Of the Greater Danger There is at This Time

These are sad times in which we live; indeed, truly, there is more danger now than in the time of our fathers, who suffered death for the testimony of the Lord. Few will believe this, because the great majority look to what is external and bodily, and in this respect it is now better, quieter and more comfortable; only a few look to what is internal and belongs to the soul, and on which everything depends, "for what is a man profited, if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16, verse 26.

These times are certainly more dangerous; for then Satan came openly, through his servants, even at noonday, as a roaring lion, so that he could be known, and now and then it was possible to hide from him; besides, his chief design then was to destroy the body. But now he comes as in the night, or in the twilight, in a strange but yet pleasing form, and in a twofold way he lies in wait to destroy the soul: partly to trample under foot and wipe out entirely, if this were possible, the only saving Christian faith; partly to destroy the true separated Christian life which is the outgrowth of faith. Psalm 91, verses 5 and 6.

When Israel under Pharaoh, in Egypt, had to burn brick and perform other hard labor for the king, they remembered God; indeed, they cried out to the Almighty, so that God was moved to compassion. Exodus, chapters 1, 2, 3, and so on. But when God had delivered them, and brought them into a good land where it went well with them according to the body, they forsook the Lord and became wanton. Deuteronomy 32, verse 15. This difference is also found between the times of oppression and the times of freedom.

He reveals himself on the one hand as an angel of light, Second Corinthians 11, verses 14 and 15, as a kind, pleasant, indeed even divine messenger, with humble face, downcast eyes, plain clothing, and living apart from the crowd of the worldly minded, just as the holiest people, indeed the martyrs of God, once did. His words are modest, trembling and full of contrition, seemingly coming from deep meditation, inward fear and dread, lest he might speak wrongly or untruthfully. Meanwhile, and before one is aware of it, he seizes hold and tears like a wolf in sheep's clothing, robbing the innocent lambs of Christ of their precious faith, which he pretends is of small importance, but without which faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11, verse 6; indeed, without which we, according to the words of Christ, shall be condemned, Mark 16, verse 16; for (says Paul) whatever is not of faith is sin, Romans 14, verse 23.

It grieves us to the heart that we must live to see these times, and therefore we speak in this way. O Lord, strengthen our faith! Help your weak, trusting lambs, that they may not be led into error, nor moved from the foundations of the most holy faith.

On the other hand, at his instigation, the world now reveals itself as very beautiful and glorious, more than at any time before, in a threefold pleasing form: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.* Almost all men run after her, to worship her as a supreme queen; but all are deceived by her; indeed, many who have drunk the poisoned wine of her lusts from the golden cup of her iniquities and deceptions die a spiritual death.

As the first design is aimed at the faith, so this one is directed against the true Christian life. Here lies great danger. Who shall escape these snares? Whoever would never be taken unawares by it must indeed be cautious and watchful. But our very flesh seems prone to it. Here there must be fasting, watching, praying, and calling upon God for help; otherwise there is no escape.

Many of the ancients who supposed that they had been careful and had kept their duty were deceived by this; some were lulled into a careless sleep, so that they paid no heed to themselves or to their calling; others were brought to despair of the divine truth; others were drawn away from God entirely; some died a spiritual death; others died both spiritually and bodily; and some plunged themselves headlong into the abyss of the disfavor of God, to be punished by Him in soul and body and forever.

These things which we tell you are no riddles or dark sayings, for we speak the truth, or else the Word of God must be false; but since the Word of God cannot lie, what we have said is certain and unfailing, for God in His Word bears witness of it; indeed, he declares it emphatically and abundantly. Other histories which mention this we pass by in silence and set aside altogether, because we do not hold them in equal esteem with the holy Scriptures. It was the world and its lusts that of old caused all the great calamities we have spoken of; and not only this, but it has also caused thousands who live in various cities, countries, kingdoms, and empires, indeed on the face of the whole earth, to mourn, weep and wail, both because of their natural misery and because they feel the wrath of God in their souls, on account of the greatness and enormity of the sins they have committed.

It certainly was through worldly lusts that the old world perished; that Sodom, Gomorrah, Zeboim, and Admah were consumed, overthrown and utterly destroyed by fire from Heaven; that in forty years, through serpents, fire, and other plagues, the wanton and lustful people of Israel perished to the number of over six hundred thousand in the wilderness; and that the mighty maritime cities, Zidon and Tyrus, whose ships were trimmed with embroidered silken sails from Egypt; whose rowers sat upon benches of ivory; where incalculable riches were bought and sold, and where, from carnal motives, almost inconceivable arts were practiced, were reduced to a heap of stones and so leveled to the ground that the fishermen spread out their nets to dry on the rocks upon which these cities stood. [n9-6] Genesis 7; Matthew 24, verses 37 and 38; Luke 17, verses 26 and 27; Second Peter 2, verse 5. Genesis 19, verses 24 and 25; Isaiah 13, verse 19; Jeremiah 50, verse 40; Hosea 11, verse 8; Amos 4, verse 11; Luke 17, verses 28 and 29; Second Peter 2, verse 6; Jude, verse 7. Compare Numbers 1, verses 2, 3, and 46 with Numbers 14, verses 22 and 23. Also Numbers 11, verse 1 and 16, verses 31 to 35; 21, verse 6; Jude, verse 5. Isaiah 23, verses 4 and 5; Ezekiel 27, verses 26 to 28; 28, the whole chapter.

I will not now speak of Jerusalem, Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum, and other mighty, licentious and luxurious cities, which, with all their inhabitants who had in this respect sinned against God, have borne His wrath, and felt, to their destruction, the plagues of His afflicting hand; for this would take too much time.* O awful judgments of God! O ruinous worldly mindedness! O corroding and cankering luxury, that drags after you such a train of unspeakable miseries! Help, Lord, that our soul may be delivered from all these dangers.

But what danger would there be, if none but the open enemies of God and His holy truth were guilty in this matter? What harm could be done, if they alone, and no others, would arouse and call down upon themselves the wrath of God? For then every pious and serious soul would beware of their example as of a savage beast, a venomous serpent, or a deadly basilisk. But now such is the state of things that many common people, and those who are not total strangers to religion or the worship of God, who, as they say, would gladly be saved, and who therefore, though they are not truly enlightened, glorify and praise God and His Word with their mouth, nevertheless show (to the seduction of the simple) that the world is their dear friend, indeed that it lies nearest to their heart, since most of their works are directed to its service, so that they may share in its glittering but deceptive reward.

From this arises that shameful and vast commerce which extends far beyond the sea into other parts of the world, Ezekiel 27, but which nevertheless cannot satisfy those who love it, and, on the contrary, brings great danger that what has already been gotten may be lost, that others may be defrauded, and that they themselves, both in soul and body, may be stripped and robbed of their possessions.

Numerous large, expensive and ornamented houses, country seats of splendid architecture and provided with towers, parks as magnificent as a paradise, and other decorated pleasure grounds, which are seen on every hand, indicate this in no small degree. Daniel 4, verses 29 and 30. [n9-9]

The wearing of clothes from foreign countries, whether of foreign materials, uncommon colors or strange fashions, such as come into use over time according to the custom of the openly worldly minded (which are as changeable as the moon), and which custom is followed by many humble and seemingly plain people, greatly confirms what we have said before. Genesis 35, verse 2; Zephaniah 1, verse 8; Isaiah 3, verses 16 to 24.

The giving and attending of great dinners, lavish banquets and wedding feasts (though one may never be found in taverns or drinking houses), where everything is in profusion, and where the good gifts of the Lord, which should not be used except with great thankfulness, and of which a portion naturally belongs to the poor, are squandered and consumed without the least necessity, even by those who are considered sober and temperate, is undeniable evidence of a sensual and wanton heart; and it proves also that those who have much to do with these things cannot be cleared of living after the flesh; for such a carnal life certainly has no promise of salvation, but on the contrary many severe threatenings of the wrath and displeasure of God, indeed of eternal damnation, are recorded in the blessed pages of the Word of God, which contains nothing but the truth. Esther 1, verses 3 to 8; Daniel 5, verses 1 to 3; Luke 12, verses 19 and 20; 16, verse 19.

O how different this is from the life of a true Christian, who has forsaken himself and his lusts. How great the step between their walk and that of the holy martyrs, who gave up not only their carnal desires, but also their bodies and lives, to death for the Lord's sake! But how great the difference will also be between the two classes afterward! When the former, having had their good things in this life, shall be shut out from the true, heavenly riches, but the latter, because out of love to God they renounced and abandoned their possessions, which might have led them into sin, shall be admitted to the true enjoyment of the heavenly riches and pleasures, and that forever and ever! Malachi 3, verse 18.

Here shall come true what is recorded about the end of the luxurious rich man and that of poor Lazarus: that the rich man, when he saw Lazarus in Abraham's bosom while he himself was in hell, received this answer to his sorrowful laments: "Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and you are tormented." Luke 16, verse 25. Fitting here also is Wisdom of Solomon 5, verses 1 and 2.

Nevertheless, these and similar evil examples are constantly set before our eyes, and they are the more ruinous and dangerous because some worldly minded people declare them to be nonessential, unimportant for either good or evil, and therefore permissible; while it is the same with them as with the fruit from the tree of knowledge, which stood in the middle of Paradise, and was pleasant to the eyes but deadly in the use, for whoever ate of it had to die, Genesis 2, verse 17; or as with the apples which grow in the land of Sodom, on the border of the Dead Sea, which have a beautiful red appearance, but contain, as some have written, only dust and ashes, and are inedible, indeed even harmful to health. Bijbelsch Naemboeck, edition 1632, folio 881, column 2, concerning the name Sodom, ex Philippo Melanchthone. Also Bernh. Bredenb., in Tractatus super Siddim. Also H. Buntung, Itinerarium sacrae scripturae, edition 1642, book 1, page 62, column 2, and so on. [n9-5]

O that Satan would show himself as he really is, and that the world too might come forth without disguise or mask; then certainly no one who has reason would let himself be deceived by them. For in Satan nothing would be seen but deadly snares, traps and murdering daggers for the soul, poisoned arrows with which to destroy everything good in man, through unbelief, apostasy from God, unrepentant hardness, and despair; and these are followed by a train made up of the fears of hell and the horrors of damnation. In the world men would perceive nothing but vanity, mingled with much trouble, sorrow, grief and misery, and this in such abundance that if as many tears could be wept over it as there is water in all the sea and all the rivers, still the weight of the true sorrow that springs from them could not be adequately expressed, for they draw after them not only temporal but also everlasting miseries.

But, O how sad! All this is hidden under a beautiful appearance. Satan appears to be a prince or king, and the world a noble princess or queen. The servants and maidservants who follow them as pages and maids of honor appear as gentlemen and ladies, reveling in joy and delight; though, as regards the soul, they are poor and deformed; indeed, meaner than beggars, and without the true joy which delights the upright soul in God.*

There is, therefore, great danger of being deceived. O you upright children of God, be on your guard.** Let your simplicity be joined with prudence. Both your faith and your life are what is aimed at. If Satan gains the mastery over you, your precious faith, which has been entrusted to your keeping as dearly as your soul, is ruined. If you are overcome by the world, it will soon put an end to your Christian and virtuous life, without which the best of faith is of no avail. Care, therefore, my dear friends, equally well for both, for the one is as important as the other. Faith without the corresponding life, or the life without the faith, cannot, will not, and may not avail before God. They are like two witnesses, who must agree, and of whom the one cannot stand or be received without the other. [n9-8]

Knowing, then, that we must care for both, there remains nothing for us but to do it. However, this work must certainly not only be begun, but also finished, after the example of the steadfast martyrs of God; and with that finishing, whether it is brought about in a natural or a violent manner, according as liberty or persecution brings it about, we must comfort ourselves, since it is certain that the crown is not found at the beginning or in the middle, but at the end.*

But as necessary as it is to finish well, so necessary it is also to begin well, and, having begun, to go on well; for without a good beginning and a good progress it is impossible to reach a good end.

We speak to you, then, most beloved in the Lord, who have begun with us, received the same faith with us, and with us, as a token of this, have been baptized.

Surely we have made a vow to the Lord which we cannot take back, as David sings: "Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High." Psalm 50, verse 14.

We have, through faith, received Christ, the Son of God, as our Prophet, Priest, King, Shepherd, Friend, and Bridegroom; and in this we must go on and grow stronger. This Paul teaches us, saying: "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught," and so on. Colossians 2, verses 6 and 7. By this we have come from the darkness of ignorance to the true light of knowledge, which we are commanded to keep in everlasting remembrance. In this direction tend the words: "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great fight of afflictions;" and so on. Hebrews 10,

verse 32. In short: "Nevertheless, as far as we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." Philippians 3, verse 16. "Building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life." Jude, verses 20 and 21. "Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen." Verses 24 and 25. Isaiah 40, verses 30 and 31; Philippians 4, verse 13.

We would now commend you, beloved brothers and sisters, to the Lord and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Our work, which has been done for your benefit, is now finished in this respect; that you may make good use of it, is our friendly desire. Remember us always in your prayers, until we depart this life; Philippians 1, verse 23; that God may be gracious to us now and in eternity. We hope, on our part, to do the same for you. [n9-7] O that God would grant that we all, without one missing, might behold one another, face to face, in the kingdom of God! First Corinthians 13, verse 12.

Meanwhile we rejoice in the salvation of the Lord; for it sometimes seems to us as if Heaven had come down upon earth, or as if we were ascending from earth to heaven. Second Corinthians 12, verses 1 to 12, and so on; or as if we, who are still among men, held communion with God and His holy angels; or as if eternal heavenly joy and glory were offered to us; indeed, as if we had a foretaste of those things which mortal eye has never seen, nor ear heard, nor heart experienced, in this life.*

We no longer walk upon earth with our thoughts; nevertheless, we are still surrounded by a cloud of earth, a body of clay, a heavy load upon the soul. O, that we were free from it, and that our soul, released from this load, might return to God in heaven, her true origin! like a freed dove which, having been shut up in a strange place, returns to her nest and home. But we must wait for this until the time which God has appointed comes.

Let us be patient together, then, most beloved in the Lord, till the day comes which, if we remain faithful to the end, will surely bring us what we here wait for in hope. Then the tears which we, sighing and longing for the highest salvation of God, have wept here shall surely be wiped away from our eyes; then we shall no longer see through a glass, darkly, but face to face; then the heavenly things shall no longer be shown to us in thought or in spirit, but shall be given to us, and we shall be made partakers of them, by experience alone, in truth and in deed. O great and precious subject! We can go no further: our reason cannot comprehend it; our earthly tongue cannot express it!

Yours very affectionately in the Lord,

TH. J. VAN BRAGHT.