24. “S. Α.,” Camberwell. We have no doubt whatever but that the Lord will, ere long, lead you into the full joy of His salvation. You have simply to believe in a finished redemption—to take God at His word —believe His record—accept His salvation—rest in His love—He has declared Himself satisfied in the perfect work of His only beloved Son; and the question is, Are you? Do you want something more than Christ to satisfy you? Are you looking for something in yourself to give you confidence—some feeling or evidence? If so, you will not find peace. You must find your all in a crucified and risen Savior. You must look to the Man who was nailed to the tree and is now crowned on the throne. This is the only way. of peace. Thousands are writhing in agony of soul, simply because they will not accept a full Christ. They are tossed about by the conflicting dogmas of theological schools, instead of drinking of the streams of life and salvation that flow from the very heart of God, though the pierced side of a crucified Savior. May the eternal Spirit chase away all your clouds and mists—answer your questions—solve your difficulties, and remove your every weight!
25. “Iota,” Brixton. The Holy Ghost is Himself the seal which God puts upon all those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ. There is a manifest distinction between quickening and sealing. God quickens dead sinners; He seals living saints. It is, to use a simple illustration, like a man building a house and then coming to live in it.
26. “M. J. W.,” Cheltenham. Thanks for your lines. They are sweetly experimental. We fear that many of our friends feel hurt at the non-appearance of their communications; but the fact is, it would be utterly impossible to insert all the poetry which is sent to us from time to time. It frequently happens that we receive as much in one month as would more than fill a whole number of the magazine. We therefore request our dear friends will not feel aggrieved by our not inserting their communications.
27. “W. Η. B.,” North Shields. We greatly like the idea of a Lending Library. It is a most excellent way of helping those who cannot afford to purchase our more expensive works. We should be truly glad to see such an agency established everywhere in connection with the Tract Depot.
28. “J. A. S.,” London. We agree, in the main, with your view of the saints in the tribulation. As to the heavenly Jerusalem, you will see, by referring to the passage, that it is not said that “the nations walk therein;” but that “they walk in the light of it.” The glory of God, shining through the jasper walls of the city, shall enlighten the nations below. There should be something of this, in principle, even now. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The Christian ought so to reflect the glory of Christ, that all who come in contact with him might see the light.
29. “K.A.” Bristol. Thanks for your kind note and the accompanying lines.
30. “M.,” Clifton. The rendering of 1 Tim. 2:44Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4), in our excellent authorized version, is perfectly correct. Your difficulty arises from your not seeing the immense difference between theology and the heart of God. Theology consists of the conclusions of men’s minds drawn from the facts of scripture; and you may constantly find souls harassed and perplexed by the dogmas of conflicting schools of theology, instead of resting, in child-like simplicity, upon the plain statements of the word of God. In point of fact, what is called the high school of doctrine is right in what it holds, and wrong in what it rejects; and, on the other hand, the low school of doctrine is right in what it holds, and wrong in what it rejects. The former holds predestination, election, divine sovereignty, and the eternal security of all true believers; and herein it is right. But it denies the full offer of salvation to all men, and human responsibility; and herein it is wrong. The low school of doctrine holds the freeness and fullness of salvation, and the moral responsibility of the sinner; and herein it is right. But it denies the sovereignty of divine grace and the security of the believer; and herein it is wrong. You will bear in mind, dear friend, that when we use the terms “high school,” and “law school,” we do not at all mean to give offense; far from it; we merely speak of things as they are. For ourselves we desire to be taught exclusively by scripture, and not by any school of divinity. We are quite sure that God never meant to puzzle, to repulse, or to discourage poor souls—no never. God is love, His grace has brought salvation unto all. “He willeth not the death of a sinner.” “He willeth not that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” “He will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Such is His gracious aspect toward all; and hence if any perish, it is not in pursuance of the will of God. But there is another side to this great question. Man is responsible. What mean those touching words of the weeping Savior, “How often would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wing, but ye would not.” And again, “Ye will not come to me that ye might have life.” Do you not see, dear friend, that scripture as distinctly teaches divine sovereignty as it teaches human responsibility—and the permanency of salvation as distinctly as its freeness? Are we called upon to reconcile these things? Nay; they are reconciled by God Himself inasmuch as they are taught in His holy word; we have only to bow our heads in believing and adoring reverence. It is a great matter to make one’s escape from the labyrinths of systematic divinity, and yield ourselves to the formative power of the whole truth of God. We shall merely add, ere we close this reply, that scripture clearly teaches the doctrine of election, but sedulously excludes the repulsive doctrine of reprobation. It teaches that all who reach heaven will have to thank God for it; and all who find their place in hell will have to thank themselves.
31. “J. V.,” Melbourne. We were truly glad to get your loving letter, and much interested in hearing of you from our beloved friend Dr. Mackern. We quite hope to be able to write to you, ere long; but just now we are unusually pressed for time. We trust our dear friend Henry S—, from Bristol, has reached you in safety. May the Lord make him a great blessing in your midst!
32. “C. Y.,” Hungerford. You are fully warranted by the word of God to entreat any sinner to come to Jesus at once. It is very evident that your mind is perplexed by the misapplication of scripture. If you will only submit to the authority of the word, and not labor to reconcile things according to your own thoughts, or the creeds of men, you will find that human responsibility is as distinctly taught in scripture as human impotency. We must bow down, with unquestioning submission, to the teachings of divine inspiration.