1. “G. G.,” Wincanton. Accept our best thanks for the lines.
2. “A Sinner Saved,” Chelsea. If you could procure a little pamphlet entitled, “A Scriptural Inquiry into the true nature of the Sabbath, the Law, and the Christian Ministry,” it might help you. It is to be had of our Publisher, or Broom, Paternoster Bow.
3. “Lillie.” 1 John 5:1818We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (1 John 5:18) refers to the divine nature in the believer which Satan cannot touch. See also chap, 3:9. Your second question is entirely out of our line. You had better speak lovingly to the persons who act so inconsistently. We do not quite like the idea of having our little serial turned into a long whip to chastise all sorts of wrong doers.
4. “J. Μ. Ο,” Bath. We trust that no “hurry of editorship” shall ever lead us to pen a single sentence which we have not weighed in the presence of God. We are aware that many of our friends differ from our view of Matt. 28:1919Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19): but, notwithstanding that, we are convinced that we have in that passage the proper formulary to be used in christian baptism.
5. “J. M.,” Taunton. Accept our thanks for the sweet lines you have so kindly sent us. They breathe a spirit which we long to cultivate.
6. “Β. A. M.,” London. We most assuredly judge spirit-rapping to be a positive work of the devil. As to people receiving replies from departed friends, we believe it to be the direct agency of wicked spirits, who are allowed of God, in His judicial dealings, to deceive those whose hearts are turned away from the teaching and authority of His word, and the ministry of His Holy Spirit. Luke 16:2626And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luke 16:26) teaches us that none of those who die in their sins can come back; and as to those who sleep in Jesus, the teaching of the entire New Testament goes to prove that they would not come back to this earth to communicate with those who, not content with God’s word and Spirit, turn to devils in order to hear things which God never intended them to know. In short, we believe the whole thing to be an awful delusion and deceit of the devil; and we would most solemnly warn our readers to have nothing whatever to do with it. We cannot believe that any one, having the fear of God in his heart, could have aught to do with such downright wickedness. It stands on the same platform with witchcraft, traffic with familiar spirits, and the heathen oracles. Let Christians beware how they tamper with the works of Satan!
7. “Β. K.,” Gort. You surely do not suppose that we would insert in our pages aught which we did not deem genuine. The narrative of “The Infidel and his Board” was sent to us in print; and, regarding it as a most striking illustration of the over-ruling grace of God, we gave it a place in our pages. What reason could we have to doubt the genuineness of a document bearing on its title page the name of a respectable publisher?
8. “C. Y.” We have always viewed the scene to which you refer, in John 20, as illustrating the calm victory of the Prince of Life over the power of death.
9. “J. G.,” Omagh. Most assuredly a believer can sin. That which is born of God, the new nature, cannot sin; but the flesh in a believer, the old nature, is as bad as ever, and if not judged and subdued by the power of the Spirit, may show itself in various ways, and cut out very sorrowful and humbling work for us. “If we [believers] say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” And again, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and Ids word is not in us.” (1 John.) If we were not liable to fail, what need would there be of a priest or advocate?
10. “D. H. C,” London. “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” We would most solemnly warn you and the “other Young Person” to beware of taking a step involving dishonor to your Lord, and much sorrow and trial to yourselves. May God keep you!
11. “Alpha,” O. Thanks for your letter and lines. The latter contain very precious truths; but it would be impossible for us to find space for the hundredth part of the poetry sent to us. We do not say this to discourage you, dear friend, but simply to account for the non-appearance of your lines.
12. “Rebecca.” We deeply sympathize with you in the matter which you have laid before us. We would encourage you to give yourself to earnest and persevering prayer for this precious soul. Do not be discouraged. Wait on the living God. He will hear and answer. May He bless and sustain you!
13. “W. C. E.,” Chelsea. You are suffering from intense self-occupation. Look off unto Jesus. Take God at His word. You must believe before you can feel. God’s word is the basis of faith, and faith is the basis of feeling. You are reversing this order. Hence your misery. May God visit you with the blessed sunlight of His salvation! To Him we commend you, in much real interest and christian affection.
14. “Inquirer,” Cork. In 1 Pet. 5:22Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1 Peter 5:2), and, indeed, in the entire epistle, the Christian is viewed as passing through this world, under the government of God, and subject to the same trials and afflictions as his fellow men. It is important to seize this feature of the two epistles of Peter.
15. “E. J. M.,” Belfast. The expression to which you call our attention in the tract entitled “Inside the Veil,” &c, refers, of course, only to Christians after the descent of the Holy Ghost, consequent upon accomplished redemption.
16. “D. W.,” Derry. Your answer to your friend is perfectly correct. May God bless it to her soul! Give yourself, more and more, to prayer and the diligent study of the holy scriptures. Thus you will grow in grace and knowledge. The Lord Himself be with you!
17. “Devonshire.” The terms “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are not always synonymous, though sometimes they are. Take, for example, Rom. 14:1717For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17), “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Now, we can easily see that “kingdom of heaven” would not do here. This latter is a great dispensational term, applying to the time during which the King is rejected, and the kingdom, in consequence, in mystery instead of in manifestation. The term “kingdom of God” is sometimes applied in the same way. (See Mark 4:3030And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? (Mark 4:30); Luke 8:1010And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Luke 8:10).) But, beside this, it has a moral and personal application which distinguishes it from the phrase, “kingdom of heaven,” which latter, we may add, is peculiar to Matthew. Accept our warmest thanks for your most kind and interesting letter. Its tone and spirit are grateful and refreshing—peculiarly so in a day like the present. May God bless you very abundantly!
18. “G. Α.,” London. We must beg of you to excuse our not entering upon your question; it is entirely out of our line. If you could procure a little pamphlet entitled, “A Scriptural Inquiry into the true nature of the Sabbath, the Law, and the Christian Ministry,” it may help you. It can be had of our Publisher.