But, as the covenant was perfect and complete in all its provisions before time, and in all its developments in time, so equally perfect, equally satisfactory, but infinitely more glorious, are the openings and unfoldings of that covenant in eternity. Delighted above measure was every partaker of covenant mercy, in Time,-and that as a pilgrim, a stranger, an exile, a labourer, a soldier, a sufferer, and an outcast. He saw, he felt, he rejoiced in the fact, that nought could be more suitable, more timely, more comprehensive, more perfect, more blessed, more worthy of a God wise in counsel and excellent in working than that covenant-" ordered," as it was, " in all things and sure." But if so in Time, in all its mystery and with his obscure and imperfect vision, how much more complete, comprehensive, and glorious shall that covenant appear in the light of Eternity-the covenant in review-the covenant that had to do with Time and time-things. We said, however, that the covenant embraced the world to come as well as the world that now is. Of that second and infinitely more glorious bearing of the covenant, we can say but little; we must die to know it-to realize it-to enjoy it. But in this we rejoice, all such of our departed readers who were interested in the covenant that had to do with Time, are gone to know and experience all the inconceivable blessedness of the covenant that has to do with Eternity. We are left in no state of doubt or uncertainty about this. Most sweetly does the apostle, under the direction of the Holy Ghost, touch upon this theme in his first epistle to the Thessalonians: "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren," says he, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." Now if we would have an insight into the provisions of the covenant, as to the present condition of those who have departed in the Lord, we may gather it most sweetly and satisfactorily from the same apostle's own language to the Philippians, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." Again, we glean the same consolatory truth from our Lord's own words to the dying thief, when He gave him the precious assurance, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." The same consolatory truth is deduced from the position and the testimony of the martyred Stephen: "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." * * Having then glanced, beloved, at the present condition of those departed hence in the Lord, how glorious also are the contemplations of the covenant in its provisions for the resurrection and glorification of the body, as well as for its present impartation of glory to the disembodied spirit. In that most comprehensive and unspeakably blessed chapter, the 15th of the first of Corinthians, the apostle says, "If the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." Then, as if in holy triumph and rapturous exultation, he breaks forth, "But now Is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." The apostle Peter rejoices in the same covenant provision. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," says he, in the first chapter of his first epistle, "which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." David, back in still more ancient day, triumphed in the same faith, "As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake up in thy likeness." Job, still more remote, exulted in the same mercy; for, in the depths of his combined calamities, he exulted thus, "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." Once more, this brings us to another and a final view of the developments of the covenant, as it bears upon eternity:-" After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Now, beloved, if all this be true-and who can deny it, every-day facts confirming, and establishing, and ratifying more, and more, and more, the verities of eternal truth-what follows but the necessity and the desirableness of enforcing upon ourselves the word of exhortation? Did our brethren departed realize all the completeness and the comprehensiveness of the covenant as bearing upon Time, and have they now entered upon the glories that that covenant shall unfold through a blissful and neverending Eternity? Oh, then, how well may we seek to live and walk as becometh those personally interested in such great and glorious realities. Not only "let patience have her perfect work with respect to the little trials, and perplexities, and sorrows of the way—for after all, compared with the glory that is to be revealed, they are but little; but be it ours especially to see that we love one another with a pure heart fervently." May we be "all of one mind, having compassion one of another;" may we "love as brethren," or be "loving to the brethren ;" "pitiful, courteous; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that we are thereunto called, that we should inherit a blessing." Brethren, beloved, time is short; our days are numbered; every month and every year that tells off the score leaves that number less; occupation causes Old Father Time seemingly to wing his way still more fleetly. Be it then ours to be as those who watch for their Lord; who wait for His summons; our lamps trimmed, our loins girt, our staff in our hand, and ready at any moment to respond to the tidings, "The Master is come, and calleth for thee." Oh, brethren, in prospect of that blessed companionship which we shall enjoy through a blissful eternity, be it ours while on pilgrimage, to "love each other with a pure heart fervently." “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Brethren and sisters, beloved, farewell. We are, ever yours, to serve in the pathway of tribulation, and in the hope and prospect of a glorious eternity, 1, Devonshire Buildings, Bedminster, Bristol, November, 1860. THE EDITOR. |