SECTION IX. THE CONFIRMED AND CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN. CONSISTENCY in every branch of Christian temper and practice is requisite to form the character here noticed. The Writer feels little qualified to suggest any remarks applicable to this case. The sum of the prayers and exhortations of the Apostles for their converts, was, that their views of doctrine might be enlarged; their sense of obligation deepened; their standard of practice more elevated; their enjoyment of privileges more exciting; and their fruitfulness more abundant. The Apostle prescribes a different mode of treatment to other cases. He would have us substitute instruction in the deepest and most solid truths, in the room of the elementary principles of the Gospel; entering largely into the counsels of God concerning his people-the security of his covenant on their behalf—the more full exhibition of his perfections in the work of their redemption-of the office and work of Christ, and of the Divine life derived from him. By this system of "strong meat" adapted to their adult state in the Christian life, they will be "nourished up in the words of faith and of sound doctrine," and " their senses" will be yet further “exercised" in spiritual discernment. By this course of treatment we shall expect to observe in them a marked difference from novices in religion. The same acts indeed belong to the young and to the old Christian, but in the latter case they are more grounded and solid. Christian ordinances are attended by the 1 Heb. v. 14. with vi. 1-3. young with greater ardency, but with the old from deeper principle. The affections in the young are more vigorous and lively. But what is gradually lost in the natural decay of their sensible operations, is abundantly compensated in the improvement of their understanding, resolution, and judgment. Spiritual subjects have changed their seat in the soul. If they are less sensibly exercised in the affections, they are more permanently fixed in the mind. The choice is more settled, intelligent, and uniform. If there be less of spiritual excitement, there is a deeper insight into spiritual corruption, a deeper fixedness of habit in the Gospel. 2 Apart from affliction (a most important means of grace to the Christian,1) the continual actings of spiritual life and joy strengthen and establish his daily progress heavenward. His release from the dominion of sin; his fellowship with Christ in his sufferings, death, and resurrection, his continual view, and application of the cross, constrain him with irresistible and most delightful influence. "The beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord "3 prostrates his soul in admiring, adoring, and transforming contemplation. Thus sinking in humility, he rises higher and higher in knowledge, holiness, and love. His esteem of his Lord more deeply impresses his heart. His desire towards him glows with increasing fervour, delight in him is more constant and assured. His gratitude to him is more wakeful and animating. And thus in every exercise of Christian love, he evidences a growing conformity to the Divine image. It is difficult to turn to human writings for a full exhibition of this Christian glory. Mr. Romaine 1 See John xv. 2. 1 Pet. v. 10. His 2 Rom. vi. 1—11. 3 2 Cor. iii. 18. has drawn, so far as it extends, a simple and beautiful portrait; imperfect however, as wanting the practical features of the Scriptural sketch. Baxter has thrown out its features with much fire, force, and power of enchantment; but he has often so disguised his figure with his own constrained feelings and metaphysical trammels, that it seems like an Angel in fetters. Perhaps Leighton may be said to have given the full portrait, both in his writings and in his character, with as little touch of human infirmity, as can be looked for, till the brighter days of the church. Yet with this exhibition of love, as the grand material and means of edification, must be combined a positive enforcement of Evangelical warning, David has expressly acknowledged the value of this use of Scripture; nor did any fear of legality deter the Apostles from intermingling it with the language of exhortation and encouragement. The importance of its judicious adaptation to the circumstances of the Christian is obvious. For though Scriptural warnings have but one meaning in themselves, they admit of a different application to the several classes of our people. To the ungodly, "the law worketh wrath" in the apprehension of the displeasure of their enemy and judge. The same threatenings with the righteous, will produce a holy fear of God, a godly fear of sin, and a quickening stimulus to the use of the appointed means of preservation. Thus the execution of the judgments of God upon the wicked, whilst it increases the believer's love for the holiness of his dispensations, exercises his mind with a wholesome fear of a "jealous God." As therefore a prominent display of "the terror of the Lord" would savour of the covenant 1 Psalm xix. 11. 2 Psalm cxix. 119, 120. that "gendereth unto bondage; so an exclusive view of the promises of the Gospel, blotting out all enforcement of its threatenings, would not only incur the guilt of mutilating the word of God, and failing to warn the wicked of his way;" but would deprive the believer of a divinely-ordained means of his preservation and establishment. 66 We have an admirable pattern of this mixed mode of address in the Apostle's exhortation to the Hebrews. Though he styles them-"holy brethren, and partakers of the heavenly calling," he does not spare to "rebuke them sharply," as "dull of hearing ; even setting before them the doom of their rebellious fore-fathers, and of miserable apostates among themselves, as an incentive to that holy fear, which is always a necessary part of the grace of perseverance; while he concludes the whole with an expression of his good opinion concerning them, and with displaying the "strong consolation," arising from the immutable certainty of the foundation of their hope.1 Thus while the dark ground occupies so large a portion of the canvass, it is evidently with a view of displaying more vividly the lustre and attraction of love shedding its beams over the gloom. The Writer feels deeply impressed with the responsibility of this individual and discriminating Ministry. The recollection, that every word we speak to the several classes has a bearing upon their eternal state— clothes it with inexpressible importance, as it respects themselves, our own consciences, and the Church of God. The conscience is the subject, on which the matter of our office acts; and in its various exercises and perplexities it requires the most skilful treatment. Heb. iii-vi. To qualify ourselves for this anxious service, much acquaintance with the human heart, and with our own heart in particular is requisite-together with a clear apprehension of the Gospel-a careful study of the best works on spiritual, casuistical, and experimental divinity and most of all-a spirit of humble and importunate prayer for constant and increased supplies of "the wisdom which is from above." In the direction also of the several cases, an acquaintance with the constitutional temperament of the individuals is obviously most important. A sanguine temperament would give a delusive appearance of ardour and intensity to religious impressions. A constitutional depression would obscure the symptoms even of a genuine work of faith. An undue confidence, or backwardness, would need a different tone of address -to be restrained, cautioned, or encouraged, " as the matter should require.” 66 The Writer does not pretend to have given in this detail a full directory for the treatment of these several cases. So diversified are the features both of sin and grace, that he has never yet gathered, either from Writers or from Ministers, any rules, which did not leave many of his cases unprovided for. The utmost attempt has been to sketch a few broad lines and trains of conversation, which might in some measure 1 In this respect the study of the Puritan and Non-conformist Divines is of the highest importance. Such works as the "Morning Exercises at Cripplegate,"-Owen's and Flavel's Treatises-Baxter's Christian Directory-Perkins, Hildersham, Bolton, Greenham, Gurnal, will abundantly repay a careful perusal. Pike and Hay. ward's Cases of Conscience will also be read with interest by Ministers, who conceive with Philip Henry- That the true learning of a gospel Minister consists not in being able to talk Latin fluently, or to dispute in philosophy, but in being able to speak a word in season to weary souls.' Life, p. 207. A small work by Rev. Robert Philip, on Christian Experience,' has drawn out some of these cases with much judgment and interest. |