Smyrna times., 1860-04-19

enemies. Omnscent--He unders.aflds their ID
Ieep,aid schemes for the des.fnction of His lir
'eeple; and Olnnipotent, ne can defeat their es
,est laid plans. The same thing is illustrated "
{ we consider His moral atiributes-liis huli- ol
ness, His Justice, or his faithfnness, Whatcs- Ii
sr Christ undertakes, he is faithful to rf rn. III
lie has undertaken our salvation, and just so il
sure as we commit ourselves TO him by faith, Il
just SO sure will he keep that which is commit v
ted against that day. Against what day! Why 81
doubtless the day of Judgment, when he shall a
come to make up his jewels on the earth. Let
us turn TO notice in the fts 3ss4x@s = T.
Ill. The effect this persuasion produces upon |
the mind. II delivers, in the first place, from
the fear Of falling. BY this would not be un-
derstood as faxurIng the doctrine of the sun
conditional final perseverance, of the Saints"
do not believe such doctrine. do not be-
lieve that 1t can be inferred from this text, yea,
believe it teaches precisely the opposi e, 1. e.
it teaches the conditional perseverance of the
Saints. Mark the text, and we may see the
relation faith sastains to our final salvation 81
81 know whom, &C." 81 know him in his
character, | know him in the remission of my
sins, know him in the fellowship of his suffer-
ings, and believe he is able to keep me, my
faith takes hold of his ability TO keep" You
will perceive that it was not single act of
faith of which the Apostle speaks, but it was a
continuous act faith. He livedH life OF
faith in the Son of God, and when there is the |
lexistence of his faith in the ability OF Christ to
keep, such is its effect upon the mind that il |
dispeIs all fear of falling. "Who shall seper-
ate US from the love of God in Christp' Pos
ssssing this assurance he can sing, -
I" Jesus protects, my fears begone, aa
What can the rocks of ages move? ~
Safe in Thy aims lay me down. eat
~ Thine everlasting arms of love-"
| Again we remark, It saves from all distress
ing anriety as to the final result. How much
do timid Christians suffer by giving place to
distressing anxiety in relation 10 their final sal
walton. How often do we hear them say, "I
fear at last shall become casi-away." Or
appropriatng these words as expressive Of their
experience, srF ssfi f.s-atE
"There is a heaven Ger yonder sky,
A heaven where pleasures never die,
A heaven | some times hope TO see,
But fear again 'tis not for me-"
Now, while it is right for man 10 /" Serve the
Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling"
and while it is important to give heed TO the
Apostles admcniton, I" Let him that thiaketh
he siandeth, take heed lest he fall,Y yet for a
Christian TO give place to distressing anxiety
as 10 the result Of his final salvation, is wrong.
What have we to do with that which is in the
/
to be assured of the fact that we now know
Christ in the pardon Of our sins--that we are
. nol0 in the possession of ;hal faith which
is saving in its chaFacter--that we aolo live in
the discharge Of every duty incumbant spon
US. Every one that has this assurance. has
such a persuasion in Chfist's ability TO keep
that it saves from all distressing anxiety as to
Q the result. Do ! address timid Christian To-
q dayi Allow Ina TO ask, are your trials greater
than Paul's? are your Affections greater thar
his were are your labors more abundant thar
! his were? If ao., that power which KEEP. Pau
u can keep you. Then dismiss every anxious
,f care, and let the great business of your life be
. to know that your heart is right with God nolO
: OH look to it that your faith rests in him notO
y Examine the matter, and know if Christ is nos
y found in your heart the hope of glory. The,
live every moment with this knowledge Of
"a living Redeeuer in your soul, and God will
keep that which you have committed to him.
2 Again we remark, third effect is earnest o
y an acguittal at the Judgment. I" Beloved,
le our hearts condemn us, God is greater than ou
a- hearts and knowe,h all things, bat if our heart
=. condemn US not, then have we conidence &C
ward him." II Christ commands US 10 cast ou
- care upon him, and commit the keeping of ou
v, souls TO him, and we do it, the very fact that
g. approves Of Us now is an evidence that he wi
va approve Of us at the judgment, if we continu
:. faithful. Allow me, in conclusion, to ask, ca
we say we know whom we believe, and az
ID persuaded that he is able to keep that which W
j. have committed to him against that days. D
D. TO be q little more particular, have we commi
od ted our all ts Christ by an act of living faith
- And have we O. knowledge of a living II
deemerl mere hope so, or believe kno
in whom | have believed, will not meet u
to measure Of experience laid down in this text
"a. Nothing but, :" know whom nave believed,
a. will produce such a persuasion upon the mir
- as vii save from fear, relieve from anxiol
gs care, and give the pledge Of an honorable a
be quittal at the Judgment Seat Of Christ IfyC
IT. possess this knowledge, "live by the same rul
eh and mind these same things" But it, you ha'
i, not this knowledge, aud ifyou are constrain'
=" to say #. tts ss
IN on has il caused me anxious thought
sg Am His, or am not! rsffsss
nd Let me advise you when you repair to yo
. homes, retire in your closet, and when you ha
1, shut the door, then resolve that you will n
au. come out until this standing doubt is tax
nit away. Let the language of your hearts be
for will not let thee go. till l. thy name, thy natu
His know Then shall you walk in the light
~ his countenance, rejoice in the name OF I
i Lord, and have comfortable persuasion th
re- he will keep that which you have committed
res him. sa,tfsst8st NJ
,at- Are there any who know nothing Of I
He things of which we speak, upon the author
of Gods word / say that the absence oil q
" knowledge will deprive you of happiness wh
70 you live, secure your condemnation at the JuC
wer ment, and bolt and bar the gates of Heav
,ply against you for ever. Then come to Jes
in J. seek the knowledge of God in the remission
your sins, and you shall know for yourself Il
ses, God IA love