QUEEN ELIZABETH one day called for a true glass, saying that she had not seen one for years. She was surrounded by everything that earth's glory could give, and courtiers daily vied with each other in paying flattering compliments to her, speaking of her youthful beauty and gracefulness. All who were present trembled as they heard the call for a true glass, anticipating the consequences, but her command must be obeyed. It was brought, and she took it in her royal hand; she gazed upon the truthful reflection of her own features, but, instead of finding the youthful beauty which her flatterers spoke of, she saw the wrinkles of old age and the unmistakable signs of her passionate nature. She only gazed a moment upon it, then dashed the mirror to shivers upon the ground. She could not bear the naked truth.
I have met an old man (pattern of many others), whose hair is gray and whose steps are faltering; he is evidently near the grave. The devil, who deceives the whole world, whispers in his ear that he is so respectable and even religious that he needs no Saviour. He has never done anybody any harm, he attends church, he is very familiar with his prayer-book, and if he has committed a few little sins in his long lifetime they will pass unnoticed; on the whole, he is one of the best men he knows.
There is an old book, called “The Word of Truth," which describes him as accurately and precisely as a man's natural face is reflected in a true glass. Does this book coincide in its description with the flattery of the devil? No: far from it. Amongst many terms applied to him there, we find the following: “sinner," “ungodly," “without strength” (Rom. 5:6, 86For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)), “lost” (Luke 19:2020And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: (Luke 19:20)), and a “child of wrath, even as others" (Eph. 2:33Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3)). Has he never read this? Yes, he has; but he loves the devil's lies, and cannot bear the naked truth, therefore he finds fault with the book which condemns him, and seeks, so far as it is in his power, to dash it to pieces.
Reader, hear God's word!
The world is full of the devil's lying flatteries—thousands of souls are beguiled by him; they turn their ears from the truth, their minds are filled with fables, they are deaf to all God's tender, earnest entreaties of grace and love; they are blinded by Satan, who is leading them on to the fearful moment when God shall leave men to the lies they have loved, and to everlasting perdition. Grieved for their misery, God's heart yearns over men with tender love and compassion; so great is His love, that “He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Now, reader, He speaks to you, and warns you by His word: in it, and there alone, you have THE TRUTH—the truth as to your state and condition by nature, a godless, helpless, hopeless sinner, and the truth as to the perfect eternal salvation which God has provided for those who are such in and through Christ Jesus, His blessed Son. Through “belief of the truth" we are saved; but those who refuse to receive the love of the truth that they may be saved will be left to the lie they have loved, with its fearful consequence—eternal damnation. Shut out forever from the presence of the Lord and all that scene of eternal glory and blessedness, where believers in Jesus shall have their place with Him, there will be found together the maker of the lie (the devil) and those who have loved it, spite of God's warnings and entreaties. (Rev. 22:1515For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Revelation 22:15).)
"O sinner, to the Saviour bow:
The truth believe!”
J. R.