BY THE LATE REV. D. MACFARLANE, DINGWALL.
“I’LL of salvation take the cup.” There are two cups mentioned in Scripture—one was put into the hand of Christ and the other into the hand of the Church. The one put into Christ’s hand was filled with the wrath due to the sins of His people, the Church; and the one put into the Church’s hand was filled with all the blessings of the New Covenant as wrought out for them by Christ. The deeper Christ drank into His cup the bitterer it was getting (Matt. xxvi. 29); but the deeper the Church drank of her cup the sweeter it was becoming. Christ drank His to the bottom (John xviii. 11), but the Church will not empty hers eternally. Eat, my friends, drink oh, my beloved.
The Elements Served.
In Christ’s Church there are children, young men, and fathers, and Christ feeds them all. Children in general are not satisfied with the regular diets; perhaps half an hour after meal time they will come for a piece. When asked: “Are you hungry already?” they will answer: “Oh, yes”; and so it is with the young in grace. They are often hungering after the promises Christ gives them, and they feed upon them; but when they become men they have to content themselves with diets, and perhaps have a hard day’s work to do between them. Some of the fathers had to go forty days on one meal. God’s Word is wholesome food; a good meal of it will sustain one not only for 40 days but for time and eternity. In the hope that you have tasted of this substantial food you shall arise from the table with His grace, we trust in your hearts and His praise on your lips as you sing in the 103rd Psalm—”O thou my soul, bless God the Lord.”
It is not unkindness that keepeth Christ and us so long asunder.—Rutherford.
Never believe that your tender-hearted Saviour will mix that cup with one drachm-weight of poison.—Rutherford.