The world's salvation

Front matter

f UNITED STATES OP AMERICA.!

THE WORLD'S SALVATION.

THE

Chapter I

What done, and what to be done for the World's Salvation.

The Scriptures authorize the belief, and evangelical Christians almost universally indulge the expectation, that this world is yet to be converted to Christ. He created the world ; he died to redeem it; and he is yet to reign over it, the spiritual Sovereign of the nations, as he is King of all the saints. " All the ends of the world shall remember, and turn unto the Lord, and all the kingdoms of the nations shall worship before him." " The kingdoms of this 2 world are to become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."

The full accomplishment of these and similar assurances involves the necessity of great moral and spiritual changes. The long night of ignorance and darkness must be dissipated ; idolatry, oppression, and war must cease ; delusion and error of every kind must be done away ; and the holy religion of the gospel, with its high hopes and consolations, its benign influences and effects , must become the religion of the world.

The magnitude and grandeur^_of this moral revolution have led some good people to doubt whether it ever can be realized. They have desired that it should be ; they have prayed that it might be ; but it seems almost too much for them to believe. The greatness of the consummation staggers and well nigh overcomes their faith. I have thought that it might be a relief to such persons to consider, briefly, the two following inquiries : First, ivhat has been done already toivards the world's salvation ? And, secondly, vjhat still remains to be done ?

It will appear, I think, as the result of these inquiries, that the principal difficulties of the enterprise have been already overcome ; and that by far the greater part of the work has been accomplished.

In examining the first of the inquiries proposed, it will be necessary to consider, not only what has been done by rnan for the conversion of the nations, but more especially what has been done by God himself. And in this view, I remark, first of all, that an eternal plan of redemption has been adopted, by Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, embracing, in its details all that has ever been done, or ever will be, for the recovery of our lost race. This mighty subject, we have reason to know, occupied the councils of eternity. It was then — " ere sin was born, or Adam's dust was fashioned to a man" — that the glorious covenant of redemption was formed, and the part which each person in the adorable Trinity was to sustain in it was assigned. As a reward for his voluntary sufferings and death, Christ had the promise of a seed to serve him. He had the promise of a kingdom that, in its progress, should extend over all the earth, and endure forever. " Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." " He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth ; men shall be blessed in him ; all nations shall call him blessed."

In fulfillment of this covenant — after long ages of preparation — the great Son of God actually made his appearance in our world. He came to perform the painful part which he had undertaken in the work of our redemption. He came to make his soul an offering for sin — to lay a foundation in his blood sufficient for the pardon and salvation of our lost race. And this work of suffering and death he has accomplished. The bitter cup which his Father gave him he has drunk to the very dregs. And had nothing but this been done towards the world's salvation, it might truly be said that the grand difficulty in the way had been removed. The great obstacle, which shut out all hope, and precluded all effort, had been overcome. For, without an atonement, God could do nothing for a world of sinners, except to destroy it. Or if its destruction were delayed for a season, it could have nothing in prospect, but " a fearful looking for of judgment and of fiery indignation." Without an atonement, God could make no proposals of mercy to sinful men ; he could exert no special influence upon them to bring them to repentance ; he could not forgive them, even if they did repent. The curse of the law would lie against them, and preclude all hope. Its terrible penalty would hang suspended over them, and shut them up in everlasting despair. But this dreadful barrier between us and heaven — itself as high as heaven — has now been removed. Christ "hath delivered us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us." He hath opened a way of salvation through his blood ; so that none can now say that they are without a Saviour. None who hear of him, and embrace him, can ever perish. This work of making expiation for sin — of laying a foundation of hope for the world, was a painful, dreadful work. It was a mighty, glorious achievement. It was a work which no being in the universe could perform, but the incarnate Son of God. When our Saviour 2* said, It is finished, bowed his head, and gave up the ghost ; by far the greater part of all that was requisite, in order to the world's redemption, was in a moment accomplished.

But more has been done on the part of God for this great object, than simply to make an atonement for sin. A foundation having been laid in the blood of Jesus, our gracious Sovereign has proceeded to build upon it all the rich and ample provisions of his gospel. He has proposed to a world of sinners, and to all alike, his most kind and reasonable ofTers of pardon. " Return to me, and I will return to you." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

God has more than proposed these gracious ofTers, he has condescended to call upon his sinful creatures to consider and embrace them. He has condescended to urge them upon the hearts of men, by invitations, warnings, and entreaties — by the most persuasive and powerful motives. " Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters ; and he that hath no money, come, buy and eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price." " Whosoever will, let him come, and partake the waters of life freely." "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways ; for why will ye die ?" God has sent out his ambassadors, to state and urge the proposals of his love, and to do all in their power to persuade men to a compliance. " Now then we are ambassadors for Christ ; as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

These provisions of God's grace are based entirely upon the atonement of Christ, and, with it, constitute a series of stupendous efforts and works, all looking to the salvation of the world. Nor do these include every thing that God has done for this purpose. Knowing the natural blindness of the human mind, and the hardness of the human heart, and the inveterate power of sin — too great to be overcome by mere motives and persuasions — God has sent down his Holy Spirit to accompany the dispensation of his truth, and make it effectual to the conversion and salvation of sinful men. On this mission of mercy, the Holy Spirit has entered, and is carrying forward his work in the earth. He has come to bless — not those who feel no need of his cooperation, and do not desire it, but those who seek it in humble prayer ; not to make efficacious another system of doctrine, or a cold and heartless ministration of the truth, but the earnest and faithful preaching of the gospel of Christ. Such preaching, accompanied by fervent desires and prayers, the Holy Spirit has always blessed, and he^always will. It is by such an instrumentality, and such a power, that the gospel is to break through all barriers, to overcome all opposition, and ultimately to fill the world.

I might speak of other things which have been done, on the part of God and heaven, tending to the conversion of the nations. He has not only employed means and influences with a view to bring lost men to Christ, but he has made ample provision, after their conversion, for their spiritual sustenance and growth in grace. He has gathered them into his church ; given them his word and ordinances ; blessed them with the salutary discipline of his providence ; granted them his Spirit to be their sanctifier, comforter, and guide ; and commissioned his very angels to be their ministering servants. Nor has the Son of God ceased to be interested for them, now that he has personally left the earth, and gone into the heavens. He is carrying forward the work of their redemption there. " He ever liveth to make intercession for them/' And as they are called, one after another, to leave this world, they are received up to meet their Saviour in the skies ; thus testing, in their own persons, the perfect security of the gospel foundation ; pointing out, in their example, the way of life to others ; and crying in the ears of all who remain behind, " Be ye followers of those who, through faith and patience, now inherit the promised rest."

We see, in these remarks, how much has been done, on the part of God, and heavenly beings, to provide for the universal spread of the gospel. God has done enough, surely, to evince that his heart is set upon this great enterprise. He has laid a foundation for it, at an infinite expense ; he has made ample provision for its complete accomplishment ; all heaven is engaged to carry it forward ; and it will not be abandoned, till every thing that God has promised respecting it shall be fulfilled.

And while so much has been doing, on God's part, for the conversion of the nations, something has been effected on the part of man. A bright example has been set, in the first place, of what man, with the blessing of God, can do ; and of the manner in which his instrumentality should be exerted. When the^Saviour ascended, he committed his cause on earth to the charge of a little band of followers, commanding them to go forth and " disciple all nations" — to " preach his gospel to every creature." Though few and feeble, they understood their master's injunction, and had faith to act upon it. They " tarried in Jerusalem till they were endued with power from on high ;" and then they went forth everywhere, preaching " that men should repent, and turn to God, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance." They expected to encounter difficulties, opposition, persecution ; and they were not disappointed. They expected to be called to sacrifice every thing dear to them on earth, not excepting even their lives ; and so it came .to pass. But when one fell, others were raised up to take his place. " The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church." Persecutions and afflictions served only to scatter the disciples abroad, to extend their influence, to make them farther and better known. And thus the cause in which they were engaged went forward, from year to year, and from age to age, till in the course of a few generations, they saw fulfilled, well nigh to the letter, the great commission of the Saviour. They had almost literally filled the world with their doctrine. Now this example of the primitive triumphs of the gospel is of great value to the church and the world. It shows what men, with the divine blessing, can accomplish. It shows what faith, zeal, patience and perseverance, sustained and accompanied with earnest prayer, can do. This example of the primitive church has always been appealed to, and always loill be, to enforce the last command of the Saviour, and encourage effort for the conversion of men, till the last of the idolatrous nations has been evangelized, and all that Christ has enjoined, or God has promised, shall be fulfilled.

Succeeding the labors and triumphs of the primitive church, there followed a long period of declension and darkness. Still, the cause of Christ was maintained in the earth, and at different periods made considerable progress. The holy fire was never extinct. And at the present day, Christ's name is honored, and his religion is professed, with greater or less degrees of purity, by about one fourth of the human race. Vast numbers of these are, indeed, but nominal Christians, who, instead of aiding in the conversion of others, need to be evangelized themselves ; but other numbers, and we trust great numbers, are truly, spiritually enlightened. They have the fear of God before their eyes. They have his love shed abroad in their hearts. They pray for the prosperity of Zion, and prefer Jerusalem above their chief joy. In the possession of these Christians, there are gifts and endowments of various kinds — learning, talents, wealth, influence, power — all which should be devoutly consecrated to the cause of Christ, and be made to bear, with united energy, upon the work of the world's conversion. Perhaps there never was a period since the gospel was first preached, when the number of true Christians on the earth was greater than at present, or when they had greater resources and means of influence at their command. When we compare their advantages for propagating Christianity, with those possessed by the hundred and twenty on the day of Pentecost, we are amazed at the disparity. And if Christ might reasonably require of them to publish the gospel among all nations, with how much greater propriety may he expect and demand the same of us ?

In considering what has been done by man, tending to the universal spread of the gospel, it would be unjust to omit the vast preparatory work which, either directly or indirectly, has been accomplished within the last half century. The ancient Christians labored under many disadvantages. To them, the size and figure of the earth were unknown, the greater part of it having never been explored ; and between 3 those parts that were known, the means of communication were slow and uncertain, and the progress of truth was hereby retarded. But now, nearly every portion of the earth's surface has been often visited, and can be visited with facility, and with comparative safety. Formerly, the spirit of persecution raged everywhere. To disturb the religion of a country, however false and detestable such religion might be, was considered as a crime against the State, which might be punished with the utmost rigor. But sentiments more enlightened and liberal now prevail, in face of which palpable persecution rarely shows itself; and whenever it does appear, it is sure to meet with the^ rebuke of the whole civilized world. Formerly, copies of the Scriptures and of other books were multiplied, only by the slow and tedious process of the transcriber. But now the press pours forth its treasures of Bibles and tracts, with a profusion and a rapidity of which the ancients never dreamed, and which, had it been told them, would have been regarded as the greatest of miracles. A check has also been put upon many of those vices and criminal practices — such as intemperance, slavery, and war — which formerly prevailed, without let or control, and proved such a mighty hindrance to the gospel ; encouraging the hope, that ere long every thing that opposes itself shall be taken out of the way, and the truth shall have free course, run, and be glorified. It should be remembered, too, that within the last fifty or sixty years, the design has been formed among Christians, and openly and frequently expressed, of attempting to convert the world to Christ ; and that much has been done towards its accomplishment. Barbarous languages have been studied and reduced to writing; the Scriptures and other useful books have been translated, and in vast numbers circulated; missionaries have been raised up, and sent forth into nearly every part of the heathen world; and much success has attended their labors. Whole nations have, in some instances, been converted, and many a desert place is beginning to bud and blossom as the rose.

I need not dwell longer on what has been already accomplished, with a view to the universal spread of the gospel. We have seen that a vast preparatory work has been performed by God ; reaching back into the early ages of eternity — involving, in its course through time, the death and sufferings of the Son of God, the mission of the Holy Spirit, and all the rich provisions of his grace. We have seen, too, that much has been done through the instrumentality of men, all tending, directly or indirectly, towards the same glorious consummation.

It only remains that we show what is still left to be done. And as this is but a little, in comparison with what has been already accomplished, the consideration of it need not detain us long. *se

We have already, it appears, a foundation of hope, sufficient for a ruined world. We have a gospel provided, easy and reasonable in its offers, powerful in its motives, and adapted alike to the wants of all. We have an influence proffered, to attend the faithful dispensation of the truth, and make it effectual to the conversion of those who hear it. What remains then, but for those who already have the gospel — amounting nominally to one fourth of the race, and really to a very great multitude — just to go forth and publish the news of salvation to the rest ? Let them go with faith, with earnestness, with a fixed and prayerful reliance on the accompanying aids of the Holy Spirit, and proclaim the glad tidings which they have themselves received, in the ears of those who have never heard them, — and the work is done. And is this an impossible thing ? Is it a hard, an unreasonable thing ? When Christ has done so much to lay a foundation for the salvation of men, is it hard that he requires us to tell what he has done — to proclaim abroad the story of his sufferings and death ? When he has furnished us with such a precious gospel, so full of hope and comfort to the world, is it hard that we are required to publish it? If the little band of disciples at the resurrection of Christ were commanded to "go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;" shall we — with all our facilities and advantages, and when so much of the work is already accomplished — shall we think it hard to undertake the rest ?"

It is a shame to the church of Christ, that the gospel has not long ago been diffused over all 3* the earth. It should humble Christians of this day in the dust, that such multitudes of their perishing fellow men have never yet seen a Bible, or heard of a Saviour, being shrouded in the blackness of heathenish darkness. It argues much weakness of faith and want of earnestness, on the part of these Christians — when they clearly see the work to be performed, and the obligations resting upon them to perform it — that they are so backward to engage in the holy enterprise — so ready to admit excuses and indulge delay. Are they deterred by difficulties from entering upon this work ? And were there no difficulties in the way of the Saviour's mission, when he said, " Lo, Income — in the volume of the book it is written of me — to do thy will, God?" And were there no difficulties in the way of those early followers of Christ, who went forth with the gospel, singlehanded, to conflict against a world in arms ? Are Christians at this day afraid of sacrifices and persecutions ? Let them think again of the infinite sacrifice of Christ, and of the terrible persecutions to which he voluntarily submitted. Let them think of the privations and sufferings of those ancient believers, who " had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings ; who were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the sword."

It is not pretended that there are at present no difficulties in the way of the world's conversion ; but it is perfectly obvious that they are as nothing, in comparison with those which, in other days, have been encountered and overcome ? It is obvious, too, that existing difficulties lie chiefly, not in the state of the heathen world, but in the pride, the worldliness, the unbelief and carnal indulgence of those who profess to have received the truth. Let these internal difficulties be taken out of the way — let Christians of the present generation awake as one man, and engage as they ought in the work of the world's conversion, possessing and exemplifying the spirit of the primitive disciples and martyrs ; and hindrances external would soon disappear ; the darkness of an hundred ages would be dissipated ; the light of the glorious gospel would speedily shine on all lands ; and the rapturous song would begin to be sung in heaven, " The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."

The Lord in mercy hasten a consummation so glorious ! And may his churches be awakened to labor for it, as they would be prepared to meet it ! May they be willing, if need be, to suffer for it, as they would hope to participate its blessings and its joys !

CHAPTER II. The Spirit of the Gospel a Missionary Spirit

Among the first who were called to be the disciples of Christ, "was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus." "The day following, Jesus findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. And Philip findeth Nathaniel, and saith unto him, We have found him of whom Moses and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." (Jn. 1: 40 — 45.)

We have, in these verses, a most interesting and instructive exemplification of the true Spirit of the gospel. It is not a spirit of monopoly, but rather of diffusion. It seeks, not to hoard the blessing it has received, but to spread it abroad — to pour it out upon the heads of others. As soon as Andrew had found the Saviour, he must go and tell Peter. And as soon as Philip had received the gospel, he must persuade Nathaniel to be a partaker of the same blessing.

The spirit of the gospel is, in all periods, the same. It is everywhere and always a missionary spirit. It prompts those who possess it — I might almost say impels them — to go out and publish the message of salvation. Of this important truth, the history of the church furnishes us with many illustrations.

We have the first of these in the example of the apostles and primitive Christians. After the great revival on the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost, it cannot be doubted that they possessed, in large measure, the genuine spirit of the gospel. And we all know how this spirit was exemplified. " They went forth everywhere, preaching the Word." In face of an infuriated mob — who were " cut to the heart" by his reproofs, and " gnashed on him with their teeth" — Stephen delivers his last sermon. After having been apprehended, and threatened, and commanded to speak no more in the name of Jesus, Peter and John thus reply to their persecutors : " Whether it be right, in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye ; for we cannot but speak the things that we have seen and heard." The latter part of this memorable reply evinces the spirit by which the apostles and their early coadjutors were actuated. " We cannot but speak the things ivhich we have seen and heard." The spirit within them forbade them to keep silence. "A necessity is laid upon me : yea, wo is me if I preach not the gospel." We have here the genuine spirit of the gospel ; and we see that it is preeminently, uncontrollably, diffusive. It is a missionary spirit. And from those times to the present, just in proportion as religion has been revived, and the spirit of the gospel has been enkindled, we find it exhibiting itself after the same manner. It excites those in whose breasts it burns to exertion; to do what they can for the salvation of others.

The next eminent example of this — after those which occurred in the primitive age — is that of the early Scottish missionaries, commonly known by the name of Culdees. It is an interesting fact that, during the greater part of the sixth century, while in England the lights of learning and religion were suffering an almost total eclipse, in Ireland they shone forth with distinguished splendor. The clergy of Ireland were among the most learned and efficient in the world. Their country was an asylum for the oppressed and persecuted of other lands, and its churches increased and prospered greatly. So true was this, that Ireland, at that period, was proverbially denominated an island of saints. Among other evidence of the existence and power of religion in Ireland, during the sixth century, we have that of the missionary spirit. Their missionaries went forth into all the surrounding countries. It would be interesting to contemplate several instances of missionary zeal, emanating from the Irish chnrch.es ; but I will direct attention to but one.

Columba was born in Ireland, A. D., 521. After laboring several years, and with signal success, for the advancement of religion in his own country, he set sail for the neighboring shores of Scotland. His attention was directed mainly to the Picts, many of whom were converted through his instrumentality. To reward him for his disinterested exertions, the king of the Picts gave him the little island of Iona, one of the Hebrides, or Western Islands. Here, in connection with others who came~from Ireland, he established what was called a Convent, but what was in reality a Theological and missionary school. The course of study at Iona was eminently Scriptural. It is recorded of Columba, that " he was much devoted to the study of the Holy Scriptures. He taught his pupils to confirm their doctrines by the Scriptures, and to regard nothing as of divine authority which was not so established." The consequence was, that the missionaries from Iona were simple, Bible Christians, uncontaminated with the superstitions which issued forth from Rome, and were then prevailing extensively in other parts of the Christian world. These indefatigable men penetrated into every part of Scotland, so that before the close of the sixth century the great mass of its inhabitants were nominally converted. They preached also in Ireland, in Wales, in different parts of the Belgic provinces, and in Germany. They entered England, also, where Christianity had been well nigh extirpated by the Saxons, and published the gospel in all the northern and central counties, and as far southward as the Thames. Other establishments in time grew up, after the model of that at Iona, and the preachers issuing from them (usually denominated Culdees) continued their labors, in the northern and western parts of Europe, for several hundred years. We see, in their history, the same development of the christian spirit which had been so signally manifested by the apostles. Theirs was truly a missionary spirit. Their lives, their aims, their endeavors, their successes, were all of a missionary character.

The same spirit was manifested by the Wal- 4 denses, in the twelfth century. Waldo was a rich merchant of Lyons, who, after his conversion, consecrated his wealth to the service of God in the propagation of the gospel. He preached the gospel himself, caused the Scriptures to be translated into the language of the people, and circulated many copies. These efforts were signally owned and blessed of God, and great numbers were brought to the knowledge of the truth. Thus strengthened, Waldo speedily organized a band of missionaries, and sent them forth to carry the gospel into France, Germany, Poland, Bohemia, Austria, and Hungary. These humble propagators of the truth went out two by two, supported at first by the contributions of their brethren at Lyons, but relying mainly on what they might obtain from those for whom they labored. On account of their poverty, they were everywhere called " the poor men of Lyons." Some traveled as pedlars, carrying with them, concealed among their merchandize, select portions of the Word of Life, which they engaged those whom they found favorably disposed, to receive and to read. By these means, the truth gained, in a few years, such an extension, that no efforts of its embittered enemies could afterwards suppress it. There was a great revival of religion, under Wickliffe and his followers, in the fourteenth century ; and this was followed by the same results with those we have already noticed. While much has been said and written respecting Wickliffe — the harbinger of Luther, and the morning star of the reformation, one important feature of his character has been comparatively overlooked.