p. 1 | The only Safe Position by J. B. Cook

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Mar 2, 1852

The only Safe Position.

By J. B. Cook

To the christian there is but one rule of duty, and that is the Divine will. One glory to seek, and that is the glory of God. His trust in God, and love to him, must prevail over all inferior affections. Jehovah's claims are paramount to all others. He is supreme; therefore his will should be regarded as supreme. We should give God that place in our hearts that he holds in the universe. Absolute supremacy is his due. Amen!

The language of our heart should be, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" "Speak Lord, thy servant heareth." This docility and submission of soul, is ascertained by believing heartily what he reveals, and obeying cheerfully what he commands. The child of grace makes no reserves—does not "keep back a part of the price," but gives himself up, a "living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God." It is to him, "a reasonable service." This is a SAFE position to occupy, before God and man. It is that of a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God."

In this position, Noah prepared his Ark, and condemned an opposing world. It led him out over a drowning world, where none could deliver, but Almighty God. This was the position of Job when he justified Jehovah in his bereavements. "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than in the beginning."

In such a position Abraham left his kindred and country and in heart, sacrificed his beloved Isaac; but he became heir of "the better" world, and father of all the faithful.

Elijah, living in this posture before God, passed through fire and flood and became so filled with "glory and with God" that he could ascend to the realms of immortality in a "chariot of fire, with horses of fire."

Daniel maintained this position to the depths of the lion's den, where God's angel attended him, who made them meek as lambs at his feet. It was for Daniel the most instructive, advantageous and honorable position that could have been occupied.

In this position, so dangerous to human view, the companions of Daniel went into the fiery furnace, "seven times heated" and found what, elsewhere they never knew; "the form of the fourth, like the Son of God."

All whom the Spirit of God deemed worthy of a name, in the list of worthies "of whom the world was not," worthy," have been led, by maintaining this posture of soul, into dangers, from which none could deliver but God. In danger they cling more closely to their Father's guiding hand. Their most fatal positions have been most safe—most blessed for them, and most for the glory of Him, who has condescended to employ them in a sphere where angels delight to attend and serve.

David was most secure when in conflict with Goliath. So was Peter, when at Jesus's bidding, he walked on the tempestuous sea of Tiberias. Luther was never in a safer position, than when in the presence of the German princes, and in spite of the Pope, he maintained his confidence in the Holy Scripture, and was placed under the Anathema of the Church, and the ban of the empire. Had he or any of "the sons or daughters of the Almighty" accepted deliverance by forsaking their position as living sacrifices, they would then have been in danger. Without speedy, bitter repentance, like that of Peter, they would have been plunged lower into perdition.

It has ever been trying to my feelings to differ from those whom I am bound to regard as friends—in most respects my superiors. It was so with my Pedo-baptist friends prior to my baptism. More so still, with my Baptist friends; but most of all with my Advent brethren. Yet there is only one safe position. It is always, especially in every great crisis, a bold one. In human esteem it is reckless, wrong and ruinous. Such a position we took in '43. Such a position the Adventists dared to maintain through '44. It was fortified by all scripture and all the history we could grasp. The evidence God gave us was sufficient to secure a measure of homage from a large portion of the more candid in community. When that homage was withdrawn, a portion of the band forsook their position, as if they could not stand only so far as sustained by human opinion; at least sufficiently to keep them in countenance. The rest like some of old stood, stood firm in the conviction that God was worthy of the most implicit trust, notwithstanding the apparent opposing Providences, and their dreadful disappointment.

They 'held fast the beginning of their confidence' not 'accepting deliverance' on any such conditions as the unbelieving and disobedient, prescribed.

I know the solemnity of the position taken in '43. It was taken deliberately, in the fear of God, after having counted the cost. I knew that if the Lord's coming was at hand, I could not benefit others, or be safe myself, or do what I ought for the glory of God but by taking up the cross of that truth. Praise God that he gave me grace to do it.

The solemnity of my position towards the Adventists I still feel. Though there is not in any corner of my heart the least unkind feeling towards any mortal, much less the Advent people; yet if I am right in maintaining our position, they in 'drawing back' from it, are in infinite peril of perdition—cannot avoid it; but by timely confessing their sins, for confessing to the world, justifying its impenitence, and seeking again to build up those principles of false or formal religion, which they had attempted to destroy. Some have gone to the churches, others in heart are going—justifying their unbelief.

If the Advent be at hand—if the Doctrine of Divine Providence taught by Jesus, and by the record of all Divine dispensations thus far, may be applied to this period, and to those characterized in Scripture as God's people, then I am right—must, in the main be right in maintaining our position—holding fast the beginning of my confidence—justifying God's truth, and condemning the unbelief of all who are falling after the example of ancient Israel.

The searcher of all hearts knows that I do not differ from others willingly. It is only from the clearest convictions of duty to both God and man. I must 'confess' Christ's truth—clear my own skirts of the blood of souls, and do good to all who have not beyond recovery, denied their Lord.

Those who reject the great fundamental doctrines of scripture relative to the Advent movement are in a similar condition, that the churches were placed in, by rejecting the same doctrines in their application to the same great truths of revelation in '43.

I see the waves rising and raging around me; but I see no security in my position, save that of entire trust in him who never slumbers. All the consecration made at my baptism, I must, God being my helper, maintain. Our Lord is coming. He is coming soon. Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus!