Here let us pause: Let any man recall, in thought, the Scripture language concerning the CHURCH’S privileges, and the MINISTERIAL PREROGATIVES; let him compare it with all that has now been said; then let his mind revert to the notions of the Rationalist; and draw his own conclusion;—And whatever his personal _belief_ may be, he will hardly fail to perceive, that the system which is every where supposed throughout the New Testament, differs from a mere code of principles to be “applied” to individuals—differs _in kind_,—as widely as the mysterious and appointed Sacrifice of Abel differs from the Rational devotion of Cain.
MAY GOD give us grace to weigh these things; and “that not lightly, or after the manner of dissemblers with HIM!” Some, who are not yet members of the Church, may be wishing, perhaps, to put these thoughts far from them, sustaining themselves with the belief, that they _have_ partaken of Christian blessings apart from the Church; and similar reflections. We only say to them, that self-deception on such a matter is but too easy! And if that be true which we have now literally taken from GOD’S word, then it is certain that they are, at the best, in a very deficient state, and “come behind in many a good gift!” More than this might indeed be said, without overstepping truth or charity: for those who have heard these things, cannot afterwards be as though they had not. But let each think of it for himself. Whatever may be said of those who are unwittingly out of the “kingdom of heaven” below, unbaptized, or only doubtfully baptized by some one who had only his _own_ authority to do it; whatever be thought of the present amount of grace, or future reward of such, if they go on according to their best, in the course they find themselves in,—some of them haply verging on the very borders of our land of promise,—far different is _their_ case who _might_ have known and embraced the truth. To such we say, in CHRIST’S words, “Verily the kingdom of GOD is come nigh unto you!” . . . The foolish virgins in the parable _thought_ their lamps seemed to burn brightly, and emulated the light of the heavenly-wise; but when the Bridegroom came, they were found unsupplied with the needful oil, and went out in utter darkness!