Add to these various considerations the Scriptural intimation that "one
star differeth from another star in glory," with all that is intended to
be illustrated by that statement; and the idea of equality seems to
have no place.
On such grounds as these we believe that there will be forever a variety
of endowment and capacity; and that such variety is in full agreement
with God's infinite justice.
VII.
PROCESSES OF PURIFICATION.
Different Processes--The Case of Saul--Changed in a Moment--No
Violence to Human Freedom--The Case of Nebuchadnezzar--Sudden or
Slow--New Illumination--Basis of Warning--An Object Lesson--Function
of Suffering.
Here I would advert to the different processes that may be used for
man's redemption. We have referred to the case of Saul. His case is a
typical one. It illustrates the fact that God can use means by which the
most incorrigible sinner may be entirely changed in a moment; and that,
without doing any violence to his freedom.
But now, take another case. It will show just as clearly that God
sometimes uses means whereby the sinner is not reclaimed in a moment,
but that he requires a series of years. Take the case of Nebuchadnezzar.
He was driven from his throne, and excluded from the haunts of men.
According to the account he "did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet
with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers,
and his nails like birds' claws."
Such was the severe discipline to which the wicked king was subjected,
and subjected for a long period. But in due time the discipline had its
effect. The king was reformed and restored. I suppose God could have
captured him in a moment, as in the case of Saul; but He chose
otherwise.
It may be asked: Whence such a difference in reclaiming these two men?
They seem to have been much of the same spirit. It is said of Saul that
he "breathed out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the
Lord;" and it is said of Nebuchadnezzar that he was "full of fury." It
is said of Saul, too, that he witnessed against God's saints, and
hounded them to their death. And it is said of Nebuchadnezzar that he
cast the three faithful Hebrews into the burning fiery furnace. The main
difference was, that Saul compassed the death of the saints by law;
whereas Nebuchadnezzar himself was the law. In spirit and life the two
men seem to have been much alike. Yet they were both reclaimed. But how?
Certainly, by very different means.
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