Dear Sir,
Referring to query as above, I ask leave to submit as follows, from which it will be seen that it is quite possible for a man to be not only an able, and even an eloquent, preacher, but also an inspired prophet of Jehovah, and yet perish miserably amongst His enemies, fighting against God.
What nobler or more glowing words can be found than the utterance of Balaam as recorded in Num. 24:44He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: (Numbers 24:4) et seq.? yet what can be more appalling than the awful history of his subsequent life, and of his last end? “Balaam also, the son of Beor, they slew with the sword” (Num. 31:88And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. (Numbers 31:8)); and a part of his prophecy was fulfilled in his own discreditable death—and beyond “I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh.” No, wretched Balaam! no, indeed! But how awful to
“dwell
Full in the sight of Paradise,
Beholding heav’n, and feeling hell.”
If Balaam’s fearful case be not enough, we have the Lord’s own solemn declaration in Matt. 7:2222Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 7:22), “Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out demons? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you”! And again. In Luke 13:2626Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. (Luke 13:26), another plea is raised, “We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets”! But only the same stern, sad sentence is pronounced, the sentence of everlasting despair, “Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
It is thus seen that it is even possible, after having partaken of the Lord’s Supper for years “eaten and drunk in thy presence” —to pass eternity at the table of demons indeed!
What then can be done to avert a doom so terrible? The gracious Lord Himself furnishes the reply, “Whosoever shall hear these sayings of mine, and do them, 1 will liken to a man who built his house upon the rock.” Or, as in John 6:4040And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40), ‘‘This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” This then, according to the word of God, is His way of deliverance from the wrath now abiding on every unbeliever, and from the wrath for evermore—to commit oneself unreservedly, for present and eternal salvation, to the Christ of God; trusting not at all to one’s own works, whether preaching or teaching, or aught else, but wholly to Himself and His one perfect work for the putting away of sins by enduring its dread penalty. Then follow His steps through grace to glory, to glory for evermore.
In Dover churchyard a quondam church minister’s body lies enhumed. This is his epitaph: “Life to the last enjoyed Here Churchill lies.” This has been slightly altered: “Life to the last enjoyed? Here Churchill lies.”. Churchill had been in “holy orders” for years, and “Then” as he says— “Then I threw off the cloak!” And in Dover churchyard he lies, and lies, and lies.
GEO. S-M.