My Dear Brother, Your questions all are really questions as to spirituality. “The spiritual man discerneth all things,” and “if thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” There are as to many details directions as to speaking in the assembly. These of course we have to follow: not more than two or at the most three to speak; and all for edification.
As to being led of the Spirit, while clearly scriptural and characteristic of the Christian, Rom. 8, yet the realizing it depends on the spiritual state. When we are washed in the blood of the Lamb, the Holy Ghost comes to dwell in us, and then leads us in following Christ. We know Him because He is in as, John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17). Now the word is inspired by Him, and no path can be His which is not according to it. But in many details of life there is no positive direction. Here the Spirit will guide us sometimes by motives. Love to others, or practical righteousness, charity to a soul, or Christian kindness, may make me take a long journey; but in all Christ must be the one motive. There and then the eye is single, and when not single is evil; and it requires attention, or we may take human kindness for Christian love. When the blessed Lord heard “he that thou lovest is sick,” He abode two days in the same place; then, God's time and will being there, He went. God had allowed death to come in for His glory and Christ's. This connects obedience and being thus led. In the days of Scripture there were direct motives of the Spirit. I do not expect this; but it shows that in its nature it was not unscriptural, and I believe He will guide us and may suggest things to do. But the mind must be subject and lowly to enjoy this guidance. And if any man lack wisdom, let hint ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Such as are meek—them will He guide in judgment, them will He teach His way. But it will be in the spirit of obedience, not the acting of our own wills, however hidden the motive.
The state of the heart and the word hidden in it is always in question here. The word forms the judgment in forming the state of the heart, without perhaps a particular test being in the mind. And God is faithful not to suffer us to be tempted above that we are able. Christ must be the only motive, His Spirit and grace form our spirits, besides His being ostensibly to oneself the motive. See Luke 9:55, 5655But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. (Luke 9:55‑56). And the outline and tone of heart do much to guard us from deceiving ourselves. But in everything we should be led of the Spirit: this supposes true liberty and known salvation. The Holy Ghost first shows us the Father's love is—a spirit of adoption—in us; next, shows us that we are in Christ and Christ in as, and sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts. The fruits are love, joy, peace; then the walk in long-suffering, temperance, &e. Thus if living near to God He may specifically lead as to special efforts in which the life and Spirit of Christ is displayed. But general precepts help to guide here. Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, &e. This will guide in any suggested service. The mere fact of intending Christ's glory, though right, is not enough. Is it what will glorify Him in me Paul was to preach to every creature under heaven, but at a given moment not in Mysia, nor in Bithynia, nor in Asia.
A reading meeting is in a general way a most useful thing, and I do well to use it diligently as other things; but we have to seek. But while the one object is the first great thing for light, the principle of obedience must come in, if not self will (1 Peter 1:22Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2))—our own will—as a spring of action.
There is one point not noticed, though I must soon close. Acts 3:19, 21 are quite clear; but God knows beforehand how the testimony will be received and waits in that knowledge: our responsibility is quite another thing. Christ presented Himself as Messiah to the Jews to confirm the promises; and they were bound to receive Him; yet His rejection was the basis of accomplishment of all God's purposes. So in Jeremiah you will find calls to repentance and promising blessing, thereon and actually accompanied by a declaration that they would all go to Babylon. One was the present responsibility of man; the other, the way and purpose of God's counsels, which always go far beyond the result of responsibility even if attained, as Christ's heavenly glory and universal Lordship goes beyond the accomplishment of Messianic promises, though in another way I believe there will be. But long ago it struck me as a remarkable thing that Acts 3 should come after Acts 2. I shall be very glad, if anything occurs to you, to help as far as God enables me. Love to G—— and the brethren, though, save G——— , I do not know them.
Your affectionate brother in Christ,
J. N. DARBY
2.
My Dear Brother, Another word is used for death as to the saints falling asleep. Otherwise in reasoning on man's state death is often spoken of. But death and going to heaven have mischievously taken the place of the Lord's coming and being like Him. Going to glory when we die is quite unscriptural.
As to funerals, I would not go to any where the clerical system is kept up, no, not to my father's. If it gives offense, you cannot [but] expect the offense of the cross.
As to the age of infants the statement you refer to is as to when conscience begins to work. I have no doubt that little children are saved. We cannot fix a date, for it varies with each. Matt. 18 seems to me quite clear.
It is true that, when justification and sanctification come together in scripture, sanctification comes first; because the Spirit of God sets a man apart to enjoy the efficacy of Christ's precious blood. And this is important, because evangelical teaching sets justification as a kind of imperfect work; and that we are made meet afterward for something higher. This is unscriptural. The thief was fit to go and be with Jesus. There is progress, or ought to be: little children, young men, fathers, growing up to Him who is the Head in all things, changed into the same image from glory to glory, and perfecting holiness in the fear of God. But as to acceptance, “as He is, so are we in this world.” By faith in Christ I am quickened, and that life is in itself a perfectly holy thing; and believing in Him and His work I am perfectly justified. The actual state I am in then comes in question; but as to my person, I am set apart to God.
As to an assembly meeting, it is when those who compose it meet as such in Christ's name.
What Paul's heart was upon was first to possess Christ; then that he might have part in the first resurrection. He was running for this. Philippians, though based on it, never treats of a finished salvation, but of the race we run towards the glory towards being like Christ.
I should not frequent the world's house as I might meet the infidel there. Did I find him there, I should not stop. What, deference to his relationship demanded, I should show; but I should not be free with him while he made no difference with an unbeliever. Yours sincerely in the Lord,
J. N. DA R BY.