What They Said

"Let us suppose that the Lord Jesus Christ were now to come amongst us, and to teach in our Churches, as once he did in the streets and synagogues of Judea : should we not, if we knew him to be that veryJesus, listen to him with the deepest attention?  Should we not revolve in our thoughts the various subjects of his discourse, and labour to ascertain their true import?  If we could suppose him now addressing us from the cross, and appealing to his sufferings as an unquestionable demonstration of his love, and an irresistible argument for our adherence to him; should we not be melted to tears?  should we not be ready to exclaim, " What have we to do any more with idols ? " "Other lords have had dominion over us; but by thee only will we make mention of thy name."  Or, lastly, let us suppose that we saw the heavens opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God: let us suppose he spake to us now, as once he did from Mount Sinai, with thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquakes, and the sound of the trumpet waxing louder and louder; should we not tremble?  should we not be ready to engage, as the Israelites did, " All that the Lord hath spoken will we do, and be obedient?" Were we to hear him speaking to us in any of these ways, the word would not more certainly be his, than this word is which we now possess:  and therefore whatever sentiments of fear or love or gratitude we should feel on account of such revelations of his will, we ought to feel in reference to that sacred volume which we have in our hands:  whenever we look upon it, we should say, This is the word of Him who came down from heaven to instruct me; of Him who died upon the cross to save me; of Him who now sits enthroned in glory, and will hereafter fix my doom according to it."

Charles Simeon