Fragment

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In regard to God's dealings with man since the fall, or rather the flood, there have been three great epochs: first, the period before Christ came, died and rose; secondly, the present interval; and thirdly, the age, after He comes again. There were many subdivisions during the first period, when God tried man in unwearied patience, to see if good could be got from him. The cross of Christ closed this. Not that God did not know the result; but it was for His glory that man should be thoroughly put to the proof. The rejection of Christ was, in a very real and solemn sense, the world's judgment (John 12:3131Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31)), its judgment morally, however God may delay the execution of it. Therefore is the believer, the Christian, said not to be of the world, as Christ is not (John 17:14-1614I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:14‑16)), and is called to go out to meet the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:66And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (Matthew 25:6)).