Blogotional

JOHN COMLY


There was a watch-word which forcibly impressed my attention in the early gathering of this meeting; and apprehending that it was designed for the benefit of my own mind, I was quite disposed to profit by it myself and there to keep it but it does not seem as if this was the only object; it may, therefore, possibly be of use to some other minds on future occasions. I have often needed it, and there is no doubt that every serious mind may need also, that kind of exercise, to get into the closet, into that state, that was comprised in the expression, “Every man to his tent.” It implies to my mind a state of quietude, a state of calmness, in which the mind is susceptible of divine instruction; of hearing the intimation that is conveyed to every one of us, individually, when the di¬vine spirit stands at the door and knocks. “If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him.” We often need this state of quietness and retirement.

“Adam where art thou?” An inquiry is raised in us, when there is a state like being gathered into the tent, into the quiet, or into the closet. And hence the excellency of the privilege of silent waiting, or, of what we call silent worship, wherein every one may attain to that instruction conveyed by the spirit of truth, as suited to his particular state, without interfering with that of another.

This watch word, or call to this quiet and retired state of mind, was succeeded by another inquiry which has occupied my attention in a renewed investigation, that I hope, in conformity with the preceding testimony, may take hold of every mind present. It is an address of the apostle James, to a state, in which, I have hoped there were few or none present - a state included in the answer of the apostle to that question, “What is your life?” This is a question, which every one may ask who is retired into his own closet, where the mind is quieted and brought under that kind of feeling, in which a living exercise is felt, as to the object of our being associated and gathered. And it not only applies to us when seated in our silent, solemn assemblies; but it will apply to us through the whole course of our lives. And in our daily transactions, we ought ever to keep in view; the consideration; what is our life? And wherein does our life consist? It consists not in the abundance of our possessions. For we are told that, it is even a “vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” And it is so with every thing under the sun - every thing created, must thus pass away. And yet there is in the New Testament, as it is called, the term eternal life, and this must stand decidedly opposed to that which is but vapour, and breath, which after a little while vanisheth away; for eternal life does not vanish away, it must last for ever.

Now if this eternal life is our life, we come to understand within ourselves the nature of that living fountain that was preached to the Samaritan woman - it is that living water, and fountain of life, of eternal life, or life in the soul of man. Now “what is your life?” “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things;” and “herein is your Heavenly Father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit.” Now is not this the fruit of divine love in the soul? and has it not been portrayed in lively colors to our understanding in the preceding communication, in the fruits of that love that was manifested in the tenderness of feeling, and compassion shown to the poor man who had fallen into difficulties and trials, who was not dead but was left in a deplorable condition, and said to be half dead? Now where was the love of the priest, and what was his life? Now by this we may measure and compare ourselves - we may come to a certain evidence in ourselves respecting the feelings in our minds. For it is from the feeling, and the life that are in the soul, that the works and fruits will always proceed. “Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” Neither “do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles.” It is impossible in the nature of things, that such contrarieties should be produced.

Wherefore, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Apply this unto thyself and by thy fruits thou mayest be known to thyself for “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” and what thy heart is fixed on, that will be set above every thing else and whatever it may be, it will be uppermost, as the thing that thou lovest best, profession to the contrary notwithstanding. It is in a state of retirement that we are to see and read - and it will be an easy matter clearly to read ourselves in this quiet, retired state of mind, if we are only willing to be searched. And here we should be willing to examine ourselves, to prove our ownselves whether we be in the faith or not, that faith which works by love; for all other faith may be overcome of the world, whereas the faith which works by love purifies the heart; and the fountain being pure, the streams will be of a like nature.

Now “what is your life?” and where is your life? where are those feelings, those heavenly feelings, or feelings with which the good Samaritan was clothed, and which distinguished him as neighbor to the one that fell among thieves? How forcible, how instructive must that parable be, to one that is thus circumstanced to inquire, who is my neighbor? Let us then inquire, who is my neighbor? It is an investigation and inquiry profitable to be raised in the youthful mind; and if the operation of this gift leads to that inquiry, don’t quench it, I entreat it of you, dear children, but simply regard and cherish it, and here you will be instructed and taught by that teacher, which is the grace of God in your own hearts. This is an all-sufficient teacher, who will show you with clearness and certainty whether you are in the faith, whether you are in that living, practical faith, which stands not in words, letters, books, papers, or in anything of the kind; for it is that which operates in the soul, that constitutes a practical, living faith, which brings forth the fruits of righteousness, and those feelings of the mind which lead to do good one to another, as comprehended in the first and great commandment. Thus when we rightly consider the subject, and when love to our Heavenly Father is the supreme object of our attention - when our life is employed to do that which is - and when we delight in feeling a sense oft in our own minds, then it is, that we can love every body - and when we feel any thing like hardness or disrespect arising in the mind, toward a fellow creature, we immediately suppress it, and counteract it; and in the room thereof set up the cross to our natural propensities, as animals and men. And when we take up the cross to these, and suppress those feelings which would go to harm one another, there will rise up in their stead, feelings of good will to men, and glory to God in the highest - this is the result - the fruit brought forth by such a disposition as this. And when there is no action to be performed in an external sense, such as the Samaritan performed for the suffering man, yet in the disposition that we feel, we are accepted. And if this disposition be felt and lived in, we become prepared for any occasion which may offer for our active duty; and the disposition being already in the soul, feelings of love and good-will predominate, and we shall be prepared for those works of righteousness which have their origin and their foundation in this eternal spirit; and here it is that we can say, “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Now the profession of Christianity so far as it produces this effect in individual minds, - so far as it rises and prevails, gives demonstration where we are, and if we act to the contrary, still we have an evidence; for by their fruits shall ye know them - so by our fruits we may know ourselves, and see what our life is. And one of our greatest delights in this state will be, to feel no evil in the heart toward our fellow creatures; and so will it be our greatest happiness, to feel the heart glowing in love to our Heavenly Father, and in peace and good will to men. And this, when uninterrupted, constitutes a life of God in the soul of man; and when this life of God in the soul of man rises so as to have dominion over every contrary disposition, it is the kingdom of heaven in man; which, as we come to know it, will enable us to feel and realize, and we shall give forth an evidence in our lives, and a demonstration in our conduct, that we are the disciples of Jesus Christ. And herein as there is a death to every thing that is contrary to this eternal life in the soul, we know what it is to be “buried by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Now I would, that encouragement might be administered to every mind present, to press after this; for it is by pressing, striving, and laboring, that we shall in due time attain to it, if we faint not. There is, therefore, no cause for being discouraged, though the conflict may seem long, and we may seem to gain but little. Keep thy eye on the object, the standard raised in thy view, as a mark to aim at, and the prize of enjoyment will be obtained.

Fear not, therefore, nor shrink back at the difficulties, trials, and troubles which you may have to pass through in this journey. Dwell in littleness and simplicity, and learn a daily lesson of meekness and lowliness of heart, and thou wilt find rest to thy soul, and also, that this eternal life is the life in thee, and that every inferior life will be absorbed and swallowed up in this. Then follow it up; I entreat you, dear children, to flee from the dangerous snares of custom which are surrounding you.

You have great need to be watchful; you have great need to be careful; you have need often to retire into your tents, and to sit as Mary did, when it was said she had “chosen that good part, which should not be taken away from her.” And it will never be taken from you, unless you deprive yourselves of it. Then sit at the feet of your divine instructor, and hear the gracious words that proceed from his mouth, and then will your strength be renewed from day to day, and you will know a feeding on that divine food, which will nourish this life in the soul.

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