PUBLIC attention has been awakened for some weeks past, by a trial whether probate shall be issued, or whether the probate granted shall take effect, respecting a will in which four hundred thousand pounds is at stake amongst the respective claimants. The judge of this probate court takes time to consider the case, and give his decision. What a moment is this for the parties concerned!
Such uncertainty as broods over this will, and sustains the interest of so many about the issue, may well produce in the soul of a Christian feelings of satisfaction and praise to God, even our Father, as he calls to mind how “all the promises are made, yea, and Amen, in Christ Jesus,” and how sure the covenants stand in “the hands of the Mediator,” till the time appointed comes for the claimants to take possession, and walk through the length and breadth of their inheritance. In the meanwhile with what composure can the children of God read their undisputed title, by a new relationship and birth, as we remind one another that our genealogy must be proved, not by descent from flesh and blood; for, on the contrary, our records refuse to recognize any as “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ,” who cannot make good their redemption, by “the precious blood of Christ” on the cross, and who are thus “born again of the Spirit.” Another most important difference exists between these two will cases―that during the interval, till the probate shall take effect, as regards the many heirs, the names of any fresh comers will be registered, provided they are handed in upon a claim founded by faith on the finished work of Christ, in His death and resurrection; for these are the terms on which “this will of God” runs: “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name, which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” No other inheritance (except the one which is “reserved in heaven” for this new race of people) could extend itself after this fashion without impoverishing the respective heirs; but God being God wants “many sons” in glory, and many co-heirs with Christ in the inheritance above, which “is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away,” in order to show throughout the ages to come “the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” While this court remains open for fresh claimants, till probate takes effect in actual possession, by our being caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and our resurrection to the heavens with Christ” we are encouraged to go out into the very highways and hedges, or the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in or compel the maimed, the halt, and the poor to come in “that the house may be filled,” and that there may not be one missing to cause a grief to the family of the Father. Another great contrast in these two will cases is, that, as respects all the children of God, we are accredited, as to our rights and titles, before we are actually put into possession of the inheritance; so that no uncertainty may cross the heart to trouble it, nor any fear as big as a man’s hand rest upon the cloudless horizon of our brightest hopes. God the Father has taken sure of this too; and because we are sons, “God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father; wherefore thou art no more a servant but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” What an object of supreme importance is our great will case! Have you put in your proofs of lineage by being “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever?” Have you been registered in the assurance, that “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Mm from the dead, thou shalt be saved?” Is your name recorded among the many who have gone in upon the “verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life?”