [Note: Deu_33:29.]! They have indeed a paradise below; and shall soon enjoy uninterrupted harmony in heaven [Note: 1Jn_1:3; 1Jn_4:16-17.].]