Dr. H. F. Kohlbrugge The Language of Canaan (14)

Kohlbrugge extensively describes the religion of the unregenerate. Such a one talks much but misses the practice of true godliness. He thinks that if one has some historical knowledge of the pilgrims' way and he can speak about it, that this is the same as walking in it. He considers experiential life to be but imagination, and even if he speaks about it, it is but vain talking. What he says does not come from the depths of the knowledge of misery. He is always sitting upon the throne of faith, but never upon the dunghill. Sometimes he may speak with some excitement about the loveliness of the King, but in the meantime he remains a willing slave of the King's enemies. He seeks the praise of men. He says that Caiaphas is bad, as are Judas, Pilate, and the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees, but he himself is a good person. Or if he says that he is a sinner, he does not mean this at all. He believes that all people are sinful, but not so condemnable and miserable, nor conceived in sin and born in iniquity and therefore subject to condemnation. The teaching that man's heart is only evil from his youth up is too hard for him.

He does not believe that someone who cannot read or write may be much wiser and learned than the most famous scholar. He slanders the old, tried doctrine as if it is something new and unheard of, and he calls it a teaching of the devils, though it is the only true and saving instruction.

It is evident that Kohlbrugge experienced much enmity from those who hated the doctrine of free grace which he so powerfully proclaimed. He writes about those who have an appearance of godliness, are almost Christians, and impress others with their great knowledge, but never become true servants of his King.

However, the pilgrim also speaks of others, in whom he clearly recognizes the work of grace.

The true work

Ask-Freely: Did you also find Mr. True-Work on the way?

Straight-Forward: Oh, yes! I love him, and I am sure he is following us. Perhaps he may soon be ahead of me. When I first saw him, he had just signed his death sentence with his blood.

When he saw me, he extended his hand to me and said, “O happy man, I see in you the image of the King. In spite of all His goodness and His warnings, I have sinned against Him, and I am totally lost.”

When I told him that I myself was a sinner also, he did not want to believe it, and he responded that there was none such a great sinner as he. Then he continued, “Oh, I wish that I were much more sorrowful about my awful sins, but my heart does not break; it is like a stone.”

I tried to put him at ease, but then he became even more distressed, and he cried, “I must have the King! I must have the King! I must know that I belong forever to Him!”

Some came to him with painkillers, others with bandages; they told him that these had been helpful to them. These, however, he did not want to accept, but he threw them all away. Still others tried to comfort him with marks of grace, such as that he had such exercises, and they asked him whether he did not do this or that, which could have been wrought only by the King. However, all this he also threw away; it was all sin.

I was so bold as to say to him, “Arise, the King calleth thee.” But then if only you could have heard his heart-breaking complaints about his own unwillingness. When I searched all his pockets and his clothes to see whether there was something that he might be trying to hide, he was as patient as a lamb. I could not convince him that his crying and desire for the King was a true work, but, on the contrary, he was afraid that he was a hypocrite and that everything was nothing more than self-deceit.

I asked him whether he would like to follow the King wherever He would go, and his answer was, “Yes, if I only had Him, even if I had to go to hell with Him, because then hell would be a heaven to me.”

Some pointed him to various promises, but his continual answer was, “Is that for me?” Once I found him while he was praying and heard him say, “Is this for me, Lord? Lord, what art Thou saying there? Oh, seal it then to my soul. And, oh, when wilt Thou reveal Thyself unto me? I cannot live without Thee.”

It had been a long time ago since he had any rest, and yet no one could convince him to take something to help him sleep.

Ask-Freely: Then you must certainly have thought of the words of Proverbs 18:14, “But a wounded spirit who can bear?”

Straight-Forward: Surely, brother, and I said within myself, “Only Thou, O Spirit of my King, art able to do this.” Often I thought that I might have lifted him up, but he lost more and more of his strength. This appeared when once I was of the opinion that now he had to continue with me, for then he suddenly collapsed and cried, “Oh, I wish I could!”

Ask-Freely: True-Work did not stay there, did he?

Straight-Forward: You know very well, my brother, that True-Work does not give up. The only desire of his soul was the King. He felt that he must personally see and speak to Him. And this happened. His only desire was to seek, and “he that seeketh findeth.” One day, early in the morning, he woke me up and said, “I am happier than a king, for I have THE King, and I have found grace in His eyes. He Himself has said to me that He has paid everything completely for me, and that His Father and God is, and will remain forever, my Father and God.”

How precious a picture of the true work of grace is given here. Only the Lord can solve the difficulties, and all human comfort and helpers fail. Those seekers will be finders. After the dark night of helpless crying, there is the morning in which the Lord gives joy. Then their mouths will be opened, and they may speak of it. What a glorious testimony they may then give of their Savior.

Straight-Forward's life

Ask-Freely: But my dear brother, may I ask you something for my own comfort?

Straight-Forward: Feel free to ask.

Ask-Freely: How can I know that I have passed from death unto life?

Straight-Forward: Do you love me and all true pilgrims?

Ask-Freely: I would give my life for them; you know that very well.

Straight-Forward: Well, a dead one is not alive. He does not lament or request; he does not seek the King and does not take refuge in Him.

Ask-Freely: How is it in your heart when you see the King?

Straight-Forward: Then I abhor myself because of my loathsomeness, and I cry, “Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinful man.”

Ask-Freely: Do you really mean that?

Straight-Forward: Oh, He is so high, and in His nearness I feel myself as being nothing. However, it is my blessedness that He is yet willing to remain with me.

Ask-Freely: What do you think of yourself when you consider rightly the laws of the King?

Straight-Forward: That I am carnal, sold under sin, and then I give Him whole-hearted thanks that He Himself has prepared for me everything that His laws require of me.

Ask-Freely: What do you say of your will?

Straight-Forward: Inwardly I have a heartfelt delight that His will be done, and yet I pray, “Let not my will be done, which is dumb and unholy.” I rejoice when I may say, “Speak, LORD, for Thy servant heareth.” That was the language of Samuel.

Kohlbrugge here describes the dependent life of one who has thoroughly learned his own bankruptcy. There will never be any fruit from his tree. However, he is one who may also know that, though he is poor in himself, he has a rich King. In Him is his salvation, his hope, his life and joy. He will also instruct him further.

What a blessing would it be, also for our churches, if there were more who knew what it is to be cut off from their own works, who have died to their first husband, Moses, but who also know the power of the living King. May Christ as King be exalted in us and in our children. Seek to learn to know the life of these pilgrims and to understand the language that the Lord teaches His people. Beg Him to break your hard hearts and to bring you on the same way as this pilgrim.

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