order, I must examine whether or not it excludes the essence of Christ’s kingdom; for, if it does, I remember that word, ‘Call no man master upon earth; for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren.’”[1]
And in reply to a question put to him as to whether there were no principles in the Word of God which would unite all believers in worship,whatever might be their various views and attainments in the divine life, said,
“Yes there are; we are evidently called to know nothing among our fellow-christians but this one fact, ‘Do they belong to Christ? Has Christ received them ? Then may we receive all such to the glory of Christ.’”
The unsectarian fellowship here contemplated, was the means whereby the oneness of the spirit could be kept in the bond of peace. A unity or a oneness, not in doctrine or in attainment, far less a oneness in external forms and circumstances; but a oneness that owned a common link, in the possession of a common life, and that, the Eternal Life which is vouchsafed to every one that believeth, who therein enjoys in the presence of God that perfect acceptableness, which enables all to stand before the throne, because their garments were washed white in the blood of the Lamb. That this was the point aimed after in those days, is clear from the following extract from a valuable tract widely circulated at the time, entitled “The Blood of the Lamb and the Union of Saints.” It shows us what was then professed, and what we must seek still by the grace of God to maintain as our immovable stand-point, in all that concerns ow church position down here. The writer, referring to Rev. vii., says—
“The manifestation of all the saints before the throne, will show in result the value of the blood of the Lamb. That blood is not to be regarded as having so done its work, as no longer intimately to concern us; for as it is now our title to forgiveness, so eternally it will be our title to glory. It is thus being the ground on which we shall be gathered there, that we may well contemplate it as the gathering point of saints even now. In glory there will be nothing looked to as entitling the gathered multitude to their place before the throne; but their having washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. This one plea suffices for them with God, and as they ave thus, not only to be gathered to him, but also to one another, so do we see a principle of great practical, value as to the union of saints. Now we wish to press upon all the children of God, that the basis of our union in glory is quite sufficient for our union on earth; and even as we shall then be manifested on that ground, ought we now to stand manifestly joined together on that alone.
- ↑ See Memoir of A. N. Groves, published by Nisbet & Co., Second Edition, p. 49.
