(Continued from page 239).
It is delightful to contemplate the solid nature of this work of revival. It was far removed from enthusiastic fanaticism on the one hand, and presumptuous Antinomianism on the other. Although some who seemed to be awakened ultimately fell away, yet the experience of many made it unequivocally manifest that “the Lord Himself had given the word.” Deep humility, hatred of all sin, love of holiness, aspirations after conformity to the image of God, fervent prayers and endeavours that others might be brought of the same views and the same enjoyments, characterised the greater numbers of the individuals with whom Mr Robe was called to converse. Indeed, the views of sin, and of the way of salvation, entertained by the individuals brought under the power of this blessed work of the Spirit, were, generally speaking, of the most Scriptural and enlightened description. One man being asked “what he took closing with Christ to be,” made this most intelligent reply:— “I take closing with Christ to be, a receiving of Him as a Prophet, to teach me the way of salvation; as a Priest to atone for me, and to be my righteousness in the sight of God; and, as a King, to rule over me, and to subdue sin and corruption in me: and that without Christ’s righteousness imputed, I can never be accepted in the sight of God.” One woman, after she was brought distinctly to receive, and rest alone upon Christ for salvation, thus expressed herself:— “Worldly thoughts are away from me now, and oh! that they would never return again. Ten thousand worlds could not give me the love and joy with which Christ now fills me.” When asked some questions by Mr Robe, she said, “Sir, though you put questions to me as was done to Peter, Christ, who knoweth all things, and who knows my heart, knows that I do love Him, and I am resolved, in the strength of imparted promised grace, to show my love to Him by keeping His commandments.” She sometimes gave utterance to such words as these—”He is my sure portion, whom I have chosen for ever. O, what hath He done for me! I desire to have all the world brought to Him, that they too may partake of His rich and sovereign grace.”
Although the greater number, like the awakened at the day of Pentecost, or like the convicted jailer at Philippi, were made to cry out, under a sense of sin and apprehension of coming wrath, and could not conceal their distress, yet many were brought to Jesus in a more gentle and silent manner, whose cases were not made known to Mr Robe till they had obtained peace in believing. One or two instances of this kind may be given, nearly in Mr Robe’s own words, from among the many that might be quoted:—A woman who was brought to concern on 16th May, waited upon Mr Robe the following week, manifesting great anxiety for the salvation of her soul, “I was,” says he, “much pleased with the character of her convictions, with her knowledge, and the longing desires she expressed after Jesus Christ. I said to her, ‘essay to accept of Christ, bestir yourself, rise up at His call, and invite Him to enter into your heart, into your soul.’ Without intending or meaning what she did, she arose with great composure, stood and prayed in a most Scriptural style. She acknowledged sin original and actual, her utter want of righteousness, the wonderfulness of God’s patience to her. She prayed for mercy to be drawn to Jesus Christ and that she might be clothed with His white raiment. Sometimes in her address, she would say—”Sweet Jesus:” ‘He is precious:’ ‘He is altogether lovely.’ She first came to sensible relief from a sermon I preached on John xvi, 10, ‘Of righteousness, because I go to my father, and ye see me no more.’ In her return home that day, these words were strongly impressed on her mind—”My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.” She fell down upon her knees; her heart being filled with joy in the Lord, and her mouth with His praise.”
“C.D. came first under convictions by hearing the doctrine of regeneration stated, as it is the writing of God’s law upon the sinner’s heart, from Hebrews viii, 10. He was made distinctly to see that it was not as yet written upon his heart, and that if he would be happy hereafter, it was indispensably necessary that it should be so. Upon the evening of the day when he received his first impressions, he conversed with a friend concerning the resurrection, the general judgment, and the sad state in which impenitent sinners must be throughout eternity. By such converse his impressions were deepened. Every sermon and every awakening experienced by his neighbours, was blessed for the same end. He told me that he could apply to himself the greater part of a sermon he heard from me concerning the Spirit’s convincing the world of sin; such as, that he usually begins with one sin, and after that proceeds to convince of particular sins. He was convinced of the sins of his heart, and of the evil nature of sin. He was not so much distressed about sin, as exposing him to hell, but he felt particularly grieved as it was an insult offered to a holy God. He got such a sight of the filthiness of sin, as to loathe himself on account of it. He was also convinced of the great sin of unbelief, of the sinfulness of the least thought of iniquity, though not consented thereto; of the evil of self-conceit, a sense of the sinfulness of which stuck as long with him, as he termed it, as anything else. He was also sensible of his inability to help himself, of his own want of righteousness and that he could not work out a righteousness, and that He, to use his own words, was always ready, if he would but trust in Him. Seeing that he had not informed anyone of his spiritual distress till he got relief by believing in Christ, I asked what is was that kept up his spirit under fear and trouble of mind, continuing so long? He told me that when his heart was like to burst in prayer, that word came constantly to his mind, and encouraged him to wait for the Lord with patience and hope:— ‘I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.’ His first relief came in this manner. In the Society for Prayer of which he had become a member, he enquired, ‘What was the most proper exercise for a person under conviction?’ to which it was replied by a very judicious Christian, ‘That it was to behold the Lamb of God,’ which he essayed to do. When I gave, in a public discourse, the marks of those who had Christ formed in them, he said, that by the help of the Spirit he could apply them all to himself, and that during prayer and after sermon he was in a frame surprising to himself, that his whole heart and affections went out in closing with Jesus Christ, and that he was filled with rejoicing and wonder at His love.”
It is emphatically said by an inspired writer, that “the grace of God which bringeth salvation, teaches to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world.” This declaration of Holy Scripture received remarkable illustration at Kilsyth. The number of individuals who were awakened and who afterwards publicly professed the faith of Christ, was about three hundred, and by various authentic documents recorded in Mr Robe’s narrative, it is ascertained that the conversation of all these was such as became the Gospel. The moral influence on the parish generally was remarkable.
Mr Robe thus writes—”Among the instances of the good fruits of this work upon the people, may be mentioned visible reformation from many open sins, particularly cursing, swearing, and drinking. In social meetings, edifying conversation has taken place of what was frothy, foolish, or censorious. Instead of worldly and common discourse on the Lord’s day, there is that which is spiritual and good to the use of edifying. There is little of what was formerly common, strolling about the fields, or sitting idle at the doors of their house on that holy day. There is a general desire after public ordinances. Before this, I could never prevail with the best to attend the preaching of the Word during the week, and therefore could have no stated weekly meeting for expounding; now, however, they desire it, and the generality of the people attend as regularly as upon the Lord’s day. The worship of God is set up and maintained in many families who formerly neglected it. There are many new societies for prayer, composed of individuals of all ages, and not only of those who have been lately awakened, but of those who before had a character for seriousness. Former feuds and animosities are, in a great measure, laid aside and forgot, and this hath been the most peaceable summer amongst neighbours that was ever known in this parish. I have heard little or nothing of that pilfering and stealing that was so frequent before this work began. Yea, there have been several instances of restitution, and some of these shewing consciences of more than ordinary tenderness. The change of the face of our public meetings for worship is visible; there was never such attention and seriousness seen in them as now. The change is observed by every one who formerly knew the parish. One observing person said to me, that if there was no more gained by this wonderful work of the Spirit, there was at least a great increase of morality.”
Such is a short sketch of the remarkable outpouring of the Spirit of God at Kilsyth during the year 1742-3. It furnishes one among the many emblems of that more “plentiful rain” with which the millennial glory shall be ushered in. When the past history of the world and of the Church is contemplated, it is refreshing to find such verdant spots amidst the spiritual sterility that everywhere abounds. And when viewing the present aspect of society, so lukewarm and so secure, it is delightful to anticipate with certainty the predicted period, when, in the metaphoric language of Scripture, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.” The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is matter of promise and matter of prophecy. The prayer of faith works wonders. The plea of the finished work of Emmanuel is irresistible. Encouraged then, by the promises, the predictions, and the arguments of Scripture, let every true wrestler at the throne of grace, adopt the resolution of the prophet, “For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
Christ is a well of life, but who knoweth how deep it is to the bottom.
Samuel Rutherford.