THE

CRY IN THE DESERT;

OR,

EARNEST WORDS OF WARNING ADDRESSED TO A SLUMBERING CHURCH, TO KNOW THE DAY OF HER VISITATION, AND TO PREPARE TO MEET HER GOD.

A MONTHLY TRACT.

VIII.

THE EFFECTS OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON THE CHURCH, IN HOLINESS AND POWER,-IN GRACE AND GIFTS.

In continuation of the closing observations in the last tract on Ephes. iii. 13-21, one more remark must be made before we quit it. Though the Apostle is a prisoner-and is unable to discharge his duties yet he finds comfort in this;-that though he may be removed altogether-though his chair in the Apostolic College may be vacated by him-yea, though it be vacated by all his colleaguesyet Christ the Head of His body, is able to supply their places by others, and to send and empower others to carry on the work of their ministry-yea, "to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think" (And to what a comprehensive depth, measure, and degree had his prayers extended!). The Lord Jesus he believes is able thus to supply all they need, above all he could ask or think;66 -even according to (by means of) the power that worketh That power is that might of the Spirit-that riches of glory, i.e. the active, conscious, experimental enjoyment and use, of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Baptism of the Spirit,

in us.

would enable the Lord to call forth, empower, and commission, others in Paul's place. Had the Church abode in her anointingeven her necessities caused by the departure, or imprisonment, or death, or martyrdom, of Apostles, should have all been supplied above all she could ask or think; but alas she abode not in her anointing, and she became like Samson; weak and blind as the uncircumcised.

Ephes. iv. 1-16.-The virtues recommended in verse 2, are all virtues needful to Christ's members in their vocation as an imperfect, growing, progressing, whole; verse 3, shews the duty of all Saints to endeavour to keep (instead of breaking) the unity of the one Spirit, in the bond of peace. And this especially, while Apostles are absent from any cause; either of imprisonment, or hindrance, or death. Thus abiding in peace, and refusing all strife, controversy, and questions, what had been attained to in unity; through Apostolic ministry, would be preserved entire-either till others should be sent by the Lord, or the imprisoned one loosed and set free. Verses 4 to 6, Exhibit the seven essential elements of which the oneness or unity of the Church is composed I. One visible, Divinely organized body. II. One energizing Spirit, inspiring the whole:—and each member severally and specially. III. One over-ruling, all-governing Lord; from whom all powers, and functions, and offices proceed-for whom they are all administered and exercised,—and unto whom they are all responsible; either mediately or immediately. IV. One indwelling God and Father of all, who is above and outside of all; who is nevertheless through all by a presence infinite and ineffable; but who is in a special and peculiar mode "In all you; "—in the whole body of Christ for eternal fellowship and communion. V. One Faith; whether in its objective or subjective aspect. VI. One Hope of their calling; one object to be sought for, desired, and obtained, as the end and consummation of their vocation in Christ's Church, by each, all, and altogether. VII. One Baptism; in and by which, all and each, were made vital members of the one body,—and living heirs in joint communion,-of all its sufferings, actings, privileges, and hopes; these are the Seven Essential Elements in the judgment of an inspired, imprisoned Apostle, which constitute, form, and compose the Church's oneness or unity. Verse 7, Shews the necessity for the co-operation and subordination of all-for all-according to the measure of grace distributed to each, for the good of the whole. Verses 8, 9, Shew that the one source and spring from which all grace in any kind or measure proceeds—is our one triumphant Head; Who, that He might fill all things-that He

might grasp, embrace, contain, and Head up the whole,-descended first into the lowest depths, rose again from the dead and took possession of all the spoils which Satan and his angels had taken, -spoiling principalities and powers-making a show of them openly triumphing over them before all the Holy Angels, in His triumphant ascension in His Human Body-far above all heavens. Thus ascended on high, He received gifts for men; that Jehovah might have a habitation among them (See Ps. lxviii. 18.). What He received from His God and Father-for the end and object of preparing and building a habitation for Jehovah,- that He gave. Verse 11, Enumerates the four ministries, channels, or streams,through, and by means of which, He pours forth His fulness, and effects the work of upbuilding a habitation for God. They are living streams, living ministries, living functions, discharged by living men. They are Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers; the antitype and reality of what was foreshadowed in the Cherubim at the East of Eden,-which were again seen in the Tabernacle and temple;—seen again by Ezekiel as the glory of Jehovah,— and again by St. John in their eternal and heavenly ministry; giving forth the thunders, and lightnings, and voices, and earthquakes from Him Who is enthroned in the heavens-and carrying up-presenting and offering unto Him-through the living Lamb that was slainCreation's universal worship! Verse 12, Shews the threefold use for which God the Father gave these four forms of ministry to Christ Jesus, and He again gave them to His Church. 1, “For the perfection of the Saints;"—and not only for the conversion of sinners. That each individual member of Christ by the action of these four forms of spiritual ministry and power,-may be educated and carried on to perfect consummation,-in his characteristics, gifts, and virtues. 2, "For the work of the ministry." For ministering for men to God; and for God to men. For offering the worship-the Divine Service and spiritual sacrifices of the Body of Christ unto Jehovah,—and for ruling, enlightening, instructing, and feeding for Jehovah all the sheep of His pasture. 3, "For the edifying of the body of Christ." For the upbuilding of the superstructure upon the one chief corner stone once laid. For the bringing the whole Church-composed of all Saints throughout the world, to be a perfected edifice in which God can take up His abode; and in and from which He can manifest His glory. Verse 13, Defines the time for the needful continuance of this four-fold ministry in its earthly form, either in the persons of the men who then fulfilled them, or in others whom the Lord by His Spirit would supply, according to the Church's need. St. Paul

clearly expected and believed-that in some persons or other, these ministries would abide, and continue in living activity-and were absolutely necessary-till the primary object for which they were bestowed by The ascended Lord was realised and attained. The time and the object are-" till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man. They were given by Christ the Head, to nurture, instruct, educate, and guide the whole Church, everywhere—as a whole-—as well as all its local branches and individual members ;--" FROM CHILDHOUD UNTO A PERFECT MAN." They are, therefore, each and all necessary, till that time has arrived, and that object is attained. They cannot, therefore, be dispensed with,-" till we all arrive unto the measure of the stature of the (whole) fulness of Christ." Till his comprehensive prayer in the former chapter is answered. It is, therefore, as clear as the sun-beam, that if any of these ministries have been substituted, mutilated, dormant, vacant, or utterly lost,— the fault is ours; not His, who gave them as an heir-loom by entail; -till the glorious end and consummation arrive. On what show then of Apostolic, scriptural, or rational authority, can any Christian man say, that Pastors only,- —or Pastors and Evangelists, or any other ministry more or less, are sufficient for perfecting the Saints-for Divine ministration, and edifying the whole unto completion? The absence of any is our sin; as well as our inevitable loss. 14, Reveals to us, how in the active exercise and living, continuous presence of these four forms of spiritual and divine ministry,—which under Christ are co-equal, though not co-ordinate-(for it is first Apostles, secondarily Prophets) all those sad evils would have been either avoided or overcome, into which we have all brought ourselves; and in which at this moment the whole of Christendom is found. "That we henceforth be no more children." Verily, to this hour we remain children! yea, degenerate children! We have not advanced a step from the first days when those words were written, to this hour; but we have backslidden and apostatised, even from that measure of light and strength the Church enjoyed in childhood's first estate. We have not gone on-and refuse now to believe in the possibility of our being led on-to perfection. And, therefore. we have not been saved from being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Is not this our present sad experience? Have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons been sufficient to prevent the evils, or to lead us on to the attainment of the glorious end? Have Popes? Have Councils? Have Fathers

Verse

and Patristics? Have Emperors and Kings? Have multitudes of popularly elected Teachers? Let my reader, both read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest these hints, and however much he may be thankful for what is left unto us, he will be driven to acknowledge its insufficiency for the attainment of that glorious end for which these ministries were given ;—and he will be led I trust to cry out unto God and say, "Look down, O Lord, from heaven, and visit again this Vine." Verses 15, 16, Shew us the power which each member of Christ has,-joined to the Head, and co-operating in, with, and for, the body, to bring its measure, and to do its part, towards the increase and perfection of the whole; but all to be effectual and operative, must live, speak, and act in love. Oh wondrous mystery! Myriads made a living unity! All other glory is as the glory of the glow-worm, compared with the glory of God,-shining forth through that body,-which is the perfection of all glory and beauty for ever. It is most remarkable how full of hope was St. Paul in the continuance of all the offices and powers of the Church, at this time, though a prisoner with every prospect of becoming a martyr ; —but all his trust and hope rested upon the fact, that the BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL CASUALTIES AND EMERGENCIES;-IF THEY ONLY CONTINUED IN IT. That power which was working in the Church could point out and empower other Apostles, when the present were removed and could use other prophets. The manifested presence of the Holy Ghost would supply all their need. If it would have done this then-IT WILL NOW! O Lord Jesus Christ, raise up Thy great power and come among us, and with great might succour us; break our bands and set us free, that we may again run in the way of thine ordinances. Amen.

Eph. iv. 30.-" Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption: Let all bitterness, and wrath, "and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, "with all malice."-What! can the Holy Spirit of God be "grieved," -by the state and condition of the men in whom He has taken up His abode? Is it so, that Infinite Jehovah,-the Spirit of Christ, proceeding from the Father and the Son, can be touched with Holy sorrow, by the words, and ways, and works, of that Body wherein He dwells, and which it is His delight entirely and for ever-to pervade and inspire? Oh, that the Baptized did but know the effects produced (with all reverence be it spoken) upon Him who seeks to dwell in the midst of them for ever-by all their bitterness of spirit, -one sect towards another, and one schism against another! Oh