Welcome to the two witnesses, their cause, number, character, furniture, and special work by David Steele, minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. We are continuing to read for this reading on page number 20. This Reformation Audio Resource is a production of Still Waters Revival Books, many free resources as well as our complete mail order catalog containing classic and contemporary Puritan and Reformed books, CDs, and much more at great discounts are on the web at www.swrb.com. Also, please consider, pray, and act upon the important truths found in the following quotation by Charles Spurgeon. As the Apostle says to Timothy, so also he says to everyone, give yourself to reading. He who will not use the thoughts of other men's brains proves that he has no brains of his own. You need to read. Renounce, as much as you will, all light literature, but study, as much as possible, sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers and expositions of the Bible. The best way for you to spend your leisure is to be either reading or praying." And now to SWRB's reading of The Two Witnesses, Their Cause, Number, Character, Furniture, and Special Work by David Steele, minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. which we hope you find to be a great blessing, and which we pray draws you nearer to the Lord Jesus Christ. For He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by Him. John chapter 14, verse 6. Application Having thus treated briefly of the witnesses, the cause, and controversy, their number, character, furniture, and work, Some application of the whole subject to the moral condition of society in our own time will be reasonably expected for the mere admission that all scripture is given by inspiration of God. However, orthodox in itself is essentially defective as a confession of the Christian's faith, much more defective when viewed as a confession of faith by the church organic. The Holy Spirit teaches so very explicitly when he adds, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3 verse 16. Much more might be advanced on our present subject in a doctrinal and expository way, but for the present let the foregoing suffice. Something for further illustration of Scripture symbols may incidentally occur in the following 1. Since it is the mission of Christ's witnesses to urge his claims upon the individual, the family, the church, and the state, it may be proper to inquire whether individuals favored with the dispensation of the gospel receive Christ's instruction as a prophet, receive his atonement, and rely on his intercession as a priest, and submit to his authority as a king. And it is easy to see that multitudes in Christendom refuse to recognize the claims of our Redeemer in all these respects. The infidel, setting his mouth against the heavens, refuses Christ's instruction and walks on in darkness, going on frowardly in the way of his heart and boasting of superior illumination, derived from the rudiments of the world, especially the supposed infallible teachings of geology. He ventures on the journey of life by the light of the sparks of his own kindling, and with an awful peer-adventure passes the confines of time into the blackness of darkness forever. The self-righteous either denies the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for the sins of men or its reality, or views it as general and so without a definite object, and consequently that it may be vain that while It is available by mankind universally in the divine intention. The result may possibly be that Messiah may never see, absent blasphema, one of the travail of his soul. Of course, such a one feels no need of Christ's intercession, of the Spirit to help his infirmities. He can, without the mediation of the great High Priest, thank God that he is not as other men are. Another with haughty independence asks, quote, Who is the Lord that I should obey him? I will not have this man to reign, unquote. The same description of individual language and conduct applies to families, Christian families, Christian churches, Christian states. If this be true of a nominally Christian world, then the cause of the witnesses is both real and weighty, and their testimony is not yet finished. 2. The witnesses are yet living, and they must continue like their Lord, till they shall have finished their work, and that will not come to a close till the devil's two witnesses, the ten-horned and two-horned beasts, are destroyed. Revelation chapter 19 verse 20. For it is for the express purpose of confronting in open court these enemies of God and of his cause on earth that they were appointed by Christ and are numerically too, they are set for the defense of the gospel, that gospel which is to establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace upon earth. Isaiah chapter 32 verse 1. The retainers of Antichrist, whether of his civil or ecclesiastical department, often admonish the witnesses to quote preach the gospel. and let civil government alone," that, quote, the magistrate has nothing to do with religion, unquote, et cetera. So persecuted they the prophets which were before them, Exodus chapter 10, verse 28, 1 Kings chapter 18, verse 17, Amos chapter 7, verses 12 through 13. Through the concurrent and progressive testimony of these two prophets, every word shall be established against the opposing lies of the beast and the false prophet, which they have learned of the Father of Lies. It is an amazing instance of infatuation that the testimony of two men is sustained as true in all other cases, while the testimony of Christ's witnesses is rejected. Yet divine and human fellowship is predicated upon their testimony. They cannot die nor lawfully cease from their work till the sanctuary is cleansed, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. Daniel chapter 8 verse 14 and Revelation chapter 11 verse 15. A scriptural magistracy and a gospel ministry are to be established on the earth. Number three, their character as witnesses subjects the servants of the Lord. To a close scrutiny, the dragon desires to have them, that he may sift them as wheat, and often causes them to appear before kings, councils, and ecclesiastical courts, that he may either destroy their souls through terror, or their natural lives by the flames, or the credibility of their evidence by loading them with reproach, charging them with enthusiasm, fanaticism, schism, sedition, rebellion, treason, etc., saying all manner of evil against them for Christ's sake, but all these things are said against them falsely. For none of them has suffered as a thief, or as a murderer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Thus it appears that their character has been sufficiently tested according to the forms of law. They only are marked with a character that is indelible. For it is impressed upon their foreheads with the seal of the living God, Revelation chapter 7 verses 2 through 8, and they are not afraid or ashamed to exhibit it in the most public manner, even on the summit of Mount Zion chapter 14 verse 1. This indicates whose they are and whom they serve. For while this seal or name may have some reference to the ordinance of baptism, It points more directly to the thing signified by baptism, namely, that they belong to the adorable Trinity as covenant property, and bear true allegiance to the Lord's Anointed. However, their names may be cast out as evil. It is their comfort and honor that their record is on high, their names in the Lamb's Book of Life. Through grace they have been enabled to live soberly, righteously, and godly. blameless and harmless as the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse community, among whom they have shone as lights in the world. Moreover, it is to be noticed, as a distinguishing trait in the character of these two witnesses, that they are loaded with infamy. If they were of the world, the world would love his own. But because they are not of the world, but Christ has chosen them out of the world, therefore the world hateth them. Woe unto them when all men speak well of them. If they be reproached, it is for the name of Christ. This is a special part of his cross, which they are required to take up daily and follow him. In bearing this cross after Jesus, they are greatly encouraged by considering him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself. For if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more those of his They know that the world hated him before it hated them, and they have his promise that if they suffer with him, they shall be glorified together. Having this confidence, they voluntarily go forth unto him, without the camp of Antichrist, bearing his reproach, and so are not reckoned among the nations. Being strangers and pilgrims on the earth, their true character is of course unknown. Still the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal. The Lord knoweth them that are His. 2 Timothy 2 verse 19 Query How many churches or Christians in our day bear these peculiar and distinguishing marks of Christ's witnesses? 4. All the resources of the covenant and all the fullness of the covenant head being pledged to these witnesses, their furniture is as ample as they can possibly desire. None of it, however, is superfluous. Luther on the continent and Knox in the British Isles required the courage of the lion to brave the wrath of, quote, man of sin, unquote, to sustain the fire sent down from heaven, the fulminations of the Romish Vatican, Calvin, Melanchthon, and others needed the far-reaching vision of the eagle, the laborious patience of the calf or young ox to penetrate and expose the sophisms of wily priests, to deal with the open blasphemies of shameless libertines, and thus disclose the mysteries of the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. Thus the woman clothed with the sun, the Church of Christ, was blessed with a son a male, who was destined to rule all nations, an offspring to fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to all nations. Chapter 12, verse 1 and 5. Chapter 14, verse 6. Instead of worshipping devils and idols of gold and silver and brass and stone, and of wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk, all which was inculcated by the Church of Rome, These servants of Christ, obeying His call, chapter 18 verse 4, came out of her and taught their fellow sinners to fear God and worship Him that made heaven and earth, etc. The same furniture enabled their successors to carry forward the work of reformation thus auspiciously begun, and to make great advancement in building upon the scriptural foundation thus laid. For although in tracing the history of the Lord's work in delivering New Testament Zion out of captivity in mystical Babylon, some may consider the first of the three angels, Revelation chapter 14 verse 6 through 9, as including Luther, Calvin, etc., as identified with the famous and faithful Waldenses, perhaps there is greater accuracy in associating the witnesses on the continent and the British Isles in the 16th century as harmonizing with the second symbolic angel. That these angels signify a gospel ministry is clear, chapter 1, verse 20. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, chapters 2 and 3 throughout. Nothing short of divine power is adequate to reform a single sinner, and nothing less could accomplish the reformation of an anti-Christian world. Christ gave these his servants power according to his promise, God also bearing them witness, with gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own will. Hebrews chapter 2 verse 4. Whatever the achievements of Christ's witnesses, they are ever ready to acknowledge the excellency of the power to have been of God, saying with heroic but humble Paul, yet not we, but the grace of God which was with us. In their struggles with anti-Christian foes, The witnesses found it expedient to take hold of God's strength, which they often did by taking hold of His covenant. This scriptural measure cemented their union, purged out rebels, and inspired them with renewed courage. Covenanting with God and with each other was practiced both in Europe and Britain. At such time the witnesses were to their opposers terrible as an army with banners, and although this expedient is natural to man, all nations being in the practice of making covenants relative to their earthly interests, it is peculiar to these witnesses to assert and maintain the divine origin and permanent moral nature of public covenanting with God both in ecclesiastical and national capacity. The only plausible objection offered by opponents to the doctrine and practice of public social covenanting is taken from the assumption that it is superseded by the sacraments, especially the Lord's Supper. The assumption has never been proved, and it is utterly groundless, as will at once appear to any unbiased mind by considering that God instituted all three forms of taking hold of His covenant. If it be so that baptism and the Lord's Supper are substantially the same seals of the covenant as circumcision and the Passover, Then the consequence is inevitable that as the whole people of Israel were taken and engaged to God at Sinai, he judged the two preceding forms incomplete. And since the privileges of God's covenant people are enlarged, not abridged, under the New Testament dispensation, and that public covenanting was a matter of frequent prediction and promise under the Old Testament dispensation, it follows that this instrumentality is to be continued and exemplified. Accordingly, we have the Witnesses historically represented as resorting to this divine ordinance, both in trying and prosperous times, as a special means of reformation. In the British Isles, the First and Second Reformation were effected in this manner. The National Covenant is a standing monument of emancipation from potpourri by the Witnesses, and the Solemn League marks with equal distinctiveness their onward progress till they successfully shook off the remaining shackles of anti-Christian prelacy. These public documents embody the substance of God's testimony and law, the supreme standard of social organization, the only permanent foundation of church and state, of civil and religious liberty, for although these covenants are binding formally upon the churches and nations of Britain only, yet The principles which they embrace and exhibit to the world are morally obligatory upon all churches and nations upon earth. After the awful violation of these solemn vows to the Most High by a large majority of those who made them, the Witnesses continued to own them. This fidelity on their part became the occasion of their mother's children being angry with them. Those who had gone back into mystical Egypt and such as looked to Assyria for alliance not only deserted the true witnesses, the society people, but often betrayed the greatest malignity and cruelty towards their covenant brethren. This treachery perjury and inhumanity furnished occasion for displaying the testimony of the witnesses in new forms, to meet the exigencies of the case, when a price was set upon the heads of some and others were actually killed all the day long, when they could neither act in concert nor in adjudicative capacity, and when there was no access to the press to give publicity and efficacy to their testimony, those heroic wanderers and invincible patriots drafted occasional, quote, testimonies, declarations, and protestations, unquote, and affixed them to the most public and conspicuous places in the land. They were engaged in their master's service, and the power of Christ rested on them, often to the conviction of their adversaries. The Lord Jesus visibly fulfilled his promise in giving power to his witnesses. The Westminster Standards, as received by the Church of Scotland, were the landmarks which their fathers had set. The Covenants were the most compendious form of those landmarks, and while defending the landmarks by the papers which they omitted in their defence, and by reiterated declarations of adherence to the Covenants, noting and confessing the breaches of them, The witnesses made real progress in the application of their principles to individual and social life, until the whole of their attainments were embodied in that standing monument to their achievement, the Judicial Testimony 1761. 5. It remains to consider the work of these two commissioned and famous witnesses as it has a bearing upon the moral condition of society in our own time. This part of the subject may be advantageously handled and brought within the comprehension of the general reader by attempting to furnish answers to such questions as may naturally arise in his mind. After all, that has been said in the preceding pages, it will not be thought impertinent when we hear the inquiries so often made after all that has been written by our fathers. Who are the witnesses? Many unconflicting answers have been given, and the contradictory nature of those answers furnishes occasion, while it is not the cause of doubt. The cause why we err in this, as in other instances, is our culpable ignorance, not knowing the Scriptures. The Papists say Enoch and Elijah are the witnesses, to appear sometime before the end of the world. This is a vain imagination for the simple reason that The witnesses are to prophesy 1,260 years. Much longer than the age of Methuselah, others think the Old and New Testaments are the witnesses. The witnesses die, Revelation 11, verse 7, but the word of God liveth and abideth forever. 1 Peter 1, verse 23, again we are told that John, Hus, and Jerome were the witnesses. It is sufficient to reply that they were too short-lived. but not to mention other crude and groundless fancies. It may be sufficient to affirm that the witnesses are a select and competent number of professing Christians employed by Christ, and empowered by him, as declared in the text, to confront and withstand Antichrist in the invasion of the rights of God and man. Among these, faithful ministers of the gospel as ambassadors for Christ occupy a conspicuous position. No two individuals, either in public office or private life, ever did or ever will constitute the witnesses, although even this erroneous conceit has been facetiously or maliciously applied or attributed to them both of old and of late, being part of the reproaches of Christ endured by those noble martyrs and distinguished patriots, Donald Cargill and Richard Cameron. Yes, lewd fellows of the baser sort attempted to bespatter their holy characters with such filth as was congenial to their vile culminators. Again it may be asked, how can the witnesses live so long, a thousand, two hundred and sixty years? Answer, in their posterity or successors. See Revelation chapter 11, verse 11. And their lives are not limited even to that period, for when their enemies shall have been utterly destroyed they shall live and reign with Christ a thousand years chapter 20 verse 4 not as witnesses but as kings and judges seeing we have considered the company consisting of a hundred and forty and four thousand as constituting or identifying with the witnesses revelation chapter 7 verse 4 and chapter 14 verse 1 how is this number reconcilable with the number 2 to this it may be replied The reader ought not to entertain the papal or protestant misapprehension that two individuals are intended, for this, as was said, is a groundless error. Moreover, the prime reason beyond doubt why the witnesses are represented as numerically two is because the god of this world has his two witnesses, the beast of the sea and the beast of the earth. These must be, as it were, confronted in person. Thus, while all the world, in their own vaunting style, are worshipping the beast, the Lamb's Book of Life contains the names of the minority. They are the little flock to whom it is their father's good pleasure to give the millennial kingdom. Some of these may be found in the camp of the enemy for a time, as Luther, Knox, and others of less note, yea, they may linger as Lot and Sodom, as the captains in Babylon while Christ is calling upon them to come out chapter 18 verse 4 but in his accepted time he will give efficacy to the call so that not one shall be found among the doomed community when the deluge of wrath comes when Babylon is overthrown another inquiry may arise here why are the witnesses so few that they are represented by the number two answer in this way Christ is more glorified and the father in him His own glory is God's ultimate and highest end in all his works, and thus out of the mouth of babes and sucklings he perfects praise. He chooses the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, besides the principles which the witnesses profess and the practices which they exemplify are not adapted to the taste of the world. All who embrace their testimony must count upon bearing Christ's upon opposition from the world of the ungodly, no man may expect, if of their company, to enjoy the honors or emoluments of office, either civil or ecclesiastic, to be permitted either to buy or sell in any of the streets of mystical Babylon. All who refuse to have Christ to reign over them will contrive and establish legal barriers to exclude from places of power such as recognize practically mediatory authority. The indulgence of the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life will prove an insurmountable obstacle in the way of worldly men's accession to the standard which God has given to them that fear Him to be displayed because of the truth. The wine which mystical Babylon presents in her golden cups is intoxicating. Those who have once tasted its bewitching content are thereby incapacitated for understanding or embracing the word of Christ's patience. As the intellect of the inebriate is clouded and his conceptions obscured and confused, so is it with the votaries of Antichrist. They cannot see afar off. The interest of Christ, the glory of Emmanuel, is too high for them. They cannot attain unto it. His judgments are far above, out of their sight. Lastly, the witnesses are few, because so hath the Lord ordained. Known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the world, and he worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Infinite in knowledge and almighty in power, it is alike to him to save by many or by few. by instruments or without them, as he knoweth them that are his being comprehended within the election of free grace, so he has unalterably ordained the exact number of the witnesses. He telleth the number of the stars, he calleth them all by their names, so he does in the case of his witnesses as Paul, Antipas, Acts chapter 9 verse 11, to him whose understanding is infinite the number of the witnesses is as certain and definite as two is to us again it may be asked why the witnesses are so culminated in the world and it is easy to answer because they testify of it that the works thereof are evil thus it was in the experience of their Lord and for the same reason The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber. A friend of publicans and sinners, John the Baptist, came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. If the witnesses neither eat flesh, nor drink wine, nor do anything, whereby a brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak, if they eat and drink whatsoever is set before them, asking no questions for conscience' sake, The men of the world, but especially the more zealous votaries of Antichrist, will be sure to turn either kind of action to their reproach. And when the man of sin fails to secure compliance with his commands to abstain from meat, etc., then the dragon cast out of heaven, defeated in his attempt to seduce the servants of Christ through the agency of the man of sin, ecclesiastical authority, will come down to the earth, the body of general society, and endeavor to reach his object by tempting to a voluntary compliance, Revelation chapter 11 verse 12. Defeated in this masterpiece of his serpentine policy, he resorts to the next stratagem as accuser of the brethren, representing them as secretly the friends of all unrighteousness, with a view to destroy the credibility of their testimony. The great whore of Babylon, that woman Jezebel, the mother of harlots with her numerous harlot daughters, the illegitimate progeny from her adulterous commerce with the kings of the earth, has ever hunted for the precious life of Christ's witnesses, has been often drunk with their blood, and has always labored to cover their names with infamy, denouncing them as heretics, schismatics, etc. These two prophets have a name better than of sons and of daughters, even an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance, while those who falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ shall be clothed with shame and everlasting contempt. Seeing that the witnesses are few and feeble, and often counted as sheep for the slaughter, and their enemies many and mighty, how is it that they survive simply on the principle that the bush burned and was not consumed? The Lord was in the bush, Exodus chapter 3 verses 3 and 4. Greater is he that is in them than he that is in the world, 1 John 4. In the furnace of fire, in the lion's den, on the scaffold, or at the stake, these witnesses enjoy special communion with their glorious Lord. They have ascended the rounds of the fatal ladder with less trepidation than they ascended the steps of the pulpit, their souls leaning on their beloved, and realizing his promise, when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, for I am the Lord thy God. the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto them. Isaiah chapter 43 verse 2 and 3 Psalm chapter 32 verse 6 Wisdom is commended, patriotism is eulogized, heroism is applauded. All these properties are possessed and displayed by the witnesses of Christ in greater measure and harmony than in any others of the human race. As natural endowments they come from God and may be seen in the military conduct or cabinet counsel of such men as Joab, Jehu, Ahithophel, but it is only when they are the gracious gifts of the Spirit of Christ that they fit men for such achievements as entitle them to rank among the great cloud of witnesses. The sensible presence of Christ by His Spirit the comforter applying his promises to the heart, and his witnessing thus with their spirits that they are the children of God, enables these witnesses, like Moses and Elijah, to endure, as seeing him who is invisible, to become mighty in word and deed. Yes, they that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits, while such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupted by flatteries. Daniel chapter 11 verse 32 Throughout all the eventful period since the Antichrist arose, Christ has made good his promise to these famous witnesses. They have hitherto received power, all requisite furniture, enabling them to continue their prophecy against all the combined forces and frauds of that cruel, subtle, and implacable enemy. Assuredly, they shall finish their testimony, for to this end they are called, and chosen, and faithful. On the last branch of our subject, which is much the most important, namely, the special work for the accomplishing of which Christ appointed the two witnesses, it will be necessary to enlarge in making an application. their work consisting, as we have seen, in contending for all divine truth, in its practical bearing upon individual and social man, and in opposing whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godliness, it may be inquired, what is their peculiar and appropriate work in the present condition of the world? Assuming that the doctrine, worship, government, and discipline of the Church of Christ as also the constitution and administration of civil government were duly settled according to the divine pattern in the Holy Scriptures, as exhibited in the symbols of the Covenanted Reformation compiled at Westminster, and as these were revealed by the Church of Scotland, it would follow that the special business of Christ's Witnesses is to build upon that foundation. Inasmuch as that glorious Reformation was really and speedily overthrown in the British Isles, and the scriptural foundation then laid, has been since covered with accumulating heaps of anti-Christian rubbish, much of the labour of their legitimate successors has been employed in removing this and in endeavouring to keep the foundation visible. The whole of that work was completed, so far as it progressed, by an open profession of in Christ and solemn engagement to obey his law. Both sealed in covenant form, both the principles deduced from the lively oracles and the manner of their application in individual and social life are to be ascertained only from history. The various steps of defection or apostasy from that reformation can be known only from history. The witnesses have put upon record a narrative of their own quote, life and times, unquote, and they only are qualified for that work in vain will any inquirer find their true character or work delineated in the pages of the popular writers of civil and ecclesiastical history, much less in the historical romance which Babylon's sons and daughters have fabricated for the amusement of, quote, her tender little ones, unquote. As these two witnesses represent and embody God's covenant society, And so they are the only truly historical community whose annals run parallel with the wheels of time. Cities are raised and perished with them is their memorial. Kingdoms arise in the earth and flourish for a time, but they are soon supplanted by others. It is otherwise with Zion. God will establish her forever. It has been the aim of Antichrist all along to divide and conquer these witnesses. The civil and ecclesiastical beasts act in concert for their overthrow. The two-horned beast, the false prophet, makes it his business to, quote, steal the words of God, unquote. With a design to deceive them that dwell upon the earth, each assumes to exercise the prerogatives of Christ to reign by divine right, a right from heaven to act on earth as the viceregents of the mediator. Thus all the heads of the civil beast are marked with the names of blasphemy, Revelation chapter 13 verse 1, and he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven, the witnesses, verse 6. To this he is instigated by the false prophet, who in Christ's name, blaspheming his name, demands and commands, quote, submission to the powers that be, unquote. The Pope of Rome and his vassals, who are the antitypes of the ten horns of the first beast, and who have learned this policy from their spiritual father, all assume a blasphemous headship over the church within their civil jurisdiction. The purple-clad woman sits upon the scarlet-colored beast, the almost living symbols of an apostate church and state, the former directing and urging the latter to deeds of blood, for both are represented with garments dyed in the blood of the saints. It is their meat and their drink to do the will of their father, who was a murderer from the beginning. And here it is proper to notice that not only on the continent of Europe, but in Protestant Britain, the mitre and the crown have often been stained with the blood of the martyrs. At the present moment, that horn of the beast insults the majesty of heaven, denies the Father and the Son by giving an establishment to paganism in India, potpourri in Canada, prelacy in England and Ireland, and a restricted Presbyterianism in Scotland, the chief magistrate being head of all these churches, and all by the authority of Christ, quote, by the grace of God, unquote. Can anything be conceived more blasphemous? Such facts as these the witnesses collect from history. Bring them to the law and to the testimony, and in the name of the Lord pass judgment upon them. Deprive them of history as a term of communion, and they are deprived of life. The same is true of argument. They must confess their father's sins with their own. They must have understanding of the times. They must assert and maintain the Protestant doctrine against the man of sin, that all necessary deductions from the words of Scripture are of divine authority. And these things cannot be done without the use of history and argument. But it will be asked, does not saving faith rest on divine testimony? Certainly. But when did the two witnesses believe or teach that saving faith is a term and especially the only term of communion in the visible Church of Christ. Never. They left that dogma with the infallible fraternity of Rome and their legitimate progeny, the enthusiasts of Germany and affiliated sectaries of England, Baptists and other independents. Christ's witnesses have not professed to have the miraculous gifts of discerning spirits, all such power and signs and lying wonders They habitually renounced and cordially detested, as may be seen in their historical footsteps marked down in their solemn covenants. The terms of communion among the witnesses are resolvable into an agreement in principle and practice, deduced from the Holy Scriptures by themselves, and they have told us that to shift the terms of church fellowship from such agreement to the supposed goodness of persons is a dangerous Let their professed followers be admonished by their mature judgment and experience. God established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children. Alas, to many of the children, teachers and taught, these things are a blank as a book that is sealed. Reformation principles exhibited without correspondent practices. The banner of the covenant, together with other cognate false lights, have well-nigh quenched the light in many minds of our covenanted testimony. This also was the effort of the indulged in Scotland in the seventeenth century, after the national overthrow of the cause of God. They and their abettors conspired to obstruct the rays of heavenly light, which the witnesses endeavored to diffuse in their guilty land. Such struggles will be made by the carnal mind to exclude that light which, when admitted, gives energy to the accusations of a guilty conscience. Such rebel against the light quench the spirit and furnish occasion for, quote, faithful contendings, unquote, yea, quote, earnest contendings, unquote, and, quote, wrestlings, unquote, on the part of the witnesses. The witnesses have affirmed constantly that faith without works is dead, being alone, that there must be a continuance in both doctrine and fellowship to evince their apostolic origin and legitimate succession. But in view of the light and social progress of the nineteenth century, the multitude of benevolent societies organized for the express purpose of affecting political, moral, and spiritual reform, what place is found, what occasion given, for the continuance of the witnesses? Are not the nations of Europe and America all avowedly Christian states? And are not the churches Christian churches, especially Protestant churches, the churches of the Reformation? Such questions are popular and prevalent, and the objections which they imply contain a degree of plausibility. Let the following facts be considered. Human nature is corrupt. Man is helpless since the fall. Genesis chapter 6 verse 5 and Romans chapter 3 verses 10 through 18. The prevailing theory of man's recuperative powers is at once at variance with scripture and experience. Romans chapter 5 verse 6. Wars and fighting come of the lusts of men, duelings, robberies, murders, accompanied by all circumstances of cruelty and brutality, continue to be perpetrated in city and country, as attested in the current news of the day, by swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood touches blood. All this is verified in private and social life. Now of such elements are composed the social organizations of mankind. Man is an enemy to man, because he is first an enemy to God. And the unjust judge, whether ecclesiastical or civil judicature, who fears not God, will not regard man. Such are the little antichrists, who in the aggregate constitute the great antichrist, who denies the Father, and the son. It is still the character of the civil beast that there is given him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. Revelation chapter 13 verse 5. The same is true of the little horn, the ecclesiastic beast. The false prophet, Daniel chapter 7 verse 25. Revelation chapter 13 verse 11 and chapter 19 verse 20. and their combined blasphemies are never so blasphemous as when uttered in the name of the Lord. By divine authority, as Christ's Vice-Regent, the Pope, forbids to marry and commands to abstain from meats, institute sacraments, holy days, image worship, etc., and anathematizes all recusants. Quote, by the grace of God, unquote, the sovereign of the British Empire, among other blasphemies, usurps Christ's throne as, quote, supreme judge in all causes as well ecclesiastical as civil, unquote, dictates the faith and worship of the subject except those authoritatively tolerated by an equal usurpation of Jehovah's prerogative, quote, the people of the United States, unquote, disown any, quote, higher law, unquote, abrogate any, quote, religious test, unquote, and, quote, ordain, unquote, slavery, trading in the bodies and souls of men, subjecting the life, liberty, and property of about every sixth person to the despotic will of his fellow, attempting with equal impiety and inconsistency to ratify and confirm the enormity by an appeal to, quote, patriarchal institutions, unquote. On his head is the name of blasphemy. All the remarks apply, in whole or in part, to every other nation within the geographical boundaries of Christendom. Next it may be asked, Are the churches implicated in these sacrilegious robberies of God and invasions of human rights? Yes. Though the princes be chief in the trespass, the priests and prophets, and all the people of the lands are involved, there is an Unholy alliance on quote existing and of long continuance betwixt the two beasts the beast of the earth Causes all both small and great rich and poor free and bond To receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads revelation chapter 13 verse 16 The mark is that of the first, or civil beast, at the instigation of the other. An apostate church commands, under awful pains and penalties, allegiance to the civil power. Verse 13. The same alliance and cooperation is presented more plainly in chapter 17, verses 1 through 3. The woman is carried by the beast. The beast is controlled by the woman. Verse 7. The church is supported by the state. The state is molded by the church. There are cardinals and lord bishops in the legislatures and cabinets of the nations, and there are many, very many, other ecclesiastics who, though destitute of titles of dignity, wear soft raiment and are in kings' palaces. Could potpourri exist in Spain, France, Austria, Prelacy, in England and Ireland without the influence of the hierarchy? Could infidelity, slavery, Mormonism exist in the United States without the concurrence of the Church? And what shall be said of Freemasonry, odd fellowship, and kindred combinations of Christians and infidels, whether angels of light or of darkness, but that they are all the inventions of men, whose faith no longer relies on the ordinances of divine institution? Substitutes they are, and often avowedly so. for the resources of the covenant of grace, which, it is assumed, has failed to reform the human race. This is the doing of the false prophet, the mother of harlots, who is equally the mother of all these abominations. The kings of the earth and many others have committed spiritual fornication with the mother, and many of her daughters, the golden cup, worldly gain, and sensual gratification have proved irresistible incentives to multitudes in the church as well as in the state, to renounce allegiance to Zion's king, the prince of the kings of the earth, and while these unhallowed combinations continue to subvert or counteract the great ordinances of heavenly origin, a gospel ministry and a scriptural magistracy, the witnesses must prophesy, to give testimony against them, and judicially to pass sentence upon them. is their appropriate work, and like their Divine Lord and Exemplar, they shall not fail nor be discouraged till He, through their instrumentality, has set judgment in the earth. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. The little stone cut out without hands shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, and they shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. God's people sing of mercy and of judgment, Psalm chapter 101 verse 1 and 89 verse 1, and their prayers are often answered by terrible things and righteousness, Psalm 65 verse 5. They are His remembrances, Isaiah chapter 43 verse 26, and all the judgment denounced against the enemies of the church are mercies promised to the church in Psalm chapter 136 verses 17 through 20. So that the harvest of God's wrath and the vintage, the final overthrow of rebellious nations and apostate churches is to take place in answer to the prayer of the witnesses. Revelation chapter 14 verses 15 through 18. He has engaged all his perfections to avenge his own elect that cry unto him. When he maketh inquisition for blood, especially martyr blood, he then remembereth the humble. Chapter 6 verse 9 through 10. He forgeteth not their prayer. This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth. Great Babylon shall come in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. And the kings of the earth that have committed fornication with her will so change their policy, that the hatred wherewith they shall hate her shall be greater than the love wherewith they loved her. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil His will, and to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast, till the words of God shall be fulfilled. Then the ten horns shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire, for strong is the Lord God that judgeth her." Revelation chapter 17 verse 16 and chapter 18 verse 8. Thus are the witnesses destined to overcome the confederated hosts of Antichrist. by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And while the high praises of God are in their mouth, they will invoke the aid of all holy beings in setting forth the glory of God and of the Lamb, saying, Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her. Thus shall these two prophets, in view of their enemies, ascend to the heaven of civil and ecclesiastical power. And reign with Christ a thousand years, standing on the sea of glass, mingled with fire. They will celebrate their victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name. Their victory will be complete, their triumph glorious. Let us, uninfluenced by the popular theology and unscriptural worship of our time, adopt their principles, cultivate their spirit, and emulate their example, their praise, and their prayers. Arise, O God, judge the earth, for thou shalt inherit all nations." The appendix. Note A. When we say all the doctrines of the Bible, we mean all of supernatural revelation, quote, nature itself teaches, unquote. But its teaching is often vague, always imperfect. and without an adequate sanction necessarily leaves the mind in impenetrable darkness, and the heart under the dominion of sin. Romans chapter 1 verse 19. It is assumed in the very first words of the Bible that it is adorable, that its adorable author has revealed something of himself through a previous medium, but the actings of the divine mind and the operation of Jehovah's hand in creation and providence including man's redemption, these are things which are satisfactorily revealed only in the scriptures. Now, if we begin with the doctrine of the Trinity, the constitution of the mediatory person, the decrees of God, the atonement of Christ, etc., and ask, quote, are these and their connections as principles of supernatural revelation generally received in the Christian Church, unquote, by no means. There is not a doctrine of grace which is not opposed which is not supplanted by the false prophet. To state these doctrines, to place them before the eye in logical connections, to apply them to saints and sinners, to defend them and their just application when denied in theory and disregarded in practice, to exemplify their sanctifying power in the hand of the Spirit of Christ, this is the work of the witnesses. The history of Romish traditions, infallibility, apostolic succession, etc., admonishes of danger here. The Pharisees made void the law of God through their traditions. Professing Christians did the same in apostolic times, in Colossians chapter 2, verse 8 and 23. Are we by nature better than they? No, in no wise. The advocates of uninspired psalmody have fallen into this error, Dr. Waltz proposed to convert David into a Christian. His argument was chiefly grounded on a perversion of the words of our Lord, quote, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist, unquote. Others of less celebrity have ventured to assert, quote, that a hymn, if agreeable to scripture, is inspired, but Who is to judge? We must go to Rome for the infallible decision, and here we ought not to overlook the novel dogma propounded in less suspected quarters. For who would surmise that the same, or a worse form of the same heresy, should find entertainment among Reformers? Covenanted Reformers, but so it is, a heresy, for it is more than an error, has been imputed to us which our soul abhors, and from a source, too, from which that very heresy emanated. See Covenant, or Volume 12, No. 3, page 75. None so blind as one who will not see. True, the maxim results from observation and experience, that the reader may be prepared to understand the following observations with precision. He is referred to the following preliminaries Covenanter, Philadelphia, Volume 11, Number 8, Pages 231-237, Number 10, Pages 301-305, and Volume 12, Number 3, Pages 72-75. Articles, quote, Analysis of Preface to Reformation Principles Exhibited, unquote, quote, Preface to Reformation Principles, unquote, etc., quote, judicial testimonies." While commenting on the articles here placed in their titles before the reader's eye, the, quote, Covenanter, unquote, made free to charge to us the, quote, damnable heresy, unquote, of infallibility avowed by the Romish Church. Take the charge in some of his select phraseology, quote, a great error, unquote, quote, this writer's great error, unquote, quote, a strange delusion, unquote, quote, human history on par with biblical truth, unquote, quote, the worst form of the Popish doctrine, unquote, quote, the radical and most dangerous error, unquote, quote, fearful error putting human compositions on par with the Bible, unquote. These are but some of the charitable and complimentary terms and phrases by which the, quote, Covenanter, unquote, quote, cast dust, unquote, in the eyes of the credulous and eluded the point of an argument which he could not need. And it is to be deplored that a spirit of deep sleep has closed the eyes of many professing witnesses for a covenanted testimony. It is certain that if scripture, light, and sound reasoning do not prevail to awaken sinners in Zion, judgments must follow. Then woe to blind seers and to those who say to the seers, Why is the rod in the parent's hand? Why the ferrule in the hand of the schoolmaster? To sharpen the intellect, say the ancients. Modern reformers, we know, conduct intellectual culture and moral discipline in a milder mode. To such you might as well suggest propelling an Atlantic steamer with the old-fashioned boat oar as a rod for the fool's back." What is it to us if the Most High says, Why will ye be stricken any more? I will punish you yet seven times for your iniquities. Is there such a thing as receiving correction? Yes. If when God's hand is lifted up, we will not see, we shall see. It were easy to retort, to answer the Covenant, according to his folly, to cry, sophist, schismatic, etc., etc. What would such railing for railing prove? Nothing, save the present, not to say the reigning power of corruption. We are constrained, however, to roll off the odium attached to a claim of infallibility, and show the reader to whom this fearful error belongs, praying that he who originated it may be brought to renounce the error and repent of former rashness. We should reflect that a real disciple may, for a time, resist the truth, a fundamental truth, in the plan of redemption, while his heart is biased by a clouded intellect. Matthew chapter 16, verse 21 through 23, such reflection would contribute to the right direction of our charity, but to our present purpose, number one, distinguish between the ground of saving faith and terms of communion in the visible church. These are not identical. Rome's error results from confounding these. Her reasoning, if it may be called reasoning, is this. The Church receives none to communion but believers. All beyond her pale are unbelievers, heretics. There is no salvation but in her communion. Therefore saving faith, or the grounds of saving faith, should alone constitute the bond of fellowship in the Church. In the time of the First Reformation, both in Europe and England, enthusiasts would receive none but, quote, true believers, unquote. Luther himself was troubled, perplexed, for about three years in dealing with this question after he had obtained clear views of the grounds of saving faith. The, quote, covenant, or unquote, is entangled in the same difficulty. Number two, distinguish between the visible church and the church invisible. Saving faith, or the ground of saving faith, is the bond of communion in the invisible church, not so in the visible church. Otherwise hypocrites could not be there. The doctrines, arguments, and history of the visible church are all her own deductions from scripture. None of these has the attribute of infallibility because the church is not infallible. An effect cannot be greater than its cause. The stream rise higher than its source. Now we have tested the, quote, Covenanter's, unquote, orthodoxy here on this query point, on this very point, sorry. Popish infallibility. We have supposed that the reason, quote, why he can swear to the truth of doctrine is because he is sure of its infallibility, unquote. Covenanter volume 12, pages 73 through 74. Now let the reader mark the reply, quote, certainly infallible? Because Bible truth? But how shall it be ascertained that the deductions are Bible truth infallible? Do we receive this infallibility by tradition from our fathers of Scotland or Westminster? No, indignantly. We say no. In the very body of the doctrinal standards which they framed, they tell us, All synods and councils, since the apostles' times, may err, and many have erred, Therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice." Surely the assembly at Westminster were not so impious or stupid as to claim an infallibility which they so explicitly denied to all uninspired predecessors. The Covenanter wonders we do not see that if we show we have a history with our testimony it must be infallible. Besides separating here between history and testimony, we wonder at his persistence in asserting, by plain implication, the infallibility of a human testimony. We deny before the world the infallibility of our own testimony, the quote Covenanter's unquote testimony, every other uninspired testimony, and moreover humbly suggest to the quote Covenanter unquote the danger of encroaching upon the divine prerogatives and charging such impiety on his neighbors. It is amazing, amidst perpetual displays of supercilious contempt, dogmatic assertion, etc., that such palpable evidence occurs in almost every paragraph that the Covenant has yet much to learn of the nature, substance, and arrangement of the terms of communion and the testimony of the Reformed covenanted church. 3. Beware of acting implicit faith. It is long since the error falsely imputed to us was broached among professing covenanters. For example, we heard from the mouth of a minister in that body more than a quarter of a century ago the declaration in the pulpit, the first is the only proper term of communion in the church, and the time is not distant. we trust when she will have no more." That is, when all the displays of a covenant, God's justice, mercy, faithfulness, etc., in dealing with the Church and her anti-Christian opposers, shall have passed into oblivion. An unbelieving and ungrateful hope or desire, the Protestant world is so denominated simply because of a solemn protest against Rome's impious claims to infallibility and cognate invasions of Messiah's prerogatives. Attach the attribute of infallibility to any of the subordinate standards of our Christian profession, and we are instantly deprived of them all, as a near and necessary consequence. We sincerely hope the Covenant will arrive at clearer light on the general subject of creeds and confession, and if so, we are sure he will come to a better temper It is part of the known character of the two witnesses that they contend for the faith once delivered to the saints as the nearest and surest way to victory. Again, we would say to the reader, beware of exercising implicit faith in human authority as well as testimony, and hold in dread all assumptions of infallibility by Pope, prelate, or Presbyterian, and especially Reformed Presbyterian, standing by the exclusive supremacy of Zion's king. Note C. What should be incorporated with the confession of the Church's faith? This is a question about which there is a great diversity of sentiment among professing Christians. Many join in the cry, quote, down with all creeds and confessions. They reflect upon the sufficiency of the sacred scriptures. They divide or tend to divide the Church. They foster alienation among Christians are contrary to the love of the brethren which the Gospel enjoins, and for which the Savior prays." If these were necessary consequences of creeds, etc., in the Church, we would certainly join in the cry. But when we see, as we cannot but see, that the opposition comes strengthened by an infidel cooperation as is manifest on the pages of the illiterate literature, and false science of popular periodicals, we take the alarm and begin to question both the integrity and sincerity of the motley multitude. One object of Christ's witnesses in framing visible symbols of their faith and practice was to detect error. This end they do eminently subserve. Those who allow their active powers and undisputed mastery over their intellectual powers are easily deceived by a show of wisdom and voluntary humility. A form of godliness is perfectly consistent with a habit of feeding on husks. It is not at all strange that Christian professors who relish soulless romances, obscene novels and brainless sentimentality, commonly called �polite literature�, should resist the application of any test of morality and orthodoxy. As the primary object of terms of communion in the Church is to exhibit the law and covenant of God, and then agreement of persons in their apprehension of these, together with their joint and declared resolution to walk accordingly, it would appear that they are a rational expedient to reach the proposed end. who oppose creeds, etc., are apt to forget that the acknowledgment of the Holy Scriptures does not of itself secure union of sentiment and concert in action. Besides, the witnesses of Christ in preserving the integrity of their testimony and their own moral identity are necessitated to know and expose the errors and ungodliness which prevail under the name of religion. Hence, they are obliged so to direct their testimony as to meet the ever-shifting forms and phases of error and immorality, and as their testimony thus progresses towards its consummation, there is a correspondent bearing given to their terms of communion. The Church is never stationary, and her motion is either retrograde or progressive. In case of defection, she must ascertain from history the footsteps of the flock, whereto she had attained in time past, that she may obey the divine direction, walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing. Song of Solomon, chapter 1, verses 7 through 8, and Philippians, chapter 3, verse 16. Note D. The late union of the associate and associate-reformed churches has assumed a position which may be said to be stereotyped by their predecessors for the last half-century. This body explicitly distinguishes between what they call, quote, testimony, unquote, and the, quote, argument and illustration, unquote, which are to the reader's eye incorporated with the volume. However, equivocal the terms and phraseology employed in stating the doctrinal propositions of their, quote, testimony, unquote, The excluding of argument and illustration from their testimony in terms of communion will effectually exclude from their fellowship the witnesses of Jesus. Besides, the doctrinal declarations themselves are neutralized by the adopting act, an act which, fairly interpreted, would render union on the basis of the Bible itself impossible. The act secures to each one entering fellowship in, quote, the United Presbyterian Church, unquote, the right of descent from any, and so from all, the principles of the so-called testimony." Note E. Many of the churches not only tolerate slavery, but their ministry attempt to defend it from the sacred oracles. This is to offer violence to that sense of natural justice inherent in the human constitution, and to insult the majesty of heaven. Among the contraband wares of mystical Babylon are to be found slaves and souls of men. In this inhuman traffic, many of the Protestant churches make common cause with Rome, partaking of her sins. They must receive of her plagues. In civil relations, Rome's faithful disciples are almost unanimous in casting their ballots for the worst kind of despotism. and it is to be deplored that many who renounce her anti-Christian dogmas in the Church so readily fraternize with her votaries and civil relations. Such buyers and sellers who make Christ Father's house and house of merchandise may expect to be driven hence, when he comes in millennial glory to cleanse the sanctuary. The signs of the times would seem to portend the near approach of that desirable period For, besides the unprecedented advance of the human race and material improvement within the last quarter of a century, the invincible obstinacy with which despotic civil and ecclesiastical rule is defended, and the publicity with which social crime is perpetuated, seem to indicate the near approach of desolating judgments. Men must be taught that the Heavens do rule. And this lesson, such men as Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, etc., will not learn from God's will revealed by Moses or Daniel. Nothing remains in such cases but a fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour such adversaries. Hebrews 10, verse 27. Slavery will prove the ruin of churches and nations. In the preceding pages, matters of deep interest and lasting moment to the Church and to the world are but touched in their outlines. If the interest of any reader shall be awakened in such measure as to make farther inquiry, the following catalogue is suggested from present memory. The works designated will greatly facilitate the researches of those who are sincerely desirous to know the principles and through grace resolved to follow the footsteps of Christ's covenanted witnesses. History of the Church of Scotland by John Knox, The First and Second Books of Discipline, The History of the Church of Scotland, The Pastor and the Prelate, Alter Damascenum by Calderwood, Lex Rex, Due Right of Presbytery by Rutherford, Rectitious Instrumentum by Thomas Forrester Confederacies by Hugh Binning and George Gillespie Aaron's Rod Blossoming Dispute against the English Popish Ceremonies by George Gillespie History of the Indulgence Apologetical Relation, etc. by John Brown of Wamphree Ernest Contendings by Robert M. Ward Heinlet Loose by Alexander Shields faithful contendings displayed, informatory vindication, naphtali, or the wrestlings of the Church of Scotland, cloud of witnesses, scot-worthies. These and contemporary works by the reformers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are the best commentaries on the subordinate standards, the distinctive terms of communion among God's reformed covenanted society in domestic, civil, excuse me, in domestic, ecclesiastical, and civil relations, and without some competent measure of acquaintance with these, even a sincere inquirer, though by more recent light, will continue to wander in deserts pathless way. Jerusalem shall be built upon her own heap, and the palace after the manner thereof." Jeremiah chapter 30 verse 18. The time we trust is near, when the Lord shall be one, and his name one over all the earth." Zechariah chapter 14 verse 9. And for this happy consummation, all the children of Zion will continue to pray. 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And 2 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 11 concludes, quote, Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you, unquote.