Nov. 1, 1865.

THE Word of God cannot be "rightly divided" without a knowledge of dispensational truth." Those who have seen nothing of this in the Holy Scriptures are directed to a remarkable passage in Hebrews i. 2, which, in our translation, reads thus :--"His Son whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom He also made the worlds." It is a pity that our translation did not show the difference between the words "kosmos" and "aion ; "the former signifying the globe, or world-proper, and the latter an "age," or period of time. Any scholar knows that the Scripture just quoted should be read, "made," or fixed, "THE AGES." What, then, are these ages? Different periods of time wherein God has dealt with his fallen creature man, in various ways, according to the different circumstances in which He has placed him. God, in revealing Himself and His purposes of blessing, did not make all known at once; but, according to a settled plan, gave increased light of revelation from age to age. We have now, in the person and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the full revelation of the gracious purpose of God. This of itself would constitute this age, or dispensation, one distinct from all those which have gone before. In like manner the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, and the putting of Israel under that law, constituted another age, or dispensation, peculiar in its characteristics. Thus, "The law came by Moses," making a dispensation of law; “and grace and truth came by Jesus Christ," constituting a dispensation of grace. What confusion of ideas come into the mind when men take Scriptures which belong to an earthly people under a dispensation of law, and apply them to a heavenly people under a dispensation of grace. There are three other Scriptures which may be referred to. One in 1 Cor. x. 11, which reads literally, "Written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the age are come." Another in Ephesians i. 10., "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together all things in Christ." And the third in Hebrews ix. 26, which also reads literally, "Then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world, but now once in the end of the age hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself."

If the Scriptures are searched with an unprejudiced mind, it will readily be seen that former dispensations are to be clearly distinguished from the present by this leading feature. In them man was put under trial in this he is dealt with as having been proved wholly incapable of self-help or self-recovery. Adam in Eden, as an innocent creature was tried and fell-thus proving what creature innocence was-a fallible thing. Israel was put under trial also, just as man-fallen man-had been in the previous antediluvian and post-diluvian ages. To Israel was given a written law-not that God ever supposed they could keep it—but that their failure might be seen. They promised to obey. The Lord gave them every opportunity of trying to do so. They failed at every point. Thus God had every mouth stopped, and

all the world proved to be both guilty in His sight, and incapable of recovery in creature strength.

The Lord Jesus Christ, at his first coming, finished up the Mosaic age or dispensation of law; and ushered in this, which was one of grace, free and unmerited grace, the grace of God which bringeth salvation; and that only in the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Man is not now dealt with as under trial to show what he is, but is only taken up as a sinner wholly lost, and one proved to be utterly incapable of helping himself.

There is another characteristic of this age which distinguishes it from one yet to come. The Lord is now in grace, gathering out men from the world; separating them unto himself; thus gathering together in one the family of God which is scattered abroad. The Gospel is, indeed, to be preached in all the world, and to every creature, but only for a witness unto the nations, and for the gathering out of them of a people to Christ. There are promises of universal blessing, but Scripture proves they are not intended for us in this present age. Scripture foretells the end of this age, and that it will come suddenly and unexpectedly, and in the midst of fearful judgments; for when the Lord shall come, he will find men as unprepared for his second advent as the Jews were for his first. Scripture identifies the second advent of our Lord with the end of the age; and also speaks of a yet future age. A few Scriptures may be considered. "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age." (Matt. xxiv. 3.) "Neither in this age, neither in that to come." (Matt. xii. 32.) "In this present time, and in the age to come." (Luke xviii. 30.) "From this present evil age." (Gal. i. 4.) "Not only in this age, but also in that which is to come." (Ephes. i. 21.) "That in the ages to come he might shew." (Ephes. ii. 7.) "The powers of the age to come." (Hebrews vi. 5.)

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A knowledge of this dispensational truth will deliver us from two great mistakes which so many around us are making.

1. It will hinder us from mixing up law with gospel. This is done continually when statements or promises in connection with law-keeping are applied to men in this age, which belong only to a by-gone dispen

sation.

2. It will keep us from expecting the world's conversion during an age which must end in man's grievous failure and in God's heavy judgments; and give us patience to wait for it until the Lord shall come, and by His own personal presence and power introduce the time of universal blessing.

Lynmouth.

Nov. 1, 1865.

Correspondence.

[The Editor wishes it to be distinctly understood that he is not responsible for the sentiments of his correspondents. In every case, also, name and address are required, not necessarily for publication, but as a proof of good faith.]

EXTRACTS FROM PRIVATE

LETTERS.

THE following extracts from letters not intended for publication are too suggestive to be withheld, although, of course, we reserve the names of the writers, some of whom are men of no small mark in the regions of Christian literature. There is an unusual anxiety in the minds of thoughtful believers to know what is revealed respecting the future of the human race, and we look upon that anxiety as one of the best signs of the times. It is the result of strong confidence in the wisdom and goodness of God, and of the deep conviction that the issues of the Saviour's work are broader, vaster, far more

their responsibility. I trust you will have wisdom and strength for your difficult service, and I believe it is real service you are rendering."

II.

"I am thankful to find you say, in your notice of the pamphlet on The Second Death,' The subjects on which it reverently treats ought to be discussed, for, whatever it may be, we are confident there is something wrong in the common notions respecting them.' This has long been my own conviction. For years the doctrine of eternal torments, traditionally received, was a sad burden to me, but my mind glorious than the received theology has, I am thankful to say, been reof Christendom teaches. Let us search lieved since I arrived at the conclusion the Scriptures with lowly, teachable -after long and earnest study—that minds. Surely it contains vast treasures the common assumption that man is scarcely noticed yet. It testifies of naturally an immortal being, has no CHRIST, and that should be enough to foundation either in reason or Scripmake the Christian student prayerfully ture. That this life is not the whole diligent in searching it. of any man's existence is evident from Scripture; that Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap' is equally clear; that God hath given unto us eternal life and this life is in His Son,' "It seems evident that there is a call I earnestly believe; but that it is the in providence to consider the scrip- will of our loving Father in heaven ture testimony as to the judge- that any of His human creatures should ment to come. Another is also before exist to all eternity in torment, I canersons' minds, The Righteousness not conceive. Throughout the Bible I of God.' No doubt the consideration believe that God veils His reserves of of the one will act upon the consideration of the other. A hard fight will be made to maintain the old creeds and confessions of the Reformation: but one cannot but see God's hand at work endeavouring to disentangle His truth from the forms into which it has been moulded by divines. I only hope and pray all who put pen to paper on these momentous points, which can only be learned from the positive revelations of

EXTRACTS:

I.

1, will do so under a deep sense of

·

mercy, lest men should presume upon them; but as the sun of Revelation dips below the horizon, it casts athwart the deepening gloom a few rays of divinest hope in such passages as Eph. i., 10; 1 Cor. xv., 24, 28; Rev. xxi., 3, 5. Hope-not for the incorrigible sinner

for him I see no hope save in the blackness of annihilation - but hope that the time will come at last when God's universe shall be delivered for ever from sin and sorrow, and in all

"I have just become acquainted with your RAINBOW, and am thankful "I assure you most emphatically that the most blessed hope of the that I am deeply interested in the second coming of the Lord has such an great question of the Second Coming. advocate. I think impending events Will you, at your convenience, give may soon cause many Christians to me a list of the best works on the sub-open their eyes. The Lord will teach ject? I intend going thoroughly into His own in His own way. Let us be

"I have seen several numbers of the RAINBOW which were put into my hands recently by a friend, and the articles I have read gave me much pleasure. I shall certainly recommend the Magazine as I have opportunity, for on this great subject light is much needed. I rejoice in your ability and marvellous industry as a writer for the press, and your courage too, not only in daring to differ from your brethren, but to propagate so zealously and perseveringly the proscribed sentiments. I pray that your efforts may be much blest in directing attention to this glorious but much neglected truth, and that we may be found ready when the Lord comes."

XI,

Nov. 1, 1865.

to sustain your hands. The RAINBOW for this month has done my soul good. Indeed I have been refreshed every month since I took it in, and anxiously look for the fresh meal long ere it comes to hand. The doctrine you teach is one of overwhelming interest, a clear understanding of which would be as life from the dead in our pulpits and Churches. May the Lord give you strength, and encourage you that new beauties may yet be brought out in connection with His promised Kingdom."

Dear Sir,-Having been absent from England the greater part of August, I was unable to reply to Mr. Purdon's letter in THE RAINBOW of that month, but take this opportunity, with your permission, of doing so now.

Two main questions are raised by his communication; both of them important.

1. Will not the Antichrist dwell on earth unknown a considerable time before he is manifested to be the Antichrist?

2. In consequence, may not Louis Napoleon be the Antichrist as yet unmanifested.

I will endeavour to reply to both questions in this the natural order.

"I would just express my appreciation of, and thanks for, the periodical you have edited for the last eighteen months. Since I have known you through that, my prayers have gone up for the Lord's help for you, both in this work and the ministry of the word. I rejoice much that your Magazine is not "the organ of any party," as you expressed in your May Number, but that your one object is to set forth the truth about Jesus, His appearing, I had said, "The Antichrist must and His Kingdom. I have much en- be a king of Rome who had died before joyed your paper on "Earth's curse John saw the visions of the Apoand Restitution," and pray that many calypse." On this Mr. P. observes; more may be stirred up to search The reason of this assertion is that the Scriptures on this blessed sub- the eighth king is said to be 'one of ject, and thus enjoy the blessed the seven.' This, we believe, only hope in Christ, which leads us to purify ourselves, even as He is pure. May our hearts be subject to the written word of our God, and may we be, more earnestly than ever, looking for that blessed moment when our Lord shall come from heaven, and we shall" rise to meet him, and when we shall be manifested as ONE in Him our 66 glorious Head."

XII.

"I am exceedingly thankful that you have been led to publish such a Magazine. It is of the Lord, and He will dispose the hearts of His servants

means that the eighth head or king will only be a revival of one of the former headships, (m. i.) which is quite enough to satisfy the prophecy."

The seven heads are "seven kings,” (Rev. xvii. 10). Does the word king" ever mean "form of government," or, as Mr. P. would call it headship?"

My own opinion" (Mr. P. says) "has long been, that the deadly wound' with the sword will be a literal

and personal fact." Good: I am glad we so nearly accord. But if so, is it not clear that the "king slain must be a literal king? His death is literal;