2 Timothy 3:17

REFLECTIONS

READER! while the Apostle is thus speaking to the Church, of the perilous times that should come, may we not say with John: Little Children, it is the last time. And as we have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists; whereby we know that, it is the last time. But, Reader! who can hear what the beloved Apostle hath added to this solemn scripture, without the most painful concern? They went out from us, but they were not of us! It is distressing enough to be told by the Spirit in prophecy, that the Church shall be assaulted by heresies, in the latter day dispensation; and that we are of those latter ages in which those heresies appear, but to be told, that even in the Churches, where the truth as it is in Jesus is professed, men shall arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them; these are trembling dispensations indeed. But, Reader! do not overlook the security of the faithful. That unction from the Holy One, which all truly regenerated children of God in Christ possess, teacheth all things, and will keep the Lord's people; and the wicked one shall touch them not. This is our promise. And blessed promise it is, in this present evil day.

And shall not you and I bless God the Spirit both for the information, and the means of security? Do we not behold in this chapter, sufficient marks of character, for discerning the signs of the times, to judge faithful servants of the Lord, from time-pleasers? Where we behold men lovers of their ownselves, proud, boasters, and the like; and a leanness of soul among the people, who are content with the form of godliness, but deny, and are ignorant of the power thereof: and when we contrast such a state, with that which Paul describes of himself, (and which more or less must distinguish all like Paul), whose doctrine and manner of life cannot but beget hatred, evil speaking and persecution; from all Pharisees, and mere nominal Professors of religion; are not the different characters as clearly defined, as if drawn by a sun-beam? Blessed be God the Holy Ghost, for his gracious foretelling of those perilous times; and for his divine teaching of his people to try the spirits, and to discern them. Reader! let us be waiting at wisdom's gate, in these awful days of heresy. And let us behold and see, how evil men, and seducers, among Pharisees, and mere Professors, wax worse and worse; more wretched, more lean of soul, deceiving men like themselves, not God's people, and being themselves deceived. And let those holy scriptures of our God, which are profitable for all things to the man of God, be daily in our hand, while God the Spirit is instructing our heart; that we may be found of that happy number, made strong by grace, in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.