Magyar Egyház, 1979 (58. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-04-01 / 4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11 doctrine of the Word of God. In these days we can hardly tell what the word church meaneth. It is true, men boast that the gospel is preached, and that there is a reformation according to the Word of God; but while they use this word church, they know not what it means. Many are glutted, as it were, with the gospel; and think they know more than is necessary: they know so much that they become sensible of their own condemnation. Thus they shall be twice guilty; because they have once tasted the heavenly gifts, and are now such contemners of the Word of God: we plainly perceive that they cast off all honesty, reverence, and religion and would be content to have God unknown among them. We ought to be greatly ashamed, seeing God hath so enlightened us, that we give ourselves to such wickedness; and cause the gospel to be evil spoken of among the ignorant and unbelievers. If we knew how to profit by what is contained in this place, we should have great reason to rejoice; seeing God will have His truth maintained by the means of preaching. There s nothing in men but wickedness; and yet God will use them for witnesses of His truth, having committed it to their keeping. Although there are few that preach the Word of God, yet notwithstanding, this treasure is common to the whole church. Therefore we are keepers of the truth of God; that is to say, of His precious image, of that which concerneth the majesty of the doctrine of our salvation, and the life of the world. When God calleth us to so honorable a charge, have we not great reason to rejoice and praise His holy name? Let us remember to keep this treasure safe, that it be not profaned among us. Paul speaketh not only to instruct those that are called to preach the gospel, but that we may all know what blessings God hath bestowed upon us, when His word is preached in its purity. Our salvation is a matter of great importance; and we must come to it by means of the gospel. For faith is the life of our souls: as the body is quickened by the soul, so is the soul by faith. So then we are dead, until God calleth us to the knowledge of His truth. Therefore we need not fear, for God will adopt us for His children, if we receive the doctrine of the gospel. We need not soar above the clouds, we need not travel up and down the earth, we need not go beyond the seas, nor to the bottomless pit, to seek God; for we have His Word in our hearts, and in our mouths. God openeth to us the door of paradise when we hear the promises that are made to us in His name. It is as much as if lie reached out His hand visibly, and received us for His children. God sealeth this doctrine by the signs which are annexed to it: for it is certain that the sacraments have a tendency to this end, that we may know that the church is the house of God, in which He is resident, and that His truth is maintained thereby. When we are baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are brought into God’s household: it is the mark of our adoption. Now, He cannot be our Father, unless we are under His divine protection, and governed by His Holy Spirit: as we have an evident witness in baptism, and a greater in the Lord’s Supper: that is, we have a plain declaration that we are joined to God, and made one with Him. For our Lord Jesus Christ showeth us that we are His body; that every one is a member; that He is the head whereby we are nourished with His substance and virtue. As the body is not separate from the head, so Jesus Christ showeth us that His life is common with ours, and that we are partakers of all His benefits. When we behold this, is it not enough to make the truth of God precious to us? Is it not a lookingglass, in which we may see that God not only dwelleth among us, but that He also dwelleth in every one of us? God, having made us one with our Lord Jesus Christ, will not suffer us to be separated from Him in any way whatsoever. Therefore, when we have this inestimable honor conferred upon us, should we not be ravished, as it were, and learn more and more to withdraw ourselves from the corruptions of this world, and truly show that it is not in vain that the Son of God will have us belong to Him? How are we made one with our Lord Jesus Christ? By being pilgrims in this world, passing through it as true citizens of heaven. Paul saith, “Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). When He exhorteth us to withdraw from all wicked affections, He calleth us to our Savior Jesus Christ, who is our life, who is in heaven: must we not then take pains to come unto Him? Now let us meditate upon this subject with solemnity, seeing we are to celebrate the Lord’s Supper next sabbath. Let us see how we are disposed: for God will not have us come to Him as liars and deceivers. Therefore, let us see if we are disposed to receive God, not as a guest that travelleth by the way, but as Him that hath chosen us for His dwelling place forever: yea, as Him that hath dedicated us to Himself, as His temples; that we may be as a house built upon a rock. We must receive God by faith, and be made truly one with our Lord Jesus Christ, as I have already shown.
