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MEN’S NEGLECT OF THE GOSPEL
WHEREVER we turn our eyes, we find much occasion for sorrow and lamentation. The miseries which sin has brought into the world, and which are daily multiplied by the follies and wickedness of man, have rendered this state a vale of tears, not only to those who most feel their weight, but to those, who, exempt from their pressure, are yet disposed to sympathize with their afflicted brethren. But there is one subject in particular, that affords matter for the deepest regret to every benevolent mind; it is, the unconcern, which men in general manifest for their eternal interests. This caused “rivers of tears to flow down the eyes” of David, and “great horror to take hold upon him.” It was on account of this, that Jesus, unmindful of the acclamations of surrounding multitudes, stopped to weep over the murderous Jerusalem. The Prophet Isaiah, laboured much to counteract this awful infatuation: but, except to a very few, who “were as signs and wonders” in the land, his efforts were unavailing; and he was constrained to take up this lamentation over them, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”
For the fuller understanding of these words we shall inquire, What is the report here referred to? and what reception it meets with in the world?
I. What is the report here referred to?
When our Lord expounded the Scriptures to the two disciples in their way to Emmaus, he shewed them, that, according to the prophecies, “Christ ought to have suffered, and by sufferings to enter into his glory [Note: Luk_24:26-27.]. Indeed, that was the general testimony of all the prophets [Note: 1Pe_1:11.]; and more especially is it opened to us in the chapter now under our consideration.
A more wonderful report never reached the ears of man. God was manifest in the flesh. The Son of God, “Jehovah’s Fellow [Note: Zec_12:7.],” not only assumed our nature, but, in our nature, died; “he became obedient unto death, even the accursed death of the cross.” To this he submitted for our sake, and in our stead; to expiate our guilt, and, by the sacrifice of himself, to reconcile us unto God. Well might the Apostle say, “Great is the mystery of godliness;” for indeed it almost exceeds the bounds of credibility.
But, strange as this report may seem, there never was any other so well authenticated, or established by such a variety of evidence. A series of prophecies respecting it, respecting not only the general outlines, but even the minutest, and most contingent circumstances of it, has been given to the Church during the space of four thousand years. Every one of these has been fulfilled; and that too by the very persons who laboured to the utmost to destroy the credit of the report itself. The typical representations of it also were so numerous that no human foresight could have contrived them, nor could any human power have caused a combination of such various, and, to all appearance, contradictory circumstances in one event. Without noticing therefore the miracles wrought in confirmation of it, we may well affirm that “it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.”
With respect to its importance, never was there any other report so universally interesting as this: for it is not confined to a single state or kingdom, but to all the kingdoms of the earth, and to every individual from Adam to the latest of his posterity. Nor does any thing less than their eternal salvation depend upon it: they, who welcome it, will find acceptance with God; and they, who reject it, will be “punished with everlasting destruction from his presence [Note: 2Th_1:8.].” It is, in short, that Gospel, which “he that believeth shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall be damned [Note: Mar_16:16.].”
And what tidings were ever so replete with joy? The most signal deliverances, the most complete victories, the most glorious acquisitions, enhanced by every thing that can be supposed to exhilarate the mind, are no more, in comparison of this, than a twinkling star to the meridian sun. Even the angelic hosts, when they came to announce the wonderful event, proclaimed it as “glad tidings of great joy to all people.” None ever believed the news, but he was instantly liberated from all his fears and sorrows, and filled with “joy unspeakable and glorified [Note: 1Pe_1:8.].”
Such then is the report referred to in the text: a report so marvellous, that it fills heaven and earth with wonder; so true, that we may as well doubt our own existence as entertain a doubt respecting it; so interesting, that all the concerns of time and sense are, in comparison of it, but as the dust of the balance; and so joyous, that it is a certain and inexhaustible source of happiness to all who receive it.
But that there are few who truly believe it, will appear whilst we shew,
II. What reception it meets with in the world?
If the estimate which men form of themselves were true, we should rather have to ask, “Who hath not believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord not been revealed?” For all imagine themselves to be believers; and, because they have been baptized into the name of Christ, they conceive themselves to be possessed of real faith. But I must say with the Apostle, “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves [Note: 2Co_13:5.].” To ascertain the point, I beg you to ask yourselves two questions, viz. How you obtained your faith? and, How it operates? Do not suppose that the faith of Christ is a bare assent to truths which you have been taught by your parents, or that it is that kind of conviction which is founded upon a consideration of evidence, such as you would feel respecting any common report which was substantiated to your satisfaction. True “faith is the gift of God [Note: Eph_2:8.].” In my text, the believing of this report is identified with “a revelation of Jehovah’s arm” to effect that faith: and true faith can result from nothing but the almighty power of God forming it in the soul. If ever you have “believed, it must have been through the operation of divine grace [Note: Act_18:27.];” and that operation sought by fervent prayer — — — In connexion with that question, ask yourselves further, How your faith operates? Where it is real, “it works by love [Note: Gal_5:6.],” and “overcomes the world [Note: 1Jn_5:4.],” and “purifies the heart [Note: Act_15:9.].” See then, Brethren, whether your faith produce these effects; for, if it do not, it is but “a dead faith,” “the faith of devils [Note: Jam_2:19.].” If you examine yourselves in this way, you will find that there is still the same occasion as ever for the complaint in my text. The prophet Isaiah adopted it in reference to those to whom he ministered. Our blessed Lord, notwithstanding he wrought so many miracles, was constrained to witness the same obstinate unbelief amongst his hearers [Note: Joh_12:37-38.]: and even the Apostle Paul, who was God’s instrument to plant so many churches, yet saw reason to declare that these words were still verified in his day [Note: Rom_10:16.]! And what must I say, my brethren? You can bear me witness that, from the first moment that I began to minister amongst you, this report has been faithfully delivered to you: but “Who hath believed our report?” In how few amongst you does it produce its proper effect, so as to demonstrate that God’s arm has indeed been revealed to you! Nay, I will even appeal to you, whether at this moment a true Believer, who shews forth his faith by his works, and lives altogether by faith in the Son of God, as having loved him, and given himself for him, be not at this very hour, just as in the prophet’s day, “a sign and a wonder [Note: Isa_8:18.].” Yes, such characters are still as “men wondered at [Note: Zec_3:8.]:” nor is it so in this place only, but in every place where the truth is preached with fidelity and power. And this is a proof, that the report in my text is but little credited even in this Christian land.
Now then let me address myself,
1. To those who think they believe—
Justly does the Apostle say, “All men have not faith [Note: 2 These. 3:2.].” And this he speaks, not of professed heathens, but of those who were joined to the Church of Christ. So, Brethren, I must say to you, “All are not Israel who are of Israel [Note: Rom_9:6.].” I entreat you not to take for granted that you are right; but bring your faith to the test. Inquire carefully into its origin and operation: for, if your faith be not “the faith of God’s elect,” it will only deceive you to your ruin. You all know how the Jews deceived themselves, by indulging a vain confidence, that because they were the natural descendants of Abraham, they were in a state of acceptance with God. And be assured, that the same fatal error obtains to a vast extent amongst us. If called to give a reason of the hope that is in you, how many are there who could only refer us to their birth of Christian parents, and their baptism into the faith of Christ? But that is no other reason than what a Mohammedan or a Hindoo might give for his hopes, and his professions. If you would not perish with the unbelieving world, I charge you, before God, to dismiss from your minds all such delusive expectations, and to seek from God that true faith which alone can sanctify and save the soul.
2. To those who really possess the faith of Christ.
Such, I doubt not, are to be found amongst you. Yes, some of you, I trust, can call God to witness, that you have again and again “fled to Christ for refuge as to the hope set before you,” and that you “count all things out dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord.” To you then I say, that God has conferred upon you the greatest gift that you can possess in this world. Crowns and kingdoms, in comparison of it, were no more than the dust upon the balance. In possessing real faith, you have obtained the forgiveness of all your sins. You have also within your own bosom a sanctifying principle, which shall progressively transform you into the very image of your God. And for you is reserved “an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” What then will you render to the Lord for these great benefits? This do: Consecrate yourselves to God so wholly and entirely, that when the question is asked, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?” all who witness your life and conversation may point to you, and say, “That man carries his own evidence along with him: however I may doubt of others, I can entertain no doubt respecting him.’ This, my dear brethren, is what God expects from you. He expects that you should “shine forth as lights in the world, and so hold forth the word of life, as to prove to all, that we have not laboured in vain, or run in vain [Note: Php_2:15-16.].”