IN these last fearful moments of trial, many are inquiring for oil. The wise also are seeking carefully to know the will of God respecting individual duty. At this crisis how life giving is a "thus saith the Lord." Our compassionate Saviour, in Luke xii, remembers our case, and gives us specific directions. He says that, at this time we should consider the ravens and the lillies, and take no thought what we shall eat or what we shall put on, for our life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Also, that we should not seek these things, neither be of doubtful mind, but rather seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto us. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good will to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms, &c., for where your treasure is, your heart will be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for the Lord when he will return from the wedding. Here we see plainly that he is speaking to those who shall be waiting when he comes the second time without sin unto salvation. It is the same class as that to which he refers in the parable of the virgins, who shall come out from the world and the nominal church on their faith in a coming Bridegroom. These directions could not have applied to any other generation; for ever since the curse it has been the lot of mankind to earn their bread by the sweat of their
brow; and the Scriptures declare, that he that sleeps in seed time, shall beg in harvest. But we are now brought to a test like that of Noah. Those who continue planting and building, buying and selling, through unbelief in this last warning, like those who were thus engaged in the time of the flood, will be swept away, and have their portion with unbelievers. The chronology of this chapter is indisputable, for the Saviour in answer to Peter, who inquires, "Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all," replies, blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh, shall find so doing.
In Luke xvii, while speaking of the state of the world at the time of his second coming, he exhorts those who shall then be living, thus: "In that day, he which shall be upon the house-top, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away, and he that is in the field let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall preserve it. We understand then, that the Lord would make an example of us before this ungodly generation, and that he calls upon us, in an imperative and definite sense, to forsake ALL for his truth. We have long professed to believe in his near approach, and now he is trying that profession. We may not aspire to the glory of translation with any less faith than had Enoch and Elijah. If we are children of Abraham we must act his faith, and if we are saved like Noah, it must be through a faith that condemns the world. Yet a few days, and all is over. The Lord help us to know the time of our visitation, that when he comes we may not cry in despair, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and done many wonderful works, when he shall profess unto us, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." But let us be among the humble and contrite ones, who trust in Jesus, and love and wait for his appearing.