J. C.

Ryle Tracts
These tracts are classics of Gospel Truth that readers of J. C. Ryle have come to expect from all his writings. His tracts are pure gold. any of these tracts! not pu"lished since the #$th century! have come into my possession! and % offer you some of these inspiring wor&s exactly word for word as they were first pu"lished "y 'rummond(s Tract 'epot! )tirling! )cotland.

TH* R*+, -R*)*.C*/ 0H+T %) %T1

If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.2*xodus

xxxiii. #3.

TH*R* is a word in the text that heads this page which demands the attention of all *nglish Christians in this day. That word is presence. There is a religious su"4ect "ound up with that word! on which it is most important to have clear! distinct! and scriptural views. That su"4ect is the presence of God! and specially the presence of our ,ord Jesus Christ with Christian people. 0hat is that presence1 0here is that presence1 0hat is the nature of that presence1 To these 5uestions % propose to supply answers. %. % shall consider! firstly! the general doctrine of Gods presence in the world. %%. % shall consider! secondly! the special doctrine of Christs real spiritual presence. %%%. % shall consider! thirdly! the special doctrine of Christs real bodily presence. The whole su"4ect deserves serious thoughts. %f we suppose that this is a mere 5uestion of controversy! which only concerns theological partisans! we have yet much to learn. %t is a su"4ect which lies at the very roots of saving religion. %t is a su"4ect which is insepara"ly tied up with one of the most precious articles of the Christian faith. %t is a su"4ect a"out which it is most dangerous to "e wrong. +n error here may first lead a man to the Church of Rome! and then land him finally in the gulf of infidelity. )urely it is worth while to examine carefully the doctrine of the presence of God and of His Christ. %. The first su"4ect we have to consider is the general doctrine of Gods presence in the world. The teaching of the 6i"le on this point is clear! plain! and unmista&a"le. God is everywhere. There is no place in heaven or earth where He is not. There is no place in air or land or sea! no place a"ove ground or under ground! no place in town or country! no place in *urope! +sia! +frica! or +merica! where God is not always present. *nter into your closet and loc& the door/ God is there. Clim" to the top of the highest mountain! where not even an insect moves God is there. )ail to the most remote island in the -acific 7cean! where the foot of man never trod God is there. He is always near us!2seeing! #

hearing! o"serving! &nowing every action! and deed! and word! and whisper! and loo&! and thought! and motive! and secret of every one of us! and everywhere. 0hat saith the )cripture1 %t is written in Jo"! His eyes are upon the ways of man! and He seeth all his goings. There is no dar&ness! nor shadow of death where the wor&ers of ini5uity may hide themselves 8Jo" xxxiv. 9#! 99:. %t is written in -rover"s! The eyes of the ,ord are in every place! "eholding the evil and the good 8-rov. xv. ;:. %t is written in Jeremiah! Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men/ to give every one according . . . to the fruit of his doings 8Jer. xxxii. #$:. %t is written in the -salms! Thou &nowest my downsitting and mine uprising! Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down! and art ac5uainted with all my ways. <or there is not a word in my tongue! "ut! lo! 7 ,ord! Thou &nowest it altogether. . . . 0hither shall % go from Thy )pirit1 or whither shall % flee from Thy presence1 %f % ascend up into heaven! Thou art there/ if % ma&e my "ed in hell! "ehold! Thou art there. %f % ta&e the wings of the morning! and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea= even there shall Thy hand lead me! and Thy right hand shall hold me. %f % say! )urely the dar&ness shall cover me= even the night shall "e light a"out me. >ea! the dar&ness hideth not from Thee= "ut the night shineth as the day/ the dar&ness and the light are "oth ali&e to Thee 8-salm cxxxix. 9?#9:. )uch language as this confounds and overwhelms us. The doctrine "efore us is one which we cannot fully understand. -recisely so. 'avid said the same thing a"out it almost three thousand years ago. )uch &nowledge is too wonderful for me/ it is high! % cannot attain unto it 8-salm cxxxix. @:. 6ut it does not follow that the doctrine is not true! "ecause we cannot understand it. %t is the wea&ness of our poor minds and intellects that we must "lame! and not the doctrine. There are scores of things in the world around us! which few can understand or explain! yet no sensi"le man refuses to "elieve. How this earth is ever rolling round the sun with enormous swiftness! while we feel no motion!2 how the moon affects the tides! and ma&es them rise and fall twice every twenty?four hours! how millions of perfectly organised living creatures exist in every pint of pond?water! which our na&ed eye cannot see!2all these are things well &nown to men of science! while most of us could not explain them for our lives. +nd shall we! in the face of such facts! presume to dou"t that God is everywhere present! for no "etter reason than this! that we cannot understand it1 ,et us never dare to say so again. How many things there are a"out God Himself which we cannot possi"ly understand! and yet we must "elieve them! unless so senseless as to "e atheistsA 0ho can explain the eternity of God! the infinite power and wisdom of God! or the wor&s of God in creation and providence1 0ho can comprehend a 6eing who is a )pirit! without "ody! parts! or passions1 How can a material creature! who can only "e in one place at one time! ta&e in the idea of an immaterial 6eing! who existed "efore creation! who formed this world "y His word out of nothing! and who can "e everywhere and see everything at one and the same time1 0here! in a word! is there a single attri"ute of God that mortal man can thoroughly comprehend1 0here! then! is the common sense or wisdom of refusing to "elieve the doctrine of God "eing present everywhere! merely "ecause our minds cannot ta&e it in1 0ell says the

6oo& of Jo"! Canst thou "y searching find out God1 Canst thou find out the +lmighty unto perfection1 %t is as high as heaven= what canst thou do1 deeper than hell= what canst thou &now1 8Jo" xi. B! C:. ,et us have high and honoura"le thoughts of the God with whom we have to do while we live! and "efore whose "ar we must stand when we die. ,et us see& to have 4ust notions of His power! His wisdom! His eternity! His holiness! His perfect &nowledge! His presence everywhere. 7ne half the sin committed "y man&ind arises from wrong views of their a&er and Judge. en are rec&less and wic&ed! "ecause they do not thin& that God sees them. They do things they would never do if they really "elieved they were under the eyes of the +lmighty. %t is written! Thou thoughtest that % was altogether such an one as thyself 8-salm i. 9#:. %t is written again! They say! The ,ord shall not see! neither shall the God of Jaco" regard it. Dnderstand! ye "rutish among the people and! ye fools! when will ye "e wise1 He that planted the ear! shall He not hear1 He that formed the eye! shall He not see1 8-salm xciv. B?$:. .o wonder that holy Jo" said in his "est moments! 0hen % consider! % am afraid of Him 8Jo" xxiii. #3:. 0hat is your God li&e1 said a sneering infidel one day to a poor Christian. 0hat is this God of yours li&e/ this God a"out whom you ma&e such ado1 %s He great or is He small1 y God! was the wise reply! is a great and a small God at the same time2so great that the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him! and yet so small that He can dwell in the heart of a poor sinner li&e me. 0here is your God! my "oy1 said another infidel to a child whom he saw coming out of a school where the 6i"le was taught. 0here is your God a"out whom you have "een reading1 )how Him to me! and % will give you an orange. )how me where He is not! was the answer! and % will give you two. y God is everywhere. 0ell is it said in a certain place! God hath chosen the wea& things of the world to confound the things that are mighty. 7ut of the mouth of "a"es and suc&lings Thou hast perfected praise 8# Cor. i. 9B= att. xxi. #@:. However hard to understand this doctrine may "e! it is one which is most useful and wholesome for our souls. To &eep continually in mind that God is always present with us! to live always as in God(s sight! to act and spea& and thin& as under His eye!2all this is eminently calculated to have a good effect upon our souls. 0ide! and deep! and searching! and piercing is the influence of that one thought! Thou God seest me. 8a: The thought of God(s presence is a loud call to humility. How much that is evil and defective must the all?seeing eye see in every one of usA How small a part of our character is really &nown "y manA an loo&eth on the outward appearance! "ut the ,ord loo&eth on the heart 8# )am. xvi. B:. an does not always see us! "ut the ,ord is always loo&ing at us! morning! noon! and night. 0ho has not need to say! God "e merciful to me a sinner1 8": The thought of God(s presence is a crushing proof of our need of Jesus Christ. 0hat hope of salvation could we have if there was not a ediator "etween God and man1 6efore the eye of an ever?present God! our "est righteousness is filthy rags! and our "est doings are full of imperfection. 0here should we "e if there was not a fountain open for all sin! even the "lood of Christ1 0ithout Christ! the prospect of death! 4udgment! and eternity would drive us to despair.

8c: The thought of God(s presence teaches the folly of hypocrisy in religion. 0hat can "e more silly and childish than to wear a mere cloa& of Christianity while we inwardly cleave to sin! when God is ever loo&ing at us and sees us through and through1 %t is easy to deceive ministers and fellow?Christians! "ecause they often see us only upon )undays. 6ut God sees us morning! noon! and night! and cannot "e deceived. 7h! whatever we are in religion! let us "e real and trueA 8d: The thought of God(s presence is a chec& and cur" on the inclination to sin. The recollection that there is 7ne always near us and o"serving us! who will one day have a rec&oning with all man&ind! may well &eep us "ac& from evil. Happy are those sons and daughters who! when they leave the family home! and launch forth into the world! carry with them the a"iding remem"rance of God(s eye. y father and mother do not see me! "ut God does. This was the feeling that preserved Joseph when tempted in a foreign land/ How can % do this great wic&edness and sin against God1 8Gen. xxxix. $:. 8e: The thought of God(s presence is a spur to the pursuit of true holiness. The highest standard of sanctification is to wal& with God as *noch did! and to wal& "efore God as +"raham did. 0here is the man who would not strive to live so as to please God! if he realiEed that God was always standing at his right hand1 To get away from God is the secret aim of the sinner= to get nearer to God is the longing desire of the saint. The real servants of the ,ord are a people near unto Him 8-salm cxlviii. #F:. 8f: The thought of God(s presence is a comfort in time of pu"lic trou"le. 0hen war and famine and pestilence "rea& in upon a land! when the nations are rent and torn "y inward divisions! and all order seems in peril! it is cheering to reflect that God sees and &nows and is close at hand!2that the Ging of &ings is near and not asleep. He that saw the )panish +rmada sail to invade *ngland! and scattered it with the "reath of His mouth!2He that loo&ed on when the schemers of the Gunpowder -lot were planning the destruction of -arliament!2this God is not changed. 8g: The thought of God(s presence is a strong consolation in private trial. 0e may "e driven from home and native land! and placed at the other side of the world= we may "e "ereaved of wife and children and friends! and left alone in our family! li&e the last tree in a forest/ "ut we can never go to any place where God is not! and under no circumstances can we "e left entirely alone. )uch thoughts as these are useful and profita"le for us all. That man must "e in a poor state of soul who does not feel them to "e so. ,et it "e a settled prin? ciple in our religion never to forget that in every condition and place we are under the eye of God. %t need not frighten us if we are true "elievers. The sins of all "elievers are cast "ehind God(s "ac&! and even the all?seeing God sees no spot in them. %t ought to cheer us! if our Christianity is genuine and sincere. 0e can then appeal to God with confidence! li&e 'avid! and say! )earch me! 7 God! and &now my heart/ try me! and &now my thoughts/ and see if there "e any wic&ed way in me! and lead me in the way everlasting 8-salm cxxxix. 9;! 9F:. Great is the mystery of God(s presence everywhere= "ut the true man of God can loo& at it without fear. %%. The second thing which % propose to consider is the real spiritual presence of our Lord esus Christ.

%n considering this "ranch of our su"4ect we must carefully remem"er that we are spea&ing of 7ne who is God and man in one -erson. 0e are spea&ing of 7ne who in infinite love to our souls! too& man(s nature! and was "orn of the Hirgin ary! was crucified! dead! and "uried! to "e a sacrifice for sins! and yet never ceased for a moment to "e very God. The peculiar presence of this "lessed -erson! our ,ord Jesus Christ! with His Church! is the point which % want to unfold in this part of my paper. % want to show that He is really and truly present with His "elieving people! spiritually or after the manner of a spirit! and that His presence is one of the grand privileges of a true Christian. 0hat then is the real spiritual presence of Christ! and wherein does it consist1 ,et us see. 8a: There is a real spiritual presence of Christ with that Church which is His mystical "ody! the "lessed company of all faithful people. This is the meaning of that parting saying of our ,ord to His +postles! % am with you alway! even unto the end of the world 8 att. xxviii. 9I:. To the visi"le Church of Christ that saying did not strictly "elong. Rent "y divisions! defiled "y heresies! disgraced "y superstitions and corruptions! the visi"le Church has often given mournful proof that Christ does not always dwell in it. any of its "ranches in the course of years! li&e the Churches of +sia! have decayed and passed away. %t is the Holy Catholic Church! composed of God(s elect! the Church of which every mem"er is truly sanctified! the Church of "elieving and penitent men and women! 2this is the Church to which alone! strictly spea&ing! the promise "elongs. This is the Church in which there is always a real spiritual presence of Christ. There is not a visi"le Church on earth! however ancient and well ordered! which is secure against falling away. )cripture and history ali&e testify that! li&e the Jewish Church! it may "ecome corrupt! and depart from the faith! and departing from the faith! may die. +nd why is this1 )imply "ecause Christ has never promised to any visi"le Church that He will "e with it always! even unto the end of the world. The word that He inspired )t. -aul to write to the Roman Church is the same word that He sends to every visi"le Church throughout the world! whether *piscopal! -res"yterian! or Congregational/ 6e not high?minded! "ut fear . . . continue in His 8God(s: goodness! otherwise thou also shalt "e cut off# 8Rom. xi. 9I?99:. 7n the other hand! the perpetual presence of Christ with that Holy Catholic Church! which is His "ody! is the great secret of its continuance and security. %t lives on! and cannot die! "ecause Jesus Christ is in the midst of it. %t is a ship tossed with storm and tempest= "ut it cannot sin&! "ecause Christ is on "oard. %ts mem"ers may "e persecuted! oppressed! imprisoned! ro""ed! "eaten! "eheaded! or "urned= "ut His true Church is never extinguished. %t lives on through fire and water. 0hen crushed in one land! it springs up in another. The -haraohs! the Herods! the .eros! the Julians! the "loody arys! the Charles the .inths! have la"oured in vain to destroy this Church. They slay their thousands! and then go to their own place. The true Church outlives them all. %t is a "ush that is often "urning! and yet is never consumed. +nd what is the reason of all this1 %t is the perpetual presence of Jesus Christ. 8": There is a real spiritual presence of Christ in the heart of every true "eliever. This is what )t. -aul meant when he spea&s of Christ dwelling in the heart "y faith 8*phes. iii. #B:. This is what our ,ord meant when He says of the man that loves Him and &eeps His 0ord! 0e will come unto him! and

ma&e 7ur a"ode with him 8John xiv. 9;:. %n every "eliever! whether high or low! or rich or poor! or young or old! or fee"le or strong! the ,ord Jesus dwells! and &eeps up His wor& of grace "y the power of the Holy Ghost. +s He dwells in the whole Church! which is His "ody!2&eeping! guarding! preserving! and sanctifying it!2so does He continually dwell in every mem"er of that "ody!2in the least as well as in the greatest. This presence is the secret of all that peace! and hope! and 4oy! and comfort! which "elievers feel. +ll spring from their having a 'ivine tenant within their hearts. This presence is the secret of their continuance in the faith! and perseverance unto the end. %n themselves they are wea& and unsta"le as water. 6ut they have within them 7ne who is a"le to save to the uttermost! and will not allow His wor& to "e overthrown. .ot one "one of Christ(s mystical "ody shall ever "e "ro&en. .ot one ,am" of Christ(s floc& shall ever "e pluc&ed out of His hand. The house in which Christ is pleased to dwell! though it "e "ut a cottage! is one which the devil shall never "rea& into and ma&e his own. 8c: There is a real spiritual presence of Christ wherever His "elieving people meet together in His name. This is the plain meaning of that famous saying! 0herever two or three are gathered together in y name! there am % in the midst of them 8 att. xviii. 9I:. The smallest gathering of true Christians for the purposes of prayer or praise! or holy conference! or reading God(s 0ord! is sanctified "y the "est of company. The great or rich or no"le may not "e there! "ut the Ging of &ings Himself is present! and angels loo& on with reverence. The grandest "uildings that men have reared for religious uses are often no "etter than whitened sepulchres! destitute of any holy influence! "ecause given up to superstitious ceremonies! and filled to no purpose with crowds of formal worshippers! who come unfeeling! and go unfeeling away. .o worship is of any use to souls at which Christ is not present. %ncense! "anners! pictures! flowers! crucifixes! and long processions of richly dressed ecclesiastics are a poor su"stitute for the great High -riest Himself. The meanest room where a few penitent "elievers assem"le in the name of Jesus is a consecrated and most holy place in the sight of God. They that worship God in spirit and truth never draw near to Him in vain. 7ften they go home from such meetings warmed! cheered! sta"lished! strengthened! comforted! and refreshed. +nd what is the secret of their feelings1 They have had with them the great aster of assem"lies! even Christ Himself. 8d: There is a real spiritual presence of Christ with the hearts of all true? hearted communicants in the ,ord(s )upper. Re4ecting as % do! with all my heart! the "aseless notion of any "odily presence of Christ on the ,ord(s ta"le! % can never dou"t that the great ordinance appointed "y Christ has a special and peculiar "lessing attached to it. That "lessing! % "elieve! consists in a special and peculiar presence of Christ! vouchsafed to the heart of every "elieving communicant. That truth appears to me to lie under those wonderful words of institution! Ta&e! eat/ this is y "ody. 'rin& ye all of this/ this is y "lood. Those words were never meant to teach that the "read in the ,ord(s )upper was literally Christ(s "ody! or the wine literally Christ(s "lood. 6ut our ,ord did mean to teach that every right? hearted "eliever! who ate that "read and dran& that wine in remem"rance of Christ! would in so doing find a special presence of Christ in his heart! and a special revelation of Christ(s sacrifice of His own "ody and "lood to his soul. %n a word! there is a special spiritual presence of Christ in the ,ord(s supper!

which they only &now who are faithful communicants! and which they who are not communicants miss altogether. +fter all! the experience of all the "est servants of Christ is the "est proof that there is a special "lessing attached to the ,ord(s )upper. >ou will rarely find a true "eliever who will not say that he rec&ons this ordinance one of his greatest helps and highest privileges. He will tell you that if he was deprived of it! he would find the loss of it a great draw"ac& to his soul. He will tell you that in eating that "read! and drin&ing that cup! he realiEes something of Christ dwelling in him= and finds his repentance deepened! his faith increased! his &nowledge enlarged! his graces strengthened. *ating the "read with faith! he feels closer communion with the "ody of Christ. 'rin&ing the wine with faith! he feels closer communion with the "lood of Christ. He sees more clearly what Christ is to him! and what he is to Christ. He understands more thoroughly what it is to "e one with Christ and Christ in him. He feels the roots of his spiritual life insensi"ly watered! and the wor& of grace within him insensi"ly "uilt up and carried forward. He cannot explain or define it. %t is a matter of experience! which no one &nows "ut he who feels it. +nd the true explanation of the whole matter is this!2there is a special and spiritual presence of Christ in the ordinance of the ,ord(s )upper. Jesus meets those who draw near to His ta"le with a true heart! in a special and peculiar way. 8e: ,ast! "ut not least! there is a real spiritual presence of Christ vouchsafed to "elievers in special times of trou"le and difficulty. This is the presence of which )t. -aul received assurance on more than one occasion. +t Corinth! for instance! it is written! Then spa&e the ,ord to -aul in the night "y a vision! 6e not afraid! "ut spea&! and hold not thy peace/ for % am with thee! and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee 8+cts xviii. $! #I:. +t Jerusalem! again! when the +postle was in danger of his life! it is written! The night following the ,ord stood "y him! and said! 6e of good cheer! -aul/ for as thou hast testified of e in Jerusalem! so must thou "ear witness also at Rome 8+cts xxiii. ##:. +gain! in the last epistle )t. -aul wrote! we find him saying! +t my first answer no man stood with me! "ut all men forsoo& me/ % pray God that it may not "e laid to their charge. .otwithstanding the ,ord stood with me and strengthened me 89 Tim. iv. #@! #B:. This is the account of the singular and miraculous courage which many of God(s children have occasionally shown under circumstances of unusual trial! in every age of the Church. 0hen the three children were cast into the fiery furnace! and preferred the ris& of death to idolatry! we are told that .e"uchadneEEar exclaimed! ,o! % see four men loose! wal&ing in the midst of the fire! and they have no hurt= and the form of the fourth is li&e the )on of God 8'an. iii. 93:. 0hen )tephen was "eset "y "loody?minded enemies on the very point of stoning him! we read that he said! 6ehold! % see the heavens opened! and the )on of an standing on the right hand of God 8+cts vii. 3@:. .or ought we to dou"t that this special presence was the secret of the fearlessness with which many early Christian martyrs met their deaths! and of the marvellous courage which the arian martyrs! such as 6radford! ,atimer! and Rogers! displayed at the sta&e. + peculiar sense of Christ "eing with them is the right explanation of all these cases. These men died as they did "ecause Christ was with them. .or ought any "eliever to fear that the same helping presence will "e with him! whenever his own time of special need arrives. any are overcareful a"out what they shall do in their last sic&ness! and on

the "ed of death. any dis5uiet themselves with anxious thoughts as to what they would do if hus"and or wife died! or if they were suddenly turned out of house and home. ,et us "elieve that when the need comes the help will come also. ,et us not carry our crosses "efore they are laid upon us. He that said to oses! Certainly % will "e with thee! will never fail any "eliever who cries to Him. 0hen the hour of special storm comes! the ,ord who wal&s upon the waters will come and say! -eace/ "e still. There are thousands of dou"ting saints continually crossing the river! who go down to the water in fear and trem"ling! and yet are a"le at last to say with 'avid! Though % wal& through the valley of the shadow of death! % will fear no evil= for Thou art with me 8-salm xxiii. F:. This "ranch of our su"4ect deserves to "e pondered well. This spiritual presence of Christ is a real and true thing! though a thing which the children of this world neither &now nor understand. %t is precisely one of those matters of which )t. -aul writes! The natural man receiveth not the things of the )pirit of God! for they are foolishness unto Him 8# Cor. ii. #F:. 6ut for all that! % repeat emphatically! the spiritual presence of Christ!2His presence after the manner of a )pirit with the spirits of His own people!2is a thing real and true. ,et us not dou"t it. ,et us hold it fast. ,et us see& to feel it more and more. The man who feels nothing whatever of it in his own heart(s experience! may depend on it that he is not yet in a right state of soul. %%%. The last point which % propose to consider is the real bodily presence of our Lord esus Christ. 0here is it1 0hat ought we to thin& a"out it1 0hat ought we to re4ect! and what ought we to hold fast1 This is a "ranch of my su"4ect on which it is most important to have clear and well?defined views. There are roc&s around it on which many are ma&ing shipwrec&. .o dou"t there are deep things and difficulties connected with it. 6ut this must not prevent our examining it as far as possi"le "y the light of )cripture. 0hatever the 6i"le teaches plainly a"out Christ(s "odily presence! it is our duty to hold and "elieve. To shrin& from holding it "ecause we cannot reconcile it with some human tradition! some minister(s teaching! or some early pre4udice im"i"ed in youth! is presumption! and not humility. To the law and to the testimonyA 0hat says the )cripture a"out Christ(s "odily presence1 ,et us examine the matter step "y step. 8a: There was a "odily presence of our ,ord Jesus Christ during the time that He was upon earth at His first advent. <or thirty?three years! at least! "etween His "irth and His ascension! He was present in a "ody in this world. %n infinite mercy to our souls! the eternal )on of God was pleased to ta&e our nature on Him! and to "e miraculously "orn of a woman! with a "ody 4ust li&e our own. He was made li&e unto us in all things! sin only excepted. ,i&e us He grew from infancy to "oyhood! and from "oyhood to youth! and from youth to manhood. ,i&e us He ate! and dran&! and slept! and hungered! and thirsted! and wept! and felt fatigue and pain. He had a "ody which was su"4ect to all the conditions of a material "ody. 0hile! as God! He was in heaven and earth at the same time= as man! His "ody was only in one place at one time. 0hen He was in Galilee He was not in Judea! and when He was in Capernaum He was not in Jerusalem. %n a real! true human "ody He lived= in a real! true human "ody He &ept the law! and fulfilled all righteousness= and in a real! true human

"ody He "ore our sins on the cross! and made satisfaction for us "y His atoning "lood. He that died for us on Calvary was perfect man! while at the same time He was perfect God. This was the first real "odily presence of Jesus Christ. The truth "efore us is full of unspea&a"le comfort to all who have an awa&ened conscience! and &now the value of their souls. %t is a heart?cheering thought that the one ediator "etween God and man is the man Jesus Christ= real man! and so a"le to "e touched with the feeling of our infirmities= +lmighty God! and so a"le to save to the uttermost all who come to the <ather "y Him. The )aviour in whom the la"ouring and heavy?leaden are invited to trust! is 7ne who had a real "ody when He was wor&ing out our redemption on earth. %t was no angel! nor spirit! nor ghost! that stood in our place and "ecame our )u"stitute! that finished the wor& of redemption! and did what +dam failed to do. .o/ it was one who was real manA 6y man came death! "y man came also the resurrection of the dead 8# Cor. xv. 9#:. The "attle was fought for us! and the victory was won "y the eternal 0ord made flesh!2"y the real "odily presence among us of Jesus Christ. <or ever let us praise God that Christ did not remain in heaven! "ut came into the world and was made flesh to save sinners= that in the "ody! He was "orn for us! lived for us! died for us! and rose again. 0hether men &now it or not! our whole hope of eternal life hinges on the simple fact! that nineteen hundred years ago there was a real "odily presence of the )on of God for us on the earth. 8": ,et us now go a step further. There is a real "odily presence of Jesus Christ in heaven at the right hand of God. This is a deep and mysterious su"4ect! "eyond 5uestion. 0hat God the <ather is! and where He dwells! what the nature of His dwelling?place who is a )pirit!2these are high things which we have no minds to ta&e in. 6ut where the 6i"le spea&s plainly it is our duty and our wisdom to "elieve. 0hen our ,ord rose again from the dead! He rose with a real human "ody!2a "ody which could not "e in two places at once!2a "ody of which the angels said! He is not here! "ut is risen 8,u&e xxiv. @:. %n that "ody! having finished His redeeming wor& on earth! He ascended visi"ly into heaven. He too& His "ody with Him! and did not leave it "ehind! li&e *li4ah(s mantle. %t was not laid in the grave at last! and did not "ecome dust and ashes in some )yrian village! li&e the "odies of saints and martyrs. The same "ody which wal&ed in the streets of Capernaum! and sat in the house of ary and artha! and was crucified on Golgotha! and was laid in Joseph(s tom"!2that same "ody!2after the resurrection glorified undou"tedly! "ut still real and material!2was ta&en up into heaven! and is there at this very moment. To use the inspired words of the +cts! 0hile they "eheld! He was ta&en up= and a cloud received Him out of their sight 8+cts i. $:. To use the words of )t. ,u&e(s Gospel! 0hile He "lessed them! He was parted from them! and carried up into heaven 8,u&e xxiv. 3#:. To use the words of )t. ar&! +fter the ,ord had spo&en unto them! He was received up into heaven! and sat on the right hand of God 8 ar& xvi. #$:. The fourth +rticle of the Church of *ngland states the whole matter fully and accurately/ Christ did truly rise again from death! and too& again His "ody! with flesh! "ones! and all things appertaining to the perfection of man(s nature wherewith He ascended into heaven! and there sitteth! until He return to 4udge all men at the last day. +nd thus! to come round to the point with which we started! there is in heaven a real "odily presence of Jesus Christ.

The doctrine "efore us is singularly rich in comfort and consolation to all true Christians. That 'ivine )aviour in heaven! on whom the Gospel tells us to cast the "urden of our sinful souls! is not a 6eing who is )pirit only! "ut a 6eing who is man as well as God. He is 7ne who has ta&en up to heaven a "ody li&e our own= and in that "ody sits at the right hand of God! to "e our -riest and our +dvocate! our Representative and our <riend. He can "e touched with the feeling of our infirmities! "ecause He has suffered Himself in the "ody "eing tempted. He &nows "y experience all that the "ody is lia"le to from pain! and weariness! and hunger! and thirst! and wor&= and has ta&en to heaven that very "ody which endured the contradiction of sinners and was nailed to the tree. 0ho can dou"t that that "ody in heaven is a continual plea for "elievers! and renders them ever accepta"le in the <ather(s sight1 %t is a perpetual remem"rance of the perfect propitiation made for us upon the cross. God will not forget that our de"ts are paid for! so long as the "ody which paid for them with life?"lood is in heaven "efore His eyes. 0ho can dou"t that when we pour out our petitions and prayers "efore the throne of grace! we put them in the hand of 7ne whose sympathy passes &nowledge1 .one can feel for poor "elievers wrestling here in the "ody! li&e Him who in the "ody sits pleading for them in heaven. <or ever let us "less God that there is a real "odily presence of Christ in heaven. 8c: ,et us now go a step further. There is no real "odily presence of Christ in the sacrament of the ,ord(s )upper! or in the consecrated elements of "read and wine. This is a point which it is peculiarly painful to discuss! "ecause it has long divided Christians into two parties! and defiled a very solemn su"4ect with sharp controversy. .evertheless! it is one which cannot possi"ly "e avoided in handling the 5uestion we are considering. oreover! it is a point of vast importance! and demands very plain spea&ing. Those amia"le and well? meaning persons who imagine that it signifies little what opinion people hold a"out Christ(s presence in the ,ord(s )upper!2that it is a matter of indifference! and that it all comes to the same thing at last! are totally and entirely mista&en. They have yet to learn that an unscriptural view of the su"4ect may land them at length in a very dangerous heresy. ,et us search and see. y reason for saying that there is no "odily presence of Christ in the ,ord(s )upper or in the consecrated "read and wine! is simply this/ there is no such presence taught anywhere in Holy )cripture. %t is a presence that can never "e honestly and fairly got out of the 6i"le. ,et the three accounts of the institution of the ,ord(s )upper! in the Gospels of )t. atthew! )t. ar&! and )t. ,u&e! and the one given "y )t. -aul to the Corinthians! "e weighed and examined impartially! and % have no dou"t as to the result. They teach that the ,ord Jesus! in the same night that He was "etrayed! too& "read! and gave it to His disciples! saying! Ta&e! eat/ this is y "ody= and also too& the cup of wine! and gave it to them! saying! 'rin& ye all of this/ this is y "lood. 6ut there is nothing in the simple narrative! or in the verses which follow it! which shows that the disciples thought their aster(s "ody and "lood were really present in the "read and wine which they received. There is not a word in the epistles to show that after our ,ord(s ascension into heaven the Christians "elieved that His "ody and "lood were present in an ordinance cele"rated on

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earth! or that the "read in the ,ord(s )upper! after consecration! was not truly and literally "read! and the wine truly and literally wine. )ome persons! % am aware! suppose that such texts as This is y "ody! and This is y "lood! are proofs that Christ(s "ody and "lood! in some mysterious manner! are locally present in the "read and wine at the ,ord(s )upper! after their consecration. 6ut a man must "e easily satisfied if such texts content him. The 5uotation of a single isolated phrase is a mode of arguing which would esta"lish +rianism or )ocinianism. The context of these famous expressions shows clearly that those who heard the words used! and were accustomed to our ,ord(s mode of spea&ing! understood them to mean This represents y "ody! and This represents my "lood. The comparison of other places proves that there is nothing unfair in this interpretation. %t is certain that the words is and are fre5uently mean represent in )cripture. The disciples! no dou"t! remem"ered their aster saying such things as The field is the world the good seed are the children of the &ingdom 8 att. xiii. ;C:. )t. -aul! in writing on the )acrament! confirms this interpretation "y expressly calling the consecrated "read! "read! and not the "ody of Christ! no less than three times 8# Cor. xi. 9@?9C:. )ome persons! again! regard the sixth chapter of )t. John! where our ,ord spea&s of eating His flesh and drin&ing His "lood! as a proof that there is a literal "odily presence of Christ in the "read and wine at the ,ord(s )upper. 6ut there is an utter a"sence of conclusive proof that this chapter refers to the ,ord(s )upper at allA The ,ord(s )upper had not "een instituted! and did not exist! till at least a year after these words were spo&en. *nough to say that the great ma4ority of -rotestant commentators altogether deny that the chapter refers to the ,ord(s )upper! and that even some Romish commentators on this point agree with them. The eating and drin&ing here spo&en of are the eating and drin&ing of faith! and not a "odily action. )ome people fancy that )t. -aul(s words to the Corinthians! The "read which we "rea&! is it not the communion of the "ody of Christ1 8# Cor. x. #@:! are enough to prove a "odily presence of Christ in the ,ord(s )upper. 6ut unfortunately for their argument! )t. -aul does not say! The "read is the "ody! "ut the communion of the "ody. +nd the o"vious sense of the words is this/ The "read that a worthy communicant eats in the ,ord(s )upper is a means where"y his soul holds communion with the "ody of Christ. .or do % "elieve that more than this can "e got out of the words. +"ove all! there remains the unanswera"le argument that if our ,ord was actually holding His own "ody in His hands! when He said of the "read! This is y "ody! His "ody must have "een a different "ody to that of ordinary men. 7f course if His "ody was not a "ody li&e ours! His real and proper humanity is at an end. +t this rate the "lessed and comforta"le doctrine of Christ(s entire sympathy with His people! arising from the fact that He is really and truly man! would "e completely overthrown and fall to the ground. <inally! if the "ody with which our "lessed ,ord ascended up into heaven can "e in heaven! and on earth! and on ten thousand communion?ta"les at one and the same time! it cannot "e a real human "ody at all. >et that He did ascend with a real human "ody! although a glorified "ody! is one of the prime articles of the Christian faith! and one that we ought never to let goA 7nce admit that a "ody can "e present in two places at once! and you cannot prove that it is a "ody at all. 7nce admit that Christ(s "ody can "e present at God(s

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right hand and on the communion?ta"le at the same moment! and it cannot "e the "ody which was "orn of the Hirgin ary and crucified upon the cross. <rom such a conclusion we may well draw "ac& with horror and dismay. 0ell says the -rayer?"oo& of the Church of *ngland/ The sacramental "read and wine remain still in their very natural su"stances! and therefore may not "e adored 8for that were idolatry! to "e a"horred of all faithful Christians:= and the natural "ody and "lood of our )aviour Christ are in heaven! and not here= it "eing against the truth of Christ(s natural "ody to "e at one time in more places than one. This is sound speech that cannot "e condemned. 0ell would it "e for the Church of *ngland if all Churchmen would read! mar&! learn! and inwardly digest what the -rayer?"oo& teaches a"out Christ(s presence in the ,ord(s )upper. %f we love our souls and desire their prosperity! let us "e very 4ealous over our doctrine a"out the ,ord(s )upper. ,et us stand fast on the simple teaching of )cripture! and let no one drive us from it under the pretence of increased reverence for the ordinance of Christ. ,et us ta&e heed! lest under confused and mystical notions of some inexplica"le presence of Christ(s "ody and "lood under the form of "read and wine! we find ourselves unawares heretics a"out Christ(s human nature. .ext to the doctrine that Christ is not God! "ut only man! there is nothing more dangerous than the doctrine that Christ is not man! "ut only God. %f we would not fall into that pit! we must hold firmly that there can "e no literal presence of Christ(s "ody in the ,ord(s )upper= "ecause His "ody is in heaven! and not on earth! though as God He is everywhere.9 8d: ,et us now go one step further! and "ring our whole su"4ect to a conclusion. There will "e a real "odily presence of Christ when He comes again the second time to 4udge the world. This is a point a"out which the 6i"le spea&s so plainly that there is no room left for dispute or dou"t. 0hen our ,ord had ascended up "efore the eyes of His disciples! the angels said to them! This same Jesus! which is ta&en up from you into heaven! shall so come in li&e manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven 8+cts i. ##:. There can "e no mista&e a"out the meaning of these words. Hisi"ly and "odily our ,ord left the world! and visi"ly and "odily He will return in the day which is emphatically called the day of His appearing 8# -eter i. B:. The world has not yet done with Christ. yriads tal& and thin& of Him as of 7ne who did His wor& in the world and passed on to His own place! li&e some statesman or philosopher! leaving nothing "ut His memory "ehind Him. The world will "e fearfully undeceived one day. That same Jesus who came nineteen centuries ago in lowliness and poverty! to "e despised and crucified! shall come again one day in power and glory! to raise the dead and change the living! and to reward every man according to his wor&s. The wic&ed shall see that )aviour whom they despised! "ut too late! and shall call on the roc&s to fall on them and hide them from the face of the ,am". Those solemn words which Jesus addressed to the High -riest the night "efore His crucifixion shall at length "e fulfilled/ >e shall see the )on of an sitting on the right hand of power! and coming in the clouds of heaven 8 att. xxvi. @F:. The godly shall see the )aviour whom they have read of! heard of! and "elieved! and find! li&e the Jueen of )he"a! that the half of His goodness had not "een &nown. They shall find that sight is far "etter than faith! and that in Christ(s actual presence is fulness of 4oy.

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This is the real "odily presence of Christ! for which every true?hearted Christian ought daily to long and pray. Happy are those who ma&e it an article of their faith! and live in the constant expectation of a second personal advent of Christ. Then! and then only! will the devil "e "ound! the curse "e ta&en off the earth! the world "e restored to its original purity! sic&ness and death "e ta&en away! tears "e wiped from all eyes! and the redemption of the saint! in "ody as well as soul! "e completed. %t doth not yet appear what we shall "e= "ut we &now that! when He shall appear! we shall "e li&e Him= for we shall see Him as He is 8# John iii. 9:. The highest style of Christian is the man who desires the real presence of his aster! and loves His appearing 89 Tim. iv. C:. % have now unfolded! as far as % can in a short paper! the truth a"out the presence of God and His Christ. % have shown 8#: the general doctrine of God(s presence everywhere= 89: the )criptural doctrine of Christ(s real! spiritual presence= 8;: the )criptural doctrine of Christ(s real! "odily presence. % now leave the whole su"4ect with a parting word of application! and com? mend it to serious attention. %n an age of hurry and "ustle a"out secular things! in an age of wretched strife and controversy a"out religion! % entreat men not to neglect the great truths which these pages contain. 8#: 0hat do we &now of Christ ourselves1 0e have heard of Him thousands of times. 0e call ourselves Christians. 6ut what do we &now of Christ experimentally! as our own personal )aviour! our own -riest! our own <riend! the Healer of our conscience! the comfort of our heart! the -ardoner of our sins! the <oundation of our hope! the confidence of our souls1 How is it1 89: ,et us not rest till we feel Christ present in our own hearts! and &now what it is to "e one with Christ and Christ in us. This is real religion. To live in the ha"it of loo&ing "ac&ward to Christ on the cross! upward to Christ at God(s right hand! and forward to Christ coming again!2this is the only Christianity which gives comfort in life and good hope in death. ,et us remem"er this. 8;: ,et us "eware of holding erroneous views a"out the ,ord(s )upper! and especially a"out the real nature of Christ(s presence in it. ,et us not so mista&e that "lessed ordinance! which was meant to "e our soul(s meat! as to turn it into our soul(s poison. There is no sacrifice in the ,ord(s )upper! no sacrificing priest! no altar! no "odily presence of Christ in the "read and wine. These things are not in the 6i"le! and are dangerous inventions of man! leading on to superstition. ,et us ta&e care. 8F: ,et us &eep continually "efore our minds the second advent of Christ! and that real presence which is yet to come. ,et our loins "e girded! and our lamps "urning! and ourselves li&e men daily waiting for their aster(s return. Then! and then only! shall we have all the desires of our souls satisfied. Till then the less we expect from this world the "etter. ,et our daily cry "e! Come! ,ord Jesus.

NOTE.
Controversy a"out the ,ord(s )upper and the real presence of Christ! we all &now! is at this moment one of the chief causes of division and distur"ance in the Church of *ngland. +t such a crisis! it may not "e uninteresting to some readers to hear the opinions of some of our well?&nown *nglish divines a"out

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the points in dispute! in addition to those which % have already given at the end of the paper on the ,ord(s )upper. % will give four 5uotations from four men of no mean authority! and as& the reader to consider them. 8#: 0aterland says/2 The words of the Church Catechism! !erily and indeed ta"en and recei!ed by the faithful! are rightly interpreted of a real participation of the "enefits pur? chased "y Christ(s death. The "ody and "lood of Christ are ta&en and received "y the faithful! not corporally! not internally! "ut verily and indeed! that is! effectually. The sacred sym"ols are no "are signs! no untrue figures of a thing a"sent= "ut the force! the grace! the virtue! and "enefit of Christ(s "ody "ro&en and "lood shed! that is of His passion! are really and effectually present with all them that receive worthily. This is all the real presence that our Church teaches.2#aterlands #or"s. 7xford/ #CF;. Hol. vi.! p. F9. 89: 'ean +ldrich! of Christ Church! says/2 The Church of *ngland has wisely for"orne to use the term of KReal -resence( in all the "oo&s that are set forth "y her authority. 0e neither find it recommended in the ,iturgy! nor the +rticles! nor the Homilies! nor the Church(s Catechism! nor .owell(s. <or although it "e seen in the ,iturgy! and once more in the +rticles of #339! it is mentioned in "oth places as a phrase of the -apists! and re4ected for the a"use of it. )o that if any Church of $ngland man use it, he does more than the Church directs him. If any re%ect it, he has the Churchs e&ample to warrant him' and it would !ery much contribute to the peace of Christendom if all men would write after so e&cellent a copy,( )ean *ldrichs +eply to Two )iscourses. 7xford/ #@C9. Fto.! pp. #;?#C. 8;: Henry -hilpotts! 6ishop of *xeter! in his letter to Charles 6utler! says/2 The Church of Rome holds that the "ody and "lood of Christ are present under the accidents of "read and wine= the Church of *ngland holds that their real presence is in the soul of the communicant at the )acrament of the ,ord(s )upper. )he holds that after the consecration of the "read and wine they are changed not in their nature "ut in their use= that instead of nourishing our "odies only! they now are instruments "y which! when worthily received! God gives to our souls the "ody and "lood of Christ to nourish and sustain them/ that this is not a fictitious! or imaginary exhi"ition of our crucified Redeemer to us! "ut a real though spiritual one! more real! indeed! "ecause more effectual! than the carnal exhi"ition and manducation of Him could "e 8for the flesh profiteth nothing:. %n the same manner! then! as our ,ord Himself said! K% am the true "read that came down from heaven( 8not meaning there"y that He was a lump of "a&ed dough or manna! "ut the true means of sustaining the true life of man! which is spiritual! not corporeal:! so in the )acrament! to the worthy receiver of the consecrated elements! though in their nature mere "read and wine! are yet! given truly! really! and effectively! the crucified "ody and "lood of Christ= that "ody and "lood which were the instruments of man(s redemption! and upon which our spiritual life and strength solely depend. %t is in this sense that the crucified Jesus is present in the )acrament of His )upper! not in! nor with! the "read and wine! nor under their accidents! "ut in the souls of communicants= not carnally! "ut effectually and faithfully! and therefore most really.2,hilpotts Letter to -utler. Cvo. *dition. #C93. pp. 9;3! 9;@.

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8F:. +rch"ishop ,ongley says! in his last Charge! printed and pu"lished after his death in #C@C/2 The doctrine of the Real -resence is! in one sense! the doctrine of the Church of *ngland. )he asserts that the "ody and "lood of Christ are Kverily and indeed ta&en and received "y the faithful in the ,ord(s )upper.( +nd she asserts e5ually that such presence is not material or corporal, but that Christs body Kis given! ta&en! and eaten in the )upper! only after a heavenly and spiritual manner( 8+rticle xxviii.:. Christ(s presence is effectual for all those intents and purposes for which His "ody was "ro&en and His "lood shed. *s to a presence elsewhere than in the heart of a belie!er, the Church of $ngland is silent! and the words of Hoo&er therefore represent her views! KThe real presence of Christ(s most "lessed "ody and "lood is not to "e sought in the )acrament! "ut in the worthy receiver of the )acrament.( % will now conclude the whole su"4ect with the following remar&a"le 5uotation! which % commend to the special attention of all my readers. %t is ta&en from the recent ela"orate 4udgment delivered "y the Judicial Committee of the -rivy Council! the highest court of the realm! in the famous case of )heppard !. 6ennett/2 +ny presence of Christ in the Holy Communion! which is not a presence to the soul of the faithful receiver! the Church of *ngland does not "y her +rticles and <ormularies affirm! or re5uire her ministers to accept. This cannot "e stated too plainly.

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# 0hatsoever we read in )cripture concerning the endless love and the saving mercy which God showeth towards His Church! the only proper su"4ect thereof is this Church which is the mystical "ody of Christ. Concerning this floc& it is that our ,ord and )aviour Hath promised! K% give unto them eternal life! and they shall never perish! neither shall any pluc& them out of y hands.(2Hoo&er! *ccl. -olity! "oo& iii.! ch. i. 9. These are wise words! and words that all Hoo&er(s professed admirers would do well to ponder and digest. <ew things are so mischievous as the common ha"it of applying to such mixed and corrupt "odies as visi"le Churches those "lessed promises of perpetuity and preservation which "elong to none "ut the company of true "elievers. 9 The following sentence from Hoo&er! on the su"4ect of Christ(s "ody! deserves special attention/ %t "ehoveth us to ta&e great heed! lest while we go a"out to maintain the glorious deity of Him which is man! we leave Him not the true "odily su"stance of a man. +ccording to +ugustine(s opinion! that ma4estical "ody which we ma&e to "e everywhere present! doth there"y cease to have the su"stance of a true "ody.2.oo"er, $ccles. ,olity, boo" !., ch. //.

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