Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

NOTICE.

This day is published, the CHURCH OF ENGLAND MAGAZINE, Vol. VIII., price 5s. cloth, with Frontispicce of Canterbury Cathedral. The previous Volumes may still be had in uniform cloth binding. Each Volume will in future have an elegant Frontispiece and other Illustrations.

17 Portman-street, July 1st, 1840.

[merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST TO THE principles by which man is actuated to reve

GENTILES.

BY THE REV. THOMAS BISSLAND, M.A. Rector of Hartley Maudytt, Hants.

re

THE state of the Gentile world, when our blessed Lord took man's nature upon him, may be gathered not only from the accounts of their own historians, but from the testimony of holy writ; and no doubt can main upon the mind, that-notwithstanding the very high degree of civilisation at which many of them had arrived, their advancement in literature and science, and in the cultivation of those arts which tend to the comforts and happiness of life-their state was fitly described as a state of darkness, or even a state of death. Feeding on ashes, as the prophet expresses it, and turned aside by a deceitful heart, with all their knowledge, they knew nothing of the true character of God. The great and fundamental doctrine of one supreme Creator was effectually subverted. They were utterly ignorant of his nature, character, attributes, and dispensations; the grossest polytheism and idolatry every where prevailed. They seem to have been destitute of the knowledge of the great and important ends for which man was created. They were in entire ignorance of those consoling truths revealed in the volume of inspiration, and which, though too frequently made void by vain traditions, and lost sight of amidst the accumulated mass of error-the natural result of man's blindness and weakness-had yet a beneficial effect on the minds of the Jews, and in many particulars raised. them infinitely above the surrounding nations; and they were dead to those holy

VOL. VIII.-NO. CCIL.

rence, love, and obey the eternal Jehovah. They were, in fact, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world; seeking to work all uncleanness with greediness. What a humiliating picture does their state represent of the utter inability of man to direct his steps aright, to arrive at a knowledge of the truth, without a direct revelation from on high! How painful to reflect, that, becoming vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts hardened, they should have worshipped the creature rather than the Creator; that they should have unhesitatingly indulged in vices, the disgrace and bane of human nature; and that, freed from all moral restraints, they should have given an unbridled license to the indulgence of depraved appetites: and yet such was the case. The wretchedness of man's condition, when he knows not God as revealed in the Bible, when he is suffered to follow reason as his sole guide, is confirmed by daily experience, by the most authentic statements of the fearful depravity, of the sensuality, cruelty, and ungodliness of heathens, even at the present time,-statements made by men of the most unquestionable veracity, and too often without any reference to their moral and spiritual improvement.

Is it not remarkable, that with this striking fact within their knowledge, men should yet be found presumptuously daring to cast discredit on the religion of the Saviour-to impugn the veracity of those who set forth a declaration of those things most surely believed by the early disciples? Is it not remarkable, that allowing, as they must

[London: Robson, Levey, and Franklyn, 46 St. Martin's Lane.]

B

allow, the superiority of those nations even where Christianity is but nominally professed, they should yet derogate from the authority of that volume, the sacred truths of which, when they enter the soul, do indeed give light; that they should not perceive that all that is healthful, and vigorous, and beautiful, in the human character, is to be ascribed to the influence of the Sun of righteousness? that they should not at once acknowledge Jesus to be both Lord and Christ; and be content, with the wisest and best of men, to sit as humble disciples at the feet of that divine Teacher, who spake as never man spake, whose doctrines can alone shed comfort amidst the vicissitudes and trials of life, can animate to the zealous discharge of every duty? We indeed can conceive but faintly of the fearful character of man, when left entirely to follow the dictates of his imperfect reason that reason of which he is prone so much to boast, and to the level of which he would too often wish to reduce the great truths of religion; ever the slave of unbriIdled licentiousness, the fear of God is not before his eyes. But the expressions employed in the sacred Scriptures sufficiently prove that character to be utterly degraded; to be in many particulars little removed from the beasts that perish; and powerfully illustrate the grace and condescension of the Almighty in delivering man from such a condition of darkness, in raising him from such a state of moral degradation, and in qualifying him, by his grace and Spirit, for an admission to the kingdom of glory, for the companionship of pure and sinless spirits, for the enjoyment of his own blessed presence through eternity.

The great purpose for which our Lord Jesus Christ took man's nature upon him was, to enlighten the Gentiles, and to be not only the messenger of salvation, but the procuring cause of salvation, even to the ends of the earth. Jesus was the true light that came down from heaven, emphatically styled the light of the world. Jesus procured salvation for man by his one sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction made for sin upon the cross; and in proportion as his doctrines were made known, and his salvation proclaimed, ignorance, error, with their concomitants, iniquity, and avowed and reckless rebellion against God, gradually disappeared. Observe the marvellous change produced by the preaching of the Gospel on the hearts and lives of some of the most abandoned votaries of heathenism, when, in obedience to their adorable Master's commission, and resting on his promise of continual assistance, the apostles boldly proclaimed salvation through his name, and besought men to turn from idols

to serve the living God; when converts were found not in Jerusalem only, but in Athens, Rome, Corinth; and when the power of true religion was manifested by an entire conversion of the soul to God, and the apostle could address them in the language of commendation, as manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, known and read of all men. Alas! too many sat not at the apostles' feet as ready listeners. The humbling doctrines of the Gospel struck too deep at the root of human self-sufficiency to be universally received; its pure precepts required too great a sacrifice to become the universal rule of conduct. Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom;" but wherever the Gospel was cordially received, wherever its salvation was thankfully embraced, it became "the power of God unto salvation." There was a marked, a decided change of character; a translation from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God; a mighty transformation of the whole man, which, as it did not escape the notice, so did it excite the indignation of those who would not come to the Saviour for life.

How interesting and delightful to trace the gradual enlightening of the nations by the beams of the Sun of righteousness; to mark the diffusion of Christ's salvation among the Gentiles! How painful is the reflection, however, that the knowledge of the Divine will was too often perverted; that the enemy too often sowed tares among the good seed; that the waywardness of the human heart led to the rejection of the truth; and the natural proneness to sin induced men to cast off the yoke of the Saviour. How painful the reflection, that even now, eighteen hundred years since the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, millions of the human race should never have heard the glad tidings of his salvation; and that even in lands where his religion is professed, there should be but few fulfilling their Christian duties, living in subjection to their exalted Lord; that with the vast majority of those who name the name of Jesus, there should be but little desire for the furtherance of his glory, for the extension of his kingdom on the earth!

This admission of the Gentiles to the privileges of the children of God, though distinctly foretold, was a stumbling-block to the Jews. Regarding themselves as the peculiar favourites of heaven, and counting all other nations as utterly abominable in God's sight, and beyond the limits of his mercy, there was no doctrine which they were more unwilling to admit than that the Gentiles should have any participation in the blessings resulting from the Messiah's advent. This feeling

is strikingly manifested in their history. It was referred to by our Lord himself in his conversation with the woman of Canaan, when he declared it to be unfit to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs; and it was strikingly illustrated even in St. Peter, when, though enlightened by the Spirit of truth, he presumed to regard the Gentiles as excluded from the promise, until taught by the vision of the sheet. And yet, as we have said, their admission to the rights and privileges of the Gospel-dispensation was distinctly foretold. The promise given to Abraham was, that in his seed all the nations of the earth were to be blessed. The promise was vouchsafed (Isaiah, xlix. 6) that the Messiah should be a "light to the Gentiles," "salvation to the ends of the earth;" and the prophetical writings abound with the most eloquent passages, illustrative of the unlimited extent of the Messiah's dominion, the universal participation of the blessings which he should bestow; and, as such, were fully understood by the aged Simeon, as is obvious from his prayer that he might "depart in peace."

This admission of the Gentiles to the privileges of the Christian dispensation was distinctly revealed in the manifestation of the infant Jesus to the wise men from the East, who came to worship-the event that the Church, more particularly at this season, calls us to commemorate. In their humble adoration, their costly presents, their devout acknowledgment of the claims of the holy Babe, were shadowed forth the homage which should one day be offered by men of every kindred, and nation, and tongue; when "all kings shall fall down before him, all nations shall serve him; when prayer shall be made to him continually, and daily shall he be praised." And though our Lord himself declared that he was sent to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel;" confined his ministration to his own countrymen; and in the first instance sent forth his apostles to preach the Gospel of the kingdom among them,-before his ascension he gave these servants a more extensive commission, to go forth into all the world, to baptise all nations, to preach the Gospel to every creature; and it was in obedience to this command, that they confined their labours no longer to the land of Judea, but, after many fruitless efforts to bring their fellow-countrymen to the knowledge of the truth, declared their resolution to "turn to the Gentiles."

The commission of St. Paul was to open the eyes of the Gentiles, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they might receive

forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in Christ Jesus. He is styled, by way of distinction, the apostle of the Gentiles, for there he had the most encouraging fruits of his ministry; and the many Churches to which his epistles are addressed afford convincing proofs of the energy with which he laboured in proclaiming the salvation of the Gospel, of the blessing which accompanied his labours, and of the mighty transformation in his character, when from a bloody persecutor he became a humble disciple, zealous for the propagation of the faith he once sought to destroy; when, feeling the value and importance of a knowledge of Christ and him crucified, he sought to plant the banner of the cross in every land, to erect a throne for the Saviour in every heart, to raise the blazing torch of revelation, as a guide to them that sat in darkness and in the region and shadow of death.

There are few subjects better calculated to call forth feelings of devout gratitude to God than his determination to give his Son a light for the Gentiles, "that he might be for salvation to the ends of the earth;" that Son who was anointed to "preach good tidings unto the meek, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, the opening of the prison to them that are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Man having forfeited the Almighty favour by wilful disobedience, deserved nothing at his Creator's hand save his severest displeasure; and had his purposes of mercy been designed with reference only to a portion of the fallen race, his justice would have been unimpeachable. "But God, who is rich in mercy, for the great love wherewith he loved us, sent his Son into the world, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Of a truth, to use the words of St. Peter, "God is no respecter of persons:" his offers of salvation are freely made to all; his gracious invitations are addressed to all. Under the mild dispensation of the Gospel, he is represented as the almighty Father, graciously reconciled by the blood of his Son; and that Son's ambassadors, to whom has been committed the ministry of reconciliation, are commanded to go forth and to beseech men in general to be reconciled to God. How inestimable the privilege of being born within the sound of the Gospel, of having our lot cast where the light of Christ's Gospel is shining! Be it our care to improve these privileges to the uttermost. If the light of Divine truth is shining around, we must pray earnestly to God that we may be enabled to walk as children of light, and not close our eyes to that glorious effulgence

which emanates from the word of the Eternal. Let not year after year pass over us, and find us still immersed in spiritual darkness, and all attempts to enlighten us prove abortive and vain. If the sound of salvation has reached us, let us not shut our ears against it, but gladly listen to the voice of pardoning mercy. Jesus is a Saviour; there is none else. No condition can be more fearfully alarming, no state of mind can be more painfully distressing, than that of the man. who walketh on still in darkness, while all around is light; to whom the message of salvation is proclaimed in vain-that message which would be hailed with transport by myriads of apostate spirits, secured in chains under darkness; the man who desires not to know Jesus Christ, and him crucifiedto whom the Gospel is the savour of death unto death. Such, we doubt not, is the condition of many professing Christians, who are dead even while they have a name to live; the condition not merely of the avowed enemies of the truth, but even of men who rank within the pale of the visible Church, whose morality is unimpeached by the world. It is for us to beware lest it be ours; to pray earnestly for such a measure of the heavenly guidance, that we may be directed into all truth.

The promises relative to the universality of the offers of the Gospel, moreover, are calculated to confirm our belief in the ultimate triumph of Christianity over every impediment which may appear likely to arrest its progress. The word of God must be accomplished; there can be no impediment sufficiently powerful to hinder the purposes of Jehovah. Omnipotence is his attribute, and his arm shall ultimately prevail. The comparative small portion of the world where the Gospel has hitherto been made known,

and the still smaller where it is known in its genuine purity, unalloyed by admixture of human dross, cannot fail deeply to affect the sincere believer; he cannot but deplore the comparatively little influence which the religion of the Saviour possesses over the hearts of those who profess to receive it; while he views with dismay whole millions of his fellow-men immersed in heathenism and its concomitants, sensuality, cruelty, profligacy, barbarity, as revolting as that of the nations to whom the Gospel was in the first instance preached. Let him not despair, however; but derive consolation from the assurance that God's word shall not return to him void, but shall accomplish and prosper in that to which he is pleased to send it. Let him use all diligence in the promotion of his Saviour's glory, and enlargement of his Saviour's kingdom among men. In this momentous work let him be stedfast and immovable, assured

[blocks in formation]

THE LIFE OF WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ.

THE power of Divine grace is peculiarly exemplified, when those on whom the world has smiled are content to disregard its smiles, and to lay their many talents at the foot of the Redeemer's cross. He who has never been caressed and flattered, can know little of the power of those blandishments. He whom the world has frowned on, may resolve in turn to frown upon the world. But it requires, I repeat, a large measure of Divine grace in a rich man not to glory in his riches, in a mighty man not to glory in his strength, to count the honours and pleasures which almost force themselves on his acceptance but dross, and to follow the lowly Saviour. The little skiff that creeps closely by the shore may, without much difficulty, ascend the stream; but the vessel which stands out in the middle of the flood will find very often the current well nigh too strong to stem. Hence it is that the apostle declares, that "not many wise men after the flesh, not many noble are called." Still the effectual power of God can make a way through all these obstacles, and we do accordingly find-and, blessed be his name, increasingly in the present day-some of the high and honourable of the earth ready to leave all, and to tread the narrow path where they meet comparatively few companions. Such a one was William Wilberforce, of whose most interesting life I propose to gather in this and subsequent papers a few particulars.

This distinguished man was born in Hull, August 24, 1759, of an ancient and respectable family. The original designation was Wilberfoss, from a township about eight miles from York; but this was changed by the grandfather of Mr. Wilberforce into the modern form. The family were in possession of very considerable property, partly inherited, and partly acquired by mercantile pursuits. His frame, from childhood, was feeble, his stature small, and his eyes weak; but his mind was always active, and his temper affectionate. At seven years of age, he was sent to the grammar-school of Hull, of which Joseph Milner was shortly afterwards master. Here he attracted notice by his admirable elocution. It was so "remarkable," said Isaac Milner (afterwards Dean of Carlisle), "that we used to set him upon a table, and make him read aloud, as an example to the other boys." He thus spent two years as a day-scholar; but, on the death of his father in 1768, he was transferred to the care of an uncle, by whom he was placed at a boardingschool of but mean character-such was the standard of education in those days-near London. His aunt was one of the well-known family of Thornton, and

See "Life of William Wilberforce," by his Sons. 5 vols.

« FöregåendeFortsätt »