60. “An Unsettled One.” What you want, dear friend, is to look off, entirely, from yourself—your feelings, your exercises, your repentance, yea, and your faith—in a word, from all that has to do with yourself, and rest in a divine work—a work finished on the cross and accepted on the throne. God is satisfied with Christ. Are you? Do you want something more than Christ? Do you want to throw into the scale something of your own to make Christ of full weight? This is the question. The true secret of rest and peace is to be satisfied with Christ. So long as ever you are occupied with yourself, you. will have to subscribe yourself, “An unsettled one.”
61. “Omicron.” Your best plan would be to apply directly to the author himself for an explanation of his meaning.
63 “Μ. M.” We do not know of any work to recommend you. May the Holy Spirit Himself open the contents of that precious portion to your soul!
64. “C.” Near Stonehouse. We should know all the facts of the case in order to give an opinion.
65. “J. B.,” Dublin. Your communication, and the answer, had quite escaped our memory. We remember receiving a suggestion as to the subject of the Lord’s coming, and our acknowledging its immense importance; but we do not remember any reference to the subject you name. Pray excuse us in this.
66. “Τ. M. J.,” Boston. We do not believe anything of the kind. We hold it to be fatally false doctrine. We believe that all who die in their sins shall suffer eternal punishment in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Oh! dear friend, beware of reasonings, and let your soul drink in the teachings of holy scripture. Human thoughts are vain. The word of the Lord shall endure forever. To Him and His living ministry we commend you. May He shield you from the fiery darts of the wicked.
ardently set forth by one who was living in the power of it. In the former, we have a solemn call to any who may have sunk down into a dead, sleepy condition.
68. “Ο. Ε. B.” The June number was in print and the proof sheets corrected when we received your communication. As the occasion is passed, it is useless to offer an opinion. We may, however, simply add that all such matters must be left very much to individual conscience before the Lord.
69. “C. C. F. Α.,” Kensington. Your kind package has come to hand.
70. “J. Η. Y.,” Durham. We consider 2 Cor. 6:14-1814Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14‑18) a conclusive answer to your question. If that scripture does not govern a man’s conscience, reasoning is worse than useless.
71. “J. T. C,” Pentonville. We quite agree with you; but the subject hardly comes within our range.
72. “S. J. L.,” Shooters Hill. We do not know of any.
73. “H. W.” We could hardly give an opinion without hearing the other side of the story. “Audi alteram partem” is a very excellent motto.
74. “T. D. Ο.,” Newport, Mon. There are four passages of holy scripture which furnish a distinct and definite answer to your question: namely, first, Luke 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43), “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This is as clear as it is precious: “With me in paradise.” That is where “the spirit is during the intermediate state.” Secondly, Acts 7:5959And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59), “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Here we learn that the spirit will be in the keeping of Jesus during the intermediate state. Safe and blessed place! With Jesus, and kept by Jesus. How precious! Thirdly, 2 Cor. 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8), “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” And fourthly, Phil. 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23), “To depart and to be with Christ which is far better.”
If it be a question respecting those who die in their sins, Luke 16:22, 2322And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:22‑23) gives the solemn answer, in our Lord’s own words, “The rich man died and was buried: and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment.” How awful! How truly appalling! What a contrast between the two states! Oh! dear friend, may we be solemnly in earnest in dealing with souls!