BY THE LATE REV. ARCHIBALD COOK, DAVIOT.
(TAKEN DOWN BY A HEarer.)
(Concluded from page 196.)
WEDNESDAY, 6TH JANUARY, 1850.—Question 92. What is a Sacrament? A. A Sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.
An old woman examined.—Q. What is baptism? A. I am not hearing. Mr. C. Oh, you would hear earthly conversation very well. . . . Oh, be seeking to remember your baptismal vows, lest they will rise against you in eternity. And when a vain thought comes in, you ought to say, “I am not my own; I am made over to the Lord.” It is wonderful when the soul comes to this of it in regard to sin, crying nothing but “Murder, murder, murder!” as David used to do. You that are a nasty slave at the feet of the devil, oh, are you not a foul creature in your thoughts, words, actions, and company?
A man examined.—Q. Did not every creature bring in the spirit of self-righteousness into the world with him? A. Oh, yes. Q. Do you keep family worship? A. Oh, yes. Q. Which do you trust more in—it or Christ? A. Oh, I need not trust anything in family worship. Mr. C. But is it not difficult to work out the desire of merit out of the soul? A. Yes. Mr. C. Threatenings or conscience will not work it out. The Lord took three days to waste the spirit of the Pharisee out of Paul, and it often takes three years. It is mercy that will crown the soul’s salvation. Q. What is it that gave courage to the Pharisee in the parable? A. Because he felt that he was a sinner. Mr. C. Oh, no; it was because he was better than other people. The publican’s confidence was mercy, was it not? A. Yes. Mr. C. There was a servant lad once in search of work, and he engaged with a priest. And as the priest was late one morning in going out to his people, he sent out this lad to sprinkle the holy water on them till he himself would come. The lad was saying, as he went along sprinkling the water, “If you will not be the better of it, you will not be the worse of it.” But, my friends, this is not the way with the hearers of the gospel. To some it will prove the savour of life unto life, and to others the savour of death unto death.
My friends, there are some that it is at death that they get assurance of their being born again. The provisions that Christ will bring into the soul when He says, “I will sup with him and he with me,” are the benefits of His purchase, the pardon of sin, the spirit of adoption. The godliness of the world is only like an image of a sheep or cow; it will not feed you, or give any substantial nourishment. The world have only a shadow of God, heaven and hell, etc.
Another examined.—Q. Are you pleased that you were baptised and made over to the Lord? A. Yes, but I do not understand it. Mr. C. Be not defiling the temple of God, lest He destroy you. I think though I would speak to you of this to the day of your death, it will stand against you at the day of judgment.
(1) You that were baptised, seek that you may not be found on the left hand at the day of judgment. You would not sit in a company that your father’s character would be reproached in, and will you sit in a company where Christ, His cause, and people, are reproached?
(2) Be seeking grace and the new birth to your souls. Be praying. You see the Lord hears and feeds the ravens; and will He not hear those who have rational, immortal souls? Parents, be giving over your children to the Lord, lest the blood of their souls be found in your skirts. Oh, the blood of souls is no light matter!