28. “S. Ε. Β.,” London. 1 Cor. 16:2020All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. (1 Corinthians 16:20) simply exhorts Christians to salute one another in holy love. The form of salutation may vary according to our national habits; but holiness and love must ever be the characteristics. What we want is spirit and power, whatever be the form.
29. “A Reader,” Cheltenham. 1 Tim. 5:2222Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22) refers to the act of laying on of hands in the case of elders. Timothy is exhorted to be cautious, lest by ordaining an unfit person he should be identified with and a partaker of others’ sins.
30. “A Sister in Christ,” Canada. We are not aware of any rule on the subject, amongst the Christians you name. Each one must act according to his fight. There are three reasons why we could not use the formulary referred to. First, the Holy Ghost was not given; secondly, it is not in the name of Jesus; thirdly, forgiveness of sins was not known according to the fullness and power of accomplished redemption. In Rom. 8:2626Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26) we read that, “We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” How could we be said not to know what to pray for, if the disciples’ prayer was to be our model? We say, “The disciples’ prayer.” As to the Lord’s prayer we have it in John 17. Still, we would say, if a person has not got beyond the ground of the disciples previous to the day of Pentecost, then by all means let him use that formulary, which, we need hardly say, was divinely perfect for the time then being, just as the law was perfect for the object for which it was given. There are most precious breathings in the prayer, as there are in the Psalms; but both the one and the other apply to the condition out of which the Christian is brought by accomplished redemption and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost; while, at the same time, he can find in both the most precious instruction. Accept, dear friend, our hearty thanks for your truly kind letter.
32. “R. Μ.” Tetbury. We have, in some of our back numbers, explained Luke 16:99And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (Luke 16:9). It simply teaches us to use this world’s riches, should they fall into our hands, in the Lord’s service, and with direct reference to the future. Worldly riches do not properly belong to the Church of God. They did belong to the Jewish people, and shall do so again; but our blessings are spiritual and heavenly, not carnal or earthly. Still, if, in the providence of God, such things should come into our hands, we should turn them to account by using them in the Lord’s work, and to help the poor. We always connect Luke 16:99And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (Luke 16:9) with 1 Tim. 6:17- 1917Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17‑19).
33. “W. W.” Montrose. We heartily bless the Lord, dear friend, for your truly kind and encouraging communication. May He greatly bless you, and make you a blessing!
34. “Τ. H.,” Plymouth. Your communication has come to hand.
35. “Μ. Τ. T.,” Southport. We have explained the first two passages to which you refer, in some of our back numbers. See “Answers to Correspondents” (1858-1863) page 55. Also the volume from 1804-1806, page 38. See also vol. 12 of “Things New and Old,” page 95. Our friends must not expect us to be continually answering the same question.
36. “Ε. H.,” Norwood. Our answer (30) to “A Sister in Christ” meets your inquiry.
37. “J. O. W.,” Polmont. John 14:22In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2) teaches us that until Christ entered heaven, in resurrection, having accomplished redemption, there was—there could be—no “place” for us. But He, having entered there as Head, His place, and nothing less, is ours. Marvelous grace! Magnificent result of accomplished atonement! Accept, dear Mend, our warmest thanks for your very kind letter.
38. “Η. Η. B.,” Bradford. We have no doubt that the Spirit of God is dealing with your soul; and we know from scripture, “He that hath begun the good work will perform it.” Salvation is as free to you as the very air you breathe. It is divinely simple, it is not readied by violent struggles or efforts of mind or body. It is all done for us. We can do nothing. Jesus has done all. We are thorough bankrupts—bankrupts in righteousness, bankrupts in holiness, bankrupts in everything good. We have to learn this; and, if we understand your case, you are learning it just now. This is a painful process; but a very salutary one. “No flesh shall glory in his presence.” But we should be sure to glory, if we could find anything good in ourselves—good works, good feelings, good frames, good resolutions. And when we can no longer cling to any of these, we get occupied, as a last resource, with our faith, our appropriation, our realization. But it will not do. We must get to the bottom of everything connected with self, and rest only in Christ. This seems very difficult to you from your present standpoint; it seems most perplexing, yea it is involved in deepest obscurity. But remember, we pray you, that the obscurity, the perplexity, and the difficulty are all in yourself, and not in the gospel. They are all on your side, not on God’s. Hence, when, by and by, you find your place, as we fondly hope you will, at the feet of Jesus, it will be a matter of astonishment to you how you could have been so long and so deeply perplexed.
39. “W. R.,” Twickenham. We have repeatedly gone into the questions contained in your letter. Your difficulties arise from looking at theology instead of at scripture. We believe in man’s responsibility upon the same ground as we believe God’s sovereignty. To reconcile them is none of our business; they are reconciled, inasmuch as they are taught in the word of God. If man be not responsible to believe the gospel, then on what ground will men be punished with everlasting destruction for not doing so? (2 Thess. 1:8, 9; 2:11, 128In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:8‑9)
11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:11‑12).) And what mean those words of our Lord, “ How often would I have gathered you......but ye would not!” The fact is, dear friend, when we look at this subject through the hazy mist of systematic divinity and begin to reason, we are involved in hopeless perplexity; but when we come to scripture, like a little child—when we view the matter in the light of the divine presence, all becomes clear and simple. Furthermore, let us add, we do not believe that it is an evangelist’s business to preach election. He should preach Christ. Election is one of the precious family secrets to be unfolded by the teacher, in the bosom of the family. It is a spiritual landmark in the inheritance of the Israel of God, not a stumbling-block in the way of the anxious inquirer, a plea in the mouth of the caviler, or a damper upon the spirit of the earnest evangelist.