NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES Of Rev. J. Fraanje Using The Catechism Book SPECIMENS OF DIVINE TRUTHS

Lesson 31 Part 2

Now the question comes: Who is at the head of the church?

Answer: Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:23, Christ is the head of the church. Men might possibly ask: Why does Hellenbroek ask something so obvious? Who else but the Lord Jesus could be the head of the church?

That question might seem superfluous to us, but you must not forget that Hellenbroek lived from 1658 to 1731; in a time when the forces of the Reformation were being fiercely resisted.

Is not the Pope of Rome the head of the church?

For this he merely gives a very short answer, he says, “No, he is the antichrist.”

You are all aware that the word “anti” means “against”. The antichrist then, is against Christ. Hellenbroek dares to speak out in freedom that the Pope, with all his religion, good works and Christ-worshiping, is finally a servant of Satan; in opposition to Christ. He shall substantiate his answer with Holy Scripture and says; “How do we know?”

Because everything foretold of the anti-christ is fulfilled in him.

And now he speaks of what Paul says of the anti-christ in 2 Thes. 2. The time we have set aside for catechism is far too short to go into detail. We would need at least a day to elaborate on the errors of the Roman catholic church. Perhaps we shall have the opportunity later to do it.

At any rate, they fail to acknowledge Christ as the sole Head of the church. They even dare to be wickedly disrespectful to say; Christ is the Head of the church in Heaven, the Head of the church triumphant, but the Pope is the head of the part upon earth, that he is Christ’s deputy, a substitute for Peter.

Do you know what text they misuse for this? It is Matt. 16:18 - “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

It is clear that the Lord meant it was upon the confession that Peter had just made, (“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”) that He would build His church, that is, upon Christ her only Head and Foundation. But what do these poor people misinterpret this to mean?

The catechism book used to teach their children speaks out clearly (In question 136 of the Roman Catholic catechism book):

Is not Christ Himself the preeminent in the Holy church?

Answer: Christ is the invisible head of the Holy church, but Peter was His visible representative.

Question 137: Who is the successor of Holy Peter?

Answer: The Pope of Rome.

Question 138: What is the Pope of Rome?

Answer: The Pope of Rome is the representative of Christ on earth and the lawful successor of the Holy Peter upon whom Christ built His church.”

This is what the Roman Catholics teach their children.

I would say our time is too limited to elaborate further in this matter, but they do say explicitly that the church has two heads: Christ, they say, is head of the part of the church in heaven and the pope is head of the part upon earth.

We cannot find that in God’s Word at all. Besides that, explain to us how it is possible for a child to be born upon earth that is normal in life and conduct except that it has two heads? Would not that be a monster? Everyone would say that there is one head too many. How then can the church have two heads? It is a repudiation of Christ and nothing more than filthy pride of that sect to place a sinful man as representative of Christ - as though the power of the Son of God was insufficient!

But we shall not continue with this subject. Actually, the devil is a leader too and in a certain sense a lawful head of all sinners. We have of our own free will chosen him as our leader and we faithfully do his bidding. But does he remain the leader of everyone?

No, he does not. As early as Paradise, he was told he would lose his prey. “--He shall bruise your head--.” The Lord Jesus said in one of His parables - “No man can enter into a strong man’s house and spoil his goods except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.” Why did the Lord say that?

Well, the wicked Jews said that He cast out devils solely by the power of the devil, that He had not the power to do it himself but derived his power from Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. They were not about to acknowledge Christ as the Head of the Church!

But the Lord, knowing their thoughts, in affect said to them, “Don’t you understand how impossible it is? How could I break down the work of the devil and deliver a person from him unless I had authority over all devils and had power over them?”

That is why He would say: “I have conquered and bound the devil and for that reason can enter his house and spoil his goods. I can pluck sinners out of his claws, convert them unto Me, and let those who were bound to go eternally free.” Isaiah speaks of it like this in Chapter 49:24, “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty (the devil) or the lawful captive delivered?”

Each one of us has become prisoners of Satan in our fall in Paradise, so in a certain sense he has a lawful right to rule over us. But what follows in this chapter?

“Even the captive of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered.” Isaiah 49:25. All this is possible because the Blessed Mediator is the Head of His Church!

The church militant is so called because those who are “delivered” have a constant strife with the devil, the world and their own flesh! You need not think the devil is not aware of the fact that a part of his prisoners has been released. No, he roars in rage about this and will terrify them as much as possible.

And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:1, 2

THERE IS BUT A STEP Part II

A few days ago, I saw that so obviously confirmed. I came to a congregation one afternoon where I was to supply that evening. On my arrival there, I was asked to visit a man in the hospital, who had had a heart attack a few days before. Although he was no confessing member of our congregations, I had often met him, and seen him in church, throughout all the years that I had served there. When his first wife was still living, and because he lived in the same street as the only elder of that congregation, I also ate there sometimes, so that I fulfilled the request to visit that friend with pleasure.

A friend brought me to the hospital. Soon we came to the room where that man was lying. Upon the question how he was, he answered: “Very well, I hope to go home again in a few days.” He said: “I have here the certificate from the church to which I belonged, but can no longer stay there, and hope to become a member with you, because I am convinced that the doctrine that is preached there, is the doctrine that is according to the word of God.” I put that certificate in my pocket and spoke a few words about what is necessary to live in comfort and to die in peace. After the man had answered a few personal questions which I asked him, he thanked me for visiting him. He said, “I have been longing and looking forward to the time that you would visit me.”

As usual I was going to offer prayer with him before leaving and what happens? I heard a gasp, and when I opened my eyes, the man was no more. The friend that was with me, immediately called a nurse. Three of them came and also two doctors, but that life was cut off. For that man it was eternity. His second wife, to whom he had been married for only 16 months, had unexpectedly become a widow, and the two adopted children had lost their foster father. On the way back from Harvey to South Holland, we thought we would visit his only brother, to inform him that his brother had suddenly passed away. When I told him that, he said: “That is impossible, because I had visited him this afternoon.” I said: “Yes, but it is true. I have just come from the hospital, and for your brother it is eternity.”

But one step. At the funeral that same week, I spoke out of Isaiah 40:6-8. The day before I had a funeral of a father and friend, who also died of a heart attack. And in that same week I buried a widow out of my own congregation who was a 100 years and 3 months old. Shortly after that as I sat in the train on the way to California, a man who a few minutes before had been walking through the train, went and sat on his place, next to his wife, only one seat behind me. He also got a heart attack and in a moment it was eternity for him. There is but a step between us and death. It is from day to day, then the one, and then another. And the grave never says: it is enough. But in our life it is revealed, that by nature we are dead for death. Even God’s children must most of the time still say: “Lord, make it reality once more.” Our soul cleaveth unto the dust, and how inclined we are to drive our stakes into this earth firmly. Among God’s people there are yet some exceptions. We have examples of that as well in the Old as in the New Testament.

Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him; Genesis 5:24. Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, Hebrews 11:10. Jacob cried out on his death-bed: “I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord.” And he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost,” Genesis 49:18. Job could look beyond death and the grave, unto the day of resurrection, Job 19:25–27 - “Though my reins be consumed within me.” David was reconciled with death, and was glad that the end of his life was there. Paul had a desire to depart, “And to be with Christ; which is far better,” Philippians 1:23.

What a great grace it is, to have that foundation under our feet which is unshakable. That we may know in whom we believe, and that our soul is sure in Christ. May we know that for us death is swallowed up in victory. And that we live here as strangers; far from sin, and near to God. That we might have more of heaven than of earth in our heart, and that we might live more above, than here below; to have more desire for death than for life. For God’s people death is not a payment for their sins, but a dying unto sin and a passage into life eternal. It also remains a vale of misery here, especially for God’s people, because it is not the land of rest. Here they must constantly strive with the devil, the world and their own flesh. Here they remain subject to so much misery because of the pollution of sin and because they are not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. The dominating power of sin has been broken for God’s people in the hour of regeneration, but the sighing under sin will remain as long as they dwell here in Mesech. Forgiven sins are not yet dead sins. Here they must experience the power and bitterness of sin, as long as they are absent from the Lord. The wiles, the attacks, the allurements and the temptations of the prince of darkness will remain as long as we are still wandering about here in enemy territory. And then concerning the image of God, it has initially been restored, but only in part. And concerning the conformity to Christ, and the exercises in the way of sanctification, therein they shall not be able to come any further, than what the highly privileged Paul once testified: “But I follow after, if that I may apprehend it.” Philippians 3:12.

Rev. W.C. Lamain

CHRIST COMFORTS HIS MOURNING DOVE

“O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rocks, in the secret places of the stairs, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. “ Song of Sol. 2:14

Dear reader; it has pleased God to have names ascribed unto Himself to distinguish Him from idols, and thereby to make known something of Himself unto a lost world. His names are but a similarity of His greatness and excellency. This He revealed unto His servant Moses: “I AM THAT I AM.” Jehovah being His most reverend name, wherein is expressed His deity, the covenant God, His Glory and His Majesty.

It has also pleased God to call His people by various names in His Holy Word, to distinguish them from the people of this world. What a condescending mercy of God to bestow His mercy to a certain number of Adam’s race. All equally fallen in their covenant head, but beloved from eternity, and called in the acceptable year of the Lord. He calls them: My friend, My children, My people, My sheep, My beloved, My son, My daughter, and in our text we find that He calls them My dove.

In meditating upon this text, let us briefly consider the following four points. The disposition of the dove, her dwelling place, Christ’s gracious invitation, and her beauty. First of all note the droppings of mercy into the heart of a dear child of God, when He calls her in her dismay; With an earnest calling; calling her: “O My dove.” Christ speaks of His bride as a dove in the feminine sense; for as the husband is the head of his bride, even so is Christ the head of the church. He owns them ere they are aware that the Lord would condescend to look upon such worms of the dust. Yea, He has known them from eternity, and now He wishes to manifest His love upon them, in the hour of His good pleasure.

We all know that a dove is known for the affection and faithfulness it displays for its mate; for her beauty where she is covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold, and in her character as she is known to be harmless. These Christian virtues which men had lost by sin in their covenant head Adam, are given them again in their New covenant head Christ Jesus, who is the head of His church. Man in himself has no power to recover this life of God in his soul, for: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. “We can do nothing to merit the recovery of this spiritual life, because our whole nature is sinful and guilty. The first good motion of the will comes from Christ; even the desire to live unto God, is His FREE gift. He only, whose voice is to call the dead out of their grave, can call to the sinner, and be obeyed. It is Christ’s meritorious work which has satisfied the justice of God, and which is imputed into the heart of His bride, wherefore Christ calls her; “O My dove.”

This dove is in the clefts of the rocks, in the secret places of the stairs. She no longer finds her delight in the things of this world, they are but vanity and vexation of spirit. Conscious of her unfitness, and her unworthiness, she crept in the clefts of the rocks, the secret places of the most high, Christ Jesus, the rock of refuge. Her fear is not a slavish fear, but a childlike fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty. Her beauty is consumed away like a moth, and she has no comeliness in herself. Being aware of her uncleanness and that she is polluted with sin from the head to the sole of her feet. Unclean even in her best meditations; she hides herself in the secret places of the stairs, from the onslaught of Satan, the deceiver of the world. There to be alone, undisturbed, and in communion with her beloved in secret prayer. Mourning, because she cannot abase or humble herself enough for His great mercy, and praising His name for the love wherewith He has drawn her, giving her to sit at His feet. Her mournings were by day and by night: “I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell Him, that I am sick of love.”It is here where Christ awakens the church with His gracious invitation: “Let Me see thy countenance, let Me hear thy voice.”

What a super abounding mercy; It is the Lord God omnipotent who calls this mourning dove, His bride, His elect, whom He has loved from eternity, and now hears the cry of His longing bride refusing to be comforted, till she has found Him and heard His voice speaking personally to her. Here she sits hiding herself in the clefts of the rock, ashamed because of her manifold iniquities, and being unworthy of the least of His blessings. It is there where it pleases the Lord to manifest Himself unto His own, as He did unto His servant Moses: “And the Lord said unto Moses, ‘I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name.’ “ Ex. 33:2. She desires His divine friendship, but because the excellency of His divine Majesty is so great, she receives a divine overshadowing, in the clefts of the rocks; yea in the shadow of His wings she makes her refuge. It is for such mourners, that we find written to their comfort: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” I John 2:1.

It is here where Christ invites His mourning dove to come boldly to His mercy seat: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebr. 4:16. It is Christ the everlasting High Priest pleading her cause by the Father. He invites her to speak freely, He is a compassionate High Priest, He remembers His own, and speaks: “What is thy request? O come, sinner, come, make Me know your request.” Has He not held out the golden sceptre of His word to you, when He bade you: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. May you venture it with Queen Esther: “If I perish, I perish.” Can you justify Him in whatsoever He will do with you?

The prayers of the upright are His delight; He accepted Abel’s sacrifice, Abraham’s pleading, Moses’ prayers, Jacob’s wrestlings, the Publican’s prayer, the Prodical son, the murderer on the cross. Did He ever say to the house of Jacob, “seek Me in vain”? The mourning dove was black and polluted in sin, but she is covered with His perfect righteousness; this has become her beautiful garment, she is now lovely in His sight, though she finds no beauty in herself. The deeper her sorrows are felt by the discovering work of the Spirit of God, the emptier she remains in herself, the more He extols her beauty, for the uprightness of her heart is His delight: though she chatters like a crane or swallow, it is music in His ears.

Dear fellow traveler to eternity, did you ever experience a Godly sorrow, being grieved in your heart that you have offended the High Majesty in heaven, do you know of bitter tears flowing day and night, have your bed pillows ever been made wet with your tears? Can you name the places within your dwelling where you were privileged to implore His throne of grace, or in the field, in your place of work, sometimes riding in your automobile, walking, meditating, with this request: “O, that I might know where I might find Him?” If so, then you know something of the mourning after Christ. It is this people whereof Christ has spoken: “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” Is. 43:21.

The foundation of the salvation for the mourners is not their tears, but the finished work of Christ as He cried upon the accursed cross: “It is finished.” This saving work of redemption He applies in the heart of His people. He creates within the hearts of mourners, a Godly sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of. It is not a FREE act left to man. He has promised to have a willing people in the day of His power. Hope waiting, mourning soul, and in His word do hope; He has promised: “I bring near My righteousness; it shall not be far off, and My salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My glory.” Isa. 46:13.

Hope in God, ye waiting people;

Mercies great with Him abound;

With the Lord a full redemption

From the guilt of sin is found.

C.F. Boerkoel, Sr.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

[A condensation of the address given at the 1976 Youth Day Conference]

Let us examine Christian education in its component parts. To begin with, what is education? In answering this question we may say that education is schooling or learning, or the imparting of knowledge. It can also be defined as developing mentally and morally by instruction or training. Now let us add an adjective to the word education, namely the word Christian, and we get Christian education. We have now added the spiritual dimension to the process of education; we are not only concerned with the teaching of secular knowledge to the individual, but also his religious training.

In an education process, someone is to do the learning. Let us now define for ourselves the learner. What is he? First, he is a created being. He is not an evolutionary process, as Darwin explained it. He is the object of the Supreme Being’s design. And, second, he is a fallen creature. What are some of the characteristics of the learner as a human being? He is physical, mental, emotional, moral, social and spiritual. In education we must look at all of these, but the most important is his spiritual being. If the learner is to be taught spiritual values, then it is imperative that the teacher (yea, all of us) seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Now that we have a brief description of Christian education and the learner, let us examine the characteristics of the teacher. By definition the teacher helps one to know, guides the studies of, imparts knowledge to, or instructs by precept, example or experience. A well known educator said, “We teach a little by what we say, more by what we do, but most by what we are.” Are you now able to understand how important it is for the teacher to live according to God’s Word? How necessary it is that the educator’s life be a proper example so that in word and deed the next generation receives the proper basic values of life. How grave is the situation when the world is involved in training a life when it has no conception of man’s miserable state for eternity or what is necessary to live happily and die in peace.

In Proverbs 2:1 we see a spiritual and a practical view of what and how God purposed all to learn. Let us look specifically at the practical application of the text. It reads, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” In this text Solomon tells us the process for learning. First he mentions knowledge or information; second, understanding; and third, wisdom. The text tells us that we are to receive the words, or to have a receptive heart willing to learn, and that the facts we learn, we are to hide them or make them part of ourselves. Superficially learned facts are soon forgotten, but those that have made an impression on you, you will remember for a lifetime. It is also your responsibility to apply your hearts to understanding and your ear to wisdom — to study and evaluate the facts and to be diligent in so doing. Information that is only learned so that it can be recalled on a test or recalled when questions are asked is not always understood. How are we to seek knowledge and understanding? Solomon tells us it is by crying, which is praying. In the morning let us ask the Lord to help us in our studies and to teach us as only He can teach, and in the evening acknowledge Him for the benefits bestowed upon us.

Education began in the church. The Bible implies that you and I have more to do than just assume some knowledge and develop attitudes of basic skills. Man has a responsibility for much more. We know from history that our puritan fathers felt this responsibility and established schools and colleges so that their children could receive a formal education in the wisdom of the Bible. The three basic skills that children acquire and develop are (1) listening, (2) reasoning and (3) communicating. For the most part, the church is where you listen, the school is where you reason and the home is where you communicate. From these institutions, the church, school and home are where you draw most of your basic information and build your attitudes. Now suppose that one or more of these institutions has a contrary view of life. Consequently, you are listening, reasoning and communicating in separate environments that are not consistent. Your basic life values and your patterns of life will be in confusion. The church, home and school should speak with one voice consistent with God’s Word. Are your basic value patterns the same for you in church and in school? You can see that the world falls so short in the proper training for life.

You may ask, “How should we train our children?” The Lord tells us to teach diligently from one generation to the next the details and essentials of God’s Word. How thoroughly should this be done? When thou sittest in thine house, when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down and when thou risest up. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.” From the period in which Luther and Calvin lived we have the greatest values of our western civilization. The pilgrims brought these values from Europe so they could worship and train their children according to God’s Word. Christian education needs to do the same — go back to God’s Word and train the next generation.

The pilgrims started their churches and schools in the same building. The first teacher in American schools was the pastor; the first textbook was the Bible; the place was the church. This was the beginning of the American culture. The Bible was used in this way for generations; children studied from the Word using the very context of it. Then educators thought that other educational tools were needed to help understand the Word of God. So supplements were added, such as the Horn Book Primer. These supplements became more and more significant and soon the supplements became the textbooks. Then the Bible became the supplement, and finally it was eliminated. By World War II the Bible was by judicial review legislated out of the schools. Today there is a drive in secular publishing houses of educational material to take every last grain of Biblical truth or principles out of all books.

The Bible tells us that to turn away from God is to turn away from Light. In the time of the Lord Jesus upon earth there was a synagogue for every twelve Jewish families. The same basic methods of a training program you can still find in practice today amond the Jewish people. They take the responsibility of training children seriously. Souldn’t we do the same?

W. Timmer

A PASSENGER WHO NEVER PAYS BUT CANNOT BE DENIED

During the years that I was favored to serve the churches in The Netherlands, I have often traveled to serve those that were vacant. When I came to America, that did not change. My field of labor was not only in the state of Michigan but also in Illinois, New Jersey, and Ontario, Canada. At times I have also journeyed to Wisconsin, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, California, and Alberta, Canada. I have spent days and nights on the train. Occasionally an elder would go along with me. This usually happened when we had to attend a Classis or Synod, but most of the time I went alone.

Traveling here is altogether different than in the old country. It often happened there that at the station we would meet people who would travel with us; but that is altogether different in a country like America. We can count the times when we met a person who felt lke starting a conversation. Most of the time, and especially on a journey, one feels himself like a stranger in a strange country.

The distances are often so great, and of course, the expenses are much more than in The Netherlands. From the nature of things, we have already spent a very large sum in traveling. At times one does not mind being alone. It happens, also, that with reading and meditation, the hours pass quickly. But there are also many other times: no desire to examine ourselves within, disagreeing with the ways of God. At times our thoughts wander everywhere, and sometimes — we cry because of the murderers.

At one time, being in severe strife, I thought of an aged, deceased preacher who also had to go with the train to preach in another town. He stood at the station with an elder who for many years is now rejoicing before the throne. Suddenly the preacher said to his companion, “How happy I would be if I could leave myself here and thus step into the train.”

We take ourselves with us everywhere, and we walk and sit with ourselves in the world: a flesh which does not subject itself to the law of God; an existence which never desires what God desires.

In connection with this, I also thought about that murderer from the beginning. Most of the time, we step with ourselves into the train, but there is still another passenger who travels along but who never pays. At large transfer points, the attendant constantly examines the railroad tickets, but the devil never has to show his to the conductor. How often he sits right next to us, and if he would only keep himself quiet, but oh, most of the time he has the floor. O those people who by grace have been delivered out of his power learn to know him as a roaring lion who goes about seeking whom he may devour. Paul tells us, “We are not ignorant of his devices.” He is an enemy who never sleeps, but of whom David declares in Psalter 415:9

“Who in their consuming hate

With their cruel scorn have flayed me.”

It is true the devil is subject to the dominion of Christ, and he cannot shoot an arrow except he receives permission from heaven. The prince of darkness is also subject to the exalted Theocracy, but these people still say at times, “Lord, how much permission dost Thou give him to oppress Thy people and to disturb my heart? How easy my life would be if that enemy were not constantly close upon my heels.” At times those people are discouraged; then again hostile, and are seldom agreed with it.

With respect to this, there are various ways by which the Lord leads His people. The Lord is so sovereign in assigning to each his cross, and besides, the weight and the duration also vary. After Paul had been drawn up into the third heaven, he received a sharp thorn in the flesh and an angel of satan buffeted him, II Cor. 12. That was permitted so he would not exalt himself. It is so necessary that we remain humble and remain beggars.

Moreover, as long as we are here upon earth, we shall experience what took place in Paradise. That shall remain a bitterness as long as we are wandering here in Meshech. In our deep fall, we have fallen toward the devil. We have given him our heart and hand and being so loveless and disloyal, we have left God our Creator, and have bidden Him farewell. Although Christ has bruised Satan’s head upon Golgotha, with his tail he strikes us so hard that at times we lie stunned upon the earth. Although God’s people have been delivered from under his dominion, how often they are tormented and vexed by the devil. He shall never again procure those people under his power unto eternal destruction, still, by permission, he manifests himself in such a way that we should never underrate him. There are moments that he must leave God’s people alone. Then it seems as if the Lord tells him, “Now I will not permit you to attack or oppress my people.” They many now breathe freely for awhile. Yea, indeed, at times it seems as if there were no more devil, no more sin and no more world. Then the old man is subdued and then it is:

“From rivers of unfailing joy

Our thirst shall be supplied.”

Yea, those are blessed moments indeed. In Luke 4:13 we read that the devil departed from the Blessed Surety and Mediator for a season, but he returned again as is revealed to us in the Bible. But, thus it is also in the life of God’s children. At times the devil must make a hasty retreat. But this earth is not the land of rest. The prince of darkness does not allow us any rest. We cannot say nor write down everything, but those that have knowledge of it know very well how the enemy is always after them. Although he is not almighty, he has much power at his disposal. In this case it also applies, “Blessed is the man that feareth continually.” The devil is also impudent. We read in Job 1:16, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan came also among them.” He enters the train with us, he goes to bed with us, he goes with us to church and to our inner chamber, and with us into the pulpit. All that is because we have believed him in Paradise and have surrendered ourselves to him. If only there was a fight against him at all times, but alas, there are so many times when we listen to the enemy, yea even talk along with him and grieve God’s Spirit.

O, when God’s people shall be in the wedding hall, then, according to Matt. 20:10, the door will be locked forever and for the devil, too. What shall that be when the enemy can never vex us again, when there shall be no more fear for the assaults of the wicked one, when we shall be forever delivered from that sorrow which constantly fills our heart at the remembrance of our disloyal forsaking of the God of our life!

God’s people shall not only be delivered from the devil, but the Bible also assures God’s children that flesh and blood shall never inherit the Kingdom of God. Then those people shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.

Rev. W.C. Lamain

A FEW PASSAGES IN THE EXPERIENCE OF OF THE LATE W. ROMAINE, M.A.

God’s dealings with me have been wonderful, not only for the royal sovereignty of His richest grace, but also for the manner of His teaching, on which I cannot look back without adoring my meek and lowly Prophet. He would have all the honour (and He well deserves it) of working out and also of applying His glorious salvation. When I was in trouble and soul-concern, He would not let me learn of man. I went everywhere to hear, but nobody was suffered to speak to my case. The reason of this I could not tell then, but I know it now. The Arminian methodists flocked about me, and courted my acquaintance, which became a snare unto me. By their means I was brought into difficulty which distressed me several years. ‘I was made to believe that part of my title to salvation was to be inherent, something called holiness in myself, which the grace of God was to help me to do. And I was to get it by watchfulness, prayer, fasting, hearing, reading, sacraments, etc., so that after much and long attendance in those means, I might be able to look inward, and be pleased with my own improvement, finding I was growing in grace, a great deal holier, and more deserving of heaven than I had been.’ I do not wonder now that I received this doctrine. It was sweet food to a proud heart. I feasted on it, and to work I went. It was hard labour and sad bondage, but the hopes of having something to glory in of my own kept up my spirits. I went on, day after day, striving, agonizing (as they called it), but still I found myself not a bit better. I thought this or that was the fault, which being amended I should certainly succeed, and therefore set out afresh, but still came to the same place. No galley slave worked harder, or to less purpose. Sometimes I was quite discouraged, and ready to give all up; but the discovery of some supposed hindrance set me to work again. Then I would redouble my diligence and exert all my strength. Still I got no ground. This made me often wonder, and still more when I found at last I was going backward. Methought I grew worse; I saw more sin in myself instead of more holiness, which made my bondage very heavy. The thing I wanted, the more I pursued it, flew farther and farther from me. I had no notion that this was Divine teaching, and that God was delivering me from my mistake in this way, so that the discoveries of my growing worse were dreadful arguments against myself, until now and then a little light would break in and show me something of the glory of Jesus; but it was a glimpse only—gone in a moment. As I saw more of my heart, and began to feel more of my corrupt nature, I got clearer views of gospel-grace; and in proportion as I came to know myself, I advanced in the Knowledge of Christ Jesus. But this was very slow work; the old leaven of self-righteousness, new christened holiness, stuck close to me still, and made me a very dull scholar in the school of Christ. But I kept on, making a little progress; and I was forced to give up one thing and another on which I had some dependence, I was left at last stripped of all, and neither had, nor could see where I could have ought to rest my hopes that I could call my own. This made way for blessed views of Jesus. Being now led to very deep discoveries of my own legal heart, of the dishonour which I had put upon the Saviour, of the despite I had done to the Spirit, of His grace by resisting and perverting the workings of His love, these things humbled me. I became very vile in my own eyes. I gave over striving, and the pride of free will, the boast of mine own works were laid low. And as self was debased, the scriptures became an open book, and every page presented the Saviour in new glory. Then were explained to me these truths, which are now the very joy and life of my soul.

Such as:

First: The plan of salvation, contrived by the wisdom of Jehovah, fulfilled in the Divine person and work of Jesus, and applied by the Spirit of Jesus. The whole was so ordered, from first to last, that the glory of it might be secured to the person of Jehovah. The devil fell by pride; he tempted and seduced man into pride; therefore the Lord, to hide pride from man, has so ordered his salvation that he who glorieth should have nothing to glory in but the Lord.

Secondly: the benefits of salvation are all the free gifts of free grace, conferred without any regard to what the receiver of them is; nothing being looked at by the Giver but His own sovereign glory. Therefore the receivers are the ungodly, the worst of them, the unworthy, the chief of sinners; such are saved freely ‘by grace through faith, and that not of themselves; it’ (namely, salvation by faith) ‘is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast’.

Thirdly: when I considered these benefits one by one, it was the very death of self-righteousness and self-complacency; for when I looked at the empty hand which faith puts forth to receive them, whence was the hand emptied, whence came faith, whence the power to put forth the empty hand, and whence the benefits received upon putting it forth? All is of God; He humbles us that we may be willing to live by faith upon Christ received; and as it is a great benefit to have faith, so it is,

Fourthly: a great inestimably great benefit to live by faith; for this is a life in every act of it dependent upon another. Self is renounced so far as Christ is lived upon. And faith is the most emptying, pulling-down grace; most emptying, because it says and proves it too, ‘in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing;’ and therefore it will not let a man see ought good in himself, but pulls down every high thought, and lays it low in subjection to Jesus. It is called the faith of the Son of God,, because He is the Author and Finisher of it; He gives it; He gives to live by it; He gives the benefits received by it; He gives the glory laid up for it; so that if I live to God, and in any act have living communion with God, it is by nothing in myself, but wholly by the faith of the Son of God. When I wanted to do anything commanded, (what they called duties) I found,

Fifthly, a continual matter of humiliation. I was forced to be dependent for the will and for the power, and, having done my best, I could not present it to God but upon the golden altar that sanctifieth the gifts; nor the worthiness, not the goodness of the gifts, but the sanctifying grace of the Great High Priest alone can make them acceptable. How low did this lay the pride of good works, since, after all, they were viler than dung, unless perfumed with the sweet incense of Jesus’ blood and righteousness! Here I learned to eye Him in all my works and duties, the Alpha and Omega of them; the life and spirit of all my prayers and sermons, and hearing, and reading, and ordinances; they are all dead works unless done in and by faith of the Son of God. Against this blessed truth, of which I am as certain as that I am alive, I find my nature kick. To this hour a legal heart will be creeping into duties, to get between me and my dear Jesus, whom I go to meet in them. But He soon recovers me from the temptation, makes me loathe myself for it, and gets fresh glory to His sovereign grace; and as all the great and good things ever done in the world were done by faith, so all the crosses ever endured with patience were from the same cause; which is,

Sixthly, another humbling lesson. I find to this moment so much unbelief and impatience in myself, that if God were to leave me to be tried with anything that crossed my will, if it were but a feather, it would break my back. Nothing tends to keep me so vile in my own eyes like this fretting and murmuring, and heart burning, when the will of God in the least thwarts my will. I read, ‘the trial of your faith worketh patience,’ the trial of mine, the direct contrary. Instead of patient submission, I wanted to have my own way, to take very little physic, and that very sweet; so the flesh lusteth. But the Physician knows better. He knows when and what to prescribe; may every potion purge out this impatient, proud, unbelieving temper, so that faith may render healthful to the soul what is painful to the flesh. As so no cross can be endured without the faith of the Son of God, so,

Seventhly, and lastly, there is no comfortable view of leaving the world but by the same faith. These all who have obtained a good report in every age, died in faith. On their deathbed they did not look for present peace and future glory, but to the Lamb of God. Their works, their eminent services, their various sufferings, all were cast behind their backs, and they died as they lived, looking at nothing but Jesus. He was their antidote against the fear and against the power of death. They feared not the cold death sweat; Jesus’ bloody sweat was their dependence. The dart lost its force on Jesus’ side. The sting was lost in His corpse. Death stung itself to death when it killed Him. There is life, life in its highest exaltation and glory in not breathing the air of this world. This life through death, Jesus entered on, and we enter on it now by faith; and when our breath is stopped we have this life as He has it, pure, spiritual, and divine. Because He lives, we shall live it also. Yes, my dear friend, we, and you, and I, after we have lived a little longer, to empty us more, to bring us more out of ourselves, that we may be humbled and Jesus exalted more, we shall fall asleep in Jesus, not die, but sleep; not see, not taste death, so He promises us; but in His dear arms sweetly go to rest in our weary bodies, when our souls shall be ever with the Lord. And then we shall be perfect in that lesson, which we learned so very slowly in this present world, viz.: —that from Him, and of Him, and to Him, are all things; to whom be all the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

These are the things which God Himself has taught me. Man had no hand at all in them. No person in the world, not I myself, for I fought against them as long as I could; so that my present possession of them, with all the rich blessings which they contain, is from my heavenly Teacher alone. And I have not learned them as we do mathematics, to keep them in memory and make use of them when I please; no, I find in me, to this moment, an opposition to every gospel truth, both to the belief of it in my head, and to the comfort of it in my heart. I am still a poor, dependent creature, sitting very low at the feet of my dear Teacher, and learning to admire that love of His which brought me down, and keeps me down at His feet. There be my seat till I learn my lesson perfectly. That will soon be. There is nothing in His presence but what is like Himself. In heaven all is perfection. The saints are as humble as they are happy. Clothed with glory, and clothed with humility, with one heart and one voice they cry, ‘worthy is the Lamb.’ They look not at, they praise not one another, but the Lamb is glorified in His saints, and will have from them never ending praise in glory, for the glory which His sovereign grace has bestowed upon them. In a measure I now feel what they do. My heart is in tune, and I can join that blessed hymn, looking at Him as the Giver of grace, (and glory is grace begun,) as they look at Him the giver of glory. I can take the crown most gladly from the head of all my graces, as they do from the head of their glory, and cast it down at His loving feet. Worthy is the Lamb. He is, He is, blessings on Him for ever and ever!

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