The Christian may then rejoice for such full assurance of faith and hope as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, sufficient to keep him amid all the storms of life. With this full assurance of faith in the word, the immutable promise, no fear need find a place in his bosom, for God has promised, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." And when "the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll" and the earth be renovated by fire, this confidence in the all-sufficiency of the word of the immutable God will bear him up far above the melting elements to stand as a glorified and immortal person, "Where bliss is known without alloy And beauty blooms without decay; Where thoughts of grief in cloudless joy Shall melt like morning mists away.” Having called attention to the conditions of pardon both as to the alien and citizen, or the sinner and Christian, it is important to know what is revealed in regard to those who are not forgiven or pardoned-what shall be their condition in the future. The gospel has penalty to be feared as well as promises to be enjoyed. The penalty of the gospel is a necessary element of its perfection as a system of salvation. Being a system of law and order there must be the penalty for disobedience. Fear is an important factor in all government, whether human or divine. It is appealed to in the family, in the school and in the State, in all organizations in society. All persons must avoid violation of law and disobedience to escape punishment. No human or ganization ever existed without its members having fear of penalty for violating its rules or law. A person violating law or rebelling against the home, school, or nation, can not, without reconciliation, escape punishment. Law implies penalty. The penalty of human law is well understood. It is therefore reasonable that there should be penalty in divine government. Mercy and love do not bar punishment in the family, in fact they are often the incentive. Just punishment is for good. Human ideas of justice would therefore anticipate punishment on the part of the Divine for offence or crime. There is therefore no warrant for a rebel against the authority of God or a violator of his law to expect to escape from the penalty and anticipate the enjoyment of the righteous hereafter, any more than he could claim immunity and honor here while violating human law. The wicked and depraved could not enjoy association with the good and true here, and they can not expect, without preparation, to enjoy hereafter the society of the righteous and holy. 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." "Perfect love casteth out fear." The Christian does not live in dread but in hope and love. The gospel, therefore, is a perfect system, presenting facts to be believed, commandments to be obeyed, threatenings to be feared, and promises to be enjoyed. Each of these is essential to its completeness. The warnings of the gospel are varied and numerous and cannot be disregarded with impunity. In human affairs the rewards and punishments are temporal, in Christ's rule they are eternal. We present the contrast in the conditions of the pardoned and unpardoned, as given in the Scriptures. First there is comfort and anguish. "But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art in anguish." a Second, there is eternal life and eternal punishment. "And these shall go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Third, there is "Come, ye blessed," and a "Depart from me, ye cursed." "Come, ye blessed of my Father, and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. "Depart from me, ye cursed, into eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels." Fourth, there is light and darkness. "Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." "And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Fifth, there are two places. Jesus says, “In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you that where I am, there may ye be also." Judas "by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.' Finally, therefore, "Be a Luke xvi. 25. d Matt. xxv. 41. "h b Matt. xxv. 46. 8 John xiv. 2. not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." a a Gal. vi. 7-9. CHAPTER XXXII THE CHURCH OF CHRIST The Church of Christ as an Organic Institution. First, the Bishops or In the preceding narrative we have given a history of the pardon of sin and the evidence of pardon as developed in the Christian Scriptures. We will now consider the Church of Christ as an organic institution. Paul says: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." a "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus's answer was, "Upon this rock I will build church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." These passages give the foundation of the church. It was organized by the apostles upon this foundation and governed by divine authority alone. my We now proceed to give a brief history of the Church of Christ. First, the name; second, the offi a I Cor. iii. II. c Matt. xvi. 16, 18. b Eph. ii. 19, 20. |