Mansuetude

MANSUETUDE

(Pronounced MAN-swi-tood)

I realise that his may seem a strange "post," but I love words and was intrigued by this particular word completely new to me. I will just tell you what I have learnt concerning it and leave you to judge its merits.

It is a noun meaning "mildness, gentleness: the mansuetude of Christian love." A quotation of interest appears noteworthy : "For indeed  it is possible to attain a state of divine mansuetude that nothing dismays and nothing surprises, just as one in love might, after many years, arrive at a sublime tranquillity of the sentiments, sure of their force and durability, through constant experience of their pleasures and pains." This in no way rises to the supreme heights of Gods' wonderful Word, but does echo something of the settled relations of the saint with the Saviour, whilst basking in the realised sunshine of His love.

I think that the quotation comes from one who was "outside" of Christ, hence its way of expression; but I felt it deserving of our attention; another word in our tongue speaking of things divine.



The Death Penalty

THE DEATH PENALTY

I fully appreciate that the above subject is immensely emotive. For some time I have had it upon my heart to simply set forth my thoughts as to it in connection with the Scriptures.

Having found a number of well instructed saints holding a view which conflicts with the Word of God, based rather upon sentiment, I feel the time has come to speak out.

I have no knowledge as to which nations have abolished the death penalty, nor of those who continue to apply it for certain crimes. Whether one "side" has a clear majority or not is of no significance. But I fully expect that a perusal of the increase in crimes against the person, acts of violence, and cases of murder, have increased significantly in those places where its abolition has been implemented.

I would just like to add that the argument that the death penalty is NOT a deterrent is unworthy of discussion! Furthermore, the U.K. having abolished it, I do not know when, and I do not have the desire to find out, recently in the wake of so called "Brexit," I learned that no nation may join or remain in the E.U. if it has retained the death penalty. So, when a referendum in regard to its restoration was mooted a while back, but denied to those who vote on these issues, [NOT me,] it was actually deceptive, as the restoration could never have taken place even if the entire population wanted it! 
One has commented thus, "The first post-diluvian age opened, however, with a further delegation of authority. Noah and his sons after him were responsible to maintain God's rights in man, especially as regards the sacredness of human life. (See Gen. 9:5 and 6). God hereby delegated to certain men authority over men even to the execution of capital punishment. Patriarchal authority was thus established."
It was recorded o another of the Lords' servants:-
"At a time when there was a great deal said about the abolition of Capital Punishment, he felt very strongly against such a measure, because, as he said, when the government of the earth was committed to Noah, the command was clear — "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed;" He rightly concluded "it had never been abrogated."
And from the pen of another, "For wilful murder there was no release from the penalty, even though the murderer might have fled for protection to God's altar. (See 1 Kings 2:28-32.) He must die. There is no countenance in the word of God for the modern philanthropic movement for the abolition of capital punishment. It substitutes indeed human ideas in the place of God's primeval law. In fact, it exalts man over God." Finally, I carefully submit, that Christ could not, (humanly speaking,) have died a judicial death if capital punishment had been divinely abrogated!



Philip Henry Gosse

Philip Henry Gosse

Some years ago I read the "classic" "Father and Son," authored by Edmund Gosse, the only son of Philip and Emily Gosse.

The first time I read it, I found it strangely poignant, and quite an enjoyable exercise. A few years later I re-read it and found little delight at all!

The book now appeared to be somewhat inaccurate and biased. I felt for Philip and spent some time and effort searching for works by him as well as about him. From what I learnt it seems apparent that Edmund maligned him most dreadfully!

Books by Philip Gosse, certainly early print-runs are scarce and expensive. I managed to buy four modern re-prints.

This morning I dipped into his book titled "The Mysteries of God: A Series of Expositions of Holy Scripture;" first published in 1884.

I turned to one of his papers on the "Rapture." On reading the article it became clear to me that I would find little help there as I was unable to follow his argument and had no idea what some of the expressions meant!

Philip Gosse excelled in a number of disciplines not least Marine Biology; he appears to be the "inventor" of the "aquarium." But I think I will look elsewhere for the teaching of the Scriptures! But I do love him in the Lord, or at least the memory of him.    



Three Score Years and Ten

"THREE SCORE YEARS AND TEN."

By the grace of God I reached this milestone along this pilgrim pathway last Wednesday, 28th September. Some eleven years earlier I stood on the brink of eternity. I had to undergo a triple-heart bypass; I was very ill indeed, described by my Consultant as "a walking time-bomb!"

Having come under deserved chastisement at the hand of the one who gave up His lovely Son to death on my part, I did not know how he would answer me. Cast upon Him I spoke as Hezekiah did those many centuries ago, but without any claims to righteousness in order to expect anything of His favour.

I am still "in the body" and relatively very well. But of much greater moment is the fact that I have learned to love Him so much more, feebly though that is of course. He taught me a lesson divine that has changed my life. He glorified Himself in healing me, and He has given me the opportunity to worship and serve Him, and that should it please Him, that more glory will attach to Him thereby. 

"Three score years and ten" Psalm 90 v.10 now gives me extra food for thought. I trust it will do the same for you as for the first time you consider the reality of your own mortality, and the grace of God that has brought you thus far.



Oneness of Heart and Soul

ONENESS OF HEART AND SOUL

Just a moment ago I came out from the "sanctuary" where I had been enjoying the good Word of God. One of my "readings" was in Acts 4, reminiscent as it appeared to me, of the close up of the second chapter.

I quote: "And all that believed were together, and had all things common, and sold their possessions and substance, and distributed them to all, according as any one might have need." Acts 2:44 & 45.

"And the heart and soul [both singular!] of the multitude of those that had believed were one, and not one said that anything of what he possessed was his own, but all things were common to them; and with great power did the apostles give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. For neither was there any one in want among them! [my punctuation] for as many as were owners of lands or houses, selling them, brought the price of what was sold and laid it at the feet of the apostles; and distribution was made to each according as any one might have need." Acts 4:32-35.

A very godly saint commented thus: "Without pretending to return to this happy beginning, let us strive to put into effect the spirit of it in laying aside our selfishness and in seizing every opportunity to sacrifice ourselves for our brethren."

I fully appreciate what he is saying, and I do not wish to denigrate him in any way.

By why should it be a pretence? Do we not long for halcyon days, days of "heaven on earth?" Is our spiritual bankruptcy and low condition of heart and soul attributable in some degree to our failure to "return to that happy beginning?"

Ah, brethren, do we think it is impractical, impossible or just too imposing upon us now? If so is this not a reflection upon our poverty-stricken appreciation of our God and His only-begotten Son?

Finally, were the blessings enjoyed then the response of heaven, and commensurate with the display of their oneness of heart and soul! 



The Hid Treasure

The Treasure Hid in a Field

Matthew 13:44.

A few weeks ago a well-taught brother took responsibility for a Gospel Service and preached very acceptably on the "Parable of the Pearl," Matthew 13:45&46. As an aside he suggested that the "Treasure" in the preceding parable was Israel. Realising that this interpretation is "held" by many of my fellow brethren, I mused upon it again; I had never been comfortable with, or convinced by, this particular view.

While I am able to see merit in the suggestion, I personally feel there are sufficient short-comings in such an interpretation. Nevertheless I would never dare to be dogmatic, but would just like to present some difficulties, as I, and only I, see things. I am not speaking on behalf of anyone else, the responsibility for my judgement rests with me.

Accepting unequivocally that the "Pearl" represents the Church [Assembly] the sum of the saints of this present dispensation, from Pentecost to the Rapture, what then does the "Treasure" set forth?

If we answer "Israel," as did my esteemed brother in Christ, where then are the saints found who lived prior to the commencement of that nation? Adam, Abel, Noah for example, and all the others antecedent to Abraham. They were neither of Israel, nor of the Church! Furthermore, where are the saints who will be alive after the rapture and during the Millennial reign of Christ, to be found, as they too are in neither companies of the redeemed, of Israel, or the Church? And thirdly, where are those who are "sheltered" by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ in this dispensation; Those who are unable to avail themselves of Gospel blessings as not responsible due to tender age, i.e. those who died in infancy, or live without sufficient faculty to believe, and are thus not in the Church as not "having received the Spirit on believing?" Acts 19:2.

If these three "companies" are not included in the "Treasure" then is not Christ "robbed" of some for whom He sold all that He had in order to purchase them? It was the same infinite cost to Him to redeem EVERY believing one in every dispensation!
The "Treasure" then must be ALL the companies of the redeemed!

Political Parties

Political Parties

It seemed appropriate to me to copy an address so pertinent to these times of political unrest and the habit of some saints lending their time and support to the "parties" involved.

J.N. Darby wrote thus, "I need hardly assure you that I have no desire that they (saints) should meddle in politics; I do not so myself, nor do I think that a Christian ought. He believes that God governs, and governs with a view to the glory of Christ, and that He will infallibly bring about His purpose.

                                                                                      Parties are all alike to me; they are all alike guilty, and have all alike had their part in what is going on ... We must remember that politicians have no idea of principles, but only of existing influences to which they must be subject ... I take no side with any party-- I distrust them all...

                                                                                      God holds all the reins or loosens them. The Christian may walk in peace through it all, waiting for Gods' Son from heaven, and keeping the word of His patience; yea, having a specially blessed place of testimony in the midst of it, but a lowly one, content to be nothing in the world which has rejected Christ, and is ripening for His judgment. Their part is to keep His word and not deny His name." 

I trust that these words from one who ever championed the truths found in the Word of God, and with such faithfulness and energy, may be acceptable to any who read them. For the glory of our soon-coming "God and Saviour" the Lord Jesus Christ.