Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS.

"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."-Rev. xiv. 13.

FINISH'D the strife, the conflict o'er,

The eyes that wept shall weep no more;

The heart which throbb'd with grief and pain,

Shall never, never sigh again.

Sweet is the sleep of those who rest
Among the spirits of the blest;
How soft, how safe their ashes lie,
Beneath Jehovah's watchful eye.

Safe from the rude alarm of foes,
Who once invaded their repose;
Secure from all those carping cares,

Which strew the pilgrim's path with snares.

Far from this scene of guilt and noise,
Away from earth with all its toys,
The wearied spirit stole away
To regions of unclouded day.

No doubt, no fear, can ever rise
To mar the pleasures of the skies;
Sickness no more can shed her gloom,
The saint's at rest, the child's åt home.
Safe in the arms of love repos'd,
Her days of pain and toil are clos'd;
She sings for ever, precious blood,
In yon blest home, secure with God.

Woolwich, Jan. 27, 1828.

RENUNCIATION OF THE WORLD.

No more, my soul, I joy no more
In this vile world's gay vanities;
The pleasures I enjoy'd before,

Seem shadows all, and empty lies.

Ev'n now with ready mind I wait,

Beyond this lower sky to soar With rapt'rous speed, for that bright land,

Where Jesus dwells for evermore. I pity kings and all the great,

Their pomp, their glory, their re-
nown;

For their's to change my happy state,
I'd spurn the offer of a crown.

Though all the pleasures earth can
give

Obey my wish, attend my call, And I through countless years could live,

My hope of heav'n outweighs them all.

Nor shall the patriot's brighter fame, (The purest worldly gift we know)

ENON.

Though millions join to bless his name,

Tempt me thy gospel to forego.
My restless soul would burst this clay,
To reach that bright, that glorious

place,
Where through eternity's vast day
I dwell before my Saviour's face.
There I shall breathe immortal life,

In a pure atmosphere of love;
Nor clouds of woe, nor fogs of strife,
Bedim the bliss they feel above.
There rivers of eternal bliss,

In sparkling streams delightful flow Through fields where reigns immortal peace,

And amaranthine flow'rets grow. And yet, we trembling mortals fear To cross the river,-death's cold

flood:

'Tis but one plunge, and lo! we're
there,

Safe in the presence of our God!
B. S. S.

THE

Spiritual Magazine ;

OR,

SAINTS' TREASURY.

There are Three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST: and these Three are One."

"Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

1 John v. 7.

Jude 3.

DECEMBER, 1828.

(To the Editor of the Spiritual Magazine.)

THE HAPPY CLOSE OF ALL THE BELIEVER'S TRIALS. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."-Rev. xxi. 4,

GLORIOUS are the declarations of Jehovah relative to his people: amidst the various sorrows of time, he hath asserted his loving-kindness towards them, and his watchful care over them. Through all the chequered scenes of life, he hath declared that he will be their all-sufficient help, and cause all things to administer to their spiritual welfare. But Jehovah's regard for his people is not limited to time; it extends to the ages of eternity. He hath declared that in the solemn hour of death he will be their Comforter; and after death, conduct them to the realms of glory. It is this assurance of perfect and uninterrupted felicity that encourages the people of God, whilst passing through this wilderness. They view the present world as a scene of conflict and trial; but they realize the day of glory in the fulfilment of the promise, "I will give them rest from all their sorrows.' Animated with this prospect, they take up their cross with cheerfulness, and bid defiance to all the rage of persecution. The words of the text relate to this rapturous period, and they contain the richest consolation for the followers of the Lamb. Forget then, awhile, ye followers of the Lamb, the sorrows of this wilderness, and contemplate eternal glory, realize the fulfilment of the promise, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

The following particulars will illustrate the words of the text:First, the nature of the promise-a deliverance from all trials. VOL. V.-No. 56.

2 B

Secondly, the person by whom the promise shall be fulfilled-" GOD shall wipe," &c.-Thirdly, the contrast which will appear in the state of the people of God when the promise is fulfilled.

1. The nature of the promise-a deliverance from trial. Various are the trials of the people of God whilst in this wilderness; they are called to pass through a vale of tears to their Father's house, to partake of the cup of sorrows ere they receive the full cup of consolation, in the realms of glory. The trials of the people of God are often numerous. They spring not from one quarter, but from many; they include not merely temporal but spiritual trials. Often whilst without are fightings, within are fears. Whilst poverty and distress are felt, the soul is exercised with many temptations and great darkness. Whilst the hand of persecution pains the mind, the suggestions of the prince of darkness fill the soul with distress. No sooner has one trial been removed, than another comes. The scenes of outward distress are exchanged for great and sore temptations. The body is perhaps racked with pain, and the terrors of the law are felt in the conscience; on every hand the streams of sorrow flow, and the voice of the mourner is heard," all these things are against me." Who can read the history of the patriarchs, the history of the primitive christians, the history of the most eminent servants of God of later periods, and not perceive that many are their afflictions?

But though the trials of the people of God are numerous, yet not too numerous; not one trial could be spared without detracting from the divine glory, without injury to the believer. He who is infinite in wisdom, hath appointed all their trials, and like the several wheels in a machine, every trial is necessary to complete the plan of eternal mercy. Every trial is to fulfil the promise, "I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined." The trials of the people of God are also often very painful. They affect them in the tenderest part, appear to cut off all their hopes and expectations, and lay them prostrate in the dust. In the expressive language of David, "the sorrows of death compass them about, and the pains of hell get hold upon them." Mark the distressing nature of Abraham's trial when called to offer up his beloved son Isaac. Think of the trials of Job when his family were torn away by the king of terrors; his substance taken away; and his friends became his accusers. Think of the trials of David, when exposed to the insults of his people, and the rage of his rebellious son. Think of the severe temptations, the seasons of deep soul distress; the dark nights of desertion which many of the heirs of glory experience, and then say, how painful the trials.

But, though painful, yet not too painful to admit of divine consolation. The Lord knows the anguish of his people; he is touched with their cries of sorrow. They are not too painful to be borne, for underneath the afflicted saints are the everlasting arms. Heavenly consolations are imparted in the hour of sorrow; and Jesus, the friend of sinners, appears, saying, "I know your sorrows."

of

The trials of the people of God are also often of long continuance. They are put into the furnace of affliction (at least many of them) not for days or months, but for years. They find a continued succession of trials, a continued conflict with their spiritual foes. A ray light darted upon their path, but the heavens have again gathered blackness. Their trials have been exchanged, but it has only been the removal from one part of a wilderness to another; sorrows have still marked their steps, enemies have still been found.

But though the trials of the people of God may be of long continuance, yet not too long for their spiritual profit; their acquaintance with the word of God; their growth in grace, and holiness. These trials must also end. The year of release is at hand, and the former things shall pass away. Their sun shall break forth from behind the cloud; their doubts and fears be removed, and joy their eternal portion.

But, I hear the enquiry, are not the saints the objects of Jehovah's eternal favour? are they not called "the blessed of the Lord?" Why, then, are they thus tried? We reply, it is for their profit. It would be impossible for them to advance in the divine life, to avoid the hurtful snares of sin, to enjoy the presence of the divine word, to lean entirely upon Christ without trials. Without trials, what langour would often be found in the divine service; what heartless formality would their prayers often present; what indifference would there be to the sorrows of others; what coldness of affection to Christ. Trials, then, are necessary, seeing that they may be useful; for, by trials they are calculated to pour the balm of consolation into the troubled breast.

Besides, it is in the hour of trial that God makes known his richest comforts. I have chosen thee, saith the Lord, in the furnace of affliction. I have, as if he had said, appointed that thou shouldest pass through trials, that my grace and mercy, my compassion and love may be known.

Moreover, the trials of the saints are all limited to this life. The christian, as he passes through Jordan, will leave all his trials and enemies behind. He will enter into that land where all the mysteries of providence will be opened, and the love of God appear in his heaviest trials. Oh! ye mourning saints, look then beyond the tomb. Realize the shining robes of innocence, the splendour of the eternal crown, the rapturous views of Immanuel. Realize the days of mourning for ever closed, and the Saviour addressing you, "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Methinks I see the mourner approaching the gates of the eternal city, and witness the last tear wiped away. I behold the crown of glory sparkling before the immortal spirits-I witness the celestial gates opened, and welcome welcome welcome, re-echo through the celestial courts.

But how shall this glorious consummation of the believer's trials be brought about? Who shall conduct the people of God through all their trials, and wipe the tear of sorrow from their eyes?

We

« AnteriorContinuar »