The Four Courts.

IN the city of Dublin there is a massive building called the Four Courts. It constitutes the principal. Law Courts of Ireland, and is one of the buildings in Dublin which visitors rarely omit seeing. This rather striking name, “Four Courts,” caused me to consider the. Four Courts which the saved sinner is passed through in the history, of his soul.
I would usher my reader, without further delay, into
COURT No. 1.
This Court is called The Criminal Court. We pass from the prison cell to the bar of justice, in the clutches of that rather uncouth constable with stern, unbending countenance, who is called Conscience. He it is who reminds us of our offenses and sins, and causes us moments―aye, hours―of soul-trouble.
Reader, if unsaved, it is your turn, to stand in the dock. The witnesses are brought forward, and as custom demands they are all sworn in, and the indictment is read. They must tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Witness No. 1. Your throat.
Witness No. 2. Your tongue.
Witness No. 3. The lips.
Witness No. 4. The mouth.
Evidence. His mouth is full of cursing and bitterness (see Rom. 3:1414Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: (Romans 3:14)).
Witness No. 5. The feet.
Evidence. His feet are swift to shed blood (see Rom. 3:1515Their feet are swift to shed blood: (Romans 3:15)).
Now let the prisoner speak for himself. Reader, what have you got to say? You claim that you’ve got a good heart. We will not shrink from examining it. Let us hear the verdict of Him who makes no mistakes under the all-searching eyes of the Judge the whole truth is revealed. Here is the verdict of unerring truth―
His heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (see Jer. 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)).
The fact is, you have not a leg to stand upon. Every member of your body condemns you. Your own flesh abhors you. You hang your head, and one word alone can truthfully pass your otherwise speechless lips―GUILTY. Is this not so? But now comes in the strange part of the story. If you plead guilty at man’s bar you are at once condemned.
If you plead guilty at God’s a free, unconditional pardon is offered you. We read, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [mercy-seat] through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness.... that He might be just and the Justifier of them which believed in Jesus” (Rom. 3:24-2624Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:24‑26)). What wondrous grace!
Let us cross now into
COURT No. 2.
It is called The Bankruptcy Court. Here we find those who were once set up in business, but have found themselves unable to continue: they cannot pay twenty shillings in the pound, so have been obliged to file their petition. They have no power to go on. Many a recently converted soul has said, “Well, though I’m saved, I feel I have no power to go on for God. I feel bankrupt of any power.”
Fear not, the man described in Luke 10, whose wounds the Lord bound up, pouring in oil and wine, had in addition the Good Samaritan’s own beast to carry him along, a hotel to stay in, and all his hotel expenses paid. Oh! wondrous “extras” of grace. “Whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee,” said the Good Samaritan to the host of the inn. So, believing the soul, God gives His Spirit to carry the believer through every difficulty and trial, and lays open all the resources of his treasure house to the believer. There need be no Bankruptcy Court for one of the Lord’s people. The Lord Jesus is “able to save them unto the uttermost that come to God by Him” (Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)).
Let us pass now into
COURT No. 3.
Let us call it The Court of Petitions. Here you can tell the Lord what presses on your heart. Here you can roll upon Him all your care, for He careth for you: “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil: 4:6). What a resource in a time of stress, of anxiety, of perplexity.
There is one more Court,
COURT No: 4.
Let us call it The Court of Love (such is not found on the earth). Its joys are only known by those who love the Lord, and are outside this world altogether. We may well sing:
“Who, in thy palaces of love,
Thy golden streets have trod?”
“He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was LOVE” (Song of Sol. 2:44He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. (Song of Solomon 2:4)).
This is the climax of grace. Look up and down the Court. What gracious provision of God’s own purpose, and love is spread before the believer’s ravished eyes! Who would not be a Christian?
“Oh! Christ, He is the fountain,
The deep sweet well of love,
The streams on earth I’ve tasted,
More deep I’ll drink above.”
F. J. F.