The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-08-04

BdIes, which lie open nlghC and day, IN
stead of passing through those gates into
the city, he were to speculate on the
goodness OF God in showing him kind
ness, and say, II will now trust in his
mercy" or with his back against the wall
outside, he were to say. will trust in
the mercy of this city" Think you that
Were wisdom? Away with such senseless
folly Poor sinner, do not, we pray you,
speak OF God s mercy as your protection
whilst you reject the great provisions OF
his mercy-the Saviour Jesus. True,
the mercy of God endureth forever, but
such perversion and abuse of it will be
driven away with the hail of Judgment
and justice, as refuge of lies, in the day
of his wrath.
3. Again, there are those who hide
themselves in this miserable make shift,
" [ am not so bad as others" What |
not so bad as othersl This is not the
question, but are you as good as God,
as loving as Christ, as holy as the Spirit,
as pure as the angels mo Mol No |
[ am far short of that" you reply. Yes,
all have sinned and com short" To
suppose, then, that human goodness is a
qualification and title to the presence of
God is fatal delusion. "As good as
others, comes far short of Gods require
ments. Yea, more, better than others
will not suffice. Only in 0hrist are we
made acceptable in him we are com
plete. Look away, then, from SO false
hiding-place as your fancied goodness,
else hereafter it will be swept from be-
fore you, demolished with the hail of
God displeasure, and yo7 left naked;
without shelter.
4. Once more, others hic , themselves
behind the plea, am dong the best 1
can Now we honestly ooubt this as
sertion. Few, if any, are doing their
best to secure Gods favor. Ask,yourself
candidly, Have done my best? Have
l not left many thing undone which
should be done, and have / not practised
things which should not be practised p
Yes, verify. But even if you had done
your best, that would not avail. Gall
our righteousness is filthy rags" "Our
best" offered to God as an etonement Tor
sin is an offence against the Most High,
and condemning sin, which dares to
put =" our best in the pl' of Christ
@i4- PSlleOG WONh' AIuly1 49, IeASCJ,
We thus find ourselves stpT ming Jesus,
and setting at nought the v .iom of God,
in seeking shelter in any goodness or
good deeds OF our own. Morality is
garb we wish all to wear, but an INSULT
cient dress to appear in before the King
of Kings, and Lords of Lords. Moral
deeds are not to be cultivated, but are as
a cobweb fortress when used as hiding
place from God. The sinner who trusts
In his own doings for salvation becomes
a moral suicide. Strychnine is not more
fatal to the body when taken into the
system than around of duties and good
works to the soul, when performed for
before God.
Doing is a deadly thing
Doing ends in death
Remember, we do not cry out against
good works. On the contrary, we urge
the injunction "be careful to maintain
good works to those which have be-
lleved in God" In other words, when
a sinner comes to Christ as the true
hiding place and only refuge of safety,
then will he practise good works. Not,
however, to procure salvation, but be-
cause he is saved, and as the expression
of his gratitude to the Saviour. "By
grace ye are savcd-not OF yourselves
not of works." yet the believer in
Christ ls Gods workmanship, created
unto good works" Thus we have cause
and effect. God creates tho believer in
Jesus Christ. Faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ secures his justification. "BeiAg
justified by faith we have peace with
God 20 therefore, we love Him we pray,
sing, worship, rejoice, exercise ourselves
in good works. There are other "refuges
OF lies, which we cannot now point out.
ALI objects of trust aside from Christ
all hiding places preferred to his wound
ed side-all refugees save Jesus himself,
are nothing less than q" lies lie is the
truth, the True One, who saves all who
flee to him for salvation. "I will say
Of the Lord, he is my refuge. Tile
Concerted Catholic.
The Southern Summer sohooI-The