3. "That which is to come." The promise of heaven does not throw the interest of life wholly into the future ; it rather brings the future to us than tells us coldly to tarry for the future. " Heavenly things " are of the highest secular value. For as health lightens labour and makes pleasure keener, so a cheerful goodness, which thinks of the end often while on the way; counts love the chief treasure in the midst of any abundance; likes to have a neighbour, to help him, and to be helped by him — this cheerful goodness will be the most patient and prosperous worker, and relish most its reward. It is obvious that the will of God, when regarded by us with true confidence, must infuse both temperance and vigour into our action ; obvious that peace with God, and a thankful acknowledg- ment of Him, must sweeten pleasure ; and obvious, yet again, that submission to His will, as not only firm but good, must
^ Carlyle, Miscellanies (Essay on Diderot). * The Journal of John Woolmcun,
1 Timothy iv. s 135
alleviate present distress. When, anxiously, we watch by the bed-side, and listen for a breath, and wonder whether the scarcely-moving tide of life will ebb utterly away, or return once more, with the prayer " Thy will be done " there is mingled a sense that, if that Will ordain death, it will conduct through death into life. Thus, when the promise can no more affect the life of one departing, in giving a hope for the future, it gives, too, a benefit for the life of those who must yet remain here awhile. In last hours, in lowest fortunes, in loud confused scenes, in unwitnessed privations, in the strong man's battle with his foes, and the weak man's battle with his infir- mities— it is a fact, that faith in God has been, not only the alleviator of distress, but its conqueror. The love that compre- hends and transcends all earthly love, the supreme motive of self-surrendering, self-abnegating love and devotion to God in Christ, lends a consecration to the humblest, lowliest life on earth, and sheds an invisible glory over all the acts that spring from it, 80 that all the world and all life is a field from which love is for ever reaping its golden harvest of profit.
^ " The Will of God ! " Let us, to animate and endear every thought of it, remind ourselves often of its blissful purposes. True, it is sovereign ; let us bow low before its sovereignty, its irresponsible and unknown ways. But in all its infinite range it is the will of Him whom we know in Jesus Christ, and who has told us such gracious things about it through Jesus Christ. If it wills for us immediately toil and trial, contradictions, disappoint- ments, tears — as it sometimes does, as it once did for our Lord and Life — what does it always will ultimately, and with infinite skill and power to attain its end ? It wills. He wills, " that not one of his little ones should perish." He wills, " that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him should have everlasting life, and be raised up again by Christ Jesus at the last day." He wills " our sanctification." He wills, as His Son wills, that they whom He has " given " to His Son should " be with him where he is, to behold his glory." In belonging to such a God, for every part and detail of our lives, is there not both peace and glory ? In ac- cepting, loving, bearing, doing, the will of such a God, is there not a blissful light upon every step of our road home ? That road, even step by step, was trodden before us by the Son of Man, who took on Him the form of a bond-servant, of a slave — the Apostle boldly uses the word — the slave of the will of Plis Fatlier. As
136 THE VALUE OF GODLINESS
He came down to tread it, He said, " I delight to do thy will, 0 my God." As He trod it, Pie said, " My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Not my will but thine be done." And it is He who by His Spirit dwells in us, and we in Him. Lord Jesus Christ, who thus workest in me, work on and evermore, work now, both to will and to do ; to will now not my choice but Thine ; to do now Thy will from the soul. Amen.^
Author of man's mystic lot, God, Thy ways as ours are not: Thou hast destined us to be Seized by death, yet safe in Thee: Love Immortal casting out Teverish fear, and freezing doubt.
In the spaces of the night. In the depths of dim affright, Jesus, with our trials tried, Do not Thou forsake my side ! Childlike on Thy faithful breast Hold my heart, and bid me rest.
Like a sword above my head Death is hanging by a thread; Yet, 0 gracious Lord on high, Surely Thou wilt hear my cry, By Thy life laid down for me Turning death to victory !