Elijah the Tishbite. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. VMackintosh, Charles Henry
Religion
Elijah the Tishbite. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. V
Mackintosh, Charles Henry
Theology
But, on the other hand, those who present themselves in the assembly
in a loving, gracious, Christlike spirit; who delight to meet their
brethren, whether round the Table, round the fountain of Holy
Scripture, or round the mercy-seat for prayer; who, in their hearts'
deep and tender affections, embrace all the members of the beloved
body of Christ; whose eyes are not dimmed, nor their affections
chilled by dark suspicions, evil surmisings, or unkindly feelings
toward any around them; who have been taught of God to love their
brethren, to look at them "from the top of the rocks," and see them
"in the vision of the Almighty;" who are ready to profit by whatever
the gracious Lord sends them, even though it may not come through some
brilliant gift or favorite teacher--all such are a divinely sent
blessing to the assembly, wherever they are. Again we say, with a full
heart, may God add to their number. If all assemblies were composed of
such, it would be the very atmosphere of heaven itself; the name of
Jesus would be as ointment poured forth; every eye would be fixed on
Him, every heart absorbed with Him, and there would be a more powerful
testimony to His name and presence in our midst than could be rendered
by the most brilliant gift.
May the gracious Lord pour out His blessing upon all His assemblies
throughout the whole earth. May He deliver them from every hindrance,
every weight, every stumbling-block, every root of bitterness. May the
hearts of all be knit together in sweet confidence and true brotherly
love. May He crown with His richest blessing the labors of all His
beloved servants at home and abroad, cheering their hearts and
strengthening their hands, giving them to be stedfast and unmovable,
always abounding in His precious work, in the assurance that their
labor is not in vain.
THE DISCIPLINE OF THE ASSEMBLY;
ITS GROUND, NATURE, AND OBJECT.
"Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh Thy house,
O Lord, for ever" (Ps. xciii. 5).
Here we have, plainly set before us, the real ground of discipline in
the assembly. The place of God's presence must be holy: "Be ye holy,
for I am holy." It is not upon the miserable principle of "stand by
thyself, I am holier than thou." No, thank God, it is not this. It is
not upon the ground of what we are, but what God is, that discipline
is exercised. To allow unjudged evil, either in doctrine or practice,
in the assembly, is tantamount to saying that God and evil can go on
together--which is simply wickedness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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