ANOTHER of the “John Knox Tract” Series has made its appearance. The title of it is “Jerusalem’s Ruin: Britain’s Warning.” Its contents are based upon three texts—Jer. iv. 14; Matt. xxi. 43; Matt. xxiv. 12.
In these three brief discourses the late Rev. Jonathan R. Anderson goes directly to his subject, does not spend time in treating of the sins of the times in which these truths were written, but as a wise master-builder, he applies himself to his own hearers, and presses home with much force and light upon their consciences the doctrines contained in the texts he handles. It is not the applause of men he seeks to obtain, but the salvation of their souls, and the glory of Him that sent him. His statement of doctrine is very clear. He has also the uncommon gift of setting forth the most profound truths in a form of words so simple that those of the weakest capacity among his hearers could not fail in apprehending his meaning. Although they were preached and written over fifty years ago, they are, we think, more applicable to our day than when they were preached. Two things account for this: (1) the advance that has been made since then in departings from God, both as the moral Governor and as the object of worship, and (2) the insight he had of the sure progress of the evils which were then making their appearance in Church and State, which enabled him to speak of them as if they were in full bloom even then.
While we are sure that the three discourses will fully reward the reader by giving a clearer view of the causes of the infidelity of this generation, and may be a warning to keep away from the dangers so faithfully and clearly set forth, the second one (on Matt. xxi. 43) seems to us really a timely warning to us as a generation. The reasons he gives why the kingdom of God (i.e., the Gospel) shall be taken from a people are really convincing. I will only state the first of these reasons: “And this threatening begins to take effect (1) when the external administration of the kingdom is not attended with divine power, in the eminent edification of saints, and the sound conversion of sinners. We have ample proofs that this is our condition, for where are the people that are growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and when or where is it that the piercing cry is heard, ‘What must I do to be saved?'”
We have much pleasure in recommending this Tract to our readers.
N. C.