Faith of Our Fathers

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 48, 6 December 1923, Page 41

Faith of Our Fathers

’[A ; Wmklx Instruction fob Young and Old.] OF OUR HAPPINESS IN THIS LIFE. IF WE KEEP ' . THE COMMANDMENTS. Q. 11. What, then, is the result of all these truths? A, From all these truths it manifestly appears, that such true and real happiness as we are capable of in this world, is only to be found in the service of God, and in keeping. His. commandments". For (1) Those who serve God are no worse off as to the common miseries of this life, than those who serve Him not; these miseries are common to none are exempted from their share of them, (2) The miseries of life are sent upon the wicked by Almighty God in His anger as a punishment for their crimes: but they are inflicted on His servants in His mercy, as a fatherly correction for their real good. (3) Wicked people, setting their hearts upon the enjoyments of the world, and placing their happiness in 'them, are exceedingly miserable when deprived of them, and when afflicted by their contrary evils. The servants of God making it their daily endeavors to take off their affections from all worldly objects, and seeking their happiness only in God, feel the loss of these worldly objects with much less trouble, and very soon get. their minds reconciled to the want of them. (4) Wicked people have no resource to fly to for support under the evils that come upon them, but the vain helps of human philosophy, which can never bear up the soul under severe trials; good men have a never failing source of comfort in God, and in submission to His holy will, which preserves their peace of mind, and their internal content, under the most volent afflictions. (5) Bad men have no grounds to expect any good from their sufferings, which might encourage them under them; good men have so many and so great advantages flowing from their afflictions, that the thought of them Alls..their heart even with joy amidst their crosses, and makes them love them and desire them,-and find real happiness in them. What a vast odds is this between the latter and the former! And hence the word of God, which, as we have seen above, so beautifully describes the happiness of the good, paints out the misery of the wicked in these striking colors: “The wicked man is proud all his days, and the number of the years of his tyranny is uncertain; the sound of dread is always in his ears, and when there is peace, he always suspecteth treason. He believeth not that lie may return from darkness to light, looking. round about for the sword on every side. When he moveth himself to seek bread, he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. Tribulation shall terrify him, and distress shall surround him, as a king that is prepared for a battle. For he hath stretched out his hand against God, and hath strengthened himself against the Almighty” (Job xv. 20). “When they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction "cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape” (1 Thess v. 3); “Shall not the light of the wicked be extinguished and the flame of his fire not shine ? The light shall be dark in his y tabernacle, and the lamp that is over him shall be put out. Tht step of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down headlong. The soles of his feet shall be held in' a snare, and thirst shall burn against him. A gin is hid for him in the earth, and his trap upon the path. Fears shall terrify him on every side, and shall entangle his feet” (Job xviii. 5). And no wonder, for “"Whoever resisted God and had peace?” (Job ix. 4). “The wicked are like the raging sea, which cannot rest, and the waves thereof cast up dirt and miro. There is no peace to the wicked, saith the Lord God” (Is. Ivii. 20). “For whereas wickedmess is fearful, it beareth witness of its condemnation; for a troubled conscience always forecasteth grievous things” (Wisd. xvii. 10); and therefore “The wicked man fleeth when no man pursueth; but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread” (Prov. xxviii. 1). Q. 12. Are there any other sources of comfort to the just, in their tribulations, besides those above mentioned? t A. There are many others; such as (1) reading the holy . Scriptures which are written for our consolation; “for what things soever were written, were written for our learning, that through patience, and the comfort of Hit Scriptures,

we might have hope’’ (Rom. xv, 4). (2) Meditating on the passion of Christ: according to that of ; St, Paul, “Let us run by patience to the fight that is before us: looking on Jesus the author and finisher of faith, Who having joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God. For think diligently upon Him that endured such opposition from sinners against Himself, that you be not wearied, r fainting in your minds” (Heb. xii, 1). (3) Reading the lives of the saints of God, from whose glorious examples the soul is greatly animated, and strengthened with great fervor to imitate them. (4) 'The testimony of a good conscience, which is a continual feast, and a vast support to the soul in all her afflictions, especially in such as come upon her for God’s sake: “For this is thanks-worthy, if for conscience’ sake a man endures sorrows, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if committing sin, and being buffeted for it, you endure ? But if doing well you suffer patiently, this is thanks-worthy before God; for unto this you are called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow His steps Who did not sin, neither was guile found in His mouth” (1 Pet. ii. 19), Nay, “If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be happy : for that which is of the honor, glory, and power of God, and tlTat which is His. Spirit, resteth upon you” (1 Pet. iv, 14). Hence St. Paul makes a good conscience a subject of glory, “For our glory is this,” says he, “the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity of heart, and sincerity of God, and not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God, we have conversed in this world” (2 Cor. i. 12). A good conscience is a source of great confidence in God, that He will hear our prayers, for “If our heart do not reprehend us, Ave have confidence towards God; and Avhatever Ave shall ask Ave shall receive of Him, because Ave keep His commandments,’ and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John i. 21); and therefore St. Paul warmly exhorts us not to lose this ground of confidence: “Let us draAV near Avith a true heart, in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from ■an evil conscience, and our bodies Avashed Avith clean water; let us hold fast the confession of our - : hope, Avithout Avavering, for He is faithful that hath promised” (Heb. x. 22). v . .. \ . .