Christ’s Spiritual Presence with His Church

BRIEF RECOLLECTIONS OF WHAT PASSED AT THE LORd’s TABLE, OCTOBER, 1741.

This day was lamentably remarkable to me on one account, though most pleasantly so on another. This day was the last Sabbath that I spent with my dear and delightful friend, Mr. Orton, who preached in the morning from those words, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. xiii. 5. I, in harmony with him, discoursed at the table from these, “Lo, I am with you ahvay, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt, xxviii. 20. I considered in what circumstances the words were spoken, and what they contain. They were spoken by Christ, when he was leaving the disciples, and they were grieved that his bodily presence, which no doubt was very delightful, was to be with them no more. They were spoken when he was but recently and triumphantly risen from the grave, and was going into the presence of his heavenly Father. His apostles were going out into the world under many difficulties; but he intimates that his presence in Spirit should be sufficient; — as if he had said, “I will be with you — with me you can fear nothing.” “Lord, if it be thou,” says Peter, “bid me come unto thee on the water.” Matt. xiv. 28. I can tread this stormy sea, if thou wilt lead, and if thou wilt support me. “I am with you,” says our great Leader, “to strengthen and succeed you in your work.” O what delight did it give to the apostles, when he added, “even unto the end of the world. Amen.” But did he mean his apostles alone? Why should he mean that? Would not the same principle that engaged him to be tender to them, lead him also to a gracious care of us? Undoubtedly it would. Then he speaks even now. Lo! behold it! attend to it; reflect upon it with wonder, that Christ, by a Divine and spiritual presence, will still be with every minister, and that for the sake of the church. He will show his love to every Christian. Let us be bold in this: put our Amen to it, and say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear labour nor suffering, nor the loss of my dearest friends; he will support me; he will be with me in life; and, after my death, he will be with succeeding Christians and ministers; yes, and with me too — with me, in a literal sense, to the end of the world: — with me, till this scheme of salvation on earth be accomplished; and at the end of the wca’ld he will reanimate me, and receive me to glory, confessing me before men, and giving me an abundant entrance into his heavenly kingdom. O delightful view! O blessed hope! Let me, then, be ever with him, and do all in my power to exert myself for his service; — and let me make myself easy as to the support of his church in the world; for whatever may rise up against it, lo! he is with us alway, and then, greater is he who is with us, than all those who are asrainst us. That which can destroy the Head shall destroy the members; but while he lives and reigns, he will support them.”