ADVENT iv
And now, having reviewed the privileges with which we
are favoured in CHRIST’S Holy Church until His coming again, we are solemnly
warned in the Epistle of the fourth Sunday, as before first of His near
approach: "The LORD is at hand." And if we indeed lived answerably to our
privileges as members of CHRIST’S Church and household, we should be able
to await the fulfilment of the promise in the spirit of calm confidence
and joy, which St. Paul describes in the verses that follow; "the peace
of GOD which passeth all understanding," keeping our hearts and minds by
CHRIST JESUS. The passage which is chosen for the Gospel, places us at
the point of time when CHRIST was on the eve of appearing as "the Lamb
of GOD which taketh away the sin of the world." He had been baptized, and
was now turning from the wilderness; for it was "the next day," we read,
that the Baptist pointed Him out to the notice of His disciples. He was
already standing among them, though they knew Him not, ready to baptize
them with the HOLY GHOST and with fire. And so now, in these latter days,
the Heralds of CHRIST’S second coming are warning the people that He is
at hand, and like the Baptist, referring to the Scripture for a proof that
they are duly commissioned to prepare His way before Him. Like him, they
tell the Church of a "salvation ready to be revealed," of "times of refreshing"
to come "from the presence of the LORD," of "times of the restitution of
all things," and of the more glorious establishment of CHRIST’S kingdom;
and, in earnest looking for the promise, they offer up the prayer of the
Church that GOD would be pleased to raise up His power and come among us,
and with great might succour us. But, while we hope for the promise, we
must not forget the threatening. The Baptist spoke of CHRIST’S coming with
His fan in His hand, and of the separation which He would make between
the chaff and the wheat; (comp. Mal. iv.) but what were the days of vengeance
upon the Jewish Church, compared with those which we must expect, when
the time is at length come that judgment must begin at the house of GOD,
and the heavenly Reaper thrusts in His sharp sickle and reaps the earth?
"The LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple; behold He shall
come, saith the LORD of HOSTS; but who may abide the day of His coming,
and who shall stand when He appeareth?" We find that when JESUS was coming
nigh to Jerusalem, on the day of His triumphant entry, because they thought
that the kingdom of GOD should immediately appear, He added and spake a
parable; it was the parable of talents. (Luke xix.) And so, when we are
disposed to indulge in bright anticipations of coming glory to the Church,
let us rather turn our thoughts inward to our own individual privileges
and individual responsibility, remembering that the kingdom of GOD is within
us, and that to whomsoever much is given, of him will much be required.
And especially let us remember, that among the gifts given to us, for which
we must give account, are, the New Commandment of love, the Inspired Words
of GOD written for our learning, and His duly appointed Ministers sent
before Him to prepare us for his coming.
